I always considered my self a figure painting!

That statement may surprise some of you since I been doing mostly landscapes in the last few years.  This is mainly due to lack of models.  I really like painting from life, not photos.  Cameras cannot capture all the nuances in value and color.  I turned to landscapes because material is literally EVERYWHERE.   I love trees when they're bare and you can see all the great shapes in the branches.  I love when they're leafed out and you can see how the shadows work.  They're never quite like you think they are.  I love all the colors in my garden.  And anyone familiar with my work knows my love for color.  Too, I can step out on my back patio and do "plein aire", and still have all the comforts of home.
Lately I have trying to capture more in my trees.  When an artist tries new ways it isn't as easy as it sounds, or should be.
In the meatime, age and cancer have come to our house.  One does not necessarily mean the other, but combined they increase the problems in the situation.
I hope to do better.  I guess an artist is seldom satisfied that the latest painting is the best.  It is always hardest to satisfy yourself.
I remember when I painted mostly about social realism.  I felt I did a good job.  Landscapes are pleasant and often more popular but I find it harder to please myself.  Would my work be better if I used less color?
Is my subject matter relevant?  Is it trite?  Have I lost the ability to be creative?
My cat is sleeping on the lounge next to me.  How contented he looks.  His sister is in the doorway looking at the patio  Does she see the gorgeous red amaryllis? Actually she is probably looking for lizards to catch.  Should I try to paint them?  Would anyone care?  But me, of course.
I have a mirrored hanging in my garden and love to watch the light bounce around.  But no painting would do it justice.
What is relevant today?
What work would make a difference?
Can I produce a painting that would sufficiently capture how i fell when I look at anything?  Does anybody care anymore?   Our lives seem rather superficial.  Do my viewers want beauty..or relevancy...or emotion?
Wow!  Boring!
I you're still reading maybe this will give you a clue to the artist's dilemma.
I guess I want to do all of the above.  Probably not possible.
If anyone is listening to my internal debate....tell me what you think.  Painting is a lonely occupation.  Even small feedback helps.  Let me hear from you. Pose for me!  Argue with me!  Tell me how you feel!  Help!

Life Gets in the Way...

As time passes sometimes unexpected and unavoidable things jump into our life without notice.  Over the past two years so many things have hit me and mine that it's been hard for me to catch up.  Anyone who is still watching this, thank you.  I plan to do better in the future and perhaps a little more behind the scenes.

Been a Long While...

After our lovely vacation I caught some awful bug.  Haven't been that sick in years.  It lasted about 2 weeks, then Hal caught it.  Started a couple of new works, but didn't get very far with them.  Now we find Hal's cancer has returned and he will start radiation next month.  Been a tough time.  I'm wondering how to paint how I feel.  It may take me awhile.  In the meantime I am learning how to paint trees better.  I guess trees are comforting to me.  Please bare with me.  This is just a little bigger bump in life than usual.
Here's to happy painting to all.  Thank you for reading.

Vacation

Spent 10 days in the snow and cold in Sun Valley, Idaho.  It was beautiful, but I must admit I am glad to be back home where I don't have to wear so many layers.  It was a great time with my daughter and her family and my first time to be in the snow.  We walked, rode a sleigh, sat by the fire and drank wine.  I've never been on skis and don't think I should begin now.  Visited most of the art galleries....always fun for me.  Drank hot chocolate and ate lots of really good food.  Also celebrated 2 family birthdays.  Now back to cool and very damp Houston.  The rain is welcome.  My fish are cold.  The cats love the fire.  All's right with my world right now.  Will I paint some snow?  Maybe, one or two.  Keep turned

Holiday in the Snow

More Texas Landacapes

Usually I see paintings of our hill country landscapes, but this is east Texas.  Every area has its own kind of beauty.  I love trees.  They are all different, like people.  When I paint one it is like doing a portrait.

Plans of attack!

   My life has changed somewhat, so will my subject matter.  My goal right now is to paint from home all the things that interest me most.  I no longer have my gallery and have set up my studio here at home.  If you see something of interest to you it is available for purchase.

Finished "The Gathering"

It took me a little longer than I anticipated to finish this.  Too much holiday, I guess.  It's my view out the window where my desk is.  They gather morning and evening to make their peruse the neighborhood.  This came out darker than it is.

"November Leaves", oil, 11x14

This is our southern version of fall color, found on the ground.

Crows

  Now that I'm home in mornings I've noticed an interesting happening here.  AT the back corner of our property is a telephone poll.  Most days in the bright morning the crows begin to gather.  First one or two then more. It's like they're planning their day.  You know, who do we stalk today and where do we begin.
My daughter and son in law own 6 acres adjacent to mine and I know they have a murder of crows on the property.
   This group "owns" the territory apparently.  On one occasion we heard a great commotion and our son in law found a foundling hawk on the ground near a very tall pine.  It's parent were frantic and the crows were ready for the kill.  He  caught the hawk who wasn't yet able to fly and placed it as high as possible in the tree.  For some time thereafter he fed and watered the little bird until it was able to excape.
   Anyway, this was the the group of crows that live in the trees between their home and ours.  Not a friendly bunch, but ineresting.  In the evenings especially we see them swoop over our property. And that telephone pole is their gathering spot.

    This is a round about way of saying I find them fascinating and set out to get their picture.  It seems like they knew when my camera was searching and managed to vanish.  Sooooo I took a photo of the pole. Any way I seem compelled to paint the scene. I'm not sure about this painting.  I hope you will let me know what you think about it.  I will probably have it finished tomorrow.  In the meanwhile, here is my photo.