Dancer

Pastel on pastel paper

11"x14"

An idea that I've been experimenting on and off the last year.  I have a little more work to do on this creation before I call it "done," however since I used pastel I decided I needed to stop in order to not overfill the tooth of the paper.  I look forward to continuing to work on this theme later on.

Christmas 2014

 Each year for the last few years, I have painted Christmas ornaments as gifts for my family and friends.  This year I went with a penguin theme.

Another gift I painted for Christmas this year was this ceramic snow baby tree.

Riverfront Park in Autumn

Acrylic on canvas

6"x6"

A local scene of Mark Twain Riverfront Park along the Chemung River in Elmira, New York.  It's been a busy month with preparing gifts for Christmas, but I finally found a little time to finish painting this autumn scene.

*2/28/15 - 4/12/15 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Annual Member Show at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York.

Bow

 Colored pencil on drawing paper

6"x7"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Initially I wasn't very inspired by the reference photo, but after I simplified the picture and concentrated on representing the different textures it became fun to create. (Initial Photograph by: Sally Ford)

Dragon Boats at Twilight

Acrylic on canvas

8"x10"

A painting of the dragon paddle boats that live in Eldridge Park nearby. 

*2/28/15 - 4/12/15 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Annual Member Show at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York. 

Halloween 2014

Colored pencil on black pastel paper

6"x8"

A quick little sketch for Halloween.

Harris Hill Overlook

Acrylic on canvas

6"x6"

A painting of the view seen on top of Harris Hill in Elmira, New York looking over into Chemung County.  I was inspired by the contrast between the golden fields and green grasses, as well as the Chemung River running throughout the scene.

*11/7/14 - 11/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Cezanne IX 9th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Show & Sale at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York. 

*11/29/14 - SOLD

Autumn Still Life

Pastel on pastel paper

18"x25"

An autumn-themed still life that I put together using some ordinary objects - gourds - I found on sale at a farm stand and a wooden bucket from a yard sale.  I haven't used pastels in quite a while, so I decided to use them for this piece to start to get more familiar in the medium again.

Blue & White

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Initially I wasn't very inspired by the reference photo, but as I got going it was a lot of fun playing with the complimentary colors throughout the piece. (Initial Photograph by: Sally Ford)

Red Sunrise

Colored pencil on drawing paper

6"x6"

A drawing for the bi-weekly art group I'm a part of.  I chose colored pencils for this picture so that I could practice blending and mixing colors with this less familiar medium.

Upgrade

The other day I treated myself to a set of Prismacolor Premiers as a reward for all my recent gallery exhibitions this month and last.  This is the first time I've used artist grade colored pencils.  What a difference!  I was spending time playing around with building up layers and mixing colors.  They have such a different texture to them than student grade colored pencils - they almost glide onto the paper.  I don't see myself going any further with this practice drawing, but I'm looking forward to seeing all the fun things that these pencils can do!

This drawing was for the monthly challenge though Colored Pencil Magazine.  The adorable reference photo is by Patricia Sue Overton.

Moonlit Inspiration

Acrylic on canvas

6"x6"

Another painting that I created for Elmira's 150th birthday celebration.  This particular painting came together at the last minute and went through many different changes from the original idea.  It was a reminder why acrylic tends to be my go-to medium of choice - it's easily changeable and fast drying.

*9/4/14 - 9/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Elmira Sesquicentennial Exhibit at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York.

*11/7/14 - 11/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Cezanne IX 9th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Show & Sale at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York.

*11/29/14 - SOLD

Chemung River on a Rainy Day

Acrylic on Canvas

6"x6"

This painting is from a photograph that I took over a year ago that I've been meaning to paint.  I finally found the perfect venue for it - Elmira's 150th Birthday - that inspired me to paint it.

*9/4/14 - 9/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Elmira Sesquicentennial Exhibit at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York.

*9/29/14 - SOLD

Blue Dasher

Colored Pencil on black drawing paper

6"x6"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Initially I wasn't very inspired by the reference photo, however it ended up being a fun drawing to work on. (Initial Photograph by: Jacqueline Trump)

Country Lilacs

Acrylic on canvas

12"x12"

A painting based on an earlier sketch that I completed.  I decided to switch out random wildflowers for lilacs (one of my favorites) for this piece.

*8/5/14 - 8/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale in the 3rd Annual Square Foot Exhibit at Bismarck Art & Galleries Association (BAGA) in Bismarck, North Dakota.

*10/4/14 - 10/5/14 - This painting is available for viewing and sale at the Pennsylvania Apple 'n Cheese Festival in Canton, Pennsylvania.

Eldridge Park Sunset

Acrylic on canvas

12"x12"

A painting created from pictures that I took one evening while walking around the pond at Eldridge Park in Elmira.  The park was filled with geese and ducks and their little ones that night.  I couldn't help but stop and take lots of photos of them.

*8/5/14 - 8/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale in the 3rd Annual Square Foot Exhibit at Bismarck Art & Galleries Association (BAGA) in Bismarck, North Dakota.

*11/7/14 - 11/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Cezanne IX 9th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Show & Sale at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York. 

Boys' Stories

Colored pencil on tan drawing paper

9"x12"

Another drawing from the monthly challenge put on by Colored Pencil Magazine.  This is only a small portion of the reference photo.  I chose to use a very limited palette of black, white, and brown on tan paper. (Initial Photograph By: Sally Ford)

Daffodil

Acrylic on canvas board

5"x7"

A close up, more simplified modern take on a flower painting.

Brave Pansies

Colored pencil on black drawing paper

9"x12"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  I really enjoyed both the colors and the subject matter for this piece. (Initial Photograph by: Sally Ford)

New Studio Space

I've had to take a short break from my art with starting a full-time day job and moving into a new home.  However, I am looking forward to things slowing down a little bit and excited to get to work in my new art studio!  It will be so nice having a space devoted to creating art.

Forgotten Old Farmhouse

 

Colored pencil on blue pastel paper

6"x9"

A drawing for the bi-weekly art group I'm a part of. 

*9/5/14 - 9/26/14 - This drawing is currently available for viewing in the Tioga County Council on the Arts Annual Member Show in Owego, New York.

Springtime in Corning

Acrylic on canvas

16"x20"

A painting I did of one of the Corning Incorporated buildings in nearby Corning, New York.

Country Wildflowers

Colored pencils on black drawing paper

6"x6"

A drawing inspired by the weekly art group.  I've been trying to become more comfortable with colored pencils as a medium.  I enjoyed experimenting with the different textures, colors, and temperatures from the reference photo as well as using a little "artist license" on some parts.

*8/19/14 - 9/1/14 - This drawing is currently available for viewing at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.

A Slice of Citrus

 

 Colored pencils on drawing paper

4.5"x5.5"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Each month they post a reference photo for everyone to draw and enter into the online contest.  The winners receive gift cards and those who enter every month receive a free subscription. I felt that the original reference photo was very busy and decided to draw a portion (about 1/6th) of it that interested me the most - the part with bold complimentary colors. (Initial Photograph By: Edward Robertson)

Holly Hocks

Acrylic on canvas board

6"x8"

A painting inspired by my weekly painting group.  Holly hocks are beautiful, tall growing flowers that are in abundance in Wyoming.

Owego Riverwalk

Acrylic on canvas paper

7"x7"

A painting I put together last minute for the Artfully Squared event through the Tioga County Council on the Arts.  Each piece has to be 7" by 7" but can be any medium or subject.  They are sold as a benefit for the organization and will also be on display.  I decided to use a photo that I had taken last summer on the riverwalk in downtown Owego.  I hope to revisit this subject later on for a more detailed piece.

*4/1/14 - 4/30/14 - This drawing is currently available for viewing and sale at the Tioga County Council on the Arts in downtown Owego, New York.

*4/4/14 - SOLD

Bread and Wine

Acrylic on stretched canvas

6"x6"

Another painting inspired by the weekly challenge group.

*11/7/14 - 11/29/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing and sale at the Cezanne IX 9th Annual Fine Arts & Crafts Show & Sale at Community Arts of Elmira in Elmira, New York. 

Sprouting Onion

Black and white charcoal pencil on tan drawing paper

8"x10"

A quick drawing for the weekly challenge group that I'm a part of.  I recently began a new day job and have been really busy throughout the week, but I couldn't resist at least attempting such an enticing subject.

Still Life in Red and Blue

Acrylic on canvas board

6"x8"

A painting for the weekly challenge group that I'm a part of.  I took a few liberties with the reference photo, including rearranging the composition, eliminating some of the elements, and changing the background colors. 

Portrait of a Cat

Colored pencil on black drawing paper

9"x12"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Each month they post a reference photo for everyone to draw and enter into the online contest.  The winners receive gift cards and those who enter every month receive a free subscription.  I really enjoyed this month's reference photo.  I decided to use a dark background and work up to the light values.  I noticed that my drawing seemed to take on the look and attitude of a couple of my favorite kitties and deviated slightly from the reference photo.  (Initial Photograph by: Jay Babin)

Potato Chip Rock WY

Acrylic on canvas board

6"x8"

I recently was invited to join a weekly email group in which a reference photo is sent out and then artists gain inspiration and draw or paint the subject.  Artists then give each other feedback on the pieces.  This was my first painting for the group.  It's of a group of rock formations between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming known as Vedauwoo.  It is one of my favorite sights in the Laramie area and a subject that I have always wanted to paint in the past but had not successfully done so.

 *8/19/14 - 9/1/14 - This painting is currently available for viewing at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York.

Starry Dream

Watercolor on watercolor paper

18" x 24"

One of my favorite artist quotes from my favorite artist - Vincent van Gogh.  This was my first time experimenting with watercolors from the tubes and masking fluid.  I definitely will need some more practice with this medium, but I was able to learn a lot about how to manipulate and layer the colors, the limits of the paper I was using, and how important it is to avoid overworking the piece.  I have a lot of admiration for anyone who has been able to master this difficult medium.

Yellow Brick Wall

Colored pencil on sketch paper

9"x12"

I created this drawing as an entry for Colored Pencil Magazine's monthly art challenge.  Each month they post a reference photo for everyone to draw and enter into the online contest.  The winners receive gift cards and those who enter every month receive a free subscription.  Although I did not find the reference photo this month particularly inspiring, I decided that entering each month would be good motivation to develop my skills in colored pencils and gain some much needed feedback to continue to improve in this medium. (Initial
Photograph by: Edward Robertson)

Jeanette & Gerald

4H & 2B pencil on drawing paper
8.5" x 12"

A drawing that I drew as a special thank you gift for my second cousin.