Gallery Show

At the Beck Center For the Arts

17801 Detroit Ave

Lakewood, OH 44107

216-521-2540

My husband, Norm, and I will be doing a show together! Our work is cut out for us the next couple of days! Lots to think about and lots of work to hang!

I am rather excited though, even though we have had a lot of snow. 

Cross your fingers...sure hope it is a success!

You can see my work at: Picture Diary

A Christmas Gift

Man's Best Friends

One of the nicest things about doing portraits are when they are commissioned as a gift. This painting was completed just a couple of weeks before Christmas to be a gift to a loved one. There is a story behind every portrait that Norman illustrates. We listen to their stories before starting a painting. In this case it is about a man and his dogs. 

Nothing better than a mother's smile of approval on this one.

Working in Black and White

A client came to us with an old small black and white photograph of herself and her mother that she though would be nice enlarged to a 14" X 11" size. The photo was time warn and not sharp. It would look all the less sharp when enlarged. With old black and white photos, unless we know the coloring of our clients and are given some creative room, doing a full color painting becomes problematic.

So Norm and I suggested to render it as a highly rendered black and white pencil drawing as shown. It would keep its softness and look beautiful on archival paper.

All the better for a Christmas gift!

Winter is Coming!

A Winter's Walk

It has been a long time since I have written about Norman's work.  Norman and I have been off line for multiple reasons. One is he has been helping me get my artwork ready for the Lakewood Art Festival this August 3rd, in which we both will show our work. Two, he took a spill on our roof while fixing the chimney, dislocating his finger and tearing a ligament in his shoulder which meant rehab so he could move his arm. Then there was my mother's illness, passing, and funeral. And of course the delightful addition of my grandson who we watch for part of the week. Of course that means we get little done except for diapers and bottles. Somehow I never thought retirement equaled being busy, but so far it has been just that. Now Norman is thinking of getting back in his groove and doing some personal work along with work for clients.

This piece was done for a client based on some of her photography of scenes that she loves. It is always interesting to see what images a client connects to. What memories it stirs. I always think of a painting as the rose colored glasses of our imaginations of the past. They add a bit of romance or atmosphere. Where photos are like a recording of a past moment, a painting captures a dream. 

Being July, winter seems like a long way off, but has author George RR Martin writes: "Winter is coming!"

Ode to Cousin Gordon

Norm told me many stories of his cousin "Gordie". He was the bad boy all the girls would fall in love with. He was kind of a family legend that died along time ago in a car accident.  

Norm found this picture of Gordie on his motorcycle which became an inspiration of his most recent painting: Lost Rider.  

Hopefully we will have it framed for the Rocky River Fall Arts Festival this Saturday in Rocky River, Ohio.

Hope to see you there.

A Day at the Beach

Part of the fun of going on vacation is taking pictures. Some of our pictures inspire paintings, like in this case of a cute little boy digging for treasure. He was so cute Norm and I knew he'd be a great  subject for a painting. We hope to be able to display him in the upcoming Lakewood Arts Festival on Saturday, August 4th.

Second Thoughts

When we printed the original version of this painting their were four people on the beach. It is funny how you can like something on screen and then when you print it, you have second thoughts. 

Norm and I both came to the conclusion to take out the sitting fisherman and change the clouds.

You can see the original on the March posting of this year and let us know if you like this version better. 

We have just come back from Emerald Isle, NC where this painting was inspired from. Norm had taken many pictures of beach with and without people. 

Here is a close up of the guys on the beach where Norm used suggestive detail.

The painting is 30" X 20" in size.

For me it captures those times we'd walk the beach seeing those who love to fish by the breaking waves of the ocean.

Sweetness in Pink

I confess it has been a busy May and I have had no time for blogging. Finally I have time to post some new updates. 

Here is a portrait Norman did of a precious little girl. Occasionally we offer a portrait in a charity donation as this one above.  We offered an 14" X 18" size which was a great deal.

This was a fun one and a pleasure to do working with her mom to capture the true sweetness of her daughter. Check out our children portraits on http://yourpreciousportraits.com Look for the link for Children Portraits on the home page.

Going Italian Style

It was quite a surprise to get an email from a book publisher in Italy that was interested in purchasing rights of one of our paintings for a book cover. Let me tell you it was quite a thrill.

Vladimir Nabokov is known for writing "Lolita" which later became movie staring James Mason. L'Incantatore is one of his lesser known works.

So "The Young Girl with the Red Umbrella" has made her debut in Italy.

 

Thinking of Summer Vacation

One of our favorite places to go on vacation is Emerald Isle, NC.  The beaches are beautiful and it is not uncommon to see the dolphins play in the water. 

Norm and I have taken many a walks on this beach and this painting he just finished captures the fishermen we would encounter. I can still hear the sounds of the ocean and seagulls.

This painting is 30" x 20" and prints are available on Fine Art America.

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fishing-at-the-beach-norman-drake.html