Go Orange and White #DSRartwork #stilllife

© Debbi Smith Rourke 2013 

Orange and White 8" x 10"

Oil on canvas panel

SOLD

This is an oldie but a goodie. I painted this back in 2013 after UT beat OU in college football. As of late, that has been a huge challenge. So re-celebrating an old win and bringing back to mind one of my fav still life paintings. I love the thick paint applied with the palette knife. Creates a nice painterly effect. 

Glacier Bay #GlacierBayart #DebbiSmithRourke

© 2017 Debbi Smith Rourke

Glacier Bay 10"x10"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

SOLD

My husband and I recently took a trip to Alaska, including a 3-day land tour and 7-day cruise. One of our cruise days was spent in the glorious Glacier Bay National Park - a water park! We saw two amazing glaciers and other remarkable sights. This was inspired by an image I took near South Marble Island. Think this is part of the north end of South Marble Island but can't be positive. These colors inspired me to use my swirly, thick-paint palette knife technique. Each locale inspires me in different ways. Stay tuned for more great images inspired by my land and sea trips. #Alaskafineart #contemporaryart #contemporaryartist #Texasartist #AustinFineArtist #oilpainting #paletteknifepainting

Kauai ©DSR #debbismithrourke #sidexside

©2015 Debbi Smith Rourke

Kauai  12"x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

$400 + $30 sh/h
Contact me for purchase

This painting is now part of my "Nature Interpreted" exhibit with photographer Jack Marshall now on display at Bruegger's Bagels in Westlake, ATX through Feb. 27. Join us for our morning Art Opening Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10 AM to noon and grab some bagels, cream cheese, brandy milk punch and apple cider. Check out all the photographs that inspired this series. Hope to see you soon! Thanks for swinging by whenever you get there.

Gondola ©DSR #sidexside #venicepainting

©2015 Debbi Smith Rourke

Gondola 11"x14" 

Oil on canvas, framed in black float frame

Available via ArtfulGalleries.com

This painting of Venice is part of my "Nature Interpreted" exhibit with nature photographer Jack Marshall now on display at Bruegger's Bagels in Westlake, ATX, through Feb. 27 — 3267 Bee Caves Road at Walsh Tarlton (SW corner).

Orange Reflections ©DSR #sidexside #debbismithrourke

©2015 Debbi Smith Rourke

Orange Reflections 12"x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

$400 + sh/h 
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This painting is part of my "Nature Interpreted" exhibit with photographer Jack Marshall now on display at Bruegger's Bagels in Westlake, ATX through Feb. 27. BTW, my workshops with Sandy Ostrau really have influenced my painting. Check out her work when you have a chance. #natureinterpreted #abstractoilpainting #abstractedlandscape #orange

Tears of Joy © #DSRabstract #abstractoilpainting #Tearsofjoy

©2015 Debbi Smith Rourke

Tears of Joy 6"x6"

Oil on canvas board
$170 unframed + $13 sh/h in Continental US
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Having fun finding environment images for my paintings. The color correction is truest on the large image of the artwork itself at the top of this post. This little painting has several layers of paint from different sessions, always using the sophisticated colors that emerge after a day of painting. Also loving painting wet paint into wet paint using the palette knife.

Emerging Spring © #emergingspring #DSRabstract

©2015 Debbi Smith Rourke

Emerging Spring 36"x48"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Contact me for purchase

I named this latest 3'x4' abstract Emerging Spring because it felt like the earth was busily and happily churning new life energy and then spewing it out as glorious young foliage. My color palette for this abstract painting is one of my favorites. I adore teal, lime green and rusty reds with golds, plus the more ethereal muted tones of each.  Then I found the perfect setting for the painting. LOVE IT! Now "Emerging Spring" is ready to reside in a new home just like this one. Contact me if you are interested in collecting this piece, prefer local pick up, or want to come to my studio to see it. Always an important step.

"Tropical Breeze" © #mayanrivieramemories #austinpaletteclub #palmtreepainting

©2014 Debbi Smith Rourke

"Tropical Breeze" 16"x12"

Oil on canvas

SOLD

I painted this yesterday in a demo I did for the Austin Palette Club, hosted by Joe Cates and Shirley Slaughter. Thank you! Was so much fun and loved the painting that resulted. I brought it home and tweaked it a bit. I'm inspired to continue painting from all the fab pics I took a few years ago when Jim and I visited Grand Velas on the Mayan Riviera. Swanky place in paradise! What more can I say. All good!

Purple Iris © #abstractfun #sidexsideexhibit

©2014 Debbi Smith Rourke

Purple Iris 10"x8"

Oil on canvas framed in natural wood and black  frame
$350 framed + $25 sh/h
Available on ArtfulGalleries.com

Here is another abstracted image for my "Side by Side" exhibit with photographer Bill Oakey next month at Old Bakery and Emporium. (In our "Side by Side" shows, I paint my interpretations of Bill's photographs.) This is all palette knife work. No brushes. Fun. Makes for easy clean up, too – no brushes to clean. :-)

I may do another larger version. You'd think larger versions would have more detail, but the larger I get, the more I simplify. Interesting! Love the process and exploration. Again, you'll have to come to the exhibit at 10th and Congress during the month of September to see Bill's stellar photo of one gorgeous iris.

Fall Colors ©

©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Fall Colors 12"x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas / unframed

$400 + $50 sh/h in Contiguous US
Contact me for purchase

I'm re-posting this from last fall. It is part of my Side by Side series with photographer Bill Oakey. We had a joint exhibition of new works last October. Look forward to more collaboration and more fun projects.

Mom's Mum ©

©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

"Mom's Mum" 10"x8"

Oil on canvas panel / framed in gold plein air frame
NFS

I painted this from a flower arrangement my mom created. She brought me some flowers  and then graciously arranged them beautifully in several different vases to set around my home. This was a very dramatic view of a mum in a white pitcher. It became the still life for my first painting class for adults. Yah! Love this split-complementary color scheme. I just had to paint it myself using the palette knife. Thanks for the inspiration, Mom! xoxo

Sweetie Pie ©

©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Sweetie Pie 8"x 10"

Oil on canvas panel
SOLD

I set up this still life for my 9-year-old art student for her last still life class. A split-complimentary painting. She did an amazing job. So I decided I should paint it as well...before my husband ate all the pie. I suggested this title and he laughed. He had a great back-up title: "Life of Pie." We know around here that the life of this pie was quite short, but indeed sweet!

Port Aransas Twilight II ©

©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Port Aransas Twilight II  24"x30"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas (no frame needed)
$1300 + sh/h in Contiguous US
Contact me for purchase

The 2013 "Side by Side" exhibit opens Oct. 4! Come see new works from photographer Bill Oakey and my abstracted interpretations of those stunning images in oil. This has been a fun year of exploring abstracted imagery and texture – and painting with the palette knife. As always, color is vital to the work. Hope you will come see what fills our hearts with joy and inspiration! 

The reception is Friday, Oct. 4, 5 - 7pm. There is limited parking in the lower level lot behind the Old Bakery & Emporium. As daytime workers leave, street metered street parking is usually available. If you miss the reception, the show is up Oct. 4th - Nov. 6th. Gallery hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Look forward to seeing you!!
 

Cloudcroft Spring ©

©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Cloudcroft Spring 8"x10"

Oil on canvas board
SOLD
 

I painted this scene a bit larger, 11x14", back in early July and it sold to my good friend Cindy. It was painted from an image shot by photographer Bill Oakey which will be part of our upcoming "Side by Side" exhibit. SO, since the first one sold, I had to paint it again. :-) This one will be part of our October exhibit at Old Bakery and Emporium Gallery at 10th and Congress.  I so enjoy using the palette knife to push paint around. The process is hipnotic! 

Missing Arizona ©

© 2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Missing Arizona  5"x7" 

Oil on archival panel / unframed
$150 + sh/h 
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This was painted from the juicy, sophisticated colors you discover after painting all day and mixing up a storm. I just HAD to use them before I put my paints away. The sky is a soft, pale yellow-green. I love how the shapes and colors are reminiscent of the Sedona area, yet the colors don't necessarily appear where you think they might...a sky-colored butte. Fun!!!

Oceanside ©

© 2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Oceanside  6"x8" 

Oil on archival panel, framed in natural wood and black frame
$250 framed + $25 sh/h
Available on ArtfulGalleries.com

I painted this the same day I painted "Poolside." They make a perfect pair. I'm so enjoying taking my landscapes into abstraction. A whole new world opens up. Including exploring  abstract expressionism. All fun and all good! 
Happy to send a photograph of it framed if you like.

Coastal Feeling

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Coastal Feeling  12x12"

Oil on canvas / framed in natural wood and black frame

$500 + sh/h
Contact me for purchase

I am so excited to have two paintings accepted in this year's AVAA 12BUY12 Holiday Show at Austin Art Space. This painting and Tropical Pool will be exhibited Dec. 7 - Jan. 12. The reception for the event is Dec. 8. This event is a holiday must and so fun to get the season rolling. 

Lake Austin Winter Morn

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Lake Austin Winter Morn  12x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas / Unframed (no frame needed)
$400 + sh/h in US
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I've painted this winter scene of Lake Austin before. This time, I used my new abstracted approach working with just a palette knife. Very interesting editing out what seems unimportant and focusing simply on shape, color, composition and value. So much fun!!!