More Work This Week

Abstract Floral (Commission)
Original 20" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Autumn Aspens VI
Original 48" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Three 16" x 20" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Flower Garden Against a Yellow Sky (Commission)
Original 40" x 50" x 1.5" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I wrapped up the week working on a commission of my Abstract Floral composition, a large commission of my Flower Garden composition, as well as the newest edition in the Autumn Aspens series to sell on my web site. It's been an incredibly busy but rewarding week.

Quote of the Day
"Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward." --Patricia Sampson

Today's Paintings 8.25.09

Pasture, Creek, and Stormy Sky
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Twisted Apple Tree with Pink Blossoms XII
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes a new composition: Pasture, Creek, and Stormy Sky, as well as the newest edition in the Twisted Apple Tree with Pink Blossoms series.

One of my favorite musical ensembles is The Roches. I've been listening to their music since the 1980s, and was listening to their music yesterday while I was painting. I decided to go to their web site, found an email address to write them, and told them how much I've enjoyed their music over the years. I also told them how much I relate to the stories told in their lyrics, having grown up in a large Catholic family on Long Island.

Lone Cow
Original Acrylic Painting

Well, to my surprise, their mother--who responds to fan email--wrote me back and gave me high praise for my work! I wrote her back and offered to create a painting for them. Again, to my surprise, Suzzy Roche checked out my web site and requested a new edition of my Lone Cow painting!! I can't tell you how thrilled I am that my work will hang in the home of one of my favorite musical artists!

Quote of the Day
"Everyone is good." --The Roches

Work and More Work!

Abstract Poppies X
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Prairie and Pond in Late Summer (Commission)
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Radishes (Commission)
Original 14" x 18" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Eggplant (Commission)
Original 14" x 18" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Carrots (Commission)
Original 14" x 18" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Asparagus (Commission)
Original 14" x 18" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I finished several commissions today, and painted a new edition in the Abstract Poppies series for my sales venues. I'm finally catching up with orders after my vacation (whew!).

Quote of the Day
"Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgment of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it." --Kathleen Casey Thiesen

Work this Week

Abstract Poppies (Commission)
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Looking North on the Hudson River (Commission)
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Autumn Aspens (Commission)
Original 54" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Poppies on Blue Sky (Commission)
Original 84" x 24" x 0.75" painting
One 24" x 36" and Two 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Autumn Aspens (Commission)
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

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Red Trees IX
Original 48" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Three 16" x 20" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I've been painting like a mad woman since I returned from my vacation! I already had several commissions in the hopper, and received several new orders while I was away. There are literally not enough hours in the day for me to paint! However, this is a good thing, and I'm working hard to fulfill my orders--now I just need to find the time to paint new work to list on my sales venues and web site.

Quote of the Day
"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." --Denis Waitley

The Vacation Series 8.16.09

Early Morning Light Through Summer Trees
Original Acrylic Painting

Today's my last day of vacation, a travel day--so not really vacation per se, but the journey is really part of the whole experience. It was great to see my family back in New York. School starts at the end of this week, so my kids will be back into their academic routine in no time. My baby starts high school this year!

I have several commissions that came in while I was away, and a some that were already in the queue when I left! Thank you, as always, to my patrons!

Quote of the Day
"Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home." --Matsuo Basho

My Favorite Etsyans - Deb Jenkins

Southwest Bear Knob
100% lead-free and hand poured pewter knob

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Bison Knob
100% lead-free and hand poured pewter knob

Deb Jenkins is one of our students from our workshop Make a Living Selling Your Artwork online. She is a sculptor whose art features hand poured pewter knobs and drawer pulls. Her work is intricate and quite beautiful, and she has recently opened her shop on Etsy! Please take a moment to view Deb's beautiful selection of pewter knobs and pulls in her Etsy store at debjenkinsart.etsy.com.

The Vacation Series 8.10.09

Bash Bish Creek
Original Acrylic Painting

Today's entry for the vacation series features Bash Bish Creek, an original painting depicting one of the natural streams in Columbia County, New York. This autumn scene was a delight to paint, and a wonderful reminder of the beauty in my native land of New York.

Quote of the Day
"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony." --Thomas Merton

The Vacation Series 8.8.09

Looking North on the Hudson River
Original Acrylic Painting

Here's another painting from the archives, which a New York patron also recently ordered as a commission. There are many inspiring views such as this one along the shores of the Hudson River near where my parents and one of my brothers live.

Quote of the Day
"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging." --Joseph Campbell

The Vacation Series 8.6.09

Sunrise at Montauk Point
Original Acrylic Painting

I'm on vacation, and am posting previous compositions while I'm away from the studio. This painting was inspired by the beauty of Montauk Point at the tip of Long Island, NY. We lived on Long Island until I was 15, when we moved upstate to Red Hook in the Hudson River Valley.

Quote of the Day
"Pleasant experiences make life delightful. Painful experiences lead to growth." --Anthony De Mello

Abstract Crabapple Tree

Abstract Crabapple Tree
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes a new composition: Abstract Apple Tree, inspired by the tree growing on the north end of our property, which backs up to the Van Bibber Creek drainage and open space. This modest stretch of land was in large part what inspired my husband and I to choose the house we bought over nine years ago.

Quote of the Day
"Healing yourself is connected with healing others." --Yoko Ono