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

Getting Reference Photos in Botetourt

Indigo Bunting

Robin

GoldFinch

Hey Friends,  Just a quicky (I'm hoping) 'cuz I can't get this computer to work .  It's taking forever and clicking on something over and over.

I took these photos and a lot more at Judy's home this morning.  Most of you probably know what a bird nut I am, so I got to see some up close for a change.  This is the first indigo bunting I've seen in person.   I had a photo of a dark bird I wanted someone to identify for me but it won't load on to the blog.  I will try again tomorrow.

Happy Trails

Travel well

New Mixed Media Painting in my Etsy shop

 Hey Friends,  I just listed this small painting 6x6 in my Etsy shop.  I haven't posted anything in this shop for a long time.  I was just disillusioned with all the time it takes to each one.  Etsy has made some changes and it didn't seem to take very long tonight, so maybe I'll stick with it or maybe I didn't do something right.

This little piece is something a bit different for me.  It was fun.  I am making my way through the alphabet with an old dictionary I found at Goodwill.  The acorn is from an old painting done a few years ago.  I printed it on Sumi Paper so it's translucent, a bit of the print shows through.

I love to do the thing with the old-fashioned paper doll cut outs, you know the banner of acorns across the top.  I use that as often as possible.

It is varnished and ready to hang.

Happy Trails

Plein Aire Painting with the gang

 Hi Friends,  The weather here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of SW Va. has been awesome the last few days.  Warm days and cool nights, birds are busier than we are and certainly prettier.

We took a little trip up or down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Peaks of Otter area and visited Gross's Orchard.  Beautiful place.

 We wandered and took lots of photos and drank up the wonderful sunshine (after this long dark winter, the sun showed up just in time to save my sanity).  The naked trees are apples.  They bloom after the peaches.

Here is a close up of a peach. Such a gorgeous pink.

 This shot is from Ikenberry's in Botetourt county on Rt. 220.  I like the perspective here.

 All of the surrounding farm land and distant mountains just look like a beautiful velvet case a diamond ring would sit in.  Can't wait to see what I can do with my paints. And I must get busy, 'cuz we will be showing our works and painting at Ikenberry's in 2 weeks !!   Yikes!

Here is a shot of Ikenberry's Greenhouse with lots of blooms to drive you crazy.

And here is what Midge, Judy and Linda painted that morning.  Most will need more work at home, in the upper photo.  Mary Anne and mine in the lower photo.  Mary Anne's on the left is pastel and mine are acrylic.  I'm sure we will have these at the Ikenberry show.

Happy Trails