Welcome

What Have I Been Up To Lately?

I post my latest work in fine art, photography, writing and design for customers and friends to peruse. I also hope that my customers and friends can get to know each other, even if it's only virtually.

Visit the Main Index for access to all the galleries mentioned on this page.

Fine Art

"Deck the Walls" at Gallery 707 opens October 30!

Misty River Morning

Art is sold right off the walls, replaced with yet another piece from October 30 to First Night. AAP's annual "off the wall" holiday event opens this Friday, October 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Gallery 707, 707 Penn Avenue. Join us for the opening, or visit the gallery during November and December.

I'm a member of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh!

I juried into this organization this fall and was notified this week that I was accepted. Jurying is complicated—seven images on disk sent with the application, then three live works left for jurors to inspect on another day. I applied years ago and did what I thought was logical and submitted 10 works in totally different styles and media, hoping to show my versatility. What they wanted was 10 works in the same medium and style to see a consistency of skill and rendering. And I see why—I have a two neat acrylic paintings from my forays into the medium, one of which, My Neighbor's Laundry, is a real favorite, but I would never consider myself proficient in the medium.

The AAP is one of the oldest, largest and continually running art organizations in the country, and I'm excited to be a part of their shows and events. They are just about to celebrate their 100th anniversary, and their member list through the years has included the most prominent artists in Pittsburgh's history. Visit their site, www.aapgh.org.

"Evening on the Meadow", donated to Allegheny Land Trust Bounty in the Barn Benefit

Evening on the Meadow, pastel

I design their newsletter (see "design" column at right), and when the photo of this place came over I decided right away I needed to paint it. The photo was taken by Roy Kraynyk, ALT's Executive Director, and he told me where it was—Fern Hollow Nature Center—and suggested I go there to see the place. I much prefer to paint en plein air if possible, but by the time I got there the season had clearly changed and I loved that golden summer evening depicted on the ripe grasses.

Their benefit, Bounty in the Barn, was at the beginning of October and I'd wanted to donate artwork for that, so I decided I'd paint it at about 18" x 24", frame it, and donate that to the event, which I did.

I'll soon post this on my "landscapes" page, and I'll have prints available.

CARNEGIE PAINTED IX
3rd Street Gallery, 220 Third Street, Carnegie

Above is my entry in this annual art exhibit, Forsythe's Farm in Winter. It's ink with watercolor washes, just the right thing to capture that field of unbroken snow. Consider stopping in for the opening, or stop in at the 3rd Street Gallery for another of their events and see this year's show—the art is really impressive!

Portraits: Madison

Madison first proof

I actually have a new portrait to do for an old friend. Through yet another old friend I reconnected with the girl who lived in the house next door to where I grew up. Girl—heck, I think we're both women now! Our lives have had some parallels, including, as it turns out, she adopted a cat who came to mean so much to her, and she lost him too young. I haven't ahd the chance to start on Madison yet because I was just cleaning and organizing my studio between works and shows when I lost Namir. I'll get to the portrait soon, though, since everything is ready to go. I'll be posting updates as I work on my feline blog, The Creative Cat.

South Hills Art League Annual Juried Show

Peaches and Peonies, Pastel

I juried in to the show with three paintings, Autumn in the Valley, Veronica's Tulips and Peaches and Peonies, above. Peaches and Peonies won an Award of Merit.

Photography

Photographing the ACFL&MH Benefit Concert

Daphne Alderson

"All Judy, All Heart", Daphne Alderson sang some of the songs made famous by Judy Garland and told stories in her flowing contralto voice. I photographed the concert as well as the concert-goers.

In addition, the Music Hall has brand new, really comfortable seats, most fitted with a small brass plaque with the inscription of a donor! I've posted photo galleries of each on the ACLF&MH website, www.CarnegieCarnegie.com

Music Hall seats

Photo Greeting Cards

Kelly Twice

I've been selling photo notecards for years, but I've always left them blank so that those who use them could add their own message, but I've finally decided to put some of my ideas to work!

You may recognize some of these photos as the ones I've been featuring in past communications. When I took these photos I also saw the potential for these greeting cards with messages on the cover.

I've designed a line of flower-based photo greeting cards and also animal sympathy cards, which you can read about at right, and you can also visit the Marketplace for designs and ordering.

Today

I've been having a great time with my second blog, Today—I finally have some place to show these photos that don't fit into other galleries and to tell the stories of why I was inspired to take the photo, and have finally set up the "Today" photo gallery on my website.

To go with the photo above..."Those old-fashioned street fairs are fun in the daytime, rides turning in the heat of August, too much cotton candy and pop taking their toll…but for all their fun in the day, they are magical at night, the lighted rides turning against a starry sky, the attractions an oasis of colorful neon and incandescent in the midst of an inky darkness of streets, then just as suddenly as it sprung from nothing in a parking lot, it’s gone, leaving only darkness and cool September nights.

"In this photo, a couple on a date wanders toward the rides."

I haven't posted quite every day, but some days I post twice.

Feline photos used in a book soon to be released

Two in the Tub

"Two in the Tub"

I use photos of my cats all the time in designs and communications, but now that an author has used a few photos to illustrate a book, I know they're on their way to fame!