Choosing paints

Many of you ask me what my favorite brand of oil paint is. Mostly I use Gamblin oils. I love, love, LOVE the creamy consistency, they are high quality, and they are so affordable. Do I have other brands in my oil box. You bet. Will I try other brands. Absolutely. I'm thinking of adding Vasari to my palette this year as a matter of fact.

For this or other paintings I have up for auction on ebay this week, just click on the link at the above right.

Chassie...

My little dog Chassie loves sleeping on her pillow. She's also now taken to getting covered up with one of her towels. I couldn't resist posting this photo of her.

For this or other paintings I have up for sale this week, click on the link at the above right.

Beautiful Day....

Today was gorgeous! After prepping some canvas at the von Liebig for my upcoming classes, we (my guy and me) spent the rest of the afternoon on the bike. I definitely burned some calories...though we stopped at Ben & Jerrys for a scoop of some "strawberry cheesecake" ice cream. (So much for those calories burned!!!)

I've been working on my new years goals this month. I take the month of January to go over my numbers, look at what I completed last year, and think about where I want to go this year with my work. It's been fun. I sort of write down everything in a notebook, then give it more serious thought once I think I've scribbled everything down. I recommend setting at least some goals to everyone. Even if they're small ones.

For this or paintings I have available for sale this week, just click on the link at the above right.

Quickie Sketches....

Ever do 5 minute quickie sketches? I totally recommend it, especially if you don't particularly like drawing. Believe it or not, these short sketches WILL make you a better artist, they don't take long, and they are instant gratification. I had fun doing these seashells. I've got some seashells in an upcoming still life, and small sketches like these help me before I put them in a painting.

Palette knife work...

Some paintings I use the knife more than others. When I first started working with oils, I hated the palette knife. Now I enjoy the texture it creates. This little painting definitely has a lot of knife work.

For this or other paintings I have up for auction this week, click on the link at the above right.

It's baaaaccckkk...

I've started back up my ebay line of paintings. I call them my little gems! I hated that I had to let them go this fall, but with school and some larger commission work, I just couldn't keep up.

Thank you again everyone for a great year and I'm so excited about getting these started up again.

(You can purchase these little paintings...all starting at $0.99 by clicking on the link at the above right here at the blog.)

Update on Skye

Some of you may know that we have reduced our herd over the years. One of our little guy's (not so little anymore), now named Skye, is doing great with his new momma. She's been keeping me posted on his progress and here's a couple of photos of him. He's doing great! I also got the good news that Skye's new momma Amy is going to be a momma herself! She's having a girl! I told her we need more little cowgirls in this world!!! Congratulations Amy!!!

Hello 2012 !!!!!

Well, we're here in Sunny (but a bit chilly today) Florida! I'm so excited about painting down here the next few months and I'm already loving the weather! I ended up breaking my phone yesterday on my second run (more like jog for me!) of the year. Funny, I don't mind running when I first get down here. I'm so excited about the warm air, its fun to exercise!!!

This is another little still life from December 2011. I did this one from a photo. It was harder than I thought it would be because I usually have a photo and the actual still life right in front of me. It presents a challenge when you only work from pictures.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!!