DON

I took this photo of  Don last year at my Wednesday workshop.  It feels like so long ago... I miss going and hope we can all go back so we can all paint together again.   He was such a great model.  I used my Rembrandt and unison pastels for this portrait.   I hope you like him.

Captivated

I have painted her many times but when your model is home from College because of Covid... well, we have to take advantage.  I took the photo in front of the window so the lighting wasn't exactly how I wanted but next time. lol   This portrait is 11 x 14 painted  on Canson mi-tientes paper which is wonderful for portraits.  I paint on the smooth side rather than the textured side... 
 

NEW BABY

 Rescued from a Texas Shelter early this year... this 9 lb. Chiweenie stole my heart.  She came to NY with heartworm so I wasn't able to adopt her until she was heartworm free.  Introducing BAMBI.  I painted the ornament with acrylics.  Merry Christmas to all my friends here and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Last pin for the day

When I went to Bethpage Restoration in Bethpage, LI,NY,  I went at the perfect time when this hatter was engrossed in forming some hats.  It was very interesting to see him in action.  He was finishing this black hat for the day....hence the title.  I hope you like him.  Painted with Rembrandt pastels and pencils for details.

 

LITTLE ITALY

Even though this painting looks like Chinatown, it is Little Italy in New York City.  I was there about a year ago and I feel like there's less of Little Italy as usual.  But the restaurants are amazing and would recommend going there just NOT NOW.   Lots of angry people in NYC right now and they recommend not going ... very sad.

RIALTO BRIDGE

My Cousin Al visited this Bridge in Venice and told me how beautiful it was.  I of course, agreed, and decided to paint it on a canvas.  I didn't want to hide it with a mat and glass since it would hide the full beauty of this bridge.... I painted it in acrylics which I really enjoyed for a change.  I understand they have restaurants with delicious food as well as amazing views.  I hope you like this.

LEILA

I thought I posted this portrait of Leila.  She was a model from my Friday Portrait group some months back.  She was beautiful and classy and the perfect model we love to paint. I hope that she comes back some day to model again.
This was painted on Canson mi-tientes paper using Rembrandt pastels as well as Terry Ludwig soft pastels.  I hope you like her.

View from window

This was a Christmas commission that I never posted.   A sweet little cat looking out of her window... I enjoyed painting this … I thought the sun catcher was fun to paint.
I hope you are all doing well in this nightmare that we're living in.  At first, I kept myself very busy with painting, cleaning but now I have become a couch potato .. something I never wanted to be. lol
In February, I lost my dog, Cali.  She died in her sleep and it left me heartbroken.  She was only 8 and healthy so it was a total shock when she died right in front of me.   I have never been without a pet so I'm fostering a chihuahua/dachshund who I named Bambi. She's 9 lbs.   The shelters are full so I helped with one! lol.  She keeps me busy now and happy.  Yes, I will be adopting her soon.
STAY WELL, MY FRIENDS

Tennessee Beauty- 2nd Try

Thank God my eye surgery last Friday was successful.   Appointment for my left eye will be March 11th.  The worst thing is putting so many drops in the eye but I'm getting used to it.
I painted this horse AGAIN and very happy with it now.  I painted with goggles on to protect my eye from the pastels. I guess I'm a little obsessed and had to do it.  I hope you like it.
I will rest my eyes now.

Niagara Falls

It seems like just yesterday I visited Niagara Falls, but its been 6 years already... so time to re-visit.  It's such a beautiful place with breathtaking views wherever you look.  I painted this awhile ago and never posted it..  Tomorrow I go for eye surgery (cataracts...)  so I'm not sure when I'll post again or when I'll paint since with pastels you have to be careful.   But as soon as I can I WILL be back.   Meanwhile, I will be enjoying your beautiful work.  Thank you all for being there for me...You are the best!!

Tennessee Beauty

Did you ever do something and regretted it?  I painted this portrait and destroyed it before putting it aside and looking at it with fresh eyes.  Well, it's too late for this one but I would like to paint it again someday.  I used my soft Rembrandt pastels as well as my pastel pencils.... and I really liked cropping him.
My advice....don't be impulsive like me... lol

Skye

I must have painted Skye hundreds of times but she's always there for me when I need a model.  When she came home from College, I grabbed her for a photo shoot. lol
This was painted with my Rembrandt pastels and lots and lots of layers for her hair.   She was a  joy to paint and hope you like her.

Whitney Museum vendor

This very kind man was selling African Art in front of the Whitney Museum in Manhattan.  He had such a nice pose so I took his photo.  He knew I was taking his picture so he smiled then I took it again when he wasn't.. lol
Maybe some of you have seen him! 

FRANK

This is Frank.  Frank belongs to my granddaughters friend.  When I saw the reference photo, I fell in love with him and took my pastels out!! lol.   My biggest joy was when she saw it and loved it!  We love that, right?  I forgot to ask her what breed of dog he is...maybe someone here will know!

Drama Queen

I loved her expression here and really needed to paint her. It's always fun looking into the family albums for that  perfect reference photo.  I remember taking this like it was yesterday.

Lavender in bloom

In East Marion, N.Y. we have an amazing Lavender Farm.  I took the reference photo of a worker gathering some lavenders to be sold.  Of course, I bought some... I took it home and dried some, hanging them upside down.  The smell is wonderful....pinching them brings out the fragrance even more!!!

Italian Courtyard

My daughter gave me a photo that her girlfriend gave her from when she went to Italy.  She thought it was so beautiful and asked me if I would paint it for her.  I don't do too many paintings in oil but I enjoyed painting this.  She loved it and its hanging in her living room wall.  I added that this is a pastel portrait by mistake and cannot figure out how to fix it..lol.... but its an 18 x 24 oil painting.

A Rae of Sunshine

The reference photo was of my Nieces granddaughter Rae.  I fell in love with the photo when I saw it on Facebook because she looked like an old fashioned little girl from the 30's.  I knew I had to paint her and I'm happy that "Grandma" loved the portrait.
This is 11 x 14 pastel

Sunset in North Carolina

My Nephew who lives in beautiful North Carolina took this reference shot and asked me if I can paint it.  I just loved all the beautiful colors in the sky that I took my oils out quickly.  Someday, I would love to do a sunset in pastels as well. .

ROUTE 66

I love traveling on this Route through Arizona.  You get to see plenty of Antique shops and General stores along the way that take you back to those happy memories.
And best of all... those barns that scream with stories..that we only wish we can hear.