Ornament at the Smithsonian

Members of the National Society of Decorative Painters (SDP) were asked to paint an ornament for this year's Holiday tree in the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian. Artists, who are also members of SDP were sent a small 3x5 piece of wood and asked to paint an ornament using one of the paintings in the Renwick Gallery as inspiration. The paintings in the Gallery are canvases done by 19th Century American Artists. I painted and submitted an ornament and it is one of 500 placed on the tree. Probably hard to see but at least I can say I have a painting in the Smithsonian. Wow. I used a painting called The Bride for my inspiration and painted a modern 21st Century bride. I banded the ornament with gold leaf and put traditional decorative artists' roses in the corner. The attached picture is a copy of the Smithsonian picture and my ornament. Of course the copy of The Bride has a big water mark on it because it sat in my studio while I painted.

original oil painted canvas bookmarks

i'm still painting -and typing- one handed. here are some pics of a few that are close to completion. they will have to dry for a few months (the downside of using oils) but the effect is worth it. once dry i will spray vanish and add a beaded tassel to the tops.

rotator cuff sugery

i am typing this one handed a with one finger. caps are challenging and therefore are being left out. its been six days since my surgery and i am like a caged animal. there is so much that is taken for granted when one is well. brushing teeth is a piece of cake but forget wringing out a wash cloth. i tried to do some base coating on some functional pieces but it was impossible to hold things still and paint. so taped 10 2x6 inch pieces of canvas to Masonite and placed the Masonite on the easel. it works...so i am doing original oil paintings for book marks. i am staying with flowers and will sell them next spring at the bloom show. they are not looking too bad and i hope someone would enjoy an original canvas that doubles as a bookmark.