Chiminea

What picture comes to mind when you think of the word cozy? 

One year I waited on the deck while my husband and son carried the oddest anniversary present I could have ever imagined... a chiminea!  I'm sure my mouth gaped as I pasted on a smile.  But, sometimes the very best gifts are the unexpected ones that you never even knew you wanted.

I love my chiminea.  I've seen them as decoration on porches, but mine is more than a decoration.  We actually use it.  On fall evenings when there's a chill in the wind, sitting right in front of a roaring chiminea fire is the perfect place to be... cozy...

What an honor to be featured in Etsy treasuries (collection of art pieces and vintage items)!  Click on two to celebrate staying warm when it's cold.  Click It's Cold Outside... So Warm Up! and  It Warms You in the Coolness to enjoy the treasuries. And, one other collection celebrates all that a weekend morning has to offer, Lazy Weekend Morning. Finally, click on Match Game for a little matching fun.

Original oil painting on 9x12 Canvas Board
[SOLD]

Sunflowers

What color is autumn?

Maybe gold, red, yellow... I think it must be orange.  Besides the leaves, there are mums,  pumpkins... and Halloween!

Although I embrace chilly mornings and longer evenings, I still need little flashes of sunshine or reminders of warmth like a sunflower can give.

Send a little spark of sun with "Sunflower Note Cards."


These cards were featured in an Etsy treasury (collection or art pieces and vintage items) celebrating sunflowers.  Visit  "Simply Sunflowers" to enjoy the treasury.

Colorado Memories

When a family member asks, "Remember when..." where does your mind go?


These are the words of a friend who asked me to paint this 'memory' for her.
     "Our trip to the campground was the same every year.  We would go up the windy switchback mountain road with my grandpa driving.  We would all be nervous because he would be busy looking to see if the reservoir was up or down (he was a farmer that used that water) while driving.   We would pull into the campground, put the watermelon in the stream to cool, and eat our KFC (Grandpa’s favorite).  We would then go to the meadow for a game of wiffle ball.  We used  dried cow patties for bases. Grandpa always pitched and Grandma always kept score for the game that always ended in a tie.  After the game we would eat our watermelon.  Some would hike, some would throw rocks in the creek, and others would sit and visit at the picnic tables.  Before dark we would head back down the mountain…still nervous about Grandpa watching the road."

Purple Hyacinth

Why do roses get all the credit?

Mmmmm..... What a lovely fragrance the hyacinth has!  This one was a gift from a student.  After I enjoyed it inside for a while, I divided it and planted it in my front flower bed. 

Now, don't misunderstand... I love flowers, but I'm a vegetable gardener at heart.  My poor flower bed... I wish I'd give it attention, but I rarely do.  That's why I like hardy bulb plants that I don't think will need me.  Somehow I'm always amazed each spring when, indeed, those determined flowers return and do their best to make my flower bed beautiful.

These little hyacinths have done just that. ....Mmmmm... I can almost smell them now even though they're months away.

 

Two Etsy treasuries called Spring is in the Air and  Spring Flower Inspired Color Palette celebrate all the colors of the season. Or have a look at another treasury called Nowrouz Moubarak  to learn a little about the Persian New Year through its symbols.

Cottage in Fall Forest

What would you do if you could spend a week in this cottage?

It's imaginary, and I painted it so I get to decide what you see and don't see.  I say there are no nearby cell phone towers.  There is no internet, no cable, and no highway just beyond the trees.  There are no magazines, newspaper deliveries, or bills to be paid. There is a crackling fire and a stack of split logs just outside a back door.  There is a cozy chair a soft blanket beside a shelf filled with books.  There's an easel with a blank canvas, brushes, and tubes of paint.  There is some cookie dough in the refrigerator.  There is a yellow cat curled up on the pages of an open book.  

Ahhh.... If only....

And, ok, let's be honest.. the Blackberry still works...

I entered this piced in a challenge that encouraged artists to think about "Color" and what colors represent in different contexts.  Visit "In the Moment" to see the other "color" pieces.

This painting was featured in an Etsy treasury (collection of art and vintage items) celebrating autumn.  Click "Fabulously Fall" to enjoy it.

It was also chosen to be in a group of pumpkin paintings in a lovely blog called SixThirtyThree.

Pickin' Punkins

How do you know which pumpkin is the perfect pumpkin?


I think this little one would say it's the biggest one she can pick up and carry!  


And, how do you know which pumpkin is perfect to carve into a jack-o-lantern? 


I don't think this little one would care just as long as you didn't pick her perfect pumpkin!


[SOLD]

Autumn Leaves

What's the best thing about autumn?


Is it the smell of the first smoke from fireplaces, the crispness of the morning air, the kickoffs of a new football season, the spices like sage that we seem to save for this time of year, snuggling under a favorite blanket?   Or, is it simply the changing leaves?


 This little painting was done as a challenge for Rookie Painter.  I love the concept of this site - an image is presented then artists are invited to create and share art inspired by that image. It's so interesting to see the diversity in style.  


When I decided to paint this one, I knew I wanted a long canvas, but I didn't have one; there wasn't one on the shelf in the art store either.  So, I decided to try painting on an artist's panel. Very different, odd not the have the give or springiness of canvas.  I haven't yet decided whether I will use it on a regular basis.  In some ways I did like it, but in others I'm undecided.  Anyone else have opinions? 


An Etsy treasury (collection or art pieces and vintage items) celebrating a year of seasons includes "Autumn Leaves."  Click on Catch a Falling,  Fall Leaves...Fall Foliage,  Fallen Leaves,  Atutum: The Most Wonderful  Time of the Year or The Colors of Autumn to put you in the mood for fall.

[SOLD]

Feed the Ducks

Why is it that the simplest things in life often bring the greatest joy?

The thing I love most about this painting is the joy in the grandmother's (actually she's a "Memaw".) face.  I don't think it's the ducks that are making her laugh.  I think it's the simple happiness of sharing the moment with the little one beside her.


To purchase a giclee of this painting, click "Feed the Ducks."

Autumn Trees

Where do we begin to find out who we are?


Well, this painting was that beginning for me.  This was the second painting I ever attempted; that was way back in February of 2007.  After my first painting, "Summer Trees," I decided to give the same image another go.  I remember thinking, "Now, I've already done this, so I'm ready to put my own spin on it.  Hmmm... what exactly is my spin?"  As I wondered what kind of painter I'd become, I thought maybe I'd be an impressionist.  I'd always loved Monet's work, so I'd kind of blur the lines.  Then I thought about Van Gogh; I'd imitate him and let my strokes tell the story.  Then... I put thick orange and red blobs on top of brown bases, surrounded them with gold and green flame-like vertical strokes and realized that I was just plain Helen doing my best to make colors and shapes appear to be something recognizable.

Stream in Autumn

What's just around the bend in the stream?


Maybe that's why I'm drawn to paintings of streams, rivers, roads, paths, and trails.   I think that the real story is just out of sight.


This painting draws me in both through its subject and through its texture.  I like to touch this one - run my fingertips across it.  I used more paint than I usually do, and I like the actual feel of the rocks, the water, and the trees.  I even like the swirls in the brush strokes of the sky.


Original Oil Painting on 11" x 14" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Sunrise Silhouette

What is it about a sunrise that makes it so breathtaking to anyone who's lucky enough to see it?

Tranquility... peace... I took this picture as the sun came up behind the Ouachita Mountains and kissed the water of Lake Ouachita with the most lovely glow. I stood on the front porch of our cabin and felt blessed to see the blessing of a new day beginning.

Ok, if I'm completely honest, there's also a boat dock blocking part of this perfect view. But isn't that why we keep a current artistic license? I used mine to leave that part out of the painting.

Although I loved the photograph, I never thought I could paint it because the trees and grass and hillside were just too dark - no details showed. But then, the challenge for Artistic Sentiment was to paint a landscape in silhouette. It gave me the idea for the possibility of turning it into a painting. The vision for the finished piece came on strong. Once I began I didn't stop until I signed my name.


This painting was including in an Etsy treasury (collection of art and vintage items) filled with warm, rich colors called Art That Will Make You Smile.  

Aspens in Autumn

What makes autumn so special?

I think that maybe autumn is the season that becomes more loved as we age. I do not remember caring a bit about autumn when I was a kid... yeah, yeah, the leaves changed colors, the fair came to town, football games would be every Friday night...

Oh, but now... How thankful I am that I live in a place where autumn is so beautiful that it makes me slow down and sigh! The air has a crisp feeling. There's a smell of change - smoky, musky freshness. There's a crunching in the background all the time as squirrels and rabbits scamper through leaves - no more sneaking around.

The other night my husband and I sat on our porch rocking back and forth enjoying autumn in our own little mini-forest when something occurred to me... Way back a quarter of a century ago, didn't we dream of sitting on a front porch and leisurely rocking the evenings away? It's a sweet thing to realize when a dream actually comes true.

Original Oil Painting on 24"x 36" Wrapped Canvas
Currently not listed for Sale... I like it on my own wall too much. :)

Diana Butterfly on Thistle

What makes this thistle special?

I don't know if this lovely little butterfly knows how special the place where she's chosen to land is. This thistle grows in a virgin prairie - land that has never been tilled or plowed... never. The plot of land belongs to my sister-in-law's family and is somewhat of a national treasury insuring that it will remain protected. So, this butterfly (a Diana female) and her children for generations should be able to return to this exact spot to land on thistles.

"I Am From Home"

I Am from Home

I am from a red-clay road rolling with dust after each passing car

from a long bed of irises - purple, white, yellow, and maroon

from two cars out front one with 4 doors, one with a bed, two humps, and a tailgate

from a front porch with a dachshund named Noodles lying on the step, a screen door that slams, and a panoramic view of the Ouachita Mountains.

I am from tassel-topped corn stalks, thorny blackberry vines, and staked tomato plants bringing the flavors of summer

from a formica kitchen table surrounded by six chairs and a stool

from little glass Pepsi bottles, black angus beef, and homemade ice cream hand-cranked by strong brothers

from sit-down dinners, lingering while the food settles, and sisters washing dishes by hand.

I am from Curtis Ray - “Handy as a pocket on a shirt”

from Gladys Adelle -“Busy hands are happy hands”

from trotline catfish dangling off Grandpa’s stringer

from quilts and afghans labors of love from Grandma’s worn hands.

I am from Ben Franklin’s, Piggly Wiggly, and a fifteen-cent Tastee Freeze cone with a curlicue on top

from a picture window, an attic fan, an antenna on the roof for a black-and-white television

from football games on Friday nights, cartoons on Saturday mornings, and church twice on Sundays

from pot luck suppers, “Count Your Many Blessings,” pass the offering plate, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

I am from a place that is real

from a time that has past

from bonds that endure

I am from home.

Lemons

What is your favorite use for lemons?

Besides using them for a still life... That doesn't count! I love lemon flavored cake, lemon ice box pie, and frozen lemon aid. I love lemon drops, lemon Jolly Ranchers, and even honey-lemon cough drops. But when it comes to using real lemons... I like them squeezed over fried catfish, squeezed into fruit juice, and even squeezed over cheap frozen fish sticks!

Click the "Lemons" if you'd like to purchase this painting.

How about having the smell of lemon any time! I discovered these candles on Etsy. My mouth waters just to imagine the lovely smell they must have. Click "Lemonade Scented Tea Light Candles" to smell... I mean...see.

Bouguereau

Attempting this reproduction of a painting by the master Bouguereau was quite a challenge for me. My teacher wanted me to learn how to use the style which was used for the original. It was done in many layers. I fussed and whined the whole time. In the first stages, it was in black and white. I hated to admit it, but I loved it just like that. Then I was allowed to use only one color to mix with black and white - alizarin. (Ok, maybe I cheated a little with some umber in her hair a little something in her skin)

Mine is certainly a far cry from the original, but I actually like her very much.

Oil Painting on 9"x 12 Stretched Canvas
[SOLD]

Sunflower Bouquet

A flower is just more beautiful if you put the seed in the ground yourself, watered the sprout, kept the weeds away, and noticed the first bloom.

Labor Day is just around the corner - the signal for summer's end..... sigh.....

Original Oil Painting on 12"x 16" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Summer Trees

What makes this painting special?

Hmmm... Well, it's not very good... The shadows aren't really right... The colors are a little garish... The shapes aren't realistic... The background is pretty contrived... Hmmm...

So... Have you guessed? This is the very first painting I ever did. It was on February 22, 2007. I spent three hours being nervous, frustrated, stressed, tense, worried... then proud! I had a finished painting! And... I thought it was lovely!

Mother's Hands

How many stitches have these hands sewn? How many ears of corn have they shucked, pods of peas have they shelled, or green beans have they snapped? How many babies' bottoms have they patted or storybook pages have they turned?

Aren’t they lovely hands?

Original Oil Painting on 9"x 12" Canvas Board

[GIFT]

Comfort

How many books is enough? Hmmm....

A friend who was a librarian sent me a card well over a decade ago. I have long forgotten whether it was a thank you note, a get well card, or a birthday card. Many years ago I tore off the back part of the card and taped the front on the wall behind my desk at school. It just had such a cozy, comfortable feeling. Glancing up to see that little picture could give a moment of calm in a stressful day. I'd love to give credit to whoever first designed this image and thank them for the little moments of peace it has given me through out the years.

This painting was recently featured in an Etsy treasury (collection of art and vintage items) celebrating "Story Time." Click to enjoy the treasury.