This just in: Swine flu is NO FUN.

I've been pretty much flattened for a week now. Mental function practically nonexistent.

This, however, cheers me up tremendously:

MUPPET BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

The other vids from the Muppet Studios folks are lots of fun, too, but I've been wanting a Muppet version of this song for ... enough years to qualify me for Serious High-Level Dorkdom.

Culture

On Sunday, 11/15, I went to Tea with Tarts and Tartuffe, an outing organized by Twin Cities TOSCA. Their events are always a lot of fun, and I got to learn a little about Moliere and watch a collegiate production of Tartuffe, which was a hoot.

The sketches are about 3" x 5", done in ballpoint pen in my little Moleskine notebook during the play. I was very taken with the costumes ans characters, so I did my best to catch a little of the feeling of them, and these are the results.

More Fruitiness!

Pleasant Company (Happy Pomegranates #2), oil on panel, 9" x 12"

Finished early this afternoon.

Fresh produce

Above, Happy Pomegranates, oil on panel, 9" x 12".

Below, Pear Friends, oil on panel, 18" x 18", by commission.

Extremely Minnesota Show!

Three of my pieces have been accepted into the annual Extremely Minnesota juried show at Robbin Gallery!

Opening reception is this Sunday, Nov. 8th, from 2 to 4 pm.

Hope to see you there! I saw some of the other submissions when I entered my pieces, and the quality was outstanding. I'm honored to have been included.

Workshop announcement

I have a painting workshop scheduled!

Turn Your Photos into Paintings

Saturday, Nov. 21st, 10:30 am - 4:30 pm at Maple Grove Arts Center, Maple Grove, MN.

You bring a photo you love, and I'll show you how to transform it into an original, expressive painting in oil or acrylic. Some painting experience is helpful, but beginners are welcome.

$65 tuition; bring your own materials.

Examples of the process, workshop outline, and materials list are HERE.

Drawings from the weekend

Below, a drawing I made yesterday around 5:30 pm, standing near the lake. I really love this tree, and have been looking at it for most of the year. I've already started a small painting based on this sketch.



The other drawing is from Saturday afternoon. I spent the weekend at my friend's house, babysitting Greyhounds while she and her husband were out of town. One of the things I enjoy is the chance to draw the dogs, who are such fantastic models. This is a sketch of Biscuit, who moved before I could finish her face properly. I still like the drawing.

Painting for fundraiser auction

Highway 100 Bridge, oil on panel, 9" x 12".

Created for the annual fundraiser gala for Bridge for Youth on 11/5/09. This piece will be auctioned to help support, house, and educate kids who've either run away or been thrown out.

This painting is based on a sketch I made here in Robbinsdale a few weeks ago. I stood on the shore of the lake, in the cold wind, held the sketch book open and drew for as long as I could before my freezing, cramping fingers made me stop. Here's the source drawing:

Tiny little salvage art!

Hawk House, 2.25" high x 1.75" wide. Oil paint and wax medium on salvaged wood and metal. This piece is sold.












In my hand, you can see just how small this piece really is. Below, the back view with the hole I drilled to allow the option of hanging it on the wall.

Artichoke: The Sequel!

This thing is really maddening to draw, which is probably why I keep doing it. I enjoy the challenge of getting the big shape and all those little shapes to work together the way they should.

Same size and media as yesterday's Artichoke. Same artichoke, too. No, I haven't cooked it yet. Maybe tomorrow.