Study for Vessel, II
       
     
Velasquez Games
       
     
Study for "Vessel"
       
     
Learning the Steps
       
     
The Threshhold
       
     
Reclining Nude
       
     
Self Portrait Under a Skylight
       
     
Daud Sketching in Venice
       
     
A Boy Named for a Cookie
       
     
A Cookie Named for a Girl
       
     
Adventure's Spiral
       
     
Portrait of a young girl
       
     
Sevillanas and Stallions
       
     
Andalusian Dreaming
       
     
Melissa square.jpg
       
     
Manatee Rescue.jpg
       
     
Study for Vessel, II
       
     
Study for Vessel, II

Oil on Panel / 11 x 14 in / Available at Reinert Fine Art

One of my influences is textiles. I love rich, interesting fabric, because the color and design give me amazing compositional tools. The background in this piece is from Uzbekistan, and I’ve waited a long time to find its purpose. I love the title vessel, because of the pun between the obvious large bottle, and that women are so often the vessels of the plans and beliefs of others. That is changing!

Velasquez Games
       
     
Velasquez Games

Oil on Panel / 12 x 12 inches / SOLD at Reinert Fine Art

I always wanted to place myself within a composition in the mirror, the way Velasquez did in Las Meninas…. Thanks to the wonderful Phoebe for reading for me.

Study for "Vessel"
       
     
Study for "Vessel"

Oil on Cradled Panel / 7 x 5 in / Sold at Cutter & Cutter Fine Art in 2024

Always fascinated by glass forms, whether Roman or recent, I hankered to begin a series of women holding vessels. I’m still finding my way. This mini study offers me a direction in which to proceed.
Cloth is extremely important to me. This background is an embroidery by the Lakai nomadic tribe from in and around Uzbekistan.

Learning the Steps
       
     
Learning the Steps

Oil on Linen / 60 in x 48 in / Available at Reinert Fine Art

Most Andalusian village houses have rooftop terraces. Marta Barroso Fernandez teaches Clara Olid some steps to a Sevillana dance on top of the studio.

Available

The Threshhold
       
     
The Threshhold

Oil Linen / 39x39 in / Available from the artist

After several years of painting with traditional light sources, I was eager to pose someone or something against the light. Friend Oli Price kindly obliged, and offered excellent conversation during the hours he sat as still as a sculpture. Obstacles included not being able to actually SEE his facial features, in shadow as they were, but the challenge gave me much joy.

Reclining Nude
       
     
Reclining Nude

Watercolor on Paper / 9 x 13 in / Available from the Artist

I very seldom paint watercolors, and even more seldom allow them to survive….but this one I like. The model rested beautifully, and it was a great day.

Self Portrait Under a Skylight
       
     
Self Portrait Under a Skylight

Pastel on toned paper / 22 x 15 in / Available from the artist

There are tested rules about the lighting situations which are most flattering. Light coming in from 3/4, slightly above the sitter, are generally always successful. I wanted to try some brutal light from above, putting much of my face in shadow.

Daud Sketching in Venice
       
     
Daud Sketching in Venice

Watercolor on Paper / Collection of the Artist

I’m honored that this little watercolor is featured in the January “Artists Painting Artists” expose in Fine Art Connoisseur.

Daud and I painted joyfully during a month spent in Venice during pandemic lock down. We we expect that never again will we see the watery city without tourists. Our apartment had a glorious view, and here Daud is capturing it from the balcony.

A Boy Named for a Cookie
       
     
A Boy Named for a Cookie

Oil on Linen / 39x59 in / Erlanger Children’s Hospital, Tennessee

What an honor to receive a commission to paint the history of McKee Foods in two parts, for Erlanger Children’s Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The family is dear to me since childhood. The challenge was to fit several episodes from the business’ development into a cycle of images. In the center is young Jack McKee, son of founders Ruth and OD McKee.

A Cookie Named for a Girl
       
     
A Cookie Named for a Girl

Oil on Linen / 39x59 in / Erlanger Childrens Outpatient Hospital

The second mural depicting the history of McKee Foods, this painting begins with the introduction of Little Debbie snack cakes and the move of the company headquarters to Collegedale, Tennessee. As I put myself through two years of art school working at McKee Bakery, I was particularly honored to be selected as their artist.

Adventure's Spiral
       
     
Adventure's Spiral

Oil on Linen / 28 x 36 in / Available from the Artist

Vylan visited me for a month or so, and left a permanent mark of organization and delicacy upon my home. Our backgrounds shared many aspects, and her conversation was thoughtful. I painted her composed on two chairs, with a gentle, fern-like swirl of lavender unraveling her future towards her.

Portrait of a young girl
       
     
Portrait of a young girl

Oil on Canvas / 12 x 12 inches / 2017

I met this astonishing girl on a recent trip, and I remain charmed by her radiant spirit. I had to attempt a portrait.

Available

Sevillanas and Stallions
       
     
Sevillanas and Stallions

Oil on Linen / 73 x 39 in / Available at Cutter & Cutter Fine Art

In the villages of Andalusia there are a few skilled couples who are able to perform a version of flamenco dance with Andalusian stallions. The performance is astonishing and archetypal when done well. Here, with Marta Barosso Fernandez and Ismael Martin.

Andalusian Dreaming
       
     
Andalusian Dreaming

Oil on Linen / 39 x 78 inches / Available at Cutter & Cutter Fine Art

A group of about ten friends rode all night under a harvest moon through olive groves in the mountains of Cadiz province, Spain. At four in the morning we stopped at a hacienda to rest the horses and set up a bbq. These were two of our steeds, resting quietly at dawn.

Melissa square.jpg
       
     
Manatee Rescue.jpg