round bales in sunflowers

We were driving home one evening and saw this field of sunflowers with round bales. It was truly a beautiful sight and I wish I could have captured it just as it was. Here is my attempt and even though it is lacking, it makes me happy to look at it.

indigo bunting

sold

This indigo bunting was on our back fence and was startling with its bright, solid blue coloring. I've not seen one before or since he and his mate came around last Spring. They were here for a short time, gave us a little thrill and went on their way. Spring is coming and I'll be keeping watch. That is one of the keys to receiving blessings...just look for them. They are everywhere!

nesting

Thanksgiving and Christmas are fast-approaching and I feel as if I just wrote these same words a few weeks ago...but it was last year. Time really does fly. It is nice to be able to capture a moment in time and hold it for a while.

Wishing you bountiful blessings and special moments this holiday season.

gingersnap

This is my little calf, Gingersnap, nibbling at the rose bushes outside my studio. See why I can't get any work done?! One animal or another is always doing something cute and causing me to get side-tracked.

tufted titmouse redo

...and here he is with his new yellow/green background.

moth

This huge moth was in our backyard and my husband, knowing me so well, called me out there to see it. I couldn't wait to paint it. When I showed it to my 96 year-old great aunt, she identified it, but I will need to look it up to see how to spell it.

brave little wren

This is kind of a stylized wren, but I think he's cute and has spunk. Wrens are some of my favorite birds because they are so brave and friendly. They sing a beautiful song, too.

look up

This sweet little bird was on my bird bath and serves as a reminder to look up. It just so happens to illustrate a verse my friend, Beverly, sent to me this morning, "He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart." Ecclesiastes 5:20

When life gets you down....look up.

tufted titmouse

I am feeling pretty smart right now. My paintings are small enough that I can scan them - I don't have to photograph and download them. Maybe I will post more often. I can see that I will need to crop the shadow in the future. I'm not sure I love the pink background. It was blue and I didn't love that, either. Any suggestions? We have lots of these little birds at the feeders and they are so sweet with their big, bright eyes.

priorities

Peachy Keen, 6x6 in., oil





Stacked Up, 6x6 in., oil



More Cherries, 6x6 in., oil



It's been a busy, busy summer, but I'm managing to paint some. Whoever came up with the idea of setting priorities was onto something. Like right now, my priority is to post on my blog and eat the fresh, Texas-grown cantaloupe we bought from the nice man beside the road. And...I got it done! Lots of things don't get done, but the really important ones do. More priority paintings coming soon!

three of a kind

Three of a Kind, 6x6 in., oil on linen

Finally! Once again, I've let life throw me completely out of rhythm and gone way too long without painting. The two attempts before this one were not good and I really believed I had forgotten how. I've been stewing and agonizing for weeks, just to give you an idea of how happy I am right this moment, and am so relieved that 'I'm back!'

Almost Empty

"Almost Empty" 6x6 in.

This is the same little wren's nest that I used in the previous nest painting. Isn't it amazing how color and lighting change the mood? The possibilities (one of my favorite words) are endless. Sorry about the reflection in the photo...should have taken a better one, but....I'd rather start another painting.

nest

Here's a little sample of what I've been up to. David found this tiny nest on the ground (we'd never take one out of a tree...the birds sometimes reuse nests from year to year) and brought it to me to either paint or put in my "dead area" as he calls it. I call it my nature collection. Whatever you want to call it, he finds the best things to put in it.

p.s. The eggs did not come with it. These porcelain eggs are just filling in. Hopefully, the little wrens that hatched in this nest will be back in the Spring.