NOEL - SOLD

I am doing a few holiday/seasonal letter block paintings - the first one is NOEL. Winter in the Adirondacks is snowy - and it sticks to the trees as if it is icing. But here, one lone tree is decorated in it's holiday attire.

5 inches tall and 13 inches high - with sawtooth hanger on back. But these wooden block letters are thick enough to stand on their own, giving a great look on any shelf.

Email me if you are interested in this piece, or one that is similar!

Winter Cabin

"Winter Cabin"

6 x 12 acrylic on canvas

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Just a quick winter scene from my mind as we experience our March winter storm today. As I worked on this, I kept hearing Bob Ross in my head saying "happy little trees" and "It's your world." He always had such a calm, soothing tone as he worked. Makes me smile sometimes when I think of that as I paint. :)

In the Country

"In the Country"

6 x 12 acrylic on canvas

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Many of my paintings are done from photographs. But this particular one is really from my mind. I spend much time up in the Adirondack mountains in NY state, and I often see images of houses, barns, sheds located near water. I see them in all seasons but because we are now in the winter season, I am going to paint a few of my favorite images in winter.

I had an older painting I did once of a small hunting cabin near a partially frozen lake. It sold & is happy with it's new owner, but it has always been in the back of my mind to redo the image. However, I wanted something a bit more "in the mountains" which is a common sight around our lake house. And very often, the mountains will show their "colors" - I once stopped on a snowmobile in the middle of the frozen lake to marvel at the purple mountain majesty that was in front of us. Nature is truly beautiful.

This painting combines many of the images I hold dear - the mountains colors, the little barn by the water, the reflections.... all things that I love to see, and also to paint!

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I do want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. I've been a bit vacant from the web during the holiday season mainly because I caught a bad cold/virus and was down for a couple of weeks. But I'm glad to say I have returned. I believe 2017 will be a good year! 

Mini Paintings

Snow on Juniper 1

3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow on Juniper 2

3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Red Berries with Snow

3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow Crocus's

3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow Pine

3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

These are 5 small paintings done on 3x5 inch panels. I love these small ones, they are all small glimpses of nature during the winter. Each depicts a plant that is co-existing with the winter snow, and many have iridescent highlights.

Each of these is up for auction now, on Daily Paintworks, with a very low starting bid. Just click the link under each to go to their respective auction pages. They would make great little gifts for anyone on your gift-giving list. And if you buy multiples, I will combine shipping!

Winter Farm

"Winter Farm"

9x12 acrylic on linen board

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Dozens of these farms dot the landscape in New York State - they are surrounded by greens in spring & summer when they are full of activity. Then the autumn leaves surround them in full color. And then finally, the blues of winter make a wonderful backdrop to these lovely red buildings.

Rarely are they idle though, even in the coldest of temperatures. Farm work is never done, even in the harshest of winter - in fact, the weather often creates more work!

Right now, so much of the Buffalo area of NY state is being impacted by severe weather. Snow measured in feet (some spots as high as 8 or 9 feet!) is causing people to become stranded in their own homes and the weight on the roof is creating some anxiety in the hearts of the owners. To make matters worse, warming temps on Sun/Monday with rain will cause extra weight on those rooftops. My prayers go out to all who are trying to deal & cope!

Winter Blues

"Winter Blues"

14 x 18 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

We are just about done with January, but winter has all of February (and part of March) to go through. The weather, so far, as been cold. Very cold. I don't think I remember negative numbers quite so often in my neck of the woods, or wind chill warnings being issued either! This, along with the shorter days, all give me what I call my "winter blues." And I thought, what a great idea for a painting.

Located on Moose River in NY, this wintry scene was painted entirely with Indanthrene Blue & Titanium White (a few touches of Paynes Gray were added along the shoreline only). I wanted to capture the coldness of the winter. There are no warm spots in this painting! 

I love doing these limited palette paintings. They are a challenge, but then again, they are not. When working with only 2 or 3 colors, you must mix what you need. And I think it's easier to focus on your value changes without being distracted by various colors.

I do love winter - I just wish it wasn't so cold! 

Lone Pine

"Lone Pine"

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted earlier this year, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

This lone pine sat at the entrance to our cove on the lake in upstate NY. And the constant occurrence of high waters in the spring has caused a great deal of erosion. This poor tree stood at the point of the land and every spring it was surrounded by water. And every fall, as the lake waters receded to prepare for winter, the exposed roots would show. Finally, a few years ago, the tree fell and has since been cut up and removed. But I loved this tree and always looked at it standing on the point - it was our point of reference when we were on the lake - a beacon to find our way home. 

This painting is from a photograph my husband took one cold winter morning when the temperature was barely above zero. I tried to capture those first morning rays as they first appear on the horizon.

Assorted Snow Mini Paintings

Snow on Juniper 1
3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow on Juniper 2
3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow Crocus's
3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Snow Pine
3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

Red Berries with Snow
3x5 acrylic on canvas panel

These are 5 small paintings done on 3x5 inch panels. They were all painted last January as part of the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I love these small ones, they are all small glimpses of nature during the winter. Each depicts a plant that is co-existing with the winter snow.

Each of these is up for auction now, on Daily Paintworks, with a very low starting bid. Just click the link under each to go to their respective auction pages.

I think I will do more of these mini paintings - I really like them!

Hazy Shade of Winter

"Hazy Shade of Winter"

8x10 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted earlier this year, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

Previously painted at the beginning of 2013, this one is a value study, done entirely with Payne's Gray and Titanium White. I had a lot of fun painting this one - loved working with the values only. Without the color, I find it easier to detect subtle shade differences such as in the tall vertical trees. The shade of gray was changed for each one so that no two have the identical shade. Some highlights (or darklights as I like to call them) were done with similar shades, just to pull the entire painting together. 

I like this one quite a bit - the grays actually look like silver and the whites easily stand out. I will need to do more of these gray value paintings in this challenge. I found it not only fun, but I learned quite a bit doing it as well!

Winter Barn - SOLD

"Winter Barn"

8x10 acrylic on stretched canvas

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted earlier this year, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

In case you hadn't noticed, I have a "thing" for barns. I just love them, and to have one in a winter scene makes it even better. This was actually adapted from a Christmas card I had gotten some years ago. I kept it because I liked the scene so much - it's not fancy, but it is definitely winter in the country. 

So yesterday I told you a bit about the ice on the lake, and how best to know when it's relatively safe. But the lake isn't the only place where winter activity takes place. There is cross-country skiing, and also snowmobiling - much of which takes place on trails off of the lake. There is a flurry of activity amongst my winter friends because it looks like winter has started with a roar. There are places near the Great Lakes that are measuring the latest snowfall in feet, not inches! Many folks are traveling out to Old Forge this weekend for a big event called Snodeo. It's an annual event & attracts many people & families to the area. Old Forge is well know as the winter vacationland in NY, and previous years the snow has been minimal at best. This year will make up for it, which is good - the folks who depend on winter to make a living need a good year.

There are numerous winter carnivals in the area as well, with races, activities and fireworks. I have to say, NY state does not sit in the house all winter just waiting for spring. Dress warm though cause it can get quite cold out there! 

Winter Icing

"Winter Icing"

8x10 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted earlier this year, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

As long as we are on winter, I thought I'd post another winter wonderland. I named this "Winter Icing" because of the layering of snow on the trees & grounds. I had wanted to do a painting that showed how a heavy snowfall would look at one of the creeks, especially when the creek isn't frozen over.

This time of year the water areas are freezing, but wherever there is running water, they tend to open up again. Do you know that creeks & streams continue to flow beneath that coating of ice? Upstate there are many winter activities that occur on the frozen lake and this time of year always poses the question "is there enough ice? Is it safe to go out there?" The answer is never a solid one, but ask the ice fisherman. They have to drill through the ice to set up their lines - they can tell you how thick the ice is in spots. 

Interesting info to know:

But this does not take into effect water movement. Where ever the water is moving the ice will be thinner. Still water freezes sooner, faster, thicker. 

Just some good winter facts to know. 

Winter Walk - SOLD

"Winter Walk" - SOLD

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted earlier this year, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

We just had our first winter snowfall of the year. Not a large one in accumulations, it was on the small side. But when it was snowing this morning, it was coming down at a steady rate. I always find it rather magical when that happens - hundreds, maybe thousands of flakes falling at the same time. And you can watch it start to collect on the trees, then the grass, then the street. 

Todays storm was quite short, lasting only a few hours. When it was done, I went outside to just look at the wonderful snow-covered branches & shrubs. It's a wonderful sight, and that is what this painting reminds me of. That moment, right after the snow stops, when the world is hushed and sounds are muffled, and the snow actually twinkles in the light. 

Yep, it's magical!

Coating of Snow

"Coating of Snow"

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted in early 2013, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

This is another from the 30 days painting challenge that happened back in January. In fact, this was the first one done in that series. I wanted to capture the first major snowfall of the season, and I used the lilac colors to try & depict the glistening of the snow. I enjoyed painting this one very much, often holding my brush in my hand as if it were a palette knife. 

Snow on Cabin & Pine

"Snow on Cabin & Pine"

8x10 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted in early 2013, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

This is another Christmas Card scene as I've taken to calling some of the winter paintings I've done. Many of these were done back in January of 2013, during Leslie's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. I tend to paint the season I am in, and since it was winter, many of the 30 paintings were with snow.

This reminds me of upstate - the tall trees with snow on them is a common sight. And the cabin tucked into the woods, with snow on the roof and often the smoke from the chimney. It is a picture perfect for the front of a card. 

Winter Farm

"Winter Farm"

8x10 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted in early 2013, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

It is a cold, windy night in November -- seems more like January. Snow squalls have passed through quite a few times today & tonight, leaving a dusting or more in a very short amount of time. Suddenly everything has a coating of white. It's quickly turning from Autumn to Winter outside. 

Inside, the wood stove is working, burning wood - giving much welcomed warmth in the house, and an inviting glow in the room. Time to break out the boots, hats & gloves, the extra blankets & afghans, and long sleeve fleece sweaters & tops. Time to stock up on hot chocolate & soups, and get the crock pot out. It'll soon be making up batches of chili - a warm meal on a cold day. 

Yep, the seasons are changing. Never mind getting ready for the holidays, I need to get ready for the winter season! 

Summer Rental - SOLD

"Summer Rental"

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Previously painted in 2011, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

My favorite birdhouse in my favorite tree - the Dogwood tree. Every year this house is used and more than one brood of sparrows is raised here. I have multiple birdhouses in this tree, but this one seems to always be the first one to get a tenant in the spring!

Winter Bench

"Winter Bench"

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted in 2011, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

This was previously painted for a DPW challenge that required the artist use only 4 values. Loved doing this one! 

Looking through my images I found this one and decided to paint it - using 4 values: the darkest is Paynes Gray, next is Paynes Gray mixed with Titanium White and a smidgen of Light Blue Permanent, next is Light Blue Permanent mixed with Paynes Gray and Titanium White, and the lightest is Titanium White with just a smidgen of the Light Blue mixed in. I left the details out and focused on the shapes only - those of you who are familiar with my work know that I have done "shapes" paintings in the past, so seeing shapes & not objects was the easier part of this challenge.

The scene is from upstate NY at the lake, in winter of course. A heavy, wet snow had fallen & stuck to everything. Our neighbors bench sat in it's place, looking out over the cove, same as it had done throughout summer. Only now it had a coating of snow - I knew I had to paint this scene when I saw it!

Main Street USA - SOLD

 "Main Street USA"

9x12 acrylic on canvas panel

Available through DPW gallery/auction

Previously painted in 2012, 

this painting is now on a 1-week auction at DPW

at a very affordable starting bid!

This was previously painted for the VPO when we traveled to Breckinridge Colorado. And this was one of the few VPO's that had winter weather to capture. Loved roaming around Breckinridge, it's such an interesting town. This little storefront caught my eye, with the American Flag out front. And it sit's right on Main Street, as the sign says!

Winter Buildings - SOLD

Acrylic on 8x10 stretched canvas

SOLD - prints available

When I saw this card I knew I needed to paint it - it inspired me to work with the colors. And of course, I never met a picket fence I could resist. It doesn't quite match the original - I only included the area I liked, then enhanced things a bit with the sky & shadows. Did you ever notice that old farm houses are either white or green? Wonder why....

This is the final day of the 30 day challenge. Whoo Hooo, I made it! It posed some challenges along the way, and I now know that if the day comes where I become a full-time artist (one of my goals), I will be able to accomplish much. What did I learn - more about mixing colors, more variety of sizes, more variety of brushes. And where am I at now - more time to get housework done & pay some bills! LOL

I'll keep painting, that I guarantee, and Leslie has invited the artists to post 2 paintings on the weekend of our work. How wonderful of her to offer her blog as a "bulletin board" - I for one did notice an increase of views! Thank you Leslie!

30 in 30 - Day 25 - Mountain Cabin - SOLD

Acrylic on 9x12 stretched canvas

Available through DPW gallery/auction

I recently put my old Christmas cards away, which is what sparked the recent paintings. This one, a mountain cabin, was a lot of fun to paint because of all the different elements. And even though I obsessed with the windows & the indoor lights in this, I rather like the final product. The smoke from the chimney gives it that homey feel.