View of Mill Through Window (Oil Bar) ready for trip to new home

I painted this in 2008 for a special solo show at the University of New Hampshire Graduate program in Manchester. The show was called "Mill and River." I took photos of the old mill buildings, and then created a series of oil bar paintings that were displayed  along with the photos.  This painting is very different from the rest, a view of a mill building seen through a window, the only interior view in the show. Today this painting is on its way to its new home in Tennessee. I had planned to just reseal the edges and spiff it up a bit before sending it, but of course I noticed one little line that was not quite straight.  And then another. So I decided to check and fixed all the lines. These were very small revisions but I think it was worth the effort and I was very happy with the result.  This is how it looked just before I wrapped it up for shipping.

Two Small Flower Drawings (Framed)

Here are my two small flower drawings as they looked on December 3 when I framed them.  They are now on display in the Small Works Show at Porter Mill Studios in Beverly, MA.

Comforted by Flowers (Drawing)

This is the second of two drawings that I started on November 30th, both small sketches of flowers made with Sharpie Creative Markers on paper.   This is how it looked finished on Dec 2nd. That day I added some more orange and red flowers to balance the composition.  Then I signed it and framed it so I could take it to Porter Mill Studios for the Small Works Show.  (It is 5.5 x 8.5 inches.)

The Courage of Flowers (Drawing)

This is the drawing that I started on November 30th, a little sketch of flowers made with Sharpie Creative Markers on paper.   I thought it needed a few more leaves, and then it was ready.  I signed it and framed it so I could deliver it to Porter Mill Studios for the Small Works Show.  (It is 5.5 x 8.5 inches.)

Comforted by Flowers (Drawing as of Nov 30, 2024)

This is the second of two small drawings for Porter Mill's Small Works Show.  At this point, I was happy with this one, but it was not quite balanced.   This is Sharpie Creative Marker on paper. To be continued. . .

The Courage of Flowers (Drawing as of Nov 30, 2024)

I decided to make a couple of new drawings for the upcoming Small Works Show at Porter Mill. This is a show for all members of Porter Mill and will be on display during Open Studios this weekend and through December. The size limit was 13" in any dimension.  I didn't have anything that small at the ready, so I decided to do some small drawings of flowers.  I got out a small drawing pad and my Sharpie creative markers and got to work.  I had a lovely time drawing these undaunted flowers.  This drawing is about 5.5 x 8.5 inches, and a good fit for an 8x10 inch frame.. Here is how it looked on the 30th of November. I thought this drawing was finished, but later I decided it wasn't quite. . .To be continued. . . 

Woods Near Long Hill (Photo with Prisma filter)

This image started with a photo that I took at Long Hill Gardens here in Beverly, on a late fall day.  I added the Prisma filter to enhance the colors.  Sending this out today to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving.  "I thank the Lord for the people I have found."  (Elton John)

Teacups and Saucers (Alice in Wonderland project), Painting

Here is how my painting looked on Nov. 4th when I had to declare it finished, not because it was perfect, but because it was time to stop.  I needed to put a wire on the back of the painting, label it, and get it ready to deliver to Porter Mill Studios the next day. (In fact, even after I took this picture, I continued to fix very small errors until it was time to put it in the car and drop it off.  But like I said before, it is hard to make something simple look good.) 

I painted this for the "Alice in Wonderland" show at Porter Mill Studios here in Beverly, MA. The basic idea came to me as soon as I heard about the show. The painting combines a  quotation*  from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party with teacups and saucers in a changing color scheme that evoke the "musical chairs" aspect of that crazy tea party, as guests move around the table for no apparent reason. 

*Here is the quotation:

"Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, so I can't take more." "You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter, "It's very easy to take more than nothing.""

Cups and Saucers (Alice in Wonderland project) as of Nov 3, 2024

On November 3th, I kept going on my "Alice in Wonderland" painting for the show at Porter Mill Studios.  The painting combines a  quotation*  from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party with teacups and saucers in a changing color scheme. At this point, all the work I had done correcting errors was beginning to pay off, and the cups and saucers were looking much better, even though I continued to find things to fix. I was also working on cleaning up the text and the white background and  repainted the last line of text (bottom of canvas) because the lettering wasn't in a straight line. I began to think this was almost finished, which was good, because I had to turn it in at Porter Mill on November  5th.

*Here is the quotation:

"Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly. "I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone, so I can't take more." "You mean you can't take less," said the Hatter, "It's very easy to take more than nothing.""

To be continued. . . ..