Are You Ready for a Brand New Year?

The older I get the faster the days, weeks and years rush by.  I still look forward to each new year but wish they wouldn't come so fast.  I realize, as the days go by, that I have less and less time to enjoy life and my painting.  Enough!  We move forward and not backward.

 Here is an offering that I think really epitomizes Winter.  We don't have this type of bluejay here, in Southern California, but I do remember them from the east and I remember how energetic and mischievous they were:

Link to the Auction

I wish each and every one of you the very best the new year has to offer. :-)

Patricia Ann Rizzo

Ah....The Joy of Christmas

A time of friendship, magic and closeness. My favorite time of the year.

Don't forget us "starving artists" this Christmas. Spread joy and originality around this year by gifting one of a kind original art. Here's my latest:

Link to the Auction

Magic is All Around

Ever wish there was a magic place, a spot you could go to that is peaceful and calm....a place where all cares drop away and  hopes and wishes can come true?  That is what was in my head as I painted this one.   Its up for sale on Daily Paintworks and its looking for a good home.

5 X 7 " Acrylic on Canvas Pane

Link to the Auction

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Cat in the Blue Hydrangea

I love painting cat's eyes.  They are so bright and expressive.  This fellow peeking out from a flower bush is one I have painted before but love doing so I painted it again.   It will be on auction on Daily Paintworks Thursday, September 19, 2013:

Link to the Auction

The Andalusian

I love working in soft pastels.  Unfortunately, they don't like me since I am allergic to the dust they stir up.  Pastels are a wonderful medium for anyone who loves to draw rather then paint.  Pastel pencils and paper stumps make handing soft pastels a lot easier.  This is my pastel, The Andalusian, which sold and went to Germany a while back.  I sell prints of it and sometimes just like to display it.

Its up on Daily Paintworks but for people to browse only.  I am taking the day off :-)

Halloween King Charles Spaniel

My second most favorite holiday is Halloween.  I just love the air of mystery to it and really felt bad when I was too old to dress up and go trick or treating with the kids.  My offering today is a painting I did years ago.  I've sold prints of it and now I want to find the original a good home.  Anyone out there care to "adopt" a Halloween pooch?

Link to the auction

A Splash of Red Warms the Heart

I love painting red now that I have learned how my scanner can control the color for internet images. This is a 5 X 7 inch acrylic that I have dotted with raindrops. I hope it gives the painting a fresh "after the rain" mood.

Red Anemone

This came from a photo on WetCanvas.com (a free to join website that has wonderful tips and such)

If anyone is interested...Link to the Auction

A Plate of Fresh Juicy Strawberries from the Garden

This will be up on Daily Paintworks tomorrow. Its a 5 X 7 inch acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper. Reference photo courtesy of Wet Canvas.

Link to the Auction

It is also up on Fine Art America for prints: My Gallery

I love acrylics and in some of these highly detailed paintings I'll use it much like watercolor...I put it on thin and build it up in layers. Some of you artists might want to try that.

On Daily Paintworks Auction Today: "Red Onions"

Hi everyone. My gallery on Daily Paintworks is just chugging along. Sales for me mean I can paint more :-)...and that makes me happy. On auction today..."Red Onions" reference photo courtesy of Wet Canvas.

Link to the Auction

This is an original acrylic on 5 X 7 inch 140 lb watercolor paper.

PS: I do most of these works on 140 lb watercolor paper. Its tough, acid free and will last like forever. Besides those qualities it is easier to pack and to ship. Something novice painters should keep in mind, watercolor paper, even at 90 lbs will hold acrylics well. There is no need for canvas, masonite board or even canvas panels while you are painting practice pieces.

There's Always Something to Paint

I really enjoy painting deep space....the nebulae, some of which are just stunning. Last night, having no idea of what to paint I was surfing the net on my Ipad and came across photos from the Hubble telescope, one of which was the "Helix Nebula" nicknamed The Eye of God. So, left my Ipad open and painted it from what I saw on the screen. Here is my interpretation:

This is an 8 X 6 inch acrylic on canvas panel. Link to the Daily Paintworks auction: Eye of God

"An Assortment of Vegetables"

Coming up on Monday, July 15, this 5 X 7 inch original acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper. I've become absorbed in vegetables and gotten away from the sweets...at least for a while. This is an acrylic that I used almost like watercolor. I love acrylics in that you can use them thick to resemble oils or thin to resemble watercolor. They are versatile, fast drying, clean up with soap and water and do not smell like oils do. If you haven't tried them, give them a chance.

Link to the auction: An Assortment of Vegetables"

New Daily Paintworks Painting "Tomato Salad"

A favorite work:

I've gone from candy to vegetables. This latest work is up on Daily Paintworks today. Its a 9 X 12 inch acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper titled "Tomato Salad":

Link to the auction

Candy Apples for Two
(on the New Jersey Shore they are called Jelly Apples)

This 5 X 7 inch original acrylic on canvas panel will be up on auction on Daily Paintworks starting tomorrow. The image certainly doesn't show all the reflections and shading on the red apples. Somehow, scanning or photographing the color red is very difficult - at least for me.

Link to the auction for those who may be interested

I love to paint candy. My favorites are Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, M&M's, Jolly Rancher, etc. This is one up for auction right now on Daily Paintworks:

If you're interested in this little 8 X 6 inch acrylic you might be able to get your bid in at:

http://dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/137922

Some Chit Chat

I've been painting all my life. Its second nature to me. So when my neighbor told me she had started attending a painting class and wanted to know what medium I was using I kind of realized its not second nature to everyone. She began a class for oils and hated the smell and hated how it really didn't dry and wasn't very forgiving. I told her why not try acrylics since that is mainly what I use these days and she looked at me like I said a dirty word. No! They are not at all forgiving....my instructor said so. Well, to all those who think acrylic is cheesy, or unforgiving, or anything else I can tell you its a wonderful medium. As for drying quickly, you can stop that by keeping a spray bottle of water around and one other little trick that has saved me tons of expensive paint. I use a Sta-Wet Palette. It is a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid. It comes with a thin sponge on the bottom that you wet and then put a palette paper on top of that. Fill it with paints as you would any other palette. Occasionally spray it with water when you feel its getting too dry and always keep the lid on it when not in use. I go weeks and weeks with the same acrylic paint in that box. When you clean it, use some bleach to keep any mold from forming.

Don't be afraid to try any medium...watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencils, graphite. Each one has a charm and some magic all its own. If anybody is reading my blog and has questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

....and here's a graphite I did for a monthly offering from a group of artists who call this the Nibblefest Art Contest. On the 20th of each month we put an auction up on Ebay (the topic is different each month) and we start all of our offerings at only 99 cents. This month's topic is "portraits" so I did a scene with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison from my favorite film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". This is a 5 X 7 inch on Bristol paper:

Link to this Auction

Enough Candy for Everyone!

I'm going crazy painting candy these days. I love the bright colors of the wrappers against the dark background. Also, it brings back childhood days when such treats were handed out. Here we have tootsie rolls and pops, M&Ms and Jolly Ranchers....Enjoy.

This painting is an original acrylic on 5 X 7 inch 140 lb watercolor paper. It will be up for auction on Daily Paint Works on May 13, 2013.

My Daily Paint Works Gallery

My New Kittens Are Now Four Months Old

Prince with a favorite toy

Merlin separating the morning papers.

Enough sad stuff!  It was overcast and looked like rain here all day...such days are fantastic for painting.  Just finished this one and it will be up on Daily Paint Works starting at midnight tonight! It is a 5 X 7" acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper and its called "Sweet, Sweet Cocktail"

Click to go to my Daily Paint Works Gallery

I was really broken hearted over the loss of my precious companion, Angel. Eighteen years is a long time and I was so used to her just being here. I finally found a Blue Point Himalayan from a reputable breeder near Oceanside, Ca. I not only got my blue point...a male I named Prince, but I also fell in love with a seal point I named Merlin (aptly so for he gets in trouble at least a dozen times a day). Here they are at only 8 weeks old. The breeder took this picture and then I packed them up and took them home. We have been almost inseparable ever since. I love them dearly and though I still cry over the loss of my Angel, these two make the tears go away and make me feel better. The light one is Prince and the dark earred one is Merlin and they are almost 4 months old now...so I'll post new pictures of them soon.

P.S.

An alert to anyone in the Southern California area. Although I found and bought from a reputable breeder I originally tried to deal with a breeder in Corona, CA (Muffhyms Cattery). Please folks...don't go anywhere near that cattery or its owner! Find a reputable breeder and you won't be sorry.

Feb. 21, 1995 to Feb. 01, 2013

On February 1, 2013 my precious Blue Point Himalayan cat, Angel, lost her life due to kidney failure. She was just 3 weeks short of her 18th birthday. The light went out that day and its been bleak and lonely ever since. I miss her so much. I know she can never be replaced but I am looking for a Blue Point Himalayan kitten. If anyone knows of a breeder in the Southern California area, please let me know. Thanks.

Valentine's Day Soon

Something for Valentine's Day:

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

Painting, Painting and more Painting

Its been forever since I posted here.  These days I'm back to painting almost full time. I try to keep my days uncomplicated but still....life has a way of rearing its head.

My precious cat Angel...who will be 18 years old in a few weeks is about at the end of her life path. Born with only one kidney, that kidney is finally beginning to fail her. I will miss her so much and giving her 18 good years is no consolation for me. I want to give her at least 18 more :-( So, please keep good thoughts for my Angel and hope that when she does pass on its a peaceful passing.

Here's a painting for today:
Luminous Red Poppies.
5 X 7" Acrylic on canvas panel.

Presently up for sale on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251217627794