"Timberland III" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Timberland III" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

I'm not sure why but I've always loved Timberland boots. This is my 2nd pair -- the first pair I bought when I was in college and wore them until the sole was cracked and eventually separated from the heel. I'd probably still have them if they were still functional. Yup, that's right...I get pretty attached to my old, well worn, well loved stuff and hate the thought of having to break in something new :)

In other news, I'm going to be talking about my book, "Paint the Town!," and giving a painting demonstration on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Westford Museum. For more information, visit the Museum website.

This 12 inch square painting is available for $175. Click the Buy Now button below or click here for other payment options.

"Jackson" - 16 x 16 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Jackson" - 16 x 16 inches - oil on canvas

This is Jackson - a yellow lab. Jackson suffers from FOCD (which stands for Frisbee Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). In his heyday, Jackson could catch a Frisbee like nobody's business -- didn't matter how high or how far you threw it. He was somehow able to calculate all the physics -- angle of ascent, wind speed, wind direction, etc. He knew exactly where to run and how high to jump to catch it -- just about every time.

Unfortunately, as a senior dog, Jackson's joints aren't what they used to be. He would still LOVE to spend hours retrieving the Frisbee but his owners limit him to a couple of throws a day, otherwise, he'll end up limping. So, when you suffer from FOCD, you need to devise other ways to satisfy your craving. During the summer months, that is pretty easy for Jackson. He drops the Frisbee into one side of the pool. The wind and current from the water filter carries the Frisbee across to the other side where Jackson waits and snatches up the Frisbee to start the process all over again. And again. And again. And again.

This painting was commissioned as a present to Jackson's owners. They are thrilled with their new painting. It is such a great feeling to know that my art brings joy into someone's home.

"Peppermints" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I found these peppermint candies in the bottom of my backpack.  I have no idea when I tossed them in but they looked pretty sad so I'm guessing it was quite a while ago.  Painting these mints was a bit of a challenge as I've never attempted to paint cellophane.

Like any new subject, the key is to focus on what you actually see as opposed to what you think you see.  I would have thought that the center of the mints were a very bright, white color.  However, the brightest color is the highlight on the wrapper and the mints are actually several shades darker.  My other observation is that the shadow under the mint is much darker than the shadow under the twisted cellophane wrapper.

In other news, congratulations to Jo Wray who won my January give-away!  To become eligible, sign up for my mailing list ... each month I randomly select someone to win.