Little Dickens

 

LITTLE DICKENS
12"x 12", Oil on Stretched Linen

Those of you who have painted with me will probably recognize my granddaughter above. This painting is from a photo I took at least 10 years ago. The drawing has been sitting there waiting for almost as long. She was dressed in my hat and coat, both obviously too big for her, making her look like a character from a Charles Dickens novel. Only recently did I feel I could express on canvas the emotion I felt when I snapped the photo. So, here is my little Drea as "Little Dickens".

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Bandera PowWow

Bandera Pow Wow,  12"x 9", Oil

Several years ago I attended a PowWow in Bandera, Texas. In spite of it being held in the heat of a Texas summer, all participants were decked out in their finest regalia. This painting is of one of many who caught my eye that day. As I watched him...them... dance, and heard them sing my heart swelled in admiration and respect for their determination to keep their heritage alive. May they forever be able to do so. 

Studio C Gallery

Studio C Gallery is open! The gallery has now posted everyone's works online. I have both pastels and oil available, all small and priced to fit any budget! Click here to see what is available, click here and it is yours!

Hours are Sunday-Friday from 11am -2pm, the same hours as the restaurant, which is mere steps away. Both are located in the same building as the Art Center of Corpus Christi, 100 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas @studiocgallerycc @studioccorpuschristi @gayesekula

Taos Mountain Stream

Taos Mountain Stream
10"x 8", Oil, Linen on Panel

A life-giving stream in the high desert mountains gives the feeling of tranquility, peace and thankfulness. 

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Terlingua Cemetery

"Terlingua Cemetery", 11"x 14", Oil

This cemetery, located in the West Texas town of Terlingua, is probably the most interesting one I have ever seen. Most, if not all, of the headstones and grave markers are handmade and there seems to be no grid or order to speak of.  I wanted to call it charming but quirky is more like it. On your way to Big Bend, take a little side trip and visit Terlingua.

The Best Painting Panels Ever!

Over the years I have tried a lot of different canvases and painting panels. I've also purchased a variety of linen which I then cut and mounted myself. This used to be meditative but has since become more of a pain.  I've experimented with different gessos, most of which were either too thin or too absorbent and are a completely different feel and result from that of painting on linen. 

My style is more of texture and dry-brush techniques and, thanks to Matt Smith, my long search for the perfect panel has finally come to an end. SourceTek offers a variety of premium artists panels, my choice of which is their Premium Line Claessens #66 Oil-Primed Medium Weave. It is the one on the far left of the image below. As you can see, they also offer and oil-primed linen in a fine weave and acrylic primed in medium and fine weave. Do check them out as this is just a sampling of what they offer. You are sure to fine your perfect panel here too. 

SourceTek Premium Artist Panels

"Rooster"

"Rooster"
 12"x 9", Oil on Board

Somewhere in all my notes lies Rooster's given name but somehow I think this is the one he prefers. He was a great model and a pleasure to paint.

Autumn in Abiquiu

Autumn in Abiquiu
9"x 12', Oil, Linen on Panel

Georgia O'Keeffe once said, "If you ever go to New Mexico, it will itch you for the rest of your life".  I can certainly attest to that!

Near Mora

Near Mora
9"x 12", Oil, Linen on Panel

One of my favorite drives home from Taos is on the road that goes through Mora, New Mexico.

Near John Dunn Bridge

Near John Dunn Bridge
12"x 9", Oil, Linen on Gatorboard

The light was perfect when I came across this spot near the John Dunn bridge. This is a block-in of 99.9% transparent colors. The light in New Mexico is so amazing that it really calls for transparents to capture the glow. I made the decision to leave it as is and call it done. I'm so glad I did.

Autumn Gold

Autumn Gold
12"x 9", Oil, Linen on Panel

We don't get a lot of fall color in Texas other than at Lost Maples where the Uvalde Big Tooth maples grow. We timed this trip just right and it was one of the many occasions I have been very thankful that cameras are now digital. I could paint for months on the photos we took on this trip.