happy dog

when it feels like life is giving me lemons i look at something i painted that makes me smile

What to do when you are an artist

The summer has been so hot that painting in my studio has been something i have not done with a new knee to climb up stairs and sit for long periods of time... I have alot of work up in N.C. and those shows come down in about 6 weeks. Artists are looking for places to exhibit since galleries have closed their doors and art fairs have been cancelled. I remarked to someone recently 

that it was not a good time to be an artist and he replied..."it is a good time to be an artist but not a good

time to sell your art." so it goes. Artists are part of the unemployed as paintings hang on walls  hoping for a buyer to take them home. Sometimes we are asked to lower our prices and give the best "upfront" price.

At first I am not offended by this request since times are hard...but often i do not think folks understand

what goes into making something...from conception of the idea to the finished product.  But if you are a creative person you must create and go forward until you no longer want to or can ...

Meanwhile the green parrots are flying and the sky is blue and that is all good.  

New Paintings

Emma's Table

  limes                           Shady Lane

The Black Bird

New Paintings

Posting new paintings for the week 

Mother and Daughter Wading 

Little Blue Bird

Little Church in New Mexico




Bahama Mamas with Lama

Why I Paint

I am back home to my painting studio and cranked up the ac this afternoon... oh so humid and hot but what a joy to get back to painting. I have unpacked my brushes and eager to finish up paintings from art camp at Nimrod Hall in Millboro Springs this summer.  I have lots of work to finish, but it does not matter since I paint for the sheer joy of the process. Look for new work posted here and on my website. 

Cupcake Fever At Framer's Market and Gallery

Oh how I Love this painting!!! The Hats are made of paper and fabric
Do you remember Bob Dylan's song about the Lepoard Skin Pill Box Hat
well if you do, here it is...and who does not want a cupcake.

Personally, I am a fan of the cupcake in a major way.

Paintings for Sale At Framer's Market and Gallery in Chapel Hill

Although we are now back in St Petersburg until next summer,
some of my paintings are on display and available for purchase in Chapel Hill at Framer's Market and Gallery in Rams Plaza.
When I first started painting in 1999 Mary Anne's was one of the first places I ever showed my art. So stop by and see the exhibit and find a piece of art that says "take me home."

Mad Hatter Show is up

After almost 4 hours of hanging all the paintings...the show at the Mad Hatter Cafe and Bake Shop is up and looking good!

Old Photos

look at me in my youth...who knew i would be an artist type?? 

ONE-SIDED LOVE

ACRYLIC ON CANVAS FRAMED IN A BLACK FRAME
SEE AT SOUTHERN VILLAGE ARTS FAIR MAY 1, 2010
 

Paintings this Week

More paintings for the week, with the Blues All Around Painting being the last one i have worked on. I created an abstract background for the singers. The Beach House would not be complete without a dog sleeping on the old green chair. 
 
 

Paintings this week

This week I have painted on the porch, with the sun to my back. Inspired by all the dogs in the neighborhood and around cresent lake, these paintings have lots of dogs plus i added one cow under the moon light and stars.  
 
 
 

Marvelous Minis

More minis this week for the art fair next weekend in Historic Kenwood
 
 
 
 

Red Flowers

Small Painting of Red Flowers on a Table
 

Rosie

So I am out on the porch painting (since we finally have a day above 50)...and i am doing a commission for a customer of a dog to match Ralph Dreams of Dog Bones. I was getting frustrated with the dog and felt like "I am not sure this is the dog i want to paint...she is just too plain." About that time a whole flock of birds flew overhead and one flew into the painting landing right on the dog's nose. I decided to call her Rosie...(goes with Ralph) and now they are a lovely couple and will hang in Julie's new baby's nursery when he or she arrives in April.

 

What is Painting and Why do you do it?

Every work of art is a communication, and can be viewed in the same way as music, It is composed, full of notes that express the whole, tied together with color and shapes, like instruments playing, creating wonderful sounds. Painting to music is what often inspires me. I often choose classical, or latin music like tango music to express the mood of the work.
Recently i was asked by a potential client "how long does it take you to paint a piece? associating time with the price of the painting...A painter is not a plummer who is paid an hourly wage. Time spent is not the issue when you are looking at art ...but about the essence of the painting and how it touches you. Painters paint because they must. Here's to happy painting in 2010 when i return to wonderful San Miguel de Allende to capture the city's vibrant colors and culture.

The House on Pleasant Green Road

This is a house...not real but it could be, with one of my favorite subjects, clothes on the line. When I grew up in Rome, Georgia, there were of course no dryers, just the wringer washing machines and I remember both my Grandmother and Mother hanging the clothes out to dry.

The House on Pleasant

Florida Plant

This is a plant that grows down her in Florida that I love. I cut off pieces of the plant and stick them in water, they sprout and then go into the ground, they are a climber and like to cling onto anything available.

More Small Paintings