Here are a couple of my latest paintings. They are available on Ebay. The links are at the top of this page.

New Techniques

I have been experimenting with new techniques using old family photos. I used a gel medium to transfer lazer ink copies of my old photos on top of a background of paint and paper. The top one is of my beloved aunt Alice in the early 40s. My mom always sang "Alice Blue Gown" to her.

The second one features of photo of two of my uncles in the late 1930s. I didn't even realize until it was glued down that the page was from a story called "The Remarkable Child" out of one of my vintage books. I altered the photo slightly with light washes of paint and a bit of charcoal pencil.

The third one features my great grandfather Maurice Ruschenberg in the late 1800s. We were always told he was the Marshal of Ste. Genevieve, Mo, so the image is on top of a copy of an old map of Ste. Genevieve. During later research, we found that he was actually the Marshal of St. Martinsburg, a smaller neighboring town. I accented this with gel pens.

These all have lots of texture. I may list a couple of them on Ebay later. If you would like to know more about any of the techniques I used, I would be happy to share. It is still 100+ degrees in the St. Louis area today--it is really getting depressing! We have had no rain in close to a month, I hope we get some soon. By the time my tomatoes ripen they will be worth about $10 a piece when you consider all the watering involved to keep the plants alive!

On the Lake with a Cat!

This is my version of Morisot's impressionistic painting, "On the Lake". I think if a cat was in the boat it would be a much livelier excursion! It looks nice framed up like this~ "On the Lake with a Cat" is available on Ebay now.

Whistler's Grandmother with a Cat!

What if James Whistler would have given his grandmother a kitty? Maybe she wouldn't have to look so austere! I think she may even be cracking a smile! This painting is available on Ebay now~

Van Gogh

I am still obsessing over learning about Vincent Van Gogh. Poor fellow obviously had untreated bi-polar disorder. He tried a lot of remedies and even institutionalized himself a couple of times. He only sold one painting in his lifetime and depended on his brother Theo for support as he gallivanted around Europe trying to fit in somewhere and find happiness. Poor Theo was in such poor health that he died six months after Vincent's suicide, never seeing his brother's fame either! Vincent never had any money for food but somehow he managed to visit many brothels on the premise that he was "studying the people" for his paintings. Hmmm...

This is my rendition of his portrait. It was interesting to paint a face without the use of flesh tone at all. It is all yellows, reds, and greens. His eyes were china blue and he often made them look a bit slanted in his self portraits because he loved Asian art and was greatly influenced by it. I will be listing this portrait tonight on Ebay.

Book Distraction

It has been so terribly hot here in the mid-west. I have to jump in the pool every few minutes if I do yard work outside. It is suppose to be 100 degrees every day this week~ It is depressing to not be able to enjoy the outdoors or have the windows open to hear the birds.

This little painting features a girl trying to get some reading done, but kitty wants her undivided attention! It is on Ebay now~

Van Gogh and the Green Fairy

I just finished reading a book about the last couple of months in Vincent Van Gogh's life. Many of the European artists and writers of those days drank or were addicted to absinthe. Absinthe is a spirit made by distilling many different herbs including wormwood. In the 1800's it was very strong and was said to be a psychotropic. Absinthe was also called "The Green Fairy". Hemingway said he was under the influence of absinthe when he wrote "For Who the Bell Tolls".

I think Van Gogh suffered from anxiety and depression and tended to self medicate. The doctor (Dr. Gachet) who was caring for him when he commit suicide was treating Van Gogh with various herbal "tinctures" that he brewed from his gardens. None of these seemed to help and may have actually increased his anxiety!

This painting is my impression of Vincent Van Gogh being seduced by "The Green Fairy". I used very heavy acrylics to give the look of oil paint. There is lots of texture and color on this painting and it looks wonderful in this old frame! I'm not sure if I want to part with it, but I will list it on Ebay tonight.

I am really curious about absinthe now! I know that it was banned in the US for many years, but has recently returned. I'm sure that it can't be as potent as it was years ago. Has anyone out there tried it? I am tempted to find a bottle just so I can taste it!

More Experiments!

I have a few more paintings to show you. The still life is a little 4"x4" canvas. I have been experimenting with shadows a lot.

The kitty is resting in the shadow of a potted plant. It is also a little 4"x4" canvas. I will put these on Ebay tonight.

The third painting is a silly one I just did for fun. It is based on an old photo of my mom, her twin, and older sister getting ready to walk in a parade. They had elaborate hats made of newspaper. This would have been in the 40's I think. Have a nice evening!

Experimenting on a Rainy Weekend!

I have been experimenting with different techniques and styles of painting. Here are a couple of small canvases I finished. I used heavy bodied acrylics so you can see the brush strokes, making them look a lot like oil paintings.

The first one is kind of an impressionistic style. It is called "Let's Run Away". The girl reminds me of my niece, Kelsey, when she was little.

The second one is "Goldfinch and Coneflower" --a very popular pairing in my yard! I took a more realistic approach on this one. I hope to list both of these soon.

My Clearance Sale is still going on! Check out my Ebay auctions--most of my older paintings are still at 99 cents!

Water for Elephants

Was anyone as enchanted with the book "Water for Elephants" as I was? I loved all the circus history. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I can't stop thinking of the circuses of long ago. We visit a circus museum several years ago in Baraboo (sp?) Wisconsin. It was very interesting to me. The circus people were a culture all their own!

Water for Elephants inspired these two paintings, "In the Spotlight" and "Behind the Scenes". I hope to list them on Ebay later tonight. The link to my Ebay auctions is at the top of this page.