BELL TERRE

I finished this work of my house on Belle Plains Road. It was an old historic Civil War road up from the creek off the Potomac River, into Falmouth and Fredericksburg at the fall line. I was forever finding artifacts from the war as the property was a calvery camp during the march up into battle at Fredericksburg. Miss Elizabeth, over 100, died in the room with the light on. She was a seamstress in life and when renovating the house, I found her needles and cases along with handmade lace , buttons and woven fabric remnents under the floor. Her spirit stayed on when she passed a hundred years ago and appeared to me several times while I was the owner the property. Why I never painted the house when I was standing in the woods surrounding the place before is unanswered. I named the home Belle Terre because it was. jb

BLEAK COVE WINTER

Rework of an earlier painting idea on a cold winter day. jb

JEFFERSON MEMORIAL

My last challenge from Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. (The link is to the right or click the painting title.) Thanks to those who write and leave comments for me. I truly appreciate your thoughts and praise. I have to say these challenges have been difficult for me. Oil painting in general is daunting for me. Oh, I get it, but I can't leave it alone. I changed this one radically at the very end...couldn't leave well enough alone. Great lesson in values. This is supposed to be a night scene. I've even stood right there a hundred times and still it was tough. Love the challenges though. jb

WINTER BEACH

January has been a beautiful month here in Los Osos, California. All sunshine and then some good hard rains here and there so the beach flora is all penny-candy colored and the sea is all froth. jb

JANUARY LOW TIDE

JEANNE BAUER PAINTS DONNA BEVERLY

This was by far the most difficult challenge for me. I painted this portrait of Donna Beverly for the Different Strokes Blog. (SEE LINK RIGHT) We were paired up to paint each others portrait for our year-end challenge. It was difficult. I tried to be loose, but I painted tight. I tried to be colorful but painted too realistic. In fact, there are 32 better paintings under this one but I just had to add that last touch, which blew it, which led to painting over a little more. Then my husband showed up and said no, she's more zen/sad/meditative and I'd add a little more...mouth/lips/nose were changed at least 20 times. jb

BELLE PLAINS

Work in progress. I have been painting every day. But I have been away since 12/15/08 and it's tough painting on the road, especially with oils. I had the best time with my grandson and we painted or drew something every day.
Before I moved to California, I lived in Fredericksburg, VA, in a two-hundred-year-old house on the Potomac River. I always meant to paint it, but never did. I've been dreaming about that place for a while so I started some works. This needs much work so stay tuned. jb

BRIAN

I have been interested in portrait painting lately. This is a work in progress of my son Brian when he was just out of the Navy. I'm afraid to touch it now for fear of blowing it. I always over-paint. jb