I work full time so to squeeeeze in more time to paint, I paint on my lunch hour. 

Here’s my schedule:
10 minutes to eat
45 minutes to paint (that is, if no one interrupts me) 
5 minutes to clean up! (I use a disposable palette, one brush and water soluble oil so cleanup is quick and easy)

As a professional artist, with over 30 years of experience, including 16 years painting plein air, my paintings reflect many hours spent observing nature –the variable wonders of God’s creation - the beautiful billowy clouds passing over the mountaintops and the sun-drenched colors of summer gardens. Painting plein air demands my full attention and although it can be quite challenging, it is immensely enjoyable and rewarding. 

I am now able to complete a small (8 x 10) plein air study in 30 minutes. Click on the link below to watch my time-lapse plein air “Azalea” demo (2+ minutes long -- actual painting time 28 minutes) Link to my Demo

When I am unable to paint plein air, I am in my studio or at work on my lunch hour using my photographs and plein air studies for reference. I do not want to get bogged down with detail so I set time limits because I choose to create a painting that looks as though it was painted from life – fresh and alive!

I recently did a Lunch Hour Painting demo (Winter Farmhouse at Sundown) which is on YouTube. It was difficult to do this demo at the office as I had to set up my camera (which took about 10 minutes) and then had to paint! Click on Link to view Demo

After I completed Winter Farmhouse at Sundown, I realized that I was completely out of panels so I ordered more and was waiting for my new order to arrive. Once I received the panels, we were heading down to the shore for vacation (but I was able to squeeeeze in 8 plein air beach paintings. 

One week later we were traveling up to New York State for a family reunion. 

However, an extremely sad event happened while vacationing in New York. Rosie, our 17 year old kittie, who was being kenneled at our veterinarian’s office, became very ill and we were told that she had a possible stroke and kidney failure. We have been quite depressed that we lost our little girl but we were both very thankful to be her caretakers. She gave us love…we gave her love in return…and we are glad that she had a wonderful, long and happy life! We will miss her very much.

Shortly after Rosie died, I wanted to create a small painting for my personal healing and in memory of my little girl, Rosie. As I painted Rosie, I began to cry…wishing I could hold her in my arms. I called the painting “Rosie’s Garden”.

Cats are Wonderful Friends
Gentle eyes that see so much
paws that have the quiet touch,
Purrs to signal “all is well”
and show more love than words could tell.

Graceful movements touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side.
A friendship that takes time to grow
Small wonder why we love them so.
--Author Unknown--

Soon, I will continue my Lunch Hour Paintings. 

These Lunch Hour Paintings will be 6” x 8” and will include florals, landscapes and seascapes painted from life or based on my studies and photos. They will be included on my website under a collection called “Little Gems”. The “Little Gems” collection was created in remembrance of Rosie as she was certainly a very special Little Gem. The “Little Gems” collection starts with Rosie’s Garden and I will also be including several 6 x 8 plein air paintings. Then I will start posting my Lunch Hour “Little Gems” as each one is completed. Click Here to see “Rosie’s Garden” on my “Little Gems” Collection 

Sign up for my Email Newsletter and you’ll be informed when I begin to upload my “Little Gems” paintings. You will also receive the latest information such as new Blogs; YouTube Videos; present Exhibits and Awards; and new Plein Air and Studio Paintings. 

Kind regards,
Ramona