Parts of Art

Coming soon  to the Gaslight Art Colony  in Marshall Illinois !       I am so excited to return as the teacher for this fun workshop.  It will be similar to the format of last year's workshop, but the materials, format and the end result will be very different and one of a kind. Here's a little bit of the process we'll be following. We'll start with a blank 12 x 12" canvas. We'll learn about building up an underpainting with sepia tones and lay in the basic design.  Next we'll start building, using a combination of acrylic paint, painted papers, burlap, canvas and yarn. As it evolves, other layers and materials may be added or subtracted.   Glazes will be available to tint or tone the colors until the desired look is achieved.  The last and most important step is that the path of light through leaves will be established and refined.  I would be delighted for you to join us for this all day event.   To register, go to  Gaslight Art colony. See you there!

   It's that one tree again.  It's actually the same tree, but in different prints. That is the beauty of linocut printing. You first carve the plate, then print the plate, then paint, embellish, layer, texture, paper it,  add or subtract to it. So each one is a one of a kind original piece of art.   It's that one tree, where I used to go when I was a child and we lived next to the woods. It was actually just a vacant lot, but to my 8 year old mind it was the vast woods. And in the back of that woods there was that one tree, where I would go to play, pretend, think and pray. I still remember the absolute invincible wonder and peace I felt when I was there.     So now as an adult, when I paint, or carve, or draw, I'm going back to that one tree.  That One Tree is available in my  shop here So what do you think about That One Tree? Do you have a memory of the one tree in your mind? I would love to hear about your one tree.

     I've been talking a lot about the importance of having a muted palette, meaning very little color.  But lately, I've wanted to add color to some of the paintings that I did over the last few years. So that's what I've been doing. I just added color to this piece. It was called The Clearing, and it was a very monotone palette. It was actually one of the favorite paintings at my shows. But you know, it just didn't sell. So I decided to take a breath, (a couple of breaths actually), and re-work this painting, add color, and actually change the path of light in the painting.        So what do you think now? I kind of like it! I like the new light coming through, and I like the blues that are in here now, that didn't used to be, and the light browns and yellows. And I like this little trunk, that gives you a place to sit when you're at the clearing of the woods. A limited edition print of the original Clearing is   available here.   As a reminder, if you dec

          I’ve always been a lover of paint and paint palettes. I vividly remember the excitement I felt opening that rectangular tin filled with round cakes of watercolor paint in elementary school. I was hooked! From that point on, I have wanted to explore and express within the inviting purity of paint.          In 1988 I had a beach side shop where I hand painted women's clothing. I was using acrylic paint in abundance. One morning I had cleaned my palette off, and had peeled a large colorful piece of variegated and textured acrylic paint from it.  Some friends of mine came into the shop (actually it was my minister and his wife). During our brief conversation, I showed them the peeled up paint and said, “This is too pretty to throw away, but I don’t know what to do with it.” The husband said, “Oh, you should cut it up and make it into jewelry!” We all laughed about it. It was like "Yeah right, I should try it!”   After they left I thought "Wow, that could have been

    When the three primary colors yellow, red and blue are mixed together, the result is brown. There are infinite varieties of brown, depending on the proportions and intensity of color, but it is always a result of mixing the three primary colors. Add white to the mix and you have delicious beige.        A neutral palette, then, is one where this mix is achieved. The neutral palette is the one preferred by nature.          In January 2002, scientists at John Hopkins University announced that they had discovered the color of all the light in the universe… and it was beige! The color was quickly renamed “cosmic latte” by the team.       In celebration of all things neutral and brown, here are some of my mixed media pieces from the ongoing series "Of the Woods". Ferns of the Woods  20 x 32 Sage Green  20 x 32 Tawny 8 x 10 Patterns  8 x 10 For information or to purchase, visit my shop  I wish you a healthy and prosperous new year,  and look forward to seeing you again  at one

  It's that one tree again.  Same tree, but different prints. Which is the beauty of linocut printing. You first carve the plate, then print the plate, then paint, embellish, layer, texture, flock it, paper it, add or subtract to it. So each one is a one of a kind original piece of art.   It's that one tree, where I used to go when I was a child and we lived next to the woods. It was actually just a vacant lot, but to my 8 year old mind it was the vast woods. And in the back of that woods there was that one tree, where I would go to play, pretend, think and pray. I still remember the absolute invincible wonder and peace I felt when I was there.     So now as an adult, when I paint, or carve, or draw, I'm going back to that one tree.  That One Tree is available in my shop here So what do you think about That One Tree? Do you have a memory of the one tree in your mind? I would love to hear about your one tree.