Studio 30

Studio 30 was a warm, colorful place to paint last Friday.  Our model, Cicely, was dressed as a ballerina with face painted and glittery, while music from the Cirque du Soleil played in the background, creating a mood of fantasy.  I painted the portrait first on 11" x 14", then the dancer on 16" x 12".  Maybe I'll add more swirls?

Koi 2

I enjoyed painting the koi from the Japanese Garden on a 16" x 20" format, so did another on a 12" x 12" canvas.  Koi is the Japanese word for carp, which does not sound as inspirational or serene!  These three fish look to me like they're in a happy place.

Koi

Last summer I spent a lovely afternoon at the Japanese Garden in Washington Park, visiting the Noguchi sculpture exhibit in the tea house, contemplating the Zen sand gardens, walking the paths along perfectly placed stones, and enjoying the koi fish among water lilies.  I combined some of my favorite elements in this 16" x 20" painting of Koi, in oil.

Sunflowers

What can be more bright & cheerful than sunflowers?

I re-worked these two small acrylic paintings, the landscape from Sauvie Island and a still life long gone, remembering their brightness.  Today I'm feeling thankful, not just for the turkey with all the goodies still waiting in the refrigerator, like other American families, but for the beauty where I live and my time to try to capture it and share it with you.