Daily Oil Panting of Yellow Roses, 9" x 12" on Canvas

"Yellow Roses"$75.00
SOLD










Yellow roses are my favorites (I think) - no really. It changes from time to time. But I do love them and they always seems to lift my spirits a little. I don't know about you, but right now, in these times, I need all the help I can get. Chocolate helps too. I fussed with these a bit. Roses are always a challenge. See the detail shot below.

Oil Painting of Asian Vase and Tumbling Red Roses, 14" x 18" Oil on Linen

"Tumbling Roses"$150
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This piece has been sitting on my easel demanding to be finished while other obligations got in the way. Despite my earlier struggles with this piece, I'm content with the way in which it was resolved. I think the roses came out just great and the greenery which posed such a problem at first, was handled well. I've been finding out that my skills can get rusty if I'm away from the easel for only a few days. What am I going to do when I go to Europe in two weeks?! All I'll have is a sketch book. Maybe I can bring some watercolors.

Landscape Painting of Pond and Hills, 16" x 20" Oil on canvas

"Gavillan Springs"
SOLD






Today was one of our first "fall" like days with rainy weather and cool winds. Although I prefer the warmer weather (I'm a California girl in mourning), I do like the fall. In a way it's a good excuse to rest and slow down from the summer pace that keeps me in a dizzy race to accomplish things that can't be done in the cooler wet weather. It seems that I've been off my pace a bit this year, though, and can't seem to find my rythym. It's not that I haven't been painting - I have. It's just that I'm not happy with what's been coming off my brush. I'm in a curve where I'm learning new things but having trouble integrating them into my work. I'm working on a painting of roses now but couldn't seem to get it done today and that's just as well. Perhaps it will be better for the slower pace.
Here's one from a yesteryear. Gavillan Springs is a seasonal pond that only comes to life in the winter in California. I used to go there with a dear friend to paint and this was one that came out of such an excursion. It's made me think of doing some landscapes again. I've been remiss to start new projects because my studio is under construction (we're expanding) and things are such a mess. I walk into that studio and can't seem to get started or organized. I'm hoping to get back to some landscapes in the winter once everything is done. I'm going on a trip to the Mediterranean in a couple of weeks for a month. Hopefully I'll come back with some good material and the studio will be nearly finished.

Oil Painting of White Flowers in Blue Delft Vase with Red Plums, 12" x 16", Oil on Panel

"Lightstruck Reconsidered"$125
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I actually painted this piece earlier last month but wasn't happy with it. I've kept it around the studio and finally figured out what it lacked. The blooms are more abundant now and the canvas looks integrated. I adjusted the light on the vase and the plums shadows were deepened. More loose blooms adorn the table top and the light has more of a glow. I first put a separator coat of varnish on and then painted the second layers in glazes. It really made a spectacular difference in the painting. My husband was walking past the studio and just glanced in. He did a double take and said -"Wow...is that new?" Guess I succeeded! There is, of course, generous paint on the flowers. The varnish really makes the colors brighter and things just glow! Think I'll be doing more of that. It's really hard to see the effect in a photo. You'll just have to have some faith. See the detail below. Enjoy.

Oil Painting of Hydrangeas and Peaches, 9" x 12", Oil on Canvas

"Hydranageas in Cool Light"
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Today was the first cloudy day we've had in two weeks. Sigh. I miss the sun already. But the light coming in my studio window was cool and called for light flowers. This was good because I had already started this painting last evening. Two of my close friends are leaving town to return to their winter home in Mexico. My husband and I will spend an evening with them tonight and I won't see them again until the spring. I'm feeling melancholy and winter feels like it's here already. The time we have on this earth is so short and the time we can spend with good friends is very precious. I'm posting this early so I can get myself over to spend more time with my friends. Enjoy your evening.

Oil Panting of a Brass Pitcher and White Roses with Nectarines; 20" x 22", Oil on Linen

"The Brass Pitcher"


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This is another painting from my show collection. For a long time my specialty was reflective objects and glass. Brass and copper are still favorites and often show up in my more recent work. I love the warm glow and the way objects both reflect the color and are reflected by the metal. In this one, the roses pick up the warmth of the brass and at the same time they add a much needed balance of coolness. The nectarines bring top the piece with yellows and reds. While I have other pieces in the show, they are awaiting some professional photography before I can show them off. I'm working on a small one for eBay for tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Oil Panting of Asian Dragon Vase with fruit and flowers, 26" x 22", Oil on Linen

"The Dragon Jar"SOLD
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This painting is the corner stone of my ongoing show this month. It's definitely my favorite and it shows. I especially love the light in this one. Sure wish I could turn one out like this in just a few hours, but it did take about three long sittings. It's partially glazed with some lovely brush work in the fruit and flowers.
I've been pretty busy with show stuff, construction and just enjoying the last breath of summer here on the peninsula. I have about a month before I leave for a 21 day cruise of the Mediterranean and a transatlantic crossing. It's been difficult to focus in my studio because my eyes keep wandering to the gorgeous sunshine and then they glaze over with visions of Italy. With the ongoing construction of the new studio, I've let things get a bit awry in the old one and it's getting more crowded by the day. I think it's a reflection of where my head is these days. Oh well. I'm cutting myself some slack because once the long winter sets in here, I'll have more studio time than ever and lots more room to create in. Hope you're all enjoying the last days of summer and the beginning of fall.

Oil Painting of Blue Hyacinth, 11" x 14", Oil on Panel

"Hyacinth and Le Creucet"
$125
SOLD






Hyacinth are very popular flowers. This was a recent commission. A reminder to you all that Commissions are reasonable and a great way to get the painting that you really want. They also make wonderful presents that last a lifetime and are handed down from generation to generation.

Floral Oil Painting of Roses, Asian Vase and Fruit, 24" x 28"

"Dynasty"

$650 - Unframed, Free Shipping
$725 - Framed, Free Shipping
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My show opened today at Gallery at the Fifth in Sequim, WA. Some of you were there for support and I can't tell you how much that is appreciated. It's always so much fun to reveal new work and share the excitement with friends. I've already garnered a very large commission and have some bites on a couple of others.
I shared the space with my friend George Zien, who is a watercolor artist. George is one of my painting buddy's and his wife, Janet feels like family. We enjoyed our time together today. The weather was so beautiful I was surprised we pulled in as many folks as we did. We don't have much of a summer here in Port Angeles and the warm sunny weather was just a delicious treat. Too bad I had to be inside for most of it.
I'll be featuring paintings from the show this week on my blog and eBay. These pieces are larger than what I usually post on my blog and a lot more "polished". I'm offering them at the same prices listed in the gallery without the frames but with free shipping. If you're interested in the frame, just e-mail me and I'll be happy to send you a better photo than the one below. Just add in $75.00 for the cost of the frame for this painting. That's the wholesale price and the best I can offer.
Here's a detail shot of the painting's roses and a little shot below that of the framed piece. Sorry for the glare on this piece. This painting has two coats of varnish for protection. To see it in person is to really appreciate it. It positively glows!

Oil Painting of Pink Roses and Delft Vase, 9" x 12", Oil on Panel

"Roses and Pears"SOLD










Just back from a week long workshop, I'm still in workshop mode. I'm working on actually slowing down. Seems my first year I spent speeding up so I get a panting a day done. Now I want to take a bit more time to do a piece. I still take about a day, but I'm putting more hours into each piece. Right now the biggest challenge is incorporating some of the things I learned at the workshop into my stuff. Got a ways to go though. I don't think anyone will notice the difference right now because all my effort is going into how I hold my brushes and make a stroke. Mundane stuff that adds up over the long run. Thought I'd try these roses today. Enjoy.

Oil Painting of Delft Blue Tea Pot and Fruit, 12" x 16" on Panel

"The Little Blue Tea Pot"


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I spent the week at a workshop taught by David Leffel. I turned out this one during the week and put some finishing touches on it today. The workshop was incredible but intensive and exhausting. I'm happy I can offer this to you as it has the approval of the Master. Enjoy.

Pastel Painting of Green Crystalline Tea Pot and Peony with Grapes

"Green Tea"SOLD









Here's the last of my old pieces. I'll be turning out new ones from this point on. Thanks for your patience everyone.

Pastel Painting of Silver Bowl with Fruit

"Silver and Satin"SOLD










Part of my Trompe l'Oeil collection, I truly love this little piece. Although my style has changed quite a bit since I painted this, I still enjoy looking at it. This painting was quite small. I remember when I was at LaQuinta Arts Festival in California and they had used this image in the guide book for the festival. A woman came racing into my tent and asked, "Where is this painting; I want to buy it!" When I pointed to it on the wall, she was so disappointed because she had thought it to be an enormous painting. She had a large space to fill and thought that this painting was fill the niche, so to speak. We were both disappointed. But I got a good chuckle out of the experience.

Pastel Portrait of a Man with Boy and Dog

"Warren and Family"
SOLD

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Many of my portraits are done in Pastel because clients like the soft look of it. Warren came to me and asked if I would do his portrait along with his son and dog. It took a lot of photographs to get that dog to hold still. Naturally, I couldn't work from life on this one.

Today is day one of my workshop with the famous David Leffel. Check out my other blog for updates on this experience.

Pastel Painting of Lemon and White Pitcher

"Lemonade in Blue"
SOLD

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This pastel was one of the first Trompe l'Oeil that I did in the series. It was scooped up by a collector. I still use this vase in many of my still lifes, only because I paint more flowers now, the top is hard to see.

Floral Oil Painting of Mixed Bouquet, 24" x 36", Oil on Canvas

"Floral en Trompe l'Oeil"SOLD






I'm headed to a week long workshop in Fall City this week so I as I won't be able to publish regularly, I thought I'd run a sort of slide show of some previous work. If I get a chance, I'll publish what I'm doing at the workshop and maybe get to post one or two for sale, but this is a week of study. Something I desperately need to do for myself. It will be refreshing to work with other artists instead of in isolation and I'll get to sit at the feet of the Master, David Leffel.
This piece was one from my Trompe l'Oeil collection (pronounced tompe loi - at least I think so. The French would argue with that or so says my friend Jackie - oh, excuse me - Jacquie). I actually painted the frame into the painting. Something I did on a lot of pieces in those days.

Original Oil Painting of Red Roses and Tea Pot, 11" x 14"

"Tea and Roses"Click here to inquire about purchasing this painting.








I guess I'm just in a Rosy sort of way this week. I snapped up this little tea pot on a recent shopping trip. It seemed to go well with the roses. Busy day today. I taught a class in the morning and painted in the afternoon, helped a friend with their blog in the evening and now I'm off to make dinner. Phew!

Oil Painting of Red Roses and Fruit, 9" x 12" Oil on Canvas Panel

"A Fall of Roses"SOLD







I spent the day at the Clallam County Fair today demonstrating and collected a small crowd to watch me finish this piece. The fair is such fun. We're such a small town here that every gathering of people reveals another Norman Rockwell vignette. I would have loved to get some good pictures but I spent the day in the art barn doing this little piece. I love sharing my work so this was great fun. These roses came out just great too! Lots and lots of thick paint. I actually sculpted the flowers out of it. Take a peek at the closeup below.

Oil Painting of White Flowers and Fruit, 12" x 16" Oil on Board

"Light Struck"

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I demonstrated today at the Clallam County Fair. Fun, fun, fun! But very tiring. I had three hours to finish a panting and I just managed to put the finishing touches on this one when my time was up. Phew! Hope you like it. There's lots of generous paint on the flowers and leaves.

Oil Paint of Pink Rose and Golden Plums, 11" x 14" on Canvas Panel

"Rose with Golden Plums"
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It's been a pretty busy week here at the Spar homestead. Our local fair starts this week and I've entered some work in it. But mostly it's just been hectic getting all the paperwork and peliminary stuff for my upcoming show ready. I know I should be ready for this by now, but it just seems to be taking forever to do it all. I'll be soooo glad when it's all behind me. Honestly, some days just looking for a phone number can take all day!

Here's a piece I put together on the fly today. Hope you like it.