"Stoney Brook Acres" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Stoney Brook Acres" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Stoney Brook Acres is a sweet little farm stand.  The place always smells great as they usually have cookies baking in the oven.  It is a fun place to pick up flowers, fresh fruits, veggies and even soft serve ice cream or a sandwich. 

The challenge in this painting was the composition.  I could have included the rest of the greenhouse area on the right, another structure with some farm animals, picnic tables, etc.  In the end, I decided to focus on the main building to highlight the colorful sign letters and the trays of bright flowers.

You can purchase this painting for $175 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Kim's Chair" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Kim's Chair" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



Whenever I work at the Art on Main gallery, I always bring things to paint to help pass the time and to also give visitors a demo as they visit the shop. I neglected to bring something along and had to scout around for interesting stuff to paint. I’ve always thought that this chair has a certain charm and personality and was happy to spend an afternoon trying to capture that spirit in my painting.  (In case you were wondering about the title, the chair belongs to Kim Scott, our resident potter).

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Gallery Glow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



"Gallery Glow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

I volunteered to gallery sit at the PCA last Sunday.  To help pass the time, I brought my paints along.  I knew I would paint something inside the building but didn’t decide until I walked around and evaluated all my options.  I picked this scene largely because of the sunny reflection on the wood floor.  My favorite part of this painting, however, is the small wrinkle I added to the front of rug to give it dimension...I just love that!

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Pizzeria" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

This little pizza place is in the Forge Village section of Westford. It is tucked along the rail road tracks and wedged into the curve of the street. I haven’t had their pizza in a long time but as I recall it was pretty good. I really enjoy doing street/architectural paintings and like how these buildings nestle together between the trees.

"Forge Pond" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I sat in my car on an overcast afternoon and painted Forge Pond, one of the local beaches in Westford, MA.  I had just finished reading Kevin MacPherson's "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color" and tried to follow some of his basic teachings:  a) simplify the scene - squint to eliminate the details  b) focus on painting shapes (not a tree or a rock or a whatever) and c) use a limited palette for harmonious colors.  I'm pretty happy with the final result and definitely learn something new with every painting.

"Do Si Donuts" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

Do Si Donuts - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

There is something comforting about a donut.  Every once in a while you just have to eat a donut.  'Nuff said.

Pottery Pear - Just Messing Around

Kim Scott, my artist partner at Art on Main, is a fantastic potter.  A couple months ago, I asked her for a bit of clay to mess around with.  I ended up making this cute pear that I'm pretty pleased with.  Kim was kind enough to fire it, help me pick out the glazes, and then fire it again to create the final product. 

I'm not exactly sure what I'll do with my pear.  For now, it is sitting on my desk but it might end up on my kitchen windowsill with my collection of little do-dads.

"Double Date" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Double Date" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

I was really proud of myself when I came up with the name for this one! 

"Winter Sun II" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Winter Sun II" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Here’s a 2nd stab at the “Winter Sun” painting. This one is larger and a bit looser with the color. I’ve always loved to paint “backlit” scenes as the light is so dramatic. This painting has a nice warm yellow glow. If you look closely, I put a small purple edge on the window panes to really make that yellow “pop.”

You can purchase the "Winter Sun II" painting for $175 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

I’m really happy to report that the “Ocean Dip” painting that I auctioned on ebay was won by a NYC collector who is thrilled with the painting. It shipped off on Saturday to its new home. I happily wrote out the donation check to AmeriCares to support the disaster relief efforts in Japan. Many thanks to everyone who bid and supported me by spreading the word.

"Ooze" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



"Ooze" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

I had a hankering to paint a donut and picked out this beauty from the bakery case at the market. I had the pleasure of taking two or three bites to let the sweet, sticky jelly ooze out from the center.  It was a tough job but somebody had to do it.

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below. 

REMINDER: My ebay auction ends tonight, March 24 at 8:17 p.m. I’m donating 100% of the purchase price of the "Ocean Dip" painting to AmeriCares to support relief efforts in Japan. Click here for more information or to place your bid. Good luck and thank you for your support!

"Pepper on Plaid II" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

When trying to improve your art skills, it is really a great idea to do a series of paintings on one subject. In repeating the same subject over and over, you can learn the intricacies and subtle nuances and really, really get to know it well. I don’t know if it is ADD or what but I get bored quickly with the same subject and rarely paint two consecutive painting of the same thing. In this case, I almost painted two pepper paintings back to back.

As a reminder, my “Ocean Dip” painting is up for auction on eBay and I will donate 100% of the purchase price to AmeriCares to support the relief efforts in Japan. The auction ends on Thursday, March 24. Click here to learn more and/or to bid.

"Ocean Dip" - 100% Donation to Disaster Relief in Japan - SOLD

"Ocean Dip" - 16 x 16 inches - oil on canvas

Dear Friends,

Like many of you, I’m deeply touched and saddened by the devastation in Japan. The recovery is just beginning and unfortunately there is a long road ahead.

I wondered what I could possibly do to help. Raising money is the one thing I can do to make a difference (however small it may be). So, as a start, I’m donating a painting, “Ocean Dip”, for auction and plan to donate more paintings in the coming months.

For this painting, I will donate 100% of the purchase price to AmeriCares. AmeriCares has mobilized rescue teams and is already working help survivors in Japan.

If you live in the Westford, MA area, you can view the painting at the Art on Main gallery.

I’m asking for your help in two ways.

1) Bid: Click here to learn more about the painting and to place your bid.

2) Spread the word: forward this message to as many people as you can.

Many thanks in advance,

Laurie

"Winter Sun" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Winter Sun" - 8x8 inches - oil on canvas

I walked into a friend’s house and was struck by the strong light streaming in from the windows in their sitting area. I had to go back to my car to grab my camera to capture the moment. What you can’t see is that this chair and couch face a fireplace which is frequently used. I can’t think of a nicer spot to sit, read and enjoy a cup of tea.

"Pepper on Plaid" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I've been craving peppers lately and eating them raw. This is pretty strange considering that I've never been a huge raw pepper fan!  My theory is that I'm deficient in some vitamin and somehow these peppers contain exactly what I need. (Right now, Lilo, my pepper-phobic friend, is freaking out as she reads this post). Peppers are really fun to paint with their shiny surface and bumps and curves. So, while my cravings continue, you might be seeing more.

"Big Mack" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

For us here in New England, it's been quite a challenging winter with storm after storm. Another 6 inches of snow fell over the weekend to add to our record breaking totals. This Mack truck looks a bit tired. For me, I don’t really mind the cold and the snow. From a painting perspective, snow is wonderful to paint. But, I am looking forward to spring when my palette will brighten and I’ll start using more yellows and greens as nature bursts into color.

"Sunset on Main" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I finished my gallery sitting shift at Art on Main and was walking to my car at the end of a January afternoon. The sun was just dipping below the horizon and I loved the effect of the oncoming car headlights as they illuminated the road. I took out my camera to capture the moment as the cars sped by.

I started this painting with a bright pink ground and allowed that color to peek through to create the dramatic lighting. Occasionally, a painting will paint itself and this was one of those rare occasions where my brush knew exactly what to do and it all came together quite easily.

"Hannah" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - sold

Hannah - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

A pet portrait commission of a sweet little kitty named Hannah.  The owners were very touched when the saw the painting as Hannah recently passed away.

"Be Mine" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I hope everyone has a chocolate-filled Valentine's Day with lots of love from friends and family!

Pastel Workshop - Calla Lily

Calla Lily

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts offered a pastel workshop on Monday night and I attended with two friends.  The instructor, Greg Maichack, was excellent.  I learned some drawing techniques.  I learned some pastel techniques.  I learned about pastel materials.  I learned interesting tidbits about art history.  I learned an awful lot.  But, most of all, I learned that I really don't like working in pastel!

"Snow Day" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

Snow Day - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

I was itching to paint outside yesterday so I piled my stuff into Opal (my new car) and went off searching for something to paint.  Yes, I name everything including the occasional body part.  But, I digress.  I passed a parking area with a bunch of school buses all lined up and loved all the bright yellow/orange colors.  I parked directly across the street and decided to focus my attention on the two buses directly in front of me.  I had to work quickly as the sun was setting (and happened to be shining directly into my eyes which made it a challenge to see what I was doing).  I’m happy to report that I didn’t get one drop of paint on Opal which is probably a small miracle.  My pants, however, that’s another story…