FINALLY FIGURED OUT A FEW THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

TRAFFIC ALERT !!!!! CRITTER SHOW SATURDAY TRAFFIC ALERT !!!!!

Hey Dear Friends,  Another quickie to give you this update on the Critter show at 2nd Helpings.

CNN just informed me........

Set your GPS for an alternate route (back street) to the All Critters Great and Small Reception from 1-3 PM on  Saturday at 2nd Helpings.  And look for detours around the intersection of Williamson and Orange Avenue as there will certainly be some at this busy intersection.  We don’t want you to miss our reception! 

The Western Virginia Water Authority will be working around the clock this weekend at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Williamson Road. Work will begin at 7:00 PM Friday April 8th and is expected to continue throughout the weekend, ending no later than 6:00 AM on Monday morning, April 11. During this time, all westbound through lanes of Orange Ave approaching Williamson and the northbound lanes of Williamson, north of Orange will be closed. 

This will affect travel to 2nd Helpings this weekend so please look for and use alternate routes!

So please take back roads to the reception from 1-3.

Happy Trails

30 Day Challenge - Day 3 and Starts

Hey Friends, Here is my floral for Day 3.  This has both of Nic's handmade birds and is 8x8 Oil.

You will find it in my Etsy shop HERE.

And it's nice when I can remember to take a few photos of my starts.  Or let you know I hate the texture of canvas so I usually put a layer of paste or heavy acrylics down before I start painting.

These two are 24" sq. and I finished them today.!! YaY.

Love it when an idea just falls into place and I don't struggle for hours on one stupid little element.  If I don't watch out Karma will bite me tomorrow.

Now if I can just get a decent photo for the web, I'll be happy.

My sister gave me a camera, a very nice Nikon.  All I have to do is learn how to use it.

Thank you little sister.

Happy Trails

TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE

Hey Friends,  Yesterday i almost finished these two pup portraits.  In between working on the commission.  I think I may finished, I'm waiting for a reply from the couple.

These are portraits of MeeMee in her Hawaiian crowns.  I hope the recipients enjoy.

And this is a bad photo of the Madd Roosters but I was trying to get something before it got too dark.

Working on other small gifts now.

Just a reminder that the show at the Jefferson Center will be up through mid. Jan.

And we will be at Goose Creek Gallery in Bedford this Sat. the 12th.  We hope to be outside painting.

Stop in and see all of their gifts made by local artists.

Thanks for stopping in.

Happy Trails

ORIGINAL PAINTINGS OF HAPPY CHICKENS WITH WATERMELON

Hey Friends,  Wanted you to have a closer look at these chickens.  They are available at the Goose Creek Gallery in Bedford.

And this coming Friday is when the 2nd Friday's Art Walk will happen.  So make plans to go check out all the pretty paintings and holiday gifts from the local artisans.   Then go to Bella's for an Italian masterpiece of pizza !

Happy Trails

Day 25 "Hovering #3"

Hey Friends,  "Hovering #3" painted from a photo taken while feeding the birds on Myrtle Beach, SC.  This was a fun day but had gray skys.  I had to change that.
Listed for auction at Ebay.  CLICK HERE
Happy Trails
Travel Well

After the Dishes are Done

Hey Friends,  Just added this to my Etsy store.  It is a giclee on canvas and embellished with crackle paste and string gel.  This is on a wrapped 10" x 8" canvas and it is varnished. 
This treatment sort of gives it a framed/matted look.  You can see some extreme close ups in Etsy.
This would make a sweet gift for any female on your list.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Bob-O-Link in wax

Hey Friends,  My latest avian themed presentation for the 30 in 30 challenge.  This is a collage of  cold wax mixed with oil paints that is applied to an inflexible surface such as ampersand products.  Then you heat and while very soft imbed stuff in it such as a picture of a Bob-O-Link and a strip of glittery tissue paper and gold stuff and some webby stuff (sorta looks like a weave up there on the left side).

 Then you apply more cold wax (clear or with more oils added).  And then you must wait about 4 months for it to dry.  I'm told others don't have such a long drying time.  I don't know why it takes so long for me, that's why I don't work with it much.

I had to go back in with white oil to touch up his head and the little flowers.  This is a very tactile, expressive way to create. I enjoy it a lot but I'm too impatient.  It just doesn't work with my personality.  It's good to know your limits, in my case anyway.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Newest Dictionary Art "G"

Hey Friends,  Adding the letter "G" to my Etsy shop.  Surely I could have found a better subject for G, right?
Well, my excuse will be, I've always wanted to do something with the Gargoyles I saw when I was in France, several years back.  Afraid I didn't do them justice...........

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Barbours Creek in New Castle, Va.

 Hey Friends,  I started this blog post at about 9am this morning.  Finally gave up - just wouldn't load!  Service is still a bit wonky but I will persevere.  About 2 weeks ago daughter and I took a little day trip, north of Salem to Barbours Creek area of New Castle, Va.  There is a good little family style restaurant called the "HomePlace - that's the photo above.

 This is a shot of Barbours Creek !  The prettiest little creek I've ever seen.  I heard from my brother that this is the creek my uncle and Dad loved.  They hunted in this area.

 This is the last shot I got before I fell in or down.  YowSaz-It was cold.  And the temp's were pretty hot so that made it even colder.  Skinned, bruised one leg and messed up my camera !  Really bummed me out.  Crazy thing is the camera still takes photos but no display so you can't tell what you've got until they are loaded into the 'puter.

Here's a shot of my daughters Boss' horses-whata mouth full!!  Like I said the IE is still messed up (in case you haven't heard, we had severe storms here in VA. a week or so ago.  Lots of people w/o power for way over a week, including my daughter.)

The reason for telling you about this trip is - the Boss wants this beautiful creek painted to hang in his office    YAY !   So I will be going back- again and again.  I've already painted his horses and I'll scan that and show ya soon.

And now go check the DLPBR blog (below-sidebar) to see our piano !!

Happy Trails. . . . . . .

Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Hey Friends, I'm posting a few photos from the hike I took Tuesday. It rained the entire day, so I was hiking under an umbrella. I'm sure the critters thought I was the oddest hiker they'd ever seen. The photo above is of one of the prettiest spots in the whole ravine or maybe it would qualify as a canyon ?!
And this photo of the lake is at the lowest spot. Look at that color and I didn't alter it in Photoshop at all. There is a lot of sulfur in this area of Virginia so I'm guessing that's the reason for such a beautiful shade of aquamarine.
And this photo was taken from the very top of the tallest peak. Doesn't look so high but it is. And it took a while for this TuTu to get up there.
This was taken from the same spot, opposite direction. Foggy! These Blue Ridge Mtns. are beautiful. Hoping to get some paintings started soon. I'm thinking I might do some of the compositional work from the photos and go back to this spot to do the actual painting. Just wondering if my colors might be a little truer. Oh, this last shot is 2 photos merged but I don't know how to clean it up.

Getting out there with nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself. If you're alone you won't have to worry about if the other person is tired, bored, hungry, etc. But if someone wants to tag along, you just might inspire them to keep walking too.

Happy Trails.

Fourth of July - Half of 2011 left!

Hey Friends, It's July 2nd ! Exactly one month since my last post. What a PUTZ. I've been busy traveling the world and taking photos to paint my memories from ! In my dreams.

I don't have an excuse for being absent except "the dog ate my photos". No, seriously, I feel like I may be OK now. I think my paint mojo may be back any moment now. I sure hope so. Also hoping I'm a better painter and everyone LOVES my new work and they are all fighting to buy it. Because I have a ton of medical bills to pay now. Boo Hoo, you say, poor little artist. Get a real job? I have one and still can't afford insurance.

Enough already. The photos were taken at 2nd Helpings Gallery. This is the outdoor cafe. Artists are painting whatever they want on the tables. The bottom photo is my table. I painted it Tuesday before going to work at the real job.

For all you lovlies that don't know Roanoke, Va. I painted the Mill Mountain Star. A local land mark you can't possibly miss. It's especially captivating if you can fly into Roanoke at night. That's my interpretation here. It's been a 100 years since I flew into Roanoke at night and saw the STAR, but I still remember it. (I think!)

If you make it into Roanoke visit the Rescue Mission's Recycle store, the Art Gallery and the wonderful cafe. The food is fab. 540-491-9405 - Call them for directions.

HAVE A WONDERFUL FOURTH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Trails.

Painted Today

Hey Friends, The 10x10 above was done for a friend to give her mother. The puppy in the swing with her Mom died recently and her Mom really loved the big fella. So it's kinda like she is taking the pup up to heaven on a swing to show him how beautiful it is there and not to be afraid. See the dog looking at her and listening to her every word.

And the one above (which I didn't crop correctly) is just a piece I was playing with. I've always considered myself a colorist but thought I'd really push the colors while I was playing.

A title is always a pickle for me. How about "Red Shoes" or "Granny's Lap Blanket" or "Reading in Gran's Sunroom".

I also started 2 more ! One of a Peacock and another of children on a lake.

Thanks for taking a peek.

Happy Trails.

Alla Prima by Richard Schmid

Hey Friends, Thought you might like to know the book above "Alla Prima" is really worth reading. This is the third time I've read it and something new, just little tidbits, sinks into my hard head each time! Is it because I've painted more (experience?) or I'm in a different mood? or maybe because I wasn't reading in bed?
I injured the old knee again last night, almost made me cry, so I've been laying around reading and eating bon-bons, like a little queen. You guys have a great week painting!

Happy Trails.

Cats and Quang Ho and Maria Pace Wynters

Hey Friends, Just showing off a few of my cat paintings. Again I favor the black and white coats.

All three and a couple more are now listed in my Etsy shop. Cows are not there yet.

But the real reason I'm blogging tonight is - I was wondering if any of you have read the newest issue of SOUTHWEST ART (March). There is an interview of Quang Ho in his studio on page 60. In answer to one question, he said his recent show at Gallery 1261 was eclectic! That it looked like 10 different artists painted the works! ! ! Man, that made me feel so Good! To hear an internationally known, really big time, famous artist say that he didn't want to be pigeoned-hole, was a real eye-opener.

Of course, he didn't have that attitude to start with I bet. He had to build a reputation first. Anyway, now I don't feel so stupid or unprofessional, when my work seems to be all over the place (in style).

Also, wanted you to hear Maria Pace Wynters thoughts and feelings in a recent blogpost. She is brave in her statements and they reflect exactly how I feel. So click on her name and enjoy.

Happy Trails.

PAPER LANTERNS

Hey Friends, Continuing on with the studio clearance sale. Do you have a ton of stuff you'd like to get rid of? I guess if you're an artist you might have a lot of little stuff too. Or do you have big stuff? What do other artists do with the paintings that haven't sold? Granted I have not done any festival shows for the past 4 years (just here in my home town) so that must be the problem. In the past I've not had this much accumulation. Since I can't stop painting, I've got to do something with them. I do plan to donate some to a few local auctions. Anyway, if you want to take advantage of my obcession, I'm posting these in my Etsy shop.

This is Painted Photo Collage. Do you like the paper lanterns? I used to have a hard time finding them, now you can pick them up almost everywhere. Mix some paper lanterns with flowers and a darling little girl and a little imagination and you wind up with a sweet little painting! Click here to go to Etsy.

Happy Trails.

NEATOSTUFF MARKETING EXCHANGE

Hey Friends, Here is the list of etsy shops for this week. You should take a peek.

www.mistflowerstudio.etsy.com
www.retrograndma.etsy.com
www.beadscraftz.etsy.com
www.queensnuff.etsy.com
www.jillredesigns.etsy.com
www.woolies.etsy.com
www.littleredcottage.etsy.com

Happy Trails

STUDY #1 FOR JOHN DEERE WARRANTY

I have two little studies that were created to get a feel for a large commissioned piece. I think the two studys stand on their own. Each is an experiment is colors and composition and what to leave in and what to take out. In the end I left out the kids and added the dog! The white shepard (her name is Angel) is getting pretty old and may not be here for the next painting. These wonderful folks want two more paintings!! Anyway, Thanks for stopping in long enough to look at my latest creations. CLICK HERE to bid on ebay.

VIRGIN BLUEBERRY SLUSH

Chinese drink umbrellas are fun to paint and fun for kids to put in their slurpees!

They come in lots of colors and you can use them in some really odd places.

CLICK HERE to go to Ebay.

ROSE ARBOR

OK-Folks. It's Tuesday. Almost recovered from the 50th Roanoke Sidewalk Art Show. All artists know what they face with an outdoor festival. The major concern is the weather. This time, no storms or even rain. But it was hotter than ----you know what! Several of us felt a bit on the faint side. But all in all it was a pleasant show. The art museum staff and volunteers are first class. They were out there with the rest of us. I met lots of nice people and visited with a lot of old friends. Just a handful of artists made sales but the public wasn't very interested in any thing other than getting out of the heat. Maybe next year!!!!

Now I'll tell you about this little piece of art work. The idea came from my sisters yard again. I visualized the bench under the arbor (she plans to put one in) and really enhanced the amount of rose blooms. She will have a great spot for resting, reading, or scaring cats. If you would like the info on bidding CLICK HERE.