Big Ben - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

I was with my Mom, about 30 years ago, when she bought this clock from an antique dealer. If my memory is correct, she paid a grand total of five dollars. This "Westclox Big Ben" was made in 1927 so it is just over 80 years old. With her "Pepto-Bismol" color and gold numerals, she is quite a charmer. She sat on the bathroom counter for years to compliment the pink decor.

I kept the composition very simple, similar to a portrait, to let the focus of the painting be on the clock...the star attraction.

Duff - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

This little guy, McDuff, is quite a character. Fearless and spunky, Duff is the master of his household. During "Ice Storm '08" when I was displaced from my house for several days, McDuff and I shared some quality time together. When I looked down on him standing on this colorful rug, I knew it would make a cool painting. The rug was actually more difficult to paint than I originally thought. I started with the blocks of color but they looked much too flat. When I blended the areas together and added some contrasting colors, I was able to create a more "shaggy", realistic carpet.

This Old Couch - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

This couch proudly sits in the main hall at the Parish Center for the Arts in Westford, MA. I'm not sure how old she is but she's been around a very long time. A few years back, she was sent out for repair and new upholstery. She hasn't missed a concert, art reception or dance since.

I decided that painting the entire couch didn't really add anything more so I cropped the image and made sure that the center "crown" was included to show the beauty of the carved wood. I also took a bit of artistic license and made her color a bit brighter and shinier than it really is.

Grand Opening - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

This sweet little shop sits in Westford Center. I was driving by when the sign was installed by the new owner with help from a friend. I debated whether to include the car that was parked in front of the shop. In the end, I thought it provides balance and additional color so obviously it stayed.

My favorite part of this painting is the ladder on the left which casts a strong shadow on the building. Shadows and shading are incredibly important and are what make an object appear three dimensional in a painting.

Curly Qs - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

I'd been thinking about painting a Hostess cupcake for a long time and couldn't figure out a pleasing composition. (My first few attempts ended up as nothing more than a nostalgic snack). I wanted to show both the curly-q's on top as well as the creme filling inside. I finally came up with this top-down view with one big bite out of the side.

Considering the whimsical nature of my subject, I selected a bright green glass plate over a blue and white dishtowel. I wanted the cupcake surrounded by bright colors. A few wrinkles in the dishcloth add another bit of interest. My favorite part of this painting is the way the blue stripes are darkened and distorted under the glass plate.

Squeeze - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

I spotted this jumble of paint tubes and thought they'd be fun to paint. The composition turned out to be a bit more of a challenge than I originally thought. I spent a fair amount of time manipulating both the colors (to alternate darks and lights) and the position of the tubes. Most of the tubes are pointed towards the center of the canvas to keep your eye from wandering outside the painting. I also added two brushes for a bit more variation and added interest.

Let's Huddle - 12 x 12 inches - Oil on canvas

I'm not great at arranging items into a composition. I prefer to stumble across a group of objects that catch my attention and then maybe manipulate them, just a bit, to enhance what was already there.

I spotted these pears (yes, they are fat, round pears, not apples) on my counter and thought they'd make a nice painting. I added a dish towel underneath for some added interest and color. I purposely included the bottom of the fallen pear...that dark dot at the base of the core...I'm not sure what this is called!?!?!? In any case, it seemed important to include that dark spot to help balance out the composition.