Saturday, February 26, 2011

New, from my original painting, Lenore in the Breaking Dawn

In her prettiest ballgown, the ghost of Lenore casts a final look at the raven, before the day breaks and she fades. The rising sun illuminates the haunted cemetery, casting light of pink, deepening to magenta. Cherry blossom petals dance among the tombstones. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "The Raven" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is offered as a pendant, hand crafted by the artist from my original painting. Made from polymer clay with the print baked into it, then sealed with resin, giving the image a glass-like quality and providing waterproof protection.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

New peace tree, Blue Dragonflies in the Spring

The rising sun illuminates blue dragonflies and blossoming tree branches, covered in cherry blossoms. The tree branches have arc'd to form a peace sign. Some of the petals are dancing in the Spring morning sky, which is in shades of lime green, deepening to a rich emerald. This hope-filled piece, part of the Zen Mandala modern art series (visionary landscapes in a surreal Asian style), is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in purple acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Stone Ghost and Cypress Trees fine art photograph:

Mysterious stone drapery covering this urn looked, to me, like a figure standing among the cypress trees. The original photo was taken in the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. This California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

We thought it was about time to visit historic San Juan Bautista, a California Mission town. Many of the buildings remain as they were, taking you back in time.

The first thing you notice is the chickens & roosters. They run free all over the town:

I had carefully made a list of all the haunted sites in town for my Haunted California paintings, then forgot it, but, as I recall, most of the buildings claimed some ghost story. Here's the Plaza Hall:

And the Plaza Hotel:

And a shot of the bell tower of the mission church:

We finished up with a trip to the cemetery on the hill, as inspiration both for the Ghost Paintings and the Eternal Wanderings cemetery photos:

Seagull Cove is a painting I did several years ago. I always felt, at the back of my mind, that it needed a bit more pizazz. So, I added a mermaid:

Cypress trees stand on a bluff covered with magenta wildflowers on a Spring day at Pacific Grove (near Carmel and Monterey). Seagulls fly through the white, fluffy clouds, while one takes a rest on a rock, watching a mermaid trying on a necklace of white shells. This California fantasy ocean seascape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" staple-free sides are finished off in blue acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Monday, February 07, 2011

New commissioned painting, Abby and Caesar in the Spring:

Abby, a beautiful Calico cat, and Caesar, a handsome gray tabby, gaze at the luminous Springtime moon. Cherry blossom petals dance in the lime green sky, and a purple dragonfly flits in the upper corner. This visionary landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in purple acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.
Being commission, this piece is sold, but prints are available.

Sunday, February 06, 2011

This is a painting a did a couple years ago, Dandelion Wishes and Pine Trees. I had the sudden urge to add a cat in the tree:

The full moon illuminates a distant hill with three pine trees, and is reflected in the lake below. On a closer hill, a twisted pine tree stands over dandelion globes, a flame-point Siamese cat on one of the branches. Dandelion fairies dance in the night sky, which is in shades of blue. This visionary landscape is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides have been finished off in black acrylic--no need to frame). It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.
Sky helping me with a commissioned painting:

Saturday, February 05, 2011

This is one of my favorite areas in the Santa Clara Mission cemetery, The Town Square:

Amazing architecture abounds in the historic Santa Clara Mission cemetery with its mausoleums like small cathedrals. A statue of Jesus watches over the city of the dead. This California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

New Painting, Her Tomb by the Sounding Sea:

The ghost of Annabel Lee, forever a maiden on the brink of womanhood, stands in the red iceplant on the bluffs overlooking the sea. She wears a white regency gown with a string of pearls, her blond hair swept up in a bun. The full moon illuminates the Grecian-style sepulchre on the rocky cliff. This Gothic fantasy landscape, inspired by the "Annabel Lee" poem by Edgar Allan Poe, is an original acrylic painting on a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas (the 3/4" sides are finished off in brown acrylic)--no need to frame. It has been lightly varnished to protect the paint and preserve the lustrous colors. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual painting.

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

New photo from Santa Clara Mission Cemetery, Crow Among the Stones:

A crow lights on a tombstone, nearly lost among the many graves and mausoleums. The original photo was taken at the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery and was artistically enhanced to resemble an old sepia print. This gothic California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish). The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.
New cemetery photo, Monuments under a Blood Red Sky:

Three monuments, grouped together as if in conversation, standing against a red sky. The original photo was taken at the historic Santa Clara Mission Cemetery. This gothic California landscape, from the Eternal Wanderings series, is offered as a print on fine art paper (soft, matte finish) from an artistically enhanced photograph. The copyright watermarks on the image do not appear on the actual print.

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Stuck for a unique Valentine's Day gift? Handmade jewelry is an excellent way to go. And there's still plenty of time to ship. Most online sellers will ship directly to your faraway Valentine too!

For an excellent selection, check out Linda B's Beaded Jewelry.

For a gal who loves the southwest or Native American styled jewelry, there's this wonderful Turquoise and Coral Necklace.



Or, for a lady who loves fairies or vintage, consider these charming dragonfly earrings.

Or this excellent all-around Valentine's Day necklace, with its hearts, red beads and little key (adding a touch of steampunk as well)

How about St. Patrick's Day earrings? They're multi-purpose :-).