Finding The Love Again

I've been missing from this blog and thought today would be a good day to catch up a bit. 

 Finding time to paint lately and wanting to paint has been a problem for me lately.  I guess the cold winter and dreary days have taken a toll.  But, finally a few good sunny days and I'm feeling the old creative itch.  Someone told me that this picture would be a great painting.  I took it several years ago at the cabin and really like the colors so, today I decided to try my hand at it...

first I sketched with a bit of paint and then filling in some color.  

It's not finished for sure but I think I've got a good start on it.  

It really amazes me sometimes that I had this ability hidden and dormant for so many wasted years.  I question why I never took it past the 9th grade art class with Miss Henson.  I guess my confidence in myself was so wanting that I had to hide.  

Momma was always my champion but I just didn't listen to her sometimes.

It would have been a great thing to share with her.  

Once Upon A Time

Once Upon A Time

This sweet little girl dreamed of meeting a boy.  

She rode her bicycle, round and round the block, playing with friends and dreaming of marriage and babies.

 This precocious little boy wanted to play his with toy soldiers and friends and climb trees.  Life was an endless summer day.

Then one day some friends decided to play matchmaker and unite these wayward souls. 

It was as if their worlds were meant to collide, to unite.  

37 years ago today they began a life,together.  They built a stable foundation of love, laughter and unity.

They created a wonderful life and brought into it two beautiful girls. They raised them to be strong, intelligent, and independent young women, and sent them out into the world to take it by storm!   

Their girls have created great paths for their lives.  Bringing new life and loves to the fold. 

Once upon a time, 37 years ago today a young couple dedicated themselves to each other in marriage and created this great life.  

Today, 37 years ago, Robert and I were married and set out on our path, together!  

Happy Anniversary my sweet mister!  I love you!

Pastel Sunflowers

 I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything but it is because I've been very creative and well, creating!  The latest here is my first pastel.  

I took this picture this summer in the hopes of sometime painting it but found in my class that I wanted to do something different.  I haven't used pastels since I was 14 and was able to use the set that my parents got me way back when.   

The finished product which is now at the framers getting dressed up in a pretty new frame so I don't smudge it.  (It's for sale!)

Soon I will have many more to show as I complete a series I'm working on.  

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere

I asked my art instructor Ross one time, "How do you get your stuff in a gallery."  

He replied, "You need to have a focus."  

EEK, well, a focus gal I'm not.  Being a Gemini I'm kind of all over the place in my thoughts and "focus."  

Since I have done the White Clematis and White Rose on 16 x16 canvas and I have a ton of flower pic's that I have taken, I have found a focus.  Let's just say I will have a series of flower paintings.

How's that for focus!  Hopefully, by the fall I will be able to get in a gallery or a show or something.  They are starting to pile up at home and yet I still keep churning out the art.  My therapy!

Plus I have all those old photographs of sepia tones and am getting some drawing done to get a series of them.  

Latest Paintings

I was asked by a friend to do a commission work for the Close/MS Regatta fundraiser.   I was thrilled.  He sent me a few photographs and I decided to marry the two photos and came up with... 

"Sailing"

BEFORE

BEFORE

He picked it up on Friday!

 Then I finished the next four...

BEFORE  PHOTO

"A Study In Red"

BEFORE PHOTO

"Love You To Death"

BEFORE

"Retired"

PHOTO BEFORE

"Family"

Signing Day

Yeah, today I signed three paintings...DONE, DONE, DONE!  I have to wait for them to dry, then take them to the scanner guy, then off to those who wait.  

(Don't forget to check out my Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition link in their gallery here.  

I've been hard at work finishing a few new paintings.  They are all ready for purchase.  Just contact me.

First is the onions and potatoes, painted from the snapshot the son-in-law took of his garden produce last year.  It was a great photo and I thought nice to paint.

Next we have the bowling balls that daughter Afton took the picture of and I just had to paint.  This one is available at the 5x5 Show to benefit the Tulsa Arts Coalition.  It's the only fundraiser they do every year.  The art is donated and they can purchased for $55 each.  The show is May 5 and I believe the doors open at 5:55 p.m.  You have to get there early if you want to get in on the beginning and get your choice of art.  They go quick.  People line up early to make sure they get in to find some of their favorite artists work to purchase.  

Midnight Waterfall...something different I'm trying. 

White Rose 

Not my favorite but something my instructor helped me with in class.  It was a great exercise in doing glass and metal.   

Spring Creek Early Spring 

I finished this one in class yesterday.  Not a good photo but until I get it scanned this will have to do. 

Today I got to play in the paint again.  I'm trying something new as far as technique, for me at least.  It's not finished but had to stop add paint or it will never dry to finish it. 

5x5 Show

The 5x5 Show is looming soon, May 5 and I realized I had better get something done sooner than later. Afton took this picture of bowling balls and I thought it would be a great subject, so yesterday, I began.

Onions and Potatoes

I know, I know it has been a bit since I posted but I've been in a lull from painting. I am slowly working on some stuff and did finish the Onions and Potatoes. It is a picture that the daughter and son-in-law took of their garden produce last year. I loved it and wanted to paint it. Turned out nice I think and one of my fav's right now.