Sunday, December 31, 2017

STARTING THE NEW YEAR THE RIGHT WAY ! POSITIVELY!!


Hey Friends,  I took my favorite little GranPup, MeeMee, to my Studio 13 in DT Roanoke to pick up a painting to mail to a lady in Ohio !!  Yes, that's right, it is sold.  You can see it below in the tiny video I made of my space in the 202 Building.  Right across from the Market Bldg. on Campbell Ave.  Their restaurant on the street level is called 202 Social House !
The city is having a New Year Celebration right there beside the 202 Building tonight !


Hoping this video will play.  If it is too long it will just not show up, wish It would just cut off, that way you guys would not not think I'm an idiot, that doesn't know how to post videos.  I can not remember the limit of seconds or mega B's.

Anyway,  make arrangements for a fantastic 2018.  Be Happy no matter what.
We all have so much to be thankful for.

Happy Trails

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Tuesday, November 21, 2017


Hello My Dear Friends,  Wishing you the happiest Thanksgiving you ever had.

It's OK to eat all you want ONE day this year.

I can email you a permission slip, if needed!

Thank You
Happy Trails

Friday, November 17, 2017

HANG YOUR HEAD ORIGINAL OIL PAINTING


Hey Friends,   A new painting that I finished about a month ago and it's finally dry !!  I prefer to scan my work when ever small enough, to get a better photo.


This was painted for the majority of it at a sunflower farm in Buchanan, Va.  It was the end of their season and the heads were heavy and hanging a bit low, thus the title.  Really hoping to get back there when they are at their prime.
This is listed in my EBAY STORE for sale, with free shipping  and would it not make a NICE gift for your love?!  I will gift wrap it FREE also.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails

Saturday, November 11, 2017

FINALLY - - - ART OF THE CAROLINAS


Hey My Friends,   At long last, I made it to "ART OF THE CAROLINAS" in Raleigh, NC.  I have wanted to see it for my self for years !  And the tradeshow was no disappointment.   I have heard that some people buy their supplies for the year at this show.  Now I believe it.  Hand truck after hand truck went by with cases of canvas...all sizes.   Grocery type buggies full of paint went by.
AMAZING


I was doing my little thing, perusing all the unknown corners and suddenly it was time for the little 1/2 day work shop with Bob Burridge (seen above).  I had to stack what I had found so far and run.


I was not late but I had to sit in the back which was a big bummer 'cuz I can't hear well.
Of course he had no microphone but the little gal sitting beside me was kind and told me the important words.


I'm not sure but it seems he was eye balling me a bit or maybe he just wanted to make sure I got a decent photo or maybe he did not like my photo snapping (I did not ask).
In the third photo he is holding my fav of his paintings.  It's a healthy woman in a turquoise bikini.
Oh, if it had only been a few hundred, It would have been mine.  But I judged from his small ones at $425.00 that this one was about $2500.00.  or more.


Here is my friend Linda, doing her best to keep up.  He didn't give you much time between exercises, so you would not fiddle with details.  I believe we learned SOMETHING, but honestly, I knew everything he said before he said it from years of watching his videos.  But I should of known I wouldn't learn much in a couple of hours.

Can't wait to go back.
And I told several employees and Mr Jerry, that we wanted an Artarama in Roanoke or Salem, Va.
He said "Yeah, that's interesting"

Happy Trails

Thursday, October 19, 2017

THE PEAKS OF OTTER WAS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE TODAY


Hey Friends,  First thing I would like to know !  Does anyone out there in Cyber Land know what kind of tree this is?  Really want to know.  Took this photo this morning and the leaves are all gone and the bark is gray green.


This was my first work.  A little cove along the edge of Abbot Lake at the parkway road.
Started with an under layer/block in of phalo turq. & raw umber.



Here is a better view of the waters edge.  A very few leaves laying on the water had some crimson but that was about all.


A view looking across Abbot Lake to where Linda and Bonnie were set up to paint.


Here is my last little creation that needs much more work.  When I finish I'll show the before and after. 

Just had a delicious day and hope you did also.

Til next time !
Happy Trails

Thursday, October 12, 2017

PLEIN AIR AT A GORGEOUS FARM


Hey Friends,  I was out this morning with my friends in the Smith Mountain Lake area.  Off of Rt.122 to be exact.  At a friends Farm.  An unbelievable mansion with a pond and horse pasture and more, more.

The painting above was done by my friend, don't want you to think I'm taking any credit for her work.  Didn't show you mine because they look so amateurish beside of hers.

So now, don't forget to come and visit at South Peaks 3rd annual plein air paint out !! Sat, day after tomorrow and Sun.  AND  the weather is going to be fabulous.
There will be plenty to see, besides the painters.

See you then
Happy Trails

Thursday, October 5, 2017

BOTETOURT PAINTING


Hey Friends,  I thought I was in Buchanan but the proprietor told me I was in Botetourt.   Doesn't matter to me, both are equally gorgeous.  But I DO love this particular estate.
I am happy with the painting above but would still like to put a few horses in.
It is hard making that dry, goldish-brown color of the fields.


This painting is a lot better now.  It looked so simple, that is why I choose to do it with the left over oils on my palette.  But, NO, it was not.
The light was really changing fast so I quit.  Will finish later.
There are 2 rose bushes up there in the darkest area of the photo.


And today I went with my plein air group to Sinkland Farm just outside of Christiansburg, Va.
We had a beautiful day for plein air as you can see from the photos.
I choose this vignette with the truck and cows!  Fun except a hundred vehicles driving over the dry gravel road and kicked up a dust storm every time.  We are so very dry here in SW Va. and it's time to worry about forest fires.


And I do not know what this little structure is for but I LOVE IT.  Susan the owner has put out a lot of cute little things for the kids to interact with.  They have tons of children come on school buses from every where.  And they love to SQUEAL.

Can't wait to go back !
Happy Trails

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

PLEIN AIR AT SOUTH PEAK - OCTOBER 14 AND 15


Hey Friends,  We are in the final stretch or the final stages of plans for the Third Painting Event at South Peak in Roanoke, Va.

We have about 20 artists competing for 3 prizes and our judge, Trey Finney, from Spartanburg, SC is gonna have a hard time picking out three paintings !

The committee has been hard at work all summer making plans and connections.  We have had some great volunteers making boutique items for the Charity Booth to benefit the Red Cross which is helping with relief, in at least two Hurricane disaster sites, probably more.

There will be some food vendors (see the poster above) some live music and models staged for the artists to add to their plein air work.

No admission charge !  Just come to the top and enjoy the art show inside the Peaks. Sat & Sun.  Come to the awards ceremony Sunday at 3pm.

Purchase early holiday presents too !

I will remind you again soon,
Happy Trails



Thursday, September 28, 2017

A SUNFLOWER FARM IN BUCHANON & A FARM IN SALEM


Hey Friends,  Did you know there is a huge sunflower farm in Buchanan ?  I did not until a couple weeks ago when they had their 2nd festival.


The owner Candace let us paint there today.
HERE is her FB page for the farm


So many beautiful views, it was hard to pick.
Above I set up close to the flowers to do a portrait of sorts.
I will have to finish here at home.


And here is another beautiful farm, not really now, maybe at one time, but a gorgeous piece of property nontheless, that I hope to get back to soon.


Has this faded red barn, which I think was for cows at one time.  Now it stores machinery.


This was my last start for this day.  Includes the stream and a good view of the white fence.
Very dry here in SW Va. now so the stream is tiny.  Probably when spring rolls around again, it will be full and I can try to capture that.

All in all, it has been a good week for plein air.  How much longer will it last.?  Please tell me through October the 15th !  We want some clear, sunny days for the South Peak Paint Out this year.

Happy Trails



Saturday, September 23, 2017

ART SHOW AT THE FALL HOME SHOW AT SALEM CIVIC CENTER


Hey Friends,  Wanted you to see how it went at the Salem Civic Center today,  for the art show.
That is my display up there.  Had several nice sales !!


Nothing to do with the art show but isn't the Kissing Booth cute.


Here are a couple of the cuties you could find at the kissing booth !!


Simply Adorable.  These two (above were adopted) Yay!


Simply adorable again.  That little one liked my chicks.


Simply adorable with her little TuTu.  I assume that is what she will wear for trick or treating !

Been a long day that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Maybe I will have another report tomorrow night.

Soooooo-o-o-o See You at the CC tomorrow.

Happy Trails

Thursday, September 21, 2017

PLEIN AIRE AT ROARING RUN


Hey Friends,  You should have come with us today.  We went to Roaring Run which is out past Botetourt and Fincastle on Rt. 220.  Positively worth the little bit of time it takes to get there.


Top photo I was almost finished with this 9x12 and I DID finish it and signed it.  Hoping that would keep me from fiddling with it anymore.
I was going to paint this spot on the creek (above) but the others were packed up and ready for lunch.
Time fly's when you are in the zone.

I will have to go back after I get my license to carry a gun.  Maybe an assault rifle so I can shoot at every little bird that breaks a twig.  You know, the paranoia of a bear leaping out of no where, to drag you back to the liar for the cubs to eat. 

I probably just need a good stiff drink before I leave the car. HA!

Happy Trails

Sunday, September 17, 2017

ART SHOW AT THE HOME BUILDERS SHOW


Hey Friends,  Just in case you have not heard, the Home Builders Assoc. will be having their fall home show at the Salem Civic Center this coming weekend, Sept. 23 thru 24.


I will have another series of Professional Chickens at this show for your early purchase of gifts for the up-coming season.  This series of chickens will have the Biscuit Lady back along with the Cookie baker, the ER Nurse, the Chiropractor, the GP, the Orthopedic Doc, the Head Nurse, the Farmer, The Carpenter, the Teachers Aide and many more. 
 These are all 4" x 4" and on deep gallery wrapped canvas that can sit on a shelf or a desk or be hung anywhere you want.
I will take orders if you need a specific profession that I have not thought of.

Hope to see you there and please share with friends you think will appreciate this humor.

Happy Trails

Thursday, September 14, 2017

FRAMED REPRODUCTION


Hey Friends,  I just put this little gem in my EBAY shop.  This is a reproduction of a painting I made years ago.  I had great pleasure making this short lived series. 
The whole purpose in painting them was to play with abstracted back grounds


Of course I love birds too that's why they were the feature.  But time changes everything, even me,
Now I would rather just make the backgrounds.
Or in other words, I am enjoying making abstracts


I have put just about all work made before 2017 in my shop.  I have a few more to go but I need the room, the space in my studio and shed for more canvas'.
Art makes a lovely gift and I bet you can find a pretty for someone on your list.
Visit my EBAY Store  HERE.

On another note, my group of plein aire paintrs, the DLP, were scheduled to go to Garst Mill to paint this morning.  It was raining here in Salem, Va. so I stayed home.  Some of them went anyway.  There is a shelter there so they could stay dry.
I love to paint at this park but my favorite spots can't be seen from the shelter.
I have been plein aire painting a good bit here lately so I don't feel bad about cancelling.

Have a great weekend.
Happy Trails

Saturday, September 9, 2017

WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE IN SW VIRGINIA


Hey Friends,  Myself and Linda went to practice a little more plein aire today. Not sure I'll be ready by Oct. 14th for the BIG plein aire event "PLEIN AIRE SOUTH PEAK"


The top 2 photos are from last week, just been a tad busy and not blogging like I should.  
I don't think I've finished this one yet.


This bottom piece is from this morning.  Just to be fair to myself, I have been trying the palettes of the guy that wrote the book "YIN YANG" Mr. Zhang works with
He has 3 palettes
Yellow-Purple
Blue-Orange
and
Red-Green.
The photo directly above is using the Red-Green Palette.  The one I painted before this one (which I scrubbed off) was using the Purple-Yellow Palette.  And the Purple-Yellow is not a good one for landscapes.  I guess it would be good for still life or a pale cat or dog.  You can't get a good dark or a good green.  It was ugly.
That is another good reason to practice plein aire when you want to use a different palette or try new colors.  For the next session, I will try the Blue-Orange and then the common palette of a cold and a warm of the 3 primary colors.  That will be fun, getting back to the basics.

Til next time.
Take care of your neighbors when it counts.
Plenty of prayers and good MoJo to our neighbors in Florida.

Happy Trails


Thursday, August 31, 2017

New Show in Covington and Plein Aire at South Peak


Hey Friends,  Judy and Mary Anne along with Kyle (above photo) hung a new show at the Alleghany Highlands Regional Library in Covington, Va. today.  We hope you will be able to visit them and see the new work.  HERE is a link for more info.


Linda and I went to South Peak again today to do some more practice pieces.  The sky was beautiful even though these photos don't tell you much.


These top 2 photos were taken from the parking lot of the Hilton Hotel, just below South Peak as you can see.


I was using some palettes I'm not exactly used to.  They came from a book called the YIN and YANG.  The top 2 were a red/green color palette.


And these two were the blue/orange palette.  I did not finish any of the 3 totally.  They were pretty slippery and I need to let them get sorta dry or sticky so I can get some more paint to stick and stay put.  I like both color combos.


I won't know for sure until I finish them.  Hopefully they can go into the art show.
Have you put this plein air event on your calendar?  You can come October 13, 14, or 15.
More details will follow.

AND ART BLAST HAS BEEN CHANGED TO SUNDAY ,9-3.
Was scheduled for Sat. the 2nd but IRMA and HARVEY have changed it to Sunday.

Hope to see you come by.

Happy Trails

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

A SALE IN MY NEW EBAY SHOP WILL START THIS FRIDAY SEPT. 1st


Hey Friends,  Announcing the first SALE I've ever tried to conduct on line.  I will need lots of prayers and luck to make it go smoothly.  This sunflower is the latest piece I added to my           EBAY  Store.  And the sale is 25% off any and all paintings !


I never would have dreamed how long it takes to list one item on Ebay !!  The most time consuming thing I've done for days.  I have over a 100 items listed now  and I have more to go.  I have not participated in any selling venues for several years so I have a glut of paintings sitting there taking up my little bit of space in the studio.

I used to travel  a lot, to outdoor festivals up and down the East Coast but time changes everyone and their bodies.  It isn't as easy as it once was to set up a heavy tent and flats, etc. etc.

So here I am trying something new ONLINE.

Hoping you will share this post and go have a look yourself.  Art makes a wonderful gift and that time is rolling in pretty fast.

Happy Trails