A Red Barn...

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here.  The New Year 2015, has been a bit of a rough start for me.  Mr. Motorhead and I have broken up.  I came down with a nasty cold.  Then, adopted a dog and returned it because of a severe case of separation anxiety-- it chewed up some new vinyl floor, a wooden/wicker chair, and some curtains.  The dog was getting to be too expensive.  I'm still looking for a dog and hope to have one to enjoy my new home with soon.  But while I was home sick, I did manage a small painting.  I HAD to do something I was getting bored. :)  But here's the painting...

"Red Barn in Brown Field"; watercolor on 8" x 10" paper.

I'm hoping to turn this year around soon.  Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted.  Hopefully, I'll also find more time to paint and be motivated soon too.  Thanks for stopping by and I invite any comments you may have!

Demon Four Pane...

The dust has finally settled and most of the boxes have been unpacked from my move.  In fact, I’m preparing for a little housewarming get together soon.  BUT the really important thing is that I managed to find my good camera and I was able to take some photos.  Here it is, in its entirety – The Demon Four Pane! 

"Demon Four Panes- four 8" x 11" paintings on paper.

 Here's them individually...

"Demon Logo"; watercolor on 8" x 11" paper

"Demon- Rear End"; watercolor on 8" x 11" paper.

"Demon- Side View"; watercolor on 8" x 11" paper.

"Demon- Front End"; watercolor on 8" x 11" paper.

P.S. Mr. Motorhead was VERY please with his paintings!  Thanks for stopping by and I welcome any comments!

A Halloween Move & Glimpse of Latest...

My favorite time of year - Halloween, and I will be moving into to new digs near the Czech Village area of Cedar Rapids.  No longer a renter, I'm becoming a homeowner.  Here's a photo of a current commission project that I'm trying to finish before my move.  I warn you, it is a poor photo.  Yes, the camera is packed and this was taken with non-internet-accessing-low-tech phone. As you can see my shadow above.  It's going to be a four pane of a red 1971 Demon.  This is for Mr. Motorhead to pay for a riding lawnmower at the new digs.  It's a big yard - I NEEDED it! Enough said :)

Photo- Prelim ink drawings for Demon four pane.

I hope to share a better photo of the real paintings soon.  Thanks for stopping by!

Old Chevy Pickup

I had a friend that teasingly challenged me to paint an old Chevy Pickup Truck.  I found a picture among some of the car shows and cruises that I've gone to with Mr. Motorhead.  I found this old Chevy Pickup among them.  I believe this truck is from the late to mid-1940's by the styling of it.  It was a copper colored on the top of it and black on the bottom.  I call this painting the "Black Bottomed Truck". Enjoy, here it is...

"Black Bottomed Truck"; Watercolor and Ink on 9" x 12" Paper.

So, Sal... What do you think of my version of an old Chevy truck?  Let me know! :) Thanks for stopping by and I welcome any comments you may have!

Half of Green Machine...

I've recently been house shopping.  And while I'm going through all of these houses, I've been dragging Mr. Motorhead along with me to look at things.  It always comes in handy when you have know someone that is a maintenance man to take a look at things.  It gives me an idea of what's fixable and what's not so fixable. Poor Mr. Motorhead putting up with all of this and never once complaining.  I decided that he little a extra Thank You for all that he's putting up with.  So, I did another painting of the Meen Green Machine for him.  The Meen Green is a 1971 Dodge Scamp that Mr. Motorhead owns and pampers.

I had Mr. Motorhead close his eyes while I put it out the painting in front of him and then had him open his eyes.  He liked it; I could tell!  But the first thing out of his mouth was: "Where's the other half?"  Yep, he has a bit of a smart-alack streak in him.  I told him if he continued to be nice to me, I MIGHT paint the other half of the car! Course, I told him it would be a smaller version if I did.  LOL!  Take that one buddy; got to keep him on his toes!  Here's the half I did paint...

"Half of Green Machine"; Watercolor and Ink on 8" x 16" paper.

   So hopefully, in the near future I will be sharing some good news about a house in the Cedar Rapids area that has become my home.  I would like to have a permanent place to call my studio.  I'll keep you posted as the process goes on.  Thanks for stopping by and always feel free to leave a comment!

Red Chevy at Duffy's...

Here's a quick little painting that I did a couple of nights ago.  It's a 1950's red Chevy that I saw when I was at one of the Thursday night car cruise nights at Duffy's in Cedar Rapids.  I thought that the Duffy's building in the back gave it a vintage feel to the painting.  Duffy's is a local place that specializes in selling collectible cars.  They usually have the business open so you can go in and view the cars inside during the car cruise nights; otherwise the hours are just during the days.  These are the type of cars that you wouldn't leave out on a car lot.  They are more of the pampered type.:)  Course, don't let Mr. Motorhead, my boyfriend, hear me say he pampers his car.  That's not very man-ly! LOL!  Here's my latest painting... Enjoy!

"Red Chevy at Duffy's"; Watercolor and Ink on 8" x 8" paper.

I welcome any comment you may have and thank you for stopping by!

Shawn's 1970 Camaro...

Shawn is a friend of Mr. Motorhead, my boyfriend, and I was rather excited when he asked if I would do a painting of his car.  Shawn has a 1970 Z28 Camaro that is a beauty.  It is a Sea-green color with black striping with a bit of pin striping.  It's in mint condition and I just jumped at the opportunity to paint it.  Here's the finished painting...

The challenge with this painting was narrowing down on a layout.  The front grill and the split bumper is very unique to this car.  I wanted to do it justice.  But at the same time, I wanted to do a view of the whole car.  Mr. Motorhead and Shawn were playing with a few ideas one night over dinner and the idea of a two shot of the car came into being.

I did three different lay out drawings for Shawn, but he had a hard time visualizing it.  So I took the one that he seemed to like the most and did an ink shading drawing of it.  That seemed to help him out with what it would look like.  Here's the ink shading drawing that I did...

This really was a fun project to do and it went relatively quick once the layout was figured out.

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear any comments or feedback you may have!

Alien Grill Grin...

I sometimes am at a loss on how to name a painting.  This particular one was based on a photo of a close up I took on an older model classic car's grill.  It was taken during another car show that I attended with Mr. Motorhead, my boyfriend.  But I didn't know enough about the type of car or year to use that as a name.  Yes, I guess I need to ask more questions while I'm taking photos than just learning all this car stuff by osmosis. I am guessing that it's a 1930's or around there by the hood but that's all I can figure out.

Here I am at a loss for a title and I hate having "Untitled" and a number after.  Not my kind of thing; its too vague.  Then I had an idea, I would put a photo of it on Face Book and see about suggestions for a title.  Thus, a title for this painting emerged.  It's called "Alien Grill Grin".  A few of the people on Face Book thought it had a bit of that "Alien" Giger feel about it.  I'm unsure about that and will let you decide.  Here it is....

"Alien Grill Grin"; Watercolor and Ink on 10" x 13" paper.

It was rather fun to just focus on part of a car, and don't be surprised if you see more of these types of paintings in the future.  I welcome any comments or feedback.  Thanks for stopping by!

1930's Chevy...

I managed to do this cute little painting during a free evening this week.  It's based on a photo I took from a car show a couple of weeks ago that I visited with Mr. Motorhead.  It's a 1930's Chevy but I'm unsure as to what year.  It's a combination of watercolor and ink.  I've been calling it "Boo Chevy" because it looks like a face that's saying "Boo!"  I know it's silly of me but that's what I see!  You can decide for yourself; here it is...

"Boo Chevy"; Watercolor and Ink on 8" x 11" paper.

Here's the photo that I based the painting off of...

I managed to get a ton of more material for car paintings this last weekend.  I took a ton of pictures while at the Good Guys Car Show in DesMoines this last Saturday.  Mr. Motorhead and I went down to the Iowa State Fairgrounds and spent the day seeing tons and tons of cars.  It was an interesting way to spend a one year anniversary.  But when you are dating a Mr. Mopar Motorhead, well... LOL!  From what I understand there were at least 3000 cars at the event and I must have walked at least 10 miles trying to see all of them! THAT might be a slight exaggeration but I tell you my legs are still sore from doing all of the walking that day.  So there may be more car paintings on the way soon!

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear any comments or feedback!

Purple Plymouth Special

Wonderful Summer time!  It’s that time of year when there’s more and more car shows going on.  I went to one this last weekend with Mr. Motorhead.  Then, this last week I got to looking at different photos that I had taken of cars from last year’s season.  This is based on one of those from last year. 

   

Here is the painting; I refer to as, “Purple Plymouth Special ” …

"Purple Plymouth Special"; Watercolor and Ink on 10" x 10" paper.

This is a watercolor with a bit of ink.  I thought that I would try something new this time.  I decided to just focus on the front of the car and leave out all of the various other details.  I purposely made for white spaces to be in the painting and just added in shapes for cars and trees that were in the original photo along with the Plymouth.  Please don’t ask me what year or specifics on it; but the original car was a burgundy color.  I can tell you that much! J  Though, I do believe it is late 1940’s Plymouth Special Deluxe from doing a bit of research on-line.

I welcome any feedback you may have and thanks for stopping by!

Classic Cars Galore....

I've been a little slow placing some of my latest paintings up on here.  I recently started a part time job working as a cashier for a local large chain retail store and haven't had a great deal of time to do other things like I should.  And so, here I am doing a bit of catch up.

These paintings are based on photos that I took during my long road trip; which was about 2 years ago now.  My how time flies.  I took these photos during Day 19 in Long Beach, WA.  There was this HUGE car show event called the Rod Run to the End of the World put on by the Beach Barons Car Club. It occurs every year there during the first weekend of September and it's amazing.  I remember sitting on the main drag eating a bowl of clam chowder on a bench and watching almost a thousand different cars; all polished, painted, muscled out and pimped out, driving by as I sat there.  Between that and people watching, it was a wonderful day of just observing. It was a ton of FUN and I took a ton of pictures that day.  I used a couple of them for the inspiration for these two paintings....

Photo: "VW Vagabond on Longest Beach"; Watercolor on 11" x 21" Paper

This Volkswagen Bug caught my eye while walking along a back street area in Long Beach but the original wasn't on the Beach.  I decided that this VW was crying to be seen on a beach with its racked suit cases on top.  In fact, I refer to this painting as a Vagabond VW on the Beach.

Photo: "Pontiac at Beach Motel"; Watercolor on 11" x 17" Paper

This Old Pontiac was parked out front of this Beach Motel and it was a scene that I've been wanting to paint for a while.  My boyfriend, Mr. Motorhead, really liked this one!  And I will admit that it was a fun one to paint.

Thanks for stopping by and I welcome any comment you may have!

Encaustic: My First Experience ...

I had always been curious to try encaustic art.  It has a very long history and I always liked all of the possibilities of layering/collage aspects that are available with this form of art.  So when I saw a local art workshop that was offered on-line, I jumped at the chance.  Even better, it was a low cost art workshop where I would take home 3 finished pieces; or so it advertised on-line.

Photo: The Indian Creek Nature Center, which is situated in southwest Cedar Rapids, IA.

The workshop was held out the local Indian Creek Nature Center; which is near a Sac & Fox Trail that I enjoy frequenting with Mr. Motorhead’s dog.  It’s a wonderful place to go out and enjoy nature.  I arrived last sunny Saturday afternoon, paid for workshop fee in the main barn and then walked a short distance to the “Sugar Hut”.   I went in to find several people huddling around the wood burning stove that was the heat source for the hut.

There was hot wax warming in a couple of places.  One place was a griddle with several small tuna cans filled with colored wax.  Another place was a large electric frying pan where the teacher for the workshop was stirring the wax with a resin.  It looked terribly sticky like hardened caramelized sugar.  She scraped the bottom of the frying pan and would mix and stir it around with a metal paint scraper. 

Photo: Colored wax, implements to apply, carving tools, resin in a bag, paper towels,
vegetable oil and a block of beeswax too.

As everyone, arrived she started to explain some things about the wax.  She explained that it was Darmar Resin that she was mixing with the beeswax and that it is used to make the wax more of a solid form when it cooled at room temperature.  She said that the electric frying pan needed to stay below 200 degrees.  At the 200 degree mark the wax would start to boil and give off noxious fumes.  Not a good thing; she explained. 

The beeswax she used was from a local bee keeper and she ordered it by the 3lb. brick from them.  She showed us how the brick looked.  It has a natural yellowish color she said that you learn to design your artwork around.  She then explained that she used oil paints to pigment her wax.  You can buy wax that is already colored but she liked to have more control over her colors.  She also said that you can generally get all of the colors from the three primary colors; yellow, red, and blue.  But she made a batch of green for us too; to make mixing a little simpler. 

We used cut up matte board that she had pre-cut into 4” x 6” squares.  She took a natural bristled brush, dipped it in the frying pan wax, and brushed it evenly across the matte board.  Then, she used a heat gun lightly over the waxed matte board to make it shine but not too close to make it run off the matte board.  This is how to make it seal and adhere to the matte board.  She repeated the process of using the natural bristled brush to put another thin layer of wax over the matte board.  “This is how you form your strata base”, she explained as she lightly ran an iron across the surface.

The iron had no holes in its surface; and either it or the heat gun could be used to seal the surface.  She explained that this sealing needed to take place each time between layers or the whole of the wax surface could slide off or crack.  Also, the layers needed to be done fairly thinly too.

Photo: "Encaustic #1"; 4" x 6"

Then, we were invited to make our own strata base.  It was not as easy as she made it look, but I managed through.  Next, she took us through all of the different possible ways of applying the colored wax.  She had quite a few brushes and other implements to choose from.  She also explained that if we did not like what we made that it was easy to just scrape off the wax and start again.  For most of the 12 in the workshop, this was our first time ever doing encaustic art.  Also, there was only handfuls that were artists in the group.

Next she took us through the process of transferring and also explained how to carve and apply oil paint into the carved out areas of the wax.  We played for a bit more and some of the participants started a second piece of matte board to form the strata base.  About half way through the workshop she invited us to take a break, go outside and perhaps, take a small piece of nature to use in our piece of artwork.

Photo: "Encaustic #2; 4" x 6"-- An attempt at a girl on a bicycle.

I went for a short hike and then came back to the hut.  I started applying color wax to my second piece and just playing with the different ways in which to apply the wax.  I also carved out a girl on a bicycle and applied oil paint into the carved out crevices.  The detail was lost when I applied the last layer of sealing wax.  Darn it!  I guess there's some learning curve with this new stuff.

Photo; "Encaustic #3"; 4" x 6" -- I'm framing it!

Next, I started the third piece and decided after a layer of colored wax that I would try a transfer of a barn scene.  I placed the ink side down of the black and white copy against the top of the wax surface; then, rubbed with a large metal spoon, over the surface while applying pressure.  Next, I poured a little water over the paper and started to rub lightly with my fingers.  Eventually, the paper came away but the black ink from the copy stayed on the waxed surface.  Ooooo, cool I thought as the last bit of paper washed away.  I think I'm going to frame this one!

I had a little more time yet, and decided to go back to my first encaustic piece and apply a transfer to the top of that one too.  Overall, it was a fun workshop and it was nice top broaden out into a new form of art.  I may decide to dabble in this new form in the future but I definitely would need an area where I would not be concerned about getting hot wax mess on the floor, walls, and etc.  This is when a heated garage would come in handy…. Hmmmm, maybe I could see if Mr. Motorhead has a bit of garage space available?

The Meen Green Machine...

This is the car painting that I did for my boyfriend, Mr. Motorhead, for a Christmas present.  I was so nervous about giving this painting to him because he's such a Mopar Muscle car fanatic.  And I titled this "Meen Green Machine"; rather than what I really wanted to call it--- "The Other Mistress".  LOL!  I figured I better keep myself out of trouble, if I can. ;)

I struggled to do this a little different but still try to stay close to the true-ness of the car.  I kept it to a limited palette of greens and blues; a masculine color pallet.  I thought that the smoke coming from the tire area would bring it a little more alive in the painting rather than just a static car sitting there.  Then, I felt it needed a bit of a Mopar logo-like for Mr. Motorhead.  After all, he is a Mopar Man!  I also felt like I needed something more in the upper left hand corner too.  I tried to kind of replicate a Mopar badge like logo that I found on-line.  I think it turned out well.

Mr. Motorhead was happy with it.  In fact, it is already framed and up on the wall in his living room.  The only item on the wall; which makes me feel special that he wanted it there for all to see.  Here's the painting...

"Meen Green Machine"; Watercolor on 11" x 14" Paper.

The car is a 1971 Scamp.  As to the engine and more specifics, I'm unsure and still learning.  But I have spent some time strapped in the passenger seat and I can tell you it has some real muscle!  In fact, I was in there once when he did peel out and burn some actual rubber on the pavement.  It was an exciting experience!!  But here's a photo of the actual car...

I welcome any feedback you may have and thanks for stopping by!

Dogs Resting...

I did this painting as a Christmas present for friend's, a married couple, that have become some wonderful new friend's to me since I have moved back to the Eastern Iowa area.  This painting is based on a photo that they shared on Face Book and it just caught my eye as a potential painting right away; some photos do that.  I felt safe to share it, now that they have received their painting.  I'll be sharing another car painting soon that I did as a Christmas present for Mr. Motorhead, my boyfriend.  But in the meanwhile, enjoy this one...

"Dogs Resting"; Watercolor on 11" x 14" Paper

Here's the original photo that I used for the painting....

Are they just not adorable?!?

I will say that Mr. Motorhead helped me.  He was wonderful and offered to get it framed.  I was rather glad because otherwise I would've been in the store trying to narrow down frames forever and ever!  It always helps to have another perspective when trying to chose a frame and matting.  I think that Mr. Motorhead has a real eye for color.  Here's a picture of it framed....

My friends have been sharing a new picture of the painting on Face Book and have been very happy with the gift.  That's always wonderful to hear.  Now, I just hope that Mr. Motorhead likes his painting!  Thanks for stopping by and please feel free to leave a comment.  Merry Christmas!

The Old Indian...

Earlier in the year, I did a motorcycle painting for my brother.  It was a gift for his birthday.  I had so many of his motorcycle friends that were giving me compliments about his painting that I thought it be fun to try another motorcycle.  

About 2 months ago, I went with my boyfriend on a Sunday drive.  Our destination was the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa.  I took several photos at the museum hoping to use the photos as subjects for further paintings.  Meanwhile, I was constantly reminding my motor-head boyfriend about the “do not touch” signs that hung on each motorcycle.  I was concerned about either his drooling or touching harming these bikes.  But I will say that I took a ton of photos because there were some pretty amazing motorcycles at the museum.  I would highly recommend visiting the National Motorcycle Museum for anyone that is even remotely a fan of motorcycles.  

Among the motorcycles was this older Indian Motorcycle that I was just enamored with the head lights and a round metal piece that had an Indian’s face in.  It almost looked like a face plate for a horn or something like that.  I’m unsure what exactly it was used for, or perhaps, it was just for decoration on the motorbike?  Who knows?  But I had to paint it!  I played with a great deal of colors on this painting and it was rather fun.  Here is what I call- “The Old Indian”…

"The Old Indian"; Watercolor on 12" x 18" paper.

In fact, I had so much fun painting this motorcycle I think I would like to try some more.  So don't be surprised if you see some more motorcycles in the future here.  Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear your feedback.

The Cougar!

Yes, here's another painting based on a photo I took at a car show in Vinton, Iowa.  I saw my boyfriend admiring the car, and thought he would like a painting of it.  Come to find out that the car is not a "Mopar" and will not qualify a spot on his wall.  Talk about snobs of another breed! LOL!  I guess I still have a GREAT deal to learn about cars.  AND here, I always thought of them as something to get me from Point A to Point B.  Well, it looks like I may need a bit of an attitude adjustment. But here's the painting that I titled: "The Cougar" which I find even a more ironic title when I myself am the "cougar" dating a younger man.

"The Cougar"; Watercolor on 9" x 11" Cold Pressed Paper.

Yes, it is in fact a Mercury Cougar.  Please don't ask me what year but maybe someone out there can let me know.  Or I could break down and ask my boyfriend but where's the challenge in that.  Here's the photo that I based it off of, and I tell you I struggled with how to paint this car. 

It's a very unique shade of "gold" and I'm still not quite happy with it.  But I guess that an artist is always their own worst critic.  But I welcome any feedback you may have and thanks for visiting.

Old Blue & White Buick...

It has been awhile since I have posted any paintings on here.  Yes, in general Summer is a busier time of year with me cycling. But, also, I have acquired a boyfriend and haven't had the time to paint like I normally would have either.  Still that shouldn't be an excuse. 

I recently went to car show with him in Vinton, Iowa.  I should clarify and say that it was actually a car drag.  I rode with my boyfriend in his "Green Machine" and it was like a parade of sorts through the small Iowa town.  A new experience for me and no I did not get the "Miss America Wave" down during the drive.  Though, I did manage a few waves as we drove along. 

Afterwards I went through my photos and I rather got inspired to attempt to paint a car.  I've done one before but it was a background to a duo of my nephews in front of a car.  But this car really kind of drew me to it.  But I always was partial to the color blue. 

This is the first time that I have just focused on the car.  So here is a old blue and white Buick that I'm guessing is a 1955 or 1956.  I still have a lot to learn about cars and my new boyfriend is very much into them.  He's a MOPAR man, and I can rightly say that I'm not exactly sure what that means.  Let's hope I have a fairly good learning curve at my age. LOL!  But anyway, here is the attempt to do this old Buick...


"Old Blue and White Buick"; Watercolor on 9" x 12" paper.

I would love to hear you input on it, and please realize that this is really a first attempt at actually just painting a car rather than something else with a car in the background.  Thanks for visiting!