Dancing on the Beach (almost???)

A bit more work this morning - mostly details........



Trying to capture Dad's image. Think it's almost there......???? I notice that his elbow is off and will need to adjust the shadowing. Drying time of a couple days, then I can work a bit more on details and sharpening some edges.

"Dancing on the Beach" (20" x 16") WIP

This is the latest update on Mom and Dad "Dancing on the Beach".

There are basic, fundamental features that make a person recognizable. There's that something that you see, and even if their back is turned, you say "I know who that is." Mom's hair formed that little v at the nape of her neck - it identifies her. She actually came out on the canvas in an afternoon. Dad, however, a different story.

At first, I had him in a sweater - true to the day of their anniversary. Looked like a lumpy black blob, so I changed it to a suit coat. Ok, a little better (see earlier post), but not Dad. Jessica was home for the weekend and said "Grandpa wouldn't be wearing a suit jacket - to church of course, but not dancing." And there it is - the recognizable white shirt, along with his white hair. Now, the next task is to shade his facial features and make them a bit stronger.

"Dancing on the Beach" (20" x 16") WIP

Here is what is on my easel this month - Mom and Dad, "Dancing on the Beach" at their 50th wedding anniversary at Lewis and Clark Lake.

I liked the pose of the dancers in the painting "The Singing Butler", so I used that as a reference. I still have work to do on Dad's face, etc.... but, am fairly pleased with it so far. Think I'll have to let it dry for a few days before doing the finishing touches.

It's been a few years since we celebrated their anniversary (1994 actually). Now we celebrate them "dancing on the beach" in heaven.

The sketch - just getting started

Doodle Wall

Doodles hung on the dining room wall in a collage arrangement in son Nathan's appartment.

He wanted something in his dining room that would look cool with black furnishings ... which will come later. Right now a card table will have to do. Doesn't look too bad.

If you're interested in purchasing doodles, check out the doodle art page on the left.

New Oil Paintings Page

I added a new page under the tab on the left "My Art Pages" called "Oil Paintings". Click on the link and you'll find paintings I've done over the past couple years. I hope it's easier to navigate than to find them on the home page. The oldest are at the bottom.

Check back often to see my latest oil works in progress and new doodles. I have several ideas running through my head and blank canvases ready to go. Looking forward to a productive artistic summer.

Blue Sage Arts and Craft Show - Sterling, CO

I made it through my very first arts and craft show!!! Had a good time, sold a few pieces, and the best part was getting to make contacts with so many great people. (Important lesson learned - have business cards to hand out)

I'm in the process of rearranging my blog to include a page for prices and contact information. See the "Purchase a Doodle" link on the left.

Doodle On............................

A Space of My Own

Last week I decided I needed a space of my own--a real "My Little Corner of the Universe". So I started to transform a multipurpose sewing/laundry/office/catch-all room into my "studio". It already had the bare bones: built in cabnets, draws, counter space - but nothing was organized. I talked my husband into moving records and his farm books downstairs (that's where he does his book work any way) leaving the room all to myself.

I actually now have a space that I can call ~ "My Little Corner of the Universe"

Doodle On..............................

Name Doodles

This doodle, done on pink, is outlined in black with a 5 x 12 frame. Name doodles are a way to add that special personal touch to a room. This particular doodle was a commission piece for a little girl's room.

Doodle On............................

Open-Form Doodles

I'm experimenting with open-form doodles. I found it difficult to leave just a simple line. I wanted to fill in the blank spaces. I was a bit uncomfortable with the flatness of these doodles. I wanted to add some dimenstion to the drawing. I wonder what that says about me and how my brain works. Actually, I'm sure there is a brain study somewhere that would try to psychoanalyze me by interpreting my artwork ... good luck with that one.

Doodle On.........................................

Doodle Art - Inspiration

How does a doodle happen? My first inspiration about doodle art came from a friend and co-worker, Leslie Raffelson. She is an awesome artist and photographer. (see a link to her website in my reading list) She also teaches graphic arts. One of her class projects was doodle art. I was inspired to try it out - bought a gel-pen and started to doodle. And a passion for doodle art was born.

Leslie asked if I would doodle her daughter's name. I was honored to be asked. Here it is. I think it turned out pretty good.



I'm going to have prints of my doodles made into a series of cards and black-framed wall art. I'm a bit nervous and at the same time, excited about the possiblities.

Doodle Art

A couple months ago I started experimenting with doodle art after seeing some work done by Leslie Raffelson's graphic arts class. I was amazed at the way the different shapes and images started to flow out of my mind, through my gel pen, and onto the paper. Look closely and you'll find common, everyday objects hidden within the seemingly random lines and squiggles. The title of my blog has, as a backdrop, my first doodle (11" x 17") I'm not sure how many hours I spent on that piece of doodle art, but I'm sure is was a lot. The corner is left blank - representing my little corner of the universe - without all the stuff that tends to clutter up our brain.

Here are a few examples of other pieces I've done. The first two are from the "Gift of the Spirit" series...Faith, Peace, Hope, Joy, Grace, Love. The doodle is 2 1/2" x 7" on a 5 x 12 heavy paper backing in a black frame. Looks pretty cool as a group.



Here are a few more. Each doodle is about 3" square on a 5 x 7 backing framed in black.

Doodle On.........................

Highland Cows - WIP (36" x 24")

These Highland Cows are going to present quite a challenge - how to make them look like hairy beasts instead of haystacks with legs. So far, have a rough under painting - next step is to block in shade and shadow.

I found the reference photo for this painting on an artist's website, "Wetcanvas". The photographer lives in Scotland and the cows were in his neighbor's pasture. Thank you "Shadwell" for permission to use your photo as a reference to paint these amazing hairy beasts.

Panning for Gold

Almost finished!!! I decided to change the background a bit. Thought I needed to refine the trees more.

Panning for Gold - WIP

Nearing completion.

Panning for Gold - WIP (18" x 24")

I started this a couple weeks ago. I've been asking myself - What is the secret to painting a good likeness? What is it about a portrait that jumps out at you and your brain says, "aha - that's Sam". It is that illusive reconizable factor that I am striving for.

First Attempts at Oil Painting (30" x 24")

My journey into the relm of oil painting began by watching Mom. She was a self-taught artist and created many fantastic works. She could work magic with a bit of paint and a brush. I remember going along with her to the banks of the Missouri River where she found a cool bluff she wanted to paint en plein air. I was facinated by how she could look at something and transfer what she saw to a flat canvas. Now, several years later, I'm continuing in the footsteps I followed as a child watching Mom..........Thanks for your inspiration and guidance!!!!

I found several works on the 'net and used them as references to get me started.

Based on painting "There's Always Tomorrow" by Betsy Cameron.


I learned a lot about not overworking areas, having a plan before beginning, and sometimes you have to just let a painting sit for awhile and come back to it. I was really nervous to try oils, but like Mom said "If you don't try - you won't know you can".

Based on a painting by James Daley.



I Wonder what those girls are looking at? I was compelled to paint these two because I believe that inside all of us is that need to find out "What's beyond what I can see?"