Pelicans - SOLD

I made some adjustments on the previously posted Pelicans painting - removed the encircling dark area around the dominant fellow's head. This is a more accurate photo color wise than previously. Again, this is oils on 8 x 10" stretched heavy acrylic paper and will be framed.

"The Chalkboard" Final

Going to call this one done now ... made some perspective corrections and some slight color modifications.

Work In Progress: "The Chalkboard"

Tried to do this alla prima with oils, but will need another session to finish. The nice morning shadows made this scene compelling to me. I started this today and will look at it awhile to see what I think needs to be adjusted.

The painting is 9 x 12" and based on a photo I took last week in downtown Tulsa. "The Chalkboard" is the restaurant in one of our little boutique Hotel Ambassador.

"Pelicans"

I've been a bird lover since childhood and seeing these large birds up close and personal in Florida is quite a spectacle! This view with the clear aqua water contrasted with the rugged rocks was quite appealing to me.

This is an oil on 8 x 10" stretched paper - Canson's Montval Acrylic paper in fact. I learned recently that you can soak heavy water color paper in water for 45 minutes and then you're able to stretch it like canvas around stretcher bars. It worked and made a perfect support for this seaside painting.

An Evening with Authors and Art

Please join me next Friday, May 22, 2009 along with 7 other area authors at Water Street Art Gallery, 16 S. Water St., Sapulpa, Oklahoma from 7 - 9 p.m. for a lovely opportunity to meet this talented group of authors and enjoy fine art too!

I'll be discussing my book about my little Boston Terrier, Zoe and the joys of creative expression.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to visit with authors and artists of Green Country!

Beach

Here's my 24 x 36" acrylic on canvas version of the "Beach Shadows" study in pastels. Still keeping with the abstracted view for a sort of contemporary feel to this beach scape.

Here it is on the easel for a sense of the scale.

Beach Shadows

How I wish I was on the beach in Naples right about now after two weeks of RAIN! Here's a very quick pastel on black paper study tonight. I just quickly coated a sheet of 8.5 x 11" black card stock with pumice medium and used simple broad strokes and little blending to try out this shadow picture compositionally.

Wild Strawberries & Limes

A little acrylic study on 7 x 9" paper - painted from life.

Rainy Morning at Phoenix Cleaners

On my way to work one rainy, dreary morning, the neon sign, and bright fluorescent lights coming from this cool deco building south of downtown Tulsa, Phoenix Cleaners, beckoned me to pull over and snap a shot. I loved how the rain drops on the windshield glistened little bright spots of colors and included them in this atmospheric scene.

The pastel study helped me establish a similar color scheme, albeit darker colors. This is my acrylics on 6 x 6" gallery wrapped canvas that I'll put in Water Street Art Gallery's First Annual 6x6 Art Event. You can download the prospectus here. I thought it would be fun to do something nostalgic since it's in conjunction with Sapulpa's Route 66 Blow Out event in June. Water Street's 6x6 Reception will be Thursday, June 4. It will be fun to see all the entries!

Phoenix Cleaners

I love this old deco building in downtown Tulsa with its curvy shape and cool neon signs. Had to stop and take a quick snap one dark, rainy morning recently. Through the spots on the windshield and from a rather blurry photo, here's a little 5 x 7" pastel quicky of the scene. I'd like to do a larger take later.

"L'Elisir D'Amore" - Tulsa Opera

I'm still basking in delightful feelings from last night's performance by Tulsa Opera of "L'Elisir D'Amore". Of the three operas this season, this was by far my favorite...it was beautiful, sweet and funny. You can read more about it in an article written by Holly Wall on her Tulsa Art Blog.

I have to say that I was absolutely blown away by Mari Moriya's debut performance in Tulsa. Moriya plays Adina, the lead female in the Opera. A small, lovely woman from Oyama, Japan, stunned the audience with her phenomenally powerful, lyrical voice. It seemed as if her power grew as the Opera went on. In previous operas I've sometimes strained to hear some of the voices, not so with Moriya. Many of her songs, particularly duets were quite complicated and demanding.

Another favorite from the Opera was Terry Hodges who plays Dr. Dulcamara, a shady "doctor" dispensing his magic potions...anything to "fix" anything...for a "small" fee. Laughter waves through the audience as he's up to his tricks. I particularly enjoyed the duets he performed with Nemorino (leading man) and then later with Adina. Their voices weave an energetic tapestry that was delightful and impressive to hear. According to the program guide, Mr. Hodges has the distinguished accomplishment of 2500 performances of The Phantom of the Opera, singing in all 50 states!

Last night's performance brought to a close, for me this season at the Tulsa Opera, but it certainly whets my appetite for more! Now to buy the tickets.

Be sure to take the time while you're downtown to stop in the Tulsa PAC Gallery to see the abstract works of Tulsa artist Diane Salamon. You'll not be disappointed. Salamon's paintings are colorful, interesting and richly textural with layers of various designs. I loved her piece "Procrastination".