Shea Center

14"x 11"
acrylic on masonite

Here is the painting I finished for the auction at the Shea Center where my sister works.

"The Shea Center offers classes that focus on a broad range and combination of disabilities. These classes fall under the general term "therapeutic riding" but each class is a sophisticated program developed to address the needs of that small group."

Here are some pictures of our visit there this summer:

They have several talented trainers.

The horses lined up and ready.

Getting ready to ride....

The riders get their awards!

It is a beautiful center!

Quality Time

Quality Time
8"x 10"
acrylic on masonite
SOLD

German Landscape

German Landscape
6"x 6"
acrylic on gessoed hardboard

Framed

Available at Daily Paintworks.

Elk, Washington

6"x 6"
acrylic on masonite

This is a view from my in-laws' ranch in Elk, Washington.
It is the first painting I posted....
To answer my art friend's question, I don't have any real movement in my right hand...but it's coming!
Done with my left hand.

Paper Head

It is clear to me that the images are in my head, I just need them to come out!

I need to work on my pencil work and my brush work.

Done with my left hand. (off-hand)

I'm back!

I'm back!

For those of you that don't know, I had a stroke October 14, 2010. I wasn't able to speak for a week, but I am working with a speech coach, and my right side was paralyzed, but I am getting better. I only use a wheel chair when I am going shopping, and I can also walk around my house without my cane. I work out every day: lift, swim, spin, and I go to physical therapy every other week.

The support has been amazing! Friends, people I don't know, and relatives have donated dinners, supported the Art Walk, posted on Facebook, helped give my kids rides to sports and school, and just shown up!

I have started to draw and paint, and even though my right side is paralyzed, all of the information is still in my head and I just have to train my left hand.

The picture I put up here is my work with my left hand....

Portland Streetcar

7"x 5"
acrylic on masonite
sold

I loved the light filtering in through the trees and the color of the streetcar!

"The Portland Streetcar is a system in Portland, Oregon that opened in 2001 and serves surrounding downtown Portland....It is the first new streetcar system in the United States since World War II to use modern vehicles. " ( from Wikipedia)

Color Sketch For Shea Center Painting

5"x 7"
Acrylic on board

Here is a color sketch for a painting I'm doing for an auction for the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

"The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs."

"The Center's staff is highly skilled in developing and delivering therapeutic programs to address physical and cognitive challenges. We have treated more than 70 physical and cognitive challenges including: cerebral palsy, spinal cord and brain injury, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, attention deficit disorder, autism spectrum disorders, and hearing and visual impairment."

I was able to tour the center while visiting Southern California this summer and was very impressed with the facility and the services they offer.

Plus, my sister works there! ;)

The painting is of the open space in San Juan Capistrano and is done from a photo, with permission, from the Friends of Sam Allevato website.

Finding Paintings In Random Photos - Girl In Surf

Girl In Surf
16"x 8"
acrylic on canvas

I painted this little girl to go with the little boy painting I posted on 6/15/2010 . I painted them side by side to make sure that I captured the same color and light. I found both of these children while searching through random photos I took at Newport Beach in southern California.

The little girl is easy to see at the right side of the picture.


The little boy is harder to find, but he is also on the right side of this picture.

By taking random photos, I am able to capture spontaneous and natural postures that may only last a moment.

I am always excited to see what I have captured when I go searching through the photos after I've loaded them on my computer. I often find several moments to paint in each photo or combine elements from several photos.

Really, I'm not a very good photographer so I am THRILLED if I find something to paint! Taking 'random' photos is my cover for not taking 'good' photos! ;)

Early Morning Along The 5

5"x 7"
acrylic on masonite

I like to ride shotgun when I'm in the car so I can take pictures out the window as we drive. It's safer than when I'm driving! ;)
This shot was taken driving north on the 5, just outside of LA at about 8 a.m. The light was beautiful!