Working on a Book

For several months I have been working on a book about four of the subjects that influence my art.

Tahoe Rocks

Caught Again

48" x 36"

3500.

Tahoe Water

Tahoe Below the Surface - Mini

12" x 12"

400.

Desert Plants

Big Flowered Euphorbia

48" x 30"

3000.

Produce

Pomegranate 

7" x 5"

150.

I have the first proof in hand and realize the book will be a completed project very soon.  This has been challenging but fun, and it will be good to have completed.  I will let you know when it is available.

To contact me click HERE

Scheduling, Golf and Art

Over Scheduled

Does this happen to you?  Studio time, shows, more studio time, more shows, desk work as a result of the shows and sales, house guests, oh, and then there is golf.  Golf?  How did golf ever enter life?  It is time consuming, frustrating, evil, a personal challenge and a great deal of fun.  

So for the last two weeks I have had two trunk shows of jewelry and paintings and two golf tournaments.  Over scheduled?  

Coral, Jade, Chinese Coin 

One of the necklaces sold at the show

The trunk show was a wonderful success with sales of one of a kind, outrageous jewelry and paintings (thank you ladies).  And as a result of the show I installed Shallow Waters VI in a beautiful mountain home high on the hill, overlooking Lake Tahoe.  Click here to see the painting.  Also hosted a private trunk show yesterday after another round of golf.  

The level of golf played was not great but the partners were delightful and it was fun.

Time for a Break.  From Golf.

So today I am taking my house guest out on the lake in a kayak to see the inspirational boulders and rocks that surround and pepper the bottom of our crystal clear lake.  It will be relaxing and encourage me to get back to the easel.

And about that golf.... 

Completed Painting

Domino Rocks III

Though I am now working on and with rocks of a different sort, I have been able to complete this small painting.  It's an 18" x 30" canvas of a rock grouping off the Crystal Bay Point at Lake Tahoe.  This is the third, and smallest, painting of this particular site where I spend time floating in my kayak or rowing by in my shell.

And the rocks of a different sort?  Currently I am at the jewelry design table preparing for summer trunk shows, working with turquoise, citrine, jade, and sparkly druzy quartz in a wide range of luscious colors. Love these rocks!

A Triple Necklace of Watermelon Druzy Quartz and Pearls

I approach the design of jewelry the same way I approach the creation of a painting.  A woman's neck is the canvas, the stones are the creative materials used to enhance the canvas.  Composition of the total piece is a critical part of the design, taking into consideration color, line, shape, and texture as I would in a painting.  Shine, matt finish and luminosity of the stones influence the final design.  All of these elements must work and flow together to present a visual that is unique and pleasing as well as comfortable and easy to wear.

Nature is my muse.  Because I prefer natural materials, the stones I use are formed by the earth, water, and creatures that inhabit our planet.  The shapes and colors are irresistible.  From around the world, I collect unique and unusual stones and beads which may be carved, faceted, polished smooth, or left in the original state.  Occasionally I include a found object or beautifully crafted item to punctuate the design.

Antique Tibetan Lantern side with various stones.

Options are important to me, so I create necklaces that can be worn long, doubled or tripled into a shorter version.  Layering is also a feature of my designs.  I advocate wearing multiple necklaces and bracelets that harmonize and play with and against each other.  

Lapis and Sodalite

This is a long necklace that can be worn doubled as you see here.

Lemon Druzy Quartz with Golden Stick Pearls.

A second necklace of Lemon Pearls.

Options, beauty and ornamentation, all with luscious rocks.

To contact me click HERE  

Painted Plates

A Commission That is Slightly Different

  I received a commission to paint dinner plates.  This is something I have not done before, so I made some calls, did some investigating, and gave it a whirl.

Here is the first experimental plate. 

Experimental because I see a few ways to handle the materials a bit differently to obtain some slightly different results that would be more pleasing to me.  And I realize, as a cook and foodie who is always concerned about the aesthetics of the food placement on the plate as well as the overall look of the food and plate together, that my style of design and painting would better suit a charger than the actual dinner plate.  

I can visualize a table of these plates (all a bit different but painted in the same palette) used as chargers.  Now to convince the customer that they want chargers rather than dinner plates.

To contact me, click HERE .   

Or leave a comment on this blog...

I'd like to hear your thoughts about the plates.