watching for the sunrise

I went to the beach this mourning while it was still dark and waited for the sun to show up.  It was worth the wait, since I was able to get several nice pictures and enjoyed seeing the birds fly over the water, also saw a cute crab in the sand.  We are down in Florida where my husband likes to fish.  I finally found a spot in our place to paint, near a window I can open.  I'm doing a painting of my husband in his kayak.  I'll post it when it's finished.
All this nature reminds me we have a God that planned it all for us.  I'm feeling especially grateful for a chance to see it all.

Shooting butterflies

I was out with my husband in our Kayaks.  We had a great time of it, he fished, and I shot pictures.  As we pulled the kayaks out of the water I saw this bush full of butterflies.  Now it's a lot easier to get a good shot of these guys when there are several zooming around.  I was really happy with this photo and will use it for my greeting cards.  I hope you enjoy it. 

The Bunnie

Beautiful weather here in Georgia today.  I painted this bunnie just for the fun of it.  It was kinda a warm up project.  But found it to be a "good time" of it.  It warmed me up for the complex still life that I am now working on.  Took our puppy to the vet.  She's a terrier mix that is 15 years old.  Vet said her heart is fine and she's going strong!  Amazing little dog.  Did some volunteer work yesterday, and every time my thoughts go back to that experience I feel a nice warm fuzzy.  Don't know how else to put it, but this much I know, it was good for me. 

Garden Gathering

After harvesting veggies all summer, I had to paint some of the goodies.  The eggplant was especially fun to paint with all the rich colors.  I sped up my painting some in order to get a looser look.  It's great to be back  painting in oil.  Our local art gallery hosts a drawing studio where we have a clothed model and we each kick in $5.  No instructor, just on our own, good fun.  Artists need to be with other artists,  it helps us be more productive and we just like other artists.  So find a group!  If you would rather ride a bike. OK, go find that group.  Message is don't go it alone people.  You'll be happier and healthier

Think,think

Do you ever think about what you think about?  Our thoughts are powerful.  I met with a group of friends last night, and after taco salads we talked about The me I want to be. a book by John Ortberg. Great book.   
Our thinking can make life a joy or a pain.  We get to pick our thoughts.  But we can drift into thoughts that are more like a crock pot of irritations and grumblings, doing a slow simmer.  Pull the plug, dump out the contents and replace with some grateful, creative thoughts and see how much better you feel.  Do you like my log photo?  We noticed it alongside a hiking trail.  Makes you just want to go ahead and smile.

Egret at Hilton Head

I've always enjoyed painting birds, you can't help but admire their ability to take flight without having to get to the airport & all that stuff that we must do in order to get off the ground.  This egret is done in oil on a wrapped canvas, so I left some margin with abstract water.
This bird is from Hilton Head, a resort Island in South Carolina, which is about 6 hrs from where we live.  It has become a favorite vacation spot.  I enjoy getting to the ocean, to see if it's still there.
Yesterday while on the lake, my husband found a hugh grey feather from some water bird.  I can't pass up a good feather and sometimes use them in my art work.
I've started a flamingo painting & hope to finish it soon.  It's hot all across the USA, being in the water is the only sure thing, unless you wanted to live indoors.  Have to get outdoors, experience nature... it feeds your soul.

Pink & Beige card

I enjoyed making this card.  I like the soft colors
I used a stamp to make the background paper.  The
flower was cut from fabric that had been coated
with white glue.  The ribbon is paper craft ribbon.
White glue works well, if I just use it sparingly.
When will I get back to painting? 
I am still collecting objects for my collage.  The theme
of the collage is Isreal.  We traveled there a few years back.  I'm so glad we had the chance to go.
Life is good...look for the goodness & beauty.  You will find it!

Morning Poem

The morning light calls to me, it begins with a whisper, just a faint light creeping,

calling. A single bird begins the chorus that will greet those who listen and wait for the dawn. 

Reluctent to go forth into the day and leave my place of quiet, but the light breaks out and the coffee is gone.  I remember the thrist of my garden and am anxious to save those delicate colors from the coming heat.

There is no stopping the sun now as it leaps and plays across the woods.  It's full of joy and sings it's song, chasing the dampness, calling the birds, calling to me, it's a new day.

           I hope you enjoy this poem I wrote this morning, the magnolia is from my yard.

Broken Eggs

I really had fun painting these eggs.  The subtle changes in color were the result of many brush strokes and much blending. 

People say a artist doesn't reach his best until he is first broken by some of the realities of life.  So they say, the beauty comes out of the broken heart.  I remember some of my classmates in art school who skipped class because they said they had to get out and live life before they could really paint.  I thought that was pretty funny myself.  Since I had paid my tuition, I planned to show up and learn the craft.  Turns out there was plenty of time to "live life" after I graduated.  I am thinking of getting some chickens to raise so I can have some yard chicken eggs.  I don't know much about chickens, so I'd have to study up on it.  Could be fun!

The Iris seems to do well in Georgia,  my neighbor always has an abundance of them.  I had to paint them.  I had fun with the background, it was done with a white glaze over wet paint, which gives you a nice soft look.  I painted this right after a trip to Europe,  where I saw a lot of impressionistic paintings done with similar edges.  Gauguin especially does this.

I donated a couple of my butterfly painting for a Humane Society fund raiser, and felt good about that.

My little terrier came from the same shelter, she is now 15 years old and a little deaf and confused, so we have to keep an eye on her, which we are happy to do.  I'm going to switch gears and work on a collage for awhile.  I'll be on a hunt to find just the right elements.

Violet grapes card

Here is another card.  Made a key lime pie this AM for our supper.  If you have never made one, take a look at a recipe, you'll see it is one of the easiest pies to make.  It only takes 15 minutes in the oven, which makes it great for summer cooking.

This card was made with a small watercolor painting of mine.

A new ribbon card

Lately I've been into card making.  It's a nice creative diversion from oil painting and it gets me out of the studio.  I took some heavy fabric and painted the back with white glue.  When it dryed I was able to cut it into any shape I wanted.  I combined it with stamping, ribbons, colored papers and buttons.  I use craft glue for the heavier items.

I have made all my own cards for years, since it's such fun.  After 7 cards I finally quit.  I hope this card will be an
"idea maker" for you.  I used two different ribbons on this one, but still kept it simple.

Bloom where you are planted

Years ago I gave someone a small painting with the words, bloom where you are planted on it.  Little did I know she would be transferred many times around the country.  She told me she kept it in a place where she could see it as a daily reminder.  It's a simple slogan, but I can see the wisdom of it.  What inspires you and spurs you on to new growth?  It's different for each of us.  Music, friends, gardening, all can be inspiring.  You know when your there, because you are refreshed, and move on to do and be your best self.  So dust yourself off, and grow baby, grow!

Painting of Sitka Alaska

This painting was done after a trip to Sitka Alaska.  The harbor had a cool grey feel to it as you approached.  But once on shore the town was rich in Russian culture and history.  There was an old Russian church,  and you could buy hand painted Russian Easter eggs, which is one of my favorites.

Alaska was a great place to catch Salmon.  In fact there were so many fish being caught, that I got hit with a hugh salmon as it put up a fight on my husbands line. 

I guess it left a lasting memory of the roughness of Alaska

Antiques & Mother's Day

Visited a friends Antique shop in Gainesville GA this AM.  I collect Ruby red glass.  Took pictures to post, also submitted a portrait to a new show.  I hope it gets in!   Shopping is crazy, everyone is shopping for Mother's day.  Looks like flowers are a big item.  I had a dozen frozen sticky buns delivered to my door in a ice chest.  Very nice.  So I'll sit with my coffee and enjoy them on Sunday, then go for a bike ride to burn them off!   So grateful for my beautiful children.   Happy Mother's day all you beautiful Moms!  Every sacrifice you make for your kids is worth it. 

Music and Art

I had to hit the treadmill for 30 minutes this AM.  I told my husband we have to keep moving or they will throw dirt on us.  Exercise is the fountain of youth.  Met a good friend for Mexican lunch with flan.That was beautiful, stopped and bought myself flowers and new makeup.  Life is very good.
Burned a CD with a painting I will submit to a local gallery.  It's a portrait of a young boy playing a violin.  My favorite portrait.  I enjoy a good portrait, but they are the most difficult thing to paint.

Delight

Delight is an amazing word.  What do you delight in?   Delighting in someone brings you to that "happy place".   I like to take notice of the super fine qualities of the people around me.   
While shopping I noticed the  "deli associate" was grumpy, so I asked him how he did in the recent storms we had.  He said he lost his trailer home and had to move in with his sister,  Now I understand his demeanor and am glad I took the time and interest in him.

Recently created a lemon meringue pie for my husband's birthday.  Lemon meringue pie is a work of art, a sculpture, that can be enjoyed,with all the senses standing up to take notice.  It's a delicate delight, here for a day then gone.  Some of the people I meet will be with me for an shorter time than that pie.  I want to stand up and take notice. 

celebrating monday

All is quiet after a busy weekend at the Gainesville Chicken Festival with some old friends.  Gainesville is the chicken capital of the world.  I'll bet you didn't know that.  Of course I had to paint several roosters and some cracked eggs. 

This rooster won first place at the "fowl Art" contest last year.  This year
 I just enjoyed eating the different samples, until all I wanted was a coke in the shade.  Found the shade, and the coke, along with my friends who stopped by.
It was a good day.  The friends were the best part.
If there is something you really want to do, and you think you can't, well that might be the thing, that you really must try to do.  Surprise yourself!