Karin Jurick Workshop Paintings 6x6 oil on board

Last week I had the privilege of attending a workshop with Karin Jurick, who in my opinion is one of the best "daily painters" out there. She is also a fantastic teacher, and a delight of a person to spend the best part of a week with. These are the first two paintings I did at the workshop. It's kind of hard to get back into this fast, painterly approach working from photos after about 9 months of working realistically from life/models. But I love the loose, quick method, and working from photos is very helpful for summer in VT.

The real thrill of the workshop was watching Karin's demos. I learned so much. The "Boy in Green Crocs" was from a photo Karin gave us all. The "Man in Disguise" was from one of my bench-sitter photos. I can't wait to get back to "daily painting" this summer. (A couple of weeks of travel is coming up, and then hopefully I will be back to it.)

"Caught Napping" (v.2) 6x8 oil on panel

A few final touches on my napping gentleman at the South Street Seaport. I also think you can see the colors better in this photo, except for a little glare in the forefront. I'm starting to inventory supplies for figure painting classes, thinking toward packing up the VT studio and moving the painting down to NY. It feels like "back to school" time. Excitement, anticipation, a little nervousness. Hopefully I can do one or two more daily paintings this week, and then back to school.

"Fire Island Lighthouse" 5x7 oil on panel

I love lighthouses. I shot this photo from the car, that lovely day that my husband and I went to Jones Beach to walk (and escape the City on a Sunday afternoon.) I've gotten a lot of paintings from that one day's photos. I was giving some thought to doing a larger version of this. These little daily paintings are great studies for helping to determine if something warrants a larger piece and all the time and effort that entails. Not sure this one does, but I like it as a 5x7.

"Going Home Alone" 6x6 oil on panel

This is the first painting I have "sold". Well, he wanted to buy it, but I gave it to him. It was my former boss, a serious art collector. He saw it on Facebook where I posted a few pics before starting the blog. I just couldn't bring myself to put a price on something so little, quick and easy. Is that silly? Anyway, it's the first painting that has gone to someone other than family. (Yes, I'm that new at it, and that insecure.) Feels kind of good. Shipped it out yesterday. Thank you, Michael!

"Shadows & Reflections" 5x7 oil on panel

Another in the beach series, my husband on a cool day at Jones Beach, a favorite place for an afternoon escape from the city especially "off season". I didn't expect to get a new painting today as it is so terribly hot here in VT. But the studio was surprisingly cool in the morning, and bearable in the afternoon when it was time to finish it. (My sweet husband came in to visit and promptly went in search of a window air conditioner. He's my biggest fan and supporter! So this one, for so many reasons, is dedicated to him.)

"Green Shoe" 6x6 oil on panel

This one is from the Karin Jurick workshop and NY photos. I started a new painting yesterday that I am really excited about, but didn't have the time to finish, photograph and post. We have major construction going on at our house, so lots of interruptions. So, I decided to post an older piece. Hopefully the new one will be ready later today, and at the latest tomorrow.

"Central Park Fiddler" 6x6 oil on panel

Still struggling to keep bright, clean colors, but having fun with NY musicians.

"Bass Player" (update) 6x6 oil on panel

A few changes and more street musicians to come.

"Street Musicians - Stand-up Bass" 6x6 oil on panel

I've started a series of daily paintings of street musicians in NY. I think this was an early photo of the Bass Player so I may post it again with final changes/enhancements.

"At The Beach" (series) 6x6 oil on panel

These are 3 little daily paintings that I did on returning from Karin Jurick's workshop in NY. The reference photos were taken one day at Jones Beach. I call the paintings "Chasing Seagulls", "Hats & Sweatshirts" and "Going Home Alone". I'm still learning this blog-thing. Haven't figured out how to put titles under the images. . . It's all a learning process.