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!

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!

Cool as a Cucumber *SOLD*

What a perfect Saturday morning!  The weather is great...unusually cool temperatures in Montgomery this morning met me on my trip to the Montgomery Curb Market for fresh corn, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash.  Sunday dinner will be something to look forward to! 

Now....time to paint!  Have a great weekend!

Simple Summer Pleasures *SOLD*

"Memoir" 8"x8"
My hydrangea bushes are full - and I mean FULL - of beautiful blue and lavender blooms!  They're gorgeous and I just had to paint them even though I don't do a lot of florals.  I put them in an old aqua colored mason jar - I love those things!

So, summer officially kicks off this weekend and I can't wait!  My studio already looks like summer is here with paintings of the lake, the curb market with all the bright fresh vegetables and fruit, and plein air scenes of the countryside...and now a few paintings of hydrangeas!  Hope your summer is filled with beautiful days of flowers, fireflies, homemade ice cream, swimming pools, hammocks, tall glasses of iced tea....ahhhh, you get the picture!! ;)

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!

Warming Up!

Here's a painting of our beloved Montgomery Biscuits...for those not from around here, yes, that's a baseball team!  It's heating up in Montgomery and the Biscuits are warming up in this painting.  I love to paint the players and usually end up spending more time taking pictures than actually watching the game.  More to come!

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.

Groundhog? What Groundhog?

Who cares what the groundhog says when it's 75 degrees on Feb. 4th? Sun is shining, flowers are blooming! Crazy - but I don't hear many folks in Alabama complaining!
This painting (4"x4") is named "Pink Petals" and is currently available (along with a couple of other florals) if you're looking for a Valentines gift...flowers that never fade!

Big Sky

I think I'm through with this one...not sure just yet. I have painted at this location about three times now. There's a slight hill and I'm at the bottom and I'm always struck at how huge the sky is there. I can see sky all over and I feel so small! There's always a good breeze and I can hear cattle in the distance every time. It's just very peaceful. I wanted to convey that feeling you get looking at a great big sky, standing on the edge of the ocean or on top of a mountain. Life is good! :)

2012 Painting - Inside & Out!

One of my goals this year is to really increase my painting time outside - no matter what the weather! Last year, I let the heat get to me and I chickened out a lot. This year, rain, heat, snow (yeah, right!), whatever, I plan to be outside a lot more. I was outside today most of the day painting - loving these warm January days! There's really nothing like it! Happy 2012!

"Sun on the Storm"

12" x 16" - oil on canvas

As the year ends... *SOLD*

I thought I would post this "evening" painting as we approach the evening of the year. I hope these last few days of 2011 find you at peace with the events of the year and hopeful for 2012! A new day will dawn...a fresh, clean canvas...let's make it beautiful and full of light!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"

II Corinthians 9:15

Merry Christmas!!

Here Comes Santa Claus! *SOLD*

When I started this little painting, I didn't quite expect his expression to come out a little happy, a little bewildered, but still with a twinkle in his eye, but I'm glad it did. It's probably the way most of look about now! Merry Christmas, everyone! Don't let the hectic side of things keep you from seeing the beauty around you...keep that twinkle!!

Happy Birthday, Alabama!

On December 14, 1819, Alabama became the 22nd state to join the Union! Happy 192nd Birthday to my state! In honor of the day, I'm posting this small painting of a camellia. The beautiful camellia is our state flower and perks up many a dreary winter day! The painting can be purchased at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery.

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!! :)