Summer's End

Oil

24 x 24

Early October at Lake Tippecanoe was so quiet and peaceful.  No boaters, no skiers, no jet skis . . . just quiet.  We finished up chores to prepare the cottage for winter.  Bob fished a bit and I read a good book.  Good days.

Morning Glory

Oil

18 x 24

NFS

This painting was inspired by one of the photographs I took while hiking around Brown County State Park.  I always take liberties with the colors but I also added the water since the creek bed was dry and full of leaves.  

Ogle Lake

Oil

24 x 36

A few weeks ago Bob and I spent the weekend in Brown County, Indiana during what was possibly the peak for gorgeous fall colors.  Really, I was surprised by the rich, vibrant colors after the terrible drought this summer but nature worked its magic anyway.  

Floral Fantasy

Oil 

12 x 36

SOLD

Normally, I don't sketch out my paintings in advance but rather pull the design together on the canvas.  Here, on this long, wide canvas, I wanted to create a design to bring the viewer into the painting, capture their attention and drop them onto the leaves to bounce along back to the left where the eye is swept up and floated back into the flowers for another go around.

Sunflower Burst

Oil

8 x 8

Fresh sunflowers have been harder to find this fall.  Apparently, they bloomed early this year as a result of our extremely hot, dry summer.  These lovelies, however, were troopers and made their way to the studio!

Plums

Oil

8 x 8

Painting still lifes with Pam Newell. These plums looked so yummy but some were unexpectedly squishy and probably would have rotted by the next day  . . . if not eaten.

1964 Dodge Dart

Oil

24 x 24

SOLD

My first car was a 1964 Dodge Dart.  It was also a first car for each of my sisters.  At the time we didn't think it was such a 'cool' car but now I would be proud to drive it; especially with history rewritten in cherry red! 

Waiting for Rain

Oil

16 x 20

One of many  Indiana farms battling the worst drought in decades. We've had a few occasional showers lately - but it's too little too late for many.

Bassin d'Argenteuil, c.1874

Oil

18 x 24

Not for sale

This is my version of Claude Monet's Bassin d'Argenteuil.  A framed print of Monet's painting came with our home when we bought it in 1996 and has hung above the fireplace ever since.  The old print had become wavy and warped and the frame had seen better days.  So, a couple of weeks ago I decided to repaint it.  Bassin d'Argenteuil will resume it's place in a new hand-crafted frame with a black crackle/gold finish.  I'm so excited to see this refreshed Monet!

Bub's on the Monon

Oil

9 x 12

This impressionist painting of Bub's Burgers is currently showing at the Carmel Arts Council Gallery through July 28th.  My parents were in town last week from Tucson and wanted a burger at  Bubs'.  It was 12:30 pm and I was sure the line would be too long; however, the high midday temperatures forced most diners inside so we enjoyed our lunch on the patio.  It was a little warm but I did say my parents are from Tucson!

Carmel Arts Council Gallery

Werling Pond

6 x 8

Oil

SOLD

Had the opportunity to plein air paint with Pam Newell at her workshop in New Haven, Indiana this past weekend.  The weather was quite toasty, think 90+ degrees and humid, but we had a wonderful experience painting at Donn Werling's gorgeous historic property.  The painting above is of the Werling pond and cabin.

Peaceful Morning

Oil

9 x 12

I think of still lifes as more traditional paintings and my style tends toward contemporary.  However, I am loving painting these still lifes! 

Still Life

Oil

8 x 8

Typically I paint from photographs but I forgot one today.  I borrowed Kathleen's apple and set up a still life with a paint tube and my insulated coffee mug.  Kathleen quickly replaced the mug with a small antique glass jar - thank goodness!

Peonies

Oil

8 x 8

SOLD

Painted peonies with Pam Newell last week.  We're working in the Renaissance Fine Art and Design gallery where solvents are a no-no; so, I used walnut oil for the first time and loved it! 

Going Home

Oil

9 x 12

Painting with Pam Newell in her Pastel and Oil Painting Workshop.  This is my oil version of her pastel demo on layering and capturing a dramatic sky. 

Nightlife - Carmel Arts & Design District

Oil

16 x 20

SOLD

An impressionist urban painting of downtown Carmel, Indiana looking west from Detour: An American Grill to Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream and beyond.  “Nightlife” was inspired by the downtown revitalization and addition of the Carmel Arts & Design District including art galleries, restaurants, shops, theatres and events. An evening scene is typically filled with muted grays and earth tones; however, I love bright vivid colors and enjoyed the challenge of reinterpreting “Nightlife” with a rich, saturated jewel palette.

"Nightlife" was auctioned for the benefit of the Carmel Clay Public Library at the fundraising event, "An Evening with Ted Allen".  Ted Allen is host of the Food Network show "Chopped".  The evening included appetizers and dinner from Ted's new book, "In My Kitchen".

Ted Allen Fundraiser for CCPL 

Featured Artist CCPL

Art Wall at Carmel Clay Public Library

Thanks to everyone who visited the library this month and viewed and/or purchased art from my exhibition.  I was honored to be the Featured Artist for April!

Painting with Sisters

Oil

8 x 8

Above is Desert Globemallow.

The winter rains were generous in Tucson resulting in gorgeous spring flowers.

Painting with my sisters, Paige and Marni, while visiting our parents in Arizona the end of March.  Below is a pic of the 'Fowler Five'!  We are so-o lucky - when we five get together we just laugh and laugh and have an awesome time!

Brittlebush

Oil

8x8

SOLD

Hiked the Wild Burro trail last week (north of Tucson, Arizona) and took many wonderful photos of Sonoran Desert wildflowers.   These are brittlebush, a shrub with a magnificent show of vivid yellow flowers.

Painting with Dad

Above is a demo painting for my class of one - my Dad.  He is a watercolorist wanting to learn oil painting so we're sharing tips and having a blast painting together!  Both of my sisters are artists too - they'll be joining us in a couple of weeks for a painting session - I can't wait to see the results!

Wetlands at Dusk

16x20

Oil

SOLD

This wetlands painting is a little moody.  Looks like a storm is rolling in from the east.

Carmel Library

Oil

12x36

SOLD

The library in Carmel, Indiana is an architectural delight both inside and out.  It's an incredible community resource for all ages.  If you've never been inside - it's worth the trip!

Daisies

Oil

12x12

Painted these daisies as an addition to my flower series.  I'd originally only planned to paint four 12x12s but I'm enjoying them much more than I thought I would.  So I'll continue to paint the "art" in my yard.

Prairie Trace Barn

Oil

24x24

SOLD

Just finished up this larger piece.  The painting had a mind of its own as this was not the finished product I'd envisioned; however, I like it.  A bright, vivid contemporary interpretation of a very traditional country scene.

Squirrel

Oil

6x12

SOLD

A squirrel has taken up residence in our home.  Thankfully, he's in the wall and not actually inside tearing things up!  Everyday we hear him munching on walnuts in his snug, heated home.   Outside, there are dozens of squirrels and they frequently stop on the deck railing for a look around the yard.