August 15th 202

 Here is my art news! 

  I created a painting for the GAGA (Gentileschi  Aegis Gallery Association www.gagaart.org) exhibit, called My Story. This exhibit is going to be virtual because of present circumstances. My Story is the brainchild of Sylvia Benitez (GAGA's founder and president) in response to the centennial of the 19th Amendment which finally allowed women to vote in the US. 

My painting will be part of a triptych called My Roots. I wanted to explore women and diversity in my own background. My grandmother was of mixed Dutch and Javanese heritage. Like for many people who lived in the Dutch Indies when she did, the Dutch heritage and a European education were everything to her. They allowed her to be treated with more respect by Europeans and in the Netherlands and to have a better future.

It was an eye opener for me, when I learned in New Zealand how proud people were to have indigenous ancestors. I realized that that is the way it could be everywhere!

My grandmother, Adrienne; oil 24 x 24"

My latest commission is a double pet portrait of Peggy and Maya. The assignment was a whimsical portrait of the cats with Mission San Jose in the background. It sounded fairly easy. But as I was progressing, I found that whimsical cats and a likeness, especially of striped Maya, was something I could not do. So, I limited my playful patterns to Peggy and made the likeness my focus. Peggy and Maya's parents have been wonderfully supportive throughout!

Peggy and Maya, watercolor, 11 x 14"

Except for that, we have been busy picking, delivering and preserving figs in July as well as enjoying our kittens. 

Mama Leila in her box

Adopted daughter, Tochka, up high.

 It was easy to get up there, but she could not figure out how to get down.

Stay safe!

April 2020

Dear friends,
 In these difficult times, my thoughts go out to all of you. Social isolation must be so hard on so many, the elderly, the sick, people who are single come to mind. This virus challenges us in the way we have related to each other and expressed affection and concern forever. The generosity, spirit of community and solidarity are some of the encouraging things happening right now.
 I am grateful for the sacrifices grocery store employees and other workers are making enabling us to stay safe at home. I am grateful for the sacrifices nurses and doctors are making fighting for us to stay alive.
Please, stay safe, stay at home as much as possible! Thank you for social distancing!

Thank you for you reading my blog!
My family and I are doing well.
My hope is that the same is and stays true for you!

Molly, oil, 16 x 24"

Molly is the portrait of a dog who was so loving that I felt touched by it, even though I saw her only once. She had a fondness for confetti lantana.

Song of Solitude, oil. 12 x 16"

Song of Solitude is a piece I started in 2012 and was glad to be able to finish recently. The red hill remind me now of the fires in Australia and the lonely tree makes me think of the present time.

Adventures in Magic Realism, oil, 16 x 20"

Adventures in Magic Realism was another unfinished landscape. The foreground is a foreign element in this painting which is somehow satisfying to me. I am considering returning to this theme and seeing how I can play with a foreign part and integrate it or part of it.

Cipo and the Alamo, watercolor, 11 x 14"

Cipo and the Alamo is the portrait of a beloved cat for an Italian friend of the Alamo and Texas.


Shea Daniel Youngblood raised $1664 for the San Antonio Food Bank with her art auctions! Her art can be seen by appointment at Kapej Gallery and Cafe, 415, Camden Street SA TX 210-838-8681.

Cindy Morawski is and Maren Phillips was raising money for the SA Food Bank. All three are impressive artists. Check out their work at
www.sheadanielyoungblood.com; www.CindyMorawski.com and Maren Philips' Artlines-Home page on Facebook.

Every Wednesday, Linda Simone makes a watercolor painting on a recycled teabag, inspired by a photo in her Facebook feed. She sends the completed mounted art as a gift to the person who posted the photo. Her work can be seen at @teabagartsa on instagram.

As for me, I want to help the Society for Animal Rescue and Adoption (SARA) www.sarasanctuary.org. Starting right now and for the next 2 months 40% of any of my original pieces of art bought directly from me will go to the Sanctuary. On www.verasart.com there is a collection "originals for sale", with "click here to contact the artist". Shipping of the framed painting in the continental US is included in some of the prices!
If you would rather buy a print, a tote bag, a coffee mug..., I will donate 40% of my proceeds to SARA as well.


 

Dec 2018

I hope you are having a wonderful Holiday season. I wish all of you a Healthy, Happy 2019!

Abbie's Trees, oil on panel, 9x12"

 Abbie's Trees were painted from a photo in the studio. I kept thinking about O'Keeffe while working on them.

Gracie, graphite on Bristol, 9x12"

 Dreamy Gracie was a challenge I enjoyed.

Pond Reflections, oil on panel, 16x20"

 Pond Reflections were painted on location, by an ever changing beautiful pond.

Springtime Canigou, oil on panel, 16x20"

 Springtime Canigou is waiting for me to have time to evaluate it. I am torn between my old detailed way of working and my new carefree approach.

 All the work above was commissioned and I am very grateful for your trust and the challenge and learning that comes with each new piece. 

 However, I am not accepting any new commissions for at least a year as I want to finish current projects and cut out some time to work on paintings of my own.

Dog days July 2017

We experienced very high temperatures this July in San Antonio, we had dog days really!

For a few of months, people have started referring to me as the cat lady, not the crazy cat lady, mind. (I am told I don't have enough cats to qualify for the special addition.) It has been impressed upon me that we live in a dog loving world and in spite of that fact, I will continue to dote upon my feline friends. However, I love my dogs and am willing to make some concessions.
After I had been asked repeatedly about dog portraits, I drew and painted three during the last month.

First meet Izzy, a beautiful Belgian Shepherd.

"Izzy," graphite

Then two best friends.

"Dog Pyramid", watercolor and pastel

Last of all: Faith a chihuahua.

"Faith", watercolor
and marker

 Last of all, that is what I thought, but then Bruce came along and needed a portrait as well.

"Bruce", graphite and pastel

My last painting was done by me and Sandy Gray and we imagined instead of researched it.

(Huey, Dewey, Louie Cats" watercolor

Have a safe summer! Stay out of the heat!