(13) Blue Calico
6 x 6, oil
Burleigh Blue Calico has been made in Staffordshire, England for over one hundred years. What could be more soothing to the soul than blue'n white? The drawing is off quite a bit, but hopefully tomorrow will be better...
"I merely took the energy it takes to pout, and wrote some blues"... Duke Ellington
Happy Halloween

(12) Hampton Blossom
6 x 8, oil
private collection
I love everything about this china, from the way it looks to the way it feels. It was designed by Ralph Lauren; the toast of the fashion world this week as he celebrates 40 years in the industry. He credits his success to hard work and doing what he loves, adding "What I do is about living. It is about living the best life you can and enjoying the fullness of the life around you--from what you wear, to the way you live, to the way you love." And it shows. Bravo, Mr. Lauren.

(11) Serene Garden
8 x 6, oil
private collection
These are the china and silver patterns my favorite guy and I choose 30 years ago. The delicate blues, purples and teals in the china pattern are still my favorite colors today (the guy's a keeper, too). Over the years, the family sharing in the dinners, holidays, and celebrations at our table has evolved a great deal.
"Though I know I'll never lose affection for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them....In my life, I've loved them all." Lennon/McCartney

(10) Yellow Paragon
6 x 6, oil
not available, private collection
I wanted to try a square format for this one. The fine bone china is translucent, and the warm glow underneath the cup grabbed my attention--What fun! (oh wait, I said that yesterday, didn't I? But it is!)
"The color of an object illuminated partakes of the color of that which illuminates it." Da Vinci

(9) Welbeck
6 x 8, oil
This Royal Winton pattern is super challenging, but fun. I started over twice--the first time I added yellow's complement, purple, to paint the shadows, but it looked too muddy and drab. So I scraped it down, and added black to the yellow. I think it reads much better.
"Color is my day long obsession, joy, and torment." Claude Monet

(8) Tapestry Rose
6 x 8, oil
not available, private collection
Teacups are one of my favorite subjects. The pattern is Tapestry Rose, made by Paragon.
"There is a great deal of poetry and sentiment in a chest of tea." R.W.Emerson

(7) Favorite Mug
8x6, oil
Since my goal is to "learn by doing", this week's assignment is to study ellipses. They look so easy, and yet....I am reminded "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you sew." R.L.Stevenson

Below are some of my paintings from Carol Marine's Santa Fe workshop. I am inspired by the discipline and enthusiasm of the daily painters I have met- and anxious to join the fun! So here goes...
"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen"... Emerson

(6) Plums
6x6 oil
private collection
(5) Yellow Delicious
8 x 6, oil
private collection
(4) Orange Slices
8 x 6, oil
private collection
(3) Garlic study
6 x 6, oil
private collection
(2) Pear in Bowl
8 x 6, oil
private collection


(1) Red Tomatoes
6 x 6, oil
private collection