Painting Colorful Cats & Flowers

Pink Peonies

2012-02-14T17:34:00.007-05:00

Pink Peonies
11x14 Acrylic on Canvas
$125.00 plus shipping

Pink Peonies is the result of paint left over on my palette from painting on Saturday and Sunday of this past week. Only one pink (permanent rose) and two reds were used in this painting, but plenty of blues: cobalt, manganese, ultramarine and indigo. Also present are cobalt violet, cad yellow, cobalt green and a bit of Naples yellow. Later this week I will be posting a couple of larger paintings that sport limited palettes - yes, you heard right - LIMITED. It wasn't so bad - I can do it. Second and third photos show detail of my pink blooms. Your comments are always welcome.

Calico Abstract

2012-02-13T14:18:00.006-05:00

Calico Abstract
16x20 Acrylic on Canvas
$425.00 plus shipping

Calico Abstract was truly a fun painting to do. I lined up all my juiciest colors and painted my favorite subject. I am planning to paint a very large cat or cats in this same style very soon - love the way all the cobalt blues, greens and violets work against the warm reds and oranges. Will definitely make prints and large cards out of this one. The second and third photos show detail of this colorful cat's face and chunky calico tail. Your comments are always welcome.

Blanc le Blanc

2012-02-09T17:13:00.007-05:00

Blanc le Blanc
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$115.00

Blanc le Blanc is my entry into the Daily Paintworks (.com) "White on White" challenge. All members of this site are invited to participate. Go to www.dailypaintworks.com and click on the tab at the top of the home page for "challenges". It's an artist thing! Mr. Blanc, above, has permanent rose, cobalt blue and violet, Naples yellow, yellow ochre and ultramarine blue in his coat and surrounding background, and of course, lots of titanium white. I love to paint white cats - so there you go. Second and third photos show detail of eyes, whiskers and paws. Your comments are always welcome.

Valentine Purr

2012-02-08T19:04:00.008-05:00

Valentine Purr
8x10 Acrylic on Canvas
$95.00
Who could resist this little white cat
with the Valentine heart around his neck?

I usually don't do seasonal paintings, but I wanted to do a painting with a heart in it, for no real good reason, other than I like heart shapes, so I decided to add a cat, what else! This cat has cobalt blue and cobalt violet eyes, an alizarin heart, and a Naples yellow chain around his furry neck. Lots of titanium white paint used here and lots of pastel underpainting too. Second photo shows some face detail and heart detail on this little puss. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunlit Cosmos

2012-02-07T13:37:00.008-05:00

Sunlit Cosmos
12x16 Watercolor on 140# Cold Press
Matted to 16x20 in Ivory Mat
$165.00
Be sure to visit
www.dailypaintworks.com
for more of my newer paintings

More pink cosmos - a delight to paint - this time in watercolor. I started this painting with cobalt violet and blue, continued to glaze in permanent rose, cad yellow and orange, purple, cobalt blue and finally in quin red and alizarin crimson. This painting looks especially pretty matted in its ivory mat. The pinks really glow in this painting and the cad yellow and orange centers really pop. Second photo shows the pink petal detail from some of the upper most flowers. Your comments are always welcome.

Study of Young Girl

2012-02-04T18:40:00.008-05:00

Study of Young Girl
11x14 Acrylic on Canvas
$89.00 unframed
Be sure to visit
www.dailypaintworks.com
for more of my newer paintings

I have long been interested in painting faces. Not to paint anyone I particularly know, but better yet, a stranger with a curious look on their face or a person of peculiar beauty. While I try to get the planes of their face just right, I meditate on them and imagine what they are like, where they might live and what they do during the day. Makes the painting very personal for me - and it's fun! Here is a young girl and detail of her face in the second photo. Your comments are always welcome.

Analogous Anemones

2012-02-01T11:34:00.009-05:00

Analogous Anemones
9x12 Watercolor on 140# Cold Press
$85.00
Be sure to visit
www.dailypaintworks.com
for more of my newer paintings

Anemones and poppies are some of my favorite flowers to paint. Anemones come in such intense colors, they are always a delight to look at - especially in multi-colored bunches! These blue beauties were painted with all the blues on my watercolor palette: manganese, cobalt, ultramarine, Prussian, as well as all my purples, pinks and magentas. I used Indian yellow, Prussian blue and green-gold for the foliage. Green-gold by Winsor Newton makes lovely, transparent leaves and stems, so I use it often. Second and third photos show detail of left and right sides of the blue petals. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunflower Mix

2012-01-28T14:12:00.004-05:00

Sunflower Mix
9x12 Watercolor on 140# Cold Press
$89.00
Be sure to visit
www.dailypaintworks.com
for more of my newer paintings

I was in the mood to do a watercolor after all these months of floral acrylics. Think I'll do another! I am always so pleased with the way the scanner picks up all the beautiful paint layers and the way watercolor always reproduces so nicely on my cards. All paint used here is Winsor Newton - basically the same color palette as I use on my acrylics. All these watercolor paints are rated as transparent, with the exception of the Naples Yellow, Cad Yellow, Cad Red and Green-Gold. Winsor Newton makes the most beautiful burnt sienna, in my opinion - it glazes on so nicely. Their transparent orange is a great glazer too. Second photo shows detail from upper left of the painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Chef Winey

2012-01-24T09:06:00.009-05:00

Chef Winey
16x20 Acrylic on Canvas
Framed in Contemporary Wide, White Wood Frame
$325.00 plus shipping
Be sure to visit the chef and more
of my newer paintings at:
www.dailypaintworks.com

Chef Winey would look great in a kitchen in his smooth white frame. I got a kick out of painting the chef - it was a good exercise in (wide) figure painting! A person could spend a lifetime painting faces, that's for sure. I always enjoy painting white objects too, because of all the shadow color and reflected lights that can be captured. Second photo shows detail of the chef's face and his pans in the background. He seems to be more interested in serving the wine, than in cooking right now. Your comments are always welcome.

Orange Bob

2012-01-15T16:15:00.005-05:00

Orange Bob
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$95.00

Orange Bob is a wirey little Bobcat that lives near the trail that runs by our house down here at the river. He is very elusive and I have only seen him once. I know he is out there, though, because our yellow Lab tells me he sees Bob regularly. I hope Bob is enjoying our mild winter and that all is well with him. He has a beautiful place to live here - he's a lucky little Bobcat! Second photo shows Bob's wild fur and lovely markings. Your comments are always welcome.

Be Nice to the Mice

2012-01-10T16:32:00.008-05:00

Be Nice to the Mice
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD - www.dailypaintworks.com

Back to painting my favorite subject of cats in preparation for my upcoming 2013 Cat Calendar. Publication date to be announced. Here is a white lynx point who would be perfect for January - since he comes with such a great new year's resolution that only a mouse could appreciate! I used Azo Red in the background - along with various pinks and lavenders. Azo Red is such a perfect lipstick red and makes a beautiful rouge red when mixed with either a warm pink or transparent orange. His eyes are cobalt and brilliant purple. Second and third photos show brushwork detail and the mousey friend up close and personal. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunny Bunny

2011-12-17T06:28:00.006-05:00

Sunny Bunny
12x24 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$280.00

Ever once in a while I get the urge to paint a rabbit, or a cat, or a mouse - any smallish furry thing will do! I've had the reference picture for this beautiful Belgian Red for quite a while, and thought he would enjoy a seat in the sunflower patch. Maybe someday I will write and illustrate a children's book - about furry creatures, of course! Sunny Bunny was completed while I was demonstrating in front of The Colony Gallery at The Greenbrier over Thanksgiving weekend. He got all the attention as soon as he hopped off the canvas. Winsor Newton's beautiful, transparent Burnt Sienna made bunny's coat just the right shade. Second photo shows detail from the upper left of the sunflower patch. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunflowers For Sale

2011-12-14T12:11:00.008-05:00

Sunflowers For Sale
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Another Sunflower painting, this time with one of my favorite color combinations: lots of yellows and deep indigo blues. I usually mix either indigo or Prussian blue with a transparent purple for a deep, transparent navy. This color is one of my favorite darks. Along with a deep Hooker's green, it is all the dark a person could want. The deeper the color, the more transparent it should be. I use a minimum of opaque colors, most of them light in value and applied at the end of the painting. Am getting ready for the Christmas Show at The Greenbrier - my days are painting days! Second photo shows petal detail from upper left of my current Sunflower portrait. Your comments are always welcome.

Country Sunflowers

2011-12-08T16:43:00.006-05:00

Country Sunflowers
8x10 Acrylic on canvas in Barnwood frame
SOLD

Country Sunflowers was a small canvas that was completed during my demo at Tamarack before Thanksgiving and later sold along with another small Barnwood framed painting to a couple at The Greenbrier during Thanksgiving weekend. I really like the look of Barnwood frames for traditional country flowers like sunflowers and hollyhocks. Small paintings in Barnwood frames look great in the kitchen too. The second photo shows the brushstroke detail of my yellow blooms. Your comments are always welcome.

Purples and Pears

2011-12-07T10:19:00.006-05:00

Purple and Pears
11x14 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$160.00

Purples and Pears was a painting I began while demoing at Tamarack in Beckley last summer. Its inspiration came from a fabric remnant I bought while shopping in Beckley that same weekend. I often get my color inspiration from fabric - textile design has always fascinated me.
This painting is done on a Master's Touch canvas - not my usual Winsor Newton brand. The texture is slightly finer and the color of the canvas is not as stark white as is the color of a Winsor Newton gallery wrap. I like this canvas brand a lot - it is very well made and I think, makes the paint application look more like oil than acrylic. I will be including this painting in the show that The Artists of The Greenbrier are having at The Greenbrier Resort and Hotel this month (December 22-January 1).
Second and third photo show up-close detail bits of this purpley painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Poppy Toss

2011-10-16T20:49:00.008-04:00

Poppy Toss
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Here is another "all the colors on my palette" floral that I recently completed while painting at The Greenbrier Hotel for the guests. I especially enjoyed the red poppies where I used both cad red and cad orange, alizarin crimson, several pinks, permanent magenta and even naples yellow.
Winsor Newton acrylics are mostly transparent and really make for some beautiful layering effects, especially with the darker blues and purples. I always recommend WN supplies in all my painting conversations! The second and third photo show detail from upper left and upper right of this lively bunch. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunny Glads

2011-10-03T09:37:00.008-04:00

Sunny Glads
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Gladiolas are such big, lush flowers, I always enjoy painting them. The coral colored Glads on the right are a mixture of several pinks with cad orange and/or cad red. The addition of pink really sparks up the warm cad colors. I often use this mixture for the sunny side of a purely orange bloom. Roses, too, are a great opportunity to make every petal a different shade. Too many colors - so much fun! Instead of mixing white with a base color, I most often try to use an analogous shade to lighten the mixture - orange or yellow to lighten red; purples to darken, etc. Color is a life-long study – and I am hooked. Second and third photo show left and right hand detail of my Sunny Glads. Your comments are always welcome.

Rosy Glow

2011-09-28T09:34:00.006-04:00

Rosy Glow
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

My brushes have wandered into the pink paint again. Rosy Glow was an exciting brushwork exercise. Anytime the flowers are similar in petal size and color, it is always a challenge to make it look convincing and interesting. The second photo tells the brushwork story. Your comments are always welcome.

Summer's Last

2011-09-26T11:19:00.007-04:00

Summer's Last
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Summer's Last is an acrylic portrait of my last deck Geraniums of this summer. The leaves are well underway with their fall transformation, and the last of my summer flowers are fading away. This year has gone by so fast - it is getting time to paint some snow scenes for our upcoming Christmas Art Show at The Greenbrier this December. Last year's show as a huge success, and lots of fun too. It is really something to look forward to. The second photo shows detail from the mid-right section of this painting. Your comments are always welcome.

French Country Blue

2011-09-25T10:11:00.007-04:00

French Country Blue
14x14 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

French Country Blue was sold along with Rooster Riot at The Greenbrier several weeks ago. This rooster looks French to me, with his aristocratic beak and blue shoulder feathers. Not to mention the lavender grass in his barnyard! Lots of warm cad red here, offset by cool cobalt blue and Prussian blue tail and wing feathers. I guess I enjoy painting roosters, much like flowers - because there are endless color combinations and possibilities that use almost every color in my palette - no restraint needed here! Your comments are always welcome.

Rooster Riot

2011-09-23T08:35:00.007-04:00

Rooster Riot
14x14 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Back to the barnyard to paint another rooster painting, which sold at The Greenbrier soon after its completion. I guess roosters will always be a popular subject for kitchen decoration. I certainly get a lot of interest in them whenever they are displayed. I really enjoyed painting this one because of the contrast in his feathered coat and the chicken-scratch background. Not sure if there exists a rooster breed of this color combo, but there will be soon in my studio - because I plan to paint more rooster brothers for him! His dark body feathers are ultramarine, Prussian and thalo green along with some crimson for depth, while tail feathers have some added manganese, cobalt and magenta. Second photo shows up-close detail of my rooster's handsome face. Your comments are always welcome.

Siberian Blue Iris

2011-09-21T08:59:00.008-04:00

Siberian Blue Iris
14x14 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Another blue iris painting - all the usual suspects are present: cobalt blue, manganese, Prussian, ultramarine, cobalt violet, and some stray purples and pinks. My friend, Rose, would call this one of my "stemmie" paintings - but I'll have to say it's hard not to paint lots of stems when irises are the subject! I like the abstract quality of this painting and its diagonal composition. Second photo shows the brushwork detail of the center of interest bloom. Your comments are always welcome.

Blue Wave

2011-07-06T16:30:00.006-04:00

Blue Wave
16x20 Acrylic in Gold Leaf Frame
SOLD

Blue Wave is a loose, impressionistic acrylic that I completed while on a three day demo at Tamarack in Beckley, WV last month. All the usual suspects are here from the blue family: ultramarine, cobalt, prussian, shades of periwinkle, with magentas and royal purples. Naples yellow was used for the upper background with touches of Indian Yellow for the right hand flowers along with cadmium orange and yellow to complete the iris centers. I like the liveliness of this painting and I think it makes a nice abstract statement. Second photo shows detail from the upper middle portion of this Blue Wave. Your comments are always welcome.

Table Top Tulips

2011-07-04T15:26:00.006-04:00

Table Top Tulips
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Just returned from Festivall in Charleston, WV last weekend and later the Mountain State Arts & Crafts Festival in Ripley, WV this past weekend where this little tulip painting was sold. Had a great time - nearly melting everyday - and sold lots of art to a lot of great people. The red tulip painting here was painted at The Greenbrier Hotel several months ago. In the spring The Greenbrier has a spectacular display of tulips everywhere on their grounds. And inside, every table seems to have a different color pot or bouquet of tulips on it. I grabbed a pot of red tulips and painted them straight away! The second photo shows detail of this red bunch. Your comments are always welcome.

Golden Sunflowers

2011-06-23T07:41:00.007-04:00

Golden Sunflowers
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Another of the small gallery wraps that I completed while at Tamarack several weekends ago. I've been using Indian Yellow quite frequently - and it was just the color for some of these sunflower petals. Although a transparent color, when mixed with Naples Yellow, Indian Yellow can be very powerful. It's a real trick to get enough variation in a yellow petalled flower, as we have discussed before! I really like the red violet paired with all the yellow in this painting - and don't forget the pink! Second photo shows detail of the star sunflower in this painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Foxglove Fields

2011-06-19T10:13:00.010-04:00

Foxglove Fields
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$95.00 includes Domestic Shipping

Foxglove Fields is another small canvas that was completed during my demo at Tamarack two weekends ago. Acrylic has such versatility - the thin layers create depth at the beginning of the painting and then the juicy colors towards the end make for a real impressionistic piece. The second photo above shows detail of this field of foxgloves. Your comments are always welcome.

This past week I completed a two day workshop taught by Jane Slivka - a vastly talented lady with a real flair with acrylics. One of the best workshops I have ever attended. Her brushstrokes are inspiring and the simplicity of her approach to painting in general was a real confidence builder for even the beginners in the class. I highly recommend her classes to anyone even slightly interested in painting with acrylics. Thanks, Jane!

Here is one of Jane's paintings that I especially like, entitled
River Boat, 30x40 acrylic on canvas. (Visit her website to view more great paintings!)

Iris Trio

2011-06-09T07:40:00.008-04:00

Iris Trio
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Just returned from a trip to Tamarack, The Best of West Virginia, after demoing for three days, while selling my cat and floral art. I had a very successful weekend, with lots of interaction from the visitors. Tamarack is such a beautiful and interesting place, people are always impressed with the artwork and the great food. Iris Trio was among four paintings that I completed while there. Everyone seems to love irises - next to roses, they may be America's favorite flower! I will be posting the other three Tamarack paintings in the near future. Second photo shows detail from the mid section of these purple beauties. Your comments are always welcome.

Cat Sandwich

2011-05-30T09:19:00.005-04:00

Cat Sandwich
11x15 Watercolor on 140# Arches Rough
Matted & Framed $450.00
includes Domestic Shipping

I am posting Cat Sandwich today since it reminds me so much of my new (6 months now) cats, Mack and Pokey. The grey cat here pictured on the right looks so much like my black kitty, Mack - same round eyes and sleek coat. Pokey, is of course, bigger than the middle cat, but still very similar. I did this painting some time ago, but it has always been one of my favorites. Your comments are always welcome.

Terra Cotta Tabby

2011-05-23T08:23:00.007-04:00

Terra Cotta Tabby
16x20 Acrylic on Stretched Canvas, Framed
$325.00 includes Domestic Shipping

Terra Cotta Tabby is a colorful painting of a large California Tabby lounging on the patio. Tabbies, for me, are the most interesting to paint, and I seem to end up with a tabby on my canvas every time. I now have a solid black cat named Mack and his brother, a Tuxedo, named Pokey. Pokey got his name from the large polka dots on his nose and coat. Both are beautiful short hairs. But I have had my share of Tabbies too. After 25 years, my beloved brown tabby passed on last November. Mack and Pokey came to the rescue after I rescued them from the county humane society, and now we are one happy family. Second photo shows detail from this tabby's furry neck and face. Your comments are always welcome.

Off to a Pat Weaver Workshop

2011-05-15T15:43:00.005-04:00

Spring Flowers on Yupo by Pat Weaver

I'm off tomorrow for a week long watercolor workshop at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV. It will be given by Pat Weaver, one of my favorite watercolorists. I'm not sure if we will be doing any painting on Yupo - but I'm sure it will be great if we do. Been looking forward to this workshop for nearly a year now. Her loose, colorful style is right up my alley - added to this is her great cat painting ability! Visit her website at www.patweaver.net and enjoy her many floral, landscape, pet portraits and animal paintings - you are in for a treat. I can't wait!

Greenbrier Daffodils

2011-05-08T16:11:00.006-04:00

Greenbrier Daffodils
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Greenbrier Daffodils depicts some of the beautiful spring flowers found at The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort this time of year. I was there yesterday and this little painting was one of my demo pieces I completed for the guests while there. I used two cad yellows, Indian Yellow, yellow ochre, cad orange, cad red, crimson and deep magenta, as well as permanent rose to complete the petals. There are lots of lavender and cobalt blue shades in the background, some softened with white and some greyed with yellow ochre. What a beautiful day it was yesterday at this historic landmark hotel - and the guest list was at full capacity too. The grounds are still bursting forth with spring bulbs and flowering trees - a sight to behold. The second photo shows detail from the upper right of this bunch of yellow buds.

Cosmos & Wildflowers

2011-05-05T10:18:00.007-04:00

Cosmos & Wildflowers
8x8 Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

My pinks were crying to be used yesterday - so out came the ever popular pink cosmos. This canvas was underpainted in a medium lavender shade, leaning towards cobalt blue. I love the way the warm green sets off the purple feeling of the background and dark vase. Black vases are always fun to paint using all the darkest darks mixed from purples, Prussian blue, ultramarine, red violet, crimson and burnt sienna - no color missing here! Cosmos & Wildflowers will make the trip with me to The Greenbrier on Saturday and hopefully will go home with one of the guests. Second photo shows detail from upper left of this cosmos tangle. Your comments are always welcome.

White Roses

2011-05-03T10:41:00.007-04:00

White Roses
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5 Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

White Roses is another exercise in white petalled flowers. To get nice transparency in some of the outer petals, I just used more medium with my faintly tinted titanium white acrylic paint. I'll be taking this little painting with me to The Greenbrier this weekend for my painting demo and sale during the Mother's Day celebration they have there each year. I have a feeling somebody's mother will be getting these white roses this weekend for her Mother's Day gift. Second photo shows detail from the lower left of this rosey painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Mini Blues

2011-05-01T08:35:00.007-04:00

Mini Blues
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Mini Blues is a small 8x8 gallery wrap canvas in the Wildflower Series I have been selling at The Greenbrier this past month. I've had good success with this color combination - people seem to really enjoy the periwinkle background and all the pink flowers (of course!). Am working on another "set" in the Wildflower Series today - a 14x14, a 10x10 and another 8x8 - getting ready for Mother's Day next Saturday at The Greenbrier. The grounds at The Greenbrier are absolutely beautiful this time of year. You would have to visit Holland to see more tulips in bloom, I think. Every color you can imagine - and each one looks perfect. Flowering trees are everywhere on the grounds too - what a delightful place to paint. The second photo shows detail from the upper right of this mini blue painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Field Flowers

2011-04-27T09:08:00.005-04:00

Field Flowers
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Field Flowers is another in my "Wildflower Blue Series". These little florals are so much fun to paint - and very liberating! Working in a series really makes you focus on your brushwork - hopefully making each painting a little bit better. This current painting sold this past Easter weekend at The Greenbrier, along with two other ten inch square florals that will hang together in a guest bedroom. The second photo shows detail from the upper left of this wildflower tangle.
Your comments are always welcome.

Patio Narcissus

2011-04-25T08:55:00.006-04:00

Patio Narcissus
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Patio Narcissus sold yesterday during my Easter weekend painting demo at The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort. I painted for the guests Friday, Saturday and Sunday and really enjoyed my time there. It is such a beautiful hotel and there were lots of families there for the holiday weekend. Kids especially like my cat cards and we always have big conversations about their cats, the cat's names and different cat adventures. Kids love to talk about painting too, and I find very few who do not consider themselves real artists! Patio Narcissus was bought, along with two other small paintings, by a gentlemen who thought his mother would really enjoy it, since she was an avid gardener herself. White petalled flowers are especially enjoyable to paint - you can really make some beautiful shades and shadows from the cobalts, pinks, yellows and purples on your palette. The second and third photos show detail from the upper left and mid section of this springy painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Brooke's Tabby

2011-04-21T08:01:00.009-04:00

Brooke's Tabby
Acrylic on Heavyweight Canvas Tote
NFS

Brooke's Tabby is an acrylic painting I did for my good friend Genevieve's granddaughter. It was done on a heavyweight canvas tote bag - so that she could take her tabby with her everywhere! Although I treated the image area with acrylic sealer before starting, the paint soaked into the weave of the canvas beautifully to give a real watercolor effect. Brooke loved it and so did her tabby, I'm sure. This tabby is the same kitty who stars as Tiger Pause on one of my older Cat Cards.
One of my favorite artists is LeRoy Neiman with his loose, colorful style. His use of color is startling and beautiful. You'll see what I mean if you visit his website (click on his name above) - be sure to view his big cat posters - extraordinary color! Love to paint those cats! Your comments are always welcome.

Blue Velvet Irises

2011-04-20T08:08:00.010-04:00

Blue Velvet Irises
10x10 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$95.00 includes Domestic Shipping
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

Blue Velvet Irises is another in my current Iris Series. This 10x10 gallery wrap canvas is underpainted in Cad Orange - you can see the orange peeking through in selected places. I really like the way a bright underpainting makes the entire painting seem to glow. I have used magenta and periwinkle as underpainting colors in the past, as well as Naples yellow and the usual sienna variations.
After doing some iris surfing on the internet yesterday, I see a lot of work in the Iris Series to be done. I was amazed at the number of different colors of irises one can grow - and the variation and multi-coloring of their petals is incredible! Time to squeeze more color into the palette! I feel some pink or coral irises on the way.
Second and third photos show detail of this current iris painting - mid right and middle sections.
Your comments are always welcome.

Red Violet Morning

2011-04-19T11:39:00.010-04:00

Red Violet Morning
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

Red Violet Morning is another in my current Iris Series. Irises are a wonderful opportunity to paint colorfully - and believe me, I use all the colors on my palette! The deep purples are a mixture of Prussian blue and/or ultramarine blue and Winsor purple. With the addition of pink (!) or crimson, lots of lovely red-violets start to appear. Background is mostly Naples yellow with white. Cobalt blue always creates beautiful purples and lavenders. Second photo shows detail from the upper right of this iris portrait. Your comments are always welcome.

Calico Companion

2011-04-18T09:41:00.010-04:00

Calico Companion
12x16 Watercolor on 140# Arches Cold Press
NFS

Calico Companion was painted from a photo taken by my friend, Jeanne Brenneman, at her home in Lewisburg. Seems this little calico appeared at Jeanne and Bruce's kitchen window looking for food and lodging. Guess she didn't have to look any further and became their Calico Companion. Jeanne is a great photographer and watercolorist - her photos are always a joy to paint from. I used my favorite Winsor Newton combination of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna for the separating darks in this kitty's coat and tail. Winsor Newton's beautiful transparent colors are perfect for my colorful cat paintings - cobalt blue, permanent rose, burnt sienna, indian yellow, cobalt violet and winsor purple. I do use Winsor Newton white gouache for cat whiskers and eye-lights, and usually mix it with pink or blue or even purple to give the whiskers more kitty cat appeal. Second and third photos show up close detail of Calico's lovely face and tail. Love to paint those cats! Your comments are always welcome.

Blue Iris Waltz

2011-04-16T07:59:00.005-04:00

Blue Iris Waltz
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Blue Iris Waltz combines all the blues and some of the purples from my acrylic palette. Included in this painting are cobalt blue, ultramarine blue, Prussian blue, indigo, manganese blue and several magentas/purples. The greenery tied in well as I mixed the Prussian, the ultramarine, or the manganese blues with my standard sap green and olive green. The second photo shows the detail from the irises in the upper left of this painting. Blue Iris Waltz sold this past week at The Greenbrier along with several other small paintings which will keep each other company in a lovely home in Virginia. This painting was a demo I did for the guests at The Greenbrier last Tuesday while I was there - it sold later in the week on Thursday. Your comments are always welcome.

Orchid Abstract

2011-04-11T09:35:00.008-04:00

Orchid Abstract
14x14 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

Orchid Abstract is a very graphic interpretation of moth orchids with lots of beautiful color in their white petals. Lots of opportunity here to add cobalt blue, cobalt violet, and an array of pinks and yellows to show off those lovely petals. Moth orchids are my favorite to paint - I've done several paintings of them in watercolor, but this is the first in acrylic. Second photo shows details from the left mid-section of this painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Spring Tulips

2011-04-07T09:18:00.007-04:00

Spring Tulips
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Spring Tulips was one of the small gallery wrap canvases that was sold at The Greenbrier this past weekend along with my previously posted Indigo Irises. Red, for me, is always the color I think of when tulips come to mind. In painting, red has so many possibilities - shades of yellow, orange, pink, magenta and purple can be used as shading or accents. I really enjoyed painting the abstract quality of this piece. The second photo shows the brushwork detail with all the reds (and pinks!). Your comments are always welcome.

Indigo Irises

2011-04-03T08:08:00.007-04:00

Indigo Irises
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Indigo Irises is a loose little floral painting that really made use of all the beautiful blues on my acrylic palette. I had fun using cobalt, ultramarine, indigo, blue violet as well as red violet in this composition. Pinks were not lacking either, as I used a few of them to mix with my various blues for the lavenders and periwinkles found here. This painting sold yesterday, along with three of my other 8x8 gallery wrap acrylics to a lovely guest at The Greenbrier who was celebrating her birthday - buying my paintings as gifts for herself. She also bought Prairie Rooster for her kitchen, which made me very happy. My art will be well represented in her home! Second photo above shows detail from the upper left of these blue Japanese Irises. Your comments are always welcome.

Parfait Bouquet

2011-03-30T09:54:00.007-04:00

Parfait Bouquet
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

Another pink bouquet showing what little restraint I have when it comes to my pink palette. But it was fun! Second photo shows brushwork detail from the upper left of this rosy painting.

Measy Mousey

2011-03-27T08:28:00.007-04:00

Here is my favorite subject, another fat Tabby Cat, in watercolor, that I did some time ago. I love the way this big stripe is looking over his chubby shoulder, posing for the camera. This painting is part of my series called Cats & Flowers. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunny Flowers

2011-03-24T08:52:00.005-04:00

Sunny Flowers
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

A brushy little painting with a different color background than usual. Not sure I like the lack of contrast between the bouquet and the background, but.... it is a change of pace. I usually try to key the background to the main color of the center of interest, but have seen some very effective paintings lately with very low-key analogous backgrounds that I like too. You can imagine this painting with a dark background too, but I don't think it would have looked as sunny at that point. Second photo shows center detail of this sunny little canvas. Your comments are always welcome.

Poppy Window

2011-03-21T08:52:00.005-04:00

Poppy Window

8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap

SOLD

Poppy Window is a loose little floral with lots of rich color. Red poppies and blue anemones are such beautiful deep colors, they are always the center of attention in a bouquet. This painting sold at The Greenbrier Hotel several weeks ago to a Greenbrier guest who was really drawn to the blue in the painting, she said. In fact, the blouse she was wearing was the same deep cobalt blue. It was just the painting for her! Second photo shows detail from the mid-section of this little painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Paper Roses

2011-03-17T09:25:00.004-04:00

Paper Roses
11x15 Watercolor on 140# Arches Rough
$225.00 includes Domestic Shipping
Contact Pamela Gatens at catcards@frontiernet.net

Paper Roses is a painting I did some time ago. It was also featured in one of my previous year's Flower Calendars. I named it Paper Roses because the blooms reminded me of the crepe paper roses you see in Mexico for sale at the souvenir stands. A lot of pink undertones in this painting along with cobalt blue and another favorite of mine, cobalt violet. The second photo shows detail from the upper left of this watercolor painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Mixed Magnolias

2011-03-14T09:27:00.007-04:00

Mixed Magnolias
14x14 Acrylic and Mixed Media
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$175.00 includes Domestic Shipping

Mixed Magnolias was painted on hand dyed paper which was adhered to the canvas before painting. Most of the background color you see is actually the dyed paper, placed in such a way to give the illusion of foliage going from the dense underbrush towards the light source at the upper right. And yes, I dyed the paper also. My dye palette closely mirrors my acrylic as well as my watercolor palette. This painting is rich in texture as well as color. The second and third photo illustrate the painting's detail in the upper left and upper right of the canvas. Your comments are always welcome.

Tea Rose

2011-03-11T08:52:00.008-05:00

Tea Rose
8x8 Acrylic, 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Tea Rose is another small acrylic painting I completed last weekend while painting for the guests at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, WV. Roses grow in so many different colors and variations, painting them is always fun. This one just happened to be pink! Second photo shows brushstroke detail of the middle portion of this little painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Pink Chintz

2011-03-08T07:28:00.008-05:00

Pink Chintz
12x16 Watercolor
140# Arches Rough
$225.00 Unframed, Unmatted

Here is a watercolor painting I completed yesterday. After nearly nine months of painting in acrylic, it felt good to get back to my watercolor palette and brushes - starting with a pink arrangement (of course). I named the painting "Pink Chintz" because it reminded me of the fabric which is referred to as "chintz" (from the Hindi word meaning “spotted”) - it is usually floral fabric with a light colored background, most times cotton or polished cotton. Colors in this painting are all Winsor Newton brand watercolors including Permanent Rose, Rose Madder Genuine, Quin. Red, Aliz. Crimson, Cobalt, Ultramarine, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Purple Lake, Green Gold, Winsor Green, Quin. Gold, Cad Yellow, Orange and Red, Mang. Blue, Indian Yellow, Transparent Yellow. I did not use all the colors on my palette - but close to it! My watercolor palette closely mirrors my acrylic palette. Second photo shows a portion of the upper right side of this painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Sunflower Basket

2011-03-06T09:02:00.009-05:00

Sunflower Basket
8x8 Acrylic on 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Sunflower Basket is another small painting on gallery wrapped canvas perfect for the kitchen, bath or hallway. Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers to paint. On my easel now is a large painting of a sunny group of sunflowers - hope to post it soon. Yellows take a lot of thought and seem to be one of the hardest colors to show dimension with because of their short value range. But there are a lot of reds, oranges and pinks in my sunflower in progress to help the yellows along! Second photo is detail from the bottom right side of this small painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Himalayan Blue Poppies

2011-03-03T07:29:00.008-05:00

Himalayan Blue Poppies
8x8 Acrylic/Mixed Media
1.5" Gallery Wrap
SOLD

Himalayan Blue Poppies is a fun mixed media painting with lots of lush blues and lavenders over deep background colors. It is my regular acrylic painting style over hand dyed paper, which was also done in my studio. The rough texture of the dyed paper gives the acrylic paint a lot of impasto texture keeping the painting fresh and lively. The second photo shows detail from the upper left portion of the painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Bright Daffodils

2011-03-01T08:18:00.004-05:00

Bright Daffodils
8x8 Acrylic, Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Spring is certainly on its way! My daffodils are starting to poke their leaves up in the backyard and even along the river bank, where they grow wild. I can't wait - spring in West Virginia is awesome. Bright Daffodils is a small acrylic that sold this past weekend at The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. I spent the day Saturday painting for the guests in The Trellis Lobby. Also had many of my small florals and Cat Cards for sale. When you paint for the public eight hours straight you really get a feel for what people want in a painting - it's very educational for the selling artist. I always enjoy the interaction with folks - I'm happy to be an artist! Your comments are always welcome.

Beautiful Birman

2011-02-25T07:26:00.004-05:00

Beautiful Birman
16x20 Acrylic on Canvas
SOLD

Beautiful Birman was an exciting cat to paint - especially his beautiful blue eyes. I used the acrylic paint much like watercolor on this painting, layering as I went. This painting has become one of my most popular Cat Cards to date. Beautiful Birman now hangs in a lovely home in Lewisburg, WV. It was sold at an All Members Show put on by Greenbrier Artists at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg. Your comments are always welcome.

White Rose Trio

2011-02-21T07:52:00.006-05:00

White Rose Trio
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap
SOLD

White Rose Trio now hangs in my friend Helen's home in Virginia. I enjoy painting old fashioned heirloom roses because of their distinctive petals. Their petals really make a beautiful outline with a lot of opportunity for nice brushwork. Am planning a larger painting of heirloom roses soon - and I think white and pink would make another great combo! Detail in second photo is the mid-right section of the painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Morning Cosmos

2011-02-16T13:24:00.006-05:00

Morning Cosmos
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

More of my favorite color depicting some of my favorite flowers. Four different pinks and two reds were used in this painting. I think this same painting would also look good in watercolor. Am also planning another painting with a daisy/cosmos combination that should be lots of fun to paint. Spring will be here soon, so more flower paintings will be a natural thing to do. Second photo shows detail from the upper left of Morning Cosmos. Your comments are always welcome.

Purple Anemones

2011-02-14T12:00:00.006-05:00

Purple Anemones
10x10 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$95.00 includes Free Domestic Shipping

Purple Anemones was a fun little painting to do. I underpainted the canvas in periwinkle blue, which gave it a nice cool undertone. My purples were mixed with all three of my blues - cobalt, manganese and ultramarine, along with you guess it - all my pinks and magentas! I wanted a neutral, warm background, so naples yellow and raw sienna fit the bill. Was at The Greenbrier again this past weekend demoing in front of The Colony Gallery and met lots of nice guests. I completed two small paintings which I will post at a later date. I can't think of a better way to pass the time than painting at The Greenbrier! Second photo above is detail of upper left portion of the anemone bouquet. Your comments are always welcome.

Phyllis's Friend

2011-02-10T08:21:00.006-05:00

Phyllis's Friend
11x14 Acrylic on Canvas Unframed
$325.00 Includes Free Domestic Shipping

Phyllis's Friend was painted especially for my friend Phyllis Crickenberger who was instrumental in my joining the Greenbrier Artists. I joined Greenbrier Artists in 2003, and owe them much for all the encouragement and knowledge that I've gained from their weekly meetings at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg, WV. This group has members working in all media from pastels, oils, and acrylics to watercolor, fabric and mixed media. My first love has always been watercolor and acrylic. I can't say enough good about Greenbrier Artists. This painting also won first place at The Seasons of Color show at Carnegie Hall in 2005. Phyllis received a card with this painting on it shortly after I completed it. At Tamarack Phyllis's Friend has always been one of my best selling note cards. Your comments are always welcome.

Meadow Song

2011-02-07T16:52:00.004-05:00

Meadow Song
16x20 Acrylic
Framed in Gold Leaf Frame Ready to Hang
SOLD

Meadow Song is one of my all time favorite paintings. It's such a happy painting. It has a lot of depth in the foliage. I think the red flowers really make the painting. It has lots of texture too. Your comments are always welcome.

Prairie Rooster

2011-02-04T09:06:00.007-05:00

Prairie Rooster
14x14 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Prairie Rooster was another occasion to use every color on my palette! I really enjoyed using all the Cad Red, Orange and Yellow, and think he would look great in any kitchen. Acrylic paintings are great for the kitchen and bath area because they resist moisture and are easily wiped clean with a damp rag. This handsome fellow has a lot of impasto brushwork on his feathers and tail. He's a real ladies' man! Detail of some of that brushwork on second photo. Your comments are always welcome.

Snowy Spruce

2011-02-01T08:24:00.006-05:00

Snowy Spruce
14x14 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Snowy Spruce is the perfect painting for this time of year. The mountains of West Virginia are full of icy scenes like this one. We have few Spruce where I live, but as you get higher in elevation, there are many. I love to paint evergreen trees with their deep blues and greens. These are times when a touch of phthalo green comes in handy. This painting sold at The Greenbrier during our "12 Days of Christmas Show" and now hangs in a beautiful home right here in WV. Second photo shows the detail of upper left of this painting.

Daisies & Friends

2011-01-29T08:32:00.008-05:00

Daisies & Friends
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap
SOLD

Another little daisy painting that sold at The Colony Gallery at The Greenbrier this month. Little gallery wraps like this one are perfect for hanging in groups or singly in a hallway, bath or kitchen nook. Daisies are such happy flowers, I understand why folks are so attracted to them. Sunflowers seem to come in a close second on the happy flower scale! I'm currently working on a series of small tree acrylics on gallery wraps and will be doing some even smaller 4x4 inch gallery wraps soon. Stay tuned! Second photo shows detail of upper right side of this little painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Kitchen Bouquet

2011-01-25T08:28:00.004-05:00

Kitchen Bouquet
14x14 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
$175.00 includes Free Domestic Shipping

Another painting featuring my favorite subject matter: mixed bouquets. They always give me the opportunity to use lots of luscious color and are so fun to paint! The gallery wrap canvases I use are made by Winsor Newton and are a joy to paint on. They are so nicely made, just the right canvas weight and look great without a frame. Most of my smaller 8x8 gallery wraps get purchased together and end up in nice little groupings. In the painting world, it pays to be square!
Detail in second photo is from the upper left of the painting. Your comments are always welcome.

In From the Garden

2011-01-20T07:35:00.008-05:00

In From the Garden
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Another daisy painting with my favorite blues and purples. Imagine picking a pile of daisies and blue periwinkles from your garden and piling them high in your favorite flower basket. A nice thought as I look out my window at a foot of new fallen snow! In From the Garden was painted on an untoned white canvas, with a watercolor look to it. The white daisy petals are the only real impasto strokes on the entire painting. Second photo shows up close detail of the mid-left side of the painting. Your comments are always welcome.

Phlox

2011-01-17T09:14:00.006-05:00

Purple Phlox
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Another small painting using one of my favorite color combinations - analogous purples, blues and PINKS. I've been using a "progressive" color mixing technique lately that seems to hold the painting together nicely in the color harmony department. A "limited palette" has never held much excitement for me. That's probably why I enjoy painting florals so much. Color is what its all about! Second picture is detail of the center top of this small painting. Your comments are always welcome.

An Article Well Worth Reading...

2011-01-14T15:23:00.004-05:00

What Exactly Makes Art...Good?

by Heather Craft
This post is by guest author, Heather Craft. This article has been edited and published with the author's permission. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here. We've promoted this post to feature status because it provides great value to the FineArtViews community. If you want your blog posts listed in the FineArtViews newsletter with the possibility of being republished to our 13,000+ subscribers, consider blogging with FASO Artist Websites. This author's views are entirely her own and may not always reflect the views of BoldBrush, Inc.
Recently, the Today Show did a story on Autumn-an 8 year old artist.
As I stood in the kitchen and listened to the 15 second teaser before the commercial break, the cynic in me began to rear its ugly head. I remembered a few years ago watching a documentary on HBO about Marla, a little girl of 4 or 5 who at that tender age was already having solo shows and whose work was selling for tens of thousands of dollars. Never mind the controversy that surrounded her work and accusations that her father was actually directing her and in some cases actually doing some of the painting.
Most of the pieces I saw really impressed me and were......well, good. Really good. And if Marla actually did do all those paintings, then she is an absolute, undeniable prodigy. If she didn't, then it's sad to think that touting a 5 year old as an artistic genius is nothing more than a gimmick.
To my knowledge, those accusations of Marla's paintings not being completely hers have never been proven, but as I mentioned before, I can be a bit cynical.
So back to Autumn.
As the camera panned across 3 of Autumn's paintings, I thought "Wow, for an 8 year old, these are really good". After I heard Autumn speak about her process and about her inspirations (Andy Warhol being one of them), I totally believe that Autumn did those paintings.
And when Matt Lauer said that some of her pieces were selling for upwards of $20,000- well, I'll keep my reaction to myself. The cynic in me thought, "Her paintings are a hot commodity just because she's 8 years old. Another gimmick".
So I started thinking, are her paintings really that good?
For an 8 year old, yes they are. Absolutely. I thought that two of three were beautiful.
But then I thought, what if we had been told that those paintings were done by Helen, a 35 year old? Or Robert, a 40 year old? Would they still be considered that good? And would someone pay $20,000 for them? Are they considered masterful only because of the age of the artist.
That's not for me to answer and I can only speak for myself. If those same paintings had been done by someone middle aged, honestly, I would think they were just ok and change the channel. They would even seem a bit immature. And that reaction really bothered me.
But then I started thinking of the Fauves, Kandinsky's Woman Series, Henri Matisse. How many times have you heard someone say, "That looks like something my 3 year old did last week", in reference to a Picasso? Yes, there are plenty of people who don't consider technique, composition, color, brushwork, etc., and their comments probably come from a lack of understanding and appreciation for a style that just isn't to their liking. You can debate technique until the cows come home but the truth is the artist's studio is the one place on this planet where there are no rules. Unless you want them.
Now, don't misunderstand me, there are good paintings and there are bad paintings. And an artist's tentativeness and uncertainty are just as evident in his/her work as boldness and confidence.
To me, good art comes from within. It's that unshakable belief in what you are creating. It's the bold brush stroke, the emotion of color, the beauty of form. And yeah, a little practice never hurts either!
So, to all the 8 year old Autumns, the 35 year old Helens, and the 40 year old Roberts, creativity is a gift to be nurtured. It's your voice.

What makes art good?

It's the conscious act of boldly putting brush to canvas. It's those unintended "mistakes" that turn out to be game changers that send your piece in a whole new exciting direction. It's never being afraid to experiment. It's accepting failure as nothing more than an opportunity to create something you never thought you could create. It's speaking to masses in your own unique way.
It's never stopping until your creation is everything you envisioned it to be.

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Pink Violets

2011-01-13T15:38:00.004-05:00

Pink Violets
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Here is a painting of my favorite African Violet that resides in my kitchen window. Since this canvas was painted, the plant has doubled in size and has two full bunches of blooms on opposite sides of the plant, and seems to bloom constantly! It must like the morning light in this window and maybe the Miracle Grow it gets regularly too. It is such a pretty shade of warm PINK!
This little painting sold at the Christmas Show at The Greenbrier last month and now hangs, I understand, in somebody's kitchen. Very appropriate place for it, I think. Hope it gets the morning light as well. Brushstroke detail is shown below the actual size. Your comments are always welcome.

Dr. Sandford's Opossum

2011-01-12T12:59:00.008-05:00

Dr. Sandford's Opossum
18x24 Acrylic on Canvas
Gold Metal Frame
$425.00 FREE Domestic Shipping

This painting is a tribute to the opossum that comes to visit our deck both in winter and summer. He's a fine looking opossum with a lovely grey coat. I have shown this painting at several craft shows this past summer and while doing painting demos at Tamarack here in WV. Everyone seems to have a comment about the painting, and some a comment about opossums in general! Kids love this painting - it must be the extra rainbow of colors I put in his fur. I felt that opossums in general needed a paw up, so I painted this "glamour shot" to show that possums are indeed beautiful too. Next, our friend the skunk may need a painting "make over".
The reference photo I used for my possum painting was taken by Floyd Sandford, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. And I thank him. Click on Dr. Sandford's name for a link to his interesting picture packed website.
Second picture above shows the opossum close up and personal. Your comments are always welcome.

Geranium Reds

2011-01-11T11:16:00.004-05:00

Geranium Reds
12x12 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Here is another painting that recently sold at The Greenbrier during our Twelve Days of Christmas Show last month. My friend, Rose Dobbins, said it was her favorite painting of mine in the entire show. I think she is partial to warm colors - so this painting really fit the bill for her. And I enjoyed applying all the reds and PINKS that were necessary to say, "Geraniums". I usually don't go for such a dark background, but in this case I think it worked well. Perhaps with warm colored flowers it was just the thing - something for me to remember! Below is a close-up of brushstroke detail from lower right of the painting.

Your comments are always welcome.

Anemones and Daisies

2011-01-10T15:06:00.005-05:00

Anemones and Daisies
12x12 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Anemones and Daisies recently sold during the two month long Christmas Show at the Beckley Art Gallery. Thank you Karen Lilly for doing such a great job as Gallery Director for the Beckley Art Group. This painting features my all time favorite subject of mixed bouquets - including daisies, of course. I hope whoever bought it enjoys it as much as I enjoyed painting it. Here is a close up detail shot of the upper left portion of the painting.

Your comments are always welcome!

Daisies Meet Sunflower

2011-01-09T13:58:00.009-05:00

Daisies Meet Sunflower
8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Charles Reid wrote in one of his many flower painting books that daisies were his favorite flower to paint. I understand why - they are always unique and each has their own little character and attitude. There are lots of shadow color possibilities with them too - blue-greys, buttery yellows, pale oranges, and of course, pinks. I finished this painting with some final "almost white" impasto daisy petals - kind of like the last bit of frosting on the cake. This painting would make a cheery little kitchen addition.

Below is a detail segment of "Daisies Meet Sunflower".

Wildflower Blue

2011-01-08T15:22:00.007-05:00

Wildflower Blue

12x12 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

Wildflower Blue was recently sold at The Greenbrier Hotel during our Seven Artist "12 Days of Christmas" Show in the Spring Room. The lady who bought it said she was attracted by the color first. I think that the periwinkle blue and pink with lavender combination in this painting is very enticing. I really enjoyed painting this one - it has everything I look for in a painting project: lots of color, a nice color harmony, a semi-abstract look, and lots of juicy impasto brushwork. No doubt I'll be doing more wildflower paintings like this one.

Here is detail from a portion
of the upper left hand side of the painting.

Pansy Petals

2011-01-07T14:53:00.014-05:00

Pansy Petals
8x8 Acrylic on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Edges painted in a deep, warm yellow
SOLD

Pansies are always fun to paint. They come in such a variety and combination of colors, you could use every color on your palette - and I do! Maybe someday I will paint a patio full of pansies - then you'll see just how many colors one person can use in a painting! Purple has always been my favorite pansy color, so for this painting I restrained myself.
I use Winsor & Newton Galleria Acrylic paints, as well as WN brushes and canvases. My palette is a Creative Mark covered plastic palette from Jerry's Artarama, so paint stays moist day to day. The majority of my WN Galleria Acrylics are transparent, which I really enjoy. Having used watercolor for so long, it is easy for me to now paint on canvas and mix my colors accurately.
I use WN watercolors too - I just seem to be a Winsor & Newton girl!

Here is a closeup of the brushwork on Pansy Petals:

Purr-Pet-ual Cat Calendar now available

2011-01-06T11:39:00.005-05:00

Purr-Pet-ual Cat Calendar
by Pamela Gatens
$12.00 plus $3.00 first class domestic shipping
My Purr-Pet-ual Cat Calendar is now available and ready to ship. It is good for every year featuring a different cat painting on each page. Its purpose is to record important yearly dates like birthdays and anniversaries, reminding you of them year after year. All 13 pages are printed in brilliant color and have an ample writing space for each day of the month. The Purr-Pet-ual Cat Calendar measures 8.5x11 inches and is printed on heavy cover stock that will last for years. It hangs from a satin ribbon with flippable pages. The cover above shows an example of one of the pages in the right hand column. Makes a great gift and comes in a sealed full size clear plastic sleeve. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net to order. I accept PayPal, checks, or money orders.

Back to Posting Regularly!

2011-01-05T11:19:00.003-05:00

MINI REDS 8x8 Acrylic
1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas
SOLD

It's great to be back to my blog and promising to post regularly! My goal is to post several times weekly, if not at times daily. Blogs are such a great way to show the world your art, especially if you are a prolific painter.
The small canvas above, Mini Reds, was so much fun to paint - I love the analogous color combination and of course, all the pink! I have four different pinks on my acrylic palette and can't seem to keep my brush out of them. Pink is my "feel good" color you might say. Come to think of it, I have several reds too.
This painting sold at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV during a special "Twelve Days of Christmas" art show and sale in their famous "Spring Room". I was among six other artists showing our paintings of The Greenbrier (interiors and exteriors) as well as others of our personal favorites. Among those participating were: Jeanne Brenneman, Rose Dobbins, Marietta Lyall, Sharon Johnson, Bob Mareneck, Ron Reysland and myself. What a privilege to show and sell at The Greenbrier. If you have never visited there, it is well worth the trip or at least a trip to their website. High tea is served to the public everyday at 4pm in the Terrace Room.

Mini Reds - Detail

2010 Cat Calendar Now Available!

2009-09-22T15:06:00.003-04:00

My 2010 Cat Calendar is now available and ready to ship. Printed in brilliant color on large 11x17 heavy white linen stock, each month features a different cat that is suitable for framing after the month is over. $16.00 each plus $3.00 shipping. Contact me at catcards@frontiernet.net to order. This calendar will also be available at Tamarack in Beckley, WV in the next couple of weeks as well.

Fall/Winter Show Schedule

2009-08-28T08:39:00.003-04:00

See you at the following shows and demos this fall:
JANE LEW, WV - Firemen's Arts & Crafts Festival, September 4 - September 6
BECKLEY, WV - TAMARACK, The Best of West Virginia - Watercolor Demo and Christmas Sale: November 13, 14 & 15 - 10am-6pm each day
HUNTINGTON, WV - Lion's Club Tri-State Arts & Crafts Festival, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, December 4, 5 & 6. NEW CAT CARDS - 2010 CAT CALENDAR - NEW ART APPAREL WILL BE FEATURED.
For more information, please email me at: catcards@frontiernet.net SEE YOU THERE!

Roses, Roses

2009-07-14T07:36:00.006-04:00

ROSES, ROSES - watercolor, 18x24, Arches rough. FOR SALE: $375.00 Cards and prints also now available. Email catcards@frontiernet.net for details.
Roses, Roses is one of six cat-inspired paintings that recently hung in the domestic animal show at Tamarack in Beckley, WV. The idea for this painting came from a photo of "B-Puss", who lives in New Zealand in "Moosey's Garden". Kind permission was given to use B-Puss's photo as reference for my painting. Visit the website for Moosey's Garden at: www.mooseyscountrygarden.com You will be impressed!

Misty Morning Watercolor Floral

2009-06-03T07:16:00.006-04:00

Misty Morning, watercolor, 12x16, arches 140 rough. FOR SALE: $175.00 plus shipping - unframed, unmatted. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for payment and shipping details. PRINTS & NOTECARDS ALSO NOW AVAILABLE. 16x20 prints are $25.00 plus shipping, Notecards are $3.00 each.
This painting is also featured in the 2010 Greenbrier Artists Calendar for the month of April. These calendars will be available at Tamarack in Beckley, WV after July 1st.

Blue Boy

2009-04-06T12:43:00.006-04:00

Blue Boy, 12x16, watercolor on Arches 140# rough, $225.00
I have wanted to paint this beautiful cat for some time. His sweet face and blue eyes were a joy to paint.
Blue Boy will hang in the upcoming show featuring all sorts of domestic animals at TAMARACK in Beckley, WV
TAMED, TRAINED or NAMED
Exhibit Reception: Sunday, May 2, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Exhibit Dates: May 2 - June 13, 2009
I will have 5 or 6 paintings in the show.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - BE SURE TO STOP BY TAMARACK FROM 10-6 ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR SUNDAY. I WILL BE DOING AN ONGOING WATERCOLOR DEMONSTRATION OF CATS AND FLOWERS ALL THREE DAYS - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Spring Watercolor Workshop - March 21

2009-03-02T11:40:00.002-05:00

Louisville Tiger

2009-02-24T20:12:00.005-05:00

Louisville Tiger, watercolor 7.5x11", Arches Rough 140#
FOR SALE: $80.00
While at the KENTUCKY CRAFTED trade show with my friend,
Rose Dobbins, I painted this tiger who lives in in Louisville at their wonderful zoo there. Rose had a booth at the show featuring her wonderful pastel and watercolor dog portraits. I went to help.
Visit her blog at www.rosedobbins.blogspot.com to see her beautiful work. I'm sure she will be posting the paintings she did during the show in the next couple of days.
You are in for a real treat!

Eager for Spring

2009-01-31T18:43:00.005-05:00

Daffodils always seem to start their spring growth and then it snows again, so I planted mine inside because I am Eager for Spring!
Watercolor, 16x24 on 140# d'Arches rough. $325.00 Cards and prints are now available. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.
Your comments are always welcome.

Red Poppies

2009-01-20T10:39:00.003-05:00

Red Poppies, watercolor, 12x16, d'Arches 140 rough. $145.00
Cards and Prints now available. Please email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.

Tattertail

2009-01-11T20:12:00.010-05:00

Tattertail is an ultra fluffy Maine Coon cat. This painting was one that I had begun while demonstrating my watercolor cats at Tamarack in Beckley this past November.
Tattertail, watercolor, 11x15, Arches cold pressed paper, $175.00
Cards and prints are available now, please email me for details.

Sunshine and Oranges

2009-01-01T14:15:00.005-05:00

Sunshine and Oranges, 12x16, watercolor, Arches cold pressed, $175.00.
These oranges were so brightly colored, I thought they would look especially nice with a sunflower bouquet. They tasted great too, after I was finished painting them!
Cards and prints available, email me at catcards@frontiernet.net. Comments welcome!

Zeke, a Beautiful Russian Blue

2008-12-24T07:51:00.003-05:00

Zeke, a Beautiful Russian Blue, watercolor, 12x16, Arches cold pressed. Commissioned portrait for two lovely sisters from Ohio. Underpainted with five different blues and several purples/roses. A delight to paint - a beautiful cat indeed! Cards and prints are now available of Zeke - he makes a very pretty card! email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.

Thinking of Summer in the Middle of Winter

2008-12-22T14:42:00.006-05:00

As the snow is falling, here I am "Thinking of Summer in the Middle of Winter", watercolor, 12x16 Arches cold pressed $175.00 Cards and prints are now available - email me at catcards@frontiernet.net
Your comments are always welcomed.

Silken Sleeper

2008-12-01T17:46:00.003-05:00

SILKEN SLEEPER - just off the easel. Watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper. FOR SALE: $175.00. Prints and notecards are also available by emailing me at catcards@frontiernet.net
See Silken Sleeper on display at the Lewisburg Public Library Dec. 4 thru Jan. 8 along with other new Cat Paintings fresh off the easel.

Pumpkin on Sunday

2008-11-30T11:08:00.007-05:00

SOLD! Here is a recent painting of my e-mail buddy, Pumpkin, who lives in Charleston, WV with mom, Tina. Pumpkin was a real pleasure to paint with all that swirley orange fur and beautiful eyes. So here is PUMPKIN ON SUNDAY, watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper, 12x16, FOR SALE: $175.00. Prints and notecards also available. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.
Pumpkin's portrait will also be exhibited at the Lewisburg, WV Public Library Dec. 4th-Jan. 8th. Visit my exhibit and see Pumpkin as well as other new Cat Paintings just off the easel!

Lots to Love

2008-11-22T10:35:00.007-05:00

While at Tamarack in Beckley, WV this past weekend - on Friday, Saturday and Sunday I demonstrated my watercolor cats to the visitors. "Lots to Love" and "Mouse Alert" (below) are two of those paintings.
Lots to Love, watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper, 12x16. For Sale: $175.00
Cards and prints also available. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.

Mouse Alert!

2008-11-22T10:23:00.005-05:00

MOUSE ALERT! watercolor on Arches cold pressed. 12x16. For Sale: $175.00
Cards and prints also available - email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details.

New! Large 11x17 Cat Calendar for 2009

2008-11-05T19:56:00.003-05:00

NOW AVAILABLE. Perfect gift for all Cat Lovers. $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net to order.
Printed in full, vibrant color on heavy linen cover stock. A cat each month that is suitable for framing.

Coral Pink Delphiniums

2008-10-21T19:53:00.002-04:00

Coral Pink Delphiniums, watercolor, 9x12, Lana Rough, $75.00. Cards & Prints now available. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net for details, pricing and shipping costs.

Peaches & Cream

2008-10-20T12:39:00.004-04:00

Peaches & Cream, watercolor on Arches cold pressed paper, 12x16, $175.00. Cards and prints now available at $3.00 per card and $25.00 per print (mats to 16x20) plus shipping. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net to order. Please feel free to post your comments as well.

See You at Tamarack!

2008-10-15T17:59:00.002-04:00

I will be at Tamarack West Virginia located in Beckley on November 14, 15 & 16 to demonstrate watercolor and to sign my notecards, Cat Calendars and Flower Calendars and prints. Hours are from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. The Christmas decorations at Tamarack are always a real treat - so come by and see me and my new cats!

Secret Garden

2008-10-15T17:52:00.002-04:00

Secret Garden, 11x14, watercolor on hand dyed fabric $175.00 Notecards and prints now available. Email me at catcards@frontiernet.net to order. Large notecards (blank inside) are $3.00 each; prints which mat to 16x20 are $25.00 each - all prices are plus shipping.

Backyard Bounty, watercolor, 12x18

2008-06-08T14:47:00.003-04:00

Summer flowers from my backyard shown here in Backyard Bounty, watercolor, 12x18. FOR SALE: $125.00. Notecards and prints also available. Email catcards@frontiernet.net for details.