Sunday, October 20, 2019

2019 Art Show - Prepared & Uh-Oh


Under two weeks left. We're organized, prepared, and excited!
Paintings are finished, and we have a plan for how we'll display them.
Cards are packaged and arranged in baskets.
Tags and stories are typed, printed, and cut.
Good thing I was so on top of things at 14 days ahead because...at 13 days ahead...

Step... Tumble... Crack... Sigh...
Guess I will be taking a break from painting and will be typing with one hand for a while!!!

Besides all that, if you are in Northwest Arkansas on November 1, come to our art show!!!! It will be fun!!!

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Release...

There is a time for everything,
     and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
     a time to mourn and a time to dance,

                                             Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

  
Release
     Permission to let go...
     Encouragement to move on…
     Freedom to exhale…
     Invitation to smile…
     It is time.  Laugh… Dance…

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 6" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Happy Fall, Y'all !!


Look at that happy little thing! You just have to S.O.L. (Smile Out Loud... Is that a thing?)
First of all, I think that her name should be Cheri, the Cheery Little Scarecrow Girl.  I'll name her after my Cheri, my art teacher, my mentor, my friend.  She's the one who set up this still life and guided me in painting it.

When I began painting lessons in 2007, I went to Cheri's house every Monday night for about four years. After she retired and moved, we painted together maybe once a year if I was lucky.  

Last month I had the opportunity for weekly painting lessons in her new place, Inspire Studio and Art in Shawnee, Oklahoma. For four weeks I'd get to paint one-on-one with the most amazing artist!  I was equal parts thrilled and terrified, filled with excitement and filled with dread.  You see, I knew I'd get better and I'd learn; however, I  also knew that she'd push me beyond what I was sure were my artistic limits.
She did.  
I had to swallow down, "But,I don't think I can do that..." a dozen times... a dozen times each lesson!
As you can imagine, yes, indeed I was able to do whatever she thought I could. 
Now... sigh... if only I can remember and put into practice half of what I learned!
My view while painting this still life.








Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Join us! Art Show November 1

We hope you'll join us!
Our paintings will hang on the walls of Red Kite coffee company for the entire month of November, but the party will be on November 1.
There will be art, food, friends, and live music.  
Julie, Lynn, and I would love to see you there!

Red Barn and Wishing Well


When I look at this painting my eyes wander... and my mind wonders...

Can an image be described as poetic?
When I was a teacher, my students and I would sometimes do an activity using "I wonder..." statements when we looked at a poem. 

I find myself doing it with this image.
  • I wonder...
  • I wonder if who owned this barn...
  • I wonder who dug the well...
  • I wonder if any animals still live here...
  • I wonder why they painted the barn red...
  • I wonder if the water from the well tastes fresh...
  • I wonder if the wind is blowing...
  • I wonder if there is still hay in the loft...
  • I wonder why there are no tools or equipment around the barn...
  • I wonder if the woods also belong to the farmer...
  • I wonder if there's a musty hay-like smell when the door opens...
  • I wonder what forgotten treasures are tucked away inside...
  • I wonder if children played in the hay...
  • I wonder if they made hay from the grass around the barn...
  • I wonder if they had cows... or sheep... or goats... or a donkey...
  • I wonder if farming was the only income or a side job...
  • I wonder if anyone still uses this barn...
  • I wonder if anyone still cares about this barn...
  • I wonder...

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas.
[SOLD]