"Marcel the Shell With Shoes On" - My first time illustrating a Children's Book!

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I'm SOOO excited to finally announce what I've been working on for the last few months...  The incredibly cute and hilarious "Marcel the Shell With Shoes On" (as seen in this 3 1/2 minute YouTube video) can now engage with you via a children's book thanks to Penguin Books.  Genius Co-Creators and Writers Dean Fleischer-Camp and Jenny Slate (of Saturday Night Live fame) birthed the most lovable little shell, and it was my absolute honor and pleasure to take part in bringing him to life through oil paintings for the book.

It will be released in stores November 1, and is available for pre-order online now.  Before the book comes out, I URGE you to take a few minutes to watch the amazing video that the book is based on.  It is an award winning, simply adorable video that will have you in stitches, I promise!

Also, a huge thank you to Emily Osborne, the fabulous graphic designer who I worked closest with on this project!

"Circus of Wonders" Solo Show Opening - Robert Lange Studios in Charleston, SC

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It's been a whirlwind catching up with life after my show and the holidays.  I'm finally getting around to posting some photos of my solo show opening, which was a blast!!  Thanks to fabulous gallery owners Rob and Megs and wonderful gallery director Carri for all your love, encouragement, and support!  :)

"Circus of Wonders" opened December 3, 2010.  Some works still available for viewing and purchase at Robert Lange Studios.

Attendees were welcomed with a red velvet curtain...

Me with adorable Gallery Director Carri Schwab

My dapper husband, Josh, and me

Josh and me with fantastic gallery owners Megan and Rob Lange.

HONORABLE MENTION in Portrait Society of America's 'Member's Only Competition'

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I'm honored to have received an "honorable mention" for my painting Hello Up There, which was also featured on the cover of American Art Collector (December 2010 Issue 62 - as seen in my previous blog post).  The Portrait Society of America introduced several new categories to their annual Member's Only competition this year, including the category my work falls within - "Outside the Box."  Being the first time I have entered this competition, I'm pleased to have my painting accepted within such a great group of work!  Congratulations to all the winning artists!   Click here to view all the winning work from the "Members Only Competition." Here is a breakdown of the categories in this competition:

Landscape (figure is optional)
Still-Life (figure is optional)
Commissioned Portrait
Non-Commissioned Portrait
Outside the Box - an innovative composition that stretches boundaries and presents a unique perspective using traditional techniques and aesthetics

Honorable Mention (1)   Amy M. Lind, Hello Up There, Oil on linen, 72 x 50"

COVER of American Art Collector magazine!!! December 2010 Issue 62

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I can't believe it's taken me so long to post this on my blog!  I am overjoyed and honored to say the least that my painting was chosen for the cover of American Art Collector!!!  A HUGE thank you to editor Joshua Rose for thinking my work is worthy of the coveted spot in the magazine!  :)  Truly a dream come true.

Here is an image of the cover and the feature inside of my December solo show "Circus of Wonders."  (December 2010, Issue 62)

"Great American Figurative Show" Group Show Opening - Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA

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In the chaos of several group shows and a solo show within the last two months of the year, I was so caught up in painting, photographing, framing, and shipping work, that I didn't have much time to sit at my computer.  I've finally caught an available moment to put up some new posts.  So to start, here is the "Great American Figurative Show," which opened in November at Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA. Click here to view article on show in Southwest Art magazine entitled "Top Figurative Artists Converge at Waterhouse Gallery."

BACK ROW L-R: (unknown woman), Aaron Westerberg, Glenn Dean, Ignat Ignotov, me - Amy Lind, Joseph Todorovitch, Jeremy Lipking, Sergio Sanchez, Peter Adams, James Bertucci

BOTTOM ROW: Tony Pro, (sorry, I forget the name!)

Me at dinner with most delightful gallery owners Diane and Ralph Waterhouse

The next morning, they surprised all the artists with a trolley ride tour of Santa Barbara!

The gang - many talented artists gathered in one spot

Waterhouse Gallery - Great American Figurative Show

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This week, I dropped off my painting to the esteemed Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara for the upcoming group show "Great American Figurative Show."  It's exciting to be a part of a show that is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from my new home in LA.  The gallery is located on State Street in the beautiful courtyard area known as "La Arcada" filled with restaurants and shops (see photo above that I snapped as I entered La Arcada).  When I arrived, Diane Waterhouse was in the midst of hanging the show, which opens Saturday, November 20, so she went ahead and popped my painting up on the wall.  (In above photo, my painting is the one on the right).  I'm not sure if the arrangement is final, as they'll continue tweaking things once they receive all the work for the large exhibition.  But for now, I'll take the prime spot on the wall as you walk in the door!  : )  I could not be more honored to have my work hang next to so many masters and idols of mine!  Thanks Diane for inviting me to be a part of this spectacular show!  Here is a list of all the participating artists:

Peter Adams, Jonathan Ahn, Carolyn Anderson, Aldo Balding, Bela Bacsi, Dan Beck, Kevin Beilfuss, Jacqueline Bischak, Scott Burdick, John Michael Carter, Eli Cedrone, Elaine Manning Crook, Nancy Seamons Crookston, Romel De La Torre, Kim English, Cody Erickson, Dan Gerhartz, Vincent Giarrano, Adrian Gottlieb, Trent Gudmundsen, Steve Hanks, Johanna Harmon, Quang Ho, Ray Hunter, Ignat Ignatov, Jason Juan, David Kassan, Mary Carol Kenny, Ed Kucera, Mark Lague, Robert Lembler, Amy Lind, Jeremy Lipking, Bryce Cameron Liston, Fongwei Liu, Huihan Liu, Yingzhao Liu, Susan Lyon, Michael Malm, Michael Mao, Jennifer McChristian, Stan Moeller, Craig Nelson, Marci Oleszkiewicz, Tom Pinch, Tony Pro, Junna Roca, Cesar Santos, Molly Schmid, Eric Slayton, Joseph Todorovitch, Hsin-Yao Tseng, Tim Wang, Benjamin Wu, Jang Yumsung

"Great American Figurative Show" at Waterhouse Gallery

La Arcada, 1114 State Street, Suite 9, Santa Barbara, A 93101

OPENS: November 20

ARTISTS RECEPTION: November 20th 4-7pm

www.waterhousegallery.com

"Women Painting Women" Group Show Opening and Press: Art See magazine Nov/Dec & American Art Collector Issue 61

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I just returned home from - dare I say it - THE most exciting group show opening that Robert Lange Studios has ever had!  The gallery was full of female figurative paintings by over 50 extraordinary women artists (a.k.a. "Women Painting Women").  It was wonderful to meet the other artists who were in town.  Specifically, I spent the weekend running around with Haley Hasler and fellow RLS artist Kerry Brooks.  Visit Robert Lange Studios' website for everything you'd want to know about the show, including all the paintings in the show, photos of the opening night, press clippings, etc... This show got tons of press!  For full list, see the gallery's website.  Here are glimpses of the features in Art See Magazine and American Art Collector.

ART SEE November/December 2010:

AMERICAN ART COLLECTOR - November 2010:

Here are some snapshots of the weekend:

BELOW: Beautiful diptych by Adrienne Stein

Me with Sadie Valeri, founder of Women Painting Women Blog (the impetus for this whole show!)  Sadie and I met almost three years ago in San Francisco at the Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier while studying with Michael Grimaldi.

In front of my painting "Star" with my handsome husband!

Kerry Brooks, me, and Haley Hasler

With the fabulous gallery director Carri Schwab

On the swing in the gallery...

Gallery owners Robert & Megan Lange, American Art Collector's Amy Elliot, artist Haley Hasler

Artist Kerry Brooks, me, my hubby Josh Lind, Editor of American Art Collector Joshua Rose

Weekend With the Masters

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This year's "Weekend With the Masters" was held in late September nearby LA in Laguna Beach, making me one very lucky gal!  While I was too cheap to get the entire weekend pass, I was able to rub elbows with some of my idols and attend various lectures and painting demonstrations by many "masters."  I listened to Daniel Graves, founder of the Florence Academy of Art, give an insightful lecture, saw Morgan Weistling paint an exquisite portrait, and witnessed Scott Burdick and Daniel Gerhartz paint portraits of the beautiful and talented painter Michelle Dunaway side by side in the annual "face-off." IMAGE BELOW: Morgan Weistling

IMAGE BELOW: Portrait to the right by Daniel Gerhartz

IMAGE BELOW L - R: Scott Burdick, Michelle Dunaway, Daniel Gerhartz

IMAGE BELOW: Scott Burdick's painting

sneak peek

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Here's another circus-themed painting for my solo show this December.  I will be debuting this one in a group show entitled "Women Painting Women" in November at Robert Lange Studios.

64" x 42" Oil on Belgian Linen

Working on this series has been a breakthrough for me in terms of letting go.  I am often referred to as a "photo realistic" painter when, in fact, that is not my intention and I prefer simply "naturalistic painter."  Pushing myself to make more marks and not to over work things has always been a challenge for me.  I am happy to say that I am finally getting to a point where I am more comfortable describing texture through visible brush stokes.  I personally find the addition of them more meaningful and interesting than smoothness and precision throughout.  I have always believed that the combination of loose areas with more developed areas lends a sense of variety and truth to a painting.  I hope you will also enjoy the new found liberty and expression that I have achieved in my new works.

OPA National Show Opening

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For the past few months, I've been busy traveling all over and finishing up a number of portrait commissions.  Sorry for the lack of posts; The next few posts will be making up for lost time...  The good news is that now I am freed up to focus on my latest series of paintings for my December solo show! Here is a glimpse into the fantastic Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition held at the Legacy Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ this past May.  This show was filled with work by many incredibly talented artists, and it was a huge honor to have my painting hang alongside such amazing work!

Me with my wonderful husband, Josh, and my painting,

Belle Fleur 36" x 24"  oil on Belgian linen {available}

After the show with American Art Collector's Allie Peters (left) and Amy Elliot (middle)

portrait commission

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Surprisingly to some, I do not display any examples of my commissioned portraiture on my website.  I prefer to show solely my personal gallery work on my site.  However, I thought it would be nice to share one of my latest commissions of my wedding photographer's daughter, Alexa.  Enjoy!

oil on belgian linen, 16" x 24"

COVER of Art Calendar magazine! May 2010

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I am INCREDIBLY honored and ecstatic to announce that my work is featured on the cover and inside of Art Calendar Magazine's May issue!  It can be found in most Barnes & Nobles and a good number of Borders across the country as early as next week (second week in April).  A huge thank you to editor Kim Hall who interviewed me for the feature and to everyone at the magazine for including me in their great publication.  Here is a sneak peak...

fresh off the easel

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Amaryllis

41" x 26"

oil on belgian linen

In the midst of painting a number of commissioned portraits, I needed to loosen up and decided to do a painting for myself inspired by a model that I had just met.  Her coral colored cheeks and lips just called out for coral colored amaryllis flowers crowning her head.  One stem's worth ended up fitting perfectly!  Dalilah Rain is such an exquisite model...don't be surprised if you see more paintings of her in the future...

As soon as I finish up my last few commissioned portraits, I will be gearing up for a new body of work.  I am hands down more excited to paint this new imagery than I have ever been in the past!  I'll keep you posted with details.  : )

Accepted into OIL PAINTERS OF AMERICA Annual Nat'l Show!

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My painting, Belle Fleur (36" x 24" oil on Belgian linen) was recently accepted into the prestigious 19th Annual National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils!  It is quite an honor -- I could not be happier!  I look forward to a fun weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona for the opening reception, which takes place on Friday, April 30 from 5-9 pm.  The show will be held at the Legacy Gallery from April 30 - May 30, 2010.  For anyone in the area interested in popping by, the gallery is located at the address below and its hours are 10am - 5pm seven days a week.

The Legacy Gallery 7178 Main Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Dalilah

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dalilah_study_web 3 hour study of Dalilah

11" x 10" oil on belgian linen

After living in LA for almost nine months, I finally made it out to the highly esteemed Jeremy Lipking's studio for his Tuesday night life painting class.  He, of course, is ridiculously talented, and last night there were a number of other brilliant artists in town visiting.  It was great to paint alongside some of the best painters of our time!  Local artists Tony Pro and Alexey Steele were there along with visiting artists Chris Pugliese, Rose Frantzen and her husband Charles Morris.  I also had the pleasure of meeting artists Rachel Constantine, David wilson, and Luis Sanchez who joined us later on.

Look at Rose Frantzen's incredible new body of work currently on view at the Smithsonian.

Plein Air Painting in the Park

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amy_elliot Study of Amy 11" x 10" oil on belgian linen

Just came across this snapshot of the painting I did in November 2009 during the Charleston Fine Art Dealer's Association annual Painting in the Park event.  Artists from CFDA galleries gathered in Washington square and painted for a few hours.  All of the paintings were donated to be auctioned off that evening to raise money for Charleston school's art programs.  Thanks to American Art Collector's Amy Elliot for posing so eloquently for me.