All Ears!

All Ears!

6" by 8" original oil on wrap around canvas

Contact me for more information!

I just had to do a study of this dog when I saw her.  She certainly has those ears standing at attention!  What a cutie.  I so enjoy painting animals of any kind and love their innocent spirits.  Since our move last month and the passing of our fifteen year old kitty, Bailee and I have been bonding even more and she has been getting quite spoiled.  She wants to know where I am at all times and looks forward to our walks.  I can't imagine life without pets!  If you have a special pet you would like to have painted in oil or soft pastel, send me an email at normasart@cox.net and I will send you some more information.  I work from your photos.  Hope you had a great start to your week and I will be busy this week in my studio working on commissions and my daily paintings. 
I selected a winner of Beachscapes for my monthly drawing and I am wainting to hear back from them.  I will announce the winner tomorrow when it is confirmed! 

One Last Look

One Last Look

295.00

Buy It Now

11" by 14" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted.

I must admit that I love to have sappy old movies on in my studio when I am painting.  Many of my artist friends are surprised to hear that as they like to have music or quiet when they paint.  I had just seen a very dramatic scene where the female lead was having to say goodbye to her love who was leaving during the war and they both turned around to have one last look.  Then this cow was the next painting I worked on!  Do you think I transferred any of that romantic longing?  Is there a dashing bull in the field?  It was a fun afternoon in the studio!  My bovine gal and I watched chick flicks....well more like listened to really.  I just like the company and older movies are like comfort food to me as I remember watching them with my Dad on Saturday mornings growing up.  What is your favorite old movie?  My all time favorite is An Affair to Remember but I also loved Alfred Hitchcock thrillers like Rear Window and North by Northwest.  I'd love to have some suggestions.  I have Netflix on my computer.  Have a fantastic Thursday!

Sweet LIttle Sparrow

Sweet Little Sparrow

6" by 6" original oil on wrap around canvas board

150.

SOLD

The sparrow that is twittering on the edge of my balcony is calling up to me this moment a world of memories that reach over half my lifetime, and a world of hope that stretches farther than any flight of sparrows.
Donald G. Mitchell

I loved this quote...it really struck a chord.  Before I decided to paint a sparrow I thought about all the sparrows I  used to watch as a child growing up in Philadelphia.  We didn't have many trees in my neighborhood...lots of row houses and concrete but we did have many electrical wires that the birds loved to sit on and there were some that stretched outside of my window.  They are sweet little birds that blend into the environment and don't wow us with color but have lovely markings and catch the light on their pretty white breasts.  I enjoyed a peaceful afternoon today working on this little guy.

I spoke to my sister yesterday who lives in Massachusetts and she said they were predicting snow!  That really always amazes me every year when it is still in the 70's during the late day here.  The nights are starting to get a bit chilly but Bailee and I are still enjoying our walks and often see surfers in the ocean...with their shortie wet suits and some brave souls without them.  When I lived at Chesapeake...which is only thirty minutes drive west of the oceanfront, I just didn't think about all this activity by the water.  It is pretty neat to see how much people are drawn to the vast ocean whether to stroll along with their dogs, or read quietly by the surf, or feel the call of the waves and grab their boards and head in whenever they get a chance.  I met some neighbors the other day who have a wonderful collection of art...all surf related as he is an avid surfer and has competed his whole life.  Guess I had better get some good pictures of my son and his friends this summer and try my hand at painting some surfers! Hope you week is going well and I appreciate your checking in with me!     

Little Cow's On The Prairie

12" by 12" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted

Contact me at normasart@cox.net if you are interested in this painting.

So Pa sold the little house. He sold the cow and calf. He made hickory bows and fastened them upright to the wagon box. Ma helped him stretch white canvas over them.
Laura Ingalls Wilder


   I found this quote on brainy quotes and it gave me the idea for the title.  I LOVED the series of books

Little House On The Prairie.    I was also struck by the fact that they made those wagons with hickory bows and stretched canvas!  Wonder who was the first to start painting on canvas...   I am slowly getting used to my new studio and finding where I put things.  I have been enjoying having the windows open and love the ocean breeze.  It has been like summer the last few days.  There are still people on the beach every day.  I love to see the dogs with their owners chasing sticks into the surf.  I plan to work on some beach paintings tomorrow.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Please contact me if you are interested in this painting at normasart@cox.net.

Your Pet In Oil

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." ~ George Elliott




Today, when I returned home from teaching in Norfolk, Bailee was doing the happy dance
and was just beside herself with joy...you just can't beat that kind of reception!  Our little kitty,
Rusty, passed away last month at the age of fifteen, and even though she didn't dance, she had
a way of pacing back and forth and shaking the tip of her tail that let me know that I was missed.
I miss her!
I love to paint...and I love to paint animals so if you have one you love and want me to capture
your precious pet in oil, I can do that by working from your pet's photograph.  They don't have
to sit while I paint and even if your pet has passed away, as long as your have a good picture, I
can do that too.  Just send me an email and I can get your more information.  Or give me a call.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend!  Give your pet a hug. :-)

Killdeer

SOLD

Killdeer

6" by 6" original oil on 3/4 inch wrap around canvas

These sweet little birds can be found at the beach or around town on golf courses and lawns.  They are fun to watch and this little guy was a pleasure to paint.  After more crazy anxiety when I got into my studio, I was able to get down to some painting.  I got out my new paints which always helps to fuel the anticipation and set up my palette and work space and even christened a new round brush! 

Had to try Gamblin's Radiant Turquoise Blue that can be seen in the water of my Kildeer painting!

I love looking at these little footprints in the sand that seem to be covering every square inch of the beach the last week or so.  Guess they are happy to have reclaimed the beach after most of the vacationing visitors have gone for the season!  

Hope your day is wonderful!  Thanks for visiting!

Schnauzer To The Rescue!

Schnauzer To The Rescue!

10" by 10" original oil

Contact me for pricing information

I entered my studio today with the hopes of diving in and painting all day.  I avoided it all morning and by the time I got up there....I had my self so worked up about it that you would have thought I was about to do brain surgery!  I have just really psyched myself out after being away so long and have been unsure of what direction to take and on and on.  I looked around my room and my eyes rested on this painting that I had done some time ago.  I have always loved the face but wasn't happy with the green background that seemed to strong a contrast to the softness of the gray fur and the light in the eyes bothered me.  So I picked it up and set out some paints and got to work.  I started with cerulean blue and softened it a bit with orange and white to make a soothing grayed blue for the background and worked it into the hair a bit and softened the edges.  I worked on her eyes and felt very tickled that I had started painting again.  I also worked on a cow that I had done awhile back and the whole experience helped me know what supplies I was missing and I decided to make a run to my favorite store, Jerry's Artarama.  I may have to ease back into painting and allow the process lead me instead of me leading it for now!

My new life at the beach continues to unfold with the walks on the beach being the highlight of each day.  Bailee and I went on a walk the other morning and saw the most beautiful sunrise!  I got so excited when the sun came popping up and also couldn't believe how many other people had come down to watch it.  What a great way to start the day! 

Since moving to the beach, I found a great yoga studio that is at the oceanfront and have loved getting back into practicing yoga.  When you walk into the yoga studio, they have a framed newsletter article about a master yoga teacher who is also a dancer and is 92 years young!  She has been teaching yoga for 45 years.  I found it very encouraging as I am really wanting to focus my energy on yoga now in my "middle" age.  It is really possible to do anything....just gotta keep working through the fear and never give up!

Even as I child...I couldn't do this but...you NEVER know!  It sure feels good to stretch and have goals!  This is the view from the yoga class.  On Saturday I saw a group of dolphins playing in the surf!  What an ideal setting for such a calming practice.  I think the dolphins were doing their own form of yoga!

 

                Bailee....doing her couch yoga.....she is really into gentle yoga...

                Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.  Thanks for checking in with me.  <3


There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Nuthatch for You!

Nuthatch For You!

$150.

                            6" by 6" original oil on wrap around canvas with sides painted black

Buy It Now

    This little bird was inspired by a visitor to my blog who was looking for a painting of a nuthatch so I decided to paint one!  I saw a bit of blue in this one so I decided to exaggerate the colors I saw and orange too giving it an exciting complimentary scheme. What a miracle birds are going about their business with song and such lightness in their step and inspiring freedom when they take flight!  I sure do enjoy painting them.

     It is a beautiful day here in Virginia Beach.  It is windy and sunny so when I got up to the beach, the ocean was very choppy this morning.  Bailee wanted no part of it as the waves were making too much noise!  My grandpuppy Jet is going to spend the day with me next week so it should be an experience with trying to coax Bailee closer to the ocean and keep Jet, the LAB, from pulling me into the waves! I may have to do separate trips... I love to watch the labs with their owners who can't get enough of the water and fetching balls and sticks. 

It is always different!

Hope you have a beautiful day...I always appreciate you stopping by to visit and love to read your comments!

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com

Boots!

12" by 12" original oil on canvas

Well, it has taken me awhile to get back to painting!  I have been busy getting my new life at the beach all
set up...still painting walls and decorating, walking Bailee, and started yoga classes too!  Last week I painted with Barbara and Scott London at his gallery on Colley Avenue called London Square Gallery.  I worked on a painting of a bog in Ireland close to where Barbara lives for part of the year in Valnetia
but have not finished it.  I really was kind of afraid to paint again since it has been so long and felt like after thismove, that I needed to paint something of the beach.  My friends, Adele, and Claudia came for our Tuesday painting in my studio and Adele was painting a dog so I finally broke through and started on the same dog so I could get in the swing again.  I do LOVE painting animals.  Anyway, I had fun!!!  And that is what it is all about!  This time of year people love to have their pets painted and I have kept busy in previous years working on many a pet so if you have a furry friend that you would like me to paint or you love Boots and want to give him a home.... send me an email at normasart@cox.net!

I would love to share some of the sights that I have enjoyed on my walks and a picture from my new beach cottage too!

My shabby chic piece of furniture in progress....

Fun in my studio with friends, Claudia, and Adele!

In closing...Bailee's thoughts on her new life at the beach......

Well...if she ever wakes up long enough...I will ask her about them! :-)  She does seem to enjoy our walks....

There are 3 ways you can make a real difference on this blog: 1. Tell a friend. Share the link to this site with just one other person. 2. Post your thoughts in the comment section. 3. Email any questions or suggestions to me at normasart@cox.net. My blog: http://normasdailypaintings.blogspot.com. My website: http://www.normawilsonfineart.com