25 Jan 2010

Trying Gessoed Paper for a New Effect

posted in: New Artwork, Tips and Techniques | 2

I made a resolution to experiment with my art techniques, and here’s my first exploration. It’s a technique I learned years ago using watercolors, but I’ve applied it to acrylics (which I often use much like watercolors, but they react differently). It starts with a sheet of watercolor paper which I coat with a layer of gesso. Gesso resembles white paint but it creates a harder surface and blocks the normal absorbency of the paper so paints applied on top … Read More
25 Nov 2009

Sally Mae Dog Portrait

posted in: New Artwork | 0

I’ve just completed a new dog portrait, of “Sally Mae”. It’s a surprise Christmas gift for her dad from her mom, so don’t tell if you know them! Take a look at the reference photos I took of Sally, using some of the tips I shared previously on photographing your pet. You can see which photo became my main reference, and how I simplified the background. Sally Mae is part of the same family as “Tom” who I painted two … Read More
18 Sep 2009

New Painting: When She Was Three

posted in: New Artwork | 0

Just finished my newest painting, the first since last spring (gardening, making a living, and other stuff make for interruptions!) It is called “When She Was 3” and I was inspired by photos I took last June of a friend’s little girl playing at the edge of a river. It’s a bit reminiscent of two other little girl paintings I’ve done which you can see in my internet gallery, “Molly By The Sea,” which I painted in watercolor a few … Read More
29 Jul 2009

I Designed a State License Plate!

posted in: New Artwork | 1

I recently designed a new specialty license plate for the State of Tennessee, and it will go into production soon. It commemorates the Cherohala Skyway, a scenic byway through the mountains connecting Tennessee and North Carolina (traversing the Cherokee National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest, thus the name). Proceeds from the license plate sales will benefit local causes. My design is shown here without the numbers (which will go to the right of the deer) and corner stickers, which … Read More
19 Jun 2009

Spring Wildflowers 4

posted in: Wildflowers | 0

As spring officially comes to a close, I present my final Spring Wildflower slide show for 2009. I discovered the chiggers were out the day I photographed the Horse Nettle, so I don’t walk unprotected into the woods and field these days. “Queen Anne’s Lace”, aka Chigger Weed, is flowering now, but I haven’t seen it growing on my property so it didn’t make the show. The final photo is Dandelion, a wildflower which has been with us all spring, … Read More
12 May 2009

Spring Wildflowers III

posted in: Wildflowers | 0

I seem to be making more wildflower discoveries every day, pouring through my books to identify them. Just imagine, these are only the ones I am finding on my property… I pass by so many others in my travels through this area. We are truly blessed to live in an area so rich. When is a wildflower a weed? In the case of “Cranes Bill”, shown in this slide show, I must confess calling it a weed. It has taken … Read More
7 May 2009

Spring Wildflowers II

posted in: Wildflowers | 0

My woods continue their amazing show of spring wildflowers, and these are the most recent in my continuing show of Mother Nature’s beauty. There are many others which I haven’t gotten to photograph, if you can believe it! Please let me know how the quality of this wildflower slide show compares to the one I posted previously, since I saved it at a higher resolution. The earlier one doesn’t seem to do justice to the flowers, so I’ll redo it … Read More
22 Apr 2009

Tips for Photographing Your Pet

posted in: Tips and Techniques | 0

When I do pet portraits I work from photographs, often taken by the pet owner. For my own dog’s portraits, I’ve gone through the struggles of getting good photos. To get the best possible references, I’ve created hints for photographing pets, and many of my pet-loving friends use these tips to get good photos of their dogs and cats, not necessarily for me to paint from, but for their own enjoyment. So here are my tips:– Take photos of pets … Read More
15 Apr 2009

My Wildflower Paradise

posted in: Wildflowers | 0

It’s mid April and the spring wildflowers in my woods are magnificent. On my woodland walks I take loads of photos, often of new discoveries so I can compare and identify them with my wildflower books. I’ve created a little slide show of what has flowered so far since February, in chronological order, with some of my favorite photos, and labeled each shot with the common name of the flower. Along with the plants which grow on the forest floor, … Read More
14 Apr 2009

My High School Sweetheart!

posted in: Uncategorized | 0

Judy and I have been best friends for almost 40 years. We dated during high school and college for 6 years, and were married 33 years ago. We are together 24/7! We decided to learn to play banjos just over 3 years ago. Recently, I wrote a personal song to express my feelings for Judy. You can download “Walking with you Judy” on our website.

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