I forgot to mention that I am building a web page.  It's on line but I am still working on it.  www.jillseefineart.com.  Huge learning curve and I've been putting it off for a long time.   Marin Open Studios is May 2-3 and 9-10, 11-6 each day.  Visit the online site www.marinopenstudios.org for more information.   The deadline gave me the push I needed to get going. 

I think I must be the worst "daily" blogger on the planet in spite of my New Year's resolutions.  Way past time to update, and of course now I don't even know where to start.  I don't imagine that anyone actually reads this anyway, so what the heck?  I joined a critique group headed by well known and appreciated Marin County artist Tim Horn.  www.timhornart.com.  If you are not familiar with his work check him out.  Wonderful painter and a great instructor as well.  It's been a very helpful experience on many levels.  Tim gives us homework every month and the first one that I participated in was to paint an interior scene, preferably on site.  My house isn't set up for that so I did this from a photo.  

Afternoon Light

8 x 6

Oil on Board

$100 UF

The shadow on the wall is a little more intense in this photo than life.  At least on my screen anyway.   The following assignment was to paint something translucent.  I had particular fun with the shadow on the plate.

Lemony

8 x 10

Oil on Board

$200

SOLD

This was followed by two more still life's with a fruit theme.  This apple was truly the biggest apple I have ever seen.  Irresistible.  I also wanted to see if I could paint the concave aspect of this cup, and I think that I did accomplish that.  I tried to do the thirty paintings in thirty days, again, and this was part of that experience.  So far I get halfway through the thirty days and something distracts.  It's challenging, very helpful, and I will try again soon!

Honey Crisp

8 x 10

Oil on Board

$200

The richness of red winter pears is always inspiring.  These were so perfect, and tasty too! The lemon is from our tree.  Meyers.  Yum.

Two Sweets and a Tart

8 x 8

Oil on Board

$150

Another event of interest is that I got married to my longtime partner last October.  Something I didn't imagine happening at this point in my life.  Here is the happy couple.  A sweet and low key affair.

I'm tilting along with the horizon line....must be that champagne. 

I don't remember when I painted this.  This is from a photograph I took.  The barbed wire was challenging but I'm happy with the results.  Swallows are more colorful than I imagined.  Love the birds. For quite awhile there were no clouds, very stark.  I decided to add a few and felt it was a good addition.

Bird on a Wire

8 x 10

Oil on Board

$200

SOLD