Today I attempted a self portrait. It was just as successful as all my previous self portraits so after several hours of work, I threw in the towel and I wiped off the board so as not to waste it. Oh well, some day I feel sure I will manage one I can live with until then I'll keep trying.

Most recent daily paintings include:

"Wild Spring" A very typical Texas spring time scene with bluebonnets in the fields and the cacti (at least I think it's a type of cactus or agave) blooming. I took this photo near Marble Falls several years ago while on a trip to see the art collection of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Owens. They were gracious enough to invite our pastel society to come for a private tour of the home they built in Horseshoe Bay to accommodate their incredible collection of art. They also owned the Riverbend Art Gallery in Marble Falls which we toured later that same day. 6"x 6" oil on board. Bid on this painting here

"Wish You Were Here" We helped out with the Mamma Jamma Ride against breast cancer on Saturday. The ride started and ended at the Reunion Ranch. They had a beautiful little beach set up by a small pond. The beach had very bright colorful umbrellas and adirondack chairs. I loved the yellow chairs and the red umbrella, but wanted to see them on a real beach with an ocean in the background rather than dried out Texas countryside, so I moved them to an imaginary beach. 6"x6" oil on board. Bid on this painting here

"Post Rush Hour" This was from a photo I took through the windshield at 5th and Lamar near Whole Foods in Austin. The sun was setting in the West and we were heading south. I can't remember why but the number of cars on the road tells me it was definitely after rush hour. 6"x 6" oil on board $35.00 click here to buy

"Fist City" this one was a real departure for me. I did it to meet the "Hand" challenge on Daily Paintworks. I did find it very challenging. Looking through the other challenge paintings I was very discouraged by seeing one painting that the artist did with her non-dominant hand. I had enough trouble doing it with my dominant hand - I can't imagine trying it with my left hand. 6" x6" oil on board. $25.00 click here to buy

"Sunflower" I did this one because I bought my mother a bunch of sunflowers and other flowers to celebrate her 65th anniversary and what would have been my dad's 103rd birthday (smart man, he married on his birthday so he'd never be caught forgetting an anniversary). The bouquet decorated the table for lunch. After lunch my 90 year old mother said flowers were too much trouble to care for and she didn't want them. I reminded her they were cut flowers and all she needed to do was throw them away when they got old. She didn't care, she refused to take them home with her. So I got a beautiful bouquet for me - even though that was never my intention. My feelings were bruised a bit, but I like the flowers and would never have bought them for myself. 6" x 6" oil on board click here to bid.