Isn't this the truth!
It will be interesting to see how people respond to these in the gallery.
That is a new size platter in the front, and the lemons are new, I usually add strawberries.
I took this photo on North Topsail Beach in North Carolina this summer. I loved everything about the scene, the colorful umbrellas, the fact that all 3 women were about the same age, they were all reading, they all had L.L. Bean totes. And I liked the fact that they were together and separate at the same time. Each umbrella is like an island. I don't usually feel the need to go super real in my paintings and people are a challenge, so I decided to do a small one before I plunge into a larger one. So I got out my small brushes and went for it.
I did a sketch on a small canvas, and then changed my mind and decided because I wanted a lot of little detail to do it on smooth Bristol paper.
I used all kinds of paints, even the cheap craft paints I'm embarrassed to say I own. And then I thought I would use my pencils, but they didn't work as well as I had hoped, but they came in handy in some detail spaces.
So now I have a small study and plan to do a large one. I think the woman on the left came out best of the figures, but I like the umbrella on the right the best. 
After two vacations this summer my inventory in the gallery is depleted, so I have been working on "the usual suspects" to go into the gallery asap. Here are some entertainment sets and spoon rests just out of the bisque fire.
Glazing in progress: Messy.
The lead free glaze I use goes on opaque and fires clear. I dip and pour the glaze to get an even coat.
Here they are out of the glaze fire, nice and shiny. Now into the gallery they go.
In painting class today we sat on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico and looked out on this beautiful vista. I am fortunate indeed. Today's class lesson was abstracted seascape using cardboard (small pieces of old mat board) instead of brushes. I opted to use my palette knife instead. I have been using the knife a lot this summer and wanted to continue. This painting is larger than what I have been doing lately. 20" x 24", acrylic on canvas on board. I think it is finished, but I have to look at it for a day or two. I am looking forward to putting a frame on this and taking it into the gallery.
One of the best parts of class is the critique at the end. You get to see every ones paintings and hear what Jim has to say about them.
This painting of a variegated Agave and flower friend are from Jim Salem's painting class last week. The lesson of the class was "what do you do when you go out to paint and none of the "big vistas" inspire you? The solution is to find a very small area you like and paint it life size. I found this lovely variegate agave and his flower friend nestled at the base of a gumbo limbo tree (they have a red shiny bark) and loved the cool and warm colors together. I did not finish this painting in one plein air session, but continued with it in the studio over the next several days. I haven't settled on a title I like yet, but when one comes to me it will go into a frame and into the gallery.
My son Guy on Father's Day, it's all about the gifts.
Jake and me, early morning Hilton Head
Whitney and Jake, "cute shoes"
Guy multi-tasking, when they eat every 2 and a half hours, you have to.
Father and son
Jake with his bodyguard, Randy, aka BD
Caroline and Donna, Mother of the Groom
The Ben Ruleys, Beth, Caroline, Kathryn and Ben
"Watch your cocktail"
Rehearsal dinner, Guy, me, Ben, Randy with Jake, Whitney
With the Ben Ruleys, you know our names by now
The three "goombas" Frank, father of the groom, Randy and Guy
Uncle Ben
The Mark Ruleys, Mark and Andrea
Well, I am home from vacation and I am still getting reorganized and I am not back in the studio "groove" yet. Here is a painting that recently went into the gallery. We love our mangoes in Key West and always look forward to mango season, which is just ending. This single mango and its reflection is a good example of the dry brushing technique, which often frustrates me, but this time it worked.
I make a lot of these two piece entertainment sets. The most popular of the motifs I use on these sets is the pineapple, but I am always experimenting with new ones. These sunflowers have the same bright colors as the pineapples, so maybe some customers will find them appealing. They went into the gallery this week.
Key West Sunset #4
Key West Sunset #3
