Life is a Great Big Canvas

Many years ago, there was a man named Judah, and he had three sons. The eldest, named Er, married a woman named Tamar. Er was a wicked man, and the God of Israel struck him dead because of his evil ways. This left Tamar childless, which meant two things: her late husband would have no heir, and Tamar might be left to survive on her own, which was very difficult, if not close to impossible, for single women and widows in those days. Judah told his second son, Onan, to take Tamar as his wife. If she conceived, that firstborn son would become Er's heir. Onan agreed to marry her, but used means to keep her from becoming pregnant. God saw this, that he was undermining the plan Judah had for Tamar and Er's heritage, and so God struck him down dead. Judah had one son left, Shelah. He was but a child. It would be many years before he would be old enough to have a wife, so Judah took in Tamar as part of his household, to wait for that day. Tamar, however, had doubts. This so...

Vashti, Queen of Persia, wife of the mighty Xerxes. Some believed that she was the most beautiful woman in the world. King Xerxes certainly did. Once, during a great feast, he ordered his queen to reveal her beauty to all the men in attendance. This did not mean just unveiling her face, but unveiling everything. He wanted her to dance before them, so they could receive pleasure at her sight. It was unheard of for anyone to say no to a king's order and live. Perhaps Vashti hated being treated like a piece of meat. Perhaps, being the queen and mother of Xerxes' heir, she felt that she should receive more honor and respect. For whatever reason, she stood up to her husband, the king, and said NO. Vashti, charcoal, 2014, SOLD Xerxes consulted with the wise men on what to do with her. He must have loved her somewhat, because she would not be put to death for this crime. But he had to do something. If he just let it pass, then the other women of the kingdom might rise up ...

As I am constantly creating more art, I am running out of room to put everything! I am letting these pieces go at clearance prices. Do your Christmas shopping early and get some awesome art at great prices! My loss is your gain! Shipping is based on package weight, free delivery or pickup in Baker City, Oregon. Please click here if you are interested in purchasing. Historic home 1  pen and ink, $30 unframed Geisha, oil, 12x16", $75 unframed Starlight House, pen and ink, $30 unframed South African Man, pen and ink, $20 framed Rainforest, oil, 12x16", $75 unframed The Brothel, pen and ink, $30 unframed Baker Towers Flowers, oil, $75 unframed African Child charcoal, $75 framed The Guardian, charcoal, $75 framed

The Caves at Lascaux in southwestern France, are famous the world over for the paintings on their walls. These are some of the earliest paintings found, and are dated around 15,000-17,000 BC, and were discovered by a group of teenagers in 1940. Like the Chauvet Cave Paintings, the Caves at Lascaux were protected for thousands of years by a landslide which sealed off all access. The caves were open to the public in 1948.By 1955, some of the cave's art began to deteriorate due to all the visitors and the change in the cave's climate. Lichens and crystals and fungus appeared, which were not present before. As a result, the caves were closed in 1963, with access granted only to a few scientists. Still today, only a few scientists are permitted, and the scientific community is working to preserve and restore the paintings. In 1983, an exact replica of the Great Hall of the Bulls and the Painted Gallery, created under Monique Peytral, was opened a short distance from t...

I am excited to share with you my first show (outside of my own gallery) where I am a featured artist! For the month of February, I am sharing the spot of featured artist with the wonderful Maja Shaw of Richland Washington (also her first time as featured artist), at Crossroads Carnegie Arts Center here in Baker City, Oregon. I am showing figures and still lifes in oil and charcoal, and Maja is showing her florals and landscapes in watercolor. I am debuting "Hadassah" at this show, another figure/portrait in my series of exotic women, along with Delilah (seen in the poster) and Tamar. I plan on doing a few more in this series. Maja's watercolors are very vivid. Her florals are not soft, but lively and intense, as though viewed at mid-day with the sun shining down on them. They are very fresh, and well-executed. Drop by Crossroads any time this month to see our show. Who says oil and water can't mix? For more of Maja Shaw's work, visit her websit...

I have gotten behind in posting my art here, but these were my final projects for my first semester. From top to bottom, they are Matthew, Emily, and Elizabeth, my children. I had so much fun working in charcoal, and was excited that I was able to choose all three of my kids for school projects.

This nude is an exercise in foreshortening. Hopefully we will be done with nudes soon!

These feet belong to my daughters Elizabeth and Emily. I think I am going to have to do another piece to go with it to show Emily's other foot and maybe Matthew's big ol' feet. Charcoal, 2009

These are the hands of my husband, Andy, done for Figure Drawing, Charcoal, 2009

This is my friend Lori who was kind enough to pose for me for this portrait. Charcoal, 18x24", 2009

This is Elizabeth's hand holding a Tootsie Pop. I did thisfor Figure Drawing. Charcoal, 2009

This was a piece I did for extra credit in Figure Drawing. I am happy with it except for the foot on the floor, I just couldn't get it to turn out right. I may work on it more later on. Charcoal, 18x24", 2009

I did this one for Analysis of Form. The drape in the back is my favorite ballet dress. The point shoes are also mine to use, as is the violin. I was really happy with how this piece turned out. It was a lot of work. The pearls alone took three hours to render. Charcoal, 18x24", 2009

This one cracks me up, no pun intended. This is a nude I drew for Figure Drawing. It looks like he is playing Twister naked. I am really temped to put the Twister game underneath him. It looks like a really uncomfortable pose....I wonder if he had to stay like that for very long? 2009, charcoal.

I just finished this nude for week 5 of Figure drawing. Can you see the improvement compared to the other two I did? I am pretty happy with the way this one turned out. I think her right foot could use a little more work which I probably will do later.

This is one of the eagles perched on the Baker Towers, on the corner of Main and Auburn in Baker City, Oregon. This is done in charcoal. This will be on display and for sale for the month of October 2009 at Short Term Gallery on Main St.

I started and finished this tonight. It is based on a photograph taken by Monte Loyd. It was done in charcoal, 11x14". I never thought I would like working in charcoal. It is so messy and I don't like being messy, but I am really enjoying experimenting with charcoal.

This is another school assignment for week 3 of Analysis of Form.This took about 7 hours of work. I am pretty happy with how it turned out, although I think I might have to darken the core shadow on the teapot just a little. This was done on 18x24 charcoal paper, in charcoal, September 2009.

This was my project for last week in Analysis of Form. I spent eleven hours drawing each shape separately and then finishing up with the "grand finale" of all four shapes together. I am having a great time in my classes. It is challenging, but very fulfilling.

Here is my other nude sketch that I just now finished. I am really happy with the way that these turned out.