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!

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!