Happy to be back

I am so happy that my travel is behind me (for now).  California was sensational!  Spending time with friends in Monterey at the Weekend with the Masters was wonderful and then too to have the opportunity to hear and paint along side some all stars was a cherry a'top that treat.  Following the conference, the wonderful Rachel Constantine and I had a brief but amazing adventure in the most beautiful place - Big Sur.  The locals took us in and made us feel right at home.  I won't soon forget it!  And then too, my visit down to Laguna Beach was a whirlwind trying to squeeze in as many visits with old friends as possible in 48 hours.  Thank you to the beautiful Stefani Tewes for lending me your amazing studio as a place to rest my head.  The lecture at LCAD went rather well.  I had several students come up to me after with compliments and gratitude.  I'm so happy that my experiences as an artist can inspire other artists.  It's a wonderful life, being an artist.  But I must admit, I was itching to get home to my family.  Now that I'm back, my babes look bigger and seem smarter.  My patient husband has managed to keep them alive and well.  I'm so grateful to their amazing daddy!  

Back into the studio I jumped.  This week I have finished two paintings.  The first is a study for a much larger work to come called Dumb Luck.  I won't give too much away at this point, but I'm really looking forward to diving into this large painting.  The second painting is one I have been sporadically working on for nearly 9 months.  With all the travel I have done this year, this poor painting kept getting put in the corner half done.  Now that I was able to focus on it for a bit, I think she's done.  Right??  I think there are still a few more things I will tweak on it till the two big, custom panels from Ampersand arrive.   Any suggestions for areas that you see need tweaking, speak up in the comments section. 

Study for Dumb Luck, oil on panel, 16" x 12"

Home Maker, oil on panel, 48" x 36"