Sand Hill Art

Jersey, Channel Islands.

2012-02-06T13:30:00.001-05:00

I hung this on one of those 3M sticky hooks so as to avoid a hole in my wall.
That's why I'm not concerned that it shows; it was just to see the painting up on the wall.

finally framed.

2012-02-04T20:55:00.001-05:00

Please pardon the amateur photography.
I bought this original at the Robert Burridge workshop I attended last summer.
Because of it's dimensions (6 1/2 x 9 1/2) I had to have a custom frame and mat, so I went to AmericanFrame.com. The service was excellent, and the staff very helpful.
The price also included the acrylic cover, and the backing, AND shipping.

New Mexico.

2012-01-27T08:49:00.000-05:00

Painted from a photo I took from the car while traveling through New Mexico in 2008.
I wish the yellows were truer on my computer;
otherwise the picture is a fair image.

Acrylic 16x20

for Sheila.

2012-01-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

It's just 8x8 on wood panel, and it was fun to limit my palette.
Thanks for looking!

snowy roof tops.

2012-01-13T13:03:00.001-05:00

This photo, taken in my laundry "room" was the only one that didn't have too much "flash" in it

so you also get a chance to see my appliances!

the red kimono.

2012-01-10T15:36:00.001-05:00

This watercolor of myself

modeling a red kimono was given to me,

by the artist, Mr. Robert Fionda,

who recently became a member of our association.

Thank you very much, I'm thrilled to have it.

Closed for a bit.

2011-12-25T07:38:00.005-05:00

Someday after I've given my heart a chance to heal I may post here again; I'll make the decision when I'm able. Sincere regards, Sally.

autumn at the stockyard.

2011-10-27T11:25:00.000-04:00

The view is from the edge of the cornfield looking towards Black River road.
After seeing the inspiring works of Brenda J. Clark in Sutton's Bay, MI I wanted to see what I could do with a bolder choice of colors.
30x30 acrylic on canvas.

Pacific northwest garden.

2011-10-26T10:28:00.000-04:00

Although not blessed with the autumn color of Michigan, Portland is not without some terrific color as witnessed by my pal Mary's front "lawn".

Oregon.

2011-10-19T08:55:00.000-04:00

I returned for a week to visit my favorite haunts. I didn't realize what a spiritual journey it would be.

bridge at Galbraith Line Road.

2011-10-08T07:54:00.000-04:00

Acrylic plein air and studio 30x40 canvas.

practice, practice.

2011-10-02T14:44:00.000-04:00

Let's see. How many mistakes did I make .
Holes too small. Thread too thick. Wrong measurements. Upside down. Backwards.
But I had fun.
Arches paper, waxed linen thread, Thai printed cover sheet, Japanese stab-binding.

wow.

2011-09-29T17:13:00.000-04:00

This is the biggest mushroom I've ever found.
Enough to feed an entire family.

tension.

2011-09-29T11:10:00.000-04:00

We're told to always use odd numbers of things in our compositions.
So I guess if there are only two that would be an example of tension.
30x30 acrylic on canvas and washi.

beautiful danger.

2011-09-27T18:00:00.000-04:00

Gorgeous day for impromptu mushrooming.
Some were edible but not this one.

first book.

2011-09-26T07:36:00.000-04:00

The kit is from Hollander's in Ann Arbor. It was fun to do, and the finished product speaks for itself.

more wabi-sabi.

2011-09-23T17:35:00.000-04:00

This very large bird bath was at the base of the largest clump of silver birch that I have seen.
It was in the garden behind the shop of Benjamin Maier Ceramics in Leland, MI.
I will have to return there to buy a few of his wine cups that he makes in subdued creamy colors, each a slightly different shape. Wonderful.

no.15.

2011-09-15T14:28:00.000-04:00

Another paint-over, scrubbed with fine sandpaper, and a fingertip dipped in titanium white.
24x24 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

journals.

2011-09-14T17:44:00.000-04:00

Everyone seems to be making their own journals so I had a go.
These are made with 140lb Arches, have 14 pages (7 leaves), and all edges are deckled.
The piano-hinge spines are made from kabob skewers.

Parrot feathers compliments of Mr. Birdy.

pots.

2011-09-12T08:10:00.000-04:00

a bit of art in the backyard.

my 9/11 tribute.

2011-09-11T08:28:00.000-04:00

It hangs in my backyard. I was at work in a clinic when the images started coming in on the TV in the waiting room.

no. 13

2011-09-10T16:11:00.000-04:00

After a futile attempt to mix black, I added mars black to the mix.
I really need to work at this. Or start collecting small jars to save all the mud in!
acrylic on 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

how I named my blog.

2011-09-02T14:35:00.001-04:00

When I was researching the history of my old farmhouse, one of our eldest citizens said that when he was attending grade school (1920?) the kids on this side of the river were known as the "sand hill savages".
I said Thank you! you've given me a super idea.

an idea.

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-04:00

After I finished this I realized that I had the basis for something I've wanted to paint for a long while but just didn't know how to start.
I think this format of different size quadrants will accomodate the black and white renditions of an old sign I photographed several years ago.
16x20 acrylic.

recycling.

2011-08-25T13:30:00.000-04:00

An example of recycling a 16x20 acrylic on canvas by overpainting. But I think I let too much of the original show through.
I like the composition and the greens and reds, so I think I'll go over it again.

untitled again.

2011-08-18T09:27:00.000-04:00

Cy Twombley died last month. If you aren't familiar with his work have a look.
This is much smaller (11x14) than any of his but I think I have captured an element of his style.
I may even have suggested a kabuki-like figure on the right.

lucky me.

2011-08-13T16:25:00.001-04:00

Well, folks, they aren't called butterfly bushes for no reason.
First there were three big swallowtails, and some small miscellaneous ones.
Then, they were joined by a couple of monarchs.
I was happy to get two in the same frame.

zen driveway.

2011-08-11T07:51:00.000-04:00

Reminded me of the ancient rock gardens of Japan.
Ohayoo gozaimasu. Have a good day!

untitled.

2011-08-08T15:24:00.000-04:00

Still haven't decided if this needs a name. I don't think abstracts should be named; the viewer should do that. This one gives me a sense of peacefulness.
16x20 acrylic in floater frame.

Wednesday evening in front of the tv.

2011-08-03T19:50:00.002-04:00

This is my view: one of my abstracts, the Tigers playing the World Series champion Texas Rangers, and my friend Julie's oil, "Bait Bucket".

My contribution to this tableau gets changed regularly lol

wild garden.

2011-08-02T19:47:00.001-04:00

Ok, I admit I've cheated a bit. These aren't naturalized.
But I could not resist this sensational color combination. It makes me happy.

Thumb Area Artists Exhibit 2011

2011-07-28T08:14:00.003-04:00

Very pleased to find this AM that two of my paintings, "Desert Garden" and "Lunch in Genoa", have been juried into this years show.

The Open 2011.

2011-07-17T09:24:00.000-04:00

I like to watch the golf each year from the UK because it is always played on a links course, a landscape that appeals to something inside me. Designed by the sea and wind, mostly treeless, rough, and constantly shifting dunes, the players battle the elements. No wussies allowed.

30x30 acrylic Royal St. Georges, Sandwich, Kent.

July update natural garden.

2011-07-09T10:24:00.001-04:00

It's going in the direction I envisaged. The photo doesn't show how well the REAL weeds are doing left alone. Too bad that you can't smell the heavenly scent of the milkweed.
There are dragonflies and toads. The butterflies haven't made a grand entrance yet either, but the hummingbirds love it.
As you can see, I've made a start on planting around my studio too.
.

Red Grapes.

2011-06-22T12:47:00.000-04:00

This is cropped from my attempt to use acrylics on gessoed paper. I wasn't sure what to expect, and was about to toss it into the bin when I decided that the color blocks had some merit.
Acrylic on gessoed Arches 140lb 11x14

another view.

2011-06-16T19:04:00.000-04:00

my experiment.

2011-06-16T08:29:00.001-04:00

Or, The Backyard as Canvas. I've decided to let nature take over the north side of my back garden. I will gently manage it. This year it will mainly consist of allowing the grass to grow. I am placing tall perennials with small flowers around that will move in the breeze, and hoping that the clover, goldenrod, milkweed, and a few thistles will fill it in too. I will pull up the maple and birch seedlings as I spot them.

Fishies.

2011-06-02T08:26:00.000-04:00

Trying to think outside the box with this one. Also trying Robert Burridge's color wheel.
I wish that I had underpainted the spots with titanium prior to putting on the color; it would have made them pop more.
I had to bring up the saturation with the computer.
24x24 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas.

collaging with paint.

2011-05-14T11:50:00.000-04:00

This was photographed from below because I like the way the bottom edge looks.
acrylic 30x30

my "Burridge".

2011-05-11T10:54:00.000-04:00

Playing about with a Burridge style abstract.
8x8 acrylic on gessoed plywood.

Ebb Tide, Hayling Island.

2011-05-05T13:47:00.000-04:00

Memories of long red roses, the bright clear day, a bit of breeze. Bob's ashes gently sifting to the bottom, then flowing to their final destination.

2011 Annual Spring Exhibit

2011-04-28T17:14:00.000-04:00

I am honored to have my painting used for our Art Association announcements this year.
20x20 acrylic in private collection.

Desert Garden.

2011-04-09T15:08:00.000-04:00

From a photograph, with embellishment. Acrylic 30x30 gallery wrap canvas. SOLD.

'Paris Remembered'

2011-04-07T18:33:00.000-04:00

This gem was painted by Cheboygan artist Rick Kolb. I saw it at the Northern Michigan Artists Market which is adjacent to the Crooked Tree Gallery in Petoskey.
It is 11x14 oil on board, and I recognized the scene and the nostalgia immediately.
Needless to say it is now hanging on a wall in my home. At The Crooked Tree I saw some lovely watercolors by Catherine Carey, and samples of the work by New Fauve artists Kevin Barton and David Pickett.

July 14, 2009

2011-03-28T19:18:00.000-04:00

On this date I posted a painting (from a photo) of a very old church on Hayling Island in England.
Next month I will be attending a memorial service there for my husband Bob who passed away 5 days after Christmas.
I hope that I have a chance to sketch while I'm there. It will mean a lot to me.

The Red Piano.

2011-03-17T16:57:00.001-04:00

I was so anxious to post something new that the paint hasn't even dried on this.
This is my second attempt to photograph it and perhaps I warmed it a teeny bit too much but it is closer to the original.

24x24 acrylic and oil

Double Take reception 2011

2011-03-07T15:52:00.001-05:00

Yes folks, that shadow on the left is Yours Truly.

'Cherries on a Plate'

2011-03-06T15:19:00.001-05:00

Inspired by the gray canvases of Dawn Sidoli, and one of my favorite black & white motifs.

When I found the tube of permanent red violet I knew I had my cherries.

Acrylic on 24x24 gallery wrap canvas

photo copy.

2011-02-21T16:29:00.001-05:00

It's not really, of course.

It's my interpretation of a selected photograph from the Port Huron ShutterBugs for this year's "Double Take" exhibit.
I decided to 'Gogh' for it.
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap canvas
SOLD.

To warm this winter day.

2011-02-09T15:02:00.000-05:00

I got to use all my favorite colors here. No holding back.
A bit tired of holding my breath lately I guess.
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

The Blue Room.

2011-02-02T11:50:00.000-05:00

I have had three paintings going at once and haven't possessed the mental energy to complete any of them.
But, the snow storm has left me no excuse. My easel has a trapped audience.
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

Agave and Seashell.

2011-01-17T19:58:00.001-05:00

A bit subdued for me. The plant was a present from Irene, and the rest is my imagination.
An antidote for all the snow outside, I guess.

Table with book and pineapple.

2010-12-20T15:16:00.000-05:00

This will probably be my last posting until after Christmas,
so let's all try to appreciate our Blessings this year,
and I hope everyone has more time to PAINT in 2011.
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

Strange Fruit.

2010-12-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

No bananas in this one. I don't think that bananas are my strong point.
I have one more of this size started, and when it's finished I will be painting a 40x30 oil for my living room wall.
I may photograph it's progress for this Blog. And then maybe I won't. I'll see.
Acrylic 20x20 on gallery wrap canvas.

Tea Time.

2010-12-03T13:28:00.000-05:00

My favorite McCoy teapot in a different guise.
The shape adapts to whatever I want to paint on it.
This time I think it looks sort of 'Royal Doulton'ish.
(Sincere apologies to Royal Doulton).
Acrylic on 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

Fruit Bowl with Blue Pear.

2010-11-28T11:36:00.001-05:00

My butcher's block is not this colourful, but I do keep my big Portmeirion fruit bowl on it.
Acrylic on 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

the Lizard and Tomatoes.

2010-11-22T20:01:00.000-05:00

The camera doesn't capture the green and red of the little lizard very well.
I may include it in another future painting.
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap canvas.

the Leopard Rug.

2010-11-12T09:32:00.000-05:00

Plenty to look at here. The difficult part again was knowing when to stop.
Who wants to stop when it's so much fun?

Acrylic 18x24

the martini glass.

2010-11-09T15:38:00.000-05:00

A bit of this and a bit of the other. The pink & black reminds me of Elvis's Cadillac. The lamp has a Vincent-like aurora.
The vase is inspired by Maria Pace-Wynters. The chair does not look at all comfortable.

20x20 acrylic gallery wrap canvas

the process.

2010-11-07T20:58:00.002-05:00

I begin with a photo of the drawing on the canvas, and then "try out" colors on the computer, before committing the paint to canvas. Occasionally I will put the image on DeskTop Background so I can study it a while.

untitled with a Middle Eastern influence.

2010-11-06T18:00:00.000-04:00

I am reminded of a warm evening somewhere in the Mediterranean.
All that is needed is the sound of water splashing in a fountain .
Acrylic 20x20 gallery wrap.

lunch in Genoa.

2010-10-31T08:48:00.001-04:00

A reference to my ancestry, and a healthy diet, with a 'Matisse-like' leaf motif.
Acrylic 18x24

Michigan artist Kevin Barton.

2010-10-19T18:42:00.002-04:00

The complimentary colors are used to great effect here in the artist's vision of the Michigan dunes.

click on picture to enlarge

the Simpson's bedroom.

2010-10-16T12:37:00.001-04:00

I don't think I will really give it that title, but I'm sure the Simpsons would feel right at home here.
Acrylic 18x24

click on to enlarge

Interior with Fireplace.

2010-10-10T12:35:00.000-04:00

This is an 18x24 acrylic on a gallery wrap canvas.

I'm a big girl now.

2010-10-05T18:02:00.001-04:00

Our puppy is all grown up. She loves us as much as we love her.
Where ever we take her she is a "traffic stopper". Everyone wants to know what breed she is.

Autumn in The Thumb.

2010-10-04T17:48:00.001-04:00

For those not familiar with the great State of Michigan, "The Thumb" is on the sunrise side of "The Mitten".
It is surrounded by Lake Huron, and is mostly agricultural land.
and it is quite stunning at this time of year. Acrylic 16x20 in floater frame.

my brother's sheep.

2010-10-02T20:24:00.001-04:00

From my photo of his son's 4-H Club project.
There were three lambs; the third one had to be hand-raised.
They grazed on the front lawn. Oil 14x18. NFS.

big white jar.

2010-10-01T08:40:00.000-04:00

I gave a lot of thought as to whether the jar should be more ornate, then decided the eye needed somewhere to rest among all the busy design.
Oil 18x24.

flea market teapot again.

2010-09-30T09:08:00.001-04:00

This teapot is such a graceful shape, and it lends itself to all my wild imagined colourful decoration.

Oil 18x24.

fauve nouveau.

2010-09-29T13:19:00.003-04:00

Acrylic 18x24.

My artist pal JJ coined the name for my new attempt at an old but still relevant expression.

a tribute to the color Red.

2010-09-11T21:01:00.003-04:00

The painting above was done by Char Michelson, one of a group that call themselves the New Fauves. Check out their website.
I think the idea is very exciting, and I intend to explore it.

the studio at night.

2010-08-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

Four almost completed paintings in water-mixable oils.
The interior of my space is still unfinished but I've definitely made myself at home, and now I have a problem finding a good time to move it all out again so that the ceiling insulation can be covered and the dry wall painted (I have an idea for that!!).

an unwanted break.

2010-08-13T19:55:00.000-04:00

I haven't picked up a paint brush for almost six weeks. Surgery on my right shoulder, and a family illness have forced me to put all on hold.
Every cloud has a silver lining I guess. I have had time to think about WHY I paint, and not WHAT to paint.
The answer to that one will be revealed as soon as I KNOW.

Meanwhile I had two paintings juried into the 50th Annual Thumb Area Artists Exhibit at Margot's Gallery in Oxford, Michigan.

Toosie on the window sill.

2010-08-01T21:43:00.000-04:00

Just playing about with the computer Paint Box

while one of the kitties keeps me company.

my excuse.

2010-07-18T09:52:00.000-04:00

I had surgery on my right shoulder, and lifting my arm is almost impossible.
This is a boon for the art supply business as I have kept myself occupied buying anything and every thing out of boredom. I think they call it Retail Therapy.

excitement.

2010-06-17T19:07:00.001-04:00

My first "large" canvas (24x18), and a chance to use BIG brushes.
Oil paints, painting knifes, and trying to remember all those "rules" that I've been absorbing for the past three years. Maybe it will go on a wall in my home, who knows?
Too bad about the shine from the camera flash.

my greatest critic.

2010-06-13T19:43:00.000-04:00

He's made himself right at home in the studio.
He just had to discover where I was disappearing to every day, and now his world is all ok again.

man with hat.

2010-06-06T11:13:00.000-04:00

The leg in shadow needs work, but I'll wait until it's dry.
Lesson learned: never ask the subject for an opinion, especially if you are related!

in progress.

2010-05-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

This photo of my husband was taken while we were out walking our dog one sunny autumn day. The shadows were wonderful. Now I am applying the painting lessons of Peggi Kroll-Roberts to this interpretation in oils. I have far to go. I think though that he will recognize his hat.

my excuse.

2010-05-16T20:24:00.000-04:00

It 's that time of year : delivering paintings to exhibits and shows on time, deadlines, lists, phone calls, Tiger baseball games, and yard work inbetween rains. House trim to paint if it ever warms up enough.
And the guilt for not having posted to this blog for WEEKS.
I'm sure that I'm not alone.

focal point.

2010-04-24T18:59:00.002-04:00

I re-worked this small acrylic with oils, and tried to emphasize the light shining from the right
creating a sharp focus. The frame was purchased at a local thrift shop for 50 cents and painted with a shiny gloss.

coffee break.

2010-04-16T14:31:00.002-04:00

The saucer is a bit ragged, and the end of the spoon looks like my dog has been chewing on it.
But I had fun painting it. Thank you PKR.

flea-market teapot.

2010-04-12T16:56:00.001-04:00

Painting in sunlight is so real. No guesswork involved.
I think this teapot will be painted A LOT this summer.
It's shape is so pleasing. I need to work on minimizing the strokes, and this will lend it self to that lesson very well I think.

"Family Swim".

2010-04-03T17:02:00.000-04:00

My entry for the Double Take show at Studio 1219 in May.
I hope that the photographer likes it.
11x14 water soluble oils on canvas.

double take entry.

2010-03-23T15:26:00.001-04:00

Our Club is participating in a collaboration with the Port Huron ShutterBugs called "Double Take".
The artist pairs up with a photo taken by a member of the photography club, and interprets it any way we wish.
This is the start of mine. It still needs the sparkling light on the water.

little china pot.

2010-03-02T16:01:00.001-05:00

This is a painting knife practice piece, and an exercise in colour mixing, something I thought I was doing well with, until I saw the inspiring work of the Cape Cod School group.
I am enjoying my first small foot steps using oils, and I wonder what I use to find so scary about them.

learning to see the Light.

2010-02-19T11:04:00.001-05:00

I painted this by copying a demo by Camille Przewodek with some colour mixing advice from the incomparable JJ.
In the past I have shied away from figure painting, but this impressionist style really intrigues me.

charcoal drawing.

2010-02-09T15:01:00.002-05:00

Today at the art club meeting we had a portraiture class from Amy Foster who brought a very good model with a lovely head and beard of silver.

postcard from Tuscany.

2010-01-31T12:14:00.002-05:00

I've been keeping this postcard for about 15 years knowing that someday I would paint it.
I've made a few attempts; so far this one is the most satisfying.
11x14 acrylic.

Mr. Peabody.

2010-01-19T15:50:00.001-05:00

He was the pet of my friends Carol & Mike, and he had a black ring around one eye.
I hope he makes them smile again. SOLD.

snowy setting.

2010-01-10T12:14:00.003-05:00

Any excuse to post a photo of the studio, this time in the snow.

I can see all of the bird feeders from the back window.

A woodpecker came tapping on the glass yesterday; there are lots of them at the suet.

(click on to enlarge).

still life with wine bottle.

2010-01-08T15:34:00.001-05:00

Some day I will paint a bottle that doesn't exit the top of the frame.
I only have to smooth out the bump on top of the orange, and I think I'll finish.
Acrylic 11x14 on canvas board.

painter's duct tape.

2010-01-06T09:10:00.002-05:00

The previous painting has been partially gessoed over, and will emerge again in the near future.
Also, my new profile photo was taken by myself with my phone and that is my excuse.
Thanks for looking.

Pear and bowl.

2010-01-03T10:17:00.002-05:00

In spite of the bitter cold, I have managed to warm up the studio enough to paint.
I have been reading everything I can about painting light and shadow, and trying to make it work with acrylics.
11x14 on Claybord.

after Susan Sarback.

2009-12-26T10:20:00.001-05:00

American impressionist Susan Sarback published the original in her book, and I tried to copy it.
Some of it suceeds, and much of it fails of course.
Hers is in oils, and mine is in acrylics.
Hers glows, and mine does not.
But I'll keep trying.

The camera didn't reproduce the nice purples either.

Holiday fun.

2009-12-14T20:23:00.001-05:00

Although I have three paintings started, I've decided to play with pen, ink, and watercolour for a little light relief.
My journaling has suffered lately so maybe some Christmas-themed drawings would be fun.

The Conch Shell.

2009-12-05T16:08:00.002-05:00

My Dad had this shell in his room.
I wanted to show it laying in the sand but it wasn't as colourful as I imagined.
So I got a rainbow instead.

Click on to enlarge.

see Julie, I DO make preliminary sketches.

2009-11-30T20:13:00.003-05:00

I found this photo taken a while ago. The finished painting is hanging above my stairway, but it was the small sketches that caught my eye. (click to enlarge).

the conch shell.

2009-11-29T09:37:00.003-05:00

It's a start. I think I'll lose the bottle but I'm not sure what to put in the space.
The shell has to be shortened: it's not that long.
I'm not happy with the shadow either.
The shell belonged to my Dad.