Tennyson Art Walk

Geez, it's been awhile since I last blogged...just lots goin' on; taking one show down, putting another one up, working on abstracts and finishing up my next dog portrait.

These photos are from my show which just went up at My Sweet Bakery on Tennyson St. in Denver. It was time to take down my exhibit at the University last week...but I was invited to put eleven paintings back up in THIS beautiful space.

A big thank you goes out to Kelly McBride, the Owner of the Bakery. She has been so generous in inviting me to show my work there. I should also thank you, Kelly for your amazing pastries. I have enjoyed each and every one of them...especially the coconut cupcakes!

My Sweet Bakery opens it's doors during the Tennyson Street Art Walk which takes place the first Friday of every month. James and I went last Friday night and it was hoppin'! Between the art, live music and good food...we were pretty blissed out by the end of the evening.

So stop by and see the show if you live in the Denver/Boulder area...it will be up until the end of June. Make sure you try one of those cupcakes...and maybe one of their almond croissants too! :)

Hope your weekend was good!

Out of the "Passageway"...

...the painting from my last post, come two new Snippets! Just added them to my Etsy shop here. I also posted a "setting shot" of them after purchasing a stock photo from Istockphoto.com. I was spurred on to create one by reading Artist, Jennifer Lommer's blog awhile back. She did a great post about art marketing. Check out her work while you're there too...she's a wonderful painter.






Sorry I've been a little lag in blogging. I've been busy making Snippets for a client and working on a large Christmas card order. This time of year, I also design and print cards for clients and friends so I've been printing like a mad woman! I have three paintings in the works though too so hope to show you those soon.

Have a great December weekend!

The Glass is Half Full

"Half Full"
12" x 24" acrylic and collage on canvas

Prints available at Imagekind.com and Etsy

I love paintings with any kind of "vessel" in them...whether it be a bowl, cup, glass, vase, whatever! Thought I would incorporate one in my new abstract series.

James (my treasured and trusted art critic!) pointed out to me yesterday that I seem to be a little too comfortable with a similar color palette in my work lately. I think he may be right...so I'm pushing myself in a different direction with the 30" x 40" painting I'm working on now.

Maisie wanted to make an appearance today so thought I would post this photo of her from our mountain hike last Sunday. She reminds me of Rin Tin Tin here...for those of you who REMEMBER Rin Tin Tin. Geez...I feel old now!

Maisie O'Neill, stalker of chipmunks

Painting - Poetry Friday!

"Night Bloom"
13" x 16" acrylic and collage on canvas
available for sale in my Etsy shop here

Just finished this new abstract painting yesterday. I absolutely love using red lately...this color happens to be Liquitex heavy body cadmium red medium hue. It really packs an emotional punch for me.

By the way...since we're heading well into 2010 now...I just reduced my Abby Creek Dog Calendars 25% in my Etsy Shop...in time for Valentine's Day! I only have a few left so head on over there now if you would like one for a special someone in your life.

And lastly...this poem came to me the other day so thought I would share it with you. Hope you like it. Have a great weekend!

A creamy dusting of snow
covers already shivering ground.
Soon, tiny birdtracks
leave silver indents.
My dog's paw prints
are everywhere.

What I like about winter
is that you can witness
where dear ones travel.

~Linda O'Neill

Meet Rosie!

"Rosie"
10" x 11" acrylic on canvas

Here's my newest dog commission...Miss Rosie (aka Batgirl). She's the sweetest, goofiest Lab with a tiny obsession for balls.

This quote reminds me of her...and all Labs in general!...

"I put contact lenses in my dog's eyes. They had little pictures of cats on them. Then I took one out and he ran around in circles." ~Stephen Wright

Hope you all had a good St. Patrick's Day! Maisie is enjoying some leftover corned beef. She deserved some...being an O'Neill and all!

The Culprit!

Maisie, the masked Googler

So...I think I found the inspiration behind the comic in my last post. Lo and behold...I stepped into my studio this morning to find Maisie already at work. Up on the screen were Google images of bunnies....alongside another window with Google maps open! I've got to start keeping a closer eye on this girl.

On to some artsy stuff...one of my older paintings from 2004, "Which Came First" is featured as Art of the Day on the EBSQ site today. I used to participate in many of their themed juried shows...and this was one of them with the theme of "Chickens". I think I would enjoy doing that again one of these days soon. Being given a theme and seeing what you and everyone else comes up with is such an enjoyable experience. Kinda forces you out of your comfort zone.

"Which Came First"
12" x 12" acrylic and collage on canvas

Have a good art day! Keep an eye on your bunny chasing mutts out there!

More mini's

"Green Pear"
5" x 7" print available here

"Red Pear"
5" x 7" print available here

Here are two more mini prints available now in my Etsy shop. Haven't been able to finish any original art yet this week as I've been busy with other...shall we say organizational things? I've also been working with my web designer on the new site. It won't be ready for awhile...but I can tell you I'm getting VERY excited about it!

And now a quiz...WHO does the dog in the below comic remind you of??? She'll be by to say hello to you tomorrow.:)

from the BARK magazine

Water and Rain

"H20"
8" x 8" acrylic, collage and crayon on canvas
available in my Esty shop here

Here's my latest mixed media painting. I must be craving those lovely spring rains because this post seems to be about water in general. I took inspiration for this painting from Manon Doyle (thanks Manon!)...to use those wonderful little Caran d'Ache Neocolor crayons. I used to use them all the time in printmaking but haven't used them in my work lately. They're a blast to play with!

Now below, we have a rain jacket that I think was MADE for Miss Maisie. She could really strut her stuff in this outfit...although getting her "in" it would be a challenge. I'm so tempted to get it...but I think James would give me "a look".

Have a good Wednesday everyone!

you can buy it at Tails by the Lake

New painting and a silly dog

"Last One From the Tree"
7" x 12" acrylic on canvas
available in my Etsy Shop here

Happy dance!...finally finished a new still life. This one took me awhile to complete. I changed the background several times until I was happy with it. I thought I was finished yesterday...but when James looked at it and said, "Hey, your new still life is really coming along."...I decided I'd better put a little more elbow grease into it. He always seems to be right too, dang it!

It was a beautiful, sunny day here. Maisie wanted to put a smile on your face...and let you know that spring is on it's way. Here's the little Diva herself...

Maisie stylin' in her Maui Jim sunglasses

New mini prints!

"Blue Bowl with Strawberries" print

"Oranges on Blue Plate" print

Good Monday mornin' to ya!

I've just launched some new "mini prints" of my original paintings in my Etsy shop. Being that our economy is NOT real spanky right now...I thought making some smaller, more affordable prints for $10.00 would be a nice idea. These are all 5" x 7" Open Editions, printed on archival watercolor paper with archival pigment inks. I'll be adding more this week. If there are any of my other originals you would like to have a small print of...just let me know.

Wine Label by Cyrus Mejia

By the way...if you like wine, you might think about buying your Valentine a good bottle of "Vicktory Dog" red at DogLoversWineClub.com. This California-based winery is honoring each of the 22 Pit Bulls that were rescued from Michael Vick's home. The wine labels were created by Artist, Cyrus Mejia who was one of the founders of Best Friends Animal Society. "A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Best Friends Animal Society for campaigns to help strengthen laws against and penalties for dog fighting, and for campaigns against legislation to ban specific breeds of dogs."

Thanks for all your well wishes on developing the new website! xox

Winter Wonderland

Here's the view we woke up to last Friday morning. I took it from our upstairs bedroom. What a beautiful blanket of white!

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. We had a good one...hosted Thanksgiving dinner here in our new house. Since I'm a vegetarian...James was in total charge of cooking the turkey. I made roasted vegetables and everyone else brought a favorite dish. It was fantastic! Maisie was especially pleased as her papa made a very special batch of turkey-vegetable soup from the leftovers just for her. Doggie heaven.

Below is a new painting I just finished today titled, "Winter Night". It was pretty cold here over the weekend so I guess I needed to paint a nice cozy house to nest in. If it were a true "O'Neill" house though...it would have a doggie door! A house is not a home without one.:)

"Winter Night"

8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas

available in my Esty shop here

Time Flies...

"Windows"
8" x 8" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy Shop here

Just finished the above abstract today...hope you like it!

Haven't posted in several days as my Mom has been in town. We had a great time...she loved the new house and Maisie even more. I think Maisie is two pounds heavier though after Grandma spoiled her with buttered bread!

Now, on to a couple more things...be sure and pop on over to one of my favorite blogs, Dog Art Today and enter your Dog's photo in Moira's "Angels with Fur" contest. I just entered my little lovebug, Maisie.

Also, remember the "Dog's Rule Fatbook" post I did awhile back? Well, the Ebay auction is coming up this Saturday, November 15th (won't appear on Ebay until Saturday) so please head over there and bid on this beautiful art book. We want to raise as much money as we can for Bernie Berlin's A Place to Bark Dog Rescue. All of her beautiful dogs waiting adoption send out a big thank you!

My new studio mascot!

I have a new Gargoyle to introduce you to...I've named him Leroy...and he was given to me by my friend, Melissa of Pugnotes to help watch over my new studio. Thanks Melissa! He sits atop the beautiful (Studio) architectural element that hangs outside...made by the former Owner and Artist of the studio, Nettie Penman. You can see in the photo of Nettie (bottom left) that she is working on another creation, a water fountain...which she so graciously left in our shade garden. She is an amazing Artist.

"Leroy", bringer of good studio juju

The stunning painting below was given to me by another wonderful friend, Shari Beaubien. Shari and I did a trade...I gave her "New Happy House" in exchange for this piece called, "Perfection". I saw this painting when she blogged about a new series she was working on and I had to have it. The text, "I suppose we all have delusions about perfection." really hit a chord with me. Now I just have to find the "perfect" place for it. Thank you, Shari for your inspiring work!

"Perfection"
by Shari Beaubien
5" x 5" acrylic and collage on canvas

Back in a couple of days with a blog about The BARK!

Puppy Love

Emma
10 x 12 acrylic on canvas

Here's sweet Emma...my latest commission. This is her when she was a puppy...all cuddly and cute and fuzzy. My friend Kathleen always says that "puppy smell" is her favorite scent in the world. If they could bottle it...she would buy it!

So the big move is this Thursday. I will be signing off the blog probably until next Monday when everything is up and operating in the new studio.

Funny thing before I go...Maisie keeps introducing us to our new neighbors by chasing bunnies into their yards. Hmmm...not so sure that's the best way to go about it but at least she makes us all laugh and get to know each other. The fence builders won't be able to start building until August 30th...so Maisie will not be able to roam on her terms until then. That's like saddling a wild pony. Help me, people!

Until next week...take good care everyone! xox

Heading West!

"Inner Circle #6"
acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy Store here

Here's the next in my "Inner Circle Series". These paintings keep stretching and bending and taking me places I'm not expecting. I guess that's part of the beauty of a series. Whatever the case...I'm enjoying it to the fullest and will keep going until the time feels right to close the chapter.

James and I are heading to the Bay Area tomorrow morning to visit family. Time to see his parents, my parents, my brother and our two lovely 90 year old Aunties. On our way to Marin...we're going to try and sneak a visit to either the DeYoung Museum or the Legion of Honor. There is an Annie Leibovitz exhibit at the Legion that I would love to see. I miss the museums of San Francisco!

I'm having major separation anxiety about leaving Maisie. I miss her already! This is the first time we've been apart since last November. I'll have to be strong when I see her sweet head and big ears looking out the window as we pull out of the driveway. Thank goodness we have Mary, a wonderful friend and the best dog sitter on the planet coming to stay. You behave, Miss Maisie...and no chewing on Mary's favorite shoes!

See you Monday! xox

Yay, New Art!

"Inner Circle "5"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available for sale in my Etsy shop here

This is my latest painting in the Inner Circle Series. Not sure why...but this one was a struggle and took quite a long time. It does make it more satisfying in the end though when I finally achieve what I'm after.

I'm almost finished with my latest dog painting, hopefully by tomorrow so stay tuned. In the meantime...here are some wonderful words from Miss Georgia which explain so simply and beautifully why I love to paint abstracts.

I found I could say things with color
and shapes that I couldn't say any
other way...things I had no words for.

~Georgia O'Keeffe

Slow as Molasses in January!

"Amelia" by Inez Storer, 2002
oil on board, 36 x 24 inches

That would be me...slow as molasses O'Neill! Sorry for the lack of art lately. There has been so much going on in life...that the artwork has been slow-go. I really like the above painting by one of my very favorite Artist's, Inez Storer...because it's what I feel like these days. My wings are on and I'm ready to go...but I'm teetering and need to be held up by some unknown forces to stay balanced. I have to remember during these periods (as my friend Melissa says) that "Art is Life and Life is Art". Sometimes ya just gotta soak in the life...wait...and hope that it spills out some really good art. Sooner than later would be good!

Best friends, Maisie Rose and Ruby Marie

One of the really great things going on lately has been the birth of baby Jenna...the new daughter of our very dear friends, Shennon and Greg. We were over visiting last weekend and big sister Ruby and Maisie had some very special time together. Ruby tugged on those big ears, fed her some tasty grass and petted her very gently. Maisie's heart was wide open to all of it...it was pretty precious.

I'm almost finished with a dog commission and a new abstract...so hope to show you those very soon. I'm hoping that molasses warms up and fuels my inspiration!

An Abstract and Artsy Fartsy Stuff

"Inner Circle #4"
6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available at my Etsy Store here

This is the latest in the Inner Circle Series. I incorporated my Grandmother's old sheet music and bits and pieces of monotypes that I did in college.

Below is a painting done by Shari Beaubien. She and I did a trade recently and I was fortunate enough to receive this amazing piece from her. The photo doesn't really do it justice...there are so many layers and colors upon colors to look at. It is an absolutely beautiful painting!

And speaking of Miss Shari...she and I have been having a discussion lately about signing one's work. Up to this point...I have always signed my canvas paintings on the back. I'm not sure why I do this...although my signature seems to be a distraction to me on the front. Shari feels you should sign on the front. She sent me an interesting article from the March issue of ArtsyFartsy News (scroll down, the article is on the right side) that addresses the subject. What's your opinion?...we would love to hear it!

"Vision" by Shari Beaubien
8" x 10" mixed media on canvas

Painting and Prozac!

"Inner Circle" #3

6" x 7" acrylic and collage on canvas
available in my Etsy shop here

Interesting blog title you say? Well, let me explain...the above is another installment of the Inner Circle Series I've been working on. It's morphing and I'm not sure where the heck it's going...but that's part of the fun!

The Prozac part is about a new book I'm going to get..."Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac" by Bruce Goldstein. I saw it in the Sunday paper and it looks like a great read. The name alone makes me want to buy it. In a nutshell, it's about a very depressed Author who's saving grace is a new slobbering puppy that comes into his life...and actually ends up saving his life. You can get it here if you're interested.


"I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source." ~Doris Day

By the way...Happy first day of Spring! It's about dang time!

Sweet Dog and a New Painting

"Orange Juice"
8" x 10" acrylic and collage on canvas
available on Etsy here

Here's another painting I managed to squeeze in between Maisie patrol. As you know...we went to the Vet last Friday for her one month x-ray. Unfortunately, her toe is not healing as fast as we hoped so she has to wear the cast for another month. Ugg! James and I were pretty upset for our girl when we heard the verdict...but we just have to be patient and hopefully time will go by fast. Yeah right...did I hear someone say MOLASSES!?

I think the photo below of Maisie is so sweet with her paw resting on the cast. You can also see her beautiful eyes so well. She's such a perdy girl.

"Maisie Rose with a big bad toe"