grain elevator

sold

Another landscape for today. Hope you are having a great weekend. We're cleaning out the garage - which doesn't make for a great weekend, but it will be great to have a clean garage.

yellow-headed blackbirds

"Flock" oil, 6"x8" SOLD


My friend, Trudy, spotted these birds in her yard, knocked the screen out of her window and took a picture. Way to go, Trudy! These birds do not live here and were just passing through. So glad she looked out the window when she did and caught these pretty visitors.

round bale

This round bale of hay is in the pasture behind my house and I love how it looks out there. It is about to fall apart so I knew I'd better paint it soon. I plan to make a few more attempts at it before it's gone and forgotten.

red pepper

SOLD


Another vegetable. I feel more like the food network than a painter because I want to tell you about the hummus I made and ate with the pepper. It was delicious. Okay, back to painting...this pepper was almost luminous and so juicy - I hope it looks that way.

turnip on polka dots

Here is a turnip for you. Pretty to look at and good to eat. If you've never tried them, you should. My sister-in-law, Kristina, makes the best.

western kingbird

SOLD


I'm an avid bird/nature watcher so it is only natural they/it will find their way into my paintings. I am having fun trying new things, but have to admit to suffering when things don't turn out. That is where painting everyday comes in - it is easier to be emotionally detached when you know you will start another one tomorrow :)

crepe myrtle

This was a bit of a challenge and I can see things I'd change, but in order to paint a picture everyday (or almost), I'm moving on. Well, for now anyway. I know I'll try to fix it someday.

just picked

"Just Picked" 6"x8" oil SOLD


This is the first painting I've done on my own since the workshop. I kept hearing Carol say, "Paint everyday" "Don't be afraid" "Squint." So, that's what I did. Imagine my surprise when it turned out the way I'd hoped. This radish was straight out of the garden. I had just washed off the dirt and it was shiny and the prettiest red. It tasted good, too.

new art

SOLD

value studies:

brush stroke excercise:

for fun:

SOLD

To say that I am excited would be the understatement of the year. I just got back from Carol Marine's workshop and am on a cloud. I feel as if the door has been unlocked and flung open and that I can finally, bravely walk through it and pursue this life-long artistic dream of mine. Thanks to Carol, one of the nicest, most helpful, knowledgeable, talented people I've ever met. And, thanks to the fun, nice fellow-artists in my group. I'm pretty sure it's unanimous - Carol is a wonderful teacher and we all learned a lot and had a great time! I know I speak for Roxanne - has she ever NOT had a great time?

see ya later

My friend and neighbor, Becky, and I walk 4.5 miles as many mornings as possible on our country road and these coneflowers are blooming along the way. I worked hard scratching the soil and throwing out a pound of coneflower seed all over our property and have yet to see any sign of them. These grow in the rocky caliche beside the road and have never been tended to or cared for in any way. I'm sure there is a lesson here or an analogy of some sort, but since I have a million things to do this morning, I'll just leave that thought with you and let you put your own spin on it.

Roxanne and I are hitting the road in the morning - 5:30 (i WILL be ready) - and heading to Salado for a 3-day painting workshop. We signed up months ago and are excited to finally be on our way. We plan to return with new knowledge and skill! And maybe a treasure or two (Salado has great shops). Probably a funny story or...ten. Good food under our belts. Great memories........You know, all the things that come with a girl trip.

I hope your weekend is equally fun and full of goodness!

sunflower

I watered the flowers on my patio last evening and then sat down to enjoy the view. The sun was setting and shining through this sunflower that came up on its own in one of the pots and the reflection in the water puddle caught my eye. Double delight!

paintings

"Good Morning, Sunshine"

"Sheep May Safely Graze"

"Flower Farm"


Here are some finished paintings. These will be in Paul Friske's student show at the Abilene Frame and Art Gallery through the month of June. There are a lot of great pieces in this show - I was impressed with what I saw when I dropped mine off. (Shadows on the last photo are because I took it in the back of my car on the way. And the sheep in the second photo don't look so bright in real life.)