Courtyard Call (11x14)

Like a Cello (10x20)

Emergence 10x10

Two openings last weekend

Friday evening at the Wimberley Valley Art League opening.

Saturday night at the Dudley's Wine Bar in Dripping Springs opening.

Tonight's opening at Ronnie Weeks' new studio/gallery

Ronnie invited a few of his artist friends to display samplings of our work at the grand opening of his wonderful new studio/gallery space in Martindale, Texas.  He's going to turn a virtual ghost town into a "destination"!  I wish my photos did the space justice!

Opening at La Pena Gallery

This was the the Dia de los Muertos opening at La Pena in Austin on October 28th.

Another abstract (12x12)

While working at Bent Tree Gallery yesterday, I started this.  I think it's finished now, but I don't have a title yet.

Two little abstracts (5x7)

The one above was done while I was working at Bent Tree Gallery in Wimberley last Saturday.  The one below is today's effort.

We Save Horses - Boys on Horses (16x20)

Late Night Cleanup (16x20)

Best in Show

Last night at the Wimberley Valley Art League Show opening reception, I discovered that one of my paintings was awarded Best in Show.  Debra Broz of the Pump Project Gallery in Austin was the juror and had some very nice things to say about my work.

Clean Up Time (9x12)

A little vintage beefcake: Strong Back Exposed (8x10)

Among the Ancient Ruins (8x10)

The ancient Romans built their structures to last wherever they were.  This particular arch was in Nice next door to the Matisse Museum, but it could be anywhere that the Romans extended their empire.

Strands (5x7) - palette knife

Today while minding the Bent Tree Gallery, I spent some time slapping some paint with various palette knives. I may have finally found a kind of painting I can do when there are frequent interruptions ---- abstracts.

Rising to the Light (8x10)

Sheer Wrap (8x10)

Another vintage semi-nude.

Transition (14x18)

A palette knife painting.

Half Peeled (9x12)

A bit of the Nouveau (8X10)

A few changes: 

First version:

Another vintage nude.  

Waiting at the Kitchen Door (16x20)

Fringe Tease (8x10)

This is another of my "naughty series" --- paintings done from early 20th century black and white photos.

Isola Pescatori Alley (16x20)

This also started as an acrylic painting.  I wish I could get an accurate photo of the painting.

Fiore per Vivere (20x20)

This was originally an acrylic painting, but I could never get the colors right with acrylics.  Oils provided the necessary subtleties.

Row of Trees (6x8)

‎"Feets on a Blanket" (revisted)

 This was originally an acrylic painting with harsher colors. Since oil colors are more easily harmonized and blended, I added a layer (or more) of oil and like it better now.

Another 5x7 watercolor

Hidden Street in Old City

Watercolors (5x7 each)

I've been doing some little watercolors when I don't have the time or environment to work in oil.  Here are some of the little experiments I've done recently.

Something Forgotten

Swirl

Tropical #1

Tropical #3

Sunday Repairs

Coochie, Coochie (8x10)

Another Josephine Baker in her Banana Skirt.

Young Mexican Dancer (12X16)

This is the second painting I've done of this lovely young dancer who was practicing with a large group of kids at the Arneson Theater in San Antonio.

We Save Horses # 3 & # 4 (12x12)

A Bird in the Hair's Worth ... (14x18)

More corrections...

This one (above) got some glazing to give structure and depth to the parasol & skirt.

This may get some adjustments with glazes once it's dried. 

Afternoon Stretch (8X10)

Another vintage nude done from a very old black & white photo.

First Place

The current Wimberley Valley Art League show was juried by Rachel Koper, Program Director of Women & Their Work.  Here is part of her Juror Statement:

"The 1st place prize is for Connie Schaertl's 'Easter Posies.'  This group of women dressed in fancy antique clothes charmed me. I was struck by the relaxed and intimate posture of the figures and the ability to convey

a general cheerfulness and camaraderie.  I mention that at one point I pulled three works by Schaertl aside to consider them all for prizes.  I particularly like the 'slice of life' aspect of her work.  She paints subjects like cooks in a restaurant, a man sitting in the sun - perhaps on a lunch break.  She captures these nice moments without a need to paint exotic locations or subjects.  There is a terrific consistency to her work."

Actually, the settings for two of the four paintings were France, maybe not "exotic" but certainly representing a step out of ordinary life for me.  The other two paintings came from events in East Austin, and represent very pleasurable times much closer to home.  I thank the lovely ladies who had so picturesquely arranged themselves on a bench at the annual Easter Picnic/Potluck at Angel & Colin's.  They were true "Easter Posies!"

FIRST PLACE:  "Easter Posies"

HONORABLE MENTION:  "Kitchen Choreographer"

"Soaking Up the Autumn Sun"

"Passage"