Tabbies in the Sun

I was asked to paint these two beautiful cats by a client in Florida as a surprise for his wife for Christmas.  I visited the cats at his house and spent some time getting to know them and taking pictures.  He gave her the painting early and she was so happy with it...

"SHE LOVED IT!  ALREADY HAVE HANGING IN A NICE PLACE FOR ALL TO SEE.  SHE WAS IMPRESSED GREATLY BY THE DETAIL.

THANKS AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

This really made my Christmas too!

Nesting Anna's Hummingbird

I recently completed this large 18" x 28" acrylic painting for my sister and her husband who live in Carlsbad, California.  They were able to photograph this little female and her nest which then became the inspiration for this painting.  With specific colors in mind and making sure I made the bird the main focus, this is the resulting painting.  They also were not concerned if the flower sizes were accurate in relation to the bird, so the composition worked well.  I am really happy with how it came out!

ORIGINAL SKETCH WITH LARGE FLOWERS

FINISHED ACRYLIC

DETAIL OF HUMMINGBIRD

Art Openings

"Florida Holly Robins" in Watercolor

I attended the opening last night for "Art by the Sea" at the Vero Beach Art Museum.  I am not a big fan of crowds, especially at an art show.  The show is sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club and was well attended!  Bringing my husband is never a good idea...I am the only artist on earth in his eyes and he is much happier at home with the TV!  Needless to say,  I took a quick tour and ended up using my purse as a weapon to hit a local artist's wine and spill it down her shirt.  She laughed it off and we are still friends!  I think I will go back when it's quiet and I can really look at the art.  No sale of my watercolor tonight, but I am honestly happy to keep it and hang it in my house for awhile!

Out with a Bark

I have been busy painting these last few months and not enough of writing my blog!  So, here are a few of my recent painting commissions.  Sometimes a "picture" is better than words anyway!

Florida Holly Robins Watercolor

I just finished this watercolor on Aquaboard of Robins I happened to see a while back in a local tree here in Florida.  I was doing a morning walk and saw a huge flock enjoying the red berries in a Brazilian Pepper tree, also know as the Florida Holly.  They must have stopped on their way back north for a quick snack.  I enjoyed working on the aquaboard and am entering the painting in the upcoming "Art by the Sea" show sponsored by the Vero Beach Art Club.  It is held at the amazing Vero Beach Art Museum.

Humane Society "Feather Heart"

 

I met a sweet woman by chance that volunteers at the Humane Society of Vero Beach and she was looking to create a piece of art for the office of the Volunteer Coordinator Milissa.  I have never met Milissa but heard she has been through some tough times, so something inside me just said "I can do something".  This project evolved from the four blank canvases I was given to this 32" x 40" acrylic painting.  I was inspired by all the animals that the Humane Society rescues and also learned that Milissa loved Peacocks!  I am really happy with the results and it now hangs in her office.  I hope it gives her joy as she does her wonderful work at the Humane Society.

Cats

Birds

Animals

Dogs

It's a Winner!

My Aquabord experiment worked out well!  I really enjoyed working on this surface and won first place at the Cinco de Mayo show at the Artists Guild of Vero Beach!  I also painted the sides with watercolor after adding a few coats of sanded gesso and an absorbent ground.  The final process was spraying the entire surface and painting it with a protective UV varnish.  If it doesn't sell I will be posting it in my Etsy shop.