Cairn I

"Cairn I"
This was painted for the PAC Regional 2012 Exhibit with the theme
"You Are Here - Mapping and Cartography"
A cairn is a marker along a trail.  For me this painting also represents
a marker along my painting journey
as I transition from realism to abstraction.

Breakfast for Two

"Breakfast for Two"
Winner of Third Place - Theme - Parkersburg Art Center's Regional 2011 Exhibit

End of the Road

"End of the Road" OR "Old Volks Home"

I have passed this junk yard many times over the years and have wanted to paint it for a long time.  The PAC Regional Exhibit 2012 theme is "YOU ARE HERE" and I finally had a good reason to go for it. This painting is big - 36" x 48" - and it's the only oil painting I've done this year.  It didn't win a prize, but I've gotten lots of positive comments on it.  Apparently everyone has a Volkswagon story and my painting evoked lots of fond memories.  Dwayne, at the Art Center, said it should have been titled "old Volks Home."  I like that.  Every one of these abandonded cars would have some interesting stories to tell if only they could talk.  And that dog in the pop-up van.  Was this the end of his road too?

Wildflower Memories

"Wildflower Memories"

Fault Line

"Fault Line"
This is one of my first abstracts.  I like its simplicity.  It was inspired by news of the Japanese earthquake of March 2011.

Ledge

This is one of my first independent efforts at abstract painting following a week-long workshop with Pat Dews.  I learned a lot from her, but the most important thing she taught me was to keep working on a painting until I'm satisfied with it.  I entered this painting in the Crosscurrents 2011 juried exhibition at the Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling and it won an Honorable Mention.

September 21 Plein Air

Last September 21 I painted on the beach and got a "keeper."  This September 21 found me painting a cornfield.  What a perfect day it was!  Can't wait for next September...