"Sun Lit Hill"

Welcome to my backyard. Yes, this is the view out my studio as the sun is setting on the hill. I had to redo the original...just didn't like it. This one's okay. Practice, practice, practice.

It measures 8"x10" on quality archival canvas board.

"Mesquite Dance"

These desert trees are so hardy, they can live up to a hundred years, I understand. This painting, (my first of this kind), measures 8"x10" on quality archival canvas board.

I am learning so much from Phil Starke's online mentoring classes.

Sun Lit

Okay, I confess. This is what an artist does on Christmas! Talk about obsessive!

It's a Sedona scene measuring 9" x 12" on quality archival canvas board.

Italian Balcony

The best gifts are those from the heart!

For those who have traveled and like to collect souvenirs, my daughter wanted me to paint this picture she took on her cruise this summer. I painted it while visiting her this holiday and gave it to her for Christmas. Happy Holidays, everyone!

Crashing Waves

Very excited! Another of my goals reached. This painting was accepted into the Scottsdale Artists' School"Best & Brightest" Juried Art Show. Reception is January 15th, 2010. It will also be displayed at the "Celebration of Fine Art" in Scottsdale.

It measures 14" x 18" on stretched canvas.

Steam Pump Ranch

Talk about dedication! It was FEEZING the other early morning with frost on the ground when I painted this scene down the road at the historical landmark with friends of the "Desertbrushstrokes". Burrr

It measures 9" x 12" on quality archival canvas board.

Oracle Winter

After returning from real "snow country" in New Hampshire, I am in the mood to paint snow. Would you believe this one is just up the road here in "sunny" Arizona in the small town of Oracle?!

It measures 11"x14" on quality archival canvas board. I owe my progress to Phil Starke's online video mentoring classes. How am I doing?

Burst Of Arizona

Seen right outside my studio one night during the Arizona Monsoons. Glorious skies here. This is a 9" x 12" original oil done impressionisticly with lots of emotion!

See more of what I have been up to on WWW.FINEARTAMERICA.COM

Stairway To Heaven

Would you believe I finally finished this painting that I started at the Bisbee, Arizona Plein-Air Art Show way back when?! (see previous post). It is a 14" x 11" original oil. No, I haven't been lazy. This is numberous art shows and many paintings later. Whew!

Time Flies!

Those of you whose lives are always full know what I mean when I say time flies. I can't believe I haven't posted for a while. Retirement is full, rich, and exciting. Besides my participation in the Sonoran Desert Museum Show with three entries, (this one painted on site), I am preparing for two more coming this week. Stay toned. This oil on quality canvas board, "The Geometry of Art", measures 11" x 14".

Tubac Plien-Air

Traveled to Tubac yesterday to "paint the town" and the painting ended up being accepted into the art show. I was a happy camper.

Finished Painting

This measures 11" x 14" on quality canvas board. My values had to be tweeked a little back in the studio.

Honeybee Canyon

Finally! The weather is cooling down some so that my friends and I can go out painting this beautiful state. See finished product next!

Welcome to my colors of Fall

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BISBEE ART SHOW

Well, I'm back from the Bisbee, Arizona, Plein-Air Art Festival. Wow, those hills and thousands of stairs to resident's homes were unbelievable! One of the contests was to paint one of them that lead from the bottom of a hill to what seemed like miles up to heaven. Stay tuned to the results; as soon as I catch my breath, that is!
You can catch up on recent work on my web site: WWW.GERIACOSTA.COM Thanks

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Canyon Light

I'm on a roll. Another Utah painting, 8"x10" for $395. I like the light coming through the pass!

Maybe if I keep practicing, I'll get better and better.

Zion Impressions

Another 8"x10" image of Utah. This one was painted in Zion National Park. Such a gorgeous place you must go see. This sales for $395.

Cliff Hanger 2

This was painted on a trip to Utah last month. I had to rework it back home in the studio. It measures 8"x10" for $395.

Found in Archives

Wild and wooly "Sunworshipper"....This was given as a gift to an old boyfriend. Sure wish I could get it back! Oh well.........Guess I'll have to paint another! Trouble is, an original can never be duplicated.........

Fallen Rose

I am so grateful to have taken Kurt Anderson's instructions on painting florals. He is such a master! My goal in life is to just get better and better in expressing my craft. This one measures 16" x 20" on canvas board. Thanks for viewing!

KURT ANDERSON WORKSHOP

An artist never stops growing! I was so happy to have been able to purchase one of Kurt's demo's at his workshop put on by the Premier Tucson Art Academy this week. Stay tuned for my efforts in class!

Norman Rockwell takes the credit here, however, this is me and my life..........love'n it!

UTAH PAINT OUT

Last week I went with a group of friends to paint Zion National Park and the surrounding beautiful area. And I thought Sedona was awesome! Being out in nature and doing what I love.....what more can anyone ask for!?

Spring Has Sprung

Who said I don't like color? I saw this colorful purple cactus on the way to work several weeks ago and was excited to get started on it. This piece measures 20"x16" on quality canvas board. Let me know what you think!

Beauty In Color

I am so proud of this one! I believe I really captured the model's mood in a loose, impressionistic style. Complements to such a good teacher, Carolyn Anderson. It measures 14"x11" on quality canvas board.

Carolyn Anderson's Art Workshop Scholarship

What fun attending this workshop. I had the opportunity to meet some great artists, tune up some skills in portraiture and purchase one of Carolyn's demo's. This piece is titled: "Sad Eyes". It measures 14"x11" on quality canvas board.

Art Tidbit: Art is like a box of chocolet. You never know what you are going to get.

Sun Peaking Through

A pallette knife painting! Fun! This one measures 11"x14" on quality archival canvas board.

Art Tidbit: Fear is in the mind of the timid!

BLOOMING IRIS

I was out exploring the local art studio tour in Oracle, Arizona, when I ran across this delightful scene of irises basking in the sunshine. This first spring painting measures 16" x 20" on quality archival canvas board.

Art Tidbit: Paint what you see!

MY STUDIO

Here's a closeup of my art studio I just finally finished since moving in last August! Moving is tough!

MY STUDIO

Here's where I do all my work. I am presently inspired to paint some gorgeous irises I spotted up in Oracle during an arts and crafts show today...stay tuned to the finished product!

COMPANIONS

This little rendition of the Tucson saguaros was found at a place called "HoneyBee Canyon". This area is filled with gorgeous vistas everywhere you look. This piece was painted on site, measures 10" x 8" on quality canvas board.

Art Tidbit: Keep your eyes open. You may stumble on something.

PATH TO SOMEWHERE

Those are the Catalina's in the background. Everywhere I look, there is something beautiful to paint! This original oil measures 11"x 14" on quality archival canvas board.
Art Tidbit:
Given the need to work quickly and without repeated passes of the brush, plein air landscapes are typically spontaneous, fresh and bold in feeling and look.

AQUA CALIENTE

Would you believe there is an oasis this beautiful in arrid Tucson, Arizona? Aqua Caliente State Park is a favorite of artists. This little gem measures 14"x11" and is on quality archival canvas board. Check this and others out on my web site.

Art Tidbit: Stay open to what life brings you and it will always be full of wonderful surprises.

"Dancing Leaves"

Aha! Back to painting with a knife! My first ten years of painting were done only with a knife. I never picked up a brush! This painting is 14" x 11" on quality archival canvas board done at Aqua Caliente State Park in Tucson, Arizona.

Art Tidbit: Life is great when you can come full circle!

Observing Technique

No matter how many years one practices the art of painting, there is always something new to learn, reinforce or explore in order to grow. Watching Albert Handell create a pastel at Aqua Caliente in Tucson, Arizona was awe inspiring!

Art Tidbit:
Through art, mysterious bonds of understanding and of knowledge are established among men. They are the bonds of a great Brotherhood. Those who are of the Brotherhood know each other, and time and space cannot separate them. (Robert Henri)

Buddying up with Albert Handell

Albert Handell, one of the country's premier pastel and oil painters, came to Tucson, Arizona to conduct a week's workshop for artists who came from all parts of the United States. The workshop was put on by the new Tucson Art Academy. I met so many great people and even made some new friends! Stay tuned to new art works developed from his influence

Art Tidbit:
"To be original one needs to learn the ideas of other painters in order to be different from them." (Edgar A. Payne)

'FALLEN CHERRIES''

I just love painting flowers. There was a time I used to think they were so boring a subject. How things change! Please tell me if you like this one. I sure do. It is an original oil on quality archival canvas panel measuring 16"x20".

Art tidbit:
Your style is the way you talk in paint. (Robert Henri)

LATEST ART SHOWS

The Arizona Plein Air Painters State Park art show at the Tubac Presidio & the Art show at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale is going on now. Also, I have been accepted into the 2010 Nomadas Del Arte show in Amarillo, Texas, where artist paint from six western states! I have a feeling this will be a busy year, including finishing my studio!! Right now it is a somewhat make-shift mess. Egads!

FLORAL STUDY

Hopefully, I am making progress as an artist, bit by bit....or shall I say, brush stroke by brush stroke! This one measures 14"x11" on quality, archival canvas board. Sign up as a "follower" and be the first to view the latest works!

Art tidbit:
Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory. (Mahatma Gandhi

WORKSHOP FLOWERS

Kurt Anderson's workshop last week was challenging and fun. I really enjoyed painting this flower arrangement! I highly recommend artists sign up for classes by other very respected instructors at: http://www.tucsonartacademy.com/

Art tidbit:
The right to err, which means the freedom to try experiments, is the universal condition of all progress. (Mahatma Gandhi)

KURT ANDERSON WORKSHOP

That's Kurt's demo painting at his workshop last week put on by the newly formed Tucson Art Academy. See his work at: WWW.KURTANDERSON.NET

Stay tuned for some samples I worked on in his class. Great workshop!

Art Tidbit:
Making art is 90% seeing and 10% stroking. When watching professional demo-doers, the seeing part often comes in the blink of an eye. Observers might conclude that pros are really talented folks. It's really just dynamic painting. (Robert Glenn)

MISTY MOUNTAIN

ENTRY into ARIZONA TUCSON PLEIN AIR PAINTERS SOCIETY SHOW in Tubac, Arizona, and the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Reception today, 1/10/09 t 4:30 pm. Click on site below:

http://www.arizonapleinairpainters.com/Az.State.Parks.PleinAirShow.08.htm

"SNOWCAPPED CACTUS"

Call me naive, but I was so suprised to see cactus covered with snow here in the desert of Tucson, Arizona! Ofcourse, I just HAD to paint it!

This measures 1o"x12" on quality, archival canvas board.

Art Tidbit:
The dynamic artist improvises as she goes along. She thinks on her feet. Her eyes and her mind are constantly weighing opportunities and making judgments and adjustments. Somewhat dependent on intuition, she also has knowledge of the variety of ways each passage might be handled.