Four Oranges

The heat of the summer in Tucson, Arizona keeps me from painting outdoors.  So what do I do? I paint indoors.  The back of our house brings in abundance of western light.  I decided to start a citrus series using oranges, keylimes, limes, lemons, and grapefruit.  I placed each of the fruit on a white acrylic sheet to show the reflection of the of the objects in the bright light.  This was the result of my efforts of "Four Oranges" painted in oil.

This piece was done in once sitting.  I used bold strokes using a limited palette of red, blue, yellow, orange, and white.  I enjoyed placing each orange in this impressionistic still life.  I intended for the viewer to see this still life as if he or she could literally taste the sweetness of the oranges.  Whether my intention worked or not, I'll leave that to the mind of the viewer.

Shown are some work in progress pictures of "Four Oranges".  Enjoy!

Sunset In New Mexico

 New Mexico was my first home.  I was raised in a small town called Alamogordo.  After high school, I moved to Albuquerque to pursue a dental hygiene degree, then moved with my husband to Tucson, Arizona.  We frequently make trips to and from Albuquerque to visit family.  This painting was inspired by the New Mexico sunset during a trip back to Tucson.  I shot a reference photograph on Highway 26 between Hatch and Deming, New Mexico to help recreate the scene.  From the photo and memory, I completed this triptych panoramic view of a gorgeous New Mexico sunset.  It was done using oil paints on three 4" x 4" canvases.  

Agua Caliente

       When I was pregnant with my late son, Bodhi, evenings after long work days at the dental office were focused on my two-year-old daughter, Carli.  I rarely had time to paint because she was a handful!  However, I managed to sneak this painting in called "Agua Caliente".  It is this hidden natural spring in north-east Tucson, Arizona.  I take my daughter here often, and enjoy their historic art gallery.  If you ever visit Tucson, I recommend it!

Reflection of a Great Blue Heron

"Reflection of a Great Blue Heron" is a plein air composition completed on location.  It was done at Fort Lowell Park in Tucson, AZ.  I found the perfect spot in the shadow of a large sign. Where I sat showed only the reflection of the bird sitting on a branch of a log in a pond with two big trees in the foreground.  Luckily, the bird perched on that branch the whole hour I painted him!  An ant bit my lower back, but it was definitely worth it.