Hiroshige

This is an acrylic painting that I did some years ago for my sister. The size is about 6 x 4 feet. It took me a long time to finish and she was very patient with me.
It's a copy of Ando Hiroshige's "Rain-Storm at Shono" which was actually a color woodblock print. Having worked in graphic arts I know how time consuming his work must have been. You can see an image of the print here although I think the colors are off. The one I used was in a book.

I submitted it today to Following the Masters painting challenge which I participate in frequently. Challenge Nine was to paint something by a master artist you are inspired by. From what I've read Hiroshige was not considered a master in his time, but if Van Gogh chose to copy one his paintings I think it's safe to assume that he was master enough. Not that I really care. I've always loved his work which was much more colorful than his contemporaries in Japan.

mystery tree

7" x 7" pastel painting, unframed

Another painting for our Play on Words blog.
To read more about the inspiration behind this painting please visit the blog that my husband Gary and I share. You'll also be able to purchase it there.
Any ideas what phrase this represents? Share your guess in a comment at Play on Words.

Mason Jar with Marbles

7" by 7" daily pastel painting, unframed

You may already know that I have a collection of marbles. I bought this mason jar full of marbles on EBay. It was quite a steal!
I set up this still life yesterday hoping that the sun would shine through the studio skylight today but it didn't. Light is the most important factor as a painter. It makes me want to move to a sunny state on days like today. I'm still pleased with the outcome.

$120 with free shipping and handling in the US. Please email me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Gift Certificates

I'm working on a marble painting and I also received another drawing from Gary for our Play on Words blog. Stay tuned for new paintings this weekend!

I created these Gift Certificates for those special friends on your holiday gift list. They make a great gift and you can print them out if you wish!

Please read about the process by clicking on the image. A new window will open.

Click on the Buy Now button for the gift amount you wish to purchase through my PayPal name "MoonArts Gallery".

  $70.00

  $100.00

  $120.00

  $150.00

  $220.00

coffee press daily painting

5" by 7" daily pastel painting, unframed

I set up this still life last winter in a cardboard still life box and took photos of it which I saved. I really like the composition. I used red fabric for the back drop and a colorful fabric under the objects.
What is so interesting to me is that the painting frequently looks better than the actual still life set-up. It took me a while to realize this. Once I did I knew I didn't need to limit myself to beautiful objects because the painting is what gives them beauty.
Now I'm inspired to set up some more compositions in my cardboard box.
I'm also ready for a really good flea market to buy more props. If you live in Massachusetts and know of any I'd love to hear from you.

$110 with free shipping and handling in the US. Please email me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

blue teapot

'Tetley Tea Time'
5" by 7" daily pastel painting, unframed

Every day, 2 times a day, at the exact same time each day, my parents have tea time. It's an old Dutch tradition which has remained theirs as long as I can remember.

The tea is always in a teapot under the flame of a tea light.

I haven't appreciated it lately until after I finished this painting. There's something nostalgic about it in our technologically driven culture.

The original paintings hues are slightly different. My scanner doesn't like to give me the cerulean hues I always want. But it's very close.

$110 with free shipping and handling in the US. Please email me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

6 marbles daily painting

6" by 6" daily pastel painting, unframed

Sometimes I check my hard drive for photos which I never got around to painting. I came across various compositions I took last year of marble groupings.

I bought a few batches of marbles in mason jars off EBay.

Working small scale can be hard on the eyes and hands and sometimes my back. I'm toying with the idea of working large scale again just to give myself a break. Besides, I think it would be awesome to paint some larger than life objects.

I was inspired by a Chuck Close documentary last week. If you've never seen his work live and admire the work of photo-realists, I highly recommend finding his work somewhere.

$100 with free shipping and handling in the US. Please email me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

lobster roll

6" x 6" pastel painting, unframed

Another painting for our "Play on Words" blog. To see Gary's drawing that inspired this painting and for purchasing info please visit the blog.

Tonight we'll be going to the first anniversary of the gallery that offered to represent my work - thanks Matt. I always want to go incognito. That's impossible if the gallery owner is there or if you invite friends. One of these days I will find a way.

creamy pink cupcake

6" by 6" daily pastel painting, unframed

I love painting food, especially cupcakes. When the comments imply that salivation was a response I feel that I've accomplished my goal.

I had to think about what colors to use for the icing shadows. I started with a complimentary green underneath the reds and pinks which worked out well.

The weekend is almost here which means I'll have more focused time to paint a detailed work while my husband slaves away at the stove. He's taken that job on the weekends so I can stay in the studio. 

$110 including shipping and handling. in the US. Please email me for international shipping rates.

Peggy's Point, Halifax

6" by 6" daily pastel painting, unframed
Peggy's Lighthouse
Halifax, Nova Scotia

Painted for the Virtual Paintout challenge.
It was easy finding an image on Google maps with this one, probably because Nova Scotia isn't that populated.
I tried to keep this minimalist in my approach.

$100 with free shipping and handling in the US. Please email me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.