Healing Light

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Healing Light  30x24"

Oil on .5" gallery-wrapped canvas  / unframed (no frame needed)

 $1300 + sh/h in Contiguous US

Contact me for purchase

This is special to me. I often get "downloads" or inspirations from my angels. One Saturday morning last fall, I woke up and received what I now consider a powerful light healing meditation. That morning, my mind was quiet and happy and blank. I was lying down. All of a sudden I started getting mental images of large squares of white light, about six feet by six feet, thin like a dryer sheet, going through my body starting at my feet and up to my head and surrounding space around me. They swashed though me one by one and then started coming faster and faster till it was just one strong light at my feet shining through me like a big strobe light. The thought came to me: "purification." Then I started seeing, in my minds-eye remember not thru my eyes, dark inky-blue purple light coming up my body, starting with my toes and slowing moving up my body. The thought / word came to me: "fortification." I understood that all the cells in my body were being fortified. This took several minutes - was slow like a software download on the computer. Finally, I saw a burst or flash of vibrant red light shoot up my spine to my neck. The word/thought came: "repair/reparation." I've had disc surgery in my neck and I have referred pain occasionally from this. Thus, the red repair light appeared where it was optimum for ME. So purify, fortify and repairing of cells must be the optimum way to heal. Works for me!!!!

I was inspired to paint this "Healing Light" piece so everyone could do this light healing meditation. The large white-ish area above represents the purifying white light. I put a Roman numeral I at the bottom right to indicate it is the first passage of light. The purple is actually next, so I put a II symbol in the bottom right. There is a tiny III in the red area. So now you can do your own "light healing" meditation. I am sure it was meant for all!! 

This painting is available. It uses techniques I am embracing - layers, varying thicknesses and using bold brush strokes and a variety of palette knife styles of application. It will be exhibited in the Scarborough Building main 6th street lobby from March 3 thru mid April. After that, any interested buyer can take it home. :-)

On the Rocks

©Debbi Smith Rourke

On the Rocks 12"x12

Oil on canvas, framed in natural wood and black float frame
$500 + sh/h 
Contact me for purchase

A big thanks to Carol Schiff who named this painting for me. Yay! Perfect. I love these water scenes from my trips to California. And am digging the thick paint and how it mimics the swirling water flow. LOVE IT!! It's going in my Scarborough Building exhibit March 3 - April 15 if it's not purchased before March 3. If purchased during the exhibit, I'll ship as soon as I can after taking the show down sometime in mid April.

San Juan Islands

© Debbi Smith Rourke

San Juan Islands 6x8"

Oil on archival panel / Framed in black and gold float frame
$250 framed + sh/h 
Available on ArtfulGalleries.com

I painted this little guy this morning and am posting tonight! Yay! Hope to make a habit of that. Seeking that balance between painting larger works and these small daily paintings. Any tips?

Windy Point ©

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Windy Point   18x36"

Oil on 1.5" wide gallery-wrapped canvas 

SOLD

I painted this last weekend and am finally posting it. You can click on it to make it larger. I just love this view of Lake Austin and Mt. Bonnell looking toward DT Austin from Cat Mountain. When it came time to name it, this name just popped into my mind. It does indeed get windy at this spot. This is one of my new works (after attending the Sandy Ostrau workshop in Berkley last month) that will be on display in the sixth street Scarborough Building lobby in March, and possibly West Austin Studio Tour. News to follow. All good!! Yay!!

Sandy Ostrau Workshop with Nancy Hartley

In mid January I joined artist Nancy Hartley at a fabulous abstract painting workshop in Berkley, CA taught by accomplished artist Sandy Ostrau. Sandy paints amazing abstracted landscapes and figurative works. This was Nancy's second time to take one of Sandy's workshops. We had so much fun. Above, Nancy and I are taking a quick break from painting. 

Here is Nancy with one of her fab paintings. Be sure to check out Nancy's art blog.

Her work is so striking. She has an unmistakable style. 

 

 Here is Sandy demonstrating how she starts a figurative work. Somehow I missed 

getting a great picture of her.  You should see the joy and excitement in her eyes. 

 

Close on the beginning of one of Sandy's figurative paintings.

Here is Sandy's completed figurative painting she started in the workshop (above).

 Here's a completed abstracted landscape Sandy started in our workshop. It's clearly abstract, 

but you know it's a landscape. Love her colors, thick juicy paint and graphic designs.

Sandy took this picture of me as I attempted to move beyond my patterns

to begin to play and experiment and see what emerges. It's magic!

Sandy Ostrau is represented by Allison McGrady. Nancy, my husband Jim and I toured Allison's gallery in Orinda while we were in the Bay Area. Check it out! Now, it's time for me to head to the studio to start creating some new works with all I learned!! Stay tuned.

Light Seeker

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Light Seeker   8x6"
Oil on archival panel / framed in gold and black float frame
NFS

This is one of the last of the pieces I painted in Carol Marine's workshop last October. I felt like the flower was posing for the light, thus the name. Also symbolizes all those seeking enlightenment.  Gotta love it!

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
Contact me for purchase

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!!!

Tropical Pool

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Tropical Pool  12x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

Unframed:  $400 + $30 sh/h in Contiguous US
Contact me for purchase

I've painted this scene before. I love this pool and hot tub in South Padre. Was exciting to bring my new abstracted approach to the scene, using just a palette knife. No brushes. Woohoo - what freedom!! And I love the thick, juicy paint and simplified visual approach. Very painterly. Feels more vibrant. More abstracted landscapes to come.

Wildflower Field

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Wildflower Field   24x36"

Pastel on paper

NFS

I recently did  commission for my dear friend Anne Marie Palmer. Well, I say recently. I started on it many months back with this study/sketch posted last January. After she approved the sketch, I took my time with the larger piece. SO grateful she wasn't in a hurry. I delivered this to her about two months ago. Finally posting the work - unframed and with the frame she chose. Pastel is a wonderful medium. Must do more. I am open to more commissions, too! :-) Just contact me here. 

Framed "Wildflower Field" pastel

Fall Morning II

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Fall Morning II   8x6"

Oil on archival panel / framed in gold and black frame
Sale: $65.00
Contact me for purchase

This is a further-abstracted version of a painting I did two years ago - posted below. This new one is smaller and has less detail. Yet all the juicy color and streamlined detail is all the info you need I think. I am loving working with bold brush strokes and sometimes just the palette knife. No palette knife here - all flats and brights. More to come!

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Fall Morning  14x11 oil on canvas

Available in gold plein air frame here. 

Fruit Plate

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Fruit Plate 6x8"

Oil on archival panel / framed in gold and black float frame

SOLD

This red pear and fruit is my favorite painting from Carol Marine's advanced workshop in Santa Fe. On the last day, she gave us tips on how to paint reflections. I brought this home and then lightened the reflections and darkened the background. Now I love it!! Here are some pics of my art buddies in the workshop. We had such fun!

Amy Hillenbrand on a painting break.    

         Pam Holnback with one of her paintings.

Nancy Hartley with one of her paintings.

Kelley MacDonald with one of her paintings.

The gals on a Canyon Road Gallery tour. Amy, Mary, Pam, Kelley and Debra. 

Yes, that shadow is me taking the picture.

Sweet Tart ©

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Sweet Tart  8x6"

Oil on panel, framed in gold and black float frame (seen below)
$250 + $20 sh/h in Contiguous US

Another painting I created during the Carol Marine workshop I attended last month. She was demonstrating how to paint white objects on a white background. Not an easy task. I was being called to play with color so I put my white plate on this loud red background. Yes, I am a bit of a rebel. :-)

Tomatoes and Pitcher

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Tomatoes and Pitcher   16x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas. 
NFS

I donated this 2010 painting to the LBJ/LASA Project Graduation online auction held Nov. 1 through Nov.15. It's for LBJ - a northeast Austin high school, a Liberal Arts and Sciences Academy and the public magnet school for AISD gifted students.

LBJ PTSA organized Senior Celebration, a drug- and alcohol-free lock-in that gives seniors the opportunity to commemorate their achievements and stay safe. So that no senior is turned away for lack of funds, LBJ PTSA holds this auction. My friend Julie Pastor, co-chair, selected this painting from my studio. 

Two Peppers

©Debbi Smith Rourke

Two Peppers 6x8"

Oil on archival panel.
SOLD

Here is one of my paintings my week in Carol Marine's advanced workshop in Santa Fe in early October. Carol's lessons included painting white on white, flowers and glass, metal objects and reflections. This is my metal-object painting. More to come!

Carol Marine's Advanced Workshop

I returned 2 weeks ago from Santa Fe where I took Carol Marine's advanced workshop with thirteen other lucky women. Part of the magic was watching Carol's demos. Most days she would set up a still life before class (there was a race to get there early so we could watch her set it up) and then paint it magically before our eyes. Above she is showing us how to paint glass. Below is a short sequence of her painting a couple of mugs with grapes on a reflective surface.

First she gets her drawing correctly proportioned and positioned on her 6x6 panel.

She rubs off her initial marks and starts to paint the juicy colors first.

Here she puts in notes of the background and begins the reflections.

Drum roll.....Magic. These were just taken with my iphone. Yet you still can see how fabulous this painting is, complete with her signature fork. She gave us the opportunity to purchase these paintings and they all sold quickly. :-)  Thank you Carol for letting me post this sequence!!!! You are so gracious with your knowledge and inspiration. Now...HERE IS MY REFLECTION PAINTING (below) that I did in Carol's workshop. Yes, a red pair, two red grapes and a lemon.

 ©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Fruit Plate 6"x8" 

Oil on archival panel / framed in gold and black float frame
$250 + $25 sh/h in Contiguous US

 

 ©2013 Debbi Smith Rourke

Fruit Plate 6"x8" 

Oil on archival panel - FRAMED in gold and black illusion frame.

$130 + $18 sh/h.

This framed painting is sitting on a taupe, textured place mat. The frame has no checkerboard texture. :-) Note to self, "Don't photograph gold framed on textured cloth the same color."

Lilies 30x24"

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Lilies 30x24" 

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas 

SOLD

Our 2012 Side by Side show is up!! New works! Photographer Bill Oakey and I are continuing our series - his favorite photographs and my interpretations of them in oil or pastel. "Lilies" is my favorite of my new entries. We are exhibiting, along with Kay Hughes and her encaustic works, at the Old Bakery and Emporium Gallery through August 30th. Reception is Thursday night, August, 9th from 6 - 9 pm. Hope you will join us! 

Here is Bill's inspiring photograph he took in a Las Vegas hotel. I added more contrast and pumped up the color, something I love to do.

© Bill Oakey