Art in Embassies — Tel Aviv, Israel

The four paintings above were selected by the curators of the U.S. State Department's Art in Embassies Program for display in the U.S. Embassy residence in Tel Aviv. The paintings, all oils, will provide viewers a glimpse of the lives of young Americans. Click on image to enlarge.

"Adventures with Harry II"

oil on panel 9 x 9 inches

Another adventurer traveling to unknown lands with Harry Potter. She was so focused in the story. I watched her a while and knew I would be painting her.

"Adventures with Harry"

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

This is one of those paintings that had moments of great joy mixed with wondering how to turn it into something I actually like. I was wanting to simplify, keep loose brush strokes, not get too fussy and still tell the story in a pleasing way. My last posting shows how far I got before I decided to give it a rest. It sat off to the side of my easel for almost a month. I added more paint today and have decided it is now finished. I do enjoy the way the process ended.

Update Note: April 2012: This painting really did not finish until September, 2011. I made some of the colors brighter. Gradually the expression on the face changed as well. The painting is now on loan to the US Department of State's Art in Embassies Program and has been installed in the US Embassy residence in Tel Aviv, Israel. See April 13, 2012

Beginning sketch . . .

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

The beginning sketch changing as the painting heads toward finish.

"A Good Read"

6 x 8 inches

oil on wooden panel

Click image to enlarge.

This little painting is from a sketch I did long ago on a trip to the ocean. The model is one of my daughters. I was interested in thick, juicy paint and loose brush strokes. A joy to paint. The sketch is below. 

"Nice Socks"

8 x 6 inches

oil on wooden panel

This coffee/tea house is near the end of our favorite trail walk. We almost always stop for chai before heading home. There are always fun painting possibilities here. This person must have been reading a good book because she never took her eyes off the pages. Somehow her right hand always knew just where the dish and mug were. Amazing. The color in painting is much richer than it appears here.

Click on image to enlarge. 

"On the Way to 500"

8 x 6"

oil on wooden panel

This lounge area is just outside WPW Gallery at the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle. As I was going to the gallery last week, I just had to stop a moment to enjoy the light falling on this reader and the tops of the chairs. Some chairs caught the blue cast from the terrace and some caught the orange from the painting on the wall.

Click on image to enlarge.