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Horrors of War

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WARNING: the following painting may be too graphic for sensitive audiences. Viewer discretion is advised....sheesh. I've never had to use that disclaimer on this site. I sound like I'm on TV.  You're asking, what made her paint this? Well it's not "what" but WHO. I have recently been selected as one of the artists to paint an art card for the collector series, "The Horrors of War 1938" which is put out by the distinguished publisher, Monster Wax.  This is my first commissioned painting for an actual company! Only 24 artists were chosen to participate so, this is my Foot In The Door, so to speak. Who knows where this could lead?  At 62, I didn't expect any new beginnings for my art but then again, art requires no physical prowess like ballet, other than than the phalanges and a lumberical muscle or two. I'd like to give special thanks to my husband Barry who is my artistic muze, for making this happen and to Kurt, from Monster Wax for includin...

Just a Hunka Hunka Elvis

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No artist's portfolio is complete without an Elvis rendering. I drew this while sipping a wedding cake latte at a Diamond Rio concert.  The great thing about my medium is, I can take my studio anywhere! His jet black helmet of hair, snarly upper lip, and outrageously bejeweled costumes, make the King a kitschy yet beguiling subject. Gina has left the studio... Thangyouvermuch!  

Dolly!

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It was eventual that I would paint Dolly. She is America's singing sweetheart. My inspiration to do it came after we finally made it to Dollywood. I added the dragon fly and butterfly because...well...those are her faves. So here she is: lookin better than a body has a right to. 

The Voice Everyone Knows

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You can pick out his voice even in the most muddled, indistinct background vocals of any song: that smooth, warbling soulful sound emanating from a man with piercing blue eyes and a thick mane of white hair. Whether it's "Sweet Freedom", "What A Fool Believes" or one of his Motown covers, that voice of his wraps up that song with a giant blue bow and says, here ya go: signed sealed delivered, I'm yours. I'm proud to add to my gallery,  Mr. Michael McDonald.

Do It Again

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If the Skunk can do "Do It Again", so can I! This is my second painting of Jeff Skunk Baxter. Why did I revisit this celebrated legend of guitar and top secret defense advisor? Well, because I've always had an affinity for dichotomic, well-rounded individuals with artistic talent. Apparently every, journalist, radio and tv host agrees. Flip through any online publication or popular tv talk show and who do you see? JSB!  So I ask myself this question again. Why the repaint? Well because he's just fun to draw! That dashing set of white whiskers and the aviator glasses just ask to be painted. I'm painting this while listening to his latest album, Speed of Heat, which is a mosaic of country, jazz, blues and everything in between. I fell into this trance from start to finish, taking breaths between brush strokes. On August 2nd, I'll be attending his concert at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, with my husband, Barry Sigman; photographer and editor of All Access Mus...

Mot the Who???

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Don't ask me why but I've always had an affinity for the underdog rock bands. Mot the Hoople stands out in my memory. Everybody knows "All the Young Dudes". Classic.  Their cover of, "Sweet Jane", some strawberry wine and potpourri scented candles always put me in a groovy mood.  Of course Ian Hunter begged to be added to my collection of hot rock stars with curly manes: Robert Plant, Barry Sigman and so on...So i painted him. Hoople fans: here he is...Mr. Ian Hunter.

Katrina in Bloom

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I watch a lot of crime TV. I guess with my background in medical forensics, I'm drawn to it, even though I'm retired. I happened to tune in to 48 hours and watched the story of Katrina Brownlee unfold. She grew up  in disadvantaged conditions. She married a law enforcement officer, hoping to escape her past and live in security. Sadly, that was not what happened.  Her husband abused her.  He ended up shooting her in the abdomen a total of 10 TIMES. 10 TIMES...and she survived it all. In spite of nearly losing her life, she blossomed and became a correction officer herself. She is now retired but continues to serve her community through an organization she founded called Young Ladies of Our Future. She's written her memoirs in a book called "And Then Came the Blues".   She had beautiful roses tattooed on her tummy and transformed the pain of her wounds into something beautiful.  Isn't that what God does for us?  He takes sin and inequities a...