Tomatoes & Pitcher

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Tomatoes and Pitcher   16x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. 
NFS

Today was the second day of Laurel's workshop for our reunion and I was more rested. I chose a challenging still life and learned a new block-in technique. I eventually went back to drawing in my under painting with the dark neutral, putting in the darks, then adding color. Color is so much fun to pop in! Loved these little yellow tomatoes. I was painting along with Pam Holnback and Nancy Hartley and sitting very close to Kelley MacDonald who sweetly shared her paper towel trash bag with me. There were many wonderful paintings created that day!!!

Lemons on Parade

© Debbi Smith Rourke 
Lemons on Parade 12x16"

$265 + tax (TX only) + $16 sh/h.

What  a whirlwind of a week!! Santa Fe art workshop women convened in Austin this week - starting with a gallery tour, lunch at Corazon and dinner at my house Wednesday night. Followed by a 2-day art workshop with Laurel Daniel at Laguna Gloria (AMOA's Art School). 11 attendees, 2 instructors and 3 husbands (including mine) were here for dinner Wednesday night. Had an amazing time. This painting was from the first day. I struggled with the initial drawing, but once I got it down, was determined to finish and not paint the same subject on day 2. Speed seemed to help - sometimes works, sometimes doesn't. Tweaked it a bit when I got home. Think that still counts as Ala Prima. Will miss everyone. Had our last dinner out last night at Cantina Laredo. Bye everyone. Happy painting. You all do such lovely work. Can't wait for the next reunion!! Start planning.

Kissing Cousins

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Kissing Cousins  20x16" 

Oil on canvas. $385 + tax (TX only) + $25 sh/h.

Finished this yesterday in 2 settings - so almost ala prima. Love the bright colors and loose feel. Can't wait to paint more. Will be working on more "side by side" images from Bill Oakey's photographs.