"Fast" Eddie Watkins

First a disclaimer: I did not paint this painting.

This weekend my husband, thinking that I had no cash on me, invited me to join him on a trip to the transfer station. Our transfer station has a 'second chance store' where locals donate stuff they no longer want but think someone else might. I'm not sure who actually gets the money from the transactions that occur here (not the folks that drop stuff off, that much I know). I like to browse this 'store' because you never know what you might find. These days I am looking for frames that I can use on my paintings. I have bought several frames from him in the past and saved a bundle on framing.

This was a particularly nice frame for an 18"x24" canvas. The fellow wanted $20, I had $18 - we made a deal and the whole thing went into the back of the car.

As per my usual practice, I look at who signed the art and look them up on -line. The artists of the paintings I have bought from here in the past have had no presence on line that I could find, so I had no compunctions about getting rid of the artwork in one form or another. I have been known to save the stretcher bars or gesso over and re-use the canvas for practice.

This time, I discovered I had purchased a piece of art with a great story. "Fast" Eddie Watkins was a notorious bank robber who was on the FBI's most wanted list for a period of time. He took up painting in prison. You can read his story here.

So now I have a painting with a wonderful story, and it looks like it will remain in it's frame and hang someplace in my home as a conversation piece. Don't you just love a good find?

New work coming soon.

I know I haven't posted in a while, there's been a lot going on and I haven't been near the easel for what feels like months. But summer is here and I'll start to have more time to paint so please don't give up on me. These days it seems like the summer is really the only time I have to paint, and I plan to make the most of it this year.

In fact, last weekend I started a new painting commissioned by a friend. Once it's done, I'll post it.

I am also planning a new still life, and thinking about an attempt at a landscape from a photo I took last weekend at a local pond. I might even pack up my easel and paints and spend the day there soon.

I have decided to take on a few commissions over the summer, I have had a few inquiries about painting pets and I'd like to do that. If this is something that interests you, please drop me a note.

Also, if you see a painting that you would like to own (one of mine, of course) please contact me for a price.

WIP Day Lily

Day Lily

18"x24"

Oil on canvas

I have been working on this off and on for about two months. I wanted to try painting like the old masters. First I drew the rough painting in pencil than outlined it with burnt umber thinned with turpenoid. Next I added shadows using the same method. Lots of undercoats and building of layers happened after that.

At the moment I am calling this a work in process. I am not at all sure if it is done. The photo actually looks better than the painting (even with the glare because it's still quite wet). I'm going to have to live with it a bit before I decide.

I'd be interested in what you have to say, please do share your comments. Painting in a vacuum without feedback is not always fun. You can either blissfully love everything you create or be your worst critic. The truth is probably somewhere in between.

So, am I done?

The Girl

As promised in the previous post- 'The Girl'. The painting I thought was all wrong, and her parents thought was just right. Go figure.

Grandson

Wow! It's been a while since I posted, life is very busy at my day job through the first of June, but I will try to post more often.

A while back I decided to paint portraits of two of my grandchildren and give them to their parents for Christmas. I was very pleased with the painting of 'the boy', and couldn't wait to start on 'the girl'. I really felt I nailed it here and couldn't wait to hear what his parents thought.

The other portrait, which I will post a bit later was much more of a struggle. I just couldn't seem to get there, but time ran out and they had to be finished, framed, wrapped and shipped if I wanted to make the holiday.

On Christmas morning I called to get a reaction. Both Mom and Dad thought that I had captured 'the girl' perfectly, but they thought I didn't quite get 'the boy'. Which only shows how difficult portraits really are. People don't see people they love with their eyes alone, they see them with their heart. And so to capture someone's essence in paint, you need to be able to see them through someone else's eyes.

Jenny

This is our youngest grand-daughter, Jenny. We don't see her very often as she lives quite far away. This painting was done using one of her school photos. I love how happy she looks.

I painted a series of portraits of all the grand kids a couple of years ago. I will be posting them here in the next few weeks, while I am working on a new painting.

Generally, I am a direct painter, I don't do under painting, and frequently mix and blend the colors right on the canvas. The painting I am working on right now will be done in stages similar to those of the old masters.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Bald Eagle

I finally got back into the studio this weekend and spent some time working on a painting of a bald eagle.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I rented a cottage on a pond in Maine. This eagle and his(?) mate lived on that pond. We were fortunate enough to see it fly over and also to be able to photograph it sitting in the tree. It was huge!

The shot I would like to have gotten, was when the eagle flew over my husband when he was fishing, about ten feet over his head. The wingspan was incredible. Where is that camera when you really need it. Hubby wasn't even aware of the fly-over.

I don't know if this painting is done. I need to live with it for a while. But it sure felt good to have a paintbrush back in my hands.