Beside Still Waters II

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

                                                                           Psalm 23: 1-3 

This image must speak to my soul.  I find it soothing and like having it on my wall.  Whenever it sells, it makes me happy/sad to see it go to a new home. Then after a while I paint it again and put it back on my own wall for a while.

2009

2017

2020

My painting partner Julie and I are preparing to teach a landscape class for seniors this next week.  I can't think of a better landscape image to use.

My weekly art challenge was "Quiet" this time.  "Quiet" can be a (lack of) sound or a feeling.  This landscape captures both the sound and feeling for me.

Thanks to Robert Woods for making how-to-paint books over 30 years ago that are still great references today.

Oil Painting on 9"x 12" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Beside Still Waters (Mini)

Yes, I know it looks familiar, but who doesn't make time for a rerun of something you enjoy! I do love this scene from one of Robert Woods old how-to-paint books.  I painted it about 10 years ago... again about 5 years ago... again about 1 year ago... and again a few months ago... and now this little mini version.

For one thing, I love it.  It's just got all the things I love about home... Rolling mountains, pastures, woods, fall colors, a creek, a fence that hints that there must be cows or some other farm animals back there behind those trees...

A second reason to paint it is that my painting partner, Julie of JujuBeePaints, and I will be using it as we teach a group of senior citizens in a beginning oil painting landscape class in a few weeks. I needed to practice painting it before doing it in front of students.

Finally, I did this tiny version for my art exchange group.  There are about a dozen artists from 3-4 different countries and 8-9 different states who take part in the group.  Every quarter we're given a theme then paired up to exchange a postcard-sized piece of art and letter. The theme this month was "Home or Showcasing Where You Live." This scene looks very much like Northwest Arkansas to me, so I thought it would be perfect to send to my paired partner, Darlene in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Oil painting on 5"x 7" Canvas Board

[GIFT - ART EXCHANGE]

October 2021 Inspiration Images

Only three opportunities left to join us in creating art together!

Maybe one of these images will inspire you your art.

It's easy to be a part. Click HERE for instructions.
We look forward to seeing your art!

Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine

Another summer is giving its best.  Hopeful blooms turn into vegetables to be harvested. These little cherry tomatoes hold all the joy and color of the season of sun.

This painting as well as these words were inspired by Sara's Preserving Summer on this month's Inspiration Collaboration.

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 6" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Buff Kitty

He's my partner pretty much all the time.

He tests out the boxes I'm getting ready to mail paintings in.

He tries out every single box and is annoyed to be replaced by a painting.

Actually he'd like to lay on the paintings too.

He's curious about the suitcase and what that means for him.

Shopping bags need to be inspected.

He needs to stretch across a little quilting project.

He finds it's hard to lay on top of every stone of my mosaic stepping stone project.

Sometimes he lets the dog join us.

Tree Lined Path

When I'm asked to paint for someone, I want to know exactly what they're hoping for.  Learning the reason for the painting helps guide me as well.  Often there's a story behind the image. (I love that.) Sometimes there's a specific reference photo. Other times I get an idea then free reign to create.  In this case I learned about Vastu, (It's kind of the Indian version of Feng Shui.) There is meaningful symbolism, importance for certain colors, and guidance for placement of art within the home. 

I hope that those who will hang this on their walls will have the opportunities of the straight on-going path and the growth, healing, fertility, and prosperity of the green colors.

Here's the first "finished" version. 

I want to get it right for its forever home... even if that means chopping a half dozen trees and replanting them so that the road can be widened at the end then planting more grass so the road can be narrowed at the beginning.

A few years ago, that would have put me in panic mode.  Now, I just take a deep breath, wipe off paint, and put more back on.

(Ok... full disclosure... I probably mutter a few choice unladylike words too...)

This gives some perspective.
It's a pretty big one!

It's fun to watch it come together.  

This little video only lasts about 20 seconds.

I love painting commissioned pieces.  I love the challenge, having the purpose, and the collaboration.  Some of my creative friends do not feel the same.  

I wonder... How about you?  Fun or work? Sparks creativity or steals the joy in creativity? A challenge or a burden? An opportunity to look forward to or something to dread?

Original Oil Painting on 24"x 36" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

September 2021 Inspiration Images

Just four chances left to join us in creating art together!
Maybe one of these images will inspire you to make something of your own. 

It's easy to be a part. Click HERE for instructions.
We look forward to seeing your art!

Morning Glory Banister

My friend asked me if I could paint the morning glories on her porch so that she could still have them even after their blooming season is over.

Ummm... Yes, please!  I do love a good porch! And, I do love any opportunity to paint with purple, green, and turquoise!

Original Oil Painting on 8"x 10" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

 

A Little Sparkle

Somebody turned a year old!

Our third grandchild is one!

She is sweet and beautiful and full of energy and completely precious.  

We love her so!

Original Acrylic on 12x16 Wrapped Canvas

[GIFT]
 

Cottage Flowers

Each month I look at Sara's Inspiration Image and read her thoughts. Then I let it simmer in the back of my mind for a while and wait for an idea to come to me for my next painting.  This month was different. I kept being pulled back to and in to her photograph. I loved everything about it.  

1st... It featured my favorite color combinations.

2nd... It held a story.  I don't know the story, but I can wonder... 

• Who planted the flowers?  Maybe he gave her the flowers as a gift and she planted the bulbs. 
• What once grew in the window box? Maybe it was more flowers or some herbs.
• Why did they paint the window frames turquoise? Maybe it was her favorite color and made her smile.

3rd... It fit within my favorite descriptive combination: 

    Elegance within simplicity.

This painting was done as my submission to August's Inspiration Collaboration.  Thank you https://www.instagram.com/saraharley.studio/ for your lovely photograph/inspiration image/reference photo.

One more thing...

I have a nail in this tree and always hang my paintings here to photograph them once they're finished.  My butterfly plant (I'm sure it has a name...) is blooming purple right beside it right now.  love, Love, LOVE!

Oh, how I'm going to enjoy seeing this on my own wall while it waits for its forever home.  Full disclosure, as soon as it's dry enough, I plan to touch the textured surface with my fingertips each time I pass by it.

Original Palette Knife Oil Painting on 8"x 10" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

Garden Harvests 2

I started taking a photo of my daily harvests in early June.  You can see the first 20+ HERE. Scroll along to see the next 20+ from July.

 

Egyptian Pyramids & Palms

   

Painting with kids is...

Well... I sure don't want to do it full time, but what fun to get the opportunity to paint with kids once or twice a year. Funny how similar it is to painting with senior adults.  Both the preteen kiddos and the kiddos in their 70s and 80s are a little nervous, want to get it right, and have such a glow on their faces when they realize that their painting looks great.  (I know you can't see their faces in this photo.  You'll just have to trust me that they were glowing.)

*This project was done with the middle schoolers at my church during the time when we thought Covid was about gone and before Delta showed up.

Just for fun click around a little:

Painting Still Life & Nature with Seniors

Painting Floral with Seniors

Painting Sunset Silhouettes with Kids

Painting Night Skies with Kids

Painting Christmas with College Girls

Original Acrylic Painting on 8"x 10 and 16"x 20.

Click Egyptian Pyramids if you'd like to purchase this painting in either 8"x 10 or 16"x 20".  (Priced to sell!)

August 2021 Inspiration Images

Join us this month as we create art 

based on one of these inspiration images.

Click HERE to read the thoughts behind each one.

It's easy to be a part.  Click HERE for instructions.  

We look forward to seeing what you create!