introspective

Well....for something entirely different.  I painted this over the 36 x 36" canvas with my failed attempt of peonies in a jar.  (I kind of like the way the ghost of the painting looks after I scraped most of the flower painting out.) But...I think I like the figure piece too.  I am just feeling my way through this and I am enjoying the freedom of not being so representational.sold
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

beach music

Beach colors happen to be my favorite colors.  I am still searching and branching out.  I am doing a show in Bluffton, SC next October so I think these pieces will fit in nicely.  It is close to the Carolina coast. This is painted on an 18 x 36 x 2" canvas.  

relax

Bear with me as I do a bit of experimenting this summer.  I like this loose seascape much more than the still life that was originally painted on this 6 x 12 x 2".  I have decided to paint over some existing paintings that I don't feel very good about. sold 

venture out

You can see that I am still venturing out a bit.  I owe an artist friend a couple of paintings and this is a study for one I might do larger. This is her husband's family farm.  (I think) She wants something loose and 36 x 48"  This one is painted on a 16 x 20".sold

Venture Out also reminds me of my Dad.  Our family camped a lot (one campground named "venture out") while we were growing up and I have so many great memories. I cherish those times spent with my first family.  My Dad passed away three years ago but he packed a lot of love into his eighty years on this planet.  Happy Father's day!

lake view

A long time friend commissioned me to paint her two children and dog enjoying the lake.  The picture she gave me to work from was great so my job was not too hard. I have learned that you do not have to be married to a photo.  Change it for the paintings sake.  There was an old dock in the foreground and I painted it in at first.  It was preventing your eye from moving into the picture so I asked her permission to delete it.  Much better.  Do you see the backwards S composition?  Or I guess it could be a Z.  This is painted on a 30 x 40 x 2" canvas.

workin' on a mystery

Tom Petty's song, "runnin' down a dream" came up first on my "thumbs up" station on Pandora.  The lyric, "workin' on a mystery", was pretty perfect for this painting and post.  This painting started as a vertical one and was a figure from behind.  I was playing around with abstract design. I did not like how literal the piece was, so I scrapped and flipped it to be a horizontal piece. I am definitely working on a mystery because I do not really understand much about abstract or non representational work. Summer is a time when I can explore a bit.  So, there you go. This is painted on a 12 x 24 x 2" canvas.

cowabunga

Maybe the death of the very best Batman, Adam West, is on my mind.  Sold 

 Sorry if you are tired of cows.  White cows in particular. I never tire of painting white shadows. (or cows) This one is painted on a 12 x 24 x 2" canvas and will be with me at the Lake Norman Art Festival, June 24 and 25 in Huntersville, NC.  I would love to see you if you are in the Charlotte area.

it don't come easy

I am a huge Patty Griffin fan and this title was inspired by her song, "when it don't come easy".  She is coming to Birmingham in July and I have tickets.  Very excited!
This is painted on a 30 x 40 x 2" canvas.
I have one more show and it is in two weeks in Huntersville, NC.  It is the Lake Norman Art Festival July 24 and 25th.  Come see me if you are in the Charlotte area.sold

well seasoned

Decided to paint one of my Boston ladies today.  I took a series of photographs five or six years ago at Dorchester Bay and this lady was one of my favorites.  This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.
Hope you have a good weekend!

june

"june" is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" canvas.sold

pure

Sold 

I have painted this cow portrait a few times on various size canvases.  I am drawn to the majestic feel of this pose. This one is painted on a 48 x 48 x 2" canvas.  It will be with me at the Lake Norman Arts Festival in Huntersville, NC June 24 & 25. Huntersville is a bit north of Charlotte.  First time visiting the area.  

looking in the eyes of love

Experimenting a little.  This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2".  I might have been listening to Allison Krauss when I was thinking of a title.

Join us at Art on the Lake at Children's Harbor this Saturday and Sunday.  Located on beautiful Lake Martin in Alabama. May 27 from 9-5 and May 28 from 9-2.  

reflection

This is the last of the dogs on the lake series for a while. This is painted on an 11 x 14 x 2" canvas.  I will photograph the series together when I get to Art on the Lake this May 27 and 28th at Children's Harbor at Lake Martin, AL.sold
I have added one more show to my schedule.  June 24 and 25th I will be at the Lake Norman Arts Festival in Huntersville, NC.  I have not been to this area so I thought it would be nice to explore a new place.  It is close to Charlotte.  

first and best mate

A good day at the lake.  12 x 12 x 2".

My next show is Art on the Lake benefiting Children's Harbor at Lake Martin. The dates are May 27 and 28.  

sugar

Sold

So happy to get to paint a new 36 x 36 x 2" cow baby.  I have sold seven or eight big cows this Spring at shows. It always makes me happy to birth a new one.  That might be a little hard but I did carry twins 29 years ago that weighed a total of 15 and 1/2 lbs.

Happy mom's day out there to all you ladies.  So fortunate to still have my mom and mom in law in my life.  

big chaw

Golden retriever's faces are so expressive.  I have a weakness. Painted on an 11 x 14 x 2".sold

mine

Painted on a 12 x 24 x 2" canvas.  Dogs! :)sold

close up

sue

Listening to "a boy named Sue" by Johnny Cash. I am going to do a series of dogs at the lake.  I have a show Memorial Day weekend at Lake Martin, AL. More about that to come.
This painting is a 24 x 36 x 2".

I am looking forward to going to Nashville tomorrow to participate in the Harding Academy Art Show.  Come see us Thursday evening 5-9, Saturday 1-9 or Sunday 10-4.

just swell

A new 24 x 24 x 2" piece I will have at the Harding Academy Art Show  in Nashville, TN this Thursday through Saturday.  The hours are 5-9 on Thursday, 1-9 on Friday and 10-4 on Saturday.
Such a great show with so much talent.sold

I just returned from a great show in Oxford, MS.  It was great seeing old friends and making new ones. I feel extremely lucky that I have participated in three outside shows these last weekends and none included rain.  Pretty remarkable for the Spring.

After this weekend show I have one more show
Memorial Day weekend at Lake Martin.  

Sunday morning

sold

A new painting heading with me to Oxford, Mississippi this weekend for the Double Decker Art Festival.  The hours are 10-5 on Saturday. I am booth #97 if you are in the area.
This piece looks pretty washed out in the photo. Seems like it is the time of day that alters it. It is painted on a 24 x 36" canvas.

another chance

This is a 30 x 30 x 2" piece that I started last week and finished this afternoon.  I am pretty tired from doing a show yesterday but took a little time to finish this so that  I can take it to my Nashville show at Harding Academy May 4-6.sold

I have enjoyed doing home town shows for the last two Saturdays.  It is fun making new friends and visiting with long time ones at shows.  I am happy to say that besides lots of new patrons, many of my patrons these past two weekends already owned some of my work and came back for more.

Next up.....The Double Decker Art Festival in Oxford, MS.  It is a crazy whirl wind of a show for the artists but was a blast last year. It was my first visit to the city. Artists have to set up beginning at 6 am Saturday morning, do the show from 10 - 5, then take down and be of the town square by 7 or so. It is a lot of work but well worth it. I am booth # 97 if you are in the area.

The following Thursday- Saturday, May 4-6 is the Harding Art Show in Nashville. Another great show with so many talented artists.

country road

It is always fun to try and fit the long horns in a piece. I think it is more interesting to let some run off the edges.  This is painted on a 6 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold

It is my busy show season. I had a great show in Vestavia last Saturday.  This Saturday is Art in the Village put on by the Mt Brook Art Association. It was the first show I ever participated in several years ago.  It is all 2 dimensional artists that live within 30 miles of Mountain Brook.  They gave me a great entrance to get into the show world.  I remember how nervous I was for that first show around eight years ago.  I still get a little nervous.  Art in the Village is held in Crestline Village from 9 -4.  The address is 25 Vine Street, Mt Brook, AL 35213.  Come join us!

The next Saturday, April 29, I am looking forward to going back to the Double Decker Show in Oxford, MS.  So much fun!  The next week, Thursday- Saturday, May 4-6 , is the Harding Academy show in Nashville, TN.  One of my favorite places!!  Lots to look forward to.  In the meantime, I paint......

remi

Remi was a rescue dog from Hurricane Katrina.  He was much loved for twelve years and just recently passed.  I have felt the love from Remi while I painted him.  He reminded me to take breaks to hug my dog and cat several times. He is painted on an 8 x 8 x 2" canvas.

Come out to Art in the Hills tomorrow, Saturday from 10 -4.  Held on the Vestavia Hills, AL municipal center grounds.  Next Saturday, April 22 is Art in the Village in Mt Brook.  More about that next week.

lean on me

I made the most of a dozen white roses I used for decorations for a dinner. The two pictured on their own are painted on 6 x 8 x 2" canvases.  How did that sunflower sneak in there?
Sold

I have a show here in my home town of Vestavia Hills, AL this Saturday, April 15th from 10-4.  Art in the Hills is held on the Vestavia Municipal Center grounds.  I would love to see you there. The next Saturday, April 22nd, I will be in Mountain Brook, AL for Art in the Village. 9-4.  More about that next week.

blessings

These roses decorated a table last night for a friend's birthday. This is painted on an 8 x 16 x 2" canvas.sold

I have a show in my home town next Saturday. Art in the Hills in Vestavia at the City Hall Municipal Center. The hours are 10-4.  I would love to see you if you are in the area.

for the good times

No clue what to title this piece so I used the title of the music I was listening to. Thanks Al Green. This is a 30 x 40 x 2" piece I did last week.  It is going with me to Jackson, MS tomorrow.  I am participating in the Ridgeland Arts Festival Saturday and Sunday.sold

some harmony

I am preparing for the Ridgeland Arts festival in Jackson, Mississippi this Saturday and Sunday.  It has been several months since I have done an outside show so I have lots of new pieces to display.  The weather is supposed to be great. Looking forward to visiting Jackson.
This is painted on a 6 x 8 x 2" canvas. Still having issues with my camera.  Ugh.sold

tipsy chick

I am gearing up for six Spring shows. My first show is April 1 and 2 ,The Ridgeland Arts Fest, in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  My parents lived in Jackson, MS twenty years ago and I am looking forward to going back and visiting areas we used to enjoy.  My twin sons and youngest son were born while they lived there so I have a lot of great memories of exploring Jackson with them.

This is painted on a 4 x 6 x 2" canvas.sold

clap along

Just a little happy.  If you ever wake up in a sour mood I would suggest you listen to Pharrell Williams song "happy". This is painted on a 4 x 6 x 2" canvas.sold

eclectic

This is the first time I have painted on this 6 x 18 x 2" canvas.  It was a great format for the longhorns.  This long and skinny canvas does not really photograph that well.  Especially when the auto focus on my camera has quit working and the auto focus in my eyes is sketchy because I see well from a distance but squat up close.
I have been using a palette knife more often lately because I have found it is easier on my hands.  Pulling paint out of my brushes for hours every day takes its toll on my hands.  ( This is all about Carol getting old today) I am happy with what is happening so all is good.
These long horns live in Eclectic, Alabama.  They belong to a lady named Robin.  This probably sounds very sexist but I think it is so cool that it is a woman who takes care of these cows.  She has a very big and beautiful herd.sold

go your way

I love the way little paintings can make such an impact.  Wish I could keep that quality in my bigger pieces. This is painted on a 6 x 6 x 2" canvas.sold

lovely day

These two lovely ladies are painted on a 15 x 30 x 2" canvas.

fetch

Total bliss painting a doodle dog for the fun of it.  No pressure of it needing to look like any pooch in particular. Great way to start the weekend.  This is painted on a 20 x 20 x 2" canvas.

happy cow

On one of my most recent road trips I noticed that all the pastures of cows I passed were lying down. I asked my husband, Farmer Dan, if he knew why they were all lying instead of standing.  Dan was a banker but did have experience helping his Dad with his cows after he retired to farm in east Tennessee.  Retired to farm?....no such thing.  Retired to work harder than he ever had. Back to cows lying down.....farmer Dan thought that there was no particular reason that they were lying down.  Just cow life.  Of course I had to fact check him because there had to be a reason this was going on. Something profound. Farmer Dan was right. Cows recline for several reasons, tired, digesting food, calving, to look sexy, etc....
This beauty is painted on a 6 x 12 x 2" canvas.sold

let it be

This is the piece I did at ArtBlink Saturday night.  I had to start with a blank canvas and create this in 90 minutes.  With people watching......on a stage....in nice clothes.  In nice clothes that I got red paint on even before the crowd got there.  A lot of red paint. Is there even any red in the piece?  Little bit. It is a black tie optional event that raises money for cancer research at the University of Alabama in Birmingham's Kirkland Clinic.  This 22 x 28" piece was purchase by a  new friend and she got a nice painting and contributed to a great cause.

jenny

So fun painting this after painting still life set ups most of last week.  I will share some pictures from ArtBlink soon. (A cancer research fundraiser I participated in last night.)sold

This is a large painting. 36 x 36 x 2"   

loved ones

 These are a few of the commissions I did of special folks commissioned by special folks.

I am participating in a fundraiser for cancer research tomorrow night at the University of Alabama Birmingham's Kirkland Clinic.  I described it and added a link for more information a couple of posts ago.  I will be painting 22 x 28" still life of hydrangeas that will be up for auction while I am painting and for a short time after I finish.  There are 18 artists who will have 90 minutes to create their piece.  A little intimidating but this is the third time I have participated so I know the ropes.  It is such a wonderful cause and I am honored to be a part of it.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Winnie Cooper, Zoe, Scout and Gabe

I never got around to posting the commissions I did around Christmas.  I will share them over the next couple of weeks.  I think I did around 21 of them.

let's stay together

One of the best love songs and singers inspired this title.  "let's stay together" by Al Green.  This is painted on a 16 x 20 x 2" canvas.sold

I am painting at UAB"s ArtBLINK this Saturday night.  Eighteen local artists will work with a variety of media to create masterpieces in 90 minutes that can be purchased during the silent auction. Funds from the gala go toward the Cancer Center’s Fund for Excellence, which supports high-priority research efforts for specific projects, including launching young investigators in cancer research or recruiting new faculty. A percentage of the funds raised will support patient and family assistance efforts.  
I am going to paint a large still life so I need to play with a few arrangements this week.  
Happy Valentine's day!