Ski Day

6x6" oil on masonite. sold
a 'little' skiing - the runner up title, since this is a little painting of a ski day. :-) busy few days with sick husband and kids home and a no school day yesterday. SO, we needed a family project and below is the almost finished product. we took a big canvas and each of us painted a simple self portrait, the boys wanted to include the pets so they added them too, then we wrote words around the sides that remind us of our family, then we hung it in the family room - of course. :-)
anyway, it was a fun family project and got us through the rainy sickish day home

Follow the Leader

sold

6x6" oil on masonite

smiles. these dogs are having fun. they couldnt wait to run. fun to run. fun to watch. fun to paint.

Mush

sold

6x6" oil on masonite.

well, if you know me and know where I was this past weekend then you knew this was coming. :-)

I love painting dogs and this past saturday I had so much fun at a sled dog race in NH. The weather was gorgeous, about 60 teams were there from NE, NY and Canada and I took loads of photos. I realize this may not be a popular subject to the buyers out there so bear with me while I play around with winter for a while.

Snow Tow

6x8" oil on masonite

sold

Pear Down

6x6" oil on masonite

pear down...organize...simplify

have a good weekend

Well Fed

6x6" oil on masonite
this is so luscious in person. the photo doesnt really do it justice.
Huckle Cat. 10 yrs old. born in this house, he is the most gorgeous shade of dark silvery blue grey with a white tip on his tail. He is also neurotic,has a real love of baby rabbit heads, meows too much and too loud and climbs on the screens to get in the house...but we love him anyway.

Pear Press

6x6" oil on masonite

this setup reminded me of a press conference,all the reporters crowding around the 'star'

I've given myself a little assaignment to paint some still lifes, specifically pears. just cause I like them and want to get better at painting them.

Practice

9x12" oil on masonite

Last night, I was making panels in my new work room and my son came down and asked if I'ld paint him.

this is the result - a quick 40 min. study (about as much as- even an eager- 9 yr old can take) he was a great model, busy with his Nintendo DS, wearing a huge sweatshirt, I think he only said "Are you done yet?" about 28 times, which isnt bad for 40 min.

****meanwhile**** This months Art Calender magazine has a great article about DailyPainters.com. I got my copy at Borders but you can also see it here. And I"M QUOTED in it!! cool.

Beach Read

6x6" oil on masonite SOLD

Beach Day

6x6" oil on masonite

Sick today. So this is a little oldy but goody I have kicking around.

for those of you who get my paintings sent to your email, sorry about the thanksgiving pictures in yesterdays post, I have no idea why that happened, some sort of blogger glicht.

have a happy healthy weekend and Go Pats!

Little Lineup

6x8" oil on masonite
its not much but FINALLY I got to use my paints. quick and loose to get in the groove again.
the rest of the day was spent setting up my new computer,camera stuff and work space. My youngest who is home sick today just said "Mom, I never knew being an artist was doing so much other stuff. I thought you just draw and paint all day." :) don't I wish.

I'll be back with a new painting soon!!

I swear. I have just been sooo busy organizing! I will be posting new paintings soon....more daily paintings and maybe some bigger ones that I'll be showing in a brick/mortar space. ...Ive got a new laptop ---hooray! a new space for my 'stuff' and lots of new ideas and motivation!

In the mean time, here's a link to a very talented artist selling some prints and cards over at Etsy, check her out : http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5442478 She just so happens to be a fellow RISD grad and my sister-in-law: Maeve Donohue Gonville. Below is a little panda print she designed for my son, there is a nice description of it on her etsy shop. - actually ALL the listings have great descriptions so you'll have a good time reading them. ENJOY

Getting Organized

Well my laptop adapter cord has died...for a while I would "McGyver" the cord and it would work, now - not so much. SO, While I deal with that little issue, I'm also taking the time to organize my basement(I'm actually creating an office/studio space down there),laundry,paperwork, etc etc. ...painting is taking a backseat for a few days while I get organized BUT its so warm out I just may sneak out for a few plein airs!

Thanks for all the happy anniversary well wishes! you are all just great

Spunky

6x6" oil on masonite

Happy New Year everyone. After a very busy December, I took some time off from painting and the computer, now easing back into the swing of things. Tons of ideas for paintings this year and ready to get at it...however...slow start today...so back to a favorite subject - actually 2 -dogs and shadows on the street.... this is a little spunky manchester terrier

Happy Birthday!!

sold My grandmother is 90 years young today! Happy Birthday to You Grammy!

Snow Church

6x6" sold

Time to Read

6x6" oil on masonite
More from "What Santa does during his 'off season'" . Doesn't sitting at the beach with nothing but time to read sound really good right now. Love the holidays but Gosh, having nothing to do ......

Let it Snow

No painting this weekend. but lots of snow, paper and real. Making snowflakes is one of my favorite things to do. Hot tea with honey,a fire in the fireplace,a football game on the tv and a stack of white paper and good sharp scissors is my idea of a nice winter sunday afternoon :-)

Frostbite

6x6" oil on masonite sold
This is a portrait of a lucky cat. He was frozen - seriously. He was frozen and his current owner saw him,thought he was a stuffed animal but then noticed him move slightly so he took him home and literally thawed him out and saved his life! Now, a little rough around the edges,getting on in years but otherwise fine. We thought he deserved a portrait....oh and his name is "Frostbite"

At the Beach

6x6" oil on masonite

Two Turtle Doves

6x6" oil on masonite
I love vintage cards and have a bunch. Recently my mother gave me a few more and one little cutie inspired this painting. I had big dreams of doing a different painting of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Two Turtle Doves might be as far as I get. I pretty much crossed this project right off my holiday 2do list...what was I thinking???

Down Time, Santa at the beach painting, debbie Miller

6x8" oil on masonite

Its crazy this time of year isn't it?
 Even if you say it wont be...It Is.
 Lights, gifts, wrapping paper, gift tags, parties, cards, baking, candles, endless shopping lists, crowds etc etc....
can you imagine how 'the big guy' feels?

 Santa must take a serious beach vacation in January.  He deserves the down time.

Snow Flying

6x6" oil on masonite
December 7 already?? the days are flying. Crazy busy weekend coming up, lots to do. Have a good one ...and Go Pats!

Gone Sledding

6x8" oil on masonite SOLD

My brother surfs here in RI all winter...my sons dont...yet. They go sledding, at the school nearby or our friends hilly backyard...anywhere they can really. I make the hot chocolate.

Below is art by my 9 yr old. His favorite shoes.

Peace (2)

6x6 oil on masonite SOLD

Lazy Days: daily painting, beach scenes

6x6" oil on masonite SOLD
Happy Chanukah

Reflecting

6x6" oil on masonite

I paint this alot - people -actually girls mostly- staring out at the ocean. While painting, I was thinking about that and decided that I'm drawn to this kind of image because 1. its familiar, 2. when creating you tap into your 'inner child' - well at least you should, in my opinion- so in a way I am painting myself. Does that make any sense? dont know. but the artist I am now is in many ways the child I was. and 3. just dang fun to paint :-)

So I guess take a second to reflect on yourself as a kid, what did you like to do? Do you do any of those things anymore? You should...take yourself on a playdate.

In the Surf: daily painting, beach scene

6x6" oil on masonite sold
These little beach scenes are becoming my favorites. One of these days, I'll paint a few really big ones

"Teamwork" daily painting,beach scene

6x6" oil on masonite sold

Usually I dont like to say if I like a painting or not but this one I do like, maybe because watching kids create stuff at the beach is the best...give 'em some sand,water and a shovel and its amazing what they can do, often working together to make incredibly creative things...its great.

***ALSO***, if you are in the Peterborough NH area...actually Antrim NH, My good friend Heidi Schwieger is directing the Antrim Players production of A Christmas Carol. It opens tonight and her daughter Sophia is part of the cast too. Wish I could be there! So if you're nearby check it out and give them a big 'break a leg' hug for me.

Have a good weekend all!

Cliff Walk

6x6" oil on masonite sold

Peace

6x6" oil on masonite
surprise...no beach scene today :-)

Towards Good Things

6x8" oil on masonite

Free Bird

6x8" oil on masonite sold

another one of those 'more than one title' paintings. :-)

PSST....theres a new blogger/painter on the scene: Dave Gonville a very talented painter, surfer and my brother. Be sure to check out his work.

Good Things on the Horizon

6x6" oil on masonite sold

Misty Beach

6x6" oil on masonite SOLD

Off Season Beach Walk

6x8" oil on masonite SOLD

A Beach Day

6x6" oil on masonite
This painting will be nicely framed and available at The Donovan Gallery next week along with a few other little paintings. You can contact me or them if youre interested in purchasing this one. Also, theres just a few more days to vote on my painting "Fledgling" that is in the SmallWorks NA show at The Greenich Workshop Gallery. ***this is a big show, I am so proud to be a part of it ***
Have a good weekend all. I'll be preparing more boards to paint and making cranberry sauce.

Moms On Duty

6x6' oil on masonite sold
I love to work on a painting with the title already in my head. For some reason its more fun. About 6 titles were bouncing around, this is the one that won out. We're so lucky-my friends and I- that this is the way we spend many of our summer days. Sweet. But not easy, as every mom knows ...we are ON DUTY the whole time. ...but still. aren't we always? might as well be at the beach.

Beach Day

6x8"oil on masonite. these beach paintings are sorta dreamy, I like them. Below shows one in a great floater style frame that its new owner Pat Warwick had made. She is a fellow RISD alumni and really great ceramic artist, check out her beautiful work here. Seeing my paintings in their new homes and the different way they get framed is so cool. If youve got one take a photo and email it to me I'ld love to see them and share the different ways they are framed and/or displayed. Also, I donated one of my little paintings to the RI PBS Arts Auction, the online bidding has started and the onair auction starts tonite. check it out.

Salt and Checkers

6x6" oil on canvas

A Checkered Past

6x6" oil on masonite
chilly gray day and Ive got a cold. ...so in a kitcheny comfort food kindof mood, I ended up here. love black/white checks and green apples. tough for me to paint though so everynow and then I paint them for practice. I love the shadow on the right.

When I'm Big

6x8"oil on masonite

A Little Preppie

6x6" oil on masonite panel

Breezy

6x6" oil on masonite
breezy cool. just so you know, these are kinda 'wonky' on purpose...thats where the fun comes in. they'll evolve and thats fun too. if you paint all the time all sorts of things happen :-)
**** also the voting for Smallworks North America is closing in a couple weeks. You can vote for my painting HERE!!!!

Drama Queen

6x6" oil on masonite
I still dont have my computer so this was 'quick color corrected' again. Its close except the green is sooo much prettier in person, more 'apple-y'. These are waaaay fun to paint. :-)

Glam Up

6x6" oil on masonite SOLD
I'm so not a glamour girl but I do have a thing for chandeliers and like painting them in this kindof illustrationy way. thinking about adding words maybe,... a little series of these is in order. My 'people' paintings will be back soon, sometimes I need a break to get recharged.

'Leaves" :daily painting,plein air,autumn

6x6" oil on masonite SOLD
I cant think of a good title. I asked my husband (who is tired of this question) and he said "Leaf Me Alone" :-)
I still dont have MY computer so I have to admit that I color corrected this with 'auto correct'. needless to say its NOT correct color. The sky is a much prettier blue and the leaves are more yellow. Its the best I can do for now.
These tree tops were my muse last winter. Today they drew me in again, the yellow against the sky was just too yummy and because of the storm expected tomorrow, they'll be gone soon.

Shades of Orange

6x6" oil on masonite
The last of my zinnias.