It's All About the Art

Heather after John Singer Sargent's "Madame X"

2011-09-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of John Singer Sargent and this painting, 12 x 24 oil on canvas, is after that famous "Madame X".

Daniel's boots

2011-09-28T12:06:00.000-07:00

These boots belong to my son-in-law, Daniel, who is a "real cowboy". 16 x 20 oil on canvas.

Keli and Pa

2011-09-15T10:34:00.001-07:00

This is a commission piece 18 x 24 oil on canvas. The reference they gave me was lost to this family and is the only one they have of these two subjects. The husband of the little girl, commissioned this for a surprise birthday present and I'm so glad he agreed to the black and white, my favorite style to do for clients.

Windmill and cows - Patti

2011-03-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

Wish I had thought to add the two cows' reflection in the water...oh well, I'll go back

Stamping horses - Patti

2011-03-02T16:09:00.001-08:00

This is a 10 x 20 oil on rough panel. Haven't posted in a while but wanted you to know I'm still painting. I'll try and post the others soon.

Commission for Steve - Patti

2011-01-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

The Koi is a Christmas commission...some man saw one similar on my website and ordered for his friend. I've actually painted this one three times now and sold all three. This one is 24 x 36 on stretched canvas. The horse is just a study for a larger one that will be done in class with others who are interested in learning this loose style that I'm just now enjoying. To paint loose is so much fun after painting something as tight as the Koi.

Heather in watercolor - Patti

2010-12-09T14:40:00.001-08:00

Trying to learn some water color techniques. Got a ways to go but I like the quickness of watercolors.

Two in class - Patti

2010-12-04T06:38:00.001-08:00

These two were completed in class...the boats are after a Monet study and the landscape is after a Renoir.

A Christmas Gift for Daniel - Patti

2010-12-04T06:34:00.000-08:00

This is on an 18 x 24 birch board....a present for my cow boy son in-law Daniel.

Summer reds - Patti

2010-08-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

11 x 14 oil on canvas - I must really be drawn to red as I'm doing a lot of red in my paintings lately...it is my favorite color, but really one of the hardest to keep red. If you try to lighten with white, you'll get pink. So I find orange or yellow will help get that hue I like with alizarin & ultramarine blue to darken.

A redo - Patti

2010-07-26T12:01:00.001-07:00

Kimberly and I took a class a few years ago and this was one we did in class. I never was pleased with the spout on the vase, so I've reworked it here. The whole painting isn't quite this bright but the colors are close. 16 x 20 oil on canvas.

Italian Vase - Patti

2010-07-26T06:28:00.001-07:00

This is just the coolest vase that one of my students (Gail) gave me. I just love it and plan to use it in several paintings. This one is a 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

One Knife, One Brush - Patti

2010-07-22T12:54:00.001-07:00

These are both small 8 x 10 oils, done on the RayMar Canvas. Needed to loosen up after the portrait of Kimberly. These were fun, one done exclusively with a knife and the other with brushes completed very quickly, approx 1 hour. I think I like the knife one best and I'll try more this way.

Kimberly - Patti

2010-07-20T10:35:00.001-07:00

I think I'm finished with this - wow those hands were hard. I know I'm missing the correct placement of the fingers, but this is the best I could get. I really wanted the violin and her face to be the focus - hope you folks who play won't notice they are not on the strings correctly.

More parrots - Patti

2010-06-17T16:05:00.001-07:00

These guys look a little angry to me - 16 x 20 oil on board

Peacock - kim

2010-06-08T16:34:00.001-07:00

Parrots - Patti

2010-05-30T08:57:00.000-07:00

This is just a small one 6 x 8. When I was searching for references for the "bird lady" commission, I came across this one that caught my creative imagination for a painting. She choose another (see below), but I still wanted to try this one. Thought it would be good for a quickie on this small canvas but it turned out to take several hours. I'm still very pleased with the outcome. The reference had six parrots, all in tremendous colors but I could only fit four.

Patti - Another bird with babies

2010-05-26T10:59:00.001-07:00

This is another bird painting for that same lady who now has somewhere around six I've done for her. I've lost count. It is an 11 x 14 oil on canvas. She's never very picky...just tells me "another please". Sweet.

Oriental Tea Pot - Patti

2010-05-14T12:32:00.000-07:00

18 x 24 Oil on Canvas. Haven't posted in a while but I have been working. This is the latest. Still trying to perfect those roses and trying to incorporate loose with tight. Loose to please me and tight to please Tim.

Workshop Roses

2010-04-06T09:52:00.001-07:00

Decided to use this setup for the workshop coming up this Saturday. Might have to leave out the apples if we run out of time. This is a 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

Kathy's Grandkids

2010-03-20T13:43:00.000-07:00

Another white teapot - Patti

2010-03-19T11:35:00.001-07:00

This is a 12 x 24 oil on canvas that I did just because I have a neat white frame that I think will set this off nicely. The teapot really isn't as white as seen here..need to get a better shot. Haven't signed yet, so if you see a fix, let me know. I bought that teapot at a going out of business sale for $3 because the lid was missing. That's why the lid looks kind of off...no reference. Had to make that up and you know I'm not good at that.

Spring flowers - Patti

2010-03-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is an 11 x 14 oil on canvas...just a two hour quickie for a class demo. Needing spring here...QUICK!

More of Greg

2010-03-14T14:40:00.001-07:00

The color is right, but needs an overall softening and smoothing.

It's getting close. He still look to young, but I can't quite pin it down to what is causing that....suggestions are welcome.

Greg's Turn

2010-03-13T16:31:00.001-08:00

I've been painting all day and I'm tired. I see several things in this photo. His teeth are a little long, his nose is a little off at the hanging down part. I never get the color correct in the first couple of passes and that's true for this one. He's a little brown and dark. After the color correction I'll complete his hairline and he will be less of a square head.

I plan on work on him a again tomorrow.

Goodnight all!

Kathy's Grandkids- update

2010-03-07T15:21:00.001-08:00

Mike - I soften Hillary's mouth, that was a very artistic suggestion of you :) and I agreed. Several other things were soften in this pass and I did a color correction; she was very dark pink. I also corrected to color of her hair and put some finishing touches on it. I have a couple more subtle things I want to correct around her nose and mouth still, but I am done for the day.

I started on Greg. He is still in a rough beginning stage and I don't want to scare you seeing your child without eyes (you can see a little of him in this post)...It's the freakiest stage of all.

Your kids are beautiful people. I'm glad you are pleased with my progress so far.

Mom- I think I incorporated all your suggestions, although I'm still unsure of the way the arms exit the painting. They are not that dark in real life this photo has a spot light on the face.

Old barn - Patti

2010-03-03T14:00:00.000-08:00

The reference was an old barn photo I took in Alabama a few years ago and now I've painted it five times....enough! 16 x 20 oil on canvas.

Stormy Seas - Patti

2010-03-03T13:59:00.001-08:00

11 x 14 oil on canvas - a study for the class Thursday night.

Teapots in Whites - Patti

2010-03-01T09:55:00.001-08:00

16 x 24 oil on Canvas - as I post this, I see errors in the shadows...not one of my favorites but completed in a day. Trying to work faster as I seem to be able to keep the "fresh" look better when I do. There's a fine line between fast and fresh which I have a hard time getting to.

Kathy's Grandkids

2010-02-28T13:31:00.000-08:00

24x24 on wood

Finishing touches on Alex - Patti

2010-02-01T08:55:00.001-08:00

Alex is a 16 x 20 oil on canvas. I'm really proud today - have completed finishing touches on this one and the following two. Sometimes those last touches are the hardest to get back to.

Teapot & Roses - Patti

2010-02-01T08:47:00.000-08:00

This is an 18 x 24 oil on canvas and is probably the brightest still life I've ever done.

Fruit Pigeon 2 - Patti

2010-02-01T08:20:00.000-08:00

This is a commissioned piece - 11 x 14 oil on canvas. The lady who received the other one, requested one more, facing the opposite direction. Doing anything twice is difficult, especially when I don't have the other to compare colors and size. Hope she likes this one as well.

Red Roses - Patti

2010-01-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

This is an 8 x 10 oil on canvas. In my last workshop, with Dreama Tolle Perry, she suggested doing a small "quickie" painting each day to get the juices flowing. The problem with me, my quickies turn into at least two hours and it doesn't leave enough time to work on the one in progress. I'm sure she does them much less than that. I'd like to get to the point where I can do one in at least an hour or less. That's my goal this year.

Alex complete - Patti

2009-12-26T10:54:00.001-08:00

Made the suggestions you made and I'm pleased with this one.

Alex close up - patti

2009-12-19T12:19:00.001-08:00

Scan down for the full shot.

Alex - Patti

2009-12-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

Looking for critiques here....coming to completion and could use another pair of eyes. This is a 16 x 20 oil on canvas....not a very good photo...shading off a little but pretty close to original.

Purple Roses - Patti

2009-12-03T11:53:00.001-08:00

This is an 11 x 14 oil on canvas board. I'm starting to get a feel for doing these roses & I really like the purple. Thanks to Doug Smith for sending me his photos to use as references.

New Hummingbirds - Patti

2009-11-24T11:12:00.001-08:00

This is an 18 x 24 Oil on Board. A Christmas commission.

Ballerina - Patti

2009-11-20T10:46:00.000-08:00

This is a small 8 x 10 oil on canvas completed today.

Kelli's Grandmother - Patti

2009-11-10T12:53:00.001-08:00

This is a commionsioned piece for Kelli to give her Mother for Christmas. The size is 14 x 18 and I just love doing Black and White paintings. I'm so glad she agreed to allow it done in that format.

Workshop paintings - Patti

2009-11-08T13:57:00.000-08:00

All of these are from the workshop with instructor Dreama Tolle Perry who is just simply amazing. I hope to use this style often...I love the bright loose juicy colors.

Hummingbirds - Patti

2009-10-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

22" x 28" on Birch Board. This one is 'busier than any other I have done and I'm not sure I like it so much. It has lots of texture and lots of color, maybe not evident here, but it was another one of those learning experiences. I'll hang it and stare for a while to see if I should simplify in any way. Open for comments or recommendations.

"Clematis" - 11 x 14 Patti

2009-10-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Finished this one in time for the Ashland Show last week and also sold it at the show.

"Apples & Bannans - 11 x 14 oil - Patti

2009-10-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Finished this one last week just in time for Ritter Park this weekend.

Student - Heather 16 x 20 oil on canvas

2009-09-22T10:12:00.001-07:00

Heather completed her portrait of Vince Lombardi just in time for the Ashland show. She is planning on adding a signature of Vince when she finds one she can copy.

more in the flower series

2009-09-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Student - Heather 16 x 20 oil on canvas

2009-09-07T13:21:00.001-07:00

This is Heather's first pass at her portrait of Vince Lombardi and also her first portrait ever. She decided she lost some of his trimness, so she'll work on that next time and also the finishing highlights on his face should bring him closer to his likeness. Overall, she's doing a great job for her first!

"My Hen" - Patti

2009-09-06T12:57:00.001-07:00

Gail & I are painting a rooster in class and she has inspired me to paint one on my own. This one is a 18 x 24 oil on board that I've been adding left over paint on for a while, so it was very dry and thick when I started. Roosters are fun as they can be a variety of different colors and shapes. I named this one "My Hen" because someone told me you rarely see two Roosters together as they fight so severely over their hens.

AJ - update

2009-09-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

Students - Tyler & Trey

2009-09-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted the kids class for a while. This one is a study on Renoir using his famous painting "Vase Of Chrysanthemums" (c. 1895) The kids really liked this one as they used many colors opposed to the few colors we've used in the past.

Students -Drew,Tyler,Madison and Jorden,Ryan

2009-09-04T08:36:00.001-07:00

AJ update

2009-08-23T16:07:00.000-07:00

"Copper In Bloom" - Patti

2009-08-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is the large one (48" x 60") oil on canvas.

AJ update

2009-08-16T16:52:00.001-07:00

Heather's train station update

2009-08-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

AJ - Kimberly

2009-08-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

New Sunflowers - Patti

2009-07-25T15:52:00.001-07:00

This is a repeat of the other "Copper In Bloom" but on a much bigger scale. 4'5' and I think I did a much better weathered table effect. I'll be adding the sunflowers tomorrow.

Liatris - Kimberly

2009-07-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

12x16ish oil on wood

Student Steve

2009-07-17T06:12:00.001-07:00

This is the much requested completed work from Steve. Since I first posted his beginning work, several have inquired "When is that guy gonna finsh that neat bird"?
Well Steve completed last night in class and I just want you all to know, this is his very first oil and I know he's on his way to being a really stand out artist and we're all looking forward to his next painting.

Study in Poppies - Patti

2009-07-17T06:07:00.001-07:00

This is a 11 x 14 oil on canvas...a practice in getting poppies shaped correctly for a landscape we'll be doing in our Tuesday and Thursday classes. I'm starting to really like reds.

Dragon Daisy - Kimberly

2009-07-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

12x30ish oil on wood

This was a quicky. Done in less than an hour. Abstract for me, but I like it. Hope you do too.

Drew update - Kimberly

2009-07-12T16:16:00.000-07:00

Students -Drew,Tyler,Madison and Jorden

2009-06-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

"White Lillys for the Bride" - Patti

2009-06-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

This is the present for Alyse for her wedding Saturday. An 8 x 10 on canvas...think I'll put it in a black frame.

Student Sarah's completed Monet

2009-06-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Sarah finished her Monet and now we're off to another "Old Master". This is an 11 x 14 oil on canvas and it took two two hour classes and a little at Art In The Park last weekend.

Drew

2009-06-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

I continued on even though I didn't hear back from the family. They are trying to take care of Drew now.

I'm happy with the likeness, though I need to do some work on the mouth and eyelashes....this boy has some long beautiful ones. Also, I think I need to round the right eye on the end; it's a little pointy.

Hair and neck are next, though you won't see much of either as they will both blend into the background to mostly impressions.

Student Jennifer's Completed Labs

2009-06-21T13:07:00.001-07:00

She painted them to face each other when hung.

Drew

2009-06-14T12:19:00.000-07:00

14x14 oil on wood.

I see that I have a few drawing issues with this underpainting. The chin and nose are a little wide and the eyes need to be more squinty, but I'm done for the day. I'll work on it again tomorrow.

Fruit for a Friend Day - Patti

2009-06-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

A friend asked us to dinner tonight and when I asked what can we bring, she said some fresh fruit. So I painted this quickie 11 x 14 oil on canvas as a gift. The strawberry is actually from my very own strawberry patch. New this year after 3 years trying to have some.

Sails - Patti

2009-06-10T10:17:00.001-07:00

18 x 24 Oil on Canvas - finally got back to this one and completed in time to enter at Ritter Park Art in the Park show.

Student Jennifer' 2nd Lab

2009-06-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

Jennifer is up for another Lab belonging to her daughter. She's giving both to her daughter for a gift...the Labs belong to her daughter. This is her 1st pass in "Open Studio" last night.

Student - Heather 11 x 14 oil on canvas

2009-06-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

Heather started another church in class last night and this is her 1st pass.

Student - Heather 11 x 14 oil on canvas

2009-06-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Carrollton Covered Bridge in Barbour County - completed in three sessions.

Student Jennifer - Open Studio night

2009-06-04T16:28:00.000-07:00

Jennifer finally completed her dog tonight...next week she's ready to start another.

Student - Sarah Paul Gaugain

2009-05-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

Sarah's completed copy of Paul Gaugain's "Tahitian Landscape". She's a fabulous student that I really enjoy working with.

Marlyn's vase - Patt

2009-05-28T11:34:00.000-07:00

This is just a small 8 x 10 but I really like the purple/blue contrast. Hope these smaller ones sell better in the show than the larger ones.

Sails - Patti

2009-05-22T11:33:00.001-07:00

These are still a work in progress...need to add the rigging and the boats look a little cartoony to me at this point. I think I need to add more paint with thicker stokes...I'll try later and repost.

Poppies - Patti

2009-05-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

A larger 18 x 24 of the poppies I did a few years ago.

Daffodills - Patti

2009-05-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is Heather's vase and the daffodills are from the reference file on Wet Canvas. It is a 11 x 14 oil on canvas...another small one to put in the Ritter Park show next month.

Student Sarah - Paul Gauguin "Tahitian Landscape"

2009-05-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Sarah and Ivy were both in class today and we decided this one would take a couple of lessons. Sarah is a very quick study and is learning very fast. She pays close attention to details and is picking up on color mixing easily.

Student Ivy - Gauguin's "Tahitian Landscape"

2009-05-16T13:37:00.000-07:00

Ivy is back for her sixth painting and another study from Paul Gauguin. This is the first pass 11 x 14 oil on canvas. This one has more detail and we decided we would take at least one more class to complete. I'm sure you can see Ivy's progress...she is a very good student!

Student Jennifer's lab update

2009-05-13T13:35:00.001-07:00

Jennifer's progress on the lab from last nights "Open Studio"

Student Jennifer's lab

2009-05-07T17:47:00.001-07:00

Jennifer has two Labradors she is painting for her daughter. This is the first of the two.

Black Cup - Patti

2009-05-05T10:22:00.001-07:00

Here's another small 8 x 10 oil on canvas. Trying to get together a few small ones for the two shows in June.

Student Sarah

2009-05-02T09:27:00.000-07:00

This is Sarah's first lesson and her very first oil painting after a study of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers (1888). Sarah is very eager to learn oil painting and is a very promising student. She easily mastered the free brush strokes of Van Gogh and enjoyed the process completely. Sarah is eleven.

Student Mashyla

2009-04-30T17:59:00.001-07:00

She's finished!

Peppers w/glass added - Patti

2009-04-29T10:04:00.000-07:00

The glass isn't actually blue..just photographed that way..couldn't adjust out. Calling this complete.

More peppers - Patti

2009-04-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

Still working on this one so suggestions are welcomed. I'm going to increase the width of the glass and add those ice cubes. 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

Student Ivy - 5th

2009-04-25T09:17:00.001-07:00

This is the one Ivy chose for her Grandparents.

Peppers - Patti

2009-04-24T12:46:00.001-07:00

Had this set up for the class but they were working on other things, so I painted this today before the peppers wilt & yes those stems are that long. That's why I picked them...thought they were so neat. It's a 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

Completing Tulips - Patti

2009-04-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

Tulilps with the vase now complete.

Another attempt at those tulips - Patti

2009-04-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

I'm finding tulips very difficult to paint but here's another attempt. The vase isn't finished yet...need to wait until the background dries. It's an 11 x 14 on convas.

Steve - Student in Open Studio

2009-04-16T15:13:00.000-07:00

This is a 16 x 20 on canvas - Steve brought his photo to class and is doing a great job. I think this one will turn out really neat.

Jennifer's Tulilps - Patti

2009-04-16T12:17:00.001-07:00

These are from Jennifer's garden but the class didn't get to paint this past week, so thought I would just do a small quickie today before they die. It's a 5 x 7 on canvas board.

Correcting Aaron's eye color

2009-04-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Student Mashyla

2009-04-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

This is Mashyla's first oil in class. She choose to paint from Jennifer's beautiful photo of the cherry tree on her property. She's not quite finished, but will be adding the leaves and the finishing touches next week.

Lemons - Patti

2009-04-12T14:02:00.001-07:00

Did this quickie yesterday after Ivy's class - it's a small 8 x 10.

Water Lilly - Patti

2009-04-12T13:59:00.001-07:00

Think your critique about the Koi in Angie's was correct, sso I took mine out and added another water pad in its place. During our next class, I'll see if she wants to do the same for hers. This is a 11 x 14.

Red Apple update - Patti

2009-04-12T12:46:00.001-07:00

Really disliked the other glasses (see post below) so I wiped out,redid and added the fallen daisy.