PEOPLE
conductor of the New West Symphony in Thousand Oaks My former husband, David Gray, conductor at that time, introduced me at a dinner with Boris Brott, while we lived in Toronto. You can imagine my great surprise, when l moved from Santa Monica to Lake Sherwood, went to a concert and discovered that he was our local conductor! Watercolor 20"x30" 2003
I met Sybil at an outdoor garden party in Beverly Hills. My thoughts were to create a portrait to commemorate her. This painting was the original one. But decided to create a more glamorous one. Unfortunately l never took a photo of it in my haste! It was unveiled at a celebration of her life in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Watercolor 20"X30" 1990
I went to deliver a commissioned logo for a neighbor’s business. I ran home to get my camera to photograph the inquisitive kitten! Unfortunately, I don’t have his name and he never saw the painting! Watercolor 20” X 24” 1986
Steven Cook, asked if I could paint a photo he had taken of a nude young lady, on travertine for a bathroom in a multimillion dollar home. I decided to paint her in watercolor first and figure it out later. I use what’s called dry brush technique. It means that a lot of my saliva is mixed with dry watercolor paint. The perfect amount of wetness combined with the heat from my mouth, makes it perfect for my needs. It was the most difficult painting I have ever done! Watercolor 20"X24" 2005
Tatiana Painted from cover photo of Vogue magazine Watercolor 15" X 20" 1990
Having taken the photo we agreed upon, l waited til it was nearly paid off. By that time the 8” X 10” photograph became a little faded. “Michael, what color is your horse by the way?” “It’s black.” “Oh dear, l painted the horse brown!” “That’s okay, just paint black over it.” “Michael, you don’t understand. A black horse has different colors in the light like blues and grays.” I repainted a second painting in black! I live and learn Commissioned by Audibert California Water Color 30"X40" 2005
I took the photo secretively of this intense lady in Lisbon. She got up and chased me with her newspaper. Maybe she thought l was taking her soul with my camera! Who knows! Watercolor 15” X 20” 1987
ANN MORTIFEE, who lives in Vancouver, Canada, is one of my favorite singers. After one of her Toronto concerts, I went back stage to acknowledge her. She was very gracious when I asked if she would mind my taking a photo for a painting/gift for her. I never heard if she received it, but it was a pleasure for me to paint her. Famous B.C., Canadian Singer Watercolor 22"X20" 1986
Commissioned by Yolanda Medves Ottawa, Canada Watercolor 30"X40" 1980
Opa, my grandfather, Jan Tuinman, in his broeikas or greenhouse. He was my father’s father. At one time he was the gardener for many private homes in the village of Bergen, Holland, sold flowers for the home, created burial wreaths and bouquets for weddings. Tuinman means garden man in English. The sweet scent of his cigar, lingers in my memories. He was 5’ 3” compared to my father, his son, who was 6’4”! In the collection of Niko Korver. Watercolor 20” X 30” 1978
Commissioned Watercolor Mississippi 28” x 30” 1999
Commissioned inTexas Watercolor 25"X36" 1987
A man, whom I met on a plane commissioned me to paint one of their top salesmen in Northern Telecom, Canada, to give as a gift. Company logo is on his sleeve. Watercolor 15” X 20” 1985
CEO of Accountants Overload He was one of my closest and best friends, an amazing and brilliant self made man! He was a generous, caring, and loving man! I accompanied him in a hospital in Long Beach, handing out teddy bears to everyone. He always put smiles on people’s faces. He took our 90 year old friend, Matilda Spaak, and me to a strip club for fun! She loved it! Watercolor 15 " X 20" 2010
Commissioned gift for husband California Watercolor 30"X40" 2003
Famous Toronto Business Man Commissioned by Bluma Appel from a small karsch black and white photo Watercolor 30"X40" 2002
Commissioned in St. John's, Nfld. Canada Watercolor 20"X30" 1968
St. John's, Newfoundland Watercolor 15"X20" 1981
While living in St. John’s, Newfoundland, an oboe player, Valerie Holden, lived with us for a while. Her sister came to visit. I found her sitting at our table, reading a book while drinking her tea. She inspired me to create a painting which Valerie purchased. Watercolor 20"x30" 1979
in the collection of the Sachs Watercolor 15" X 20" 2002
He was an American astrologer and an astrology consultant to the rich and famous. Angie Dickinson, came to dinner and saw “Strike Gold.” She wanted to buy it. “Sorry, I can’t let go of it yet, it’s my first horse painting I have ever painted.” Sydney and I were best friends. We had many a dinner together while Gerry, my husband then, was traveling for business. Sydney had round the clock help because of Multiple Sclerosis Watercolor 20"x26" 1990
Owner of Public Storage, California, father of Parker who died when he was 9 of leukemia. Commissioned by the company Watercolor 20"X30" 1989
An old Newfie Watercolor 6 I/2"X8 1/2" 1978
This image intrigued me during my walk through the streets of Lisbon in Portugal. It was drizzling, but that didn’t deter her. After covering her baskets of fruit, up went the umbrella and stayed for the day. I loved her smile. Collection of Umezaki Family Watercolor 30"X40" 1987
Commissioned by Chris Lauford, photographer, who gave me the photo. Watercolor 20" x 35" 2012