Sunday, January 31, 2010

MARGO

 
24x36"
oil on canvas
NFS

This was also done quite awhile ago. Same model, my friend Margo. Himself and I had recently become an item. I dropped him off at his friend's place to do the Superbowl while I visited Margo who had agreed to be my model for the day. Technically there's a lot wrong with this painting, but I kinda like it. Her expression seemed so wistful and introspective. I found out later that she'd just found out she was expecting her first child.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

LAUNDRY DAY


24x36"
oil on canvas
NFS

This is my very first serious attempt at oil painting, way back in the day. Pre-himself even! I remember realizing that I could not approximate my reference without multiple applications of paint. It was like finding out there was no Santa. Very disappointing. Hey, I never claimed to be well balanced.

PINK CURLERS FINAL






I was holding on until himself got around to doing his version, but happily, this painting recently sold so I had to finish it up. The finished version is on the right by the way. I'm also very proud that it will be in a Black History Month display in February at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL.

THE DAZ MAN LIMPETH or The $3000 Fall


First, an explanation of the name. Red became Raz, to go better with Berry. Raz then became Razzle Dazzle which then morphed into The Daz Man...occasionally. You know how your dog's name becomes unrecognizable at least midway through his or her first year.

Anyway, yesterday morning, there we were the four of us. Snug as bugs in a rug. I was happily reading my book, himself has Monday's off so he was dozing softly beside me, Blu curled around his neck, a snoring, furry loving collar and Raz was down by my foot, hugging the edge of the bed as he is wont to do, my foot and leg on guard, keeping him from falling. We were all sooo cozy and happy. The next thing I knew I felt Raz roll over my ankle and topple off the bed to land on the carpet with a soft thud. I wasn't too alarmed, obviously, keeping them from falling off the bed is a good idea but both of them had been jumping off more recently before we had the chance to stop them. I got up to pick him up and noticed he was limping.

Long story short...yeah, I know, too late...he broke his little hip! What that means is his joint came out of the socket and now has to be removed. What??? Apparently, the muscles hold everything in place in small breeds so they don't need the ball joint.

We had a really blue Monday around the Berry household I can tell you. Our perfect little baby now has to have surgery, FHO surgery to be exact, on top of having his little pebbles removed soon. After a somewhat lengthy recovery, she said he'd be almost as good as new.

Until then, unfortunately, The Daz Man Limpeth.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

NERO




















16x20"
oil on canvas
NFS

Last year I donated a portrait to the Milwaukee Pug Fest Silent Auction. At the time I wasn't such a fan of Pugs, but I had come to see that Pug owners were fanatical about their Puglets. Now I know why. The really interesting thing is that when I jumped back on Nero to finish him up, I was very familiar with the Pug mug. Now all those folds, snorts, little infant noises and sniffles are the sights and sounds I look forward to every morning. I'm a believer.


The reference photo was interesting in that the grass dominated the shot with Nero at the bottom. I wasn't sure it would work as a painting so I decided to substitute the grass with some nice blue which then became sky. The moon was added because I thought Nero exhibited a "ruler of the universe" type vibe and a full moon during the day always looks very other worldly to me.

Friday, January 15, 2010

MOSES-BOTKIN CHALLENGE - January

















Spoon and Friends
12x12”  oil on canvas
©Suzanne Berry
$135

It’s that time again! This month’s theme: a spoon, an apple and glass. I tried to be clever but failed. Except for the spoon part. Himself received these wooden beauties from his Secret Santa the very day the challenge subject was announced. He took them out of the bag and said, “Check these out! You should paint them!” Done and done.

In an effort to be more spontaneous I waited until the last minute to do this, hoping I’d study the reference and apply spontaneously perfect strokes of paint that visually told the story in an instant. Just looks sloppy to me, but it’s a start. And let's face it, I waited till the last minute cuz I'm addicted drama. Can’t seem to live without it. Had a tree service getting rid of dead trees in the backyard, the pups wailing in their playpen right beside me and a list of chores that would overwhelm Martha.

I really love everyone’s take on this month’s challenge. Enjoy.


Spoon and Friends
12" x 12" (30.5cm x 30.5cm)
oil on canvas
$135 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.






Kitchen Lovelies  7x5” oil on hardboard
© Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/



















Apple, Spoon and Glass 8x10 oil on paper
©Robin Cheers
http://robincheers.blogspot.com/






















Aunt Bea’s Morning Glories
5x5” oil on panel
http://jeanneillenye.blogspot.com



 
Spoon Bridge
6x6” oil on board
©Michael Naples
http://michaelnaples.blogspot.com/




Baked Apple Reflection
8x10” oil on panel
©Vicki Ross 2010
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

Sunday, January 10, 2010

JUST PAST THEIR PRIME







16x20"
oil on canvas
$1200

Each day that passes, I'm reminded how much I have in common with these cherry tomatoes. Although, I'm sure, some would say I'm way past my prime. But, they'd be wrong. So there.

Painting on black canvas saves so much time, however building up vibrant colors takes lots of time. Liquin to the rescue. Did I mention how much...never mind.


Just Past Their Prime
20" x 16" (50.8cm x 40.7cm)
oil on canvas
$1,200 plus $12.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.


Saturday, January 9, 2010

LOOKING UP

11x14"
graphite on paper
$75


Finally felt like drawing again today. It felt good. Sometimes ya gotta give it a rest. I'm thinking more in terms of tee shirts when I do these floating faces. Hope to post a new painting tomorrow. Now, let's all focus our attention on slowing down time to make this weekend last.

SOLD

I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP MR. DEMILLE




















 Can you stand that face? Does he not look like Norma Desmond when she descended the staircase in Sunset Boulevard.  We call this his crazy eyes look. Our little Raz. 

Friday, January 8, 2010

MACHETE MAN by Tim Berry




NFDP

24" x 48"
oil on canvas

I'm having a bit of trouble getting things going again after more than two weeks off. I'll explain more later. I thought it would be a great time to expose himself, artistically that is. Remember that little challenge a few months back? The Pink Curler Painting Challenge? Well it's fairly obvious, at this point, himself was a no show. However he does deserve a pass. Tension and upheaval at work, family stress, twelve hour days. The last thing he's lookin' to do when he gets home is work. Can't blame him. At all. I didn't start painting again until there was nothing else to do, but I digress.

This painting was done several years ago. We were still working together, in the same office, a cubicle away from each other and loving it. We both came down with walking pneumonia and had to spend a few weeks in bed. Poor babies. It wasn't appreciated at work but we certainly enjoyed ourselves. At the time we had easels set up and the end of the bed, on either side of the TV. We'd get up, spend some time painting and then drag ourselves back to bed, exhausted. It was heaven. Except for exhaustion and general ickyness that is.

This is the painting Tim was working on and it never fails to take my breath away. We worked at a newspaper at a time when they actually had photographers on staff that actually got on planes and flew to far away places to take photographs to accompany real stories written by real journalists.  And this is one of those shots. There's a terrifying story that goes with this machete carrying man I'm sure. Tim and the photographer had discussed a series but, unfortunately, it never took flight. A shame too, I'm sure the combined efforts would have been very powerful.

We had quite the time when we first hooked up, proving our skills to each other. I went grocery shopping one day and came back to find my countenance growing from a sheet of Canson pastel paper. It was spooky. I began work on his portrait that day. There was a lot of art flying back and forth in those days. Great fun, and a healthy, respectful competition that helped us both grow artistically and emotionally I think.

Now, about getting back to work. Had a camera mishap and had to get a new one. It was a painful experience that was instantly turned to joy when I was forced to purchase a new one. Glad Santa left a little coin in the account. Now I just have to get through the manual. Arrrrgh!

A few months ago I was outside snapping a painting to post when I accidentally knocked over the tripod and bounced the camera off of concrete! Miraculously, it didn't break! I still don't understand why. Then a few days ago, I decided to record the progress of the piece I'm working on, tipped over the tripod again and saw the camera land softly on the carpet with a tiny little thud. Confident it would still work, I turned it on and was treated to an alarmingly out of focus preview. Figures. Perhaps keeping the camera atop the tripod wasn't wise.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

MAIL ART by Dean Grey



















Receiving an envelope in the mail like this is downright exhilarating. Seeing it there among the bills, pleas for cash and discount fliers was like finding a flower among the ruins. Yeah, a bit melodramatic perhaps, but I was positively joyful when I saw it.

Amazing artist, author, photographer and new friend Dean Grey featured one of his incredible envelopes on his blog one day. I was so intrigued I chatted with him about it and he offered to exchange mail art. Yea!! I haven't done mine as yet and thankfully he's cool with the delay, but I thought this was definitely something I needed to share.

Check out Dean's amazing work and words at: http://explodingdoughnut.blogspot.com/

Working on another still life, have to finish the vase and the remaining certificate paintings. Then a new start. Figurative painting with a concept of some sort keeps running around, bouncing off the little gray cells. Need models. Need to take photos. Need to get out of the house.