“Pushin’ Up Daisies” are my newest fine art notecards, reproduced from one of my most popular paintings. I’ve printed a limited quantity to see if they will be just as popular as the prints. Also, these notecards are the first I’ve had printed on a matte finish paper, which should make writing on them easy. All my folded notecards are large (7″ x 5″) and blank on the inside. An image of one of my paintings fills the front panel. … Read More
I finished this painting just in time to have it debut at my upcoming gallery open house (Sunday 1/18/15 at Tellico Art Center, Tellico Plains TN, 1-4pm). The painting is a square, turned 45° so it hangs as a diamond – just for an added bit of distinction. I paint on canvas with Golden Fluid Acrylics, and I paint fairly thin. The fluid acrylics are about the consistency of heavy cream, and made my transition from a watercolor painter … Read More
It’s OK now to post another one of my newest paintings, a portrait of our dog Maggie Mae. This was one of my Christmas surprise gifts for Rick. It was challenging to complete this painting without Rick’s knowledge, since my painting area is part of our large office and we are together 24/7. A few times the canvas was quickly slipped into a large drawer, with the paint still wet! For this painting, done in acrylic on canvas, I used … Read More
It’s safe for me to reveal another of my newest paintings, which has now been opened as a Christmas surprise. This is a new dog portrait of a rescued puppy very dear to my heart, named Hunter. Hunter & Ellie Mae soon after he was rescued. The short version of Hunter’s story is that our friend Kathy found him wandering in the woods over Labor Day weekend 2012, homeless and totally emaciated. Rick and I agreed to give him a … Read More
Yesterday, the last day of November, was sunny and warm here, but many days this past month have been dreary, misty and grey, like my newest painting “November.” Even on such moody days, the tall dried grasses in the pastures and meadows here in Tennessee are striking tones of gold and rust, with undertones of green from the low fresh growth. The scent of the air says “autumn” in the country, perhaps from the damp leaves on the ground. My … Read More
My watercolor painting “Elles Tobacco Planter” will be on exhibit in Knoxville during the month of October. The Tennessee Watercolor Society’s 2014 Traveling Exhibit, with 30 paintings selected by the show juror, will hang at the Emporium, 100 S Gay Street, Knoxville, TN. This show opens on Friday, October 3rd, as part of the city-wide First Friday monthly art celebration, and continues through October 31st. Galleries, restaurants, and other downtown shops – many within walking distance of the Emporium – … Read More
I am proud and excited to announce that I just got an acceptance letter for my watercolor painting “Elles Tobacco Planter.” It is one of 50 paintings from talented watercolor artists throughout the state, chosen for the 2014 Juried Exhibition of the Tennessee Watercolor Society! Juror Pat Dews, an internationally regarded watercolor artist, had two of my paintings to choose from, but was limited to chosing one or none from each entrant artist. In my facebook page survey, the votes … Read More
Some of my reference photos Painting “Elles Tobacco Planter” has been on my mind for a long time. I have taken oodles of reference photos of this quirky piece of farm equipment, from various angles, in different seasons, close up and distant. The planter sits on the edge of the drive into the farm of my friends Carolyn and Mitch. This is an old 2-man tobacco planter which Mitch used long ago. (Read below how it is used). There are … Read More
I’m a bit of a nostalgia buff, with antiques around the house, framed old family photos, and a collection of handmade laces. So this newest painting began with my desire to create and preserve a moment in time, from days past. The central character of my story is missing – the imaginary “grandfather.” I wanted the scene to suggest that he just got up from his favorite chair, nestled by the cozy old quilt, and is taking a break from … Read More
Many fine art masters have done still life paintings, and the genre typically includes arrangements of fruit, flowers, vases or bowls, and draped fabric. I consider my newest painting to be a “still life,” although the elements I have arranged don’t quite fit the mold. Rather, they reflect my life in a lovely rural area, where winding country backroads are lined with wildflowers, and pastures are fenced with old cedar posts and barbed wire. I’m never at a loss for … Read More