ORIGINAL PAINTING OF RED WINGED BLACKBIRD

Hey Friends,  I ran out of time for listing and editing, etc, etc. so I'm showing this beauty.  Love these birds.  And I love the way the stenciled, collaged, scumbled background turned into this.

This is available HERE.

More tomorrow.

Happy Trails

ORIGINAL PLEIN AIR PAINTING

Hey Friends,  We had such glorious weather here in the little town of Salem, Va. today.   On my way to the post office, I stopped for a bit at the corner of Mill Lane and River Road to paint this beautiful little spot.

Of course this photo doesn't show much, my arm is not long enough!  I enjoyed this time immensely.

It is up for auction on EBAY -Click there. Will engage on 24th.

And I get to do it again tomorrow in the Sedalia Area of Va.

And then on Friday, I'll be packing up the works again to take to the Salem Civic Center.  The annual Home Builders Show is this weekend.  It is supposed to be a wet weekend, so it will be a good time to come peruse all the vendors.

Thanks for stopping in.

Happy Trails

FRENCH LAVENDER II - Original painting

Hey Friends,  Still working hard on new paintings for the upcoming Fall Art Festivals.

This lavender farm was painted earlier, in the spring?  So it's time for it to go in my Etsy shop

CLICK HERE for the details in etsy.

Tomorrow I will post a new painting.  A little teaser, hoping to make you want to visit one of the shows.

Until then,

Happy Trails

NOW I CAN SHOW YOU THE COMMISSION I'VE BEEN WORKING ON

 

Hey Friends,  Happy I can now show you ONE of the commissions I've been working on.  Installed it yesterday.  When you get to the end of this post It should make a little more sense.

 

The very first sketch.  Looking for the perspective of the figures.  Made lots more sketches but don't want to bore you to tears.

 

This shows a paper doll type cut out of the star taped to board.  Looking for the correct size.

Notice the first little color sketch to the right.

 

Here it is on the easel.  Can you make out the star?

 

The close up. Getting to the figures next !

 

A close up of the girl.  I love the high lights on both heads of hair.

 

Close up of the bling on the stars.  If you click on any image it will be enlarged.  The glitter stuff actually can be seen with the lights above .

 

Close up of the wild flowers and bees.  These little flowers made a big difference overall.

 

Here it is installed.  Isn't that the greatest idea.?!  A window left as is on the interior.  It used to have a view before the remodel.  The owner wanted it to stay and had this vision of the faux view.

I think it is one of the most unique paintings I've ever done.  LOVE IT.

Of course it looks better in person.  My camera does a poor job.

And did you notice the two spot lights at the top that catches the sparkly stars?

 

On the wall opposite the star is this Bumble Bee she bought several years ago.  You can't tell the scale but it's large and looks great with the room.

 

 

This was another commission for the same wonderful couple.  Made for the bathroom at their lake home.  Another one of her imaginative dreams.  The bubbles were so much fun.

I believe in a former life she was an artist herself.

 

The end of a very long post.  Hope you enjoyed this short little journey through a few weeks of my life.  All of these images help make winter more bearable.

 

I do thank you Lord for couples like this pair.

 

Happy Trails

ORIGINAL PAINTING OF UTILITY POLES ALONG A TYPICAL ROAD

 

Hey Friends,  Continuing with the Utility poles we see every where.  Basically just adding the touch of man to the beautiful landscapes God made for us.  If we didn't have these gorgeous poles every where, we wouldn't be reading this or typing about it, right?

It's enough to make our hair stand up !

 

CLICK HERE for Ebay.

 

Happy Trails

ORIGINAL PAINTING OF "MYSTERY TREES"

 

Hey Friends,  Another "start" is finished.  This is the view behind the Home Place Restaurant on Rt.311-headed towards Catawba.  Beautiful piece of land.  These trees really caught my attention.  I did not do them justice.  I was finishing this painting from a photo and I'm sure the colors were incorrect.  I need to go back before they change colors

 

It is supposed to be in the upper 50's tomorrow (Tues) so that sounds like the place to go!

 

I was painting this start on the spot with my friends from Texas and they did not think the trees were Mesquite but were not sure.  So they remain a mystery.

 

This is for auction on EBAY- CLICK HERE

 

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

Electric Lines

 

Hey Friends,  This mini was painted after a walk through the neighborhood.  On Wildwood Rd., right off I81, most of this summer, VDOT, has been sprucing up the pavement or AEP (I assume) has been cutting down trees.  Lots of trees have grown into the electric lines and needed to come down before winter arrived.  They also replaced the poles with taller ones and farther from the road.  They did a great job too.

 

Of course the old poles with their boxes and cans make a more pleasant painting, so I've got enough photos to last a lifetime.  And we know the birds don't mind perching on new wires.

Still having problems with the DPW sight but you can click HERE for Ebay.

 

Happy Trails

New Chick and Douthat State Park

 

Hey Friends, Another impression of a chicken.  Click HERE for Ebay.

 

And a few photos of the trip last week to Douthat State Park with my painting Buddies, the Double Line Painters.  We had a great time trying to decide where to paint.  There was a painting everywhere you looked.  The sun was a little contrary at times.

 

As usual, my acrylic paintings were too dark when I got them home.  I'm always amazed how much they darken (acrylics) but they dry so fast it makes it so much easier to get them home.  I've been trying to adjust for 2 years now and still haven't gotten it right.  The one above is OIL.

 

These are all acrylics.  I've already worked on the 2 smaller dark ones to lighten them.  And now I must work on the biggest one to the left.

I suppose the answer is to get a couple boxes that are made for transporting wet oils.  Leave the acrylics at home and/or keep practicing with the acrylics on paper.

 

Happy Trails

Travel Well

Short series from July 28th

 

Hey Friends,  Posting in the morning while my Babes are busy watching the Toons.  July 28th here in Salem, Va. was a beautiful day.  The sky changed so often I took my gear to the roof of my studio and painted a small one every half hour.  The one above is titled " 1:30 ".  I'm putting all of them for auction in Ebay.  Click HERE for this one.

 

Here I am on the roof. 

 

Here is the view looking north.  Odd how the sky changed so much.  Looking at the painting you would think it was going to burst out with lightning but the sky wasn't so dark.  But it was.

Honest.

And it was pretty ominous several times.

Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Trails

Fun in the Mountains

 

Hey Friends, Yesterday I delivered plein aire paintings to 2nd Helpings Gallery on Williamson Rd. which is close to DT Roanoke right off of Rt.460.  Pictured above.

 

After helping the DLP group work on our Barns of Bedford guitar (I'll show you tomorrow) I raced up to Mill Mountain to see what the beautiful sky looked like.  I sat on the curb close to the overlook and painted the above 5x7.

 

Then I raced home to get into shorts and an icy drink, then raced over to Greenhill Park in Salem, Va. on the Roanoke River to see what I could practice on.  The river is seriously low.  We will be calling it the Roanoke Creek soon.  Lots of rocks to include in paintings.

 

For the locals, aren't you surprised at how low the water is?  I knocked out 2- 9"x 12" panels and then hauled it all back up to the car.  Those rocks are hard on your knees !

 

When I got back to the car, the sky was so pretty I had to sit on the bumper and do another !

A 12" sq. panel of the treeline and beautiful clouds.  Most days I paint outside it is because of the sky.  I may not always put the sky in but that's what pulls me out there.  I would like to do a grand vista.  A large wide open valley with a big sky.  Some day soon.

Happy Trails

Travel Well

Pollinator Series # Twenty-Five "Discussion" and Plein Aire Today

 

Hey Friends,  This entertaining little painting is going up for auction on Ebay this evening.  Pollinator series is almost over and so is the month of June !  Yikes, can you believe it.

 

Me, Myself and the DLP's went out into the wild to paint today.  It was a beautiful day and so encouraging.   I might be getting a small grasp on this outdoor painting thing.  I try real hard not to include everything I see.  "Tis difficult.

 

Bonnie took this shot of me.  I would have to go back and look, but don't you think that looks like poison ivy in the foreground??  Bonnie are you itchy tonight?

Happy Trails

Travel Well

No. 18 in the Pollinator Series and Plein Aire at Evergreen Lavendar Farm

 

Hey Friends,  Moving on to #18 !  A gorgeous Raven waiting on a branch for a French fry !  This was started on a base of dictionary pages.  Up top left is the dictionary's definition of raven.  This pretty boy is for auction on EBAY, Click here.

 

But the good news of this day is We, the DLP's finally got to the beautiful "Evergreen Lavender Farm" just this side of Appomattox, Va. on Rt. 460.  Bonnie the owner, said "Sure come on over and paint.  She was happy to see us and a gracious host.

 

This is my first painting of the day.  I started with a magenta base instead o white canvas.  That is a beautiful pond in the distance.  With rows of lavender between us.

 

Here I'm pretty much finished.  Made a couple adjustments at home.

 

And here is one of Bonnie's donkeys.  She said they (there were 2 more hiding) did not like the heat so they hang out in their Donkey House during the day.

 

Here is a shot of the beautiful Bee Hives.  Can't wait to paint this !  Bonnie said she does not mess with these hives.  She has enough going on with the farm and making lavender products.  And I bought some really heavenly smelling stuff while there.

Check out their website at www.evergreenlavender.com

 

Happy Trails

Travel Well

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.

Appalachian Trail

Hey Friends,  Just listed this little landscape in an Ebay auction, starting at a penny.  This is one of the well worn paths you would see if hiking on the Appalachian Trail here in Va.  Usually I take a photo of a sign or a marker near the area of a painting. But NOT this time. 
There were a lot of beautiful little delicate ferns growing along this section and over the bank.  Plus a lot of colorful rocks.  And bugs and snakes and gnats and birds.  No bears this time.

This is varnished and ready to hang.  Click Here for Ebay.

Happy Trails
Travel Well

Sunset on the Blue Ridge Mountains

Hey Friends,  Another sunset but this time right here at home.  Just down the road as a matter a fact.
Worked from a poor photo and a lot of memory - my favorite way to paint most days.

This painted on a 5x7 canvas panel.  The weather should be warm enough soon for me to get outside and cut some Masonite panels.  I really like to paint on these smooth panels better than canvas.  Yeah, Spring will spring up soon !!
I'm putting this little jewel up for auction in Ebay, Click here for a surprise.
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 Crazy People at the Top of the Hill"

Hey Friends,  This is an on going series, I have been painting for years.  The early paintings have all sold, so I've started numbering them  This is #4 on a wrapped canvas 8x10.  The sides are painted the same green colors.  There is a huge history behind these paintings.  A history that can choke you so I doubt if it'll be coming out soon.
This is late evening, the sun was burning up the dry foliage.  Click here for Ebay.
Happy Trails
Travel Well

Foot Bridge at Greenhill Park, Salem, Virginia

Hey Friends,  Came across this little painting yesterday while shuffling through the cold studio.  So I have listed her on ebay.  You can click here to learn more.
My painting group is anxious to get out there and do some painting.  It's been a long winter and we are rusty (some of us anyway).  We will meet next week in a local park and the week after everyone wants to go to DT Roanoke for some new shots of the market area.  So I should have some new fodder for you to see soon.
Yesterday I went to the "Butt Hollow Cemetary" here in the Fort Lewis area, I guess Fort Lewis would fit the description.  Some relatives are buried there and I have a distant cousin coming in to town soon so I wanted to be sure I knew where it was.  I think I'll go back soon and make a painting.  Everyone loves a cemetery painting.
Happy Trails
Travel Well