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.

Happy First Day of Summer! *SOLD*

Here's a painting of the Montgomery Curb Market to celebrate the first day of summer...although it's felt like summer around here since the beginning of May! Enjoy the day! Eat some watermelon, catch some lightning bugs, and remember the days when you were having so much fun the heat didn't bother you!

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!

Orange & Blue & White House! *SOLD*

The Auburn Tigers visited the White House today and I visited Auburn! They obviously didn't know I would be in Auburn today. I'm so proud!! War Eagle!!

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!

Happy Cows *SOLD*

I love to paint cows and recently I was able to be "up close and personal" with a few. I took lots of photos and am eager to paint them! I think one reason I love them - other than the beautiful colors - are their expressions. They can look so angelic and then some, like this one I think, seem to be saying, "State your business" or "What are you lookin' at?". It's so funny how we stand and stare at them and they stand and stare at us....I'm easily amused!

Skies over Alabama *SOLD*

The skies over Alabama that I love to paint so much, the skies that inspire me again and again, were unfriendly to us yesterday. Please be in prayer for our dear state as we recover from so much devastation and heartache. It is so hard to watch all these details unfold. In spite of it, we have so much for which to be thankful. It really could have been so much worse.

Sunny days are ahead, I know. The people of Alabama are loving and giving and they support each other in good times and bad. I know their spirit will prevail! Thank you for your prayers!

Springtime in the South - Callaway Gardens! *SOLD*

I am getting ready to head over to beautiful Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia! 33 artists were selected to paint in their 2nd Annual Plein Air Paint Out and Art Show & Sale and I am very honored to be one of them. We'll be painting the Gardens and in surrounding areas like Atlanta, Columbus, Newnan & LaGrange all week long. The culmination will be a show and sale that begins with a preview party Friday night! I am a bit nervous to be painting with some very well-known, very talented artists and very excited, too!!

I especially cannot wait to see the beauty of the azaleas that bloom at Callaway - it is truly breathtaking!

Time for Baseball! *SOLD*

I love baseball season and here in Montgomery, Alabama we cheer on the Montgomery Biscuits! I love to go and take pictures to paint later. I love their colors - blue and gold - and the crisp green field. It's just a lot of fun...sometimes I even watch the game!

The first game of the season is tonight! Best wishes for a great season, Biscuits, from a big fan!

Opening Reception - Thurs., April 7th!

Robin Roberts and I have an opening reception at Charleston House in Montgomery this Thursday, April 7th! Owners Ashley & David Owen have planned a delicious Southern menu and we look forward to sharing our new work with you!

Please join us on a beautiful spring day from 11-2.

Charleston House is located at 15 Mitylene Park Lane. Their website is www.charlestonhouseframing.com.

I hope you can come!

Energen Art 2011 - part 2!

Here's the other painting I have in the Energen Art Show in Birmingham. The show runs through this Sunday, March 27. I'll have to miss the reception this year because I'll be teaching a workshop. The reception is always fantastic! The people, the food, the art...all are great. It's almost like a reunion of Alabama artist friends.

I am looking forward to teaching this workshop, though! I can't wait to meet the students who have signed up and I'm eager to teach them - hopefully something new & encouraging! Have a great week, everyone!

Energen Art Show 2011

This is one of 2 pieces I entered in this year's Energen Art Show in Birmingham. Thankfully, they both got in the show and I'm looking forward to it! It opens on March 14th if you're in the area and can stop by the Energen Building in downtown Birmingham!

I've been trying hard to capture the light in the sky and this painting, "The Edge of Light", is one of my more recent efforts. Coming up with names is hard for me! My friend and photographer of my art, Robert Fouts, and I came up with this name together...although we both thought it sounded like a soap opera!

I feel baseball! *SOLD*

I feel baseball in the air today!! Do you??! It's beautiful and warm and I hear lawn mowers. It's almost time!!

The Tigers' Trees

Roots go deep down at the corner of Magnolia and College in Auburn, Alabama...and deep in the hearts of the Auburn family is a love for a couple of trees that have brought so much joy to countless people.

This painting was done right after our Auburn Tigers became the National Champions and now they are champions in spirit.

War Eagle!

Winter Blahs Maybe? *SOLD*

I'm posting this painting that I did in the fall using a very limited palette. This one worked, but my experiments with a limited palette this week are failing it seems! I've scraped more canvas and wasted more paint than I have in a long time and I am frustrated!! The middle of winter always leaves me a bit put out and this one is no exception. I'm determined to pull off a good one...or two...this week, though! Back to the easel!!

Workshop with Mark Horton *SOLD*

I attended a workshop by Mark Horton last weekend and had a great time! This is one of the paintings I completed. It was so inspiring and refreshing to get together with a new instructor and fellow artists! I just purchased lots of new canvas and can't wait for it to arrive. I have so many new ideas and look forward to painting, painting, painting! All these ideas I've had in the past with not enough time to see them through are ready to be unleashed!

Today is just the beginning! *SOLD*

Today is truly the first day of the rest of my life! After 13 years working at a bank and working in other fields since I was 14 years old (except for a brief stint as a full-time painter), I will be painting full-time! Dreams do come true!! It is an answered prayer and I am so excited to begin this journey! Painting is my passion and I hope you'll follow me on this blog! Happy New Year everyone! Aim high!!

Merry Christmas! *SOLD*

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" - Luke 2:14

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas and may 2011 be a wonderful year for you!

WAR EAGLE!!! *SOLD*

What a day yesterday was! The Auburn Tigers became the SEC Champions! I painted this painting of Samford Hall on the Auburn University campus. It may be tiny at about 4"x4", but Auburn Pride is BIG this year!! War Eagle!!