Clouds Over Pennybacker

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Clouds Over Pennybacker 

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 20x20x1.5" NFS
Gallery-wrapped prints available from 12x12" to 28x28".
Contact me for prices based on your preferred size.

This is an enlargement of a similar 12x12 painting I did a couple of weeks ago. I delivered this to Mitra and Marcus Butler yesterday, one of three couples chairing tonight's HeartGift Foundation benefit. The fine wine and luxe living dinner and auction tonight help raise funds to bring children from around the world to the US for life saving surgery to correct heart defects. Fabulous cause!! So nice to give a painting of an image I love, knowing it will not only continue to bring smiles to others, but also extend love and renewed life to children. Check out the foundation and follow them on FB!!

If Books Could Cook

© Debbi Smith Rourke

If Books Could Cook    20 x 20 x 1.5"

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 
$550 + tax (TX only) + $20 sh/h.

Also thought about calling this "Dreaming of Dinner." I have so many nice cookbooks that sometimes I prefer reading them to actually cooking. Not always of course, but there are days I prefer to contemplate new menus rather than prepare them. Was fun!

Oma Series / "Guest Room Hymnal"

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma Series / "Guest Room Hymnal"

10 x 8" oil on canvas panel, framed.
$150 framed + tax (TX only) + $13 sh/h.

This painting was exhibited in the "Library Foliage" exhibit at the Studio2Gallery Dec. 4 - Jan. 22. Austin Chronicle review of exhibit is glowing!!! Yea!!

Oma's second bedroom was my aunt Mary's room growing up. Mary is just 8 years older than me, so she is more like a sister.  I remember sharing the room with her when I was a young girl and getting roped into rubbing her back. But did get to learn all her big-girl fashion and hair tips. Even learned to play spoons and card tricks in this room. Later on, this room became the guest room for whatever family member was visiting, and ALWAYS remained the sewing room. The bedside table has looked like this as long as I can remember, until the house was cleared out anyway. So sweet of Oma to put a church hymnal by the bed. Miss just hanging out and watching her sew. 

South Texas Sky 20x16"

© Debbi Smith Rourke

South Texas Sky  20x16"
Oil on canvas. 
Reduced to $400 (was $455) + tax (TX only) + $20 sh/h

My family has enjoyed vacationing on South Padre Island since I was a young girl. After not visiting the island for 3 years, Jim and I quite enjoyed our trip in late June. I  have always been intrigued by the maize fields prevalent between the King Ranch and Harlingen. I painted this last weekend from a photo I took, but today added the liquin glaze. Friend and art buddy Nancy Michalewicz suggested I add some color from the landscape as a wash into the sky and that really completed it for me. Thanks Nancy!!

Mount Bonnell

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Mount Bonnell  18x18 

Original oil on canvas. SOLD

Prints available:

24x24x.75" gallery-wrapped canvas print

$297 + tax (TX only) + $15 shipping

Earlier this summer I adjusted this painting that I thought I had completed last year - after starting it 2 years ago in Laurel Daniel's plein air class. I always wanted the segue between the sky and hills to be less defined and be smoother, with more flowing paint between them. So I worked on that transition and now love it!! I  also reworked the water a bit. So now it's finished!! Again. Isn't Austin beautiful?? :) 

Thistles

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Thistles   20 x 20 x 1.5"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas.
SOLD

My latest entry in the Side by Side series - my oil or pastel interpretations of photographer Bill Oakey's images. Bill's photo (below) is so interesting and almost looks like a painting. It's a slightly digitally enhanced photo, highly cropped image of some plants. This was so much fun!! Love the colors. Enjoy painting larger. This painting was exhibited at the Butridge Gallery/Dougherty Arts Center for "Art of Collaboration" Aug. 5 - 28th, 2010. Here's Bill's photo:

Two Shots

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Two Shots  7x5

Oil on canvas board. SOLD.

Two shot glasses - one with lots of detail in the crystal. Not too easy but always like a challenge. Well, I've heard other artists talk about, after a break in painting, feeling like they've forgotten how to paint. That's what this experience was like. After a frustrating beginning and satisfying finish, here's what I am pleased about: I finished a cool little painting. And I learned it's optimum to plan the color scheme first on my color wheel.  Cut crystal is not easy but this looks new and different for me.  Next one will have an even brighter background  color.  I'm being more adventurous and I'm posting again!! Happy Easter everyone.