"Goin' Home" by Edward Burton

oil

5 3/4"x8"

This is for Dana Cooper's book. I have been on a roll painting beach scenes, so here is one for Dana. This is my last posting for The Flying Moleskins.

Palm Towers by Dana Cooper

This is my submission for Michelle Burnett's moleskine book for the Flying Moleskin project. I have often heard visitors to California remark about the palm trees on their first view of the area. Michelle had asked that the artists who paint in her book paint anything to do with the artist or where they are from. So being from sunny southern California where these palms tower over many public spaces and streets, the trees were my choice. Having painted them before, I thought it would come easily...hmmm, guess again!

Hope you like this Michelle!

Pink Scarf and Pigtails - Michelle Burnett

Pink Scarf and Pigtails

colored pencil

This is for the wonderful Liz Holm for her theme: "portraits". I was at the rodeo several years ago and had my camera ready to take action shots of the bull and bronco riders for art reference photos, but I saw this girl working at the concessions. I admired her pigtails and scarf and thought that would make a more interesting subject for a painting. (By the way, every year the rodeo has one day dedicated to breast cancer awareness called "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" and everyone is supposed to wear pink, thus the reason for the pink scarf.)

I chose to draw this time because I've had a lot of "hurry up and wait" moments lately that are better for drawing. I drew the initial sketch while I was sitting in the waiting room at Jiffy Lube while my car got serviced!

I would like to spend more time on this because I love to work on portraits and I see a few things that need tweaking, but I will fuss with it forever if I don't stop so I think I'm going to send it on its way to Camille just in case she's got nothing else to do :) . Then I can get to work on her sketchbook next!

Testing the Water by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Irit Bourla's book. A father a bit cautious about entering the water and his son who can't wait to have some fun!

Your book is finally heading home to you after it's long journey, Irit.

A NEW DAY ! - Dominique Eichi

                                                    8  x  10  Acrylic

This is for Camille' moleskin- her theme is Peace or anything we wanted.
So I wanted something that brings me the "hope of peace" and a sunrise is what did it for me.
For with each new day is a fresh start.
I worked on those clouds a while, you would think they're easy but I had a dickens of a time with them.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear. Hosea 6:3

Light Lunch

I finally got a bit of time to finish Dana Cooper's moleskin painting. It's Remembrance Day in Canada, and here in Manitoba it's a day off which I am very thankful for, in that we have time to reflect upon, and remember our soldiers who have, and so bravely now serve our country. Dana's son as I recall is in their armed forces, so I did think about her and her family's contribution as I worked on this piece. The freedom to enjoy a beautiful, peaceful summer afternoon is one of the things our countries have always fought for, so it is my honor to try and depict this privilege which we enjoy on this amazing continent. To all of our servicemen and women, thank you.
oil on paper 16" x 5 1/2"

Help

Here is my contribution to Adebanji Alade's book on homelessness. I saw this man beside Highway 71 on our way to Houston a few weeks ago. He looked like anyone I might see in Austin listening to live music at Threadgill's. I wondered what his story was; times are hard for a lot of people. 8 x 10 oil.

"Autumn Lights" - Michelle Burnett

Autumn Lights

oil on gessoed paper

10.5"x8.5"

Here is my contribution to Angela Elledge's sketchbook for her theme of "places".  This place is just up the road from my home and I wanted the capture the great fall colors (which have mostly faded away here now). I tried to paint with mostly thick, quick brushstrokes to try to add light and movement to the trees and the stream.

Dolly for Dean

Earlier this year, Dean lost his sweet little Dolly, a tiny poodle who brought him unconditional love for 17 years. I attempted to work from the photo Dean posted of her on his blog, but it was too difficult to see the necessary detail. Dean, I hope this happy girl brings you fond memories of your Dolly.

James - The Birth of "Rock" Music & 3 Faves

If authors can have "Writer's Block", then artists can probably get "Paint Blahs" or something. I've been absent a while and I explained it sort of on my current blog on James Parker Art.
I'm sorry....I found both Ed and Vern's Journal staring at me, and woke up and started in motion again. Ed's theme is music...artists, images, ...anything to do with music. Going back a few eons, I have depicted the birth of "rock"music with the band "The Rolling Fossils" performing "The Wooly Mammoth Stomp". This was illustrated just moments before a real wooly mammoth came along and did, indeed, stomp them into fossils.


On the second page of Ed's Journal I did crude attempts at three of my favorite artists, The Moody Blues, Yanni, and Enya. And my apologies to all three of them.

Beached Sailboat for Dean

I almost chose animals for Dean Haven since he and I both like to paint them, but something, I'm not sure what, made me feel like doing a seaside scene. This summer we were in Port Aransas, Texas and I saw this catamaran on the shoreline. My husband thinks it was either a Hobie 18 or a Nacra. But it reminded me of when he and I were dating and we would go out on his Hobie Cat and oh man, we had so much fun. I wasn't a sailor but he was, and he did all the work and I lounged and got a tan. Not really, I held the rudder sometimes, and when we came about I'd duck the boom and jump to the other side. That's helping, right? Hope you enjoy, Dean! 8 x 10 acrylic on paper.

" Devlin and Callie " by Dominique Eichi

7  x  9  Watercolor Pencils

                   This is Devlin and Callie for Liz Holm moleskins . Her theme is portraits and the one done by Dana of her mom is so beautiful..... so mine went to the dogs !!!

 I am a dog lover and these two are so cute it was such a pleasure to draw them.

I haven't used my watercolor pencils in a while and thought it would be the perfect medium for these 2 pups.

"Blue" by Michelle Burnett

Blue 

colored pencil on paper

10.5"x8.5"

~

This is my contribution to Adebanji Alade's sketchbook. Since Adebanji chose such an important theme: "Homelessness", I wanted to convey the somber mood and sense of despair of the subject by using the color blue. For this sketch, I used Faber Castell Polychromos in Indianthrene blue and Dark indigo.

~
I greatly admire Adebanji's drawing skill so I was inspired to draw this time. All too often, I have (mistakenly) seen drawing as a chore that is necessary to get past so I can get to the fun of painting. I had forgotten the pleasure of drawing itself and really enjoyed this using this medium again.

~
Thank you, Adebanji for this thoughtful theme.

"The Girl Behind The Painting" by Dana Cooper

10" X 8" oil on paper

This piece is for fellow moleskin artist Camille Olsen. I only know Camille from blogging and facebook, yet somehow I feel that I know her. Besides being beautiful she is full of laughter and life...all very appealing characteristics.
I'm not sure I completely captured her likeness, but the whole painting was fun from start to finish. I would like to really know the girl behind the paintings!
Sorry for the glare, I varnished it before I photographed it...oops!

Gondolas by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Michelle Burnett whose moleskin theme is "Postcards and Snapshots". I decided to do a painting of one of my favaorite places - Venice. The long gondolas seemed to be a perfect choice for the format of her book.

Capistrano Courtyard by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Dominique whose moleskin's theme is landscapes, trees, roads, shadows and light. This is a small courtyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano - I consider it to be one of the most beautiful missions in California.

Who's That? by Dana Cooper

James Parker is the artist in our group who always uses humor in his work so when he asked that everyone paint animals I knew that I would be painting giraffes...there is something in their look that makes me smile and occasionally laugh. James, I hope this makes you smile too!

October Sky for Sheila from Liz

acrylic on paper

Fall is my favorite season. I love the deepening, more intense colors, the cool snap to the air,  the quickened pace.  Free from summer's humid weight, life feels sharper, clearer, more textured.  Light is lower, shadows longer, richer, and more mysterious. I imagine the trees are relieved to drop the burden of holding up all of those leaves, and sing when they decorate the landscape.


Wishing you a bountiful new season. xo

Liz's Mom by Dana Cooper

7" X 6" oil on gessoed paper

This is my submission for Liz Holm's book. She asked for the other artists to do portraits of some sort which I really love doing. So with a little sleuthing I found an image of Liz's mom on facebook. Though this may not be an exact likeness, I hope I was able to capture something of her spirit!

I am currently in possession of three of these moleskin books and I have to say to the other artists in the project that I am blown away by the quality of every piece in these books. To hold them in my hand and see what the camera does not capture is a real treat beyond words!

Crazy About Shoes

My contribution to Irit Bourla's moleskin book is a response to her shoe problem...ha! Irit seems to love shoes, so I thought I'd indulge her with this painting. One of the figures in this painting is Rose, who also loves shoes, and here she is "sight seeing" in Germany. (Hint, she's the granny on the left). They do have some amazing shoes there. Rose bought those spikey red ones.
oil on paper 11 1/2" x 8"

" the road ahead " Dominique Eichi

                                                   7  x 9  Acrylics

This is for Angela's moleskins it seems that I reverted to what I like to paint, roads, trees and such with shadows. ( I guess it's my theme in your book Angela) Sorry !
May the road ahead for you be always filled with laughter, mercy, grace, but especially love dear Angela. Hope you like it.
It's coming your way Michelle

"End Of The Day" For Camille

I had 3 books this month. All 3 are going out to Dana....sorry!
 This one is for Camille.
"End of the day" a face without details but the body language say it all.
I hope you like it Camille.
Please visit her blog : Camille

"Domestic Geese" For James

I had 3 books this month. This painting is for James.
To you James, the animal lover with love.
I hope you like it.
Please visit James blog here: James Parker

To Dean: The Promise of a New Day

The Promise of A New Day

My favorite time of the day is sunrise. There is this quiet, yet powerful and glorious beauty to greet you and start your day. The world is still and the hustle has not started yet. It's a wonderful time to reflect on what the day has in store.

I took the reference photo from my cell phone one morning last year and have always wanted to paint it.  It's a little sketchy (must paint more often!) but it felt nice to get back into the swing of things. My apologies to Dean and thanks to all of you for your patience!  (It's headed your way Camille!)

Is This Your Dog

I finally finished this painting for Dominque. It really doesn't fall into the guidelines that she set out for her moleskin theme, but encouraged by her reaction to my latest figure pieces, I thought I would do this one anyway. I know she loves dogs, and street scenes, so here it is my friend, an urban landscape complete with animal, vegetable and mineral. oil on paper 11 1/2" x 8"

Ed, I'll mail this to you next week after it dries. Sorry that I'm holding up the show here everyone.

HENRY...for Vern Schwarz

8x10 oil on watercolor paper

Actually this painting is incorrectly titled, it should read: Henry, My Nemesis! I met Henry while painting plein air a while ago. He walked up to me wearing a blue on blue polka dot choker collar, he had a sleek short hair cut, and the wildest pompadour, complete with a topknot. His owners graciously allowed me to photograph him; Henry was obviously comfortable in front of the camera as every shot of him was perfect, all ready for a painting.

Now, for the nemesis part. Henry has been the most difficult dog I have ever painted, I should know, this is my 4th painting of him. My other 3 Henry paintings...ready for a bonfire come winter...include his full body. Something about that wild hair-do with the sleek body did not make a lovely painting, too much of a textural weird contrast or at least that's how I've justified those 3 bonfire failures. My husband (thanks, honey) has assured me "not all dogs are supposed to be painted and this one is just ugly".

I still don't know why I selected Henry for Vern's book, I just felt compelled to paint this dog and succeed for once. Cropping that wild pompadour with the topknot and focusing on Henry's face was a huge help, I am pleased with my 4th and I guess final painting of Henry.

Tracy Grant

First of all, I need to apologize to everyone for being so tardy with painting these days. And I won't get a lot of opportunity in the next couple of weeks...WORK...UGH! Hopefully, this will be dry enough to send along to Ed at the end of the week. With that out of the way, this is a portrait of Tracy Grant, one of Michelle's painting buddies who just happened to be attending Doug's workshop with me in Helper. She was a lot of fun to hang with, and graciously allowed me to snap off a few photos to aid in surprising Michelle.
oil on paper 16" x 8"

Outside My Window--From Dean For Irit

Close up

This is acrylic in Irit's moleskin. I also tossed in a little line work in ink.

Irit chose local places as her theme. I must confess my favorite local places are my back yard and my house. There I feel most comfortable and connected to art work.
This spring I bought a camera with a great zoom capability. Birds , unsuspecting people and their pets are all fair game to the lens. This fella was walking his mini pinscher across the street outside my kitchen window.

I hope you like it, Irit!

Get ready for some moleskins, Vern, my friend.

Work In Progress....for Angela, by Dana

This is my submission for Angela Elledge's Flying Moleskin book. Angela is a gifted fellow artist/blogger who works at the West Dallas Community School. Angela's art is often of pets as well as children from the school.

The title suggests that though the portrait is a work in progress, so is the child.

It was a delight to create this piece for Angela, one who understands that we are all works in progress!

Van Gogh's "Starry Night"--Dean H.

Close ups

This is acrylic on gessoed paper in moleskin book...5 1/2 x 16 in. Also used a bit of ink work plus color pencil...Mixed media.

This is my contribution to Dana's book. She selected a dream theme. For a long while, I had no idea what to paint...until I slept on it, that is...Lol.

I don't know exactly what led me to think of "Starry Night" but as I read up on it, and Van Gogh, I knew this was a great solution to the dream theme.
The following is some interesting information and quotes that tie it all together...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.

During Van Gogh's younger years (1876-1880) he wanted to dedicate his life to evangelization of those in poverty. Many believe that this religious endeavor may be reflected in the eleven stars of the painting. In Genesis 37:9 the following statement is made:

"And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."
from Van Gogh Library
~~~~~~~~~~~
"I dream of painting and then I paint my dream."
Vincent Van Gogh
~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion. Then I go out and paint the stars."
Vincent Van Gogh
~~~~~~~~~~~
I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.
Vincent Van Gogh
~~~~~~~~~~~
Within a cropped version of "Starry Night" I superimposed a Van Gogh self portrait. The original portrait had anguished eyes and a down turned mouth. I modified it by closing his eyes and giving him a little smile...as in peaceful sleep...the land of a genius' dreams...

I hope you like it Dana!

"Momma Was Pretty" By Irit

This is for Liz Holm whose moleskin subject  is portraits.
Her Mom is sick, Liz gave up on her carrier just to be able to take care of her. Her Mom blessed  having such a great daughter. My Mom also having the same illness and my brother is taking care of her.
Liz is dealing with a very difficult situation but hanging on.
"Momma Was Pretty" is for you Liz with love, always remember  the good things about your Mom..
Oil on paper.
Please visit her Blog : Liz Holm

Ducks for Edward Burton

Edward had requested a theme of music for his book, but I for some reason had a little trouble coming up with an idea on that. So I went with Plan B, to paint these chilled out ducks I saw at Canyon Lake this past Sunday afternoon. They had just caught sight of people with french fries, and they also liked my hulled sunflower seeds. I'm a huge fan of ducks; we used to have some that hung out in our back yard in Dallas that overlooked Turtle Creek. We had a treehouse, and not a care in the world. These take me back to that time. But to link it to music, I'm pretty sure we were listening to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and grilling burgers while the ducks were in our yard. There's your music, Edward. Enjoy! 8 x 10 oil on canvas

"Visiting Monet" by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Camille Olsen. This fellow is checking out the Monet collection at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I love these kinds of scenes and love painting them.

STEAK=OUT for Sheila...James

Sheila's theme for her Moleskin is "Things You Love". Aside from the "Four F's"... Faith, Family, Friends and Freedom, that leaves my pups, Pokey and Taco Belle, Art and 18 Billion other things. While pondering this dilemma in 108 degree temps, out sitting under a tree, after a long day slaving in the greenhouse, and wondering where my energy went...I gave up, had a beer, and took a nap. Did the same thing the next day. And for the next 6 days. That's why I'm a week late. Then one day, I came home with a bit of pep left, thirsty and hungry. So I whipped up a steak, and a big stuffed potato, and a Zeigenbock Amber (only in Texas). While I was dining, I thought.."Man. I Love This". So I decided to paint it. That's why it's a little less than good....Had to paint it from memory. Bon Apetit.. Sheila!!!

DAY DREAMING II

Dana had as her theme "dreams" and I could only think of my boy Josh when he was younger. He would get into and box and just get lost, looking into the sunshine outside. He did a lot of day dreaming as can be seen in the first one I did HERE.





I have done this piece in gouache on mount-board.

What if Christ came into my Clutter?

Irit has her theme local places. But I couldn't get any inspiration from where I had been locally recently, but I love my cluttered room. I could spend all day there and I wondered, what if, my best friend, Christ, came into my Clutter? What would He do? I then used my Italian friend as a model to set up the possiblity of this happening? What do you think would happen? I think He'd look up and pray I.............



I have done this piece in gouache on mount-board.

"Open House" by Irit

This painting is for Angela

I painted this from a memory I have from an open house that I went to, I love going to open houses in my area.
In this house all I remember is lots of red in the kitchen. Red is  my favorite color.

This painting was almost finished when my grandkids were visiting us and one of them ,by mistake, put a book on the fresh paint.

I tried my best to save this painting but unfortunately the result was not exactly what I was hoping for.

My Stuff - Dominique Eichi

                                                      8  x  10      Oil

Well this one is for Adebanji's Moleskins and his theme is Homelessness / Poverty.

I've been thinking about this book for months and I like painting faces so I've been taking pictures of different people I see around my city (San Diego) wanting to get one that represent what I hoped to portray.

But it seems that something else was in the works for me.

A few days ago this picture jumped at me walking downtown with Tiffany. I thought it was striking as it was making this homeless stuff so in your face with the lights and shadows.

So I've been thinking about it and it seem as we all consider Our stuff to be very important, yet we will not be able to take it with us when we die and most of our children do not like our stuff so they will sell it as soon as we're gone to get their stuff. So, I guess this reminder is for me, to take my stuff with a light heart and be ready to give it away to those that might need it more than me, after all it's only STUFF.

God doesn't bless us to increase our standard of living.

God blesses us to increase our standard of giving.

He gives us money to check our hearts. If you love money you will use people. If you love people you will use money.

DO-SI-DO for Edward

8x11 oil on moleskine sketchbook

Until I read Edward's introduction in his book, I had no idea what I was going to paint for his music theme. When I read "people dancing", I knew immediately I would attempt this painting.

At my school, after studying Pioneer times, 2nd grade has a day where they celebrate the Pioneer life of long ago. The children are dressed in period costumes and have fun experiencing Pioneer times. One of our grandmothers dresses the part and tells "stories" of her travels West. After her stories, she plays her autoharp and the children dance. This is Jules dancing with one of our parent volunteers. I don't have favorite students, instead I have a whole school (250 students) of favorites. Jules is special, she loves art and I love her!

Here is a short video of my school, click here, you can see a real quick shot of Jules drinking milk in the dining hall and then later eating a sandwich. As sad I as I am for my summer vacation to end, after watching this video again, I cannot wait to see my students!

Liz's Front Porch for Irit

my front porch
mixed media sketch

Irit's journal theme is local places.  Since my travels are more restricted these days, I figured just out the front door would qualify.  Our home was built in 1920, and has a long, covered porch with a swing at one end. When the weather's not too hot, it's a (relatively) quiet place to relax.  So relaxing, in fact, that it wasn't until I'd finished this piece that I realized I'd done it upside down in the book. My apologies, Irit, but I've cut it out, and glued it in right side up.
xoLiz

Santa Barbara Mission-Dean H.

This is acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper approx 9.75 x 6.5 in.

Here is my entry for Dominique's moleskin. Her theme is gates...pathways...passages.
I thought this fit her theme perfectly...with the mission and illuminated cross symbolizing the most wonderful journey of all.

Hope you like this one, Dominique, and thank you for inviting me into this wonderful group of the Flying Moleskins.

Adebanji sent both Michelle's and Dominique's books to me in one package. So that is how both of these will be sent to you, Vern. They will be on their way today.

The image for this painting comes from the A Day Not Wasted painting challenge for July.
It's hosted by a great photographer and artist, Lee Brown...check it out.

Gone Fishin'-Dean H.

Close ups

This is acrylic approx.5x8...on two pages.

This is for Michelle's book. The theme being favorite things...places...memories.
I used to spend more time than any human being should, trying to figure out and many times catching the great large mouth bass. Doing this painting revived many pleasant memories of being wrapped in nature-studying all her many moods and creatures. I feel the experience works it's way into my paintings.

Hope you like it, Michelle.

This and Dominique's book will be headed your way Vern!

His Glory - Dominique Eichi

                                                   8  x  10  Oil

Well first off I have to admit I'm not very good with my own deadlines combined with my job makes for delays, so sorry for the late entry. It's on it's way-> to you Michelle.
This is for Dean's moleskins. I knew what I wanted to paint but to do it with out fear in someone else's book and in oil,  yikes !!
Hope you like Dean.
Isaiah 6:3  The whole earth is full of his glory