Monday, August 31, 2009

"Damsel" was painted a few months ago and was included in my Grape and Ale show. Dragonflies are quite valuable as well as beautiful. They are predators that eat the annoying mosquitos, wish we had more dragonflies at the lake.
This is an acrylic painting, painted with layers of warm and cool greens, ice-blue, silver leaf and a rose and yellow-gold tint. "Damsel" is hovering over a lily pad. Final touches to "Damsel" include a little drawing with ink. This painting is done on a 6"x 6" gallery wrapped canvas framed in a contemporary floating black frame.

Monday, August 24, 2009

This is my favorite mermaid in the series, I named her "Jezebel" because she has a loose and promiscuous quality about her as she is bobbing around in the sparkling mysterious ocean. Did you know that one of my favorite actresses, Bette Davis, played in the 1938 "Jezebel" film? It starred Bette Davis and Henry Fonda, the plot involved a spoiled woman who because of her actions, lost the man she dearly loved. The movie took place in the Antebellum period and Bette Davis played the part of a headstrong southern woman.
Rumor has it that this film was developed especially for Bette Davis because she had lost the role of Scarlet O'Hara to Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind.
"Jezebel" is a free flowing golden red siren of the ocean who dreams of finding a little naughty "ocean-life". She looks quite serene and sweet, but she is definitely one mermaid to keep your eye on.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Yesterday was my birthday, sorry I didn't get a chance to post. I was celebrating by kayaking around the entire lake with my niece! What a wonderful day.
This painting is a study for a much larger one, I am excited to paint these four sisters in a very loose impasto style. I enjoy this palette knife technique, I certainly will post the final painting in a few months.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Here is a sneak preview to a special line of Santas called "Michelle's Santas" . I am painting these unique Santas for a lovely little gift shop in Elizabethtown known as Smellie Bloomers. Each unique painting comes with a special title and story .... the first painting in the line is "Smellie Santa". Here is "Smellie Santa's" story...
You will be in good hands this Christmas season with this charming Santa. "Smellie Santa" has the gift to watch over you, he can smell trouble in your house and will be your guardian. Whenever there is trouble, this Santa will do his best to get rid of smellie naughtiness in your home.
I am so excited to design and paint Michelle's Santas. This series will be completed in September and will be featured this Christmas at a special event at Smellie Bloomers in Elizabethtown, NC. I will keep you informed as to when "Michelle's Santas will be available.

Monday, August 3, 2009

"Pollyanna" is a beautiful friendly happy mermaid. I named her after the orphan in the novel "Pollyanna" written by Eleanor Porter. Pollyanna played the "glad game" in which she would find something to be glad about in any situation. She learned this optimistic attitude from her father. The story unfolds when Pollyanna goes to live with her very very stern aunt in Vermont. When she was there, her aunt made her stay in a stuffy attic room with no pictures or carpet, but Pollyanna surprised her aunt with her remarkable and unusual optimistic attitude.
Now, I wonder how "glad" I would be if I found myself sleeping on a bed of fish like my mermaid "Pollyanna"?
Next weekend, my nieces and grand nieces and nephew will be staying with me for a few days. Beware of "Crazy Aunt Kathy" my dears!