I need a title

This picture was taken by a friend of mine that spent some time in Thailand. She took this picture and I asked her if she would mind if I would paint it. It was a good study in skin tones. She has such an innocent look on her face. It was fun to see her come alive on my canvas.

Looking Back

My husband and I took a visit to near by Lancaster County. We felt like real tourists with our camera in hand. We came up behind this buggy and I saw the little boy with his hat sitting in the back. It was screaming at me to be photographed. So I told my husband to drive slow and I stuck my head out the window. About that time the little boy turned and looked at me and he was caught on camera.
There were a couple of things that I strove for in this picture. To create the depth in the buggy by making the parents not look as dark as the dark of the buggy. Also, to have the red and orange sign without it taking over the picture. That was done by making a bit of a muddy orange and red. Hope you enjoy this Lancater County picture.

Amoung the leaves

This picture was an experimental piece for me. The background was done by laying down color and placing fresh green leaves in the paint, then allowing them to dry for about 14 to 20 hours. The hardest part is not peeking. After the paint has dried you remove the leaves. The result is all kinds of fun imprints in the paint. The bird is a finch and was photographed in Indiana. We were there for a wedding this summer and I spent a morning with my aunt. She has several bird feeders in her backyard that a wide variety of birds visit. I had great fun taking pictures of them.

The Lititz art show

I did my first full art show on Saturday, July 26th. The show was a juried show. We were able to choose three paintings each to be judged. I picked the oranges and the girls with pinneapples and the Piper. The Piper won 3rd place. Kerry told me He wished he could have taken a picture when the judges came asking for Jennifer Martin. He said my eyes got real big and my mouth dropped open. It was a real honor.

Lilly

Just for fun. I have been doing so many large pictures and wanted to have a break. These Lillies have been blooming outside my house. The dragonfly flew onto the canvas and stayed. =)
He wanted to get into the act.

Market Days

My sister Marcia came to visit us this spring. We spent one of our days at the market. We had fun wondering around the many stands. This stand captured my attention with the oranges sliced open. I enjoyed working on making this picture look 3D. Would you like a slice?

At a distance

size 20x30

Here comes summer. This picture comes from a number of different places. We enjoy visiting the Chesapeake Bay as a family. I would say this pictures was inspired by the fun times we have had there. But, this bird was actually photographed in Canada. A combining of pictures created a feeling of warm summer memories.

The Piper

Size 16 x 24
This is a picture of a friend of Mine. Her family plays celtic music together. She plays the violin, concertina and the bag pipes. She was in the Lebanon parade and she allowed me to take her picture. I enjoyed the challenge of working with dark colors and changing them up. Also the skin tones were a good study.

Memories of Childhood

This picture is of my daughter Annika. I may be teaching a class this winter and this is the picture the class will be doing. The hardest part of this picture is the water. I worked it out myself to be aware of the problem spots. I hope to do one of Jevon by the water also.

A Malagasy Gift of Friendship

26x26
This picture was taken by my friend Rhonda Slaubaugh in Madagascar. I fell in love with these girls and wanted to paint them. They are selling pineapple slices at a market.The picture is currently showing in Mechanicsburg, PA, at an art show.

The View

This bird is called a nut hatch. It is known for the head first way that it descends a tree. It was also brave enough to come to the bird feeder with people near by.

Out on a limb

10x20 I painted this picture after spending a weekend in January in Northern Pa. This brave little chickadee came to the bird feeder. He reminded me of the North and the chickadees we would see in the winter. He was just waiting to be painted. The backround on this picture was new to me but it gave a rather mutted effect which I wanted.

Sisters

This picture was also inspired by our visit to Williamsburg. I dedicated this picture to my sisters.

A beat in time

This picture was inspired by a parade at Williamsburg. These old drums had a lot of character. I loved all the little nobs on the drums. This picture was a lot of fun to execute.

Notes of Nature

I have been learning to play the clarinet. In the fall I decided to do a picture combining the beauty of nature around me and the this beautiful instrument. I pushed color in this picture. We have a wonderful God of beauty.

A time to remember

This painting was inspired by a cart in Williamsburg. Kerry and I were down there for our 10th anniversary. I loved all the colors and the way the shadows played with the hats.

A day of beauty

This picture was taken when I visited my family and we spent the day on Mackinaw Island. It wasn't till a few years later that I actually got around to painting it. Kerry took the picture. I was inspired by this beautiful church. Dad and Mom are on the one bicycle and Annika and I are on the other one. This is the first picture I painted in transparent water color. A lot of good lessons were learned.