Katie's Tulip

The title of this painting comes because of the very sweet influence of Marina's daughter-in-law who spent the afternoon with us while we painted. She worked on a screenplay she is creating and the three of us worked harmoniously in a soft, joyful atmosphere, which I think can be perceived in the painting.

Scillia

I am so enjoying the spring flowers! The cup gave me a little trouble on the left side in terms of the lost/found edge, but I persevered and added a light reflection which seemed to improve the depth illusion.

Pulmonaria

I had only one day off before going back to the hospital so I decided to putz around in the garden since it was such a gorgeous day. As I was doing a little weeding and planning and picking up sticks and small branches from the poplars the little multicoloured pulmonaria asked to be painted. They are so lovely with their pink, blue, and purple flowers all on the same plant. I came inside with a small bunch and did a very quick study in my studio on some formcore I had prepared with canvas primed and glued on.

The Visitation

Every so often it seems like a painting asks to be painted, this is the case with this small piece. Although it is abstract in appearance it feels to me to be concrete in the abstract values, strength and stability. I hope it projects a positive and supportive message, as that is its purpose.

Early Spring

This painting was done on the property of my friends Nick and Biela Muhlen. It is a pond which Biela had Nick dig for her so she might have a frog pond. I used the palette knife to sculpt the tree forms and lay in small branches. It was a fairly cool day that started out sunny and very quickly became overcast and cold. Marina and I had to paint like the wind to get the major shapes and colours down and even then I had to finish the piece off in the studio as it turned to cold to stay out.

Too Many Kumquats

This very small painting is on a scrap of unprimed birch panel. My husband Phil, my most helpful critic said of this piece, " I quite like the way you painted the teapot and the little teacups, but there are way too many kumquats in the composition. " Not surprisingly, my friend Marina, made the same observation......too many kumquats. Since today is April Fools I thought it appropriate to post a painting which is not too serious!