Amy's Art

Between the Arbor

2009-11-30T13:57:00.000-08:00

2009 - Acrylic paint on canvas

Miss Lilly keeps a watchful eye

2009-11-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

This is a pastel painting I did this morning. Lilly is my Calico cat and she has the most inviting personality. I was experiencing with colors and like how the pink makes her glow.

Ebay

2009-11-11T16:11:00.001-08:00

I am selling this item on Ebay - We'll see what, if anything, happens

Still Life

2009-11-11T09:14:00.000-08:00

This was the still life I did in the pastel painting class. It could use some more work but overall, I am happy with it. I just ordered a table top easel which should help with this medium.

This is a photo of the still life.

Cool - Lots of creative people out there!

2009-11-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

I am all inspired today after a fun 7 hour day of doing pastel painting! This image is a detail of a study on technique. I think that I am hooked on pastels!

This morning, I was trying to find some interesting websites and blogs related to art and artists. Here's a few that stand out to me so far:

First and foremost - Andrew Masino - Andy was my teacher in junior high and high school during the late 70's and early 80's. He was probably the person who most influenced my creative life. I always left class thinking that my art was special and that I must be special too. It was the perfect fix to the craziness of adolescence. I have lots of positive memories of him from this time. His work is stunning.

Art Blogs 4 U - at this site, you can check out many artist by category

Michael Dee Cookingham - he was my painting instructor at Merrit College

Contemporary Art Daily - very inspirational pieces

There are many more out there - I will keep searching and adding!

A day in Hawaiian Waters

2009-11-06T17:53:00.001-08:00

2009, Acrylic on canvas
22"x28"

I was playing around with application of paint. In this piece, I used mostly a rag and ran it under water. All of a sudden, I saw and felt the look of my recent trip to Maui. This was the direction I wanted to take.

We went snorkeling daily in the crispest blue waters. There was an abundant array of tropical fish for viewing. The August sun was strong and it cast a great shimmer on the water.

Spending a week in Maui was an incredible experience. I can't wait to one day return.

More Figure drawing images

2009-11-04T10:01:00.001-08:00

These are all from that same class at Merritt - Helmut Schmitt was the instructor. He was a walking encyclopedia on human anatomy.

I like how his hand and forearm came out.

Nude Studies from figure drawing class

2009-11-04T08:23:00.000-08:00

Reclining Woman
2000 18x24, charcoal on paper

I was looking for some art supplies and came across some several drawings that I did in a figure drawing class at Merrit College in Oakland, CA. It was fun to see these again.

I am taking a pastel painting class this weekend and have to get new supplies.

The instructor is Debbie Wardrope - I love that her work focuses on the local flavors of the tri-valley. Can't wait to learn some more!

A small tribute to Halloween

2009-10-31T15:57:00.001-07:00

This is a photo I took of a spider right outside my door. I just love that it has its very own built in mask!

2009-10-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

The sublime pear, 2009
gouache on Arches cold pressed 140 lb watercolor paper

The pear is one of my favorite fruits! I recently made an Apple and Pear Crostata from this recipe and wanted to pay some more artistic homage to this winter work horse . It came out fabulous! I didn't have quince and had my pastry already made from a Barefoot Contessa recipe.

This painting is my first attempt using gouache. I have instantly fallen in love with this medium! I used a photo from one of Ina Garten's books as my inspiration. I assume these were bosc pears. Her reciipe books are so beautiful and filled with easy-enough to create dishes.

My first attempt of gouache was on Yupo paper (which was also my first attempt using Yupo paper). I think that I had too many loose variables, so I went with old reliable cotton paper. I'll keep experimenting with the yupo paper and see where it takes me. Right now, it feels odd when I dab a brush on its surface. It will take some getting use to.

My friend Leslie is encouraging me to try water based oil paints. I think that she did some beautiful work with it! Great, another art supply to buy; another reason to vist Blick! Twist my arm!

You can view this and more work at Red Bubble.

Welcome

2009-10-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

Art has been a passion of mine for most of my life. I grew up in the suburbs of New York City and was able to regularly visit the museums and view great works of art. I was very fortunate to have some wonderful and inspiring art teachers in middle and high school who nurtured my interests and talents.

My professional pursuits led me to the field of counseling. Currently, I am a marriage/individual therapist in California. Doing art is a great outlet for relieving some of the stress that I experience. It’s nice to have a place to escape from some of the harsh realities of life.

Over the years, I have taken classes in figure drawing, photography and painting at local community colleges. I love learning more about the various mediums and am always in search of finding more time to devote to doing art.

I have posted some of my pieces at Red Bubble. You can view and purchase art from myself or other amazingly talented artists. This is a great way to get affordable and original artwork into your home and office.

The above image is Cat on a Mat 2009, oil pastels on vellum paper, 11"x14" - This was featured in the 2009 Alameda County Fair