Winterglow

 

"Winterglow"



18"x14"  Oil on canvas

 

It's been awhile since my last post!  Life has been so busy with art shows and the holidays and working on commissions for Christmas.  I get palpitations just looking at the calendar for January and February and realizing there is so much to get done in preparation for the events of those two months...not to mention all I have to get done before Christmas!  So, I'm making a determined effort to slow down, take a deep breath, and take each moment as it comes; making a reasonable to-do list and taking time to enjoy the beauty of winter.  

 

One of my favorite things about winter is hibernation...pure and simple...cozy pj's, hot coffee, a good book.  Another is the subtle beauty of the winter landscape.  As much as I would adore painting snow, it's just not the reality in my neck of the woods.  I do love to see the effect of the sun on the leafless world around me, though.  This one, "Winterglow", was done with the goal of showing the evening light across the water and on this old tree filled with Spanish moss. 

Faint Touch of Autumn

 

12"x 9"

 

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting
and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

 

It's October and I've just now started to really notice some strong autumn color in my neck of the woods.  The weather this weekend was spectacular and perfect for plein air painting which led me to venture out yesterday for this small piece. 

 

Trying to achieve fall color in the trees and yet maintain a strong value pattern in the masses can be difficult since oranges and yellows are higher in value, but tree masses are darker.  Any tips on that are certainly welcome!  I guess the answer is to key everything up??  Oh, well...each painting is a learning experience and it's so much fun learning!

 

 

 

 

Peace of Quiet *SOLD*

"Peace of Quiet"   20"x16"  *Sold*

 

 

I have always been enthralled by the sky.  It's like a "stop and smell the roses" experience for me.  Life gets so busy and crazy.  With our noses to the grindstone and our eyes on the road and so many distractions in this life, it's easy to forget to look up and see the beauty all around us.  I imagine God made sunrises and sunsets so beautiful, so that we could have a glorious beginning and ending to our day....a time to stop and and reflect on the beauty of this earth.

 

The past few days have started out great...crisp fall air, beautiful sunshine, hope and promise...and then, well, things happen and the day starts to unravel and let's just say it's not like I thought it would be.  I've propped this one on the mantel and I'm hoping it will help put me in a better frame of mind.  When I paint the skies, one of my hopes is that it will take the viewer to a peaceful and thoughtful place.  This artist is the viewer in need of a lift today!  Peace to you, too!

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!

 

Hit or Miss!

"Distant Thunder"  20x16  $600

 

This painting, "Distant Thunder", is one I'm thinking of entering in an upcoming show depicting what we see so much of around here this time of year...a rain shower far across a field.  You can smell the rain, but it may or may not make it to your side of the street! "Hit or Miss Showers" the weathermen call them. 

 

Ironically, sort of like entering art shows.  You never know what the juror will want to include in the show.  It's hit or miss. You pack up your art...and your heart...and submit them hoping for "acceptance".  There are a lot of shows coming up in our area soon and lot of my artist friends will be laying it on the line again.  I just want to give them a dose of encouragement and support and tell them to never give up.  Keep painting, drawing, sculpting and submitting.  Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart.  There's a quote I often think of when competitions roll around although I have no earthly idea who said it: "Don't take your failures or your successes too seriously!"  A good dose of humility and comfort for the hits and misses!

 

 

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!

Alabama Outback *SOLD*

This tiny painting (4"x4") was done recently from a photo I took behind my house plus a little artistic license! It's at Stonehenge Gallery. (Sorry for the glare on the left side!)