Winter Gems

Someone said to me...how do you find those colors in winter?

Look very closely at your surroundings and you will see lots of interesting and glimmering colors in different winter lights.  I really enjoy going into the forest preserve to see what the grasses and the trees look like at all times of the year.  They change so quickly you have to capture them as you see them.

The summer is actually the most bland time of year, since the trees and surrounding grasses are similar in color and the way the light shines, everything looks the same.

Winter can present some interesting shading and colors depending on the time of day and the weather.

This is a watercolor and gouache on paper, 12 x 18 in size.

Winter Gems-unframed watercolor and gouache-$145

A New Year, A New Beginning

This is the first painting that I've completed in my new home.  I knew as soon as I looked out the kitchen window and saw the scene, that it would be the first.

I am calling my new home "my artist retreat" and "little house on the prairie."  I am blessed to be in this place.  So peaceful and serene.  A far cry from my 2012 nightmare of a life.  We won't get into that....that's in the past.  Two Thousand Thirteen will be the year I call "my restful year" and I am looking forward to many new challenges in my life through my art, my work, and my love life.

I hope you see the peace that I have been able to express in this painting.  I loved painting it.

It's a watercolor on paper, 12 x 18.

Through my Kitchen Window-Watercolor unframed $125

My Favorite Illustrations from "Follow the Wind Wherever it Blows"

Last year I worked all year long producing and illustrating a children's book for Paddy Lynn.  Paddy is a storyteller/actress and now an author!

She asked me to illustrate her story for her and I excepted the challenge back in March of 2012.  Now the book is available on Blurb in ebook form and on Amazon in book form.  Cool!!! You can purchase and look at the book by going to "Follow the Wind Wherever it Blows"

Here are my two favorite illustrations from the book.

Along the Great Western Trail-Watercolor and Gouache-unframed $140

Saturday, September 29th I led a group westward on the Great Western Trail.  We rode our bikes out 8 miles and saw some beautiful western suburb scenes along the trail.

This painting was inspired by a beautiful creek that runs across the trail.  The fall colors were just vibrant and enjoyable.

Along with painting, I LOVE to bike.  

Green of Maine II

This is the second watercolor and gouache in the Maine series.  It's 12 x 18 on watercolor 140 lb. paper.  One of the things I noticed while there was the interesting shapes of the branches and leaves all around me.  Mostly Fir type trees, but came across Birch and a couple of other very interesting towering giants.  

Green of Maine II-watercolor and gouache-$125

Changes

I started dieting in January and have already trimmed down three dress sizes.  I finally made a decision that I wanted to lose all these unwanted pounds and concentrate on myself.  Not only have I lost weight, I have reignited my love for bike riding and have gotten back on the saddle.

I thought it would be a good idea to get away  for a long needed break and decided to visit some very good friends of mine who have a home in Raymond, Maine.  This painting is the first of the "Maine Series."

The Green of Maine-watercolor and gouache $125

I also just finished putting together the illustrations and layout for a children's book that I was hired to create for a very talented woman who is an actress/storyteller, Paddy Lynn.  I will post that information when we have the book completely ready for viewing and purchasing.

"Blue Sky, Blue Water"

"Blue Sky, Blue Water"-Watercolor unframed-$125

Just completed this 12 x 18 watercolor. Enjoy!  

Two watercolors

At the Stream-$45 unframed watercolor

The Still of the Day-$45 unframed watercolor

These are two 9 x 12 watercolors I painted in the last few weeks.  Both are scenes from the Rollins Savannah in Grayslake, IL. Painting early spring can be so exciting because the colors are so intensely beautiful to me.  The dark gray sky's and reddish browns just make my paintings sing. What I love about both of these scenes are the contrast between the dark trees and the bright grasses.

Please email me if you have any interest in purchasing these paintings or any of my work.  

"Cattails"

I think Illinois is having an early spring this year! Good....this winter was too long......anyway here is a watercolor that I painted of a scene at the Rollins Savannah Forest Preserve in Grayslake, IL

"Cattails"-watercolor-12 x 18-$125 unframed
!!!!SOLD!!!!!!

Nippersink Clearing

Nippersink Clearing-gouache and watercolor-unframed $125

Just finished this watercolor and gouache on Strathmore windpower 140 lb. watercolor paper, 12 x 18.

I soooooooo....much love to do landscape paintings!!!

Flowers at the Road

Flowers at the Road-gouache on paper-$125

This winter weather is just getting me down...so to cheer myself up, I painted something I am looking forward to.  This is a gouache on 12 x 18 mixed media paper.  I call it of course "Flowers at the Road"

Winter Shadow

Winter Shadow-Pastel on paper-$200 unframed

Getting back into my pastels after creating a tribute painting of my old friend Nemo. It's going to make a very nice painting for my wall.  Anyway, it sparked me into painting this one.

I took a few photos of the woods down in Waukegan, IL at the Jack Benny Center and thought the shadow was so cool.  Only 1.9" of snow so far this year here and seeing this scene was so unusual for this time of the year, I had to put it on paper.  So here it is "Winter Shadow", pastel on paper, 12 x 16.  

Mystified

After being so depressed by the loss of my most favorite companion, I got right back into painting to ease the pain.  I imagined him right here with me as he always would be near me while I painted.  

Here is a watercolor and gouache that I just completed this morning.  I call it "Mystified".  It is 18 x 24 on watercolor paper.

Mystified-watercolor & gouache-$225

Worst Day of My Life

Early this morning, after having to watch my oldest dog, Nemo, have several seizures, I watched my best and most treasured friend go to doggy heaven.  This was the hardest thing I've had to do in my life and it was the worst day of my life.  Nothing compares to the lose of a loved one.  I've lost many who where very close, but to lose a companion like Nemo will stay with me forever.  I know in time the feeling I am having today will fade, but without knowing this animal, you didn't know one of cutest, sweetest guys in the dog world.
Nemo was a pure breed Jack Russell with a rough coat of white fur and a brown mask on his face. When we got him he was only two pounds and he grew into a sturdy terrier full of energy and personality.

Nemo-11/24/2011
May he rest in peace-12/18/2011

I just loved that dog....and now he is gone....so in memory of him, I dedicate this post for my "Bubba, my Bud, my Nemo".  

Colors of Winter II

Colors of Winter II-FRAMED-$350

I have been working my way up to using a large sheet of good Arches 140 lb paper.  This painting is approx. 15 x 22 (half sheet) and a watercolor.

What do you think?  Let me know...I love to hear comments.  

Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze-unframed watercolor and gouache $75

Okay, did this one this morning....this weather is already getting me down.  So here is a watercolor and gouache, 9 x 12.  

Winter in IL

Winter in IL-Unframed watercolor and white gouache-$75

On to winter scenes, since today the sky sure looks like winter is just around the corner....found this photo that I took years ago, so I painted this watercolor and white gouache on an Arches 8 x 11 cold press 140 lb paper.  

Fall Branches II

Fall Branches II-12 x 18 watercolor and gouache unframed $150

Last one in this Fall series...12 x 18 on Canson 140lb paper.  

Fall Branches

Fall Branches-watercolor and gouache-unframed $125

Watercolor on Canson 140lb 12 x 18.  

Saplings near the Clearing

Here is another 12 x 18 watercolor and gouache on Canson 140 lb. paper.
I am on an autumn kick!  The colors are so breathtaking and so I looked back to 2009 and found another beautiful scene to work into a painting.

Saplings near the Clearing-watercolor and gouache- unframed $125