The Virtual Paintout, Japan

Springtime

13" x 9 1/2"

oil on board
$45.

I painted this for The Virtual Paintout.  The challenge being to create a painting from a google map – this month's challenge is Japan. I chose this small lane because I could see the possiblilites, and because it reminded me of a small lane by my house.

You can see the actual place I painted from here, and though my picture looks much different, I only fudged by a few weeks into the season, the rest is true to the map, I hope.

A Little Landscape

Cuesta Park Annex

oil on canvas  

11" x 14"

$100.

First landscape of the season! The birds were singing, the sun was finally out.

This beautiful, peaceful spot will soon be built on, so enjoy it while you can, the days are numbered. 

Also shown on my Plein Air page.

Tribute to My Mother

Bathtub Girl

by Maxine Musgrave

(Courtesy of Louise Gilbert)

Most people would want to thank their mother for giving them life - and, well, I do. But more than that, I thank my mother for giving me art. A painter before me, she gave me the love of old masters, the desire to paint, and hopefully, the talent to do so. That she was talented, there is no question. She could paint with whimsey or intense spirituality. She was a master at portraits, could knock out seascapes and still lifes, and loved the unusual fun piece such as this "Bathtub Girl." Her real love, however, was her spiritual work, both painting and ministerial. She believed deeply that love was the answer to everything in life, and saw each challenge as a lesson to be learned.

My mom and I were very different in many ways, but we were always able to share a love of painting and the beauty we see in this world. Whether such things are taught or inherited, I am very grateful for receiving those gifts. 

So - Here's to You, Mom. No one could ever forget you!

To see more of her artwork, please visit: 

http://www.winmarkcom.com/musgrave.htm

Or to hear her talk on Unconditional Love, you can visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-7lk9eKic

(This video was made into a memorial after she died, but she hoped it would enlighten people.)

Thanks to Louise Gilbert, a very kind patron of the arts, for the use of this image.

The Occasional Abstract

Kimono Dreams

30" x 40"  oil on canvas, with gold leaf

$800. 

Abstracts happen. Some people adore abstracts, while others can barely tolerate them. I fall somewhere in the middle. Hard to find a really good one, except sometimes there they are.

The best part of painting an abstract is the wonderful freedom involved. You are in a place where line, color and "visual direction" mean everything, but content, not so much.

This painting is called Kimono Dreams, but has little to do with the article of clothing, except that it made me think of the beautiful kimonos as I painted it.