Working Puzzles

We have 6 beautiful grandbabies. The youngest is about to turn 1, and the oldest hasn't turned 5 yet. We are blessed  beyond measure.

We love to have all 6 here together. There is lots of chasing and squealing when we do.

One family of three has blue eyes. The other family of three has brown eyes.  We call them our Browns and our Blues.

We love to have one family at a time here. We have routines that they know, love, and expect.

And we love to have time with just one by himself or herself sometimes. 

This little sweetheart is the 4th in our line up. She's my little puzzle worker.

My weekly-ish challenge was "Toys." Puzzles are toys, so I met the challenge... and added a little person too! 

 

Original Oil Painting on 10"x 10" Wrapped Canvas
[NFS]

Carousel Ride

 

One of my granddaughters turned two in August, and the county fair just happened to be in town that week. 

Oh, my goodness!  The excitement!  How can a little person take it all in!  So much to see! There were huge cows and pigs of all colors and friendly goats and sheep wearing coats to keep them clean for their showings. There were so many roosters crowing and rabbits trying to sleep and turkeys not at all happy to be caged.  There were farm kids that even let you pet their animals!

Then came the midway! There were bright colors and flashing lights and whirling contraptions and happy squeals!

This little two-year old sweetie had eyes only for the merry-go-round. She went on the Ferris wheel with her momma and daddy, an apple spinner thing with her momma and sister, then wanted to spend her tickets only on the merry-go-round. She was living her best life high up and down on the white horse... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the zebra... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the giraffe... get off... give more tickets... high up and down on the brown horse... Eventually the last ticket was spent and it was time to go. Happy, happy, happy... well, after crying that all the tickets were spent... then happy, happy, happy.

***

*Fun Fact About Helen - I'm not a fan of horses.  Yeah... I'm kind of afraid of them, it's true.  They are so big!  Have you see how big their heads are! And they're smart enough to make their own decisions! I had a horse when I was a kid.  Bill. Bill Garfunkel Powell... a white Shetland pony... He was so cute. And, he was mean. He bit. He kicked. He stomped. He ran  away from us when he could. He was mean to the cows too. I know... probably not the best introduction to horses.

When I learned that my the Weekly-ish Challenge was "Horse," I kind of sank.  I did paint a horse once. I think I vowed never to try that again. What was I going to do? What kind of loophole could I find? How was I going to meet this challenge without having to paint a horse? Hmmmm.....

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 12" Wrapped Canvas

[NFS - can't sell a painting with my granddaughter in it!]

*If you're worried, yes, she was safe. In the reference photo, my handsome son-in-law was standing and grinning right behind her on the ride. And, because I know he reads my blog... Sorry you didn't make it into the painting, my dear.😉

Reaching for the Stars

When I was asked to do a painting of my friend's granddaughter, she said I could choose the image.  There were about 5,895,421 gorgeous photos... okay, maybe only 50... to choose from.  They were all lovely, but this one was different.  It seemed to be an unplanned snapshot of Fiona filled with joy, leaping and twirling like only a young girl will do when no one is watching.

I asked my friend if she'd like to write something. Of course, she said yes...

Thank you, Helen, for creating a special memory painting for the magical moment in the life of granddaughter, Fiona, age 14.  This one was captured at her e2019 Bat Mitzvah party in Santa Moica.  You chose this photo, one of many expressive ones taken by Jenifer Whalen (jenniferwhalenweddings) to tell a story of Fiona.  The chosen title "Reaching for the Stars" epitomizes all those dreams she has for her future!  Love all the amazing stories your paintings tell!"

**I know I just called her "my friend." There's a reason. I have two women who I consider life changing mentors in my life... and they're both named Cheri!

Cheri Wollenberg is my art mentor, painting teacher, dear friend.

Cheri Olmstead was my writing mentor, teaching partner, dear friend.

**Thank you to @jenniferwhalenweddings for taking the beautiful photograph that I used as a reference.

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

A Good Book to Read

A patch of sunlight...

A favorite quilt...

A quiet corner...

A good book to read...

What more could you want?

I painted this for the weekly art challenge "Looking Down."  I think the intent was probably to paint something from the perspective from above, but I went with the subject looking down. I love this image (and this little one).

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas

[NOT FOR SALE]

Someone to Watch Over Me

I want each my paintings to tell a story on canvas. 
I feel like this one does.

I love it when out of the blue I get an e-mail asking if I might be able to do a special painting for someone.  Once I learn the reason... the story, I begin to bond with the story that the blank canvas will begin to tell.

Before I can begin, though, there are details to work out:  Which photo will be used? (The best photograph doesn't necessarily make the best painting.) What size of canvas will be right? (It depends both on the subject and on the commitment of wall space.) What shape of canvas will be right for the composition? (Square, vertical, horizontal) What is the timeframe? (A few weeks or as soon as possible?)

I want to make clear that none of my paintings is ever going to be an exact duplicate of a photo. I like having freedom to use my artistic license when needed.  While I won't make up random things, I can make tweaks. So the last question is always, "Is there anything you would like to see changed, removed, or added?"  

This time I got some pretty specific requests.

Could you change the neighborhood outside the window to a fall scene?

Could you incorporate a red heart or some red hearts somewhere?

Could you add a redheaded woodpecker?

Wow... ummm... okay... those are some pretty specific requests.  My e-mail reply probably said, "Sure!" My mind was probably reeling with, "How in the world am I going to accomplish those!"  But, because I knew the story... the reasons, I knew I'd find a way. And, I did.

I hope that the real story is honored by the story put on canvas.

We'll see if this works... 

I thought you might like watching the process. Let me know what you think!

Original Oil Painting on 11"x 14" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Watering Yellow Roses

There's a story on this canvas!  I just know there's a story... 
I wonder what it is...

• What's her name?
• Where does the path lead?
• Why are the roses in pots?
• Who helps her with the flowers?
• Is that a special dress?

There are lots of ideas bouncing around in my head. Maybe there's more than one story on this canvas.

Sometimes the colors, shapes, and ideas flow and the painting appears without much effort. Other times... not so much.

This painting had a mind of its own... 

I did the trees and sky one way then changed the color and the shape.

I did the path one way then changed the direction and the width.

I did the grass smooth and formal then changed to add wildflowers and texture.

I did the watering can yellow then changed it to blue.

I did the shoes yellow then changed them to purple.

I did the face one way then another then another then another... then another...

... sigh...

I should have listened to the painting better from the beginning.  
The painting knew its story all along. 

This is the fourth painting for the bedrooms of Welcome Home Retreat. 

It's for the Yellow Rose of Texas Room. 

Click below to see each of the other three.

Bluebonnet Room

Pink Primrose Room

Indian Paintbrush Room

Original Oil Painting on 16"x 20" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Anna

This is our Anna.  

What a sweetie!  

Every so often we get to have a playdate with her and her little sister and brother.  Ron and I have 11 nieces and nephews (on my side), and they’ve given us 24 great nieces and nephews who we love... and who happen to ALL be beautiful.  So, whenever I get in the mood to paint a little one, I’ve got plenty to choose from.

I've said many times that I like to paint children from the back or from the side because I like the way those images tell the story.  

That is very true; however, let me be completely honest... Views from the back or side don't have... eyes... or teeth... or nostrils... or dimples... or eyebrows... or lips... or ears... And, those are all just plain hard for me!

I'm a little sad that the pink rain boots (on this bright sunny day) didn't make it into the crop for the painting, but those eyes and teeth and nostrils and eyebrows and lips told the story this time.




Original Oil Painting - 9x12 
[SOLD]

Joy!

I've got the 
joy, 
  joy,
    joy, 
      joy
down in my heart.
  Down in my heart!
     Down in my heart!!
I've got the
joy,
  joy,
    joy,
      joy,
down in my heart.
Down in my heart
    to stay!!


Wet Paint in My Mind's Eye includes "Joy!" as well as 11 other paintings depicting joyous dancers! This painting was also included in Etsy treasuries (collections of vintage items and art pieces) celebrating Smiles and Happy Smiles.  Click to have a look.  It will put a smile on your face! Then click Smiles & Sunshine,  Joy, or another J O Y enjoy treasuries that will make you smile on the inside.  Then enjoy the beautiful color combinations in Joy or in  Hot, Hot, Hot Summer Days.  Finally, visit the beautiful art represented in Artsy Etsy.


Click "Joy" to go to the Etsy site where this painting can be purchased.


I submitted this painting to an In the Moment challenge.  The challenge was to show and artistic interpretation of the word triumph.  And, doesn't she look triumphant!!  Visit this unique site to see how other artists have portrayed the word.

Flower Girl and Her Kitty

Oh, how this little sweetheart kept us laughing. The air was usually filled with her voice.

Her little friend there was Daisy. Well, actually we only called it Daisy for a short time. I'll never forget what our vet said at our first visit. "Did you say this kitten's name is Daisy? Hmmm... maybe a better name would be Tom." Oops... kind of hard to explain that little mistake to a four year old! Daisy very shortly became Dandelion. And, Dandy was a good little family member.

As for this little one... in the blink of an eye, she grew into a lovely young lady.

Blow on It!

I wonder who decided that the dandelion would be a weed instead of a flower. I'm pretty sure that this little one believes she's holding a flower.

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Stretched Canvas
[SOLD]

"Blow on It!" can be purchased in several forms and sizes.
Contact me if you'd like to purchase this image as a giclee, a print, or note cards.