One Day Skyscape Workshop!

Excited to be teaching a one-day workshop on painting skies....my favorite thing to paint....next Thursday, May 16, in Wetumpka, AL, sponsored by the Elmore County Art Guild!

 

We'll meet from 9:00 until 4:00 at the Jeanette Barrette Civic Room.  $100 is the cost. 

Please call Kitty Gilbert to register at 334-590-4077. 

 

Hope you can come!

"Marsh Reflections" - Show at Renaissance Gallery - Northport, AL

"Marsh Reflections"

14" x 11"

Oil on Board

 

This recent piece is one of several new works just delivered to Renaissance Gallery in Northport, Alabama, for a show I'm having that opens this Thursday, April 4.  The reception is from 5:00-9:00.  If you're in the area, please stop by!  Northport is a beautiful place, very charming....the perfect strolling and walking and shopping kind of town! 

 

 

Day 5/30: A Capitol Day

"A Capitol Day"

7"x5"

Oil on Board   $150

 

In preparation for a show I'm participating in next month at Stonehenge Gallery here in Montgomery, I've done this painting for Day 5 of the painting challenge.  The show will feature people and places of Montgomery and I am really excited about it because I love painting my town!  We have some beautiful spots, interesting landmarks and great people!

 

 

Trio

 

"Trio"

8"x24"      Oil on Canvas     $600

 

This painting of a trio of cows is currently showing at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery.  I was inspired by the light on that hot summer day and loved how the cows gravitated toward the shade just like me! 

And how can you not love that look cows give you that says "who are you and what are you doing here?"! 

It's hot here in Alabama today...not at all like fall.  Hoping you find some lovely shady spot!

 

Going to the Chapel...And Painting the Reception!

About a year ago, I began to get requests to paint at wedding receptions and it has been so exciting to do these events!  I have to admit, at first I was scared to death!  I mean, it's a one-shot thing...you don't get to re-do this one!  I think what makes it so special is that it is done from life at the event and years from now, the couple can look back and see guests just as they were and know it was painted right then & there.  It's also fun entertainment for the guests who stop by to find out what in the world I am doing and then return later to see how it's evolved.  They love to spot themselves in it, too!  I really enjoy interacting with the guests - especially the children who love to be painted into the picture. 

This past Saturday I had the privilege to paint at the reception of the daughter of friends I used to go to church with.  Some friends of the brides parents gave this as a gift to the couple which I thought was a great idea!  I saw so many friends from my former church and met lots of people. 

I get to the event about an hour before all the guests arrive and start painting the "still" features - windows, flower arrangements - that will be included in the painting.  Then before I know it the guests are coming in and I start painting like crazy to include as many as I can!  Finally, the bride and groom arrive and they take their place in the painting.  The band is playing and people are laughing and dancing; the painting is falling into place and what usually starts out a bit on the anxious side for me turns into a real party and I'm singing and dancing a bit myself! 

100th Post - all about Montgomery!

This is my 100th post to my blog, so I thought I would post a little something different to honor my town, Montgomery, Alabama, which constantly inspires me with its  history and beauty.  These are just a few of many, many paintings I've done of Montgomery landmarks, traditions and people.

Starting with the small group in the upper left hand corner, you'll find players on our home team, the Montgomery Biscuits; the neon glow of the Capri Theatre in historic Cloverdale; a scene from a baseball game at the beautiful Riverwalk Stadium, home to the Montgomery Biscuits; and folks getting their fresh vegetables and fruit and flowers from the Montgomery Curb Market, a longstanding local tradition.

In the upper right hand corner, you'll see the Harriott II, our riverboat on the Alabama River; lower right - the trolley car aka "Lightning Route" in downtown Montgomery (the cars have changed colors since this was painted!); and last, but not least, in the bottom left hand corner the view down Dexter Avenue in downtown which has been the scene of so much history!  Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as the President of the Confederacy on those Capitol steps in the distance and Martin Luther King preached a stone's throw away. 

I don't work for the Chamber of Commerce, but I could.......I'd rather paint!

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!

Second Chances

This weekend I was doing some plein air painting and came up with one that was a "scraper".  Even if you're not familiar with plein air, you probably know what that means!  Well, like anything else in life, you can look at it two ways.  Wasted time, wasted paint, wasted canvas OR (and this is preferred!) an opportunity to learn in some gorgeous late spring weather and a nice toned canvas ready to be used for another painting! 

So, that's what this is.  My "second chance" painting this week!  This one is a scene from Lake Martin, Alabama and it's 14"x11" entitled "Light on the Water". 

So, moral of the story - scraping down something you've worked hard on can be painful, but starting over can be beautiful!  Love to all of you and thanks for looking and reading!

Bang, Bang, Boom!

Today kicks off Jubilee Cityfest in Montgomery!  A great weekend of music, fun, food and fireworks!!  I am so excited to be the artist for this year's poster which depicts the fireworks display over the Alabama River with the riverboat, Harriott II, in the foreground and the Montgomery skyline off to the right.  Jubilee ends tomorrow night with "Bama's Big Bang!", the state's largest fireworks display and I named the painting "Bang! Bang! Boom!"  These weeks leading up to Jubilee have been a 'blast' for me...I know, I know, a really lame pun...but it's true!!  There's SO much good and exciting about Montgomery; I hope everyone who can will come to downtown Montgomery and see it for themselves!!  Happy Weekend, everyone!

A Painting for PW!

When I found out last month that Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman (cookbook author, Food Network star, blogging queen, and artist in her own right through her gorgeous photography) would be in Birmingham for a book signing, I was thrilled! I'm a huge fan (live vicariously through her!)! As a thank you gift for all the wonderful recipes like brisket, malted milk chocolate chip cookies, guacamole, cheese grits (just to name a few!), I painted her adorable and beloved basset hound, Charlie!
She was so thankful and sweet and I really got a kick out of it! My mother went along with me and we had a blast!
Thank you, Ree! I don't know how you do all you that you do! (She homeschools four children in addition to all this other work! Amazing lady!)

Spring Greens of Huntingdon College

I did this 8"x10" plein air painting this past Saturday on the campus of Huntingdon College in Montgomery. It's such a peaceful campus...especially during spring break! ;)
It didn't start out so peacefully because I got the first bee sting of my life before I even set up! Ouch!! After that subsided a bit, I could focus more on painting.
Great weather...perfect for painting outside!

On the Easel *SOLD*

Here's one that has been on the easel and off the easel for a couple of weeks. I move it from the easel to the living room to another room...looking at the light, changing things here and there. I've used some glazing techniques on this which is something I don't usually do and it's been interesting to see the effects. I wanted to achieve the sense of humidity that we get here in Alabama.

I'm taking it with me to Art Talk tonight at the Montgomery Museum. This is a great program where local artists meet every couple of months and discuss and critique each other's art. They'll let me know if I'm on track!

Ready for Harvest *SOLD*

Another painting of my friend's cotton field. I had such fun painting there back in the fall and got lots of good material for future paintings! It was one of those perfect fall Saturdays - cool in the shade, warm in the sun, pimento cheese picnic by the river, football on the radio on the way home. Ahhhh.....
My goal in this one was to hopefully have the viewer feel like you could walk into the painting.
This one is larger than what I usually paint at 30"x30", so that was fun, too.

Small Works Show this Thursday/Stonehenge Gallery!

Interested in giving or receiving original art, but have a smaller budget this year? This Thursday, Dec. 8th, is for you! Come to Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery for the annual small works show where works for $200 or less will be featured! The reception is from 5:00-8:00.

This is one of several pieces I'll have in the show - a view down Washington Ave in Montgomery. It's 6"x6" and is $150. I'll also have a few local landmarks, skyscapes, landscapes and florals.

I personally have added to my own collection over the years at this show! It's especially great for new collectors and those who are out of wall space as many pieces can be displayed on small easels! Hope to see you there!

New Deliveries at Renaissance Gallery

This painting, "Keeping the Peas", is one of several just delivered to Renaissance Gallery in Northport, Alabama. The Renaissance Gallery is a lovely gallery in a very charming town just outside of Tuscaloosa. If you're in the area, please stop by as you do your Christmas shopping! The town will not disappoint - you'll find several great shops in addition to this gallery and great places to eat!

Okay - I talked my mother, my husband's aunt, and a friend of theirs into posing for me last summer. They shelled peas, drank tea, and ate watermelon while I got lots of painting reference photos! Thanks, ladies!! :)

Autumn in the Alabama

Is it my imagination or are we getting extra beautiful autumn color here in Alabama??! It's been perfect! On top of that, a cotton farming friend invited me to paint with her just before the cotton was harvested and it was wonderful! So - here's one that I painted after the plein air get-together. I absolutely love cotton...makes me think of that line from "Stars Fell On Alabama"..."we kissed in a field of white"...I sure do live in a great place!

In Memory

Keith Houts lost his life in the line of duty in September 2006 while working with the Montgomery Police Department. I had the privilege to paint his portrait recently and present it to his parents at a very moving ceremony at South University. Keith would have been 35 years old today...his life taken much too soon.

Please remember him today and say a prayer for all those men and women who put their lives on the line everyday for our safety and security. Remember their families who send them off everyday uncertain that they'll return. It is a great sacrifice.

Rest in peace, Keith.

Fields of Cotton *SOLD*

This painting of Alabama cotton fields was done from a photo taken late last summer and, though the painting recently sold, I wanted to post it because it makes me think of the lyrics to the song "Summertime" - "Summertime and the living is easy; fish are jumping and the cotton is high"! I love summer and hope you're enjoying it - stay cool!

Summer Days at the Lake! *SOLD*

Here's a painting of lovely Lake Martin just north of Montgomery. I painted this one on board and was trying to capture the blues and greens of the lake as I aimed to depict atmospheric perspective.
I'll be at Lake Martin this Saturday at Chuck's Marina for the Lil Calypso Art Fest! Come see me if you're there...I'll be under the big tent!

Family Tradition

Happy Summer, everyone! We're near the official kickoff of this great season and I wanted to post this one for two reasons. One - it represents one of Alabama's great family traditions...spending time at the beach!! This one depicts an older (ahem...maybe middle aged) woman who I like to think is introducing this little girl (a daughter, a niece, a granddaughter?) to the Gulf. There's also a teenager/young woman in the upper left hand corner representing that time in your life when you'd rather be at the beach with your friends. We always come full circle though and back to family! I'm so happy that I can say my best friends are family! Okay - reason number 2 - I just took this painting and others to Lyon's Share Gallery in Fairhope, AL and I'm so excited that they will now have my work! Stop by if you're around there on your next visit to the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area!