Christmas Craft Fair

Here is a photo of my booth at the Humboldt Artisans Craft and Music Festival. It was a great festival and the last one for my apparel designs. Thanks everyone for coming out and supporting local artists.

Next year my booth will be filled with new art and possibly some new products too.

Thanks!

New Painting, "May your dreams come true..."

I just finished this painting.

I've been painting images of pregnancy and motherhood as long as I have been a mother and my passion towards being a mother burns brighter with everyday... For me it has been the most powerful and meaningful experience I've had and wouldn't change it for anything..

Prints are available through my etsy shop.

Thanks for your support,
Renee

final painting

pencil sketch

first layer of paint and lines

second layer of paint

 Prints are available through my etsy shop.

"Thank you Frida" painting finished

I finally finished my painting dedicated to one of my favorite artists, Frida Kahlo. She will be hanging in a special Day of the Dead show in Los Bagels, Eureka Ca. What a beautiful woman...

Final Painting

First layer of paint

Second layer of paint

Background design...

New Painting, "Healing"

Here is my latest painting...

close-up

final painting

If you are interested in the original painting, please contact me at renee@poppywomen.com

Prints are available on my Etsy site HERE.

Renovated Painting, "Compassion"

Once in awhile I look at a painting and think, this needs something else. Here is a new version of my painting, "Compassion". It has a fresh new look and several more layers of paint. Enjoy!

New Painting, "Avocet & Queen Ann's Lace"

I just finished this painting this weekend. It's been staring at me for several weeks and finally I had an opportunity to finish it. It's always a satisfying feeling to finish a painting. I get excited to share it with people and to hang a new image in my art shows. Hope you all like it!

 

We have lots of queen ann's lace spotting our fields. I am drawn to this delicate wild weed and am excited to finally include it in one of my paintings.

 

Start with a background color. Something warm...Orange perhaps..

Living on the ocean, shore birds with long skinny legs elegantly waltz by... but something is still missing. Let's add some movement.

a couple of fluttering bugs...

 

add some color... 

It's done!

Contact me if you're interested in the original or prints are for sale on etsy.

An Tir/ West War, SCA event

I spent many years in college studying theatrical costume design. At one point in my life I imagined I might work at some Shakespeare theater or better yet, with the Cirque du Soliel. I love stepping back in time, exploring the clothing and techniques that people used and then creating something inspired by what I've learned.

As life moved forward, my opportunities as a costume designer changed and evolved into other venues, but once in awhile I have an chance to indulge in my passion for historical costume.

If any of you are familiar with the SCA, society for Creative Anachronisms, then you might understand. This is a worldwide group of folk who are dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. They put on many gatherings throughout the year to celebrate this passion.

The Western King & Queens Throne

I recently had the pleasure of attending one of these events a few miles north of Gold Beach, Oregon. This is one of my favorite sites, being surrounded by low foothills covered in trees. This event is called the An Tir/ West War. Neighboring kingdoms meet up and battle. There is a marketplace with period wares, several regional baronies attending, period workshops and of course, lots of merriment. I love it.

The Castle Battle

Here are a few photos to give you a peek inside!

My pavilion

Allyshian Barony Encampment

The Romans

New Paintings! "Dragonfly & Trillium" and "Warbler & Daffodils"

I had the pleasure of working on two new paintings this weekend. Both inspired by spring and my up and coming Open Studios event on June 9th and 10th.

I hope you enjoy them.

 Dragonfly and Trillium measures 12" by 12" and is mixed media on canvas. It is for sale for $150.

Warbler and Daffodils measures 9" by 12" and is a mixed media painting on canvas. It is for sale for $135.

Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing either of these paintings.

Thanks,

Renee

New Painting, "Compassion"

I finished this painting last week. It was another exploration into the essence of the human experience.

This is my vision of human compassion. This is my second painting in this series. 

Here is a link to my first. http://poppywomendesigns.blogspot.com/2012/02/season-for-love.html

Wikipedia:

Compassion is the virtue of empathy for the suffering of others. It is regarded as a fundamental part of human love, and a cornerstone of greater social interconnection and humanism.

Websters University College Dictionary:

Compassion: feeling a deep sympathy and sorrow for someone struck by misfortune, accompanied by a desire to alleviate the suffering; mercy.

My definition:

A burning flame in your heart that consumes the pain of loved ones. Love, empathy and understanding.

This painting measures 14" by 28" and is for sale for $350. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing it.

Thanks,

Renee

New Painting, "Beetle & Feathers"

I just finished this painting last night. 

I have always loved peacock feathers. As a child my parents owned a male a female peacock for a short time and I remember how amazing it was to watch the male bird spread his feathers out and shake them at the female bird, trying to impress her. I loved collecting the feathers that he would drop. After my parents figured out how loud they were and an unfortunate meeting with a racoon, we decided maybe it wasn't the best pet to have.

This painting combines my love for insects and the peacock's brilliant feathers. Enjoy!

This painting is for sale. It measures 8" by 8" and is mixed media on canvas. The sides are painted with a gold metalic paint. The selling price is $75. Please contact me if you're intereted.

Thanks!

Renee

New Painting, "Ladybug & Leaves"

I just recently finished this painting. Spring is around the corner, trees and flowers are starting to bloom. This is such a beautiful time of year. It inspires images of bugs, birds and flowers.

Hope you enjoy!

 

This painting is acrylic on canvas and measures 8" by 8". The sides are painted with a metalic bronze color and it is for sale for $75. Please contact me if you're interested in purchasing this painting.

Renee

New Painting, "The Gift"

Just finished a painting today. It is 15" by 15" and is oil on canvas. I've had this one waiting in the sidelines for awhile and had the perfect canvas waiting. It's called "The Gift" and has part of a poem from William Blake. It's about the gift of love from one person to another. Being open, unconditional and vulnerable becomes more and more challenging as I grow older, but I also realize it is one of the most important acts in life.

I hope my painting brings inspiration and thoughtfulness to your day... This painting is $225 and is for sale. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing it.

Thanks,
Renee

My painting in the 2013 We'Moon calendar!

How very exciting! I just found out the We'Moon calendar has accepted on of my paintings to be in their 2013 edition. My painting Brighid should appear on page 50. I believe they will be out in October of this year! Here is a link to their website.

Here is my painting they have chosen!

It's very exciting to be printed in such a wide spred publication.

Renee

Ajax, the friendly dog.

I just finished this commissioned painting for a friend of their son's dog Ajax. It may be my first pet portrait, but because I love animals it was really enjoyable. Hope you like it too!

Tree Frog & Poppies

Here is my latest painting. It is 10" by 10" and is for sale for $125. Please contact me if you're interested in purchasing! Enjoy.

Renee

The season for "Love"

Just in time for Valentines Day, my new painting "Love" is finally finished! Prints are available for sale on my Etsy site.

Lately I have been drawn towards artists with an illustrative style that use bright colors. Over and over again I look to them for inspiration. I've finally decided to embrace what keeps calling to me and try my ideas on canvas.

original sketch

Most of my years in art school I strove to capture realistic figureative art and have really enjoyed painting portraits of people in a realistic style. But lately, I have been thinking about painting the essence of people rather than painting a realistic portrait.