Dusk on South Padre Island

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Dusk on South Padre Island   8x6"

SOLD

I just spent a glorious 9 days on South Padre Island, returning 6/27, 3 days before hurricane Alex blew in . Had a wonderful time and the beach was gorgeous.  I took tons of pictures. I'm not a big plein painter like other artists I admire who can walk on the scene and in an couple of hours, create an amazing painting. I prefer painting from photos in my studio - photos I take myself (mostly) and remember the inspiration from the location and the moment. Then I like to live with them, see which ones most inspire me, crop them and even do a few pastel sketches. That's my process and it works for me. And I love taking photos!! Imaging all the possibilities with each one - cropping, color and value options. :)

Oak in Wildflowers / Texas Exhibit at Austin Art Space

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oak in Wildflowers  16x20"

Oil on canvas. $400 + tax (TX only) + $18 sh/h. 

Am thrilled to have a painting accepted into Austin Art Space's "What Texas Means to Me" Exhibit. This painting of mine is one of 40 works in the exhibit, which you can preview on the above link. Philip Wade was the juror. Reception is Sat. July 10! Woohoo. Yeehaa. And all those other Texas phrases come to mind. 

Bear Lake

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Bear Lake  / 16 x 16 x 1.5" 

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas.

$380 + tax (TX only) + $22 s/h. 

I delivered 21 paintings today, including this one, to the First Presbyterian Church for my art show with art buddy Amy Hillenbrand! She paints interiors - including a wonderful chair series, and another shoe series. I put in landscapes and still life works - couple in pastel and the rest oil. Thanks Laurie for hosting us!!! Hope you'll swing by - the show is up through July 18. 

Hill Country Vista

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Hill Country Vista   20x24" 
Oil on canvas. $630 + tax (TX only) + $18 sh/h.

I finished this last night. I enlarged this from a 6x8 study I did last year, entitled Hill Country Landscape, purchased by Bill Oakey. Thanks, Bill! Working larger is much more satisfying for me. So I am going to go find all my 6x8 landscapes and start doing larger, bolder versions! What fun. I just love the Texas Hill Country. This is from a photo I took near several wineries just east of Fredericksburg. That was a fun day! Hope you can see the subtle dark colors in the silhouetted trees.