DUH.....Can't figure out how to edit

 

Hi My Friend, Had to give up  on the previous post with Baby Bella smiling at you.  Was driving me nuts trying to figure out how to add what I wanted to say.

I have figured out a few things about myself but now I don't want to talk about it so I'll wait until the mood hits me again.

The painting above is from a trip made with some friends to Natural Bridge, which is just north of Salem on I81.  Yes, the famous 81 that everyone hates.  Apparently the VDOT got enough complaints that has made them start working on the crazy High Way.  Looks like they will make it wider, thank goodness.

Back to the painting, it is a foot path that leads to a Berry Patch.  Beautiful scenery, indeed.

It is listed on my newish website on Fine Art America.

It is 8" x 16" painted with oil and cold wax on a canvas panel.

More to come and hopefully with out so much aggravation.

HAPPY TRAILS

Original Landscape Painting Of Camp Kilo Watt

Hey Friends.  Posted another Painting to my new website.  It is 18" x 24".  Varnished and wired, ready to hang.

Click here - where it is available.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails

Looking Towards Salem, Va. from Glenvar Area

 

Hey Friends,  Here is a very Autumn colored vista from the RR Donnelly business in Salem, Va.

Wish I could climb on top of their building, I bet the view would be fantastic.

It's for auction on Ebay, starting at 99 cents.

Have a great week.

 

Happy Trails

River Rocks

 

Hey friends,  This is a small plein air painted last week while playing at the waters edge with my Gran Babes.  I always feel bad when kids have to go back to school and they start this coming Monday.  I realize it's my problem because I hated school.  Not all kids hate school.  I was much happier playing in the water all day, catching craw dads or just laying under the pines, watching the sunlight flicker in the breeze.  Day dreaming about when Roy Rogers and Dale would come to adopt me.  The point is only 2 days left for my Babes to be free to play all day and/or drive me nuts.  Kids can't entertain themselves like we used to.  The only time I get to paint is when I take them to play in the water.

Click Here to check out ebay.

The popcorn is calling.

 

Happy Trails

Smelling Fresh and Kite Festival

Hey Friends,  The painting above is up for auction , Click Here is see.  I rode the little golf cart down the rode to Mr. Charley's place and luckily there was laundry on the line.  I made up a couple pieces (pink whatever's) for some added color.  Mr. Charley is widowed.  The sunspots were a welcomed enhancement.

Yesterday, Sat., my GranBabes and I went to see the kites at the Green Hill Kite Fest.  It was much prettier then last year.  Or it could be I didn't stay long enough last year.  This photo doesn't really show off how many kites were in the air.  Can't wait to make a couple paintings of this day.

 

And I probably shouldn't show you this, but it's funny NOW.  This is what Nic thought of the festival.

And this is what Ms.Lill thought of it.  She did real well with both kites.  She is a sweet, patient big sister most of the time.  And Nic can pluck her last nerve on demand.

 

Happy Easter.

"Rainbow" and Spring is Here !!

Hey Friends,  Here is my Babe swinging high over the mountains at Green Hill Park, here in SW Virginia.  And a rainbow suddenly appeared.  Ha.  Using the stale imagination here.  She is going to be at auction in Ebay.  Click Here to take a peek.

And here is the news of the day--"It's warm again here in the mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains"
Yay,  I jumped in the golf cart and rode down to the bottom of the hill where the crazy people live.
I've painted here many times.  It seems to change every winter.  And in the photos you can't see the little stream of water like you can in the painting.

This shot is the block in or start.  I made the base coat blue for a change but I still like the red base better.   I painted another after this one on a red base.  I'll show you that one tomorrow.

Here more colors are added.  As you can see the real scene isn't so pretty or maybe my camera was on the wrong setting.  I'm sure everyone knows you have to add your own panache to most scenery.  There is always something wrong.  Except today it was so nice to be outside I didn't even notice how dull and gray every thing still is.  The little green sprouts are bursting forth and soon we artists will be belly aching 'cuz everything is so green.

Tomorrow, Thursday, my painting group, the DLP will be painting in a vineyard north of here.  I will give a full report tomorrow night here and on the DLP blog.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Mr. Charlie's Shed

Hey Friends,  This view is just down the road from me on Gum Springs.  Across the road from the duck pond and the people with the hens, ducks and goats.  I'm sure I'll be back down there soon, I'm told winter is coming to an end this month !  But then again, you know how some people fib/lie !
Another plein aire piece you will find HERE in Ebay.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

the Ice Cream Social at Greenridge last summer

Hey Friends,  Last summer Mary Anne and I set up our display panels and easels inside the huge atrium at the Green Ridge Center off Rt. 220 in Botetourt and had ice cream sundaes at the Ice Cream Social they held for the community.  We painted Plein Aire inside.  One huge glass wall makes you feel like you are outside.  This piece is now up for auction in Ebay.  Click Here to see.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Plein Aire from Ikenberrys Porch on Rt. 220

Hey Friends,  Winter should be ending soon, it's almost St. Patricks day !  We members of the "Double Line Painters" are getting anxious to be outside painting.  We are making plans and picking out places to go paint.  So I'm listing most of the plein aire pieces I did last year in Ebay auctions.

Both of these were painted while we were set up on the front porch at Ikenberrys on Rt. 220.  If you haven't been there, they have a fabulous, huge porch with rocking chairs and beautiful plants for sale.
We will be there again this year to set up and sell our wares and paint more beauties.  We haven't confirmed dates yet but it shouldn't be much longer until I can post them.
Meanwhile go to Ebay and check these out by Clicking Here.

 Also, do any of you watch Black Dog Salvage on the DIY network?   My painting buds and myself went there today, while waiting for the wind to die down a bit.  I took a ton of photos but these two have some real power to them.
Happy Trails

 

Plein Aire from Centerfest in Bedford last year

Hey Friends,  Last year, Sept.?, We, the DLP participated in the Centerfest in DT Bedford.  We set up in Goose Creek's parking lot.  We had a pleasant view from this hill top.  I made 3 paintings, here are two that I'm putting up for auction.  The third was painted over, it was so boring.

Both are 9x12 canvas panels, oil was the medium.  I got some photos of a person on stilts in striped pants and still have not found time to paint him.  Hopefully soon.
The Ebay auctions start at a penny, so CLICK Here if you want to see.
Happy Trails
Travel Well.

No School Today !

Hey Friends,  I thought maybe some of my friends that aren't local would like to see what happened here last night !  Above, looking out the front door.  There are birds, can you see them?

This is a slightly better shoot.  I think some of them might be Junco's.  I filled the feeder and new suet yesterday before it all started.  But I forgot to get the shovels out of the crawl space.  Duh.

This is my famous field up there.  I've painted this field at least a hundred times.  New goat house at the top.  It is 10:30 AM EST and it is still coming down lightly.

Here is a blurry shot of the deep snow.   Yep, that's 12 inches and still coming down.

Here is the dead giant pine right beside my studio (used to be my Dad's workshop).  I really thought that when I saw it this morning it might be down or missing a lot of limbs.  But No, it is hanging on.  The woodpeckers had a good time on it last summer.  I assume it died of old age.
Now I need to get busy with that brush.

Happy Trails
Happy Shoveling

PleinAire at Jetters Farm No. One

Hey Friends, This was painted a while back (don't say anything but I can't remember) when we, me and my painting buddies, called the Double Line Painters of the Blue Ridge, were at Jetters Farm on route 220.  One of their colorful trucks out in the field.  I'm longing for warm days to return so we can go back.  None of us gals are real fond of the freezing temps we have had lately.  WE HAVE been out there painting in the cold and wind, mind you.  But we have grown smarter and don't see the need to torture ourselves too often anymore.
This beaute is up for auction in Ebay, Click here to check it out.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

"Parkway No.One - Near Floyd, Va."

Hey Friends,  A plein aire piece painted last summer on one of our trips to Floyd, Va.  It is pleasant to remember the sunshine and the breezes while painting this.  Can't wait to get out there again.
I'm putting her in my ebay auctions, starting at a penny !
Happy Trails
Travel Well

"Garst Mill Creek No. One"

Hey Friends, Another batch of warm memories. This is one of the mellowest spots in the area.  Love to go to this little creek.  The painting is a bit warmer than what I see on my monitor.
It's in my ebay auctions opening at a penny.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

"Greenway No. One"

Hey Friends,  Here is a view along the Roanoke River Greenway in Salem at the bottom of the hill from Lewis Gale Hospital on Rt.419.  This was last spring before we had the swollen river and all the washed up debris.  A few wildflowers starting to pop up along the banks.
I'm putting her up for auction on Ebay starting at a penny.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

More of the Plein-Aire Frustration

 Hey Friends,  The majority of this day has been beautiful here in SW Va.  So after a few little chores, I threw my stuff on the golf cart and headed down Gum Springs.

 This is another neighbors quaint little homestead.  Above I have finished the first of the shed.

 Between this photo and the second one, I made a mess.  One leg on the easel gave way when I was moving it to paint that gorgeous tree.  The palette flipped very conveniently on top of the canvas panel that I had the tree drawn on.   Of course it was a mess but much better than grass and dirt in the paint.   I just got the biggest brush I had and using the turps blended all the different colors across the drawing.

So you can see I recovered but I'll tell ya, this plein-aire job is almost more than I can take.   If  I didn't want to be outside so much, I'd say "Forget It".  And I don't seem to be getting any better at it.  That's the part that's really frustrating.  I have been told more than once I'm to impatient, that's the reason I haven't given up yet.   What I really need is a class/workshop from someone that's good at this.   My color choices suck, especially in the fall.  Enough whining.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Can You Stop the Rain ?!

 Hey Friends,  Another little piece of inspiration.   Wouldn't it be cute if we humans could look up into the trees and see little purple umbrellas here and there?  We would know the little birds were doing OK.  Maybe I'm reverting to childhood.

This was painted on the piano papers again, all free hand with acrylics.  I love to make the little paperdoll chains into any creature-the little blue birds there at the bottom.  And this one has my finger prints all over it too.  If I thought it was possible at all, I'd catch a bird and make foot prints with it, before setting it free.  Wouldn't that be the coolest thing I've done yet.
I went to an apple orchard today with my sister and of course I got a bunch of pictures.  Soon I can paint from them and munch on apples whilst I work..
Here is the link to my Etsy shop

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Glorious Day for an Artist

 Hello Friends and Neighbors,   This morning was beautiful here in the mountains of SW Virginia.  Maybe it isn't obvious in these photos but the sun was shining nicely, there was a breeze, and the temp. was perfect.   I jumped on the golf cart and headed down the road to my neighbor's pond.

 These wonderful folks don't mind me painting or my GranBabes chasing their chickens or dog.  They love to come here.  They live in the city and love running loose in the country.  In the top photo you can see that the ducks are hiding in the corner of the pond.   They are very skiddish of strangers.

In the 2nd painting, which was about an hour later, I guess they were getting used to my presence, because as you can see, they were right out in the middle of the pond.   You've never seen such splashing and fluffing and chasing.  They seem to really love each other.
In this second painting, after backing up to get photos, I could see that I didn't like the large yellowish spot on the left and below the ducks.  I changed that but forgot to re shoot.  Once they dry I'll scan both and show you that it looks better now.
I truly enjoyed this day and hope there are more to come.  I need this practice badly to improve.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Our Wren Babies

Hey Friends,  Just to share the beautiful little baby wrens trying to leave home !  Their Mom builds a nest every year in one of my Mom's begonia plants.  Some times a hanging begonia but sometimes in a potted begonia.   They pick such odd places to call home.   We have at least 6 bird houses out there for them, but no......... They want to be in the middle of everyday life.  And that would be wonderful but they fuss and scold if you get near their babes.   Scheeeeeeez..........

 This brood was four babes.  And of course they couldn't fly yet so they were stuck in between all the pots in the green house.  And the parents were flitting here and there,  raising a ruckus,  almost dive bombing me.

 This was the first to break free and go hopping across the yard and through the fence into My Field.  Never saw it again so I'm pretending the parents got it to fly before it got dark.

This little guy was the last to leave on his own.   So Cute.

And this little guy was captured by my Mom and thrown out the window !!!    Can you believe she did that?
The parents were happy she did that, they got him going in no time.  I'm hoping they all made it, safely to the tree tops.   Life is hard when you are this tiny.

Have a happy Memorial Day
Travel Well

Boundless Inspiration

 Hey Friends, Just a very few photos from my trip to Narrows, Va.  I went to Narrows with my good Buddy Bonnie and her Hubby to Bonnie's sisters spread on the side of a mountain with a view to die for.   The photo above was taken from their deck.

 This photo was taken from the bldg. in top photo.  Their neighbor (Deb?) has a herd of cows and they have about 10 babies right now.

 This photo was along Wolfe Creek which is at the bottom of their property.  Wolfe Creek dumps into the NEW River which runs close to VA.Tech.

 Here are their horses, Levi on left and Tango on right.  I believe I remember correctly, that they have broken or trained a bunch of horses over time.  Levi is going to a new home soon and they will get one that needs to be trained.  Can you imagine being able to do this all the time ?!?!!!!!!!!

 Renee & Scottie took us on a journey to the top of  HOGBACK Mountain with an elevation of 3480 ft.!!

 One of the little pieces of heaven God created for our pleasure.  This day was cloudy and a bit of drizzle so the atmosphere is heavy so this really shows the distance perspective well.  This will be a challenge for me to paint.  I can't say I'm much of landscape painter.  My natural tendency is a more intimate view, like I can't wait to paint the horses and cows.

Traveling along Wolfe Creek to get back home we passed this beautiful horse farm.  While I love this place too, to me Renee & Scotties landscape is much better.   Oh, I almost forgot to mention all the birds I saw.  Bluebirds, Swallows, Gold Finches, and I didn't see them with my own eyes (just photos) but they have Bald and Golden eagles sitting in their pine tree and yellow winged warblers.
Such a beautiful place and I'm grateful I got to see it.  I greatly appreciated the hospitality extended by Bonnie's sister and husband.  Thank You.
Happy Trails
Travel Well