New Paintings - 6.30.10

Blustery Day II
Original 18" x 24" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Summer Daisies
Original 16" x 20" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

---

Rocky Mountain Meadow III
Original 12" x 36" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

---

Fresh Tomatoes and Checkered Cloth
Original 18" x 24" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XIV
Original 18" x 24" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Work This Past Week

Rocky Mountain Sunset IV
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XVII
Original 48" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Three 16" x 20" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Autumn Path XXIII
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Autumn Aspens VII
Original 24" x 30" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Poppies on Blue Sky XIII
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Early Summer Sunrise II
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Still Life with Daisies and Red Vase V
Original 16" x 20" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I've devoted most of the past week to painting these pieces, as well as working on commissions. These paintings are all new editions from many of my popular compositions. The Autumn paintings are inspired by the coming change of season, to which I look forward with great anticipation.

Quote of the Day
"Even the best psychologist will tell you...that people don't really want to be cured. What they want is relief; a cure is painful." --Anthony de Mello

Today's Paintings 7.23.09

Abstract Autumn Trees
Original 54" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XVI
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Tall Red Trees VII
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes a new composition Abstract Autumn Trees, and the newest editions in the Oriental Blossoms and Tall Red Trees series. As much as I love the greenery and sunshine of summer autumn and spring are my favorite seasons.

Quote of the Day
"Internal and external are ultimately one. When you no longer perceive the world as hostile, there is no more fear, and when there is no more fear, you think, speak and act differently. Love and compassion arise, and they affect the world." --Eckhart Tolle

Recent Paintings 7.6.09

Abstract Spring Floral II
Original 48" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Two 24" x 30" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XIV
Original 48" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Two 24" x 36" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

My recent paintings include the newest editions in the Abstract Spring Floral and Oriental Blossoms series. Both these series have proven very popular. The first edition in the Spring Floral series sold quite rapidly, and Oriental Blossoms has been a big hit among my patrons as well.

Quote of the Day
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us." --Marianne Williamson

Today's Paintings 6.15.09

Abstract Poppies VI
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XIII
Original 54" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes two new editions in the Abstract Poppies and Oriental Blossoms series. These popular compositions are among those that are doing well for me in recent months. As always, a big thank you to my patrons for their continued interest in my work!

Quote of the Day
"In our consciousness, there are many negative seeds and also many positive seeds. The practice is to avoid watering the negative seeds, and to identify and water the positive seeds every day." --Thich Nhat Hanh

Today's Paintings 6.7.09

Oriental Blossoms XII
Original 54" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Abstract Poppies V
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes the latest in the Oriental Blossoms and Abstract Poppies series. My patrons love these compositions!

Quote of the Day
"The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions." --Thich Nhat Hanh

Today's Paintings 6.4.09

Fauve Farm VII
Original 24" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms XI
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

I've spent the past couple of days working on commissions and needed to take a break from that to paint something to list on my sales venues. Today's work includes the latest editions in the Fauve Farm and Oriental Blossoms series. One of my commissions is a fauve piece as well, which I will post when it's finished. Sales have picked up a bit this past week, which is wonderful, and the commission work keeps trickling in as well. Thank you patrons!!

Quote of the Day
"Come what may, all bad fortune is to be conquered by endurance." --Virgil

Today's Paintings 5.20.09

Still Life with Lilacs
Original 14" x 18" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms (Commission)
Original 48" x 30" x 0.75" painting
Two 24" x 30" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

Today's work included Still Life with Lilacs, and a commission from the Oriental Blossoms series. Not a day goes by that I don't feel grateful for being able to support my family doing something I love to do.

Quote of the Day
"They always say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." --Andy Warhol

Today's Paintings 5.19.09

Pink Blossoms and Spring Meadow
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Honey Locust and Blue Sky
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms X
Original 18" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes two new compositions: Pink Blossoms and Spring Meadow, and Honey Locust and Blue Sky, as well as the newest edition in the Oriental Blossoms series.

Quote of the Day
"You cannot find yourself by going into the past. You can find yourself by coming into the present." --Eckhart Tolle

Today's Paintings 5.4.09

Oriental Blossoms IX
Original 66" x 28" x 0.75" painting
Three 22" x 28" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas

---

Spring Sunrise V
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes two new originals from my signature series Oriental Blossoms and Spring Sunrise. The Blossoms series has been doing well for me, and Spring Sunrise V has a sister painting that I did as a commission for a client.

Tip of the Day
Archive photos of your work. Regardless of the medium you work in, and whether you have a web site, blog, or use a web site for hosting your portfolio, keep copies of the photos of your work. This is your real portfolio. Your resume in the art world. If you work in 2D media you may want to consider investing in a digital camera that captures images in the RAW format, which is supposed to render true colors. You can convert these to high resolution TIFF images, which you can use for print reproductions of your work.

Quote of the Day
"Internal and external are ultimately one. When you no longer perceive the world as hostile, there is no more fear, and when there is no more fear, you think, speak and act differently. Love and compassion arise, and they affect the world." --Eckhart Tolle

Today's Paintings 4.28.09

American Basin (Commission)
Original 36" x 48" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics

---

Oriental Blossoms VII
Original 60" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Two 30" x 40" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

First Dibs (After You)
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Oriental Blossoms VIII
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today was especially productive! I finished up two paintings--the American Basin commission, and Oriental Blossoms VII. I also had enough time and energy to paint another in each of the Oriental Blossoms and First Dibs series.

My patron in New York approved American Basin, so I'll be stretching and varnishing it tomorrow, and getting it shipped on Thursday. I'm excited to see what comes next from him. He has two galleries in the NYC area, and rents some of my paintings to businesses for their decor. I'm excited and grateful for the exposure in New York!

Tip of the Day
Shipping costs are an area where you have limited control. Within the continental US almost all online shoppers expect free shipping now--whether you're buying books, a pair of boots, or art. The major shippers are about on par with each other for rates. You can get discounts off of their standard rates by opening on account on their web sites and generating your shipping labels from there. Buyers like having a tracking number so they can check the progress of their shipment.

Depending on what you're shipping (how big and how heavy), you may be facing balloon rates going through USPS for oversized packages (84" length plus girth is the cutoff for their standard rates on Priority Mail). However, for smaller items, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Flat Rate is the way to go. USPS also provides you with free boxes, and you can print your shipping labels with postage from either the USPS web site (after you create an account), or via PayPal, and just drop them off at the post office or have your postal carrier pick them up. No waiting in line!

Quote of the Day
"Most people treat the present moment as if it were an obstacle that they need to overcome. Since the present moment is Life itself, it is an insane way to live." --Eckhart Tolle

Oriental Blossoms VI

Oriental Blossoms VI
Original 72" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 24" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Chroma acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes the newest edition in the Oriental Blossoms series. I'm still anxiously awaiting the return of the pink blossoms on the crabapple tree in my back yard, but I will be patient. I've also seen buds on the lilacs starting to form, for which I'm equally excited. I remember when my husband was courting me, and how much I loved receiving a sprig of lilacs from him. They were--and continue to be--among my favorite flowers. I'll take lilacs over a dozen roses any day.

Tip of the Day
When you're selling your artwork online a question that may not occur to you is what should I sell? You may have a particular medium, or mediums, that you use for your work, but what subject matter really sells? That's going to take some research on your part. For myself, I chose landscape paintings as my primary subject because that's what was selling when I started out--and I'd only painted a handful of landscapes when I was in school.

I quickly realized that I could get more sales doing landscapes, and once I established myself in the marketplace I could branch out into other subjects--like still lifes and florals--because people knew my name and my work. Determine who's selling what in your medium, and make those decisions.

Quote of the Day
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." --Mahatma Ghandi

Today's Paintings 4.16.09

Oriental Blossoms V
Original 72" x 30" 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Atelier acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Abstract Poppies
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Atelier acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's work includes a new edition in the Oriental Blossoms series, and a new poppies composition. A local patron in Denver purchased two of the Blossoms paintings yesterday, having found my work on one of my sales venues, and liked having the option of viewing her paintings before she purchased them.

Tip of the Day
I'm usually not lucky enough to have a local patron who can view my work in person before they buy. Most of my patrons are out of state, hence the necessity to have multiple, good photos of your work when selling it online. If they can't pick it up and hold it, and examine it closely, you have to give them the next best thing: several views of the piece you're selling, including close-ups. I, and many other painters, also include a "room shot" like the one below so that potential buyers can see what the painting will look like on the wall. It's not going to be their wall, but it gives them a sense of what my paintings look like when hung.

Example Room Shot Featuring Oriental Blossoms V

Quote of the Day
"I have come to terms with a lot of things, because, when all's said and done, there's really very little one can do about a lot of things. You just accept them. The point is you just have to keep on working and you just have to keep on living." --Jim Dine

Today's Paintings 3/29/09

Oriental Blossoms III
Original 24" x 36" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Atelier acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

---

Springtime Aspens Commission
Original 54" x 24" x 0.75" painting
Three 18" x 24" canvases
Golden, Liquitex, and Atelier acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's paintings celebrate the beauty of Spring. Oriental Blossoms III has been in my head for a couple of years now, and I finally put it down on canvas. It was inspired by the crabapple tree in my back yard. Each Spring I look forward to when this tree erupts with those vibrant pink blossoms, and I can't wait for that to happen again this year. I find great joy from the natural beauty in this world, and sharing it with the people I love.

I've created several paintings in the Springtime Aspens series. This commission was requested by a patron who found one version in my web site portfolio. I've created several single and multiple canvas versions of this composition. I am always willing to expand any of my compositions onto multiple canvases at the patron's request. Some of my compositions really lend themselves to diptychs (2 canvases) and triptychs (3 canvases).

Quote of the day: "Beauty is a fragile gift." --Ovid

Oriental Blossoms

Oriental Blossoms
Original 30" x 40" x 0.75" painting
Golden, Liquitex, and Atelier acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas

Today's painting was inspired by the new spring growth that's starting to blossom everywhere. There's a hint of green on the lawns, trees are starting to leaf out, and blossoms like these are beginning to appear. Spring is such a wonderful time of renewal, growth, and change. These blossoms were behind the garage where I rarely go, so it was a gift to find and appreciate them.

This painting sold the same day I listed it on my sales venues, too!

Quote of the day: "When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is happiness. But later, when we don't have a toothache, we don't treasure our non-toothache." --Thich Nhat Hahn