Flamingo

The older I get, the more I find myself drawn to that fine line (or is it a fuzzy one) between beautiful and tacky!            ... ha ha ha ha!      

We went to the Tulsa Zoo during spring break.  We were the couple there that day without a stroller... At least I'm pretty sure we were the only ones not pushing a stroller or pulling a wagon.

We enjoyed strolling along and enjoying the gorgeous day. But when we got to the flamingos, I was mesmerized!  They were a fabulous orange, not pink! It was so odd to watch them sit down by bending their knees backwards! And their necks... oh my goodness!  Their necks were like snakes! 

I took lots of pictures and imagine I'll paint another or two.

Original Oil Painting - 12" x 24"
[SOLD]

The Swing

When I finish a painting, I'm usually ready to hand it off to its new owner before it's even dry.
But, I'm going to enjoy this one as long as I can.  I used a palette knife and lots of paint.  I can't wait til it's dry so I can touch the rough bark on that tree trunk, run my fingers over the tall grass, feel the wispy leaves of  willow-like tree...

Original Oil Painting - 24"x 36" 
[SOLD]

The Dancing Cow (Mary Poppins)

After I finish a complex painting, I usually paint a cow next.  I guess it's just a comfortable subject for me.  As I was working on this pretty red mama cow, she reminded me of something... or someone... a flicker of a memory that I couldn't put my finger on until she was almost finished.

When I was a kid I loved getting to order books from the Weekly Reader forms each month.  I still have a few of those that I loved the most.  I think I ordered and read Mary Poppins when I was in fourth grade... (the first time when I was 10... although I've been in fourth grade - on the other side of the teacher's desk -  about 30 times since :)

Mary Poppins... the book, not the movie... is filled with chapter after chapter of completely wonderful, crazy, irrational, zany, clever stories that somehow tie together perfectly.

Chapter Five - "The Dancing Cow" 
Jane is sick in bed, and John is watching out the window when he sees a red cow walking down Cherry Tree Lane.  Mary Poppins explains that The Red Cow was a friend of her mother.  She tells the story: The Red Cow was raising The Red Calf in her perfectly normal field. One evening she began dancing and couldn't stop.   Eventually she went to see the king who noticed a star had fallen and become caught on her horn.  He advised her to jump over the moon. It worked, but then she wished she had it back.  The Red Cow now spends the her days looking for another star.

Like every other chapter, it's filled with all sorts of details... the lessons she teaches The Red Calf... the types of dances the cow does... the king who has an appointment with the barber...

I came across a blog post from Random Thoughts who asked whether The Red Cow's story was optimistic or pessimistic? She never gave up hope of finding another star, but she roamed the streets never feeling satisfied without it.

Any thoughts?

Original Oil Painting - 16"x 16" 
[SOLD]

:) Anna

It's always fun to watch the initial reaction of a little one to her portrait. (Of course there's the little fear that they'll burst into tears or worse, not recognize themselves!)

Anna  stopped... looked... stepped closer... looked... looked at me... kind of cocked her head... looked again... reached out to touch... said, "The flower matches!" 
What was going through her mind?  Maybe she remembered that she was holding a raggedy old dying dandelion when I took her picture.

She looks pretty proud.  Her Pop (my brother) and I share a birthday today.  Tonight we'll give this little painting to him.  I hope he likes it as much as Anna seems to.

Anna

This is our Anna.  

What a sweetie!  

Every so often we get to have a playdate with her and her little sister and brother.  Ron and I have 11 nieces and nephews (on my side), and they’ve given us 24 great nieces and nephews who we love... and who happen to ALL be beautiful.  So, whenever I get in the mood to paint a little one, I’ve got plenty to choose from.

I've said many times that I like to paint children from the back or from the side because I like the way those images tell the story.  

That is very true; however, let me be completely honest... Views from the back or side don't have... eyes... or teeth... or nostrils... or dimples... or eyebrows... or lips... or ears... And, those are all just plain hard for me!

I'm a little sad that the pink rain boots (on this bright sunny day) didn't make it into the crop for the painting, but those eyes and teeth and nostrils and eyebrows and lips told the story this time.




Original Oil Painting - 9x12 
[SOLD]

Scruffy Calf

Hooray!!!  
I am so happy to see this little face looking back at me.  I was beginning to wonder if I'd simply forgotten how to paint.

I wonder... Does that happen to anyone else?

Earlier this year we went for a drive, looking for opportunities for me to practice taking pictures with my new camera.  Cows are funny.  We came to a field with a bunch of the cutest calves... all of whom had absolutely no interest in looking at me.  But this scruffy little girl was so curious.  No matter how long I waited for the cute ones to look at me, she never stopped posing.  So, eventually, I began to see how cute she was too... scruffy hair-do and all.




Original Oil Painting - 12"x 12"
[SOLD]

Sunrise on the Farm

We've been talking about tone in my literature circles at school lately.  "What's the tone of this chapter?"  It's a concept that is fairly new to fourth graders, but once they understand it, they notice it and point it out in every passage they read.  

I might take this painting to school and ask them, "What's the tone of this scene?"  If I've done a good job... both with teaching them and with painting this... they'll say, "It has a peaceful tone," or maybe they'll say it's tranquil or calm or quiet.  

This is the original photograph that I fell in love with.  It was taken by Tom from Piks of the Day, and Stuff. I stumbled across his work and ended up looking through the entire blog.  When I came to this image I left a comment saying that I loved this image, that I thought it was my favorite picture from his whole blog, and that if it wasn't in black and white that I'd want to ask permission to paint it.  He replied that he'd love for me to paint it and that I could just look at other views of it to get the coloring.

Oh, my... I thought... This guy is really nice, but he has completely overestimated my abilities as an artist... then I thought some more... I had permission, so I painted the same barn from a different photograph to work out the coloring... and kept thinking about it... I had turned a black and white into color one time before... my painting buddies also loved the image... so I took a deep breath and drew it up on the canvas.

I didn't intend to, but I began with the beautiful yellows an oranges and rosey-reds of a sunrise (or maybe a sunset) sky. I have no idea whether the sun really rises (or sets) behind the barn, but I think it's such a peaceful time of the farm day.  That's the tone I wanted to convey.

So, thank you to Tom both for the permission to use your photo and for the encouragement to take a risk. 

Original Oil Painting on 14" x 18" Wrapped Canvas
[SOLD]

Barn up the Road

This is the type of image that stops me.
Imagine the stories that could begin here!!!
..."Papa stopped the wagon so we could have one last look..."
..."She knew he'd be waiting inside after he finished the chores..."
..."Grandpa told her he thought she was old enough to drive the tractor to the barn..."
My imagination goes on and on... It's a perfect setting.

So, how did I come across this fantastic setting?
There's a little button at the top of blogger that says "New Blog."  Every once in a while I click it.  You never know what kind of blog will pop up.  Usually I spend a minute or two then move on, but every once in a while there's one that holds my attention.  And, that is how I came upon this image.
It came from a photography blog called Pics of the Day, and Stuff. Click and go have a look.  You'll find captivating photographs of simple elegance.
When I came to the post titled New Outhouse, Same Old Barn, it stopped me... my imagination took over.
Thank you, Tom, for capturing this fabulous barn in a photograph and allowing me to put it on canvas. 

I'm always happy when a painting sells, but... I secretly hope I get to enjoy it on my own wall for a while. :)

Original Oil Painting - 10"x 20"
[SOLD]

Mitten the Cow

She wanted to have her picture taken!

My husband and I went on a cow-hunting drive on New Year's Day. That means we picked a direction and drove until we found some cows willing to be still and look at me while I took their pictures.  Half the time they run away, but the other half the time they are curious enough to stare for a while.

This little gal was determined.  I have to be honest... I tried to avoid her.  She had this big mitten splotch right in the middle of her face... so...
So... I aimed my camera at other cows. However, this sweet little gal was focused on me and curious no matter what I did.  She grew on me.

As I was looking through all the downloaded photos, she was the star again and again and again.  
And... I was wrong... She is lovely... Her face is perfect for the canvas.  
I love her big mitten splotch.

Original Oil Painting - 16"x 16"
[SOLD]

Ruby Throated Hummingbird III

We have three hummingbird feeders on our back porch.  The hummingbirds love one of them.  I don't understand that. I put the same sugar water in all three of them.  They're literally within 2-3 feet of each other.  They're all shaped the same too.  I just can't figure out why they like one better than the other two. Any ideas?









Original Oil Painting on 6"x 6"x 2 1/2"
[GIFT]

Tweet! II

It's so much fun to get to help someone complete their very first painting ever.  

This is my niece, and she's an artist now!  
In one afternoon she went from, "How do I hold the paintbrush?" to "I painted a bluebird!"

Great job, Karly!


I remember my first painting lesson almost 9 years ago.  It was so exciting to leave with a finished product!  (In my case it was a tree.)

I've painted this little bluebird a few times.  
He was facing left in 2012.  
He was one of the first the subjects for my Tuesday painting group in 2013. 
And this week he helped me help Karly complete her first painting.

Original Oil Painting - 6"x 8" 
[SOLD]

A Family

I love seeing families who enjoy being together.  
I think that's the story that this painting tells.  There's a fantastic bridge, a pretty creek, a leaf covered hillside, and a bright autumn day with a chill in the air. But, I don't think any of those is what this painting is really about.  
At the center of it all... is a family.  
I love that.

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

Peppermint

Every season has it's flavor, and peppermint belongs to December.

'Tis the season!


[SOLD]
Original Oil Painting on 5"x7" Wrapped Canvas

The Royal Donut Company

Sometimes I wonder when painting will get easy or when I will know how to get it right the first time. Oh, I guess many things are easier now.  And, I do get a lot of things right the first time.  A challenge is a good thing.  It keeps me groaning growing as a artist.

My friend Cathy asked me to paint her husband's shop so that she could surprise him at Christmas.  I'd do my best to do anything for Cathy.  She's one of the people who takes care of our school, our office, and all of us teachers.  Everything from the copier, to substitutes, to messages, to attendance to pretty much knowing how to take care of every little thing that needs to be taken care of on any day.

I immediately said yes... then the challenges began...

I honestly was not sure at all if I could pull this one off, but I was determined to get each little tiny (ok... for me... huge obstacles) but important request.

Challenge #1

Getting a reference photo when there weren't so many cars that the shop was covered, but not at time when the parking lot was empty either.  Also finding a time early enough in the morning that the lights were on but not so dark things didn't show up.  Never mind the standing in the traffic to get a quick shot!

Challenge #2

It was important to have the red truck and the silver Volkswagon in the picture.  They belong to two guys who she said are customers 365 days a year.  

But... hmmm... Here was my best reference photo.  I loved the lighting.  I loved the wet pavement and the reflections of the lights.  I loved the early morning sky and placement of the cars.  I loved that it looked alive and busy.

Challenge #3

She sent me a photo that included a good image of the sliver bug, but nothing else was right.  I sent my friend, Mona (who happens to be the other person who keeps our school running smoothly) out to snap a photo of her husband's red truck.  After a few texts to get the right angle, we got it. 

 Now what... 

          chirp... 

                chirp...

                    

Challenge #4
I'm not good with Photoshop, but I started playing with Publisher and a little cut and paste.
I cropped my photo down to the truck and first car and pasted to cover the third car. 

Then I cropped her photo down to the silver bug and pasted it to cover the last car.

I decided not to paste the truck since there was already a gray truck there.  I'd just change the color and tail lights.

At this point, I began to realize that I just might be able to pull this off.

Challenge #5

If you're very observant, you'll see that by moving the truck and car down, that also changed the pattern of windows and lights on the building.  That I saw right away and dealt with all along the way.

If you're very, very observant, you'll notice that the silver bug is bigger than the car and truck. I was not that observant... sigh... I only realized it after I painted it... Boooo!! A giant VW in the middle of the painting!!! Noooo!!!  Ugh... get over it and fix it.

I think it's all there.

***Revisited / Edited


It's looks great hanging on the wall in the shop.  
And, the girls working there seemed proud of it.

[SOLD]
Original Oil Painting on 16" x 20" Wrapped Canvas, Framed

Basket of Strawberries

I set up this still life that reminds me of my favorite painting at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  There are hundreds of beautiful works of art there, but my favorite, favorite, favorite painting is "Basket of Peaches". I have to go stand in front of it for a few minutes every time we go. 

And, yes, I did paint my own version of "Basket of Peaches". One might be worth a million dollars more than the other, but I love them both.

Basket of Peaches
Joseph Decker - 1885
In Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Basket of Peaches
Helen Eaton - 2013
in my sister-in-law, Karen's kitchen

I'm pretty sure this will be the end of my strawberry series.

I'm not saying I'll never paint another strawberry, but it will be a while. 

Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberry Girl

Strawberries

Strawberries & Blackberries

A Great Big Strawberry

Bowl of Strawberries

Original Oil Painting on 11" x 14" Wrapped Canvas

[SOLD]

:) Medusa...

I would never have imagined a scenario in which I would choose to paint my fingernails and toenails green... but...
I did... and I kind of like 'em!
HA!

Look at my cutie intern... a.k.a. the poor soul who looked into Medusa's eyes and turned to stone!

These guys finished two weeks in Greek Mythology just in time for School Spirit Day!
That's a happy smile from Medusa here, but she may or may not have given those little sweeties a stone cold stare a time or two... or three... 

... love, Love, LOVE this team of partners!

Left to Right...
Queen 4th Grade,  
The Grand High Witch from Roald Dahl's Witches, 
Mr. Potato Head with her intern Mrs. Potato Head,
Bob the Builder, who I share kids with,
Medusa (me) and my intern the Stone Statue.



FYI - In case you ever decide to attach snakes to your head, here's what I figured out. After much trial and error, this is what worked. 
1. Grow your hair long.
2. Tie the tails of 5-6 rubber snakes together with a pony tail holder.
3. Put them over your head like a hat.
4. Pull strands of hair up, over, between, and through the snakes. 
5. Use a rubber band to make a top pony tail on top of the snake-tail knot.

Chewy

"Mom, I have an idea. Will you paint something? 
I want you to paint Whitney's dog as a Christmas present for her."


***


"Oh, it's perfect... she's going to love it... We don't have to wait.  I can get her something else for Christmas...  Let's give it to her now."










Ha ha ha

It is hard to wait when you have something that will make someone special happy.

Dickson Street

"I want something 'Fayetteville-esque."
Oddly enough I understood what she meant.  
So... this painting is Fayetteville-esque.
If you've ever lived in or loved my city, you get it.

What makes it Fayetteville-esque?

... There's Old Main in the background. 

... The trees from the University lawns are in their autumn colors.

... That must be a Razorback license plate on the blue car.

... Of course, there's not an empty parking space anywhere.

... And... there are all the businesses that make Dickson Street... Dickson Street...

I put things into this painting that make it fun.

I spy... my red VW bug! the wheel of my husband's Harley! Melanie's SUV, DJ's mustang!

I think I spy...  Are those initials in the reflection of a window? Do those shutters look like an my own initials? And is that a letter on the orange building? Is that a name on the green car's license plate? How about on the red car's license? 

Could I also spy... Are those scribbles on the white sign, or does it have a message?  Is that a blur, or does it say something on the red dot sign?

Fun! Fun!! Fun!!!

She'll get to see it tomorrow morning! (along with my painting partners who want to be there.)  I hope she thinks it's "Fayetteville-esque!"  

I was pretty proud to finish this one.

With the frame, the bug won't hold much more. :)

Pink Gerbera Daisies

Usually whenever someone finds out that I'm a painter, they say, "Oh, what do you paint?" 
I never seem to come up with a quick and simple answer.

"I paint what I like," is the truth, but seems kind of self centered and doesn't really answer.

"I can paint whatever anyone wants me to," is the truth, but seems kind of arrogant and doesn't really answer.

"I love to paint images that tell stories," is the best truth, but doesn't really answer and has to be followed by an explanation.

So, how do I choose what goes on my easel...

When I have a commission, that takes priority.

Otherwise, I think I have a kind of built in, subconscious rotation.

I paint something challenging or stressful - like a portrait or a complex scene.

Then something easy and fast - like a flower or fruit.

Then something comfortable - like a cow.

Then I'm ready to go back to challenging.

So, where do I get my images...

Sometimes I'm given an image through a commission, and often I do get to help select the just-right photo.

I also have a file of photos on my computer called "Possibilities." 
Sometimes I see something fabulous, pull over, and take photos - like interesting cows, a sunset, or a  breathtaking view.
Sometimes I create still life set ups - like fruit, vegetables, or flowers. 

Sometimes I see someone else's photo on Facebook or their blog and am overwhelmed by it as if it's begging to be put on canvas. (I know that sounds arsty.)  I can't get past it.  Then I ask whatever friend or relative (or occasionally stranger)who was the photographer for permission to use it.  

That's how these sweet little gerbera daisies came about.  I saw them on my friend Renee's blog post and just couldn't get past them. I could just imagine them on canvas. You see, Renee's my friend now, but we met by my randomly discovering her blog then one day my comment to her, "You don't know me, but I would love to paint your goats..."  Well, I hope I was a little more eloquent than that, but... she did let me... and we became friends.... I've been thinking of her this week as the rains continue to flood South Carolina where she lives. 

This little painting was included in a lovely Etsy treasury (collection of related vintage items and art pieces). Click Shopping in January to have a look!

Original Oil Painting on 6"x 8" Wrapped Canvas

[GIFT]