Barnyard Bubba

Barnyard Bubba

Oil  8x10

I wanted to share with you my favorite rooster painting to date, Barnyard Bubba.  I love the light I was able to capture on him and hope that it shows up well on your monitor in spite of my poor photography skills. 

I knew as soon as I looked at the photograph for this one what the title of the painting would be.  He's quite hefty and self-assured, so I know he has total command of the barnyard.  

Have a blessed day!

Twins

Twins

Oil  5 x 5  

Gallery Wrap Canvas

I got a little heavier with the brush strokes on this and liked the effect. So far, I've painted 5 bird nests this spring and enjoyed every one of them.  

My brother and dad were cleaning up the garage getting ready for our big family Easter dinner when they discovered a bird had built a nest in one of dad's garden baskets he had stored away.  When I arrived, they proudly presented it to me for my collection and I was thrilled with my new nest!  I may have to paint the basket too because I'm not sure if I can remove it intact.  Something to contemplate.  

The trees are quickly leafing out here in north Georgia.  It's amazing how quickly spring unfurls once it gets started.  Have a wonderful week!

New Life

New Life

Oil 6x6

Does anyone remember when we got baby chicks for Easter when we were children?--poor baby chicks.  But they were so adorable, soft and fluffy.  Who wouldn't love a sweet baby chick.  This little fellow was so much fun to watch it come to life on the canvas.  I enjoyed it so much, I immediately painted a second one. 

Wishing you all a blessed Good Friday and Easter Sunday!  

Daffodil

Daffodil

Oil  6x6

Another beautiful sign of spring!  I have always loved daffodils--their beautiful colors and ruffled edges, but probably a big reason I get pretty excited when they start unfolding is because they are one of the first flowers to slow their beautiful face.  When they start blooming, I know spring time is just about to burst forth in all it glorious splendor!  I love you Daffodil!

Awakening

Awakening

Oil  8x8

I love bird nests!  My husband found this one for me, and I have painted it before and probably will again.  However, it was so big and unruly, I got tired of moving it around and finally discarded it.  Now, I'm sorry I did.  So if I find another one, I will keep it.  I did take several good photos of it, so all is not lost.  

This must have been a strong bird because it had some really long and large twigs in it.  Fun to paint too.

The Promise

The Promise

Oil  5x5

Gallery Wrap Canvas

The promise of spring!  Nesting season is here.  We've been enjoying watching the birds and squirrels busily carrying twigs, leaves and other materials to get ready for a new family.  We will wait with great anticipation to hear the little chirps just outside the door on our deck.  We can sit at our breakfast table and watch all the activity.  Sometimes I would just like to help the little birdies out a bit, but that would be interfering with Mother Nature.  The squirrels sometime get overly ambitious and try to carry a twig that is much too long.  When they run into a limb with it, they have to turn back and try again. It's an exciting time with all this activity and the flowers bursting into bloom and trees beginning to show their leaves.  Everything is coming back to life after a long winter's nap.  

Enjoy The Promise!

Bundled

Bundled

Pastel  6x6

This little snow woman is all bundled up against the cold and snow.  Amazingly, we still have patches of snow and the deck has a good helping of snow left.  As I look out over our hill, there are patches of snow hiding behind the big trees where the sun can't get to it.  The snow people are still hanging on so we might see another one or two come out to play. 

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Fashion Statement

Fashion Statement Snowgirl

Pastel  4x6

This little snow girl is wishing you a happy Friday and weekend!  We still have a good covering of snow in our front yard which does not get the evening sun and a thin cover in our backyard--still beautiful.  However, the sun is shining bright and I think ole frosty will be melting soon.  In the meantime, the snow people are ready to play.  Have a great weekend!

I'm Back

Sunshine Snowman

Pastel  6x6

If you remember from last year's Snowman Parade, Ole Frosty said "he'd be back".  Well, he is true to his word and has paid us a visit again in the "sunny"? south.  Kids are sledding and squealing with delight, and those of us too chicken to get our feet cold are enjoying the beautiful sights from our cozy window perch. 

This sunny snowman just wanted to drop in and say a snowy hello to everyone out there.  Enjoy your beautiful day wherever you are!

Happy Fall Y'all

Happy Fall Y'all

Happy Fall and Happy Halloween!  I sure hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall weather and the changing of the leaves--such a beautiful time of the year!  

I've been absent from this blog for several months now and also pretty much absent from painting.  No excuses--I've just let other things take priority.  With the holidays coming up, I don't think I'll find much painting time but, hopefully, after that I can get back to "slinging a little paint".  

I did want to share this little pumpkin with you today and wish you a wonderful fall weekend.  Thank you for sticking with me even during the long "dry" spells.  

Sittin' by the dock of the bay . . . 

 watchin' the tide roll away . . . 

And in between watching the tide, I decided to splash a little water of my own.  I got out my trusty watercolor travel kit and sketch/paint pad and satisfied my yearning to paint a little.  I had brought some photos along--you can barely see the photo of the iris peeping out of my paint pad.  I doodled with my pen until I got a pretty good likeness and then splashed on some watercolor.  What a fun way to spend a day--painting, wiggling my toes in the sand and taking a long walk on the beach.  Oh, and cap that off with a delicious fresh seafood dinner.  Back to reality this week.  Goodbye Okaloosa Island, Florida--you provided us with a fabulous week on the beach!  (See the completed painting below). 

Iris 

Watercolor   5 1/2  x  8

Bird Nest

Bird Nest

Oil  6 x 6

It's time to start nesting.  The birds are so happy it's spring and so are we.  We love sitting on the porch and watching the birds fly back and forth busily building their nests.  It seems like so much work, I would just love to give them a hand, but that would be interfering with Mother Nature.  I love bird nests!  I've collected a few.  This one is rather unruly with all the sticks sticking out of it, but I thought it made for an interesting painting.  I made the eggs in this nest from Sculpey clay and painted them.  They're really a soft blue but show up much bluer in my photo.  I have a few more bird nests in my collection just waiting to be painted and what better time to paint nests than springtime!  

Enjoy a beautiful spring day today!

Vintage Bowl and Oranges

Vintage Bowl and Oranges

Oil  6 x 6

Oh my, we're already into April.  Love this time of year!

This vintage clay bowl with enamel interior has been displayed on top of my cabinets for several years.  Many times I have thought I would get it down and set up a still life to paint, but for some reason I kept putting if off.  I'm glad I finally took the time to paint it.  I like the way it turned out.  I also placed this on glass to get those nice reflections.  I must use it again one day. 

Enjoy your weekend!

I've Got News

I've Got News

Should have posted this Sunday, but . . . (excuses, excuses).  Our local newspaper, The Times, publishes an annual section entitled Progress.  I was fortunate enough to be interviewed for that publication concerning arts in our community.  I was SO excited when I opened the newspaper and my paintings were the featured paintings for the article!  There are also a few paragraphs of my interview included, as well as other artists in the area.  So I have lots to "crow" about today!  It is so exciting to be included in their annual publication, and for the arts to be promoted in such a big way for this area! Check it out!

Oh, and don't forget to pay a visit to Peach State Bank & Trust and check out my solo exhibit!  Have a great day, and thank you for being a friend and a fan!!!

Cantaloupe on Glass

Cantaloupe on Glass

Oil  5 x 7

I placed these cantaloupe slices on a sheet of glass to see what interesting reflections I could get by moving my light around to different positions.  As you know, I love reflections whether they are on glass, water or any shiny surface.  This glass did not disappoint, and I had fun painting this one.  

Have a great Monday and wonderful week!  Thank you for your visit.  

The Old Red Barn

The Old Red Barn

Oil  9 x 12

Old barns, corn cribs, ramshackle buildings--remnants of the past and a different way of life than we now live--they are all so interesting to me.  I enjoy seeking them out when we're riding in the countryside and would love to stop at everyone and snap a photo.  However, we probably would never reach our destination on time.  I've snapped a few riding down the highway and even put our lives in jeopardy stopping on the side of the highway.  Artists live a dangerous life. . .  This is a big ole barn and someone chose to paint it bright red.  I hope it puts a little color in your day.  

Eggplants and Yellow Pepper

Eggplants with Yellow Pepper

Oil  6 x 6

I do love to paint eggplants--love their shape and beautiful purple color.  Peppers are a favorite also.  These little beauties actually came from our garden.  As always, when interesting food enters our house, the first order of business is to either paint it or photograph it for a future painting which is the case here.  This was painted primarily with a palette knife to get some interesting texture going on.  It won't be long until gardening season and lots of beautiful fruits and vegetables to paint.  

Just want to remind you that my exhibit is still hanging at Peach State Bank & Trust in Gainesville, Georgia.  If you're local, be sure and stop by to check it out.  I have a few of the snowman paintings on exhibit there also.  Almost all paintings are for sale.  

Thank you for stopping by today!

Red Head    

Red Head

Oil  5x7

You know how much I love to paint roosters.  They have attitude!  And it's so much fun to try to capture that look.  I like that bright red comb--can't get enough red. 

Have I ever told you about the time I got spurred by a rooster?  It really hurt and I really cried, plus I didn't know what had attacked me from behind.  I was about 12 years old--visiting my cousins.  They had a mean ole rooster, and I was leaned against their screen door one summer evening telling them a long goodbye when out of nowhere, something flung against me and my legs were in immense pain.  I was hurt and frightened.  The rooster had dug it's spurs into my legs and I had blood streaming down.  That rooster didn't live to see the sun rise again--my uncle made sure of that.  

Our rooster has attitude, but I know he would never harm an innocent little girl lingering much longer than necessary to bid farewell and end an afternoon of fun.

Have a great weekend!  

Red Azalea in Glass Bottle

Red Azalea in Glass Bottle 

Oil  8 x 10 

This painting is from a class I took last summer with Amanda Carder Lovett on how to paint glass.  I thoroughly enjoyed the class and was very pleased with the way this painting turned out.  I had attempted painting glass on my own several times, but wanted to find out if there was something I was missing--tricks of the trade.  Basically, paint what you see.  The trick is deciphering what you see in front of you to make an interesting piece of art.  If you look closely at glass objects, you realize just how intricate the reflections are--the problem is what to put in and what to leave out.  

Check out Amanda's work on her website.  She is very talented and an excellent instructor.  I have taken several workshops with Amanda and they are always informative and fruitful. I come away feeling that I have taken steps forward in my pursuit of art.  

Have a great Monday!

Katie's Sailboat

Katie's Sailboat

Oil  8 x 10 

Hey everybody!  Today, I decided to post Katie's Sailboat as I seem to have boats on my mind.  Maybe it's time to paint a few boats.  This one was painted for our granddaughter, Katie, at her request.  I really don't seem to do very well with requests, but those grandchildren can inspire to do things we wouldn't ordinarily do.  Seems I have to paint what strikes me on that particular day and time.  But Katie requested and I painted.  It was a Christmas gift to her.  

Last week, we had snow and ice and today it is supposed to be 72 degrees!  What a difference a week makes.  Have a wonderful day and week!