Cat and Drafting Table

This is my mom's cat, Preston. He is in her art studio by the drafting table that was supposed to be mine that I never took when I moved out. We believe that Preston is my cat's brother. They have the same eyes and noses. This oil on canvas is 8" w x 17" h x 1" d.

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Cat on a Dresser

When Oliver's scratching at the blankets doesn't wake me up in the morning, he jumps up on the dresser and threatens to knock my valuable perfume and other breakable items on the floor. Then he likes to scratch at his reflection in the mirror, which we refer to as Bizoliver, because it is like a Bizarro World Oliver. The painting is 9" h x 12" w.

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It is sometimes very difficult to get a picture of Oliver. It is a game for him to evade the camera. I'll point it to take the perfect picture, then at the last minute, he will put his ears back or look away. That is why his ears are back or tilted in most of my paintings of him. He looks a little surly, but that is just a facade, he is really quite friendly. This painting is 16" w x 20" h. I'm not sure if I will sell it.

CAT ON THE COUNTER

Though Oliver is not allowed on the counter he jumps up when we are not looking to either look out the windows or to search for water in the cups and plates that are sometimes in the sink. The painting is 9" w x 12" h.

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The Hound with Two Hearts

The pattern on this Foxhound looks like a heart. So he has two hearts. The painting is 9" w x 12" h and is for sale on Ebay.

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Messy Table

One of my favorite aspects of visiting museums is going to the museum cafe. There is nothing more luxurious than indulging one's eyesight in beautiful artwork and then sipping wine or coffee with a snack afterward. This is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

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We have three local coffee shops in addition to Starbucks. This is the interior of Cafe Amadeus. It is themed around Mozart and Vienna. The cappuccino, smoothies and Yerba Matte tea are among my favorite drinks there. The north light coming through the window perfectly accentuates the room. I love all three of my local coffee establishments equally, however, and encourage people to utilize all of them. Commonplace coffeehouse has a Clover machine, which seems to make more use of the coffee bean (I don't really know how else to describe it). Krangers has the best danishes this side of the Atlantic. Starbucks is always superb but I don't place it in the same category as our local establishments. This painting is 9" w x 12" h and is on canvas board.

Cat and instruments

It's amazing how cats can walk among the most fragile things and not break them unless they intend to. I often have finished paintings laying all over my studio floor to dry and am nervous that my cat will step on them. I rarely isolate him from my studio while I'm working there because he likes to hang out with me. He has never stepped on one of my paintings yet. He has knocked a digital camera from my dining room table, however, but it must have reminded him of a mouse. this painting is 20" w x 16" h.

Charleston Pathway

This is actually a pathway to a graveyard. It is next to a church, but I can't remember it's name. This painting is 18" w x 24" h.

Mountain of Cheese

My vision of heaven includes mountains of cheese and rivers of pino noir with lifesavers/rafts of pitted, oil-cured olives (do olives float?). This painting is 16" w x 20" h.

A Street in Charleston

My husband and I traveled to Asheville, Savannah and Charleston in September. Even heading for fall, the weather was very much like summer. In Pennsylvania, we had not experienced that kind of weather this year on even the most summery day. The palm trees (not exhibited in this painting) and the heat made me feel pleasantly far from home. This painting is 18" w x 24" h.

DINING ROOM

Another lamp in another window of the same Toronto restaurant that inspired the "Luminary" painting in July. It was the perfect day to finish this piece because it was dreary and rainy outside, and it would have been nice to go lunch in a restaurant like the one in the painting. I can't complain about the weather though, I just escaped the floods in the southeast United States. I just returned from a trip to Asheville, Savannah and Charleston. I was disappointed that the Biltmore Estate prohibits photography, even sketching!!! All I could do was take notes on the color schemes of the rooms that I liked. I wished that the Torchwood contact lenses existed in real life (from this year's five episode season) and that I had a pair. This oil is 16" w x 20" h.

Ticket Booth

This painting is 20" w x 24" h. It is for sale at the Latrobe Art Center, Latrobe PA. SOLD.

Pennsylvania Barn

I'm getting in touch with my bucolic side. I'm more of a city girl at heart, but I can't deny where I'm from. 24" w x 18" h. For sale at Latrobe Art Center, Latrobe, PA

What's on the Menu?

This couple is looking for a place to eat on a cold, rainy night. This oil painting is on 8" x 10" canvas

Cat on a Sunny Table

When Oliver tires of sitting on the window seat, he moves to the table for a slightly different vantage point. This painting is 8" h x 10" w and is for sale on Ebay. SOLD

On Guard

This museum guard spends his days guarding oil paintings, but probably did not suspect that he would end up in a painting (and also probably wondered why the heck I was taking his picture). This oil painting is on 6" w x 12" h x 1" thick canvas. SOLD.

Luminary

The lady in the window is a luminaire, and is the luminary of this painting. When it is cold outside in Toronto, the extravagant light fixture entices people to enter the cozy restaurant and have some bouillabaisse and a Merlot. From outside it appears to be a French bistro, but it is actually part of a very large, cafeteria style restaurant that serves any kind of food a person could want.

Rainy Day in Manhattan

This oil painting is on 24" x 30" stretched canvas and is for sale at Latrobe Art Center in Latrobe, PA.

Noon at the Plaza

This is noon at the Plaza in NYC during a fire drill. This lone customer was served before the alarms went off and others, like myself, were not allowed to enter for a drink. This painting is 18" x 24" oil on canvas.

Old House

This oil painting is on 9" w x 12" h stretched canvas. It is a painting of an old house in a small Pennsylvania town. Sold.

It's Raining Dogs

This is a 6" x 8" original oil painting inspired by my recent trip to New York with my mother. It was very difficult to walk with an umbrella, hold a cup of coffee and try to take pictures while walking fast to avoid collisions with other pedestrians (especially my mom who kept trying to challenge me to an umbrella duel.) It was worth the aggravation though. I apologize to all the New Yorkers for being an annoying tourist, but it was for the sake of art. Actually everyone that we encountered on the trip was very friendly, and showed no signs of impatience with my incessant picture taking.

Rainy Day in Manhattan

This painting is 8" w x 10" h and is for sale on Ebay for $99. It was inspired by a recent trip to New York. I was sad at first that it was rainy, but then changed my mind once I saw the patterns of light that the water created. The umbrellas added to the architecture of the city (and helped to hide the cars in the streets so I wouldn't have to paint them all). Sold.

Imaginary Friend

This cat appears to be talking to his imaginary friend, who is seated in the chair. The oil painting is on 8" w x 10" h canvas panel. It is for sale on Ebay. SOLD.

In Need of a Tune-Up

This oil painting is on 6" h x 8" w canvas panel. It is for sale on Ebay, unframed. SOLD.

Cat's Eye View

This is how this dining room probably looks from the cat's perspective, when he is not capsized on the floor. This oil painting is on 6" x 8" canvas panel. It is for sale on Ebay.

Castling Bunnies

This is what the chocolate bunnies do when you leave for Grandma's house on Easter Sunday. If you purchase this it obviously won't be at your house in time for regular Easter, but it may arrive in time for Greek Orthodox Easter next Sunday, April 19. The oil painting is on 8" w x 10" h canvas panel.

Sunny Dining Room

This sunny dining room includes a cat, a candelabra and something happy to look at on a cold, yucky day like today was. It is 8" h x 10" w, oil on canvas board and is for sale on Ebay. SOLD.

Messy Dining Room Table with Cat

Cats are drawn the areas that you want them to stay away from. On one occasion, Oliver actually knocked a digital camera off the table. It broke, but it gave me a good reason to upgrade. I now try to keep the table as clutter free as possible, but sometimes things pile up as in this painting. This is oil on canvas...it is the 1 1/8 thick canvas, which could be left unframed. It is 5 1/2" w x 12" h. SOLD.

Cat with Slippers and Fishy Toy

Oliver the cat is resting from playing. He likes to play with this fish-toy that is attached to a string. He sometimes ducks behind things, as if he were in the wild and sneaking up on his prey. In this case, he had hid behind slippers to give Mr. Fish a false sense of security, which appears to have worked because he caught him. This oil painting is on 8" h x 10" w canvas board. It is for sale on Ebay. SOLD.

Composition in Red, Raw Umber and White

Red, Raw Umber and White are the main colors used in this painting. There is also a little bit of Naples Yellow. This 5" h x 7" w oil painting is on stretched canvas and is for sale on Ebay.

Sitting Room

This painting was found...it was temporarily lost in the mail

This is the sitting area of the Priory bed & breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA. It is an awesome place to stay... they gave us free wine in the evening! This oil painting is on 9" h x 12" w stretched canvas and is for sale on EBay. SOLD.

Blue Shoes

These blue shoes are painted on 6" h x 8" w canvas board.

Warm Interior

This interior, composed in warm colors is on 8" w 10" h canvas board. SOLD.

Wait for Me!

This dog hopes to go for a ride with his owner. The painting is on 8" w x 10" h canvas board. SOLD.

I Challenge You to a Duel

Who will win, the kitten or the metronome? I'm betting on the feisty cat. This oil painting is on 8" h x 10" w canvas board. SOLD.

A Smart Snack

This is the same Orange that I posted last month, but I added books and a bottle of wine, transforming it into a smart snack. It is 5" h x 7" w.

Room Service, Please

This bedroom is badly in need of room service. Even so, at least the morning sunlight bouncing off the walls creates a peaceful effect. The oil painting is on 8" w x 10" h stretched canvas. SOLD.

Golden Slippers II

This oil painting is on 5" h x 7" w canvas board. SOLD.

New Purchase

This box of shiny, new red shoes is on 9" w x 12" h stretched canvas. Shoes are the item that started my new Feminine Painting Series. My mother and I set up a still life of black shoes (see the painting, "Flock of Shoes" below), and a friend of hers joked that we should paint red bras to go along with them. I had previously thought about painting that very subject, and had even taken a couple of photos, but wasn't sure if it would fit in with my usual choice of subject matter. Then I thought of all the other stuff that is feminine that goes with bras and shoes, and decided to build a whole series around it, including cosmetics, purses, perfume bottles and jewelry. This theme fits around my past aspirations as well. As a teenager I was obsessed with fashion and wanted to become a fashion designer...it is what inspired me to start drawing. You can't tell that by looking at me now, since I am always in my painting clothes. I think this is fashion week in New York, so these paintings go along with current events.The seven paintings that follow are the first in my Feminine Series.

Red Stilettos

Stilettos are best off of one's feet, they are impossible to walk in. I'm not even sure if these technically qualify as stilettos, but they are still prettier than they are practical. This oil painting is on 8" h x 10" w canvas board. SOLD.

Red Shoes

These red shoes are oil on 8" h x 10" w canvas board

Burgundy Top and Black Shoes on Dresser

I wanted to incorporate the lingerie, shoes and perfume into a room setting, rather than just focusing on those items alone as a still life. This way, it is still kind of a still life, but it is also an interior scene. This oil painting is 16" w x 20" h on canvas board.

Pink Bra, Black Dresser

This painting of a pink bra is 12" x 12" on canvas board.

Blue Top, Black Shoes

This oil painting is on 12" w x 16" h stretched canvas.

Closet Interior

Another painting from my feminine series. It is 18" w x 24" h, oil on stretched canvas.

Black Top, Red shoes

This oil painting is 12" w x 16" h.

Before Springtime in Paris

Not really winter, not really spring... it is before springtime in Paris. This oil painting is 16" h x 20" w and will be on the ArtQuiver website when it begins its operations in March. SOLD.

Afternoon in Indiana

This is an oil painting of a December afternoon in Indiana, PA (when the sun is actually shining). The painting is 24" h x 30" w. The painting will soon be for sale on the website www.ArtQuiver.com. The site should be operational in March.

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Foyer

This is a foyer of a restaurant in Quebec City, Canada. It is 12" w x 16" h.

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Paris Afternoon

This is a painting of two lovebirds on a park bench in Paris, France. It is 16" h x 20" w.

Orange

I don't paint still lifes much unless they are part of an interior scene. Plus because there are so many of them in the world, do I really need to create more of them? I just painted this one for fun and because I liked how the sunlight made the pericarp (that's technically what the white part is called) and the pith (which surprisingly contains nearly the same amount of vitamin C as the flesh, according to Wikipedia) glow.

A Street in Versailles

This is a street in Versailles, France. The oil painting is 16" h x 20" w. SOLD

Flock of Shoes

My mother and I set up and painted still lifes together last week. This is one that we came up with, it reminds me of a flock of birds (like seagulls, ha ha).

Red and Yellow Pear

This oil painting would look really groovy in a thick, carved gold frame. It is 4" h x 5" w

Venetian Market

This Venetian Market was deserted for the evening. It looks cool with the blue walkway, but the air was actually very humid that day. This is an 8"h x 10" w oil painting

The View along Rue St Anne

From the Rue Ste-Anne in Quebec City, Canada, one sees people relaxing on benches and the afternoon sun resting on the buildings. This oil painting is 12" h x 16" w. Not for Sale.

Lucca Trees and Rooftops

Another Lucca View. This oil painting is 8" h x 10" w and is on canvas.

Vern and Violin

My dad's cat was previously known as Laverne but there was an oversight and now the cat's name is Vern. This oil painting is 8" h x 10" w. Not for sale.

Ready for the Day

This interior is 12" x 12" unframed. The scene is at a bed & breakfast at Ocean City, New Jersey. The owners made fabulous breakfasts every day... very unusual in a world where breakfast is sometimes plastic wrapped crackers with cheese made in a laboratory. We had apple pancakes and omelets with portobello mushrooms, among other treats. SOLD

Red Foyer

This is an oil painting on canvas board. It is 12" w x 16" h. It is of a foyer at a bed and breakfast in Quebec City, Canada. SOLD

Favorite Seat

This is Oliver the cat's new favorite seat. It used to be my favorite place to sit, but I was exiled. The oil painting is 8" x 10". SOLD.

Asleep on a Red Chair

This painting is oil on stretched canvas, 8" h x 10" w. SOLD

This kitten's ears are in the annoyed position, as though the previously played violin was out of tune. The oil painting is 9" h x 12" w. SOLD

Winter in Central Park

Yes, this is me in Central park. I needed a person in this picture and I was the only one around. 9" w x 12" h oil on canvas.

Festive Cat

This cat is 10" w x 8" h

Bath Time

Oliver is one of the cleanest cats I know. He likes to bathe in the front window for all the world to see. This painting is 5" w x 7" h. SOLD

Lucca Canal View

This was inspired by the small canal that runs through Lucca, Italy. The painting is 8" h x 6" w .

This is one of the many canals in Venice. The painting is oil on canvas, is 8" w x 10" h.

Lucca Street

This is a view of a busy street in Lucca, Italy. It is during lunchtime on a hot June day. People walk through the streets in pursuit of gelati. The painting is 8" h x 10" w.

Lucca Canal

This was inspired by the streets of Lucca, Italy. It is 8" h x 10" w.

Night at Piccadilly

This was inspired by Piccadilly Circus in London, England. It is about 11:00 at night in this painting and the streets are still busy with people and bright with lights. It is 24" h x 30" w. SOLD.

Interior with Table and Chairs

This painting is 8" w x 10"h and is unframed. SOLD

Bottles and Books

The bottle and wineglass reflect in the mirror, alluding to an abundance of wine! The window, provides the source of light and reflects on the bottle and glass, which creates their forms. The books are on the shelf below. Few things are better than a relaxing glass of Cabernet after reading a good story.

LUCCA LANDSCAPE

This painting was inspired by the landscape of Lucca, Italy, which is located in Tuscany, about an hour from Pisa. It measures 12" h x 24" w. SOLD

Quebec City Park View

This is the view from a park in Quebec City. The sun was very strong on this evening and every color was amplified. The painting is 16" w x 20" h and will be at the Latrobe Art center until November 1, 2008.

Interior With A Chaise Lounge

Guess where I obtained the subject matter for this one...Quebec City of course! It has been a very inspirational city for my paintings this year. I may have to go back next year for more subject matter. This painting is 8" h x 10" w and will be at Latrobe Art Center in Pennsylvania from September 6 through November 1.

Interior With Two Chairs

This was inspired by a photo that I took at a bed & breakfast in Quebec City this past May. The afternoon light bounced from the walls to illuminate the room. It is 8" w x 16" h and includes a 2 1/2" wide carved gold frame. It will be at the International Images Gallery in Sewickley, PA for the biannual gallery walk beginning on September 12, 2008. SOLD

Quebec City Street at Dusk

This painting will be at the Latrobe Art Center in Pennsylvania from September 6 through November 1. The painting was inspired by a photograph that I took in Quebec City this past May. It is close to dusk, the street is dark but the sky is still bright on the horizon. The painting is 16" w x 20" h and includes a 2 1/2" carved gold frame. SOLD.

Cafe Interior

This painting is based on a photo that I took at a cafe in Quebec City in May. The couple at the table in the corner reads the newspaper after a late lunch. It seems like many people linger over their meals there, which is how it should be. This painting is 16" w x 20" h and will be at the International Images Gallery in Sewickley PA for the biannual gallery art walk on September 12.

After a Long Day

After a long day, I sometimes like to imbibe...red wine is my favorite. This gentleman in a long coat is either going to have a seat with a glass of Cabernet after dealing with the cold weather outside, or he is getting ready to go out for a stroll...you decide. This painting will be at the International Images Gallery in Sewickley, PA for the town's biannual gallery art walk. The opening night will be Friday, September 12. The painting is 12" w x 16" h

Reading on a Chaise

I haven't had any "daily paintings" for about a week, yet I have been painting every day for hours and hours getting ready for autumn art events. This oil painting is 18" h x 24" w. SOLD

Strawberry Sorbet

Often during my meals, the act of eating is postponed in the pursuit of a painting composition. I have to limit that with sorbet, as it melts quickly. People in restaurants seem to wonder why I am taking photos of the room and of my food, and sketching rather than eating. I hope that restaurant staffs don't think that I am a food critic or from the department of health and sanitation... I just want them to know that I am merely in awe of the sights associated with food. This painting is 5" h x 7" w.

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The Red Door

The setting for this painting is Quebec City, Canada. This is my favorite type of picture to paint, with sharp contrast and clear colors. The painting is 8" h and 10" w. SOLD

Birdwatching

Birdwatching is one of Oliver the cat's favorite activities. When he sits on one of his many perches to watch the passing robins, nothing else captures his attention. This painting is 8" w x 10" h and is unframed. SOLD

Sassy Dog

As Helga the dog reclines on her throne, she has a sassy look with her eyes averted and one ear back. This oil painting is 10"h x 8" w. SOLD

Night Walk in Quebec

This painting was inspired by a walk that I took at night in Quebec City, Canada. I love walking in the evenings... one can see the buildings and sidewalks that are normally tan or gray turn to blue and violet. The lights cast warm reflections on the windows. SOLD

Night Walk

This painting was inspired by a walk that I took at night in Venice, Italy. This doorway was a portal to a different street, where the shop interiors were still illuminated before closing for the night. The upper apartment windows glowed from within. SOLD

Where's the Bus?

I painted this from a photograph that I took while getting ready to leave for our most recent vacation. I think the cat is starting to understand the significance of suitcases. When he sees us packing them and placing them by the door, he knows that all the grandparents will be visiting every day to spoil him even more than he already is. This painting is 10" w x 8" h. SOLD

Quebec City Rooftops

This is a view of Quebec City rooftops, framed by the mountains, trees, fountains and streetlights. The oil painting is 6" h x 8" w.

Cat at Rest

After reading a book and drinking a glass of wine, sometimes one needs a nap. And I was going to take one until Oliver the cat kicked me off the sofa. He hadn't read a book or drank any wine, but I guess watching the birds fly outside the window can be almost as tiresome. This painting is 8" w x 10" h. SOLD

Salt Shaker II

This is an oil painting of an old "Little Dutch Boy" salt & pepper shaker. My goal was to produce an image of this figure using colors similar to those of the Dutch and Flemish painters of the 16th & 17th century, my favorite painters. It is 3" w x 5" h and is for sale on Ebay with a starting bid of $25.00.

Rainy Day at Chateau Frontenac

The setting for this painting is at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, Canada. It was a rainy day. The dark clouds and the views into the busy cafes and restaurants added coziness. I had to have several cafe lattes that day to keep warm. This painting is 8" w x 10" h. SOLD

Salt Shaker

This is an oil painting of an old "Little Dutch Girl" salt & pepper shaker. My goal was to produce an image of this figure using colors similar to those of the Dutch and Flemish painters of the 16th & 17th century, my favorite painters. Her mate is soon to follow. It is 3" wide by 5" high. SOLD

Before Dinner

This was inspired by the same restaurant as the painting in my last blog entry. The waiter placed items from a table onto a chair to prepare the table for the next dinner party. It is 8" w x 10" h. SOLD

Before Dinner

The painting was inspired by the interior of a restaurant in Quebec City, Canada. I vacationed there (and gathered subject matter) in May. This was the perfect cafe...it smelled like a combination of candles, wine, and the age that builds in old structures over time. It was dimly illuminated with candlelight, chandeliers and the light from the window. The place added warmth to an otherwise cold and rainy day.SOLD

Quebec City Rooftops

This was the view from our room in Quebec City, where we vacationed in May. It is oil on canvas board and is 8" h x 16" w. SOLD

Nightstand and Lamp

This piece was inspired by the interior of a bed & breakfast in Quebec City, where my husband and I vacationed in May of this year. It is 10" h x 8" w. SOLD

Inviting Chair

This painting is 10" h x 8" w. It was inspired by an interior of a bed & breakfast in Pittsburgh, PA. In addition to art, one of my favorite things is interior design. I use my need for subject matter as an excuse to visit places like this. It is for sale without a frame. I'm not sure if people prefer their paintings framed or not... I think of the frame as part of the art. If it is an interior scene, I try to choose a frame that you would actually see in that room. As an interior designer though, I am very picky with the frames that go into my house, and I am sensitive to the fact that my customers may be the same way. SOLD

Inquisitive Cat

Cats are normally curious...imagine if they could read! They would probably bat the books around after reading them, as is the cat in the painting. This is oil on canvas, 8" h x 16" w.