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.  

That's a quote from John Singer Sargent and it makes so much sense to me.  Even though I am posting collages I am revisiting Sargent in my painting dreams.  I just finished a workshop with the great Mary Whyte.  No, I'm not doing watercolor, but maybe some water media.  It was just a bucket list thing I guess, and well worth it.  Now the collage stuff is still out in my studio but rearranging is taking place.  This Spring has just been an inspiration to me.  Painting downtown has been fun and unpredictable as usual.  What are the chances of a Cato fashion shoot setting up right in front of us? If I had a dollar every time someone walking by joked about being in the painting.  Smart ass response?  Let me know your thoughts.  

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.

My friend and former neighbor Tanya Craig opened a beautiful new art and craft gallery at Folly Beach.  The blue bungalow was transformed from a funky little rental cottage, where my daughter and husband spent their wedding night.  Now it is a gathering place for creative people and groups and will have some workshop type events.  Unfortunately it is on a side street, 113 West Erie Ave, a few doors down from Black Magic, so you have to look for it.  Folly officials were not helpful about signage.  Anyway I have some collages and a few paintings there.  It has some lovely work but is just a fun place to visit because Tanya is just that kind of person.  See her fused glass work, jewelry, ceramics and more.  I almost forgot, this figure is after Corot, and his exhibit, Corot: Women, at the National Gallery of Art of which I was not able to see in person.  But the book is wonderful.  

Happy Holidays!  Seems like yesterday I was posting last post of 2017.  I had a wonderful year.  Thanks to anyone who looked at my blog and my work.  

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.    

No new workshop work that is postable, but plein air painting is underway. Learned to use some great new color mixtures from painter Mary Gilkerson's workshop in Edisto.  This collage has had the face slightly reworked but will be posted in its final form soon.  It's from a model I drew at Summerville Artist Guild figure drawing class.  Now on to next and final workshop.