Need help with name

It's winter in Manhattan.  People have just left work and are on their way home.  This is the intersection of Houston and Broadway.  It's busy and there is not much of a chance to jaywalk.  You know how New Yorkers love that.  As soon as I snapped the picture, red had changed to white and they were off.
It was a challenge to paint the figures back lit in the red light.  I initially had the figures too dark and went back and added some color in the 4 and 5 range.  It was a good exercise in painting contrast.
I can't think of a name for the painting.  Any suggestions?

Made it to the Beach

This woman was so glad to get to the beach that she didn't even bother to get herself organized.  She went directly to the chair and plopped.  She didn't even let go of her bag for the first 15 minutes.  I'm guessing she had been trying to get to the beach all day.
I had a view from the deck and got an interesting perspective for painting.  There is no end to the different types of bodies and positions.  I'm loving the challenge of trying to capture each one.

Hatpy In New York

My youngest daughter and her husband live in Manhattan.  I took a picture of them this summer trying on hats.   I did the figures and hats with a palette knife and the background with a brush. I gave it to them for their second wedding anniversary.
They are giving us a new grandchild in January!  Yeh!

Prepare to get Stewed

The challenge of the painting was to get the texture of this hammered copper pot.  I love the colors that were reflected in the copper.  When I got the pot the way I wanted it, I made a trip to the grocery store to see what I should put in it.  Now we are ready to make up a nice stew.  Just out of site is the stewing wine.  Only a half bottle left - cook only half stewed!

Hot Gossip

I know there is a great conversation going on here.  These ladies didn't notice me hovering around with my camera.
I went back to my studio to paint in the air conditioning as it was one of those hot and humid days in charleston. A perfect day for the the beach and "Hot Gossip".

Flower Power

I decided to paint flowers because I rarely do.  The biggest problem is setting up the still life and then,  once done, flowers die!  I found that florists are complimented when I go in and ask to photograph their arrangements.  That is an option.  However, if you have a day to paint, it's worth painting by the real thing.  Here are my yellow posies.

Vince, The Organizer

I made the deadline!  June 1 is the deadline for our mugshots of the Hilton Head Gang.  It was an intimidating challenge for me.  I am so thankful for our new bond of friendships and look forward to what we take on next.
This is Vince, The Organizer.  Here is what Maria has to say about him:
"Vince “ The Organizer” is an adjunct member of the notorious Hilton Head Gang.  Vince is the one who made everything at the fabulous Karin Jurick workshop run smoothly.  He is calm, reassuring and more than helpful.  He has tried to disassociate himself from the group but once a Hilton Head Gang member...always a Hilton Head Gang member.  It is like the Hotel California...you can check in any time you want...but you can never leave...hahahahahahahahaha......"
Maria has a gift for the pen and paintbrush. 

I'm Back

I've been away from my easel for 2 weeks.  Trying to shake the rust off, I decided to finish this painting that I'd had critiqued by the Hilton Head Gang.  It is a better painting thanks to their suggestions.

Grandson's art

My grandson is in the 1st grade and just  won honorable mention for his artwork in the Fairfax County art competition.  He is very excited to have it posted to my friends.  He thinks  I'm a famous artist.
I am sure he will succeed at whatever he does and in the words of Dr. Seuss "Kid, You'll move mountains!" Maybe, one painting at a time.

Mugshot "Red"

Sheryl was fun to paint.  I started with a bronze metallic underpainting. I've been doing that recently for some things.  Works great with landscapes.  I think that it helped to capture some of her "fire"!  This one just came off my brush.  Doesn't happen often but, gosh! doesn't it feel good when it does?
For all the info on our Hilton Head Gang go to the blog at http://hiltonheadgang.blogspot.com

Linda "Goldie"

Here comes "Glittering Goldie".  She can be found on her island of Hilton Head when not traveling the world.  Befriend her quickly and you will be graciously invited to her home.   Despite her petite stature, she is formidable and her shots from the hip can land anywhere. check her out at:  http://lindanicklesfineart.blogspot.com/

Dawn "The Shadow"

I skipped Week 12 of the Hilton Head Gang.  It was Dawn "The Shadow" Hartigan.  Perhaps her named says it all.  Don't you skip her.  There is only one way to bring her out of the shadows and into the open.  check out her blog at http://dawnhartigan.blogspot.com

Cathy "The Traveler"

Maria Hock is a genius at profiling members of our gang.  Here is a bit of what she says of Cathy "The Traveler".
"The Traveler was first seen in Chicago shooting and wreaking havoc in popular tourist sites.  Wherever there was a crowd Cathy would stealthily make her way into the venue and begin shooting."

Consider yourself warned and check out these sites:  mariahock.blogspot.com and cathyengberg.blogspot.com

Terri "Bones"

Week 11.  We are on the countdown of all our gang members of HHG.  This is Terri "Bones".  She is a nurse by profession but outside the workplace cannot be trusted.  With her paints she can replicate and enhance anything her camera lens can document.  She could be anywhere.  Be careful!

I had lots of trouble with this one.  Even my husband said it was the least likeness.  I am posting it but I'm sure at some time I will be doctoring up Nurse Terri.  Check out her blog : http://splattermark.blogspot.com

Betsy "Eagle Eye" Stevenson

I enjoyed painting this deceptively innocent looking beauty.  Check out her blog:  betsystevenson.blogspot.com

Unda God

Charleston is called the Holy City.  We have a church on almost every corner.  There are good people living in this house because they live "Unda God".  This is typical Charleston single house with the piazzas on the side.

This painting is 30x40.  I haven't worked large in awhile.  It was fun to get those big brushes out.

 

Frazzled Artist

I sat down last night after painting all day and drew this picture of me, the frazzled artist.  I've been "in the zone" the last few days and have been painting like a wild women.  Is there such a thing as "Painting elbow"?

Anyway, I've been asked to produce 14 or so paintings for a show.  Some would say "one women show", but it is really "One scared lady show".  You will be updated on my progress.  Deadline is a week from tomorrow!

Back to the Zone...

Chris "the Moniker" Werst

We continue on with our mugshots.  This is week 9 and we feature Chris "the Moniker" Werst.  Here is what has been said about her:
"She misses nothing.  At beaches, galleries, tourist attractions...She retains everything.  She is very proficient at finding out and remembering names of people, places and things.  She uses this to her advantage.  She will call your name and then act like she knows you...by the time you realize she is a stranger it is too late... you are digitally immortalized and destined to become canvas bound.  Her whereabouts is totally unknown as she does not...at this writing...have a blog."

yellow house

This house is down the street from my studio in Charleston.  The house is beautifully maintained and the garden is manicured.  The Charleston Preservation Society has the last word on the color of your house, or any other changes you want to make to the outside.  Wonder how they got that turquoise door?  It's not a typical color around here. Remember, all the piazza ceilings are painted "haint blue" to keep away the evil spirits.   I'm still trying to think of a name for the painting if you have any ideas.

Hilton Head Gang

 The group of elusive artists who attended Karin Jurick's workshop have "thrown in" together to form a gang named the Hilton Head Gang, alias HHG.    They found a unique commonality and have formed a cohesive effort to become criminally dedicated to their artistic endeavors.

Here is what MH , mariahock.blogspot.com,  has to say about them:
"Week 8 finds us looking for Nancy "The Guardian" Darling, so named because of her help with rescue dogs.  She often travels with a large  pack of dogs which hampers her ability to shoot but that does not prevent her from trying.  She used the dogs to attract unsuspecting subjects then while they are being distracted...she shoots.  It is a devious but very effective plan.  I hear she and her pack will be heading up to Alaska to participate in the Iditarod...that may be a false lead...just be on the lookout..."

Here is my rendition of "The Guardian".   Find out more  http://njdarling.blogspot.com/

My Youngest Daughter

I've been working on this for awhile.  And no, it was not meant to be a Christmas present.  I think I will hang it in my studio and when I'm ready to move on, I will give it to her.   I studied Zhaoming Wu and the way he paints fabrics.  You will see that I need a lot more practice to even come close.

Roxanne, The Streak

I experimented with color on this one.  I'm trying to let the value do it's work and not worry about the color.  I still have in my mind that skin is, well, skin color.  Maybe I should try painting upside down so I don't think about WHAT I'm painting.

Roxanne is part of our notorious Hilton Head Gang.  Here is what has been said about her:

"Roxanne "The Streak" Duke is so named because she is stealthy.  She streaks by and shoots at will and disappears before detected by unsuspecting victims.  Roxanne flies under the radar...finding a photo of her was not easy.  we had to scour the internet, check past flyers and canvas neighborhoods just to find this one.  We don't know when the photo was taken...her look may have changed.  Scrutinize everyone you see..."