TEAM USA! *SOLD*

"Flying the Flag"  7"x4"  Oil on Board   *SOLD*

To entertain my little niece on long trips, I love to search for American flags with her.  We'll have a contest to see who finds the most and it's always entertaining to see exactly where they fly.  Of course, you see them at schools, post offices, libraries, but also at McDonald's, car lots, mansions, trailers and on pick up trucks.  Patriots come from all walks of life and it always does my heart good to play this little game. 

Waving the it proudly today in honor of the athletes from the USA competing in the Olympics, this flag was found on a house down the street from my mother.



Follow the Sun *SOLD*

"Follow the Sun"  7"x5"   *SOLD*

One of my favorite movies is "Calendar Girls".  It's hysterical, the scenery is gorgeous (very paintable landscapes!), some of my favorite British actresses are in it, and it celebrates something that usually doesn't get much celebration - aging!  That's right, aging!  In one scene, horticulturist John Clarke, the husband of Annie, recites what he has written in honor of the women of Yorkshire and thereby decrees another big player in the movie: the sunflower..... 

The flowers of Yorkshire
Are like the women of Yorkshire.
Every stage of their growth has its own beauty,
But the last phase is always the most glorious.
Then very quickly they all go to seed.
Which makes it ironic my favourite flower
Isn’t even indigenous to the British Isles, let alone Yorkshire.
I don’t think there’s anything on this planet
That more trumpets life than the sunflower.
For me, that’s because of the reason behind its name.
Not because it looks like the sun
But because it follows the sun.
During the course of the day,
The head tracks the journey of the sun across the sky.
A satellite dish for sunshine.
Wherever light is, No matter how weak,
These flowers will find it.
And that’s such an admirable thing.
And such a lesson in life.

...so whether you're over the hill, on top of it, or just eyeing it suspiciously from below, here's hoping today finds you embracing life at whatever stage you happen to be - something I have to remind myself to do pretty often!

Happy Ice Cream Month!

"The Grass is Always Greener"   15"x30"

In honor of National Ice Cream Month, I'm posting a cow painting that is currently at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery.  I absolutely love painting cows and, heck, I'm pretty partial to dairy products, too!  This may start a theme this month...this is just coming to me now, so forgive my rambling, but I'm seeing paintings of ice cream cones, sundaes, etc, in addition to some fresh cow paintings.  But, at the moment, I suddenly want some ice cream.  See ya later!

Virtual Paint Out and a Good Tomato *SOLD*

6"x 6" - oil on board  *SOLD*

An artist friend of mine, Phyllis Franklin, had a great idea about doing a virtual paint out today!  So several artists agreed to paint and share their work today from start to finish on Facebook.  It was a lot of fun and you really feel like your getting a "group painting" experience!  Great idea, Phyllis! 

I painted this heirloom tomato I picked up at the curb market...okay, delicious, is all I'm saying!  They have such pretty red and green coloring and, oh, my, they are just yummy!  When an artist buys beautiful food they get to enjoy it twice.  Maybe I should name it "Two-Timin' Tomato" - what do you think? 

Patriot Games *SOLD*

"Patriot Games" *SOLD*

I painted this last year after the 4th of July and it has been sold for awhile, but I just wanted to post it again for Independence Day!  These folks were spotted across the road from me last year at the annual Pike Road 4th of July Parade (Pike Road, Alabama) which is just the perfect thing to attend if you want that good old small town Americana feeling.  Horses, dogs, bikes, cute kids, pick up trucks, fire engines, you name it....all decked out in red, white and blue.  You're either flag-wavin' or fan-wavin' or both! 

My family has been going to the parade and participating in it for years.  One of my favorite memories is my niece tap-dancing the entire parade route in an Uncle Sam costume in the July heat.  She was determined!!

I'll be there this year, too...camera in hand!  If you're there, keep an eye out for future paintings.  You might just recognize yourself in one!