Roy the Magnificent
Oil pastel on charcoal paper
Framed 26 x 30
Sold, private collection
Giclee available
Roy is a character full of charm and strange beauty, in a comical sort of way. Here he is, a representive of his unique breed, peeking at us through goggly eyes, typical of most personality-plus Pugs.
Rosie’s Gaze
Oil Pastel on Strathmore 500 series charcoal paper
Framed 30 x 26
450.
Giclee available
Introducing ROSIE … Let’s get this straight, right off the bat. Most every Rosie I know is female. THIS Rosie is … a guy. And he isn’t even mine. Just a passer-by.
But for a month, he was a friendly companion while I worked on pastels and oil pastels, outside in the warm Florida weather. I’d work. He’d curl up on the porch close by. His wonderful autumn orange fur begged to be captured. He, on the other hand, captured ME. What a character he was, visiting all the families up and down the street. We were all regulars on his fly-by list.
Because of that wonderful fur and engaging personality, I did several pieces with Rosie as the subject — and that propelled me toward a series of works involving animals, Cattitudes and Other Explorations.
The Oil Pastel Rosie’s Gaze has been honored with five awards. How would Rosie, the scruffy old kitty, have known that he would be admired by so many people?
Adendum:
The REAL ROSIE, voicing his objection to
me not opening the screen door.
Best in Show, Lawrence Street Gallery 20th Anniversary Exhibition
Honorable Mention, Oil Pastel Society of America, 2006 Annual Exhibition
1st Place, Viewers Choice Award, 2006 Members Exhibition, Oil Pastel Society
3rd Place Professional Drawing, 2006 Michigan State Fair Fine Art Competition
Regal Watch
Oil Pastel
Framed 31 x 26
Sold, private collection
Giclee available
Here sits our special Morgan, in a cozy dark corner, illuminated by a small patch of sunlight. A pensive, skittish little friend, she sat perusing her domain while trying to remain somewhat awake. I found her to be a wonderful mix of stately cattitude and cuddly black and white fluff. She was everything a cat should be — regal, pensive and…half asleep.
.
Virginia Thibedeau Memorial Award, For Drawing — Grosse Pointe Artists Association Annual Exhibition, 2008.
Honorable Mention — Transitions 2008, The 2008 Oil Pastel Society Annual Exhibition.
Oil Pastel Society of Maine Annual Exhibition — Saco, Maine
Soul Mate
Oil pastel on charcoal paper
Framed 25 x 30
300.
Two soul mate monarch butterflies perched for a short time on my porch. I was inspired to capture them as they stayed there motionless for half of the day. The notion of the importance of having a soul mate was on my mind as I worked. I felt the image should express connection and balance and be presented with passion and fire. The piece was unusually meaningful for me because I felt fortunate that I was allowed to experience their connection.
Hopeful Morgan
Oil pastel
Framed 24 x 28
Sold, private collection
Giclee available
Not much needs to be said about this dear little kitty who seems to be asking —
“Is there anything up there for me?
I was intrigued by the light that glowed through the thin membrane of the cat’s ear. Hearing is an undeniably powerful element in cats, yet their ears can appear contrastingly delicate.
Mask
Oil pastel on charcoal paper
Framed 18 x 24
350.
Giclee available
Though portrayed through the use of animal portraits, the pieces in the cattitudes series are actually pictorial analogies for emotions that humans experience. Mask is a special favorite image of the quintessential cat persona – and it also speaks to the need we all have to protect ourselves by wearing masks, so that other’s can’t “see in”.
Red Peeking
Oil pastel on charcoal paper
Framed 30 x 22
300.
Giclee available
Another rendering of mysterious Rosie, with a touch of his spiffy red collar, peeking just a bit from under his butterscotch fur. Who is doing the peeking, here?
On the Lookout
Oil pastel on charcoal paper
Framed 24 x 28
SOLD, Collection of Robinson Animal Hospital, Johnson City, TN
Giclee available
I am partial to this particular oil pastel. Rendering the whiskers, bringing the quiet gaze to life, capturing the color of the eyes, making the composition work, all played a part in making this piece a joy to create… This cat was born and raised in our home so it’s not surprising that I connected to the subject matter — It has been said to ”paint what you love and it will show in every stroke”.
Best Friend
Oil Pastel
Framed 30×24
Private collection
Giclees available
Everybody says, a dog is man’s best friend. OK. Here he is – actually this may be a she – MAGGIE. Truth be known, Maggie scared the bejeebers out of me when I went to visit before doing the portrait. But as I pushed the oil pastel over the paper while doing the work, I got more and more comfortable with the rambunctious doggie with the beguiling golden retriever smile. And, I understood why little faces like this are hard to resist.
Yep! Best Friend. Good title. Maggie, good dog!