Climbing

Reaching

Every Which Way

I love the way these branches twist and turn.

Sleek and Sexy

This scene captivated me in the lobby of a hotel in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, which is very upscale.  I not only loved the sofa and paintings, but the way the lights formed the shadows.

Down by the Canal

I don't know why I'm so fascinated with this barrier to the pipe that reaches over the canal.  This is the third time I've painted it.

Holly SOLD

This is a commissioned painting, a gift for the dog's owner.  Holly is a 13 year old Chinese Crested Dog, and she is hairless except for the hair on her head, ears and paws.  Within any litter, there will be pups with and without hair.  She has unusual markings, which made her a good show dog, but it was very demanding work and the owner decided against putting Holly through those rigors after a year. 

A New Day

The sun rose over Lake Michigan on this particular mid-April day (also shown in yesterday's painting) at approximately 5:15.  The colors of the sky changed from flaming reds and oranges at 5:15, to more muted as in this painting just two minutes later,  then back to fiery again.  I will never tire of this awe-inspiring sight.  It's worth getting up early to see.

Sunrise Over Lake Michigan

The Lake Michigan beach in Milwaukee has such a beautiful view of sunrises.  I was able to capture this scene one early morn with my camera---it took my breath away.  Unfortunately, this painting is not an adequate representation of the actual view.

The Headlands, Another View

Please note:  This painting is available at  www.theleighgallery.com    It is now framed. 

Epstein

Along the Path

The Mendocino Botanical Coastal Gardens is such a beautiful place and this is one of many interesting scenes I captured with my camera.  I feel compelled to paint it larger one day soon.

The Fairest of Them All

Combine a beautiful day with a brilliant blue sky, an outdoor antique market and a lace table clothed table filled with old mirrors facing skyward...

Out of Pocket II SOLD

I love the colors of these old billiard balls, yellowed with time.  I bet if they could talk, they would have some interesting stories to tell.

Clincher On Top

In case you are wondering, a clincher is a 16 inch baseball, unique to the city of Chicago, and makes playing baseball in small areas a possibility.  Ask any Chicagoan and they will speak very fondly of their memories of playing baseball in the alleys.

Ruby's Slippers

Samoyed With His Baby

I met this beautiful dog and his owner in my neighborhood, and got the biggest charge out of seeing him carry his "baby" with him.  The woman told me he won't leave the house without it.  I wouldf bet she doesn't make much progress on her walks since people like me want to stop and chat about how cute it is. 

Heirloom Variety

Hair of the Dog SOLD

Yellow Tomatoes

TomAHtoes

Tomatoes are one of the surest signs of summer, at least to me, unfortunately summer is running a little late here in the Midwest.  There is nothing tastier than a homegrown tomato, picked from the vine and eaten right away. 

Heirloom

Circle Drive

An Autumn day at the Beltane Ranch.

Up Top

The Headlands, Mendocino

Despite the cold, painting at The Headlands in Mendocino last October was an exceptionally beautiful experience,  one I will never forget.  Being near the powerful ocean confirmed to me how very small we are in the grand scheme of things.

Please note:  this painting is now framed and available at   www.theleighgallery.com   

Beware of Dragon

This old wooden sculpture grabbed my attention at an antique store in Chicago.  The paint was faded and chipped, all adding to its character.  Wouldn't it be cool to have this in your home?  What a conversation starter!

Pretty Boy

This handsome bird lives in the city of Chicago.  It is fun to watch him show off his repertoire of acrobatics.   

Figs and Olives

Please note this painting is now available at   www.theleighgallery.com   

California Treasures

Upon return from my visit to the Beltane Ranch, I set my edible treasures in this still life.  Painting the grapes was even more of a challenge than the figs!

Better picture of Common Loon, Uncommon Beauty

I didn't realize the picture I posted yesterday was so washed out.  Sorry.  This is much better.

Beltane Ranch Figs

Prior to October, I had never eaten a freshly picked fig.  I couldn't get enough of them---so delicious.  The folks at the Beltane Ranch gave me an egg carton full of them to bring home, which I rationed in the days ahead. 

Common Loons, Uncommon Beauty

The photo reference for this painting was used with compliments of my birdwatcher friends, Sonny and Mitch.