Secret Identity

Secret Identity, oil on cradled board, 24 x 18

This Trompe L'oeil is another oil painting in my Super Heroes series.

We all know that Superman, visitor from another planet, disguises himself at Clark Kent. He does this by putting on a pair of glasses. Not even Lois Lane, girl reporter , has a clue as to his true identity.

detail

SOLD

Spaceship - Journey to Jupiter

Spaceship - Journey to Jupiter, oil on linen, 30 x 40

This is another oil painting in my Vintage Game series. This Spaceship game was manufactured around 1935. It was obviously handled and hopefully played with a lot! It looks like it was taped with masking tape and later with heavy duty duck (duct) tape.

The bright colors, dents, wrinkles and tape make this a realism painting with much to explore.

detail

SOLD

Monopoly Game

Monopoly Game, 12 x 9, oil on cradled board

I often like the box the game comes in better than the game itself. The instructions in this box are dated 1951.

I included the red dice because I like the way the light shines through. And I've always been fascinated by the detail in the little shoe.

Which is your favorite Monopoly playing piece?

SOLD

Games

Games, 12 x 24, oil on cradled board

One of my not-so-secret desires/loves/addictions is vintage toys. That includes games. I've been wanting to include a game in a trompe l'oeil painting for a long time but have been pondering on the 'right' composition.

I finally decided on stacked boxes. I like the geometrical design of rectangles and squares stacked on top of each other with a few little 'surprises' thrown in.

Of course, these pre-owned games have been played with over the years and show the knocks and bruises of life.

And I love all the color!

SOLD

Games - Work in Progress

Games, Work in Progress, 12 x 24

This is just a small bit of the tromp l'oeil oil painting I'm currently working on. I'm having so much fun with it, I couldn't wait to show it to you.

As you probably know, I'm addicted to vintage toys and thrift stores. As I was whining to Hubby one day about all the tape they use in thrift stores and how it ruins the boxes he said "Why not paint the tape too?" Duh! I paint tape all the time in my tromp l'oeils and here it's already been added to this Rook card game.

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Ride Em' Cowboy, detail, 18 x 24, oil on canvas

Ok, my secret is out. I love vintage cowboy figurines. Alright, it wasn't much of a secret. I collect them. I display them. I love them.

The background features a silk scarf with a wonderful picture of a cowboy on a horse.  Each ceramic cowboy has his own palomino  horse and a cactus to show us he is in the Southwest.

I like the hard, shiny figurines against the soft texture of the scarf and rug.

Capturing the Sun

Capturing the Sun, oil on linen, 30 x 20

 I rarely paint flowers but I had the desire to paint these sunflowers. To me, sunflowers are the symbol of summer. I love the way the sun shines through the translucent petals. Have you ever stopped to look at the way the glass causes a distortion on flower stems? And battenberg lace has always been a favorite of mine. For purchase information, click HERE

SOLD

Blue Skies

Blue Skies, 18 x 24, oil on canvas

Stripes and Reflections! My two favorite subjects to paint.

I took many reference photos for this painting. I set up this still life on the deck of my house. The reflections show the Blue New Mexico Sky, my pink stucco house and black and white striped fabric. The vehicle for the reflections is an antique silver creamer that belonged to my mother.

Click HERE to for purchase information

2012 NOAPS Best of America Exhibition

Baked Goods, oil on linen, 24 x 30

Annual 2012 NOAPS Best of America Exhibition

Event Dates: 10/14/2012 - 10/28/2012

Location: Dunnegan Gallery of Art

417-336-3438

511 N. Pike

Bolivar MO 65613

http://noaps.org

I'm thrilled that my painting, "Baked Goods" was juried into this great art show, sponsored by the National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society.

Event Dates: 11/03/2012 - 12/01/2012Saturday,  The Vine Wine Bar & Art Gallery Osage Beach, Missouri Tuesday through Friday 5—10 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.—10 p.m.

 Best of America! 2012 Opening Reception
The Vine Wine Bar & Art Gallery
Osage Beach, Missouri
6 p.m.

Work in Progress - Super Powers

Super Powers, work in progress,detail, 20 x 16, oil on cradled board

It has been ages since I posted a new contemporary still life painting! But it's not because I haven't been in the studio working.

One of the pieces I have been working on is this trompe l'oeil. This is just the center detail of the painting. It's another in my Super Heros series. I'll tell you the story behind it when I post the finished painting. In the mean time, take a look and tell me what you think.

SOLD

The Making of a Cowboy

The Making of a Cowboy, oil on canvas, 24 x 18

The Making of a Cowboy is an oil on canvas , 24″ x 18″. It shows our favorite cowboy, Howdy Doody, with his patent, and accessories to make a cowboy. What cowboy is complete without his badge, handkerchief, garters, boots and plaid shirt? He is shown hanging from a rustic wood panel . Howdy was the first tv character to have a copyright

Available

Transition

Transition, 16 x 20, oil on cradled board

tran·si·tion/tranˈziSHən/ Noun:The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

"Superman fights a never-ending battle for truth and justice, disguised as a mild mannered newspaper reporter Clark Kent."

This Trompe L'Oeil painting shows the transition between Clark Kent and Superman. And, yes, the "Frame" is part of the painting.

National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society

Baked Goods, oil on linen, 24 x 30

NATIONAL OIL & ACRYLIC PAINTERS’ SOCIETY
Best of America 2012 Exhibit

I'm proud to invite the public to the 2012 Best of America National Oil & Acrylic Painters’ exhibit. Art lovers will get the pleasure of viewing a juried selection of various artworks from talents all around the United States.

The Opening and Award Ceremony will begin on October 14, 2012 at 1pm at the Dunnegan Gallery of Art located at 511 N. Pike Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613. Artwork will be showcased there until October 28 at which time the gallery exhibit will be moved to the Lake of the Ozarks, MO.

Cherry Splash

Cherry Splash, 30 x 40, oil on linen

This is another in my Cocktail series. I wanted to paint a red cocktail with cherries and this is the results.

Website Revamped

Enter FineArtOils.Com

re·vamp:to renovate, redo, or revise

My Contemporary Realism Painting website has a new look. It should be easier to find the painting you want. The images are cropped on the index page so be sure and click the thumbnail to view the actual painting image. The enlarged image will also give you information about the paintings location and availability.

If you see any "problems" or have any other comments please let me know

Martini Splash!

Martini Splash!, oil on cradled board, 18 x 24

This is the second in my Cocktail Series. I wanted to add some Action to the still life so I experimented with photographing olives dropping into a martini. What fun! I tested several different glasses and amounts of liquid. I used several photos to work from

This oil painting is the end result.

SOLD

Foiled Again

Foiled Again, 40 x 30, oil on linen

What can I say? This is a painting of stacked cookies and their reflection.

I love those windmill cookies, don't you? Yum!

This painting is available at Chasen Galleries

Super Kiss

Super Kiss, 30 x 30, oil on Linen

This painting is another trompe l'oeil in my Chocolate Kiss series. This includes a panel from a Superman Comic and of course that's Lois Lane giving the Super Kiss.

More Superman still lifes to come..........

SOLD

Chocolate Fund

Chocolate Fund, 24 x 18, oil on cradled board

While doing research on WWII propaganda posters I came across this poster for the American Chocolate Fund. I knew it HAD to be included in a painting.

The American Chocolate fund's goal was to send 1000 pounds of chocolate EACH WEEK(!) to the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Wow!

This Trompe L'oeil includes the poster along with a Hershey's Chocolate Bar in a World War II era wrapper.

Beach Trompe L'oeil

Beach, 24 x 18, oil on cradled board

I wanted to do a Beach themed Trompe L'oeil and as I was gathering up objects to paint I grabbed this old wooden ammo box for the background. Perfect! It gives the feel of weathered wood that compliments the vintage pin-up postcard

SOLD

Art Renewal Center's 2011/2012 Salon finalist

Eye Candy, 30 x 40, oil on linen
This painting has been selected as a finalist in the 2011/2012 Art Renewal Center Salon Competition.
This is an international, online show and had over 2,100 entries. 500 paintings were selected as finalists.

Eye Candy is available for purchase at Lovetts Gallery in Tulsa

Wings Like a Dove

Wings Like a Dove, oil on board , 9″ x 12″.

The painting shows light reflecting through a transparent glass dove. It is surrounded by colored marbles. I loved painting the light on the glass and the reflections on the surface.

If you would like to purchase this painting, click HERE

Martini

Martini, oil on cradled board, 24 x 18

I've painted cocktail glasses several times in my still lifes but this is the first time I've actually painted a cocktail. And it won't be the last.

I love painting the light on the glass and liquid. Most of all I like the way the olives are distorted when viewed though the glass

Cherry Turnover

Cherry Turnover, oil on canvas, 18 x 24

I love painting food. I wonder what that says about me? The challenge with this painting was the flaky pastry.

Art Show at Lovetts Gallery Tulsa

Red and Green, 30 x 40, oil on canvas

You may know that I attend very few art shows (I hate to travel). But when I was invited to participate in a show in my hometown of Tulsa I agreed to be there.

Lovetts Gallery Summer Perspective,
Artist Reception and demonstrations
6528 E. 51st ST
Tulsa, OK 74145
Saturday, June 16th, 10:00-5:00

The show will hang until July 16

I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting news ones. I hope you can make it.

Contact me or the Lovetts Gallery for more information

Gotta Dance

Gotta Dance, 30 x 30, oil on linen

I attended ballet classes for years.I was in class 4-5 days a week. Alas, Ballet was not my true talent. But I was pleased to find a pair of my old toe shoes and use them in this painting.

Last of the Mohicans

Last of the Mohicans, 9 x 12, oil on panel

Every once in a while I fall into the bad habit of starting paintings. Lots of them. Currently, I have about 10 paintings in progress. The good news is that I will have 10 new paintings to share within the next few weeks. The 'bad' news is that I haven't posted any new work for a while .

So, I thought we could revisit a (not so old) friend, The Last of the Mohicans. As we all know I love old books, toys and other fun things. The vintage American Indian ceramic figurines are part of my collection and make me smile every time I look at them. And these books have an average age of 100 years. Yes, Last of the Mohicans is one of them.

America, Motherhood and Apple Pie

America, Motherhood and Apple Pie, 36 x 30, oil on cradled board

This Trompe L'Oeil is a bit of a departure for me but so much fun! This homage to mothers has the Stars and Stripes created by Betsy Ross, the Mother of our flagAlso included are poster images of Mom as she was depicted during the first half of last century and little Apple Pies. Its completed with star shaped cookies just like mom used to make. Yum!

Detail

Salon International Greenhouse Gallery

I will have 2 paintings on exhibit (and for sale) at the Salon International 2012.I have participated in this show several years with my Trompe L'oeil and Photorealism still lifes

Car Keys, 18 x 24, oil on cradled board by K Henderson

Salon International 2012 is the eleventh annual juried exhibition. It will feature 434 original oil paintings selected from artist entries from around the world.

The Opening Reception will be April 14 - 5-8:00 pm.
The paintings will remain on exhibit until May 4.
Greenhouse Gallery is located at 6496 N New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX

Can't make it to the show? It's online!

Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art

The Making of a Cowboy, oil on canvas, 24 x 18

The 2nd Annual Scottsdale Salon of Fine Art

April 20th-May 20th
Show and Sale: Friday, April 20th, 6-8pm
This competition will feature the finest in representational figurative, portrait,still life, floral, landscape, interior, wildlife, and western themes. The Salon will be hosted by The Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ and will utilize the 10,000 sq. ft. upper level of the gallery.

The exhibit is now online

Sea Shell #3

Sea Shell #3, oil on cradled board, 12 x 12

This is my third and last (for now) painting of this intriguing sea shell

Again, I chose a limited palette using only raw sienna, white and cadmium red.

I love the slight amount of pink in this one.

Sea Shell #2

Sea Shell #2, oil on cradled board, 12 x 12

This is my second painting of this intriguing sea shell

Again, I chose a limited palette using only raw sienna, white and cadmium red.

The simple background makes the detail of the shell pop out.

Hubbard Museum Biennale Grande

Waiting, oil on canvas, 30 x 34

For those of you that will be in New Mexico in the next few months, be sure and stop by The Hubbard Museum of the American West for their Biennale Grande show.

The Opening Reception will be April 7, 1:00 - 3:00.
The Hubbard Museum of the American West
26301 Highway 70 West
Ruidoso Downs, NM
(575) 378-4142

The art will be on exhibit April 7 - July 15, 2012

Sea Shell #1

Sea Shell #1, oil on cradled board, 12 x 12

This shell came into my possession recently and I just had to paint it.

I chose a limited palette using only raw sienna, white and cadmium red.

The simple background makes the detail of the shell pop out.

I've created 2 other paintings with this same shell. Stay tuned for further images.

Astroray Gun

Astroray Gun, 18 x 24, oil on cradled board

This space gun is one of my vintage tin toys. I like 'Setting the Stage' in a box because of the light and shadows.

Flying Machine

Flying Machine, oil on cradled board, 12 x 12

I have a few metal airplanes in my toy collection. All of them are well worn and show signs of a lot of play!

This trompe l'oeil shows one of these planes against a background of early plans for The Flying Machine.

This is another in my Vintage Toy and Flight series.

The Letter

The Letter, oil on cradled board, 12 x 12

Someone asked to create a "Civil War" themed painting. This Trompe L'oeil is the results.

The background: During the Civil War J W Sword published a newspaper for the confederacy. As his paper supply ran out, he stripped the wallpaper from his home and printed the news on the back of the paper.

The letter shows a confederate cancellation stamp and is addressed to Richmond.

The glasses and pocket watch are typical of the period. The watch belonged to my Great-Great Grandfather

Apples and Stripes

Apples and Stripes , 9 x 12, oil on board

Apples and Stripes is a continuation of my series of black and white striped paintings. It shows a group of apples in a silver bowl against a striped background with the stripes reflected in the silver. If you are interested in purchasing this painting you may contact me

Cherry Turnover

Cherry Turnover, oil on canvas, 18 x 24

I love to paint pastry. I love to eat pastry. A marriage made in heaven.

With a Cherry on Top

With a Cherry on Top, 10 x 8, oil on board

I wanted to create a fairly simple painting and so I chose another Chocolate Tart image. Who can resist chocolate with whipped cream and a cherry on top?

I'm not sure which gallery or show I will be sending this to so for the time being you can contact me directly for purchase

Biennale Grande Hubbard Museum

Summerfall, 36 x 30, oil on canvas

Two of my paintings have been accepted into the 2nd Biennale Grande at the Hubbard Musem of the American West.
The 2nd Biennale Grande is a juried fine art competition that seeks to recognize and honor excellence in the contemporary visual arts of the American West. The art with be on display April 4th to July 15th, 2012 at The Hubbard Museum of the American West, 26301 Hwy 70 West,Ruidoso Downs, NM.

Happy Valentines Day!

Cordial Cherry, 9 x 12, oil on board, framed

Who doesn't like to get chocolates for valentines day? And this one has no calories and will last forever.

A sweet red cherry and sticky cordial cream covered by smooth milk chocolate. I don’t know if I wanted to simply capture the beauty of the cordial cherry or if I was just looking for an excuse to buy myself a box of chocolates! Yum!

Click Here to purchase or contact me for further information

Baked Goods oil painting

Baked Goods, 24 x 30, oil on linen

I had a request from a collector to create a painting using this vintage "Baked Goods" box. It was hard to decide which kind of pastry to include since all pastry is wonderful. I decided on Berliners (bismarcks, jelly donuts, Pączki, what do you call them?) I also included a favorite knife and linen napkin.

Do you have a favorite object you would like to have immortalized in a painting? Let me know. Commissions are considered.