Mary McBride

Mary McBride 10 x 16 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

It's a great source of pride to me that I have eight historical portraits permanently installed in the town hall of Gravenhurst, the small Muskoka town where I now live.  Among them is this painting of Mary McBride (1880-1965). She looks a bit stern here, but was apparently much-beloved by her students. Born in Muskoka, Mary taught for 50 years, beginning in 1899 and continuing until her retirement in 1948.

Gravenhurst's first schoolhouse was built in 1864. It was a one-room log building and its seventeen students sat on rough wooden planks.  The young women who taught in such schools were pioneers indeed.

How D'Ya Like Them Apples?

How D'Ya Like Them Apples? 8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Thanks to a miserable summer cold, I've been away from my easel for what seems like ages. Just so I'm not totally forgotten, I'm posting a little still life that sold from a gallery. Hope to be back in 'real time' soon!

One For All

One For All 5 x 7 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

This little painting of three cherries is a companion to yesterday's 'En Garde.'  Their stems really do seem to be indicating the musketeer's refrain of "all-for-one-and-one-for-all."

En Garde

En Garde 5 x 7 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

These two cherries really appeared to be 'crossing swords' and ready for a duel. I just love painting the luscious deep tones of cherries.

Dessert

Dessert  8 x 10 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

The past few days have been a little zany, so today I'm posting a piece from my archive. It does remind me, however, how much fun pears are to paint. I'm working on some new paintings and  promise some fresh postings soon.

Seated Nude

Seated Nude 24 x 14 soft pastel on Canson paper  NFS

For a period of time I worked a great deal in pastel. This rather large classic nude was one of the pieces I've kept and it hangs in my studio.

Thomas Greavette

Thomas Greavette 16 x 20 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

Before joining DPW I had spent a good deal of time on portrait work. This is one such example. Thomas Greavette was an internationally-renowned builder of classic boats. His portrait is one of a group of eight that I painted from small, grainy, black and white archival photos. The paintings depict individuals who shaped the early history of Gravenhurst, which is the Muskoka town my husband and I moved to several years ago. I'm very proud to have these portraits permanently installed in the town hall.

Vino Classico

Vino Classico 18 x 14 acrylic on canvas  SOLD

This is one of my larger gallery pieces. I really enjoyed painting the reflections in and on the wine bottles, as well as the varying light that danced through the rich dark grapes.

Green Trio

Green Trio 8 x 10 acrylic on canvas  SOLD

This is a small demo painting. One of many of my still life pieces that features a favorite brass bowl.

Summer

Summer 12 x 9 acrylic on stretched canvas

It's summer at the lake and nothing beats the wild abandon of leaping off a dock. Life at the cottage is all about joys such as this.

James McCabe

James McCabe 20 x 16 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

This is a historical portrait now residing in the Town Hall of of Gravenhurst, where I now live. It is one of eight portraits that I painted using only small old black and white photos as my reference. James McCabe is believed to be the very first settler in what is now the Town of Gravenhurst,Muskoka, Ontario. For a time, in fact, the town was named McCabe's Landing.