Mind the Gap - cupcakes,Debbie Miller,daily painting

6x6 oil.

While painting this the phrase "Mind the Gap" came to mind and stuck. :)
Anyone whose rode the Tube in London knows this phrase!
Ive kinda got England on the brain

Who - whose dyed their eggs? - onion skin egg dying

Ever dye eggs with onion skins? Not only is it Eco-friendly, and creates the most gorgeous shade of red, its just so science experiment cool.


After they are colored - I etch them with an old scratch board tool. These three were done - 18 years or so ago! - left uncracked the insides dry out and it sounds like a marble is inside.

Owl and the Pussycat, a maiden on horseback stopping a dragon, and a chicken wearing a ribbon that says " which came first" : )

Yesterday I dyed a new batch and hope to etch them tomorrow. Here's how I do it - I'm sure you could google it AND Ive heard red cabbages makes a beautiful blue - got to try that!!

All it takes is:

1/4 cup vinegar,
1 quart h2o

and the skins of about 15 yellow onions (yes yellow!! makes red)

Put all three in a pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 min.
After that, strain the skins - some people let the dye cool, but I am way too impatient for that ! So in go the eggs and bring to boil again.

Then shut off the heat and let them sit - the longer they sit, the deeper the red.

Easy Peasy. but be careful not to spill on anything that will stain!!

I'll let you know how the cabbage goes...

Dog Walk - plein air beach scene,Debbie Miller

6x6 oil on panel.


another quick plein air. try as I might, just can't Not put the people that pass by in the painting.
Its such good practice.


New portrait over at the "About Face" blog - check it out HERE

Rocky Coast - plein air, waves,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on panel Another plein air from our rocky RI coastline

Silver or Gold??

Meet me at the Beach - plein air beach painting,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel Another plein air sketch of beach goers - a group of 20-something friends going for a walk. Love this spot - and the dunes/rocky coast combination - typical Little Rhody

Fire and Ice - figurative painting by debbie miller

6x6 oil.

All I can think of when I look at this is 'fire and ice' - hence the name. Love her fiery hair with that blue and white blouse. Hello, complimentary colors :)

This was a little quickie done after the longer portrait done at Monday nights open portrait painting session. click HERE to see the portrait I did first - which I LOVE.

AND check out some of the talented artists I paint with : (click on names) Rob Rey Devin Reilly Kate Huntington Kerry Smith

My Coast - plein air beach scene, Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on panel In between sketching the beach walkers, the rocks and waves got their turn to be painted. So RI to me - the huge rocks along the coast. I just love them.

Want to Pick up the Pace? - plein air beach scene,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel.

Spent the first real spring-like afternoon doing some plein air painting at the beach - at Warrens Pt. in Little Compton, RI.

My plan was to do studies of the waves and rocks - and I did do that but you know I cant resist painting the people!

This is THE best way to improve your powers of observation and to learn to paint faster! Really, you are painting your memory of the scene - a gesture of the person. Its challenging, difficult and wicked fun ;)

What's on Your To Do List? - the business of art,Debbie Miller

So, making art is not all fun and games (although it is pretty cool).

-The business side of things has to be taken care of and it really is a time hog. -Every week, I try to set aside time for both. Its the only way to manage it.

**This is my bag of contacts. Yup - THAT is my mailing list. What a mess - but aren't my studio floors amazing?!

At least the info. is all in one place!!! Until I took Alyson B Stanfield's class "Cultivating Collectors" my lists were all over the place.

So - now I make time each week to put a few in a database. Its tedious but essential for my business. Check out Alyson's ArtBizBlog for more business of art advice - and her book is great too.

Thanks Alyson for mentioning my blog today!

Beach Towel Study - daily painting, beach scene, Debbie Miller

8x8" oil This is a little study done for the larger version which is hanging (but available to purchase) at the Sunnyside Restaurant. I've had alot of interest in it lately so I thought I'ld post the study too. sold.

Pink Today - beach scene, daily painting, Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on panel. Just got a new tube of "Radiant Magenta" by Gamblin - couldn't resist using it today. Also used just one brush - a #1 Bright. Later it will be a #6 Bright for tonights portrait. Brights are my go-to brushes - what are yours?