Last-Minute Gift Guide

You can still get my available paintings at a variety of places.

At Randy Higbee Gallery in Costa Mesa, CA.

Maryland Federation of Art has several of my paintings at their Holiday Gallery located at 40 West Street, Annapolis, MD.

Also find paintings at my DailyPaintworks, and Etsy shops.
Find prints, notecards, even pillows with my images at Fine Art America.


I'm working on a few projects right now and I have signed up for another 30 paintings in 30 days in January.  Yikes!  I better get busy.

Holiday Cheer

Get ready for the holidays with cards or prints of my holiday ornaments or birds from my Cage Free Series at Fine Art America.

30 Paintings in 30 Days Recap

Cage Free

My collage of the 30 paintings.  I'm so glad that I did all but one in a 6" x 6" format.  I think this collage looks fantastic.  You can make your own collage by going to PicMonkey.  Load the photos from your computer and then drag them into the boxes.  To add more boxes, just drag the photo, hold it next to a box and a grey bar will appear, then drop the photo and you have created another box.  Hover your mouse to find the arrows in between boxes to adjust the sizing.  It's free.  Go do it!

If you see a painting you missed, I hope you'll scroll back through my posts and get a better look at it.
Many paintings are still available but I am making plans for a show so if you love a painting, you should get it now or it will probably be gone.

Happy October!
October is my favorite month of the whole year.  Even more favorite than my birthday month, which is March.  I start celebrating Halloween today so if you see me this month I will likely be wearing a tshirt that has something related to Halloween.  I have a different shirt for every single day of the month.  Did I mention I LOVE Halloween?  Also the yard decorating will begin this weekend.  First I have to mow the lawn.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Eight (Donated)

First Glimpse of Father
Cage Free Series 035

Woven paper to symbolize the nest of a Weaver Bird, with the viewer being the baby in the nest.
One thing you can't quite see in the photo is the paper weave is raised off the canvas to give the illusion of depth.

I am honored to be chosen for this show at Circle Gallery.


"First Glimpse of Father"
16" x 20" oil on canvas board with woven paper
This painting is currently in a show at Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Seven. Cage Free Series 034

Mother Checks For Progress
Cage Free Series 034

Mother Robin checks for progress on her clutch of eggs.  Perhaps she felt something moving.  Perhaps she's simply impatient.  I know many mothers who have been in that spot!


"Mother Checks For Progress"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Twenty Three. Cage Free Series 030

Knock Knock Knocking
Cage Free Series 030

Pileated Woodpecker working on making his home in a tree.

Yesterday I talked about the first day of Autumn and that was in preparation for today.  Which is actually the first day of Autumn.  And today it feels like Autumn.  It's a chilly 59 degrees.

My whole family was in bed by 9:00 last night so maybe we're all ready to hibernate.  I'm not as grumpy this morning so my co-workers will be free to go about their business without hiding behind machines to avoid me.


"Knock Knock Knocking"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Twenty Two

Prepared For Take-off
Cage Free Series 029

Nuthatch is ready to burst into the sky.  Off to his next adventure.

The first day of Autumn.  The days will now become almost non-existent.  Especially when Daylight Saving Time kicks in.  I have a little sour spot in my heart for DST.  The idea behind it is ridiculous to me.  I wish I could say I would hibernate but that's not likely.

(I might be a little grumpy from going to bed very late last night.)  Maybe I will get started on a fabric art project and let the bugs have the basement for a while.  At least thinking about all the snuggly fabric will make me less cranky than if I were to continue to fume about Summer being over.

*pasting on a smile* Have a lovely day!  :)


"Prepared For Take-off"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Twenty One. Cage Free Series 028

Feels Like Home
Cage Free Series 028

A Blue Bird perches on a house that is soon to become his home.

Getting down to the wire, I am more than two-thirds of the way to 30 paintings.  I have found so much joy in painting all of these birds.  I have other paintings I would like to work on so they should be coming soon in October... unless my daughter comes up with a ridiculous Halloween costume she wants me to make.  Then there may be some delay.


"Feels Like Home"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Twenty

Delicate Blue
Cage Free Series 027

Tufted Titmouse on a chilly morning.

It is absolutely beautiful in my neighborhood today but I'm sure the chilly days are not far off.

I am honored that Daily Paintworks chose this painting along with three others for their DPW Picks.  I believe the picks are listed according to when the auction ends.  To see all the picks, just page through the tabs.


"Delicate Blue"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Nineteen. Cage Free Series 026

Shimmering Ruby
Cage Free Series 026

Hummingbirds are so quick, when I see them in the yard they catch me off guard and I usually think it is a large bee buzzing around before I can focus on it to realize it's a little bird friend.  I wanted to capture that feeling of quick movement in this painting.

It's Friday, Yay!  And it's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.  My husband is all set with his eye patch, a bandanna for his head and he probably has a toy parrot squirreled away somewhere that he'll attach to his shoulder.  If you're really into the Pirate thing, you can dress up and Krispy Kreme will give you a free dozen.


"Shimmering Ruby"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30 Day Eighteen

Fishing
Cage Free Series 025

Prothonotary Warbler does a little afternoon fishing.

Yesterday Leslie Saeta talked about how she loves painting reflections and my painting today is also about reflections and I love how water sparkles when the sunlight hits it at a sharp angle.  I think I captured that sparkle here.

I got a little more sleep last night and feel much better today.  I will definitely do that again tonight.  I have this thought that's left over from when I was a kid -- I never wanted to go to bed because I was always afraid somebody was going to have fun without me.  I have to force myself to go to bed.  Every night.  I'm lucky in that I almost never have insomnia.  Once my head hits the pillow, I'm out.  It's the making-myself-go-to-bed part that's a struggle.


"Fishing"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30 Day Seventeen. Cage Free Series 024

Power Disguised
Cage Free Series 024

Barn owl watches her prey intensely.
The power of the claws disguised by a beautiful face.

Boy Howdy I am extra tired this morning.  I even hit the snooze alarm, which is not a good thing.  I keep a tight schedule and now it's tighter.  Tonight is definitely an early-to-bed night.


"Power Disguised"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Sixteen

First Question
Cage Free Series 023

Horned Owl perches on a branch asking his eternal question... Whooo?

Sometimes I get impatient and then the Universe teaches me a lesson that I have to continue living for a while.  This happens a lot with my hair especially.  I have a stylist that I love.  Instead of making a regular appointment with her I wait until my hair is unruly.  And then madness sets in and I take matters into my own hands.  Last night I put matters (or rather, scissors) into the hands of my daughter.  She is Fifteen and not a professional stylist.  I have let her cut my hair in the past with varying results.  (The time when she was Five was probably my most insane.)

This time, she did fine.  Until I gave her the shaver.  That was the turning point.

I should have known she was a little too excited using the shaver.  Now I look like a rocker chick with the sides of my head shaved.  I did save my eyebrow, though.

Perhaps the owl should be asking, "What were you thinking?"

I wasn't thinking Mr. Owl.  I was being impatient.  My kid is an awesome sport when I ask her to do crazy things for me.  And my hair will grow back.  Thanks, Universe.  I will:

Slow down.

Take a breath.


"First Question"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Fifteen. Cage Free Series 022

"Anticipation"
Cage Free Series 022

Naturally colored eggs from Easter Egger chickens.

This is the half-way mark for the challenge.  I have learned a lot, again with this challenge and I feel like I'm getting into a rhythm with the paintings.  Last time I really hadn't chosen a theme and the paintings were just whatever I felt like doing.  With the Cage Free theme I feel like I can stay focused on learning more about my own style.


"Anticipation"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the rest of the participating artists at Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Fourteen

Family Portrait
Cage Free Series 021

Three chicks stood still (probably in a bit of shock at being away from the rest of the family) just long enough to capture this photo.  I love the idea that they are siblings posing for a family photo.  Another one that makes me laugh.


"Family Portrait"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks auction.
See the rest of the artists participating in the challenge at Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Thirteen. Cage Free Series 020

Sisters Get a Treat
Cage Free Series 020

These two sisters have come running for a treat and impatiently wait at their owner's feet.

Chickens are so beautiful and yet hilarious.  Just look at the shape of the hind-end on these two.  It makes me laugh and I want to hug them.

"Sisters Get a Treat"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.





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Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Twelve

Avant-Garde
Cage Free Series 019

I admit it, I was watching Project Runway and the name for this painting just struck me.  This chicken is a Silkie Bantam and I just love the mop of feathers in its face.

"Avant-Garde"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating in the 30-in-30 challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog.

30-in-30, Day Eleven. Cage Free Series 018

Partridge Cochin
Cage Free Series 018

I know roosters are not snuggleable but this guy just looks so cuddly!... for a rooster.

Are you tired of the roosters yet?  This is the last one for a while.  I do have a couple of chicken paintings to share.  Maybe after the 30-Day Challenge is over I'll go back to the roosters.  I just love the variety of shapes, sizes, and feather configurations.

"Partridge Cochin"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other 30-in-30 participating artists on Leslie Saeta's blog.

Cage Free -- 30-in-30, Day Ten

Juju-Bees
Cage Free Series 017

I asked my daughter, "If you had a rooster, what would you name it?"
She said, "Juju-Bees".  It made me laugh so that is what I named this painting.

Art should definitely not be serious all the time.


"Juju-Bees"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the rest of the artists participating in the 30-day challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog.




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30-in-30, Day Nine. Cage Free Series 016

Flame
Cage Free Series 016

One significant feature of the Japanese Bantam Rooster is the straight, flame-red comb.  Apparently this breed is better for warmer climates because the comb is quite susceptible to frost bite.

In one day it seems it has turned from Summer to Autumn.  My feelings are torn about this.  I love the cooler weather but I really don't want Summer to be over.  I love Halloween and in my younger years I would have had my costume planned and started already but I really don't want Summer to be over.


"Flame"
6" x 6" oil on gessobord, unframed.
This painting is available through Daily Paintworks Auction.
See the other artists participating in the 30-in-30 challenge on Leslie Saeta's blog.