Monique's Necklace

We had beautiful Monique as our model last week and she brought her favorite necklace. 9" x 12" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

Untitled by Frances Kuta

Wow...it has been almost 2 months since I've posted any paintings. Over the holidays I visited my family for two weeks. Once I returned...every time I would try to get started painting...some other priority yelled louder. So I've been struggling with that. My Thursday group has saved me. I have to show up and paint...and since we have started gathering again...my painting passion is returning. Weird. This painting is one of my favorite models. I posed her in my studio last year and finished this painting from the photo. It is oil on canvas Raymar panel, 11" x 14".

Red Ribbon Winner

My Representational Art League group is having a show at Moonstone Crossing Winery in Trinidad. For this 3 month show we each painted 4 wine paintings...ranging from still life to landscape and botanicals. The show continues to Dec. 26. This one is 14" x 11" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

Ashley

We had the sweetest model last week. Her skin seemed to glow whichever way we put light on her. Practicing with my Asaro head helped me get as much information as possible during the 3 hour model session. This one is 14" x 11" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

Asaro Head Girlfriend

Ok...I thought my Asaro head looked weird with acrylic paint on him....I plopped a wig on it and here's what I got...his girlfriend!!!!!! hahahhaha. I'm going to paint this head every day for a week or more...don't worry...i won't post all...it's just a really good exercise...at some point I'll fill him out so he doesn't look like a New Guinea shrunken head!!

Planes of the Head Study

How many of you artists hate this head? I have heard that so often from artists...either they've painted it so much they're sick of it...or it is just so freaky looking. An artist John Asaro invented it for teaching students to see the planes of the head. You can put it under different lighting conditions it highlights different planes. It comes in gray. But I painted mine with acrylic paint so it would have flesh tones. It became even freakier. Painting a head in space is always difficult...I've decided to keep painting this head to help me with my live model sessions.

On Her Dresser

Little dolls are a challenge to paint for me because I need to make an effort to keep them looking like a doll versus a real person. They're very individual if you really look at them. This one is going in the Mini's in November show at The Wine Spot. 5" x 7" oil on canvas Raymar panel. Thanks for looking !

Make A Wish

I love this little pot. It reminds me of a genie lamp that maybe, if I polish it the genie will come out in a swirl and grant me 3 wishes! This one will be in the miniature show at The Wine Spot in November. It is 5" x 7" oil on canvas Raymar panel. Thanks for looking!

Plums & Roses

Lately I love pink! I painted this little miniature painting today and it will be on display at the miniature show in November at The Wine Spot in Eureka. This one is 4" x 4" oil on board.

Thanks for looking!

Little Pinkie

This is another little teacup I found in a treasure hunt one afternoon. Who knows how many sips of tea it has provided or how many conversations it has been privy to...

Reaching for the Light

I love this type of lighting on a still life, like a soft beam bathing my flowers in light. I am realizing I would like to name my paintings based more on what they mean versus what they are....another shift in my artist journey...so many lately. This one is 10" x 8" oil on board.

Blue Vase

After attending Weekend with the Masters I have so many ideas storming around...and sooo much homework to help me improve. So here I am back into a still life a day...soon to add a model a week (or two or three if I can). So many of the masters stressed the importance of painting from life...that the camera lies and tries to bring everything into focus also erradicating the beautiful range of temperatures in a live set-up. This one is a little 5" x 7" oil on Raymar canvas panel.

Mestizo Beauty

This beautiful girl works in the wine shop/art gallery where I manage the art. She dances and sings beautifully. I asked what her ethnic origin is and she mentioned 'mestizo' which is a blend of Latin and European. At any rate...she has an intensity about her that I wanted to capture. This painting is 20" x 16" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

Peaches and Tea

Lately I love to paint teapots....it seems to make them come alive with a fat little belly (or a ruffled skirt), feet..a crooked arm..and the other arm pointing to who knows what! Some are plain..some are very dressed up...some strong, some delicate. I've painted this one several times...I think I like this version the best so far! This one is little...5" x 7" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

Ceramic on Indian Blanket

Ok, I'm back to a painting a day...but I left my camera at the studio on Monday...so here is my Monday painting...I'm noticing I am getting a little wild with color...but I love it! This one is 14" x 11" oil on canvas.

Favorite Coffee Cup

It's tough to finish a painting a day..so far I'm one behind...an installation and board meeting took time away from the easel...but I definately like doing this! My coffee tasted soooo good this morning I thought I would paint something about that...here is my favorite cup..it is white with red inside..and the surface has a raised pattern. Again...this is on a really rough linen panel. 8" x 10" oil.

Dessert

This is still life no. 2 from my "still-life-a-day' week. Wine and apples...a nice dessert. This linen is rougher than I usually paint on...but I liked it...sort of forced me to lay on the paint thicker...requires more bravado in my color mixing tho. Fun. 8" x 10" oil on linen panel.

Gold Handled Teapot

I am painting a still life-a-day this week because I have been painting from photos for a while and need to get back into painting from life. This little teapot is really old. It belonged to my husbands' great grandmother. I love the gold handle and spout...and the irregular scalloped edges. This one is 9" x 12" oil on canvas Raymar panel.

A Glass of Perfection

My Representational Art League artists group is getting ready to show 3 months of wine paintings at Moonstone Winery's tasting room out in Trinidad (Oct - Dec). Here is one of mine...I love to paint red :) 16" x 20" oil on canvas Raymar panel

Cards and a Cold One

Another painting going into my "Celebrate The West" show at The Wine Spot. This one was fun to paint! I used as big a brush as possible. 11" x 14" oil on canvas.