I decided to just look out the window and find a composition.  This one went really fast and now I'm thinking of doing more on a garden theme.  I have some antique objects in my yard that came from downtown.  Still I want to do less detail.  Today a beautiful green bird flew into the window.  It has happened before.  So I have to figure out a way to prevent it without blocking out the light.  I think there is more subject matter in the yard but it is still too hot to be out a long time.  I painted downtown with friends last week.  It's so hard but so nice to be out and paint from life.  

Painted paper collage of mother and child at the beach.  Color is everything.

Returning from painting in Tennessee, I realized it is about space.  I learned a lot from Peggy at Root Studio School.  This was such an enjoyable experience to be outside by the creek with all kinds of nature sounds, a nice breeze and the train.  But I am looking a lot at David Hockney now.  The variety of styles and mediums, the way he worked out problems, painting the Grand Canyon, the pools, the iPad landscapes.  Amazing.  

After making countless little collages with acrylic painted paper strips, I went back to "serious" painting in oil.  Now I'm finding I really miss the ease of color mixing in water based media. The above is a color study I did in my sketchbook with acrylic.  Which way to go?

It's hard to believe these small collages can generate so much paper.  I use acrylic paint to make lots of strips in varying colors and values.  I have just finished 10 collages featuring local architecture.  The "Little Houses" pop up show will be in March on the Charleston Artist Collective website.  They are 6x6 (framed 7x7) in white wood frames.  Next I will be doing similar images larger and in oil.  Love making these small works but its time for a change.

These are small (7x7 framed) collages for December available at Charleston Artist Collective.  I used Matisse as my inspiration.  I really enjoy doing these small ones because its easier to try new things.  

I have just finished 5 Matisse inspired figures for the Charleston Artist Collective.  They will be at Whilden Street Gallery in Mt. Pleasant for the Holiday Show.  They are 6x6 and framed in white wooden frames.  I am working on "allowing the work to lead me. "  Advice from the I Ching.    

Seeing art in a photo always makes me want to change something.  However this is not exactly how it looks.  I have made a few larger collages.  This was inspired by Matisse.  This was sold and it makes me so happy. Her kimono has pictures of the Wappoo Bridge. It took a long time and went through many stages.