Dirt By Amy Stewart

The Daily Specials, Paris

I remember this morning in Paris so well.  I was very grumpy, because (believe it or not) I was tired of eating pastries for breakfast.  (I know, nice problem to have, right?) I wanted some eggs and toast, or even some oatmeal.  And I didn't want one of those tiny cups of coffee--I wanted a giant latte, or a waitress who walked around endlessly filling my cup.

So. I was in a foul mood over this silly little thing, and I dragged my poor husband around until I found a cafe in the Latin Quarter that would serve us a very overpriced breakfast of eggs and toast and coffee.  Seriously, with the exchange rate, this breakfast probably cost us fifty bucks.  My beloved spouse was not pleased.  So we sat there, glowering at each other, until the manager cleared off a table and starting writing out the day's specials on this board.  Suddenly, it was Paris again!  Magic!  I was so pleased to catch him in the act.

This is actually a study for a larger 16 x 20 painting.  If you're interested in that one, send me an email.

Meanwhile, this one is an 8 x 10 oil on thin (1/16 inch) masonite board.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see other paintings on eBay.

Rue de Seine, Paris

Another Paris scene, also from the same rainy night as the painting I posted a few days ago. This was on the Rue de Seine, at the Boulevard Saint-Germain.  There was a huge parade of motorcycles going by that night, and everyone on the sidewalk turned to watch them.  Might as well; it was too loud to talk until they all passed.

This is 8 x 10 on a thin (1/16 inch) masonite panel.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see more paintings.

On Earth as it is in Austin

I am just ridiculously happy with this painting. I won't say it's a perfect painting, but it just came together all at once, with absolutely no fussing or reworking. I was in a gloriously happy mood when I took the photo--just so pleased to be back in my native Texas, wandering around my alma mater (UT), taking pictures in the gorgeous October sunshine.  And then I was also gloriously happy to be back home, a couple months later, painting it.

So.  There you have it. My happy little Austin painting.  And I have to say, usually I worry that the photo looks better than the painting, but in this case I think the painting is better than the photo.

This one's 8 x 8, on 1/2-inch board.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see my other paintings.

Rue Saint Denis, Montreal

I spent a little time in Montreal in August.  It's a beautiful city, and while it is very French, it's very North American, too.  Sometimes I felt like I was in Seattle, or New York, or San Francisco--and then there are those moments when it feels very much like Paris, or Lyon.

Either way, it's a lovely place, and I've had a lot of fun making paintings from the photos I took there.  Here's one of them--this is Rue Saint Denis, a boulevard that runs through the city and is lined with shops and restaurants. Scott was in one of these shops buying us ice cream while I stood on the sidewalk and tried to catch the last of the light.

8 x 10 oil on 1/2 inch board.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see other paintings on eBay.

Rue Saint-Séverin, Paris

This was our best night in Paris.  We'd been wandering around the Latin Quarter where our hotel was when it started to rain. So we ducked into a doorway, and I pulled out my camera and shot pictures of people running around under umbrellas. The light really was as purple and blue as it is here. Those are the Gothic spires of the Saint-Séverin church in the background.

This is actually a study for a larger painting. If you'd like to know more about that one, send me an email.

This is 8 x 10, oil on board.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see all my paintings on eBay.

Old Town Alley

The alleys are the most interesting part of Old Town, painting-wise.  If you get there at the right time of day, the light just slides in between the old Victorians and creates all kinds of lovely shadows.  Sometimes, I even manage to have a camera in my hand when that happens.

At the end of the alley is the North Coast Co-op, our local grocery store. Just in case you were wondering.

This is 8 x 10, oil on board, in a frame.  Please read all about the frame first if you're thinking about bidding.  Go here to find out more, and click here to see my other paintings.

Off to Newport News, VA

I'm off to the Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Short Course, one of those horticultural gatherings that ends up being a who's who of botanists, entomologists, garden writers, and industry people.This year, Thursday's programming includes a whole day for home gardeners focused entirely on bugs.  Imagine my excitement.

If you're going to be there, I hope to see you! 

February 1-2, 2012
Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course
Newport News, VA

Looking Down J Street

Eureka's a pretty quiet town at night.  Sometimes I like to grab my camera right at sunset and walk around taking pictures of the empty streets just before dark.

This one is also in a frame--please read the eBay listing for details before bidding.  8 x 10 oil on panel.  Click here to bid, and go here to see more paintings.

The Carson Mansion

Just down the street from my house is the Carson mansion, one of the most famous Victorians in the country. It's now owned by a private club called the Ingomar Club.  I'm lucky to know a few members, so I get to see the inside from time to time.

Please note that this painting is in a frame, and--well--it can't easily be removed from the frame.  (Ooops!)  Read the complete details in the eBay auction listing before you bid. 

8 x 10 oil on board, framed.  Click here to bid.  Go here to see more paintings.

Lena's House

I walk past this little yellow house every day. It's one of those classic cheerful California bungalows.  It just seems to call out "Paint me!" every time I walk by, so I finally did.

8 x 10 oil on board, framed. Please read the information about the frame on eBay carefully before bidding.  Click here to learn more, and go here to see all my paintings.