"Carrot Cake"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

Another goodie I purchased yesterday. I wanted to paint it, but I also really like carrot cake, so this model will become part of our dinner. It is large enough for two.

"Paris Honey Trifle"

6 x 8"

oil on wooden panel

Today I went shopping for some interesting goodies to paint. This “Paris Honey Trifle” seemed just the thing for my dishes. The colors in the painting are much richer than shown here.

After reading the ingredients, I think I will share it with someone . . . butter,  sour cream, honey, mascrpone, heavy cream, berries, sugar, buttermilk, almonds, vanilla puree, o my!

Click on image to enlarge.

Act I in progress

Now some color is being added. This shows part of the center panel. The raised section is 8’ wide. The panel on the floor to the right is 4’ wide. When finished, these will all be level. The upper left shows two panels out of sequence.

You will have to wait to see the rest of this until July when it hangs in the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s production of “The Mikado.”

Click image to enlarge.

Act I in progress

I have been working in the Seattle Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s shop with Nathan Rodda, the society’s set designer. This will become part of the backdrop for act I of their July production of “The Mikado.”

We worked together on the final design for this 18 x 32’ backdrop and began sketching it in chalk yesterday. Today the chalk drawing was finished and we began painting the outlines. I will post more photos as the painting progresses.

Click image to enlarge.

"Fruit Tart"

6 x 8"

oil on panel

This is the last of the little goodies I bought to paint - a tart with peach, blueberries and a piece of chocolate. 

Click on image to enlarge.

"Lunch at the Frye"

14 x 10"

oil on wooden panel

I just received word that this painting has won an award in the Women Painters of Washington Membership Show at the Kaewyn Gallery, 10101 Main, Bothell WA. The gallery reception is Friday evening May 23rd from 5-8 p.m. Please stop by if you are in the area.

The inspiration for this painting came from a visit to the Frye Museum in Seattle. From the museum’s parking lot across the street, I saw these people having lunch in the cafe. The sunlight and shadow patterns on the trees, the walls and the people in the window took my breath away. I new I had to paint it!

"Juicy Fruits"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

I spotted these little delights at a local specialty shop. I bought several more to paint as well . . . these were delicious! And I admit, I purchased everything else in the painting, including the silver tray - with the wonderful reflections, because I wanted to paint them as well!

Click the image to enlarge.

"Namaste"

36 x 18 inches

oil on canvas

These ladies were sharing joy in a little village in Maharastra, India. The people were so beautiful. I have been painting some of them.

The painting is in the WPW Rotating Exhibition at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. I have just posted it on my website and thought I would add it here as well.

Edward B. Gordon's #499

Look what just arrived at my door! It is Edward B. Gordon’s blog painting #499. Edward lives in Berlin, Germany. He began posting a painting a day in November 2006. I enjoy his work and this little painting is one of my all time favorites. The presentation was so beautiful, I had to photograph it as I opened the package.

"Sweet and Juicy"

8 x 6"

oil on gessoed wooden panel

The ceramic platter is from Poland - something else I purchased to paint. I was drawn to the shape and its playful decoration with green dots over deep blue, a great background for cheese and fruit.

The platter made its kitchen debut the day I brought it home, and has frequently carried food to the table. Today it made its way to the studio and this is its first appearance in a painting. The orange smelled so good, I had to try a slice before starting the painting. Very good! Sweet and juicy.

Click image to enlarge.

"Sweet"

8 x 6"

oil on gessoed wooden panel

Something else I bought because I wanted to paint the shapes - a pewter cream and sugar on a little tray. I admired these in a local shop for weeks before deciding to buy them. When they came home I put them on the kitchen table where we have been using them. Today they went to the studio to be painted. The chocolates were a gift from a friend and they are very good!

Click image to enlarge.

"Spring Debut"

8 x 6"

oil on wooden panel

This green glass jar has been on my studio desk for a long time. I enjoy its color and shape. I bought the flowers and the little Cambodian silver/tin covered dish because I wanted to paint them. With these thick, juicy brush marks, they make their debut. Great fun to paint!

Click on image to enlarge.

"Two + One"

7 x 6.75"

oil on gessoed museum board

I painted this a while ago. I liked it at the time but it really didn’t excite me. Several days ago I took it out to have another look. Suddenly it was so obvious! I darkened the outside of the tea cup - the center section closest to the viewer - from the little rose-colored flower at the top to the base of the cup. Now it is just right! This section is darker than the photo shows.

The photo does not capture the rich colors very well either, but it does give a good idea of the actual painting.

Click on image to enlarge.