traciebrownart

"calendar girl"

2011-12-27T10:39:00.000-05:00

2012 "beach scenes" calendar traciebrownart

happy new year!!

"the day before mother's day"

2011-12-14T13:03:00.000-05:00

on the day before mother's day my mother suddenly passed away.

it was a shock and completely unexpected.

it was right before her 71st birthday and right before her and my father's 50th wedding anniversary.

things have changed... i have changed.

these past few months have been hard but i am dealing with my grief and am embracing all the beautiful blessings i still have in my life. i am hugging my children a little tighter and saying i love you a little more. i am cherishing my relationships more and rejoicing in my wonderful memories. i am stopping to smell the roses and i am trying not to sweat the small stuff. i am grateful for every moment i have been given... past, present and future.

the one thing i haven't been doing is painting...

i know i will soon though. inspiration will eventually return and creativity will come flooding back. in time things will get back to normal... the "new" normal anyway.

until then i'll just keep taking things one day at a time.

i love you mom.

"green peace"

2011-08-19T12:14:00.001-04:00

pgfp

preteen girls for peace.

"tequila sunset"

2011-07-23T14:05:00.001-04:00

exterior wall mural

painted with acrylic latex on stucco

this client wanted a great view of an arizona sunset while he kicked

back and enjoyed a margarita... he got exactly what he wanted.

cheers!

"deco fan"

2011-06-10T11:31:00.000-04:00

16 x 16 oil on canvas

on exhibit

2011 international juried painting competition

finalist- still life category

june 4-30, 2011

artists haven gallery

fort lauderdale, florida

"princess emma"

2011-05-05T13:38:00.001-04:00

12 x 14 oil on canvas

this is for a sweet little girl named emma.

it's to remind her that she is and always will be...

a princess.

"woody"

2011-04-10T16:52:00.001-04:00

9 x 12 oil on canvas

surf's up.

"baby elsie"

2011-03-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

5 x 7 oil on panel

moo.

"dragonfly"

2011-02-17T14:24:00.000-05:00

5 x 7 oil on panel

"this dragonfly came up to me. he was hovering right in front of my face

and i was really examining him, thinking,

how does he see me? i became enlightened."

ziggy marley

"bowl full of cherries"

2011-01-21T11:10:00.000-05:00

12 x 12 oil on canvas

"peace out"

2010-12-10T15:42:00.000-05:00

a little spot mural for a groovy girl named alexa.

"zeke and zoe"

2010-11-09T08:03:00.001-05:00

8x10 acrylic on paper

meet zeke and zoe lovebird.

they've been inseparable since the day they met and no matter which one you ask they'll tell you it was love at first sight.

"take out"

2010-10-28T11:12:00.000-04:00

-art print on matte paper-

10x7.5

art prints are now available now in my etsy store

click here to purchase

"suggestion box"

2010-10-04T12:52:00.003-04:00

i love the idea of a suggestion box...

it's a wonderful gathering of ideas and a great way to find out exactly what people think. people's suggestions could lead to more doors opening and bigger pay-offs.

which brings me to my pondering as of late... the "here's what you should paint" suggestion box. i love when people offer suggestions about what i should paint. i love that they are interested. i love that their creative juices are flowing and i love that they feel a connection enough to offer up a suggestion.

i hear and love every valuable input, but here's the deal... for every person there is a completely different suggestion. one thinks i should paint only animals, another thinks i should go more painterly and abstract, another thinks i should target the market and only paint only what people would "buy".

what i've really noticed is that most people tend to offer up suggestions that lean towards their artistic aesthetic. my best friend loves hearts so she wants me to paint more hearts... you get the idea.

you know that old saying 'you can't please all the people all the time?'

well it's true, and if you try you will end up driving yourself crazy.

i made the decision a long time ago to lovingly mull over everybody's suggestions but ultimately please myself as an artist. creativity flows from inspiration. i have a vision. i have an artistic voice. it's mine and mine alone and my greatest fulfillment comes when i stay true to it.

but don't get me wrong... i would never want the people in my life to stop making suggestions. because you never know... that suggestion to paint a heart could ignite the spark that leads to my greatest masterpiece. :)

for brooke. happy birthday!

"lips"

2010-09-17T10:28:00.000-04:00

48 x 24 oil on canvas

recently i felt inspired to try something a little different...

something a little edgier, a little moodier.

what do you think?

the canvas is big and has a very strong presence that i love.

the women are friends of mine and the scene was patched together from pictures that i took from a recent night out.

and because it's the first question everyone seems to ask...

yes, they are in a limo.

"allie in wonderland"

2010-09-09T13:47:00.000-04:00

a sneak peek into allie's room...

working on a really cool whimsical mural for a beautiful free-spirit named allie.

"classic"

2010-08-11T10:04:00.003-04:00

16 x 16 oil on canvas

i have been driving myself crazy trying to get the photograph of this piece to exactly represent the painting. the colors are even softer and prettier in real life... oh well, every painting looks better in person.

classic.

are you an "artist"?

2010-08-08T10:21:00.012-04:00

recently i read an article musing over the question, when does one officially become an "artist"? i laughed to myself and thought... i was just born this way. :)

do you earn the title when you sell something? yes. that would do it, but i believe my children are artists and they have never sold a thing. i have sold many pieces and yet still question if i deserve the title... yes, it's what i do for a living and yes, i do believe i make art, but am i an "artist"?

that's why when people ask me what i do for a living i say, "i paint."

the few times i have said, "i am an artist" the next question is "where can i see your work?" or "what gallery are you in?" or my personal favorite... "where do you hang?"

does one have to hang in a gallery to be an artist?!?

absolutely not.

one simply has to create art.

if you have ever written a poem, played the drums, decorated a room, had a child... you are an artist.

we are all artists. what we do with that title is up to us.

"all natural"

2010-08-01T14:24:00.000-04:00

16 x16 oil on canvas

...it's about the only thing left in boca that is.

just kidding. :) anyway, i love how this piece turned out. it really speaks to my vision as an artist...

realistic, simplistic and colorful.

"grace"

2010-07-22T11:36:00.000-04:00

8 x 16 oil on panel

we spend a lot of time on the beach and i take a lot of pictures hoping to catch a moment as beautiful as this one...

"cyrus"

2010-07-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

12 x 24 oil on panel

cyrus believes real men eat quiche... and wear the color pink.

"peter"

2010-07-05T09:16:00.003-04:00

new traciebrownart prints available at imagekind

"sebastian"

2010-06-24T13:00:00.001-04:00

12 x 12 oil on canvas

sebastian has been hanging around my studio for a LONG time... i got the underpainting finished and then just let him sit there - abandoned - for many many months while i painted other things. he sat there patiently and lovingly while other pieces came and went wondering if i would ever pick him up again.

and i wasn't sure if i ever would either... to be quite honest, i have been inspired lately to make a bit of a departure from my usual work and try something totally different. so in comes this big canvas and needless to say, it is now garnering all of the artist's attention.

and then something happened. i was preparing to paint the other day and for some reason i looked over and saw sweet sebastian just sitting there and i started staring at him. i mean really looking at him.

...and then i picked him up.

he actually looks even better in person and i hope he's not too disappointed he had to wait so long. :)

"benagain"

2010-06-16T13:48:00.001-04:00

8 x 8 oil on canvas

sold

it's ben... again.

ben is a beautiful, blind, brave akita.

this painting is for my friend greg who adopted him.

i've said it once and i'll say it again...

people who rescue animals are awesome.

for more information on akita rescue please click here for the link to akita rescue of western new york.

one.

2010-06-02T09:51:00.002-04:00

my first book.

...and it was just chosen as a "staff pick" on blurb.com.

this feels REALLY good. :)

(click on the book above for a preview)

"may flowers"

2010-05-28T19:33:00.004-04:00

masterpiece two and masterpiece one

yeah, i know... i haven't written in a while. my two greatest works of art have been playing a lot of basketball lately... my parents came to visit... i started a merchandise and clothing line... and i self published and art book. and oh! i almost forgot... i moved to boca. :)

"deco fan"

2010-04-29T09:49:00.001-04:00

18 x 18 oil on canvas

i want to be a contemporary realist when i grow up.

"gentle ben"

2010-04-03T09:11:00.002-04:00

8 x8 oil on canvas

sold

"it's better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a lab."

I mean lamb. :)

zack de la rocha

ben is an akita rescue. for more information on akita rescue please click here for the link to akita rescue of western new york. ask for joann... tell her benny sent ya. :)

"lost"

2010-03-23T09:58:00.000-04:00

12 x 12 oil on canvas panel

have you ever just wanted to "get lost?"

I did not like my first attempt at this painting... this was one of those that refused to come easy. sometimes a painting has a rhythm all of it's own and flows so smoothly and sometimes one comes along and it's like banging your head against the wall.

I was "lost" so I decided to stop and ask for directions... one of my artist friends on twitter @artbyeve gave some wonderful suggestions that led me exactly to where I wanted to go.

thanks eve!

click on artbyeve to check out her wonderful work.

"valentine"

2010-03-10T12:31:00.004-05:00

8 x8 oil on canvas

sold

people who rescue animals are awesome.

"thistle"

2010-03-08T11:02:00.005-05:00

5 x 7 oil on panel
buy this in my etsy shop!

my youngest son came up to me as I was painting the other other day and said:

"mom, I want to paint with you...

you don't have to teach me, I just want to paint next to you."

I looked at him and smiled and said:

"I'm using oils."

"it's ok. I want to paint." he said.

so with big smiles we sat side by side

and we painted.....

5 x 5 oil on panel - mason age 9

his reminds me of the giving tree.

...and the mother was happy. :)

"norman"

2010-03-01T11:18:00.002-05:00

12 x 12 oil on canvas

in addition to his career in landscaping,

norman can now add 'cover model' to his resume.

my first book is coming soon...

"dante deux"

2010-02-18T12:29:00.003-05:00

8x8 oil on canvas

sold

dog is god spelled backwards.

my second painting of dante.

"Karin"

2010-02-16T10:03:00.001-05:00

6x8 oil on panel

I usually like to keep my posts short and sweet...

but this time I just can't. :)

the above painting is part of collective 'thank you' to artist karin jurick for her tireless effort in hosting the blog different strokes from different folks. 118 artists who normally participate in karin's monthly challenges were asked to paint her portrait as a thank you gift.

personally, my gratitude runs very deeply as I have admired and have been inspired by karin's work for several years now... not to mention my appreciation for all the wonderful artists I have had the pleasure of discovering and getting to know since becoming a participant. because of this blog, I can proudly say there is nothing quite as extraordinary as the artist community.

unfortunately though I am not happy with this portrait. I am actually quite embarrassed. karin is so much prettier than my painting and deserving of such a better homage than I was able to deliver. perhaps I can blame it on the fact I am not a portrait artist or perhaps I can blame it on the self imposed pressure I felt painting an artist I so admire... but the bottom line is I could have and should have done better.

but the sentiment remains the same.

thank you so much karin.

"paint on."

coordinated and implemented by talented artist, jill polsby

you can find the 118 faces of karin jurick here.

sweet charity

2010-02-10T10:01:00.006-05:00

"hangin'out" 12 x12 oil on canvas panel

not only does tom like to hang out...

he believes in supporting art in our schools.

"hangin' out" has been donated to morikami park elementary in delray beach, florida.

it is being auctioned off to raise money to support their international baccalaureate program.

keep art alive.

facebook

2010-01-20T17:50:00.007-05:00

traciebrownart on facebook

come on... be a fan... all your friends are doing it.

"norman"

2010-01-07T13:16:00.003-05:00

tba digital photograph

I am happy to announce the newest division of traciebrownart.

PHOTOGRAPHY

prints are now available for purchase on imagekind.

check it out!

follow me on twitter

2010-01-07T10:21:00.005-05:00

-photo clip from a traciebrownart wall mural-

I have started tweeting. :)

follow me!

take the tunnel to twitter by clicking on my version
of the twitter tweedy bird

"kittery coast"

2009-12-30T11:54:00.005-05:00

6x8 oil on panel

It's good to try new things.

buy this in my etsy shop!

"girl with the smile"

2009-12-30T11:36:00.002-05:00

Painting by Delilah Smith

So I found out Ida Noe is actually the talented Delilah Smith.

...and I am the Girl with the Smile. :)

you can find out more about Delilah and this painting HERE.

painted as a portrait swap for the blog

different strokes from different folks.

Ida Noe"

2009-12-19T11:56:00.011-05:00

8x8 oil on panel

knock knock.

who's there?

Ida Noe.

Ida Noe who?

Ida Noe who either--was hoping you could tell me.

:) this is my submission for the latest challenge from

Different Strokes From Different Folks.

Each artist was sent a picture of another "mystery" artist to paint.

"Third Tri"

2009-12-18T15:02:00.002-05:00

9x12 oil on panel

sold

if at first you don't succeed...

tri tri again.

painted on commission.

"Dante"

2009-12-13T15:12:00.005-05:00

8x8 oil on canvas

sold

Dante was a regal Akita. A real gentle giant...

painted on commission.

For more information on Akita rescue please click here.

"Nubble Well House"

2009-11-20T11:31:00.004-05:00

6x8 oil on panel

Something different this time.

This is an out building- the well house- of the Nubble Light House in York, Maine.

Our summer trip this year was to New England.

I captured so many beautiful images that I think I may be busy for awhile with a new series...

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Hangin' Out"

2009-11-04T15:55:00.009-05:00

12x12 oil on panel

Tom doesn't really care what you're doing...
cuz he's hangin' out.

* charitable donation *

morikami park elementary

keep art in our schools!!

"Rue du Macabre"

2009-10-24T16:36:00.010-04:00

6x8 oil on panel

Rue du macabre is french for "spooky street".

My friend said it reminded him of a street in Paris...

Believe it or not, this is my first night painting.

I have been wanting to paint a night scene for awhile now.

Thanks to James Parker and his blog windows to the words,
I got my chance. :)

Another fun artist challenge. The subject was "scary stuff".

Thanks James!

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Dacher"

2009-10-23T10:03:00.017-04:00

8x8 oil on canvas panel

Dacher is german for rooftops. No, I don't speak german... but I have a friend who does. :)

and I just recently discovered a german artist named Edward B. Gordon whose work is incredible. He paints very similarly to Karin Jurick, who is one of my absolute favorites, as well as the host of the blog different strokes from different folks...

for which "Dacher" was painted.

great challenge. loved this one...

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Mile Marker #27"

2009-10-14T18:01:00.017-04:00

My first solo art exhibit.

Learn to paint. check. paint a bunch of stuff. check.

sell a painting. check. sell more paintings. check.

be part of an art exhibit. check.

SOLO SHOW!! ...check. :)

If you are in the Delray Beach area come check it out.

The exhibit is up now and runs through the end of November.

"Daphne"

2009-10-09T10:23:00.013-04:00

9x12 oil on canvas panel

This is Daphne. Daphne knows anything boys can do,

she can do better.

After weeks of having everyone in my house taking turns with the flu, we are all finally back in action!

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Lucky 13"

2009-09-17T12:19:00.003-04:00

In an attempt to figure out why the wonderful blogs I am following were not showing up on my profile page, I managed to somehow "follow" myself... at the lucky 13th spot. I have spent way too much time trying to undo this, so I am no longer going to try. :)

(Apparently I have created two identities for myself and have been following my favorite blogs as "traciebrownart" and not as "tracie brown" manager of tracie brown art blog)? I'm still not sure...

Not only must one be able to paint, but one must be a computer expert as well... laugh out loud - I do the best I can.

Thanks to everyone currently following my blog and to all the wonderful people behind the scenes in my life who support me in my effort to follow my bliss... rock on Lucky 13.

"1 Handsome Man"

2009-09-06T13:01:00.017-04:00

8x10 oil on canvas panel

sold

I am delighted to have recently had a commission

request through my Etsy store.

The request: A small painting of 1 handsome man

to be given to him as a birthday present.

Happy Birthday Handsome Guy, I hope you like it!

"Bulldog"

2009-09-04T11:25:00.019-04:00

8x8 oil on canvas

He got the nickname in college... but despite his tough guy image,

'Bulldog' likes long walks on the beach, smooth jazz

...and doggie biscuits.

buy this in my etsy shop!

"The San Francisco Experiment"

2009-08-09T10:10:00.022-04:00

5x7 oil on panel

Life is about the journey, not the destination.

Painting takes focus and concentration.

This is what happens when you have neither...

But I am glad to have been reminded of why I paint.

my latest submission to the different strokes from different folks blog

buy this in my etsy shop!

"The Pink One and The Green One"

2009-08-06T14:10:00.011-04:00

9x12 oil on canvas

Taylor and Emma enjoying a moment of silence after their great debate on who exactly IS the cutest Jonas brother.

This painting is part of my beach series.

"Sundance"

2009-07-20T12:48:00.017-04:00

8x8 oil on canvas

Sundance is wondering when you are coming home ...

and he seriously doubts you remembered to bring him a doggy bag.

This is my first submission to James Parker's windows to the words art blog.

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Leonard"

2009-07-19T09:19:00.012-04:00

5x7 oil on panel
sold

This is Leonard. Leonard is tired and could use a hug.

Leonard is my latest submission to different strokes from different folks.

"Ro."

2009-07-03T12:06:00.018-04:00

5x7 oil on panel

buy this in my etsy shop!

Ro. is my latest submission to DSFDF and I have LOTS to say about this painting. :)

Beach/Figurative = my favorite.

People are HARD to paint. HARD I tell 'ya. One wrong move and people will think you are trying to be Picasso...

Paintings look better in person. The colors are much softer and richer in real life. As hard as I tried, this photograph does not do this painting justice... In my opinion, canvas photographs better than panel.

I also had the hardest time naming this painting... So, yo. It's Ro.

She is actually rowing in Lake Michigan, but she could just as easily be a lifeguard here in Delray Beach in her red "Baywatch" bathing suit and her little "I'm watching you" rowboat.

The colors for this piece were inspired by my WIP still life of a bag of chips. (see below) I LOVE THIS COLOR COMBO: Grey green, naples yellow, cadmium yellow, red and violet. (For Ro. I also used a little cerulean blue). And of course I add salt and payne's gray pepper to every painting.

Great job to everyone who submitted artwork for this challenge. You are a very talented bunch and I am honored to be associated with you all.

"The Blue One"

2009-06-27T07:54:00.009-04:00

8x8 oil on panel

Ah summertime... This is one of my favorite paintings of one of my favorite people -- my youngest son, Mason. I painted it awhile ago, but wanted to share it because it is a good representation of what I have been doing other than painting! School's out, basketball camp is in full swing and we just got back from a trip to visit the grandparents in Virginia. My little guys, whom are quickly becoming my BIG guys, have kept me very busy and out of the studio for a large part of the month. But that's okay because we are having a blast and they are so worth it. :)

To all you daily painters, I envy you! And to all you other single mothers, I salute you.

"Southern Veggies"

2009-06-10T12:05:00.011-04:00

5x7 oil on panel
sold

This is my latest submission to DSFDF. This painting ended up being a great metaphor for life. What I mean by that is - I wasn't going to do it at first. I wasn't really inspired by the subject matter and have been suffering from artist's block. I had pretty much decided to sit this one out. Then I started looking at all the entries that were pouring in... my inspiration started to grow and I was totally loving looking at everyone's work. My whole attitude changed. I wanted to paint it. I put aside everything else I was working on and just got lost in it. And I think it actually turned out pretty good.

Sometimes the things we don't think we want to do end up being the things we are so glad we did.

"Lucy"

2009-06-10T11:09:00.011-04:00

6x6 oil on panel

Meet "Lucy." She is the newest addition to my beach series. I have a solo exhibit coming up in early Fall and I have been painting like crazy getting ready for it. I call this painting "Lucy" because she reminds me of my neighbor, Lucy. Lucy is always out walking her two dogs, Jazz and Pumpkin, and she is truly one of a kind. And how great is the name Lucy? That is usually how a painting gets named in my studio. I arbitrarily come up with a name in my head for some reason or another while I am painting the piece. It is usually how I refer to the piece to differentiate it from the others. Sometimes my titles are really creative and sometimes it's just "Apples in a Bowl."

buy this in my etsy shop!

"Dermer Flip and Fortier Flop"

2009-06-10T10:24:00.010-04:00

5x5 oil on canvas

Well, school's out and summer break has officially started. Every year I paint teacher's gifts for my son's teachers. This year it was flip flops. (My best friend also commissions me every year to do hers as well- so I have been busy!) My boys go to a wonderful elementary school in Delray Beach and every year we luck out with the greatest teachers. I would not being doing my proper job as a mother if I didn't brag a little about my two brilliant honor roll students. STRAIGHT A's for both!! Good job guys and thanks to Ms. Dermer and Ms. Fortier for a great year.

"Purple Mountain Majesties"

2009-05-27T10:11:00.011-04:00

5x7 oil on panel

So I finally entered the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. I never would have guessed that I would have started with a landscape painting as they are not quite my thing, however, that is one of the things I love about this piece. The challenge to do something I would not ordinarily do... The painting is small (5x7) and on panel board. I wish it were a little more painterly, but it was fun to get out of my comfort zone and give something totally new a try... Karin Jurick, the hostess of the DSFDF blog, posted a picture in black and white of a Pennsylvania landscape and each artist was challenged to invent their own colors based on the different values. Of course my rendering is infused with pink and purple because that just seems to be the way I am leaning at the moment.

buy this in my etsy shop!

"George"

2009-05-27T08:39:00.016-04:00

This is a miniature (5x5) painting of Gus, our 9 month old Yorkshire Terrier. He is the sweetest, cutest, full of personality puppy you will ever meet. One of his many nicknames is "George" because his hair falls in a way that reminds me of the Abominable Snowman in the famous Bugs Bunny cartoon... "I will name him George. I will hug him and pet him and squeeze him and love him." I love Gus to pieces. I am sure I will be painting more pictures of "my littlest one" because I have definitely become one of those "crazy in love with my dog" people.

"On the Way to Taos" (LK Mix Gallery)

2009-05-21T10:04:00.010-04:00

9x12 oil on canvas

I am happy to announce that I have had three pieces chosen to be part of LK Mix's latest Art Exhibit called "Words and Works". "On the Way to Taos" was chosen as well as "Doc's" and "Petrus". The exhibit runs through June and any one of these three pieces can be purchased directly through the gallery at www.lkmix.com or by calling 561.586.5651. Also, you can contact me and I will be happy to assist you.

"On the Way to Taos" is from a very old photograph I have had for years... When I was engaged, my soon to be husband (now ex husband) and I took a motorcycle trip through Colorado and New Mexico. After a long day on the motorcycle winding in and around many mountains, we were hungry, tired and almost out of gas. We had passed NOTHING for miles and miles and I was beginning to panic just a little. And then out of nowhere- in the middle of nowhere- this little cafe gas station appeared...

“Pink Flamingo” - WIP

2009-05-17T09:41:00.007-04:00

A WIP is a “work in progress.” I have a lot of these paintings sitting around my studio, waiting for me to pick them up again. A painting is built by adding several layers of paint and detail. Oils need time to dry between layers, and I usually have to sit a piece aside while I am working on it so that it can dry. Drying can often take up to a week or more, so you can pretty much guess I am off to another piece in the meantime. I just started this painting of a pink flamingo and I am very excited about it because I have been wanting to paint it for a long time. West Palm Beach has this really cool place called Lion Country Safari where you can ride around in your car and see all different kinds of exotic animals. The boys and I love to go, and I always get some great pictures. I have already decided that when this painting is finished, I will make it available for purchase as a giclee.

“James Patterson”

2009-05-17T09:40:00.006-04:00

9x12 oil on canvas

Isn’t it interesting to watch couples? Their body language, the way they relate to each other... What better place to people watch than the beach? I could see this painting the minute I saw them. What a great natural composition. What a perfect color combination... What I didn’t know at the time, however, was what she was reading. My original photograph was taken at a pretty far distance away. It wasn’t until I got home, cropped the picture, and really studied it that I saw she was reading a James Patterson book. I am a HUGE James Patterson fan... “Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas” is one of my favorite books. Knowing that just made me love this little painting even more.

“Doc’s All American”

2009-05-17T09:38:00.007-04:00

10x14 oil on panel

sold

Doc’s All American is a great restaurant in Downtown Delray. It’s a Delray Beach landmark. You order at the window, can only sit outside, and you must pay in cash. They have great soft serve ice cream and the best Philly cheese steak in town. It’s a perfect place for a bite to eat after a long day on the beach. It took me forever to finish this painting because for some reason I could not get the palm trees to work. Palm Trees are something I have painted a lot of, but have yet to master...

"Diana"

2009-05-17T09:31:00.008-04:00

8x8 oil on panel

I often take my boys to the beach on a beautiful Sunday and while they are off playing in the ocean, I am often taking pictures of the scene around me. I was particularly struck by the beauty of this little girl hunting for sea shells. I was inspired to paint her after sketching a picture of “The Companion of Diana” for the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. This blog was created by an artist I really admire named Karin Jurick. She posts a picture every couple of weeks for artists to paint (or draw). She then posts all the submitted versions. The end result is close to a hundred different interpretations of the same image. I did not enter my sketch, but I did get inspired to paint this piece. How fitting for this piece to be named “Diana”...the goddess of the hunt.

“Old Sheller” LK MIX Art Gallery Selection

2009-05-17T09:18:00.011-04:00

9x12 oil on canvas

I am very excited to announce that I had two pieces selected to be part of an inaugural art exhibit at LK MIX Art Gallery in West Palm Beach Florida. The Exhibit is called “Uncommon Objects” and runs through May. See their website at www.lkmix.com for more information and other featured artists. Also, an online gallery of the exhibit can be viewed at http://www.pbase.com/durgagarcia/uo

“Old Sheller” is one of my favorite paintings. Not only is it one of my first beach paintings, I did it in one sitting which is rare for me. Here in Delray it is very common to see people walking up and down the beach with nets and things to grab sea shells. I have several different photographs of people doing this and I think it may just become a series...

It can be purchased directly through the gallery, or you can contact me and I will be happy to assist you. (This painting is professionally framed).

"Purple Umbrella" LK MIX Art Gallery Selection

2009-05-17T09:04:00.008-04:00

12x12 oil on canvas

I love this painting. I love the composition. I love the man who can wear this bathing suit and sit under a purple flowered umbrella. This painting is also jokingly known as “Man in Panties” as dubbed by my youngest son, Mason, and my beautiful friend, Feenie. Also, I have to give credit where credit is due. The photograph was taken by a friend of mine who -when he is not taking pictures of the hot moms on the beach with my camera- occasionally manages to capture a beautiful image worthy of painting. (Not to mention I told him to point in the direction of this guy and shoot). This painting is on exhibit at LK Mix through May. It can be purchased directly through the gallery, or you can contact me and I will be happy to assist you. (This painting is professionally framed).