Dinner Time in Little Whale Cove

"Dinner Time in Little Whale Cove"

watercolor (11" x 30")
available at The Silver Heron Gallery

When I took my artist retreat in March (painting for the solo show up at Depoe Bay)...every evening I would take walk to Little Whale Cove, and there was two resident geese always feeding in the stream runoff into the cove.  Once I was walking across the little cove, I had to pass these geese, they were acting very territorial and anxious.  Well, when I returned less than a month later to do the show opening, these two geese now had 5 baby goslings in tow!!! ohh so cute!! That's why they were acting that way on my first visit.  I love being a witness to life, they were protecting their babies somewhere.

I am very pleased to share that The Silver Heron Gallery Solo show has opened with a fabulous start, lots of red dots and commissions. 

Yaye!!

Farm Life

"Farm Life"

watercolor (12" x 12")

I am a city girl, well to be real, I am not a city girl, I am actually a sub-urban girl.  I have always lived in the 'burbs, on the outskirts of the big city Los Angeles. But I have to admit, there has always been a pull for me to a simpler life, a quieter life. And our daughter just yearns for a farm and ranch full of every animal possible...me? I just would love a horse or two? maybe a cow to gaze at grazing off in the distance...but no work, thank you very much. Our daughter...she would have it all, muck, mud, early hours, hard labor, and every animal imaginable around her.  Maybe someday she will get her "Farm Life"

Today's painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included. Free shipping.

$500

 

Pacific Electric Railway #1 - Sold !

"Pacific Electric Railway #1"

watercolor (12" x 12")
SOLD

Continuing on my rail series...and I am learning a lot. The Pacific Electric (PE) was once regarded as one of the largest interurban electric rail systems in the world. The mass transit system interconnected cities in the Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County. The first electric trolley in Los Angeles travelled in 1887, and in 1901 Henry Huntington established the Pacific Electric Railway...stayed tuned as more paintings and more tid-bits of the "red cars" come.

Sierra Madre Art Fair

"Wagon"

watercolor (12" x 12")

Hard to believe its been a year since the last time I did the Sierra Madre Art Fair.

Well, if you are local in the Southern California area, I invite each and everyone of you out to this very fine event.

And if you sign up for my newsletter...inside you will receive a special discount for that weekend only!!

                           49th Annual Sierra Madre Art Fair

Saturday, May 7th 9:30 - 6:00 PM
Sunday, May 8th 9:30 - 5:30 PM

 

   Memorial Park
222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, Ca  91024
www.sierramadrelibraryfriends.org

Today's painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included. Free shipping.

$500

A new series....

"Number One Train"

watercolor (6" x 12")

So excited...a new series is a brewin' inside! 

Trains and railways!! 

Stay tuned for more...

Today's painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included. Free shipping.

$350

Fishing Boats II

"Fishing Boats II"

watercolor (5" x 7")

Something happens when you commit to being a daily painter...

some great things like having more discipline in picking up the paint brush, stretching yourself in subject matter, putting in the hours and hours, and thus hopefully becoming a better artist.

But there are some negative things, and my fellow daily painters will corroborate I am sure...

you loose some brain cells...

because now all of a sudden, you cannot title a painting if your life depends on it....

Hence, the very creative and original title "Fishing Boats II"

Today's painting is available as a "Little 'Scape".

Painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included. Free shipping.

$150

Through the Opening

"Through the Opening"

watercolor (12" x 16")

God does funny things in my life...and I find such entertainment in it. 

I had painted this piece several weeks ago while I was on my artist retreat. 

When I returned home, I promptly filed it away....as my focus was on my upcoming solo show. 

Yesterday, I was with my lovely Bible study group...sharing my prayer request 

and my friend Barbara then shared this picture she got in her head as I was speaking. 

She described exactly this scene...

a scene of a painting that I had painted weeks before, and had not shared with anyone.

How could that be? 

Amazing little things, I love when God does that!

$600

Shanghai Market

"Shanghai Market"

watercolor (12" x 16")

 One of the many benefits of social media...you meet a lot of "friends"...and their friends become your "friends". One of my new FB friends posted this photo of himself at a Shanghai Market...I like it and asked if I could use it as a reference for a painting....he kindly said sure and asked to see it when its finished. 

My husband asked me, "does he know he won't be in the painting?"....uh, I don't know...

$600

Griffin Dunking

"Griffin Dunking"

watercolor (6" x 6")

SOLD (commission)

Are you a basketball fan?

If you are, then you know all about the new NBA phenom Blake Griffin...

from our very own Los Angeles Clippers.  

He is a sight to behold....unimaginable moves and real fun to watch. 

Well, the season is over for the Clippers...so sadly, we have to wait till Fall to see more of this great dunker.

Thanks to Mel Blackmon for the photograph reference. Check out his website...a great photographer!

Title the Untitled #10

"Untitled #10"

watercolor (6" x 6")

 This is the third in my interior church series. 

I really enjoyed the warmer color palette and capturing the sunlight in each of these works. 

Today's piece is untitled, so please help me to title it.  

The best title (as deemed by a round of esteemed judges...my husband and daughter) will receive a set of J Hill Paintings note cards.

The winner, along with  the "random commenter" winner, will be announced in my email newsletter (that will be coming out any day now).

Click here to sign up for the monthly J Hill Paintings Newsletter.

Today's painting is available as a "Little Moment".

Painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included.

$150

Henrietta the Hen

"Henrietta the Hen"

watercolor (6" x 6")

Why did this particular name pop into my head for this little chicken?

I  do not know, is it a character in a nursery rhyme?...and thus buried way deep in the memory banks?

Honestly, I could not come up with another name for this piece....and I tried, for atleast two minutes :)

Today's painting is available as a "Little Moment".

Painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included. Free shipping.

$150

Pasadena Early Morning Commute

"Pasadena Morning Commute"

watercolor (12" x 16")

available at Segil Fine Art Gallery

Where are you headed today?

We all have a place to go.

Are you headed out with anticipation or dread?

If it is less that anticipatory, is there a way to find joy in the little stuff.

I find that if I find joy in the little stuff...it all adds up,

then it makes everything else that much better.

Where are your "little stuffs"?

A Sneak Peak

"His Get-Away"

watercolor (8" x 8")

Available at The Silver Heron Gallery

Getting very excited, as the Solo Show is quickly approaching. 

Thought I would give you all a sneak peak at a piece that will be included.

I love getting a taste of what is to come....

I wish life were more like that...

but no, God likes to have a sense of humor..

and keep us on our toes.

Quiet Light

"Quiet Light"

watercolor (6" x 6") 

As an artist, I am often asked what is my favorite painting.

My response?

Usually what has just come off the easel.

But, I have to be honest...there are some exceptions.

Today's painting is one of those exceptions, it was done a couples months ago.

I enjoyed painting this one, and how it turned out, so much so...

that I have been "sitting on it" for months.

Taking it in.

Today, I would like to share with you my little bit of light,

a brief glimpse into a peaceful moment,

and the warmth of Gods love.

Enjoy.

Today's painting is available as a "Little Moment".

Painting is on Arches paper mounted on archival museum board,

UV and archival varnish coated. Display easel included.

$150

A do-over

"Il Regali"

watercolor (18" x 24")

$1,000

Sometimes you just need to have a "do-over". 

Sometimes life allows for "do-overs",

sometimes not.

Sometimes, its not that you got it wrong the first time...

its just you could of done it better. 

I am thankful when God puts me in a circumstance...

and I have the opportunity to do it better.

Today's painting is a "do-over" from a while back....I think I did it better,

and I am thankful.

And in Heaven

"And in Heaven"

watercolor (6" x 6")

available at Randy Higbee's Gallery

I am very pleased to announce 

that "And in Heaven" was juried into 

Randy Higbee's 6" Squared Exhibition and Sale.

This is a fabulous show including some of the most noted artists in the United States.

You are invited:

Artist Gala Reception

Saturday April 16th

Show runs 

April 16th, 2011- May 6th

Randy Higbee Gallery

102 Kalmus Dr
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

714.546.2156

Downtown Los Angeles, Morning

"Downtown Los Angeles, Morning"

watercolor (12" x 15")
available at Segil Fine Art Gallery

There are certain times of the day when even the most oppressive sights can look intriguing or even beautiful.  Downtown Los Angeles is one of the places for me...when the light hits just right against the trees, the buildings, the cars, etc...that place looks almost inviting. Can't remember when exactly I took this photo, but it must have been on a trip to either the fashion district (love the sample sales), the fabric district (always a project going on), the flower district (love fresh flowers), or the jewelry district (well, I can dream can't I?).

Time for champagne and peanuts!!

"Elie-Fannies", final

watercolor (11" x 25")

$800

Well, as Kelley says...here's the big reveal...time for champagne and peanuts! 

Who knew animal butts could be so much fun!

"Elie-Fannies, stage 5"

For those that are interested, to get to the final stage I removed the masking fluid revealing the protected whites.  I soften some edges of these protected white shapes and grayed out some  (especially those in the elephants that are further away). I popped in more color into the elephants in the foreground.  I weighted down the elephants in the rear (not their rears...). I cropped the left hand side about 4.5 inches, so that your eye stays in the painting more. And then I signed it!

Elie-Fannies, stage 4

"Elie-Fannies", In Progress

watercolor (11" x 30")

Stage 4

So, where we left off from last posting, I had pretty much finished off the front herd of "Elies":

So at this stage, I am at a point of building up a bit more, "pushing and pulling" as they say. 

Here's a close up of the front herd:

And now I can start laying in the back herd....I have to be very mindful of the colors and values with this herd because they need to remain in the distance, while at the same time the rear herd as a whole needs to read well (i.e the closest Elie needs to read closest but still in the distance). Again this is done through play of colors and hues.

Almost done with all these butts!!
Stay tuned!

Elie-Fannies, stage 3

"Elie-Fannies", In Progress

watercolor (11" x 30")

Stage 3

Well, here we go...on to the fun build up stages. This is where I must be disciplined and slow down to take photos of the progress, as I easily get lost in the painting. I have to be strategic in color usage...although it may seem that the elephants are the same...I have to be sure to alternate the warms and cools, and use subtle hue changes, so that each "Fanny" gets to stand a bit out on its own in this big herd. (Isn't that what we all want, for our big fanny to stand out?) :)

stay tuned for the next stages.....

P.S. Kelley Sanford asked: "What do we get at the big reveal, champagne or peanuts?" 

What do you all think?