Lake Austin Sunset Study

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Lake Austin Sunset  Study   12x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. 
$220 + tax (TX only) + shipping. 

A painting weekend. Yea! This one came together very easily - gotta love that. I enjoy these looser brush strokes. I painted this from a photo I took of the sunset over Lake Austin. 

Clouds Over Bridge

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Clouds Over Bridge  12x12"

Available at Old Bakery and Emporium Gallery, 
1006 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas.

(Canvas prints also available from 8x8" to 16x16". Contact me for pricing.)

After two tough weeks and having to put my sweet kitty KC down (miss him!!!!), I am finally back to painting. I am committed to painting the many wonderful photographs I have taken of Lake Austin - both west views with the bridge and east views toward town. 

Red Bud Isle

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Red Bud Isle  16x12"

Oil on canvas board. $255 + tax (TX only) + $18 sh/h.

I painted this on a paint out at Red Bud Isle near the low water crossing near Tom Miller dam in a Laurel Daniel class. Miss those ladies!! Friends may remember it as I painted it in 2007. Currently working on a diptych of a morning view of the Pennybacker bridge with some light fog. So lovely. Hold good thoughts!!

Breakfast at Oma's

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Breakfast at Oma's 10x8"

Oil on canvas board
$250 +$15 sh/h in contiguous US

Oma's caregiver for two years is a special woman named Ellie who would arrive each weekday morning at 7am and wake her up at 9am. Oma, always glad to see her, would start whispering "Oatmeal, oatmeal, oatmeal." She rarely asked her weekend caregivers to cook it for her, so she and Ellie enjoyed their oatmeal each weekday morning. Sorry, none here. These are my sweet Oma's breakfast dishes I now have. I added the strawberries for color.  She lived to be 98. You may want to eat oatmeal too.

Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge

© Debbi Smith Rourke
Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge

20"x16"x.5" photograph printed on gallery wrapped canvas

$235 + tax (TX only) + $15 shipping

Also available @ Old Bakery and Emporium Gallery, 

1006 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas.

I've created a Facebook page for Austin area artists and our art buddies and fans around the world. It's called Austin Art Buddies. As a member or fan (someone who "likes" us) you can post your inspired comments, art events and images of recent work and generally help keep the circle of inspiration going!!! Love that. Each month we have an Art Challenge theme and ask followers to submit art in any medium that fits the theme. It will then be displayed in the monthly challenge album for all to see and admire. No prizes. Just wonderful feedback. This month our theme is BIG SKY, so my recent painting "South Texas Sky" will be there, as will this lovely photographic image I call "Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge." What do you have to contribute??? Would love for you to join us! Send me your Big Sky images (email to debsmith@austin.rr.com / best if images are 400 kb or less.) Look forward to seeing you on FB!!

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?? :) 

Oma's Back Porch

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma's Back Porch  8x6" 

Oil on Raymar panel. $85 + tax (TX only) + $12 sh/h.

Oma loved to sit out on her back porch in the afternoon and look out onto her deck and gardens. She was an avid gardener and this would give her time to enjoy and think about the next projects. Planting bulbs, fertilizing azaleas, trimming overgrowth the mowers didn't get to, planting new annuals and potted plants. Her bromeliad sits here and this is how her porch looked last spring when everything was in full bloom. She was known to sit out here with her dear caregiver Ellie or a guest, have a beer and let time float by. Cheers, Oma.

Oma's Coffee Mug & Creamer

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma's Coffee Mug and Creamer  10x8"

Oil on canvas panel. $115 + tax (TX only) + $13 sh/h.

I have always loved these ivory colored, swirled coffee mugs of Oma's. And I now I'm enjoying having 6 in my kitchen and one slightly chipped one in my studio. Had to go get the matching creamer for this painting. 

Oma's Vase & Dessert Dish 10x8"

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma's Vase & Dessert Dish  10x8"

Oil on canvas panel. $115 + tax (TX only) + $13 sh/h.

Oma loved to entertain and she certainly loved dishes - always adding to her serving ware. This white vase and dessert dish were a couple of my first selections from her kitchen goodies. I love white on the serving table. And thankfully these are also wonderful items for my studio, too! BTW, I had no idea how difficult gerber daisies were to paint! I had the rest of the painting done quickly and repainted the flower several times. Finally happy with it. This is also more of a monochromatic palette - new for me - but seemed to work well with the white. Very simple and clean. Thanks for your good wishes on this series!!!

Oma's Old Coffee Pot

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma's Old Coffee Pot    8x6"

Oil on panel. SOLD.

Many of you know I lost my dear, sweet Oma (grandmother) last month. She was 98. And a half. At that age you start counting half years again. In honor of her and to remember her home  of 60 years she loved so much, I am starting a series of paintings devoted to her. You will see a combination of still life paintings from objects I received from her, or settings in her home and gardens. So stay tuned. I finished the first new one tonight, but alas, too dark to photograph. So I am starting with her coffee pot I painted last year. She thought it would make a good painting subject - and it did. Then she kept asking for her coffee pot back! Ha! My uncle Don has it now. Think he plans to brew some coffee the old fashioned way.  

Exhibits / Artists' Receptions This Week

Pleased to announce 2 art exhibit receptions this coming week!! Woohoo.  First is the AVAA "Art of Collaboration" Exhibit at the Butridge Gallery in the Dougherty Arts Center here in Austin. Bill Oakey and I each have 3 pieces from our Side by Side series here: Thistles, Charlottetown Colors and Port Aransas Twilight. The reception is Tues. Aug. 10 from 6-8pm. They are open during the week too if you want to swing by. Second is the Poet Tree exhibit at Studio2Gallery. It just made "Weekend Picks" on Austin.com. Woohoo, again! I am so happy to have been accepted to this juried event!! Thanks Tina! My "Fall Countryside" painting will be displayed. Reception is next Saturday, Aug. 14 from 6:30 - 8:30. Hope to see you!!

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:

Charlottetown Colors II

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Charlottetown Colors II  

24 x 36" Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 
$1080 + $60 sh/h
(Contact me for local purchase / studio pick up)

Was exhibited at the UT Club April 4-7 and Authenticity Gallery April 8 - May 6th, 2011. Happy to send more photos of this piece or you can contact me to view it in my studio. Was such fun taking another one of Bill Oakey's photographs and doing my own version of it for our Side by Side series. I painted a smaller version of this, 8x10", last winter but this felt much different in the considerably larger size and more horizontal format. This was exhibited at the Butridge Gallery/Dougherty Arts Center for the AVAA "Art of Collaboration Exhibit"  Aug. 5 -28th, 2010. 

Fall Countryside

© Debbi Smith Rouke

Fall Countryside 20 x 20 x 1.5"

Gallery-wrapped canvas prints available from 12x12" to 28x28". 
Contact me for prices based on preferred size.

This is an enlargement of a study I did earlier this year.I really like working larger. Many of you know I am about to lose my dear grandmother of 98 years. She has lived a vibrant happy life and I am so blessed to have had her in my life. Monday night when I swung by her house, she had just awakened and was sitting on the side of the bed. I got to chat with her and got 3 sweet kisses. And she called me a rascal! So I was pumped and went home and started this. Finished it yesterday afternoon and am just now getting it posted. Off to Oma's house once again and would love another visit, but if she prefers to sleep and move along on her journey, that is wonderful too. She is about to embark on something very exciting and she is totally prepared - that happened very quickly. She will be missed!!! Go hug your loved ones!!

Padre Beach House

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Padre Beach House   10 x 8"

Oil on canvas board framed in 1" wide brown wood frame.
$150 + tax (TX only) + $13 shipping.

Painted this yesterday from a photo I took while at Padre Island in late June. Love this beach house as it is next door to where I always stay, so have grown quite fond of it. This view is from the surf, obviously. More beach paintings to come! 

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.

Fall Countryside Study

©Debbi Smith Rourke

   Fall Countryside Study    8 x 8 x 1.5
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas.  
$210 + $15 sh/h in contiguous US

I love to take photos on road trips - when I'm the passenger that is! We went to Galveston last fall for my husband's family reunion of the Cantini family. Italian family reunion at the racetrack on the mainland - we didn't actually go into Galveston this trip. On the way back I was snapping photos a plenty. This one struck a chord with me and had to paint it. Hope to enlarge soon! 

Fall Morning

  © Debbi Smith Rourke 

Fall Morning  14x11

$235 + tax (TX only) + $ 17 sh/h.

Also available framed in gold - 20x17 framed

  

$295 + tax (TX only). Local pick-up recommended.

If you want it framed and shipped, 

contact me and I'll create PayPal button for you.

This won the Gold Award/Jurors First Choice Award in the Harvest exhibit @ the 360 Gallery in Austin. Thanks Bill Keese!! 

Original post: I am so grateful to have been accepted in the juried MAP (Multicultural Artists Partnership) member show that will be exhibited at the Austin Airport AIBA May 15 - Aug. 12. Yeah! The theme is Texas Sunrise and Sunset. Two images were accepted, including this one, view from my deck, and a photo I took entitled "Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge" a few posts down.  Love it when the universe helps me out. Want to stay aligned with my perfect path at all times.

Trio of shot glass paintings

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Lemon Shot  / Two Shots  / Shot of Lime
Originals 5x7 each / Contact me for prints of individual images or combo of 3.

The word it out - these were my three submissions to the Arthouse at Jones Center Annual 5X7 Fundraiser. What a wonderful event. I attended the Art Splurge last Thursday night and heard Friday night's Art Social was fun too. And these three all sold! Yeah new followers! Hoping when I find out who bought them, that they won't mind if I make prints of this combo shot. We'll see! Think they make a nice set for a bar.  Contact me if interested in prints!

Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Morning Moon Over 360 Bridge

20 x 16 x .5"" prints of photograph on gallery wrapped canvas 

$235 + tax (TX only) + $15 sh/h.

I love to paint from my own photographs. Sometimes the photo is just too good on its own - I'm submitting this one to the MAP member show for AIBA. "Morning Moon over 360 Bridge." There wasn't room in the title for the fog.  May try to paint this image too, but really love the photo. No telephone lines. Just early morning awe. Remember, you can follow me on twitter too!  http://twitter.com/debsmithrourke

Lemon Shot

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Lemon Shot  5x7 
Oil on canvas. SOLD.

Last of the shot glass series. Moving on to more self-imposed art assignments: Side by Side series, MAP juried AIBA show, Spring in Central Texas theme for our Austin Art Buddies April Challenge , and "What Texas Means to Me" - juried show at Austin Art Space.  

Shot of Lime

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Shot of Lime  5x7

Oil on canvas. SOLD.

This started as 3 objects: shot glass, lime and a salt shaker. Was too complicated for the size so I wiped it off and simplified it and love it!! My favorite colors. Interesting that after I decided to quit drinking alcohol (better for my energy, weight, allergies),  I'm painting images that make you think of knockin' down shots on the beach during a tropical vacation.  Hope you'll follow me on twitter, too!   http://twitter.com/debsmithrourke

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.

Pears & Knife

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Pears and Knife  16x12"  SOLD.

Finally had a chance to paint today!! I did the underpainting for this a week ago, and set up the still life drapery several weeks ago. But as I have been busy freelancing and seeing my grandmother after she had a stroke on March 8 (and she seems to be perking up the last 2 days - yeah), I am back in the groove. I am SO thankful to be painting again!! :)

Moraine Park / ICM Exhibit Las Vegas

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Moraine Park   16 x 16 x 1.5"

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. $400 + $35 sh/h

This is one of my 3 paintings in the ICM 2009 exhibit in Las Vegas. Was a nice show. Am grateful my friend Kelly Aldous attended in my absence.

Mountain Meadow Study / Las Vegas Exhibit

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Mountain Meadow Study  6x8

Oil on canvas panel
$95 + tax (TX only) and $12 sh/h

The big artists' reception for the first ICM exhibit was last night in Las Vegas and unfortunately I was here in Austin. The exhibit continues thru April 1 at the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art. Check it out if you will be there! I have 3 paintings there, including this one, "Mountain Meadow Study," as well as "Fall Morning" and "Moraine Park.  Here's some press release info:

EXHIBITION OF “INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY MASTERS” 

TO PREMIER IN LAS VEGAS

February 9, 2010 - Las Vegas, NV - World Wide Art Books and the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Arts are presenting the first of three shows featuring the artists from the 2008 and 2009 editions of the annual art publication, International Contemporary Masters. Like the book itself, the exhibition will join together and celebrate the work of groundbreaking artists from around the world, who are paving the way in innovation and technique. The show will run from February 20 through April 4.

EVENT DETAILS:

The exhibition starts February 20 and ends April 4

Curator: Despina Tunberg

Address: Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Arts

450 Fremont St., Las Vegas NV 89101

Neonopolis Center Tel: 702 382 2926

I've had a relaxing weekend after a busy week of freelancing - no painting  yet. My sweet friend Karen Martin, part of our Santa Fe workshop and Austin reunion group, sent me a wonderful book - Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit. How kind is that! I also just bought four new lusciously colored background drapes / fabrics to use in some new still life works. 

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.