Sausalito Store Front

Here is another Jewel Box painting in progress.

I don't know why I'm so fascinated by Sausalito, California but I am! I've been there several times and always feel like I'm in the south of France (except it's usually kind of cold). The houses are cute, I like the way they're perched on a hill. The place has kind of a 'small town' feel but also hip and happening... plus it's so close to San Francisco. My husband and I used to go there on our many trips to the wine country... but now with kids, who knows if we'll ever return. Those were good, old days - 'todays' and good too, though!

French Box

I'm working on a new series of jewel boxes... this time they are architectural in subject. I love doing faces but needed a change. This one is from a photo I took from a moving car (!) on the Cote d'Azur... Juan-les-Pins to be exact. There are some beautiful, old mansions there... this one of Moorish design. I'm really having fun with it and will post more later.

Looking Through the Window

Here is an older jewel box I did a while back. They all had wallpaper in the background which was so much fun to paint since I love pattern. I just picked up some of my work that had been at a gallery for quite a while and brought in some new things. You will probably see some of these things in my Etsy shop... although she is one of my faves and I may have to keep her!

Spectrum Gallery Show, "Hooray for Spring"

The School Teachers and Other Lovelies Jewel boxes, block prints by me, block prints by Gretchen and Romy Ehrsam and Paris Banner by Cate Goins.

Hand made glass bead jewelry by Lisa Moss

Some block prints by Gretchen and Romy Ehrsam, and myself. Baby banner by Cate Goins.

The delectable refreshment table.

Hand felted wool purses and linen block printed purses made by yours truly.

Here are some photographs from the Spectrum Art Gallery show I am in, there are 11 regional artists showing. Today is the last day if you are in Spokane... come on in and have a look! They are at 33 W. 34th St. from 1 - 5 pm today or by appointment. (509) 747-5267. The show will run through May 31. This is just a taste of the work there, I'll have to take more photographs to show more of the artist's work!

(For a closer look, click on image.)

The School Teacher Series

Miss Alice Hess Acrylic on wood box.

The jewel boxes are finally done, along with the prints and purses... I took them all to the gallery today. What a nice feeling to be finished, it takes such a long time to get ready for a show these days with 2 little ones. They inspire me in so many ways though!

Boxes n' Borders

Here are all the jewel boxes with the completed borders - I loved painting these, so much fun!

Flowers in her Hair

The show looms closer... I picked up the announcements yesterday and dropped off some purses and woodblock printed cards. I also showed the gallery owner some of the jewel boxes and she was very pleased with them. :^) Now, I just have to finish 3 of the faces and I will have 8 boxes, plus I need to hand color some prints and package them as well as re-print one that I had to re-work. sigh!

The Music Teacher

Jewel Box Bobbed Hair Lady...

Jewel Box, Red-haired Woman

Here is a jewel box recently finished. I've been taking a break from them, we need some

space, those ladies and myself!

Flowers in her Hair

Jewel Box Painting to be finished in the next few days.

Pensive Milly in Easy Chair, 1954

Jewel Box in progress...

More Borders

More jewel box borders...

A Little Painting-a-Day Announcement....

Wow, it's been pretty rough keeping up with bloggin' since having the flu and taking care of the kids, etc. I've been thinking about changing the focus of this blog to an "Art Journal" or "Painting-a-Week" since I've rarely posted a finished painting! My life is too hectic right now to finish a painting that fast and be satisfied with it. So... one of these days, I may have a new name for this painting/print art blog, and probably post less often but with more finished pieces! :) My goal WAS to join a daily painters website but, that probably won't happen until our kids are both in school full time.

Auburn hair

Another jewel box painting. I have been doing so many, faces are my favorite, I really never get tired of them... endlessly fascinating to me. I have been thinking about backgrounds and borders... the hard part is to resolve each painting and decide when it's finished!

Gatsby Girl

Another Bobbed Hair Woman...

Jewel Box Borders

Here's some beginnings of the sides of the jewel boxes. I love to paint these because it's simply doodling with paint.... plus I love pattern... must be the quilter in me. what could be more fun?

Maybe I could get a job as a textile designer, wish - wish!

Upswept Hair

Here's another, I have started the underdrawings for the sides of the jewel boxes... you'll see them soon! These ladies are constantly evolving... one day, I'll post them again when they are all done.

One of the' Big 10'

Another Jewel Box painting, this young lady is a 1937 High School girl from Montana.

Upswept-Hair Ladies

8 x 8 1/2 in. Acrylic on wood.

Well, it's official, I've decided I have to do a series of Upswept-Hair Women... inspired by the Bobbed-Hair Women, of course! I am loving working on the jewel boxes (wooden cigar boxes) and will venture out to buy more today.

More Ladies

Here is another lady... just an underdrawing but I can't wait to paint her... she reminds me of an old friend.


Here's some progress from yesterday. She is actually a teacher from a 1937 photograph... of course I have altered her as I like to do when I work from photographs. She doesn't really qualify as a bobbed hair woman, she's more of an upswept hair woman. (these jewel boxes are wood and 8 1/2 x 8 in. and 1 1/2 in. deep.)

Jewel Box Painting

Here is one of several jewelry boxes I will be painting for an upcoming show. I used my favorite Venetian Red Gesso (from Daniel Smith). I love a change, painting on a dark background as opposed to white gesso... it makes the skin "pop". This is just the beginning of this painting... there will be borders, backgrounds - stay tuned.