Doll Blues

I don't know what kind of doll is this. Do you? She sits hopng and waiting for someone to play with her. Ready, all in blue.
Hope to paint someday a Shirley Temple or Chaty Cathy.
12x16 oil on canvas. Available @ Studio 55

Granny Smith Silver

Just because I like these apples ....more than the red ones. The silver did not belong to my granny, it was a gift from a modern practical friend. Polish it? Whenever. Oil on canvas. 8x10 Available @ Studio 55

Mango Mania

A mango smoothie..... on a hot summer day, under the shade of a mango tree. A hammock under that tree.. Wake up. Those mangoes fall on the ground without mercy! A smoothie is still a good idea. Oil on canvas 8x10 Available @ Studio 55

Watermelon Slice

Getting ready for the summer? These are cold and dripping with sweet juice. Have a slice or more. oil on canvas 8x10
Availabe @ Studio 55

Carrucho

A conch that once was a lamp...you cannot see it but it has a tiny hole in the back to insert a small light bulb. No longer the mollusk's residence, no longer a lamp. Now it is just a visual reminder of beach life. 8x10 nfs

P.R. Sentry

Standing from La Rogativa and across the bay you can see the town of Cataño. To the left you can see the sentry box hanging from the city wall. It has been empty for the longest time, no sentinels to watch afar. Are you feeling the tropical heat and the ocean breezes? Go across the street and get a lemon "limber" or "duro-frío".
Thank you LCB for the photo! 8x10 Oil on canvas. Available @ Studio 55/ SOLD

Welcome

This is not the front door of this house, it is the side porch. Wouldn't you feel welcome? Say, early morning, come for coffee and chit chat? Afternoon iced tea and a book?
11x14 Available @ Studio 55

Retired

Wouldn't it be nice to be retired in such scenery? I have to admit this was not all my inspiration. I took a photo of this lady's arrangement and then changed things a little here and there. Used what they call artistic license , well, maybe more like a passport. Always wondered how a water pump looked up close and as soon as I saw it I knew it had to be on canvas. 20x20 Sold

East Texas Nostalgia

I have not lived in East Texas enough time to have a real sense of nostalgia but this old style house and with the sun on it in the afternoon gave me that feeling. Pink azaleas in bloom tell you this was a Spring painting. So here it is. That is the reason for its title. More suitable and agreeable than something related to this taxing day.

oil on canvas12x16

Availabe @ Studio 55 tel.409 860-4415

After the Rain

Can you see the egret in the distance? They were flying all over after the rain. Our painting group was greatly reduced this cold rainy day. Less than half came packed up with easels, gloves and extra layer of clothing. Luckily we found cover in the park and quickly started to paint. The park was ours that day- very few passersby. 9x12

Texas Flora

I think this plant looks like the Opuntia ficus-indica just by its looks. I found it in my backyard but decided it was not good company for children or pets. Off it went. I took a photo of the bloom and that was that. Now I find out it was almost like magic potion.
The fruit is used to produce preserves, jelly, pies, candy, syrup, sorbet, drinks, and wine....It is known for its ability to lower blood sugar levels, helping with diabetes. Apparently it coats the gastrointestinal tract. It is said to be effective if taken prior to drinking alcohol in preventing hangover. Good for treating gastrointestinal infections, strengthening the tissues of the digestive tract, and in lowering cholesterol. It is loaded with Vitamins B1 and B6 and Calcium. Just like the aloe , the juice or split pad section could be used topically for minor scrapes and burns....

Maybe it should be renamed Merck-Opuntia!
Oil on canvas 8x10 Available @ Studio 55 SOLD

Germantown Iris

This Iris was from the little park by the railroad tracks in Germantown. It sure makes me want to have some in my new backyard. I used to have some but they were a deeper purple than these. I think these are the bearded variety. I just ploppled mine on the flower bed and they gave me flowers the 2nd year. Must have liked the spot I picked for them.
Oil Painting on Canvas 10x10 Available @ Studio 55

Tyrrell Calla Lily

This one is from Tyrell Park. Photo was taken at noon. Flower was as white as it could be. You could find them in different colors such as orange, pink, burgundy, apricot,red.... Plant in partial shade. The bulbs or tubers require a loose and well draining soil. Mulch your soil to avoid excessive soil temperatures. Keep soil moist but not water sodden.
10x10 Available

Poppies at Mercer

Mercer Arboretum, that is. I thought all were fiery red but these are a warm pink. The reference photograph was taken before Ike did his deed. I have not been there since, I wonder what survived. Oil Painting on canvas 10x10
SOLD

Brassy and Easy

The girl is made out of brass and the gardening is easy. That is all! Saw this little girl in a garden at house show in Memphis. I liked that she was hidden in all those roses. I like roses but have none in my garden now. Care of roses: prefer a full day of sun, minimum of direct sun 6 hrs/day. They like a lot of water and a soil that is pH of 6 to 6.8. They bloom in late Spring or early Summer. They do poorly in shady conditions. I will be looking at the local nursery and be ready for next year. I like easy going gardens. Got any tips?
Oil Painting on linen canvas 20x20 Available.

Red Door Cellar

The red door of this "casita" leads the way to a wine cellar (cave) south of Aix, Provence. This one was Karen's surprise birthday gift for her husband. Now it is safe to show it on the blog. Enjoyed painting this one, the reference photos were very good. Thanks for the photos.
Oil Painting on canvas 9x12 nfs

Fresas

Fresas= Strawberries This one I did it my way. Followed no instructions. Just painted them with ease to see what happened. Used my own photo and it does not look like the original at all. Should have titled this one Fresa Salvaje ( try to sing Camilo Sesto's tune while you say it- wo oh oh!) Oil Painting on canvas 8x10
Available@ Studio 55, An Original Art and Gift Shop

Tropical Waters

A parenthesis... this little painting just lives in Memphis now. This one was inspired by a photo my brother took near my grandmother's house. Lots of trees in this "quebrada". Will get back to the still life paintings later on.

Caribe Door

This little door is in Old San Juan. Michelle Irizarry has shared her photo on Wet Canvas and has painted a watercolor version of the same door. This one is a "keeper". It really works on my nostalgia to paint these little ones.
Oil Painting on canvas 8x10 nfs

Pink Carnations

When I see these flowers two things come to my mind. First is the label of Carnation's Evaporated Milk and then the Flinstones. Probably most of you have a romantic feeling for this flower but it just reminds me of Fridays, 4:00 pm, Pedro Picapiedra and Pablo Mármol. Carnation was their sponsor. Was it in WAPA TV? This painting was my second attempt, the first one turned out very opaque and has passed to the "under the bed" archives. I am satisfied with the way the light moved from the back to the front. This was painted outside Judy's too.
10x10 oil on linen canvas

Girasoles

Girasoles=Sunflowers ☺¡Birgit, aquí están! These were fun to paint. Judy had placed these on a table outside her studio and the cool breeze moved those little petals constantly. I am glad my camera helped me freeze the petals and light in place. 9x12 oil on canvas

Available @ Studio 55

Plein Air Prelude!

These are some images of the class with Judy Crowe in Spring, Tx. The hours go very fast when you are there. We have been painting at her studio from still life set ups that she arranges with the prettiest vases and natural flowers and fruits. We tried once outside the studio; the weather and light were ideal. The sun was not shy that cool morning and the light hit the glass just right to make unique sparkles. Another day we visited Mercer Arboretum. It was warmer, we were cautioned about the snakes, the sun was temperamental- it would appear whenever. Beautiful scenery everywhere- hard to decide where to paint. Our last adventure was somewhere in North Houston. We followed in our cars to the location and unpacked. I got my gear under a big tree. No bees, no snakes, no ants. Not a scorching sun, nice breeze. A demo was done each time and the pressure was on to hit those colors right! One tries. So, what is on your easel these days? Next post: the sunflowers in the blue jar.

Casita in the South

This casita is in Atlanta, painted from the owner's photographs. I was pleased the yellow color was present once again. I think the yellow tree could be a maple. The green to the left is certainly a magnolia. Sold.

Casita Amarilla, Mara in Old San Juan

Yellow house again?! This one is in Old San Juan, corner of Calle de la Cruz and the street that goes down. Sorry, can not remember the name of that street. We have Silky Terrier Mara waiting outside for her owner..... We know who you are!! This painting was accepted for the Beaumont Art League National 2008 Exhibition. 20x20 SOLD- to a good home

Casita Amarilla II

This casita is really a hotel in Fajardo.
20x20 sold

Casita Amarilla

Do you remember seeing it on the left side of the road, from Aguada to Rincon? Painted this one a while back and yes, the electric box in the balcony is missing. It was an ugly box. :)

Orquídeas

These were the only orchids I could grow in Memphis. I slowly killed a much loved gift, a Vanda, the color of Dioxizine Purple straight from the tube. It lasted years without blooming, each year losing a leaf. This April I have 2 real ones in bloom. Texas is more humid than Memphis? It had to be good somehow. There is hope of more orchid paintings to come.
8x10 Oil in Canvas nfs

Mary's Magnolias

The title of this painting is Mary's Magnolias. I painted these from Mary's flowers in her dreamy garden in Memphis. At her studio we had great times with coffee , music, good conversation and "the view". On April 12th it was awarded Best of Show at the Gold Coast Art League. Good news to receive so near tax time!
Oil Painting on canvas 12x24. nfs

Faro de Rincón

This lighthouse is on the West coast of Puerto Rico. It is on the town of Rincón. 8x10 nfs