126 Miles

Today I took a trip to three galleries to deliver artwork. My drive took me through Parley's Canyon and Provo Canyon. I love Utah mountains in September. The sun is warm, the air is cool, and the sky is Harry-Potter-quidditch-clear-blue.

I started on 500 West in downtown Salt Lake. Art Access is having a show Sep 19 - Oct 10 called Art2Go. Details are here.  (Recognize the painting on the website?) For this show, I have two little dogs, one artichoke and two cupcakes. I normally don't paint food, but it fit this show and so we'll see if anybody is tempted enough to buy them for their kitchen walls.

I then went to the beautiful Illume Gallery of Fine Art in City Creek to drop off these two large paintings that will ultimately end up in Authentique Gallery down in St. George. "Focus" 36x21" and "Pieces of My Life" 30x45". Contact either gallery to purchase!

I ended my day on historic Main Street in Park City at Gallery MAR. I brought them six pieces, five of them being commissions the clients have been patiently awaiting. When I got there, the gallery had just sold one of my pieces off the wall and were boxing it up to ship to the client out-of-state. I was lucky enough to catch the package before it shipped so I got to write a note on the box thanking this client and wishing them luck with their new lab puppy. 

I am grateful today that I get to do what I love, that I got to come home to my lab and my loving husband, and that it's the weekend. Have a great one!

Four Gallery MAR Dog Commissions: Charlie, Spike, Max, and Tucker

These dogs are headed to the client in Florida. One is a chocolate poodle and three are Shiba Inus. Thank you Gallery MAR for coordinating this commission and bringing me the client!

I think these paintings and background colors showcase the dogs' individual personalities so well.

"Charlie" 6x6" original oil

 Charlie is the soulful, intelligent one.

"Spike" 6x6" original oil

Spike is the alpha and also the oldest one who keeps the pack in line if Max and Tucker rough house.

"Max" 6x6" original oil

Max is the classic middle-child of the bunch.

"Tucker" 6x6" original oil

Tucker is the baby, the snuggle bear, and the one who is always on the go go go.

Pieces of My Life

30 x 45" original oil

sold

I chose this title to convey the past, present and future. These three pieces of my life are in this painting. The past is the out-of-focus background. The present is the in-focus middle ground. The future is the out-of-focus foreground. In the painting, as in life, only the present is truly visible in sharp detail. That is where our living focus should be (the whole "be in the now" thing...)

An interesting thought: this is a bold composition for me. It's rare that I have this much of my paintings out of focus. My hope is that the middle ground is contrasted and strong enough to carry the weight and success of the overall composition. This is a total parallel to my life: I hope my attention to today can help me succeed, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

My favorite brush stroke in the entire painting is the little orange square on the tulip that is in focus, second from the right. It's the bright orange hit in the middle of the darker petal. I love this bold, random relief of color that balances out that area.

West

30 x 33" original oil

private collection of the artist

I decided it was time I had a seascape for my own private collection. I have the perfect wall to hang this on in a room that has new grayish paint and an exposed brick wall. Every day I see it I will imagine I am at the beach, my favorite place on earth! 

So, somebody in my family recently used the name West for a middle name. I wasn't thinking of that when I chose West for the title of this painting, but I like the nod it gives to my newest little nephew. 

The bottom half of this piece that is darkest is full of texture. Some of it shows in the photograph, most of it is best seen in person as is typical with original art. I sanded, painted, sanded, knifed, and repeated. 

Enjoy! 

detail of the delicious texture I am so fond of in my seascapes

Ballroom

32 x 40" original oil

sold

These poppies were growing along 600 South in Salt Lake City. I went there a few times to photograph the poppies this summer; the flower beds are by a stop light and it never fails that some smart alec of a driver pulls up to a red light and honks his horn at me while I'm bending over to photograph. I need a shirt that says "You're not funny and I know karate." 

This composition reminds me of a ballroom full of swirling dresses and partners. Poppy petals have always reminded me of swirling gowns. This is a nice, large piece, perfect for that big wall you're looking to fill. 

My favorite part is the center area made of two bright white poppies and a third that is half in shadow. I love the depth. My close second-favorite area is anywhere with that crazy blue. I like the swooshing line made by the middle white poppies that divides the composition.