Last kiln firing of 2010

Here are the last pots of 2010. A big cheerful kiln load of serving pieces and a couple of tiny pairs of flip flops.

WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

Obligatory green and red

My attendance at Jim Salem's painting class has been spotty, at best, lately. But the weather was beautiful this last Thursday and I really wanted to go. He had a green and red still life set up (apples and green cloth) and some beautiful lilies. I really wanted to paint a landscape, so I walked to the water's edge by this small red mangrove that I have painted many times before. The red mangroves have very red-ish branches, so I incorporated a few hints of red. I have watched this mangrove clump grow in size over the last ten years and I am very fond of it.

This is a palette knife painting and I think it needs a couple more tweaks, but nothing too serious.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and I hope you are enjoying the day.

Small in size, but big in color.

Key West Pelican $85

Laughing Gulls $85

The last couple of mornings I have hit the studio before my first cup of coffee was finished to do a couple of paintings I had in mind. I have painted pelicans and laughing gulls before, but they where all larger paintings. The Key West Art Center recently hung a show of small paintings and I had a good time doing them and wanted to do more. In the late winter and early spring the laughing gulls are in attendance at the painting class I go to, and their noise can be overwhelming. They love to crowd together and I find their black and white coloration very appealing. And who doesn't like pelicans? Well maybe the fisherman who have their bait and catch stolen.

Both of these paintings are 6" x 8" and painted around the edges rather than being framed (unusual for me). The first two photos have quite a bit of glare on them. The above photo shows the edges and seems to be free of glare.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO DIANE SALTER! I won a wonderful collage from her blog. She is a busy woman making all sorts of wonderful things, so I am honored. Please take the time to visit her blog, My Art Journal.

A Stroll through the gallery

I keep forgetting to take pictures of new pieces as they come out of the kiln. So here a some photos of what is in the gallery now. Here is the front of the gallery looking out toward Duval Street.

Some of my small paintings and framed prints, and a few of Egg's paper smashey creatures.

Cute little Christmas ornaments.

Paintings and prints

Entertainment sets.

Looking down from the stairs.

New flamingo sets.

Classic chip and dip.