PINK DOTS

5x7 oil on canvas panel

Another cupcake for the current Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge commemorating the 1 year anniversary of Karin Jurick's fun and challenging blog.

SAN FRANCISCO

4x10 oil on canvas panel

I don't think I have any words to describe my attempt at this painting; this was the most difficult and challenging subject matter for me. Thank you Karin Jurick for posting this photo, if you had not, I would never have tried to paint this on my own.

FARM TO MARKET

8x8 oil on canvas panel

This is Karin Jurick's newest challenge on the DSFDF blog. Because of Karin's beautiful figure paintings and her biweekly challenges, I am practicing painting figures much like this one. We were to focus on the entire figure; however, I cropped this a little differently. It is evident I have so much to learn, but that's why I'm here. Thanks for visiting!

BOAT AFLOAT

5x8 oil on canvas panel
Let me first say I found this DSFDF subject to be particularly difficult. I am not much of a water person, I don't mind looking at water, but actually being submerged in water or in a boat is not one of my favorite things. I almost scrapped this one, but remembered Karin's words about not painting this as 2 separate subjects (water and boat/boater), but instead to see this as a whole. 

I don't paint many figure paintings and I found this to be very difficult, as well. Many of you paint beautiful paintings of figures and in such small formats...I now have a different level of appreciation for those of you who do small format figure paintings, it is absolutely incredible the way you make each stroke count. So many lessons learned, but I don't think I want to take a ride in a boat any time soon!

A VERY BUSY WEEKEND

In addition to painting up a storm during Spring Break, I ended my Spring Break week with a plein air outing on Saturday morning. The 2nd photo is a shot of Rex Morgan amongst the red bud trees in a beautiful area of Dallas called Turtle Creek. 

Sunday was a very busy day, as well. We visited the Dallas Arboretum (3rd photo), which is on White Rock Lake and I got to meet Nancy Medina and see her awesome paintings in person. In addition to meeting Nancy, she introduced me to her blogging/painter friend, Judy Mackey, who just happens to be a long ago high school friend of our very own, Sheila Tajima. I love the way this blog community works...who would have thought the internet, the DSFDF blog, and a whole bunch of great artists and people could connect through a   laptop... WOW! 

Nancy and Judy are planning on painting with us this Saturday at the same Turtle Creek location. If any of you are in the Dallas area and would like to join us for some plein air painting, please e-mail me and I'll forward the info to you. 

ANOTHER SUSHI PAINTING

6x8 oil on canvas
My first sushi painting, and now I can take it off my list of "things to paint". For other artist's interpretations, please visit DSFDF.

WITH ATTITUDE

8x10 oil on canvas
This one scared me in the beginning, and then once I began I really had a good time painting the mannequins. Once again I appreciate Karin Jurick's challenging subject matter and hard work and dedication to all of us. Please check out the DSFDF blog to see incredible artwork from some very talented folks.

SAN FRANCISCO CRAYON

4" x 8" oil on canvas sold

This is my San Francisco Painted Lady painting for Karin Jurick's blog, DSDF. Once again the challenges were mighty, not just architecture again, but pastel architecture, hmmm.  I liked the 4"x8" crop because I was able to emphasize the giant crayon. My goal here was to keep the brushstrokes loose and not get hung up on making it perfect. 

JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

5x8 oil on canvas board

My contribution to Karin Jurick's Different Strokes for Different Folks blog. I've decided architecture is not my thing. To enjoy more beautiful interpretations of the Jefferson Memorial, please visit the DSDF blog.

HELEN

9x12 oil on canvas board

From the DSDF blog, Karin Jurick partnered us with another artist and we painted each other. nfs