Some of My Paintings

Oil painting is a new phase in my life. Sketching and art have always been a love, but trying to oil paint portraits had its genesis during our trip to Machu Picchu. Our digital camera stopped working. Yep, just died! Luckily for us some fellow travellers offered to take pictures. They said a disc could be made and sent as well as prints. We were asked what was of interest to us. I suggested that the faces of the people were so very beautiful and their clothes so colorful, that close up shots of their faces would be a treasure. That was the beginning of a lovely friendship with Don and his wife, Brenda. The pictures arrived by courier about a month later, much to our surprise. The disc followed. The beginning of my portrait painting endeavors in oils began from a broken camera. Now, Bill and I take portrait pictures in all the countries we visit, and I paint a series of interesting faces that move me and are reflective of the people and cultures. Below, are some of the oil paintings of pictures that inspired me. Both Brenda and Don are so very creative. They have a wonderful eye for composition, color and design. Both create jewelry from their many international trips--then travel all over the US to Renaissance Festivals where they have shops.

If you ever had the desire to try to paint--just pick up a brush and do it. You can, I did. It is really gratifying and relaxing. When you complete your work there is a tangible piece to enjoy or give as a present for a special person in your life. I have painted for my husband, Bill, some whimsical daisies (below). He really likes daisies. I gave him the painting for a Valentine's Day present. What a smile that brought! When I paint a picture, it is from my experiences, feelings, thoughts, etc. I do not care what other people think about it. Too often people are quick to criticize. The paintings are not about anyone but myself. So I would say to you, just do it and please yourself. Forget what others have to say. Who knows what their motivations might be? We are all unique in every way. What you capture on canvas is uniquely yours. There is no right or wrong.

I like to take all the "stuff" or "clutter" out of the pictures. I will make the painting less detailed than the photographs. Simplicity is less likely to detract from the portrait. Also, I modify the colors to make them have more depth. As a painter, you can do whatever you want. The pallet is yours to choose. Most important, to me, is capturing the life in the eyes and conveying a feeling of being in my portrait paintings.

The camera distorts the colors in the paintings. My husband is trying to figure out how to get the paintings to take true by setting up lights and backgrounds. That is a work in progress. Bill is so patient and wonderful. These photos of the paintings convey the general flavor of the portraits in oils.

Innocence/Given to my dear friend, Brenda, for her birthday/2010.	Mestizo/The Sacred Valley, Peru/2006/Oil Painting

The Gold Band/Ecuador/2006/Oil Painting	Sinister Man/Ecuador/2006/Oil Painting

High Altitude/Cuzco, Peru, 2006/Oil Painting

Saddhu Priest/2008/Oil Painting	On the Street/Agra,India/2008/Oil Painting

Mirror Twins/India/2008/Oil Painting	The Pagri/India/2008/Oil Painting

Bedouin Camel/Petra, Jordan/2009/Oil Painting

Bedouin Man/Petra, Jordan/2009/Oil Painting

Man of Mondraga/Mondraga, Russia/June 2010/Oil Painting

Frozen In Time/Oil Painting	Gambler's Gold Star/Oil Painting

I painted this for Frank. He has given me so much by teaching me how to use a computer, write html code, and do a website. Frank is so kind and giving. He is truly a special person as is Tom. Bill and I feel blessed to have them in our life. Thank you, Frank and Tom, for all you have shared and continue to share.