Julie Davis Studio

Road to the Pasture

2012-02-02T21:52:00.002-06:00

Road to the Pasture

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

$120 + tax, $15 s/h

This piece was a warm-up for yesterday's post. Sometimes you just need that, whether it's by painting, sketching, reading, whatever works!

-julie davis

*and thank you, justin, for contacting me again!

Hay Bales in Line

2012-02-01T18:09:00.003-06:00

Hay Bales In Line

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

I've been wanting to paint this subject since this summer in Idaho. I painted a 15 minute plein air piece then, and just never quite found the comfort zone with that one,though I really wanted to paint it larger. This is also a study, just 6" x 8", but I like this one better, and am looking forward to working on a bit larger piece. The hay was so tidy-ly laid out.....

-julie davis

*and on a hopeful note, I have lost an email from a very nice person who was interested in one of my paintings from the Hunt area--a scene along the Guadalupe River. If that person happens to see this, please contact me again! I have no clue how the email disappeared, but I have hunted to no avail.

Still Life study

2012-01-30T18:20:00.002-06:00

Lime and Tomatoes On the Vine

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

$120 + tax, $15 s/h

click here to purchase

I love a still life once in a while. Especially when they involve red. Red appeals in a painting, and it's rarely found in a landscape with this intensity, so it's quite fun to use it once in a while like this. I was trying to work out some of the rust, get out of the box a little, and just play with this. Did a bit of all three.

-julie davis

Upstream

2012-01-25T11:25:00.003-06:00

Upstream

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

$120 +tax, $15 s/h

click here to purchase

Rhythm can be difficult to re-establish once it's broken. I'm struggling with getting back in the groove of things after the move and all that comes along with it, but I'm making progress! I'm very much enjoying my new studio space, and the deliciously large easel I was able to get. Makes these 6 x 8s seem so tiny. Which is part of my method....giving myself the environment in which to create larger pieces than I have before. I think part of the break in my rhythm is the "pressure" to paint larger. The name of this piece says a lot about how I'm feeling momentarily. :)

-julie davis

Sunset

2012-01-09T15:12:00.003-06:00

Sunset

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

$120 + tax, $15 s/h

click here to purchase

I'm in love with the pinks in this little study. This particular sunset was this summer in Wyoming. I've had this painting for a bit, and am ready to try it larger. Sometimes I have to live with a painting a while to process what it is I like about it and where I want to take it. I'm sure this is not profound, but I've noticed how good it feels sometimes to live with a piece for a while before working a larger version. Then again, sometimes I'm ready the same day.

-julie davis

Fall at Western Lake

2012-01-04T20:31:00.007-06:00

Fall at Western Lake

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

$120 + tax, $15 s/h

click here to purchase

Happy new year! I apologize for my absence, but I took a much needed post-move break over the holidays. School began again today for the girls, so my attention turned back to my work. I entered doorway of my new studio this morning with total anticipation (and trepidation) about painting in a new space, on a new easel, and after what was for me, an extended amount of time "off the brush."

I painted this piece over Thanksgiving, in a favorite spot of mine--Watercolor, Florida. Fall there is so beautiful, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect for plein air painting. I began a larger version of this today, then ditched it for a small tree study when I realized what I really needed in my new environment was something familiar. Very soon, I'll post a larger version.

-julie davis

Seasonal Pond

2011-11-30T20:41:00.004-06:00

Seasonal Pond, 11 x 14 in.

available at Davis Gallery

I've been silent for so long because just before Thanksgiving, we moved (same area of Austin), and life was a bit nuts. Things are settling down, and I'm happy to say that I'll be participating in Davis Gallery's Holiday Group show that starts this Saturday, Dec. 3. The opening is Saturday night from 7-9p. I'll be there, and if you're in the area, please stop by (837 W. 12th)! Work by all the artists will be up through Dec. 31.

-julie davis

Fenceline Grove

2011-11-03T16:21:00.003-05:00

Fenceline Grove, 6 x 8 in.

$120 + tax, $15 s/h

click here to purchase

Sincere apologies for the inconsistency in posting lately. We have sold our house and are moving! In town....but hectic doesn't quite describe the last few weeks. I'm trying to get my painting legs under me again, and am most excited that I'll have a larger studio--a whole room all my own. Things might be a little off and on for the next few weeks, but I'll post when I can and know that I'll be consistent again soon.

This little painting was from my Idaho trip--this old fence just blended into the trees along it. With a lovely field adjacent, it caught my attention.

-julie davis

Cattle and Cottonwoods

2011-10-19T13:10:00.005-05:00

Cattle and Cottonwoods, 11 x 14 in.

available at Davis Gallery

This is another enlargement from a study done this summer based on my time in Wyoming and Idaho. The cottonwood trees group themselves in such a variety of ways. Wonderful windows of space between groups of trees create beautiful forms in what could be called "negative space." I prefer to think of it as not the absence of mass, but the presence of a shape. (Kinda think I'm sounding a little nuts....) But I do think that's what makes the cottonwood trees so appealing to me.

-julie davis

Early Evening Calm

2011-10-11T16:44:00.004-05:00

Early Evening Calm, 16 x 20 in.

available at Davis Gallery

I've been off the grid for a bit, slammed at home, but have lots to say! First, fantastic news to report.....it's official, I'm now proud (ecstatic, elated, etc.) to be represented by Davis Gallery (no relation) here in Austin!! I feel like I may have to say "no relation" every time I mention the gallery, but really, no, I don't own a gallery! This has been brewing since the show last spring, but I'm officially on the website now, and hope you'll all check it out. Here's the link: davisgalleryaustin.com/artists.davis.html. Click on my bio in the top right corner for more info. :)

Second, last weekend I was fortunate enough to attend the opening of Scott Christensen's and Quang Ho's show at the Insight Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas. The opening was Friday, and they had a demo on Saturday morning, which was delightful. Their work was amazing, and Insight represents many other of my favorite artists, whose work was also on display, so it was a treat to be there.

And last, I love this painting above--can I say that?? I feel like I crossed some invisible threshold with it. It's based on a study I did of the cottonwoods this summer, and I actually did another one this size first, then began a new canvas, correcting things the second time around that I didn't care for in the first enlargement. I came out of the summer with plenty of "tree inspiration," and this is finally one of the products.

-julie davis

Light Canopy

2011-09-30T09:56:00.003-05:00

Light Canopy, 9 x 12 in.

available at Davis Gallery

I love finding a grove of spindly young oaks. Although my favorites are the natural groves that have a shape of their own, it's not unusual to find these small oaks kept in check along fence lines, where some unique vista is revealed through the trunks. These are some of my favorite views--I look for what the view will be almost as if I'm anticipating what is inside a wrapped gift.

-julie davis

Quiet Pond

2011-09-28T22:21:00.003-05:00

Quiet Pond, 6 x 8 in.

This one is from references from my trip to Idaho in July. More on the tree theme. I think this makes 19, but here I was focused not simply on the structure of the trees, but on the structures along the horizon line. I did enjoy the trees the most, though--it's like an illness.....

-julie davis

Point Lobos Rocks

2011-09-21T21:04:00.002-05:00

Point Lobos Rocks, 6 x 8 in.

I'm continuing to explore the ocean/rocks theme through photos I took at Point Lobos, and through the studies and color notes I made while there. The coast in that area offers an endless number of compositions--every time you turn there is a unique rock configuration and a new look to the light or water or both. I can see why so many artists spend years painting the area!

-julie davis

Point Lobos Cypress

2011-09-20T12:43:00.005-05:00

Point Lobos Cypress, 6 x 8 in.

While in California painting at Point Lobos, I saw, but never got a chance to paint, this scene, though it was at my back or just around a cove just about the entire time. I snapped several photos, and with the ability to use my studies on site for color references, painted this study this week. I've actually done a larger version already, and have had a good bit of fun with it!

-julie davis

Point Lobos Study 5

2011-09-18T17:36:00.002-05:00

Point Lobos Study 5, 8 x 6 in.

This was my final study during Kevin MacPherson's workshop at Weekend with the Masters. On the first two studies, he had us using very limited and differing palettes to teach relationships. For the last, we were able to use our usual palette. Mine is limited to a warm and a cool of each primary, plus white, so that is what I used here. I had quite a bit of fun with this fast piece, and particularly enjoyed the blues I was able to play with.

-julie davis

Point Lobos Studies 3 and 4

2011-09-17T16:35:00.004-05:00

Point Lobos, Study 3, 12 x 9 in.

white, dioxazine purple, phthalo green, cadmium orange

The second painting day at Weekend with the Masters, I again spent the day with Kevin MacPherson. This time his focus was on using a (very) limited palette, to promote harmony in the painting, and to primarily teach that everything in a painting is relationships. The colors used in this first study are listed above. Seeing what color relationships we could build just using these four--and that they were not the primaries, surprised all of us, I think.

Point Lobos Study 4, 9 x 12 in.

For this next study, he gave us individual limited palette assignments. This one was done with white, my standard "black mix" (aliz., ult. blue, raw umber), cad yellow lemon, and cad red light.

-julie davis

Point Lobos, CA

2011-09-16T14:49:00.002-05:00

Point Lobos Study 1, 6 x 8 in.

Point Lobos Study 2, 9 x 12 in.

Last week I was able to travel to California to attend the Weekend with the Masters conference and workshop in Monterey. I spent four days soaking in everything I could in a fantastic learning environment, and painting in some very beautiful (but cold!) spots.

These are the first two studies I did--both in Kevin MacPherson's class, and both at Point Lobos. Kevin's emphasis in this class was on simplifying the outdoors--a lesson that continuously bears repeating. Doing a thumbnail sketch, or several, and keeping those simple, can help focus your composition. As Kevin pointed out, there are many things vying for our attention when we paint outdoors. Finding your darkest darks and your sunlight and shadow sides, keeping your lines connected (versus creating various separate shapes), and finding the rhythms that go through your composition help to keep a focused composition.

It was quite foggy, cold, and windy the first two days we were outside--think eight layers--so we got plenty of "gray days" studying in!

-julie davis

Tree Study 18

2011-09-05T15:10:00.005-05:00

Tree Study 18, 8 x 6 in.

This is a scene from a small pond in Idaho that I did from a little different angle while there. In this angle I wanted to include more of the pond and its reflections. I'm pretty pleased with it.

I'm headed off tomorrow for Weekend With the Masters again in CA--cannot wait! I'll try to post some from there, but down time is usually at a minimum, so I'm not sure what I'll get to do. I'm looking forward to taking some classes with Joe Paquet and Kevin MacPherson, not to mention many others I'll get to see demos or hear lectures from. Super excited, and can't thank my husband and kids enough for giving me the break to run and do this!!

-julie davis

Creekside

2011-08-30T11:42:00.004-05:00

Creekside, 9 x 12 in.

available at Davis Gallery

A small study of this scene is an early part of my tree studies that I've been working on since late July. I was able to play up the transitions of blue water to yellow-orange fields to purple hills in this version. The lazy, gentle quality of this group of trees by the creek caught my eye right away this summer, and a successful study ensured a fun couple of hours working it up as a larger painting.

-julie davis

Trees, Number 16

2011-08-29T20:16:00.003-05:00

Trees Number 16, 6 x 8 in.

This post is based on my Idaho/Wyoming trip. These cottonwoods stand in the valley of Jackson Hole, and this particular group of trees had a lovely buck and pole wooden fence that ran in front of them. I liked the way the trees framed the field in the background--almost like a window.

-julie davis

Texas Palms Study

2011-08-28T14:52:00.004-05:00

Texas Palms, study, 8 x 6 in.

sold

One of my friends here in Austin has been after me for a while (could be something over a year) to do a little something with a palm tree in it--she has a place at the coast here in Texas. I keep telling her Austin isn't exactly rife with palms. I finally relented and said I'd do one in my tree study series if she'd get me a photo or two, so she sent some photos my way of some palms near her place at the beach. Well, here you go, friend. This one is for you. :)

-julie davis

Number 14

2011-08-25T20:34:00.002-05:00

Study 14, 6 x 8 in.

So this one is less of a tree study than some of the others, but the trees were still my main focus. I painted this study somewhere in the midst of all the others, and since I spent a good bit of yesterday and today dedicated to my kids and the "business" of art, it got the nod for today's post.

It's a scene I painted while in Idaho on one of our quick studies--I left out the hay this time, and changed the fence line--I'm planing to do a larger version (with the hay), but I'm trying out a few things first.

-julie davis

Copying the Masters

2011-08-23T17:00:00.003-05:00

Tree sketch

In the midst of my own tree studies, I'm taking an online course with Deborah Paris called "Drawing and Painting Trees." Perfect for me, right? She has us doing all sorts of studies/sketches of trees, and this week one thing we've studied is the taper of a tree.

Deborah recommends reading The Elements of Drawing, by John Ruskin, an influential late 19th-century artist. She suggests copying his and other's sketches as a way to learn. It's a time-honored technique, but I can't say I'd ever done it! And it's very different copying another's work--following rather than leading, if you will, but I learned some very valuable lessons. First, slow down. Be more thoughtful about each line. Study what you're drawing. Look twice, mark once. All of these apply to painting, and all are things we tend to gloss over in the bliss of spreading paint.

A big thank you to Karla Uphoff, for making my blog her "Blog Find of the Week" on her blog. My tree studies are what drew her. Thank you!

-julie davis

Tree Study 13- Copying the Masters

2011-08-20T15:51:00.005-05:00

Tree Study 13, 8 x 6 in.

Several people have asked about whether the "active" side of the tree is always the lit side of the tree. It makes sense to assume that it would generally be the case, as light draws the eye. However, assume the entire tree is in shadow/silhouetted. One side could nevertheless be more "active" than the other. One side should have more emphasis, the other would be subordinate. Here, I have a tree that is obviously lit from one side, but I intentionally made the shadow side the active side, just as an example.

Even after doing all these studies, it's still difficult for me to restrain myself from "decorating" the entire outline of the tree with activity. One strives for balance, and this exercise is about interest. The balance would come in from the rest of the composition, as these are studies, and not meant to stand alone.

-julie davis

Tree Study 12

2011-08-17T21:03:00.004-05:00

Tree Study 12, 6 x 8 in.

sold

I'm playing (studiously, of course) :) with tree groupings. Again, a reference from my trip to cooler country and taller trees.

-julie davis

Summer Graze

2011-08-15T22:41:00.002-05:00

Summer Graze, 6 x 8 in.

The cottonwood trees in Idaho and Wyoming are, from my West Texas mesquite-trees-the-size-of-bushes perspective, majestic. (I grew up in several West Texas towns, so this is said with love and passion for that land, though the trees are notably not tall). The lovely thing about the river valley area around Jackson, WY and nearby Victor, ID, is that everywhere one turns, there are beautiful trees, many, many of them cottonwoods so tall they dwarf buildings and especially cattle.

This painting was really an attempt to study pushing the trees off the top of the panel, and to create a less dominant sky. It was such a pleasing little painting to make.

-julie davis

Tree Study 10-A good study coming to grief

2011-08-13T09:51:00.002-05:00

Tree Study 10, 6 x 8 in.

The next in line.....I don't feel my best effort came through in it. Too spotty--a pitfall with trees. A favorite quote of Scott Christensen's comes from John Carlson, and (sadly) relates directly to this study....but this is about learning for me, which is why I'm posting this.

Carlson says, "The big form is difficult to preserve because by he time we have modeled the smaller forms upon the big and added the necessary highlights and shadows, the chances are that we have overdone these so that our big form is cut up and spotty. These highlights and shadows belong there, but we may put too many brilliant highlights upon it; meaning that we may put lights upon the upright form that should possibly belong to the flat-lying plane. This passion for putting too many and too brilliant "lights" upon all the forms or planes is responsible for more good studies coming to grief than any other cause."

So, here the overdone highlights compete directly with my ground plane value, and lead to a tree that is "cut up and spotty," instead of being more of a mass. Even though I'd heard this and read it many times prior to doing this study, it still happened!

-julie davis

Tree Study 9

2011-08-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

Tree Study 9, 6 x 8 in.

Another small study.....this time, small, skinny oaks grouped together like so many here in Central Texas. These were part of a much, much larger group, and on a hillside. I began to put the rest in, and took out what I'd started--it took on a bit of a watercolor look because of it all.

-julie davis

Tree Study 8

2011-08-02T16:01:00.004-05:00

Tree Study 8, 6 x 8 in.

A day or so ago, an artist whose work I quite admire, Randy Saffle, left a good question on my post for me regarding trees in a mass, asking "When you paint a group of trees, do you change which side of the tree is active within the same painting or do you keep it all the same side?"

I thought I would share my response in today's post since I thought it was a great question and something I needed to work with: "You can go either way, depending on the design of the composition and where you want to direct your viewer's eye. I'll have to do some groups of trees and play with that. I do think it all depends on composition.... As a mass of trees, though, you'd play down anything active within the group, and choose a side of the mass to make more active, depending on the composition.

I hope this helps. I'm still figuring it out, obviously, so thanks for the question."

I hope this helps anyone else with that question. I'll definitely be playing more with groups of trees and this concept in this study series. And thank you, Randy!

-julie davis

Tree Study 7

2011-07-31T20:49:00.004-05:00

Tree Study 7, 7 x 5 in.

I think sometimes that I'm a little off.....I enjoy these small tree studies so much. Perhaps I should paint an orchard--ha. Here, I focused on loosening up the edges more than usual, and working with the trunks last--applying them on top of the tree's form rather than exclusively underneath. Still thinking about active and passive sides.

-julie davis

Tree Study 6

2011-07-28T18:24:00.005-05:00

Tree Study 6, 6 x 8 in.

Another in the tree study series.... Scott Christensen consistently reiterated variety of line in a composition. No matter the line--horizon line, a stand of trees, the top of a mountain, the edge of a creek, even variety of line in the grasses or shadows of the ground plane. This plays into the active/passive side of individual trees as well.

-julie davis

Tree Study 5

2011-07-27T17:48:00.003-05:00

Tree Study 6, 8 x 6 in.

It may seem redundant to do the same subject over and over, but trees are something I adore painting, and their importance in a landscape cannot be underestimated. Any new manner of approaching them that I come across, I want to play with it until it becomes second nature. In addition to the active/passive side I've written about, Scott stressed the importance of the core of the tree being the darkest, and painting toward the core as you address the shadow and light aspects of the tree.

I'm not sure I subordinated one side of the tree here as successfully as I could have, but these studies are learning vehicles for me as much as anything--so go easy on me as I try to absorb and incorporate it all! :)

-julie davis

more tree studies / panel comparisons

2011-07-26T20:51:00.002-05:00

Wind River alkyd primed linen, 6 x 8 in.

RayMar oil primed linen, 6 x 8 in.

Several of you wrote and asked which panel (cotton or linen) I preferred from my last post. First, as you know, there are so many variables, and you should really test them out yourself--your personal style and materials will affect your opinion. With the medium I use (refined linseed oil), the brushes (natural hog bristle or bristle blend, mostly filberts), and my paints (generally Gamblin), at first I really liked the way the paint glided across the linen panel, while I noticed the cotton really grabbed the paint. And I always love the way linen looks as a finished product. But, I also love to apply a thicker paint--often with my palette knife, and I felt the cotton held the paint better for that. So, I'm still experimenting, and like them both, perhaps for slightly different approaches.

That said, today I tried two linen panels--the same Wind River 359 alkyd primed linen that Scott Christensen uses and that I tried in my last post, and the RayMar Claessen's double (oil) primed linen that I've used before on occasion. What I noticed today was that the alkyd primed had a little more tooth than the double oil primed (as billed), and I did like that. So, I should try the single (oil ) primed for the sake of completeness--it would not be as smooth and may be a better apples-to-apples comparison. I know both of these companies sell a variety or sample pack, for just this type of experimentation.

-julie davis

active/passive side tree studies

2011-07-24T17:21:00.002-05:00

"active" side - shadow side

"active" side - light side

One of the many points Scott made in his workshop was that when painting trees, always subordinate one side of the tree. Obviously, in ideal light, a tree will have a light side and a shadow side. And clearly, the way an artist handles the point at which these masses meet is vital. I think an equally valuable point, which Scott made again and again, is that a tree should have an "active" side and a "passive" side. I believe that some trees are more naturally inclined to reveal which side to subordinate:), but that's where the artist comes in. The eye loves variety, and this applies to trees as well.

In these two ten-minute studies, I was doing two things:

1. Testing panels : the first is a Wind River Arts linen, and the second is a RayMar cotton...

2. Subordinating a particular side in each. In the first, it was the light side that I played down in order to play up the shadow side. I attempted the opposite in the second study. I pretty much did these simultaneously, so that I could focus on both objectives at once.

-julie davis

Workshop friends

2011-07-23T20:26:00.002-05:00

July workshop participants

Finally, I'm home! My husband and kids came up to Idaho for the last two days of the workshop, and we all stayed on in the Jackson area for a few more. Since then, we've been to visit my sister's family and their new baby, and we're home at last so I can post and paint.

Scott's studio sent this photo we took from the final day of the Intensive workshop. We all look like a bunch of happy painters--surprising that we were smiling after all we had been through.....:) Such abuse! Honestly, the positive takeaways will be soaking in for months, and I'm fortunate to have a super-supportive family that allowed me the time to attend!

-julie davis

Study 5 and 7-Lessons in Speed

2011-07-17T20:26:00.004-05:00

Study 5, 8 x 6 in.

Study 7, 8 x 6 in.

This morning I headed out to the last day of Scott Christensen's workshop, and it's been such a formative experience, I'm sad it's over. A couple of days ago, Scott had us go out on our own to paint three studies in as many hours (not including travel and set up time), which proved to be a challenging, but very productive exercise. When you're thoughtfully considering composition and value and attempting to not make a complete disaster out of your painting, an hour per study isn't much time. :)

The first of these images is the first study I did that day. The second is not posted (a "complete disaster"), as I painted it in my car in a desperate attempt to avoid the bloodsucking horseflies that filled the air..... The other is my third study--completed in 15 minutes, as I took too much time on the first two and managed my time poorly.

Lessons learned: Painting quickly is an excellent way to force fast decisions based on first impressions and to train your eye to make value judgements quickly. I really found that my quick studies could be more competent compositions than ones I could spend hours on--a valuable lesson for any plein air painter.

-julie davis

Study 4 and hazards of plein air painting

2011-07-15T21:11:00.004-05:00

Study 4 "Before", 6 x 8 in.

Christensen Workshop

Tuesday evening after class, several of us went out to paint in an aspen grove--to study what we'd be painting the next day. I did two small studies--I was pretty happy with this one--a little foreshadowing. The next morning we were painting in the same spot, so I had it out for reference--on the ground behind me against my backpack--admittedly not the best spot! As I put the last mark--literally--on my morning study, I backed up to look at it, and yep.....stepped right in the center of my happy little study! :

"After," 6 x 8 in.

Needless to say, I spent the next forty-five minutes in repair mode! (Lesson: never get too happy with something because it can disappear in an instant!!) It did have a nice abstract quality to it....

-julie davis

Study 3

2011-07-12T21:24:00.003-05:00

Study 3, 6 x 8 in.

Oh the poor photography! This little study was the first I did yesterday, and I got the mountain plane value too dark--a combination of bright sun and inexperience painting mountains....

Today we spent the day indoors sketching and studying composition, while Scott did a demo in the afternoon. And did I mention it poured most of the day? By 4:00 though, it was sunny and cool, and several of us headed for an aspen grove to paint.

-julie davis

Study 2

2011-07-11T18:58:00.002-05:00

Study 2, 8 x 6 in.

Yesterday we watched Scott do a large demo--actually, he worked on two large pieces, so we didn't paint until late--and on our own time. We'll just say that after two days of taking in information and trying to process it all, the painting I did was an odd combination of everything I'd been hearing mixed up and spat upon a canvas. I lost me in there somewhere, but thankfully, today I came back, having distilled some of what I'm learning.

This is the second study I did today--I would've posted them in chronological order, but this one was in front in my little stand and I'm hurrying to meet new friends for dinner! I'm loving these trees--all of them--the pines, the cottonwood, the aspens....but I love darks, and I had a ball with this.

You might check out Scott's studio blog, a thoughtfully written and full-of-good-insights weekly post called "Flow," written by one of Scott's right hands, Kathy--you'll see me painting. :)

-julie davis

Workshop Sketches

2011-07-09T17:51:00.003-05:00

Sketches from the workshop

Today was a pretty intense day of lecture and learning--no painting--but all worth it and valuable. We worked a good bit on composition--these are a couple from class and a couple I did after. Again, apologies for the odd photo angles and poor quality....as I look back if you look at the first sketch just the right way, the shaded mountain in the back resembles a wooden roller coaster....hmm......

-julie davis

Study 1

2011-07-08T21:06:00.002-05:00

Study 1, 8 x 6 in.

After a long and necessary absence from blogging (end of school, family vacation), I'm happily attending Scott Christensen's July workshop in Idaho and posting again. Today was the first day of the workshop, and I'm taking it all in. We had a little time this afternoon to do a quick study and try out what we're learning. I've included a photograph of the view I chose. Sorry for the poor photo of my work--hotel room photography--have to find a better setup!

-julie davis

Tuscany

2011-06-16T11:42:00.004-05:00

Sketches in Tuscany

Blogging while traveling isn't something I've mastered. Today, though, I've posted a thumbnail sketch I made in Tuscany, where we've been fortunate enough to be for a bit. I know I say nothing new when I describe the area as beautiful in every direction, but truly, there is a painting in every direction. While we're busy touring, I'm finding some time in the late afternoons to sketch, and am taking loads of photographs. Sorry for the lack of paintings lately, but the sketches will have to do for a while.

-julie

Shoulder to Shoulder

2011-06-05T16:27:00.002-05:00

Shoulder to Shoulder, 6 x 8 in.

These peaches were smaller than we're used to here in the Hill Country--these are from California.....hmm..... They sure made a delicious snack after they posed for me here, though. My youngest and I enjoyed them with a bit of sugar on top today. I like the way these came out even better than the last post.

-julie davis

Still Life Studies

2011-06-03T17:17:00.002-05:00

Pear and Apple, 6 x 8 in.

Continuing with my still life studies, I painted this study alongside my favorite 7 year-old nephew and my brother (!) who were painting Pokemon and a landscape, respectively. What can be more fun than painting alongside your family?! I loosened up a bit more than usual I think, and I like the results.

-julie davis

Tom Miller Dam

2011-05-25T21:44:00.005-05:00

Tom Miller Dam, 9 x 12 in.

sold

Today I had the good fortune to go out painting with my good friend, Laurel Daniel. Both our schedules are nuts right now, but we managed to find a cool spot for a quick painting under the Red Bud Trail bridge (unbelievably, the high in Austin today was 100, so we were fortunate to be out early). I hadn't painted the dam before, though many times I've painted looking the opposite direction, down river. This dam was completed in 1940, after two other dams had proved incapable of holding the floods the Colorado River can produce. It's a sight I pass frequently, as I cross the bridge countless times each week.

(the painted sign reads: DANGER Automatic turbine action may release swift water any time without warning....no access beyond cable at all times).

-julie davis

Accepted

2011-05-23T19:32:00.004-05:00

Accepted, 6 x 8 in.

The pear, that is, is accepted by the cherries.... It's been quite fun working with so much red lately, though after painting this one, I think the way in which I've handled this lighter background doesn't adequately balance the impact of such a vivid color. I'll keep moving forward on my experimentation....

-julie davis

Comfortable

2011-05-18T20:22:00.003-05:00

Comfortable, 6 x 8 in.

Playing with greens and reds together in this one. I've got to work on getting better lighting for my still life set ups--I have light coming from several directions where I paint them, and haven't developed a good way to limit it to one yet, since I rarely painting still lifes.

-julie davis

Steadfast

2011-05-17T17:00:00.003-05:00

Steadfast, 6 x 8 in.

And she liked it. My friend, from yesterday's post. :)

It's kind of fun doing some still lifes after working so intensely on landscape as the subject matter for the Davis Gallery show. It really allows one the time to carefully examine a form, much like the trees I so enjoy studying (except this fruit is much smaller, and the light on a still life doesn't change!)

-julie davis

Close

2011-05-16T20:26:00.003-05:00

Close, 6 x 8 in.

I have a very dear friend to whom I owe some time--if she's reading this today, she'll know I'm talking to her. So, pal, what do you think of this one? :)

-julie davis

New Sweden Church

2011-05-05T18:08:00.002-05:00

New Sweden Church, 8 x 6 in.

$120 + tax, $12 s & h

click here to purchase

New Sweden Evangelical Lutheran Church (completed in 1923) sits just Northeast of Manor, Texas, which is just Northeast of Austin. I was fortunate enough to be able to join my Plein Air Austin painting friends today to paint there. This copper steeple rises 104 feet, and can be seen for quite a long distance. I was impressed by how beautiful the countryside is out there--I'll be back there for sure!

-julie davis

Light Snow, revisited

2011-05-02T17:47:00.004-05:00

Light Snow, 12 x 16in.

contact Davis Gallery to purchase

This is the last painting I'll post from my current show at Davis Gallery here in Austin, and a tribute to the cold snap we've gotten here in Austin in the last 24 hours. The show ends this Saturday, May 7th, so if you're in Austin and haven't had a chance to go by, please do!

Some of you will recognize this as a larger version of the study I did back in early February. I loved painting the snow so much I immediately went for a bigger one that same day. It's available at the gallery.

One last thing: my apologies for the infrequency of my posts lately. We've had the majority of the interior of our house repainted over the last three weeks, and while the painters have done a tremendous job of minimizing the disruption, our house has been a bit topsy-turvy, and my studio is no exception. I hoped to be outside this week, but now we're finally getting much-needed rain, and it's 50 degrees F on top of that! Soon I will have my postings daily again.

-julie davis

Courtyard Fern

2011-04-27T21:20:00.002-05:00

Courtyard Fern, 6 x 8 in.

$120 + tax, $12 s/h

click here to purchase

I worked with a really muted palette today--partly due to subject matter, partly for fun (yes, muted is fun for me....). This asparagus fern sits in the courtyard of our home, and has just been reborn after freezing this winter.

-julie davis

Mid-day Graze

2011-04-19T19:57:00.004-05:00

Mid-day Graze, 5 x 7in.

donation to Arthouse 5 x 7 Art Splurge, Austin

Coming back to painting even after a short break, I realize that I will tend to use more palette knife to bring a painting to completion. On something like this, it doesn't take much, but I really love what it adds.

Before I was a painter (four short years ago), the very loose, "edgy" paintings where the brushstrokes were obvious and lush were the ones to which I was attracted. Learning the process of painting and everything that goes along with it takes so much effort, that finely tuning what one truly loves about a result takes a bit to happen. All this to say, I think I'm getting closer....

-julie davis

Late Afternoon

2011-04-18T17:27:00.004-05:00

Late Afternoon, 5 x 7 in.

donation to Arthouse 5 x 7 Art Splurge

Oh, for some rain! It seems as if every other year we have too much, and every other, too little. This field should be ripe with wildflowers and green, but the majority is still brown. We're hoping for some rain this weekend, just in time for Easter and all of it's outdoor activities. But I'm not going to complain. :)

It's so good to be back at the canvas again after a couple of weeks gathering my thoughts and energy post-show. It's interesting what a little time away does, good and bad. I feel a bit rusty, but coming back after a break seems to set me on a new and often more focused course each time.

-julie davis

Oak Alliance

2011-04-11T19:27:00.004-05:00

Oak Alliance, 9 x 12 in.

If you've followed for the last month or two, you may notice that this is a little bit larger and slightly different version of "Early Morning Oaks," posted on February 16th. I changed the sky to work in the clouds, which altered the entire time of day / mood of the scene. Both of them appeal to me, but I did have more fun with the brushwork in this one.

-julie davis

Guadalupe Fenceline and Show Photos(!)

2011-04-10T21:20:00.004-05:00

Guadalupe Fenceline, 9 x 12 in.

sold

A huge THANK YOU to all of you who came to the opening at Davis gallery last night! We had a huge turnout, and many paintings found new homes, including this one of the treeline on our property in Hunt. I'm still grinning! Bill Davis and his staff handled the opening so well--the work is beautifully put together, and I hope if you weren't able to stop by last night, that you'll come by this month. It's all up through May 7th.

You asked, so I've included a few photos from the show below. My dedicated and ever-supportive husband, Ben, took all of these pictures but the first; a big thank you, love.

Stephen, me, Laurel

friends, and...

family :)

-julie davis

Trail at Lost Creek

2011-04-07T21:01:00.004-05:00

Trail at Lost Creek, 12 x 16 in.

sold

Austin has many preserved green spaces--greenbelts, and there are so many wonderful walking/running trails that wind through them. This one follows a small cliff for a while and is so peaceful--it can make me feel instantly like I'm out of the city.

-julie davis

River Valley Elms

2011-04-05T11:54:00.007-05:00

River Valley Elms, 16 x 20 in.

donation to ARC of the Capital art auction

The weekend is approaching, and I'm getting excited about the opening at Davis Gallery this Saturday night. I stopped by the gallery yesterday with a friend and saw it all up, and I have to say-- it looks amazing!! Bill Davis (I keep saying no relation--but really--no relation!) has done a beautiful job of hanging the work so that the pieces compliment one another and the show really flows.

The two other artists in the show, my good friends Laurel Daniel and Stephen Parker, have pulled off tremendous bodies of work. If you're in the Austin area, I hope you'll have theopportunity stop in and see it. Kudos to Bill Davis and Laurel and Stephen--see you Saturday!

-julie davis

Old Farmhouse

2011-04-03T16:29:00.005-05:00

Old Farmhouse, 9 x 12 in.

sold

The thing that charmed me about this old farmhouse was its cloak of trees. The house stood safely tucked behind them, but kept enough distance to allow sunlight to shine across the front yard. This piece is at Davis Gallery in this month's show.

-julie davis

Granbury Barn

2011-03-29T20:09:00.004-05:00

Granbury Barn, 9 x 12 in.

sold

This is another preview piece from the Davis Gallery show. I used a plein air piece I did while on a Plein Air Austin trip to Granbury as reference, but took some liberty to add interest to the foreground and trees.

-julie davis

Still Waters

2011-03-27T19:43:00.005-05:00

Still Waters, 12 x 9 in.

contact Davis Gallery to purchase

This is another piece that I've prepared for the show at Davis Gallery here in Austin. It's a scene from one of my favorite places: Watercolor, Florida. Some of the most peaceful, reflective times I've had while painting have been there. I also love the simplicity of the palette I used in this piece--the grayed tones appeal to me and really describe this particular day.

*please come by and see the show if you're in Austin--it runs April 2 through May 7, and the opening is April 9th from 7-9 p.m. Here's a link to Davis Gallery.

-julie davis

The Guardians

2011-03-23T15:09:00.005-05:00

The Guardians, 16 x 20 in.

contact Davis Gallery to purchase

Here is another preview of the work in my upcoming show. This one was done from a small plein air study I did while in Hunt. The small farmhouse sits just off FM 1340, and I thought this particular angle makes it look as if these trees are watching over the property.

-julie davis

Horse Country

2011-03-22T18:34:00.005-05:00

Horse Country, 9 x 12 in.

contact Davis Gallery to purchase

Finally I'm back in the saddle, to use a pretty obvious pun here. :) Our kids have been on Spring Break, and are now all back in school. Though I'm in the middle of framing for the upcoming show, I'm at least able to post again, and will show you a preview of some of the pieces that will be in it.

This is the color version of a value study I posted a while back. These trailers sit quite often on the Camp Waldemar property in Hunt, though they seem to be arranged in a different order each time we pass. :)

-julie davis

Daybreak's Solitude

2011-03-11T13:15:00.004-06:00

Daybreak's Solitude, 12 x 16in.

Here is a larger version of my last post. I changed the tree-line from the study to make it less uniform, and made some other alterations in color and composition. This one is in the Davis Gallery (no relation) show in April. Please stop by for the opening on April 9 from 7-9p.m. if you have the chance!

-julie davis

Inlet on the Lake

2011-03-07T20:13:00.002-06:00

Inlet on the Lake, 6 x 8in

The spot we love in Florida has a beautiful lake (Western Lake) that has numerous inlets, piers, and bridges. I love painting there when we go. This is one view off the pier from which I paint most often. In the morning before the sun is fully up it's truly serene.

-julie davis

Watercolor, FL- study

2011-03-06T20:19:00.003-06:00

Watercolor, FL study, 6 x 8in.

I painted this study a few weeks ago. The Watercolor area in Florida is one of my favorite places to paint--there are compositions everywhere, and the morning light is gorgeous. It was an overcast day when I took the photo I worked from for this, so the idea here was relatively close values, lots of grays. I worked up a larger one in a vertical format last week. This particular study was a pretty hasty one, thus the simple masses and general roughness.

-julie davis

Tree-lined Riverfront

2011-03-02T20:10:00.003-06:00

Tree-lined Riverfront- study, 6 x 8

This is the view from our porch in Hunt. Endless trees line the riverfront--pecans, walnut, oaks--all kinds--literally line the frontage forever. It's a plain composition, and so much so that I hesitate to paint it--"never paint trees in a line" goes through my head. But it's what I see so often in my favorite spot--couldn't help it.

-julie davis

Yellow Farmer's Stand - study

2011-02-21T20:26:00.003-06:00

Yellow Farmer's Stand - study, 6 x 8

Each time we go to our place in Hunt, we pass this little yellow farmer's stand. I've never seen it open for business, but there are clearly some well-kept gardens behind the fence.

This was a super-fast sketch of this subject on a gray day--I definitely didn't refine this--just looking for composition and values- not sure I nailed either!

-julie davis

Gray Day, Lake Austin-study

2011-02-18T17:47:00.004-06:00

Gray Day, Lake Austin - study, 6 x 8

One of my favorite things about Austin is the Lake. Technically, it's the Colorado River that runs through town and is dammed up several times as it passes through, forming several lakes. The closest to my house are Lake Austin, and Ladybird Lake (formerly Town Lake). This is looking south toward the dam on Lake Austin. I plan to do a larger version of this for my upcoming show.

-julie davis

Early Morning Oaks -study

2011-02-16T22:15:00.002-06:00

Field Guards, 6 x 8

$120 + tax, $12 s/h

click here to purchase

Oaks often have a way of growing in clusters, as if they're huddling up to discuss something. This group stood smartly in a field, overlooking things.

-julie davis

Summer Day

2011-02-14T21:27:00.003-06:00

Summer Day, 8 x 6

sold

This was a quick study done earlier this summer--I forgot I had it. It's easy to forget during these dry, cold, winter days just how lush the outdoors become in the spring and summer. Of course, it was something like 74 F today in Austin, so we're headed there soon!

-julie davis

Snow Melt

2011-02-10T21:01:00.003-06:00

Snow Melt, 6 x 8

Another attempt at a "snow" painting. Kind of a snow painting, anyway. The snow melted so quickly (and was spotty to begin with), that the fields were patches of snow and grass. Temps were down to 17 F here last night, but in typical Austin fashion, the coming week's highs will be in the upper 60s, lower 70s.....ahh, winter.

-julie davis

Light Snow

2011-02-07T20:32:00.003-06:00

Light Snow, 6 x 8in.

Last Friday, Austin received a whopping inch (yes, one) of snow--and school was cancelled (mostly due to the ice that was so nicely hidden beneath the snow). We get so few "snow days" here that we were all pretty excited.

Around noon when the roads became passable, I headed out to Hunt to meet some college girlfriends as planned (we were not about to let a little snow cancel our plans!) Just outside of Austin, I had to stop and take some photos--and make a mental picture of it all. It really was beautiful, and an entirely new way of seeing the countryside with which I'm growing so familiar. I must say, I had a blast painting this, and knocked out a larger version today. Here's to more snow days!

-julie davis

Sketch 4, Board

2011-02-02T20:58:00.002-06:00

Sketch 4, 6 x 8

Sketchboard

And the last of my painted "sketches." I've also posted the board on which I did them all for you to see. I like this last one, but it's the least developed of the four, so I'm still tossing it over in my head whether to do a larger one.

-julie davis

Sketch 3

2011-02-01T19:33:00.002-06:00

Sketch 3, 8 x 6

A bit out of order, but here nonetheless, the third "sketch" I made last week on the large panel. Unlike the first two, I haven't painted this one larger yet, and am still debating.

For all my Northeast and Canadian friends out there--brrrrrr!!! Our gorgeous weather is gone and it will be 16 degrees F tonight with a wind chill of 3 or something Wednesday morning. For here, that's really cold. Actually having to wear a real coat!

-julie davis

Pear Therapy

2011-01-31T20:48:00.003-06:00

Pear Therapy, 9 x 12

This is one I found that I did recently that I hadn't posted. Initially, it was because I was having trouble photographing the darks--the reflections on them were impossible. I mostly solved that, then just forgot to post it. The pears reminded me of a bunch of girls talking, sharing, leaning on each other's shoulders as girlfriends do....

-here' a shout-out to all my girlfriends, near and far. You are all so supportive and amazing, and for you I am so very grateful!!

-julie davis

River Valley Elms - study

2011-01-29T16:53:00.003-06:00

River Valley Elms - study, 6 x 8

When I began really studying trees about two years ago, I had no idea how much influence they, as subject matter, would have on me as an artist. When I try to force them to the background in my compositions, it's almost painful to do so. So, yesterday I resolved to let go of that struggle for a while and just have fun with them again. And I had entirely too much fun doing this little study.

-julie davis

Chapel Dulcinea

2011-01-27T16:25:00.005-06:00

Chapel Dulcinea, 6 x 8

sold

Today was the most gorgeous day in Austin, and as if that wasn't enough, I got out and painted with my Plein Air Austin friends. We met at a place a few miles outside of Austin called the Wizard Academy (no Harry Potter--but a marketing school--good name, right?) Anyway, Chapel Dulcinea is a small, open-air wedding chapel on the property that overlooks a beautiful part of the area, back toward Austin. It was a lovely subject to paint, and in this weather, made for quite the perfect morning.

-julie davis

Sketch 2

2011-01-26T18:50:00.002-06:00

Sketch 2, 6 x 8

This is the second of four painted "sketches" on a board. I've used them to help me plan some paintings that I'm doing in larger formats. I find that when I'm working in the studio to make a larger painting from a study I've done outdoors I often want to tweak the composition, and doing this really helped me -- almost more than working in a sketchbook with pencil, which surprised me.

-julie davis

Sketch 1

2011-01-25T20:22:00.002-06:00

Sketch 1, 6 x 8

Haven't posted for several days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been hard at work! This is the first of several "sketches" I did on a board (this the tape to divide it) to plan my next four paintings. This is the first time I've ever done four underdrawings or sketches on one board, and in one "sitting." I found that ideas just flowed when I worked that way, and not taking the time to finish each one really freed me up to brainstorm, if you will. I was quite a lot of fun, and just as importantly for me right now, productive.

-julie davis

The Lookout

2011-01-19T21:40:00.005-06:00

The Lookout, 6 x 8

This is a blatant attempt to study the bovine form. A very small form. :) Sketching and drawing cattle (like anything) is a fantastic exercise, but conveying animals convincingly with as few brushstrokes as possible is something one can practice only with a brush. This bull seemed to be looking off in the distance as if he heard something he might want to warn the others about. Not that cattle ever seem to care that much....

And I must mention some very exciting news....my work will officially be part of a three-person show at the Davis Gallery (no relation) here in Austin in April! The opening reception is April 9. I'm very excited about the opportunity and will be hard at work, so forgive me if I don't post quite as regularly for a bit...I'll be laser-focused.

-julie davis

Over Your Shoulder

2011-01-17T19:54:00.002-06:00

Over Your Shoulder, 6 x 6

Apples are a favorite of so many painters as a subject--in addition to their nice shape and the many varieties out there, they carry much symbolism....everything from "bad" or "poison" apple, to the all-American apple pie, Johnny Appleseed, and William Tell. These were a product of my seven-hour studio day recently--a day I am hoping to recreate soon. :)

-julie davis

Late Spring Fields

2011-01-13T19:19:00.002-06:00

Late Spring Fields, 12 x 16

donation

This is a piece I've painted based on a 6 x 8 of the same scene--a field / creek in the Hill Country. When it's rained enough, the creeks in Texas actually fill like this and everything is content....too often they're not quite full, or even dry. This one is going to the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Gala Art Auction this spring.

-julie davis

Going the Distance

2011-01-11T20:43:00.003-06:00

Going the Distance, 6 x 8

sold

Another Hill Country road painting--this one was kind of a warm up for me. I can spend a few days doing still life and feel rusty on landscapes.

-julie davis

Gathered Together

2011-01-10T20:04:00.002-06:00

Gathered Together-study, 6 x 8

I thought I'd post a little bit of the process today, primarily because I prefer the middle version here. I was experimenting with the foreground in the final product, and it just isn't what I'd envisioned. I did manage to take a few photos while I painted, however, and since I always find it interesting when others post "process" photos, I thought I'd share these.

-julie davis

Old Ranch Road

2011-01-09T19:14:00.003-06:00

Old Ranch Road, 6 x 8

Another from my day of many paintings. I was working primarily on still lifes that day, but really had to do at least one landscape.

-julie davis

Peared Up

2011-01-07T17:46:00.002-06:00

Peared Up - study, 6 x 8

This is the last of the six I painted on Wednesday, and I made myself "finish" in 30 minutes, good or bad. Sometimes that builds in looseness and is successful, sometimes it's just disastrous. I definitely could've created a better painting, but playing with the gold tones and keeping it loose were my two goals, and I did accomplish that.

-julie davis

Among the Liliputians

2011-01-06T17:28:00.002-06:00

Among the Liliputians, 6 x 8 - study

This arrangement at first seemed as if the cherries had a crush on the pear, then I thought it more looked like the pear was Gulliver and the cherries were the the citizens of Liliput.

Regardless, my apologies for the reflection on this photo--the darks never fail to give me issues. I take the photos outside in a spot I wouldn't think gets much reflection, but the darks almost always find it. Anyone have any tricks or suggestions, besides creating a photography studio in which to photograph?

-julie davis

Cherry On Top

2011-01-05T19:14:00.002-06:00

Cherry On Top, 6 x 8 - study

I had the most exciting day today. For the first time in three weeks, I was able to spend nearly seven hours in the studio! (Read: the girls are back in school) I completed 6 small paintings--five still lifes and a landscape (couldn't not do one). Those of you who paint, know what a giddy feeling that can be.

I feel rusty at still lifes--this was the third one I did and the second I won't post at all, but it truly helps to repeat, repeat repeat in succession. Painting one after the other quickly really felt good and I made some progress and cleared some cobwebs.

-julie davis

One and a Half Pairs

2010-12-31T15:58:00.007-06:00

One and a Half Pairs, 6 x 8

A rarity from me lately--a still life. I've promised a dear friend I'd do three still lifes for her and I'm way overdue. Way, way overdue. So I'll be warming up on still lifes here and there for a while.

Happy New Year to all of you--I'm sincerely grateful to have you all follow and subscribe to my blog--it's a tremendous source of encouragement and community for me. And today my husband and I celebrate 18 years of marriage--a perfect way to end the year. I wish you all the best in 2011!

-julie davis

So We Meet Again

2010-12-29T20:18:00.004-06:00

So We Meet Again, 6 x 8

The way properties adjoin each other is one of the little tidbits I find interesting along the roads. Green grass can abut a field of golden flowers that can meet up with simple red dirt or a field full of cacti or cedars or oaks or all three. I liked the way the green shoulder here met with the wheat colored grass and muted flowers.

-julie davis

Sunset on Lake Travis

2010-12-26T19:38:00.002-06:00

Sunset on Lake Travis, 6 x 8

nfs

It feels like a month since I've posted--I had to put my blog on hold for a while leading up to the holidays. I think I'd have been more prolific, but various viruses combined to knock me down twice in the last two weeks, plus Christmas and family--and there was no time at all to paint.

I did paint today--and wiped it down each time--four times altogether! That's to be expected, I think, after so much time off. The painting above is one I just gave my niece. I hadn't published it yet, though I did post the two studies from our Plein Air Austin sunset paint out that inspired it. My sweet 4th-grade niece (who loves to paint) admired it this week, and I couldn't resist giving it to her. And as the year winds down, it seemed a sunset painting was appropriate to post.

I'll do my best to post this week. I'm closing in on 200 paintings again this year and would love to hit that mark. Enjoy the remainder of the holidays--and a happy new year to you all!

-julie davis

Cinco

2010-12-08T23:04:00.002-06:00

Cinco, 6 x 8

My girls all take Spanish in school, and our middle daughter tends to intersperse bits of it into our conversation pretty often (which is good because it helps me learn Spanish, too). This painting was going to be named "Five," but at the last moment, the Spanish word for "five" felt right. I have to attribute that to her influence. :)

-julie davis

Old Farmhouse

2010-12-06T16:49:00.002-06:00

Old Farmhouse, 6 x 8

A great deal of what draws me to paint landscapes is the history that is woven into much of the land in which we live daily. Many farms have old outbuildings, barns, and even farmhouses that now sit abandoned. I'm always excited to find them and can't help but ponder what went on in them when they were full of life.

-julie davis

Shady Crowd

2010-12-03T21:36:00.002-06:00

Shady Crowd, 8 x 6

On my way to Hunt last weekend I spotted this group of cattle under a shady tree--they appeared so content. I stopped and took a photo and worked from that and memory for this 8 x 6.

-julie davis

Photos from the Wendow show

2010-12-02T21:47:00.002-06:00

What a treat it was to be a part of last night's show at Wendow. The store looked beautiful, was filled with art by three local artists (me included), and the turnout was fantastic. If you're anywhere in the neighborhood, stop by and see what's in the store--it's one of my favorite spots in Austin, and not just because they carry my art!

The pics are of some of the pieces on the walls--the last is of my dear pal Laurel Daniel and me during the show. Thanks to all who stopped by--your support is always appreciated!

-julie davis

Road Through the Field

2010-11-29T21:21:00.005-06:00

Road Through the Field, 6 x 8
sold

I hope everyone had a wonderful few days off and an enjoyable Thanksgiving. I feel so fortunate to have spent time in the Hill Country with our kids and my husband and his family--I don't think all the cousins could have had a better time together. We have much for which to give thanks.....

Today we hung the paintings for the show at Wendow here in Austin! Everything looks great, and I'm looking forward to Wednesday night's opening. It lasts from 6 p.m. til 9 p.m.--please come by if you're in Austin! There will be two other artists showing--my friend, Kendall Pace, and a new friend, Betty Sewell.

-julie davis

Golden Banks

2010-11-18T17:40:00.004-06:00

Golden Banks, 9 x 12 in.

This is the last of the pieces I did before I began framing this week. I hope to get back to painting this weekend, but as Thanksgiving approaches, my do-to list outside the painting realm grows exponentially. We'll see. I aim to have my show pieces ready so I'll just have last minute duties to check off my list after Thanksgiving.

-julie davis

Northern California Fall

2010-11-17T20:37:00.004-06:00

Northern California Fall, 6 x 8

I really had fun with this one. There aren't many pine trees around Central Texas, so I'd never painted them before. I have to say--they're quite fun to paint and I love the darks and pointy edges. :)

-julie davis

Winding Creek

2010-11-16T17:14:00.005-06:00

Winding Creek, 6 x 8

sold

I love the grasses around here in the fall. They're full and wheat-colored and move with the breeze.

I'm busily preparing for a three-woman show that opens Dec. 1 here in Austin at Wendow Fine Living. I've got everything ready to frame and will work on that this week....then must be ready for Thanksgiving, as my husband and I are hosting his family this year. Gotta finish!

(If you're in Austin on Dec. 1, please stop by from 6-9. Wendow is located at 1512 W. 35th St. Cutoff). I'd love to see you!

-julie davis