UT Club Exhibit And More

So excited to have our Side by Side exhibit at the University of Texas Club April 4-7th.  

Side by Side Video

So thrilled that Maria and Roy Gatling of Austin-Artists.com recently produced and posted a video of Bill Oakey and me discussing our Side by Side collaboration, and our "Side by Side" book. So excited!!! Love it. It was filmed in my studio. Hope you enjoy watching it and sharing it with your friends. The Side by Side book is available by contacting me and should be available on this blog very soon!

Austin Lily

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Austin Lily 24x18x1.5"

 Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 
REDUCED to $450 (was $600)  + tax (TX only) + $25 sh/h

Canvas prints also available. 

Contact me for prices based on preferred size.

I created this painting in 2007 for my "Side by Side" series with photographer Bill Oakey  - a series where I paint my interpretations of his wonderful photographs in either pastel or oil. We look forward to continuing this series and will have an exhibit of several works at The UT Club April 4-8. And we were also recently video taped by the folks at Austin Artists.com, Maria and Roy Gatling. See the vido on this blog! Side by Side books are available for $30 (including tax and shipping. Contact me for the book.  

Mid-December Morning / 360° of Lake Austin Series

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Mid-December Morning  8x10" 

Oil on canvas board framed in black plein air frame. 
SOLD

I painted this last Friday, New Year's Eve, but am finally getting it posted today on Jan. 3rd. This painting was inspired from a photo I took in early/mid December. The bright, red leaves on the tree popping out from the oaks have now dropped and blown away. Can't wait to paint this larger. 

Early Morning Bridge 24x30"

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Early Morning Bridge   24x30"

Oil on canvas. Original NFS
Gallery-wrapped canvas prints available from 8x10" to 28x35".
Contact me for print prices based on preferred size.

I have so  many pictures of Lake Austin and the 360 bridge. Love shooting it at different times of the day and throughout all the seasons and during a variety of weather conditions. Sunny, cloudy, stormy, foggy, hazy. Amazing how much the same landscape varies each day. This was early morning in December and you can see where the light is hitting the tops of the trees but lower areas are still awaiting the day's sun. This painting is a gift so not for sale - but plan to do more!! Merry Christmas!!! Hope Santa is good to everyone. 

Jamaica Mon

@ Debbi Smith Rourke

Jamaica Mon  8x10" 

Oil on canvas panel 

SOLD

After my two art receptions the first week in December, I went on a 7-day Caribbean cruise with my husband and some dear friends. Visited Cozumel, Caymen Islands and Jamaica! Ya mon! So enjoyed getting away and seeing the sights and drinking in the ambiance and margaritas!! Upon returning, I painted this little gem. Nice way to remember my island adventure.

Austin Art Salon 5 at Wild at Heart Show

Austin Art Salon 5

Amy Hillenbrand, Kim Brill, Debbi Smith Rourke, Nancy Michalewicz, Paula Simpson

Here we are at Fast Frame's Prickly Pear Galleries, their South Austin location in the Shops of Arbor Trails. Our Wild at Heart reception last Thursday night was so wonderful - great crowd and our works look quite lovely together. Show is up thru Dec. 23 Don't you just love the 5 stars above our heads!! Rising stars!! Thanks Kristin and Wheat Belt for hosting us at your inspiring Gallery/Frame shop. You are amazing.

Foggy Morn III & IV / Happy Thanksgiving

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Foggy Morn III and IV 

Oil on canvas. 28"x22" each / 28"x44" together

$2,100 for the pair + $95 sh/h
Contact me for local /no-ship purchase

Happy Thanksgiving!!! These are enlargements of some small studies I did a few weeks ago. These larger works were displayed at the Prickly Pear Galleries at Fast Frame South as part of the Wild at Heart show I was in with Kim Brill, Amy Hillenbrand, Nancy Michalewicz and Paula Simpson.  Our reception  was great fun and the work looked wonderful together - thanks cousin Kristin for the opportunity.

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!!

Thanks Mom and Dad / Italian Villa

I just discovered the 30 Thanks Gratitude Adventure or #30thanks started by Marissa Bracke. How inspiring. As today is Nov. 10, I am starting with what she suggests for today which is thanking a parent. Boy, I have two wonderful parents and am so blessed to have had their constant, steady love and guidance throughout my life. And particularly their devotion to and care of one another as an example of how to live a beautiful and happy life. This photo was taken at their home on Thanksgiving day 2 years ago - how appropriate. Look forward to celebrating again with them this year. 

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Italian Villa 17x23.5" unframed. 

Pastel on paper. 27x33.5" framed in black with white matte, UV glass.
$675 + tax (TX only) + $35 shipping.

OK - for an art image. This is a pastel I did 4 years ago from a photo Mom and Dad took on on of their many trips - this one to Italy. I have it hanging in my home and so enjoy it. So thanks again Mom and Dad for getting out and seeing the world and then sharing your photos with me for my art adventures. This has been a fun exercise!! Let's see what tomorrow brings.

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. 

Chichen Itza

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Chichen Itza   8x8x1.5"

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. 
NFS

I painted this last weekend and so reminded me of  a wonderful trip I took to the Mayan Riviera and Mayan ruins back in 2003. I love Mexico and pray it will be safe to travel there again soon. 

Mayan Riviera

© Debbi Smith Rourke
Mayan Riviera  24" x 24"
Oil on canvas. $740 + tax (TX only) + $22 sh/h.

I sure love the Mayan Riviera and miss vacationing there. Hope to go back soon. Last time I was there, you could see large white angel fish swimming at your feet!!!! Divine!! Or is it Mayan magic?

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!