"French Linen with Oranges" oil on linen, 6"x12"

I bought this classic blue and white linen tea towel a few months ago while in Paris.  I've been thinking about using it in a still life ever since.  The small boutique, Les Bugadieres, was lovely.  Many of the items are hand-sewn by the lady who owns it. 



"Figs with Dragon" oil on canvas, 8"x16" - update sold

"Kutani and Mandarins" oil on linen, 8"x16" - update sold

Here are two new paintings I finished over the past week.  I had a third one to post, but really messed it up when I tried to varnish it this morning!  It's a small painting of mandarins with a Double Delight rose.  The white paint on the rose had not dried completely.....well, you get the picture.  I have not done that in awhile!  Fortunately, I was able to clean up some of the white mess by gently lifting it off with mineral spirits.  Much of the rose had been painted over a week ago - thank goodness it was dry.  I'll put the painting aside for a few weeks before I repaint the lightest areas of the rose.  Being impatient never pays off....especially when you are an artist. 

The tea cup in "Kutani and Mandarins" is part of a collection I inherited from my Grandmother.  Though it's a familiar cup from my childhood, I knew nothing about the maker and origins until I decided to paint it.  I did a little research.  (Isn't the Internet great for things like this?)  Kutani porcelain dates back to about 1655.  When high-quality china clay was discovered in the Kutani Village (now in Ishikawa Prefecture Japan) a kiln was established to make porcelain with bold colorful designs.  Characterized by motifs of birds, flowers, landscape and geometrical patterns, the kiln suddenly closed about a half a century later.  In the early 19th century, the local ruling clan, which was enjoying power and influence, revived china making in Kutani.  The pottery is celebrated today with many working kilns in the area.  (The teacup and saucer I have is from the Kosen Kiln.)  It appears to be a very popular place for tourists and they even have a Kutani Pottery Festival each year.  How'bout that! 

New Orange Painting

"Sweet Orange" oil on linen, 6"x12" - sold

"Vintage Find" oil on wood panel, 8"x8"- (SOLD Segil Fine Art Gallery)

(Sorry this is posting for a 2nd time, I updated this to put sold on the painting.) I painted this on a gessoed wood panel adding medium to my paint.  I think the glossy look works really well, showing off the table and porcelain cup.  Though I was not too keen about the new medium I chose to work with.  I recently bought Gamblin Galkyd Gel, it drys way too fast for me, among other things.  I'll stick to M. Graham Walnut Alkyd Medium or the wonderfully toxic (!) Old Masters Maroger.

New small Paris paintings

"Chairs in the Tuileries Garden" oil on linen, 8"x6"

"Paris Blooms" oil on linen, 6"x8"- SOLD

I've begun to select pictures from my Paris trip to paint. Here are two  paintings - little vignettes - just off my easel.  I stayed at a hotel not far from Rue Cler and walked by this flower shop many times. 

The light was beautiful around 8:00pm in the Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries, created by Catherine de Medicis, 1564).  I had planned to sit and paint with the watercolors I brought, but by the time I finished taking a ton of photographs the park was closing.  With so much light still left, it was too bad we all were gently ushered out.  More Paris paintings to come.

It's high time to blog and paint again.  Unfortunately, I got sick soon after I returned from my exciting trip to Paris.  June turned out to be a slow month recovering.  Feeling chipper again, I'm back to doing what I love most....painting. 

During my annual summer trip to the Sawtooth Valley (in Idaho) last week, I painted a few still lives.  Gathering up items at my sister's ranch, we created some fun setups inside the barn. With all the beautiful landscape outside, we had never thought of setting up inside to paint.  The natural light streaming in was perfect, also the magnificent view out the window.

"Country Kettle" oil on wood panel, 8"x10"

Inside the loft of the barn.

"Western Stories" oil on wood panel, 10"x8"

My sister Linda.

View from the barn, Sawtooth Mountains.

This is "4th of July Lake" in the Sawtooth Valley.  It's a beautiful hike up to the lake.  We were surprised by all the snow still there.

Trip to Paris

Soon after I participated in the annual Balboa Island Art Walk last month, I left for a wonderful trip to Paris.   It was a perfect vacation filled with visits to museums, parks, churches, cafes, and more!  It would take pages of blogging to share my experience as an artist in Paris.  So, for now, I decided to just post some pictures (selected from over 1,000 I took!) of my days in this amazing city. 

Musee d'Orsay.  Since the museum is undergoing renovations, much of their famed collection has been touring the United States.   (I missed my opportunity to see the exhibit when it was in San Francisco.)   Though I was disappointed in the limited number of paintings on view,  I did see the special Manet exhibit which was wonderful.  No photos are allowed inside.  (Purchase a museum pass to by-pass the long lines.)

I took this picture from inside one of the galleries at the Louvre.

I could not resist posting this picture.  Can you spot the Mona Lisa?

After 6 hours at the Louvre (which included lunch at one of the restaurants in the museum) I finally reached the highlight of my museum visit, paintings by Jean -Simeon Chardin.  The collection was worth the wait.  I got to view over 25 fabulous paintings by one of my favorite artists.  Also hanging in the same wing ( French 18th-19th century artists), was a large collection of Camille Corot paintings.  One room after another was filled with his inspiring paintings, it was an unexpected delight!

Painting by Camille Corot

Notre Dame

Inside the Sennelier art store.

Jardin des Tuileries at 8:30pm. With the sun setting about 10:00pm, it made for lovely long days.

The Paris Metro

This week I painted a few local scenes to show at the upcoming Balboa Island Art Walk, Sunday, May 15th.  The two small landscapes were painted plein air in the Back Bay Nature Preserve, Newport Beach.  The Balboa Candy Shop was painted in my studio using photographs I took on Balboa Island.

  "Eucalyptus Path" oil on wood panel, 8"x6"

"Spring Field" oil on linen, 6"x12"

"Balboa Candy Shop II" oil on linen, 8"x10"

"Herbs with Garlic,"  oil on linen, 6"x6" - sold

I have painted this Herbs of Provence jar a few times before.  It's always placed next to my stove - I keep refilling it with loose herbs - I just love the look of it. 

(This painting has since been selected for "6 Inch Squared" exhibition at Randy Higbee Gallery, opening April 16, 2011.  Please see show information above.)

Painting at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

The park is located in Laguna Canyon, wonderful hiking trails http://www.ocparks.com/.  It was a beautiful day painting with friends from Southern Ca Plein Air Painters (SOCALPAPA). 

My finished painting - "Canyon Path" - plein air oil sketch on linen , 8"x10"

Painting Laguna Coast

A few weeks ago I joined some friends in the late afternoon to paint in Laguna Beach.  I don't often paint outside during the winter months, so I was caught off guard when the sun disappeared WAY before I had a chance to lay in my colors!  I was unprepared for that.  I think I'll stick to painting outside when the days are longer. Of course it really didn't matter that I failed to paint much, it was just beautiful being outside in the brisk air taking in the view.

Wendy painting...into the sun. Not easy.

Laguna Coast, sun setting behind Catalina.



Pear Sketch

"Studio Pear Sketch 2,"  oil on linen, 10"x8"

Pears are a popular choice for teaching beginning still life oil painting.  This is from a workshop I gave over the weekend. 

Salon International 2011, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art

I am excited to announce that my new paintings, "China Blue" and "Vestments and Sacraments" have selected for the Salon International 2011 Exhibit.  (You can view both paintings in my most recent blog posts below.)  I am very honored to be recognized by the owners of Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art for the 4th straight year in their annual juried competition.

The Salon International Exhibit is part of the International Museum of Contemporary Masters of Fine Art program, founded by the owners of Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art.  It supports artists who paint in a traditional representational style. Their shows "challenges artists to always strive for a higher level of artistic excellence." For more information please visit, www.greenhousegallery.com  Opening night banquet reception, reservations required, Friday, April 1st.  Exhibit opens Saturday, April 2nd.  Show closes April 22, 2011. 

"Vestments and Sacraments," oil on linen, 9"x12" - sold
 Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art Salon International.

Religious Window Displays in Rome

"Advent Purple," oil on linen, 10"x8"

The first time I passed by a window display of clerical garments it was dusk, near Piazza della Minerva in Rome. The light was glowing on the decorative vestments, stoles, chalices and other ornamental pieces. They were beautiful displays of ecclesiastical wear.  As an artist, and also a lady who has spent many a year in Catholic schools, I thought there could be something unique about painting these displays.  I took pictures and painted "The Pope's Tailor" (below) when I returned.  I always meant to paint more from the photographs, but never did.  So now, several years later, I have painted "Advent Purple," the first in a new series I've begun.  (The garment I've painted is a surplice, worn by clergy in a choir, during processions and when administering the sacraments.  The purple stole is worn during Advent and the Season of Lent, also during confessional.)

"The Pope's Tailor" painted in 2008 (sold).