roses from my garden

My rose garden is bursting forth with blooms these days and I am loving having fresh flowers on the table all the time. And the smell! The Peace rose is intoxicating. Enjoy...

foggy morning

The mornings lately have been like this. I love how the weather changes the landscape and hope to paint some of these foggy scenes soon.




This (above) is my favorite.

My studio with its new yellow door.

Cookie and Kitten.

Minnie Mae is always so accommodating - posing just right. Oops...I forgot about my empty pots. Add to tomorrow's list.

By the time I had walked all over the property with my camera, I was as dewy as this rose.

new and improved

Well, I just couldn't let the cow rest in peace. It never felt finished so, even though the photo I was painting from showed smooth, new grass and no shadows (the morning was hazy), after lots of contemplation and good advice from my art teacher, Paul Friske, artistic license was taken, texture and shadows added. Here is the finished cow. May she rest in peace.

finally...

"Breakfast" oil, 8x10

...a finished painting. After all this time. The photo is crooked - the horizon line is straight in the painting and I probably should have waited and taken a better one, but I'm impatient and ready to get back in the swing of things. This is my first attempt at a cow and I really enjoyed it so I will do more, I'm sure.

happy news

Our family is about to be blessed with another wonderful son! Garrett proposed to Anna at a picnic on our farm that he carefully planned and prepared.



Off they went with a picnic basket full of goodies and a ring in Garrett's pocket. (We weren't spying. Really, we weren't. But I knew she'd want a picture.)






The charm bracelet, which he gave her first, spells out "Marry Me," but she was too excited to read it. On to the next step. Down on his knee, he asked.








She said yes!

We are planning a June 5th wedding for this sweet couple and are thanking God for His goodness and good gifts.

the girls

Besides our pretty cows, we also have pretty chickens. Don't I have great subject matter for paintings? Soon, they will be laying pretty eggs; blue, green, yellow and brown. More food to paint, then eat.

my cows

My husband called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me that our cow-man friend, Garland, knew of some cows for sale just like I've always wanted; Oreo cows. They were at a sale barn about an hour from here and would be auctioned off the next day, possibly headed for the meat packing plant! I wish I could have bought them all, but could only bring these two home, a mother and baby which I have named Cookie and Kitten. Aren't they pretty? As with all our animals, they are now spoiled rotten. I can hardly step out the door without them right by my side mooing for cow cubes. They sleep just outside the front yard fence like great big dogs. They are supposed to help with the mowing though I can't see much progress.







But aren't they pretty?

happiness

"Happiness" mixed media, 6"x6" $60.00

I haven't picked up a brush in weeks so thought it wise to warm up with something fun and easy. I used paper from my huge collection, oil paints and pastels. Had a lot of fun and can't wait to get in the studio and do some more.

art opening

Austin, me, and Becky in front of her beautiful mural-size painting.

A great turn-out - over 200 people.

Here, you can see Becky's work on the back wall, mine on the right and Austin's pieces on pedestals.

It was such a fun evening...lots of food and good friends. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend and thank you to all who have supported and helped me in so many different ways. Family and friends are two of God's best gifts!

opening reception

"Slice of Summer" oil, 6"x8" $130.00 framed

Hello, everyone! Austin, Becky and I are having a reception to open our show at River Oaks Gallery in Abilene Frame 'n' Art Shop, Friday, August 7th, from 6:30-8:00. Lots of pretty things to look at, nice people to mingle with, and good food to eat. We would love to see you there.

bird bath

"Bathing Beauty" oil, 6"x6" $120.00 framed

This bathing beauty was at the bird bath in my backyard. Cowbirds are not my favorite, but she sat there a long time and I got lots of good pictures of her. She makes a good subject. She just better leave the painted buntings alone! They have a bit of a competition over food and nests.

my house

I painted my house the other day. No, I didn't paint the house - just a picture of it. I've said before that I love houses and had hopes of becoming an architect when I was younger. My 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Allsup, used to stay after school to look at the house plans with me that I had cut out of the Sunday paper. Wasn't that nice of her? I'll never forget it. Anyway, it became apparent that architecture might not be my thing (math, bad) so I'm happy just painting pictures of houses. No math.

grain elevator

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.)

dogwood

This dogwood tree is in a moss-covered corner of my great-aunt's yard in Arkansas. She has what she calls her haven chair right beside the window looking out at this tree, a bird feeder and bath, and a little flower bed planted strategically in view from her chair. Lala is 95 and has all the aches and pains that come with age, but she has shown me that, when you are forced to slow down from "doing," you can still participate in life by watching, praying, caring...a good lesson and one I hope I remember when I'm 95.

blue-eyed grass

Just a quick little post to say hello and to make sure you don't forget about me! It's been a very busy time -all good - and I can't seem to blog and do anything else at the same time. I admire you people who can to do it all!

I've posted before about wildflowers and how much I love them, but this one is my very favorite. I'm not sure why except that they are the prettiest blue and so tiny. They are hard to see in the tall grass, but when you find one, it is a little thrill.

Enjoy your day and all the little thrills it may hold!

cows

I left for Austin early one morning and this was the scene that made me stop the car and pull out my camera.

There are not many things more peaceful and pastoral than grazing cattle.

I think this one wanted to get in with me and go. I was tempted...

This one is my favorite; the bright, green, new grass...the trees and hills turning from green to blue as they recede into the horizon...the big, blue sky. You can almost see forever.

Talk about happy cows...and a happy me!

anna's birthday "card"

When you live far, far from town, you have (get) to be creative if you are not extremely organized. Which I'm not. But, thankfully, I'm usually glad when I've gotten myself in a mess and have to get myself out creatively. This was the situation on my daughter's birthday (back in November). She loves to bake and play the piano - thus the cupcake and musical butterflies. Her room in her apartment is brown and blue and she loves pink. I covered the back of the painting with the same paper the butterflies are made of and made a pocket where we placed our sentiments and some money (which she requested for clothes). Whew...I think she liked it!

cupcakes and sweet peas

This is old news, but worth sharing...David and I spent Valentine's Day in Austin. We walked along South Congress where there are neat shops and good restaurants. Ate lunch at Guerro's Taco Bar - the best fish tacos I've ever tasted!


Strolled past a little grocery called Farm to Market and David bought me these sweet, sweet peas. Here they are in a water bottle in the cup holder of the pick up. I always like things like this - the dainty, little flowers contrasted with the big, rugged truck.




Then, to our delight, we spotted this!


It's called Hey, Cupcake!


Look at the line. There were this many more people behind us.


Guess which one is mine. Yes, the chocolate with whipped cream inside and oozing out the top. It was even more delicious than it looks!




And, of course, live music. It's Austin. Music is everywhere. He was good.





My sweet peas at home.

It is so nice to be able to say at our age and after all these years (you young people out there reading this), that this was one of our best Valentine's Days ever.

little houses

I love houses. All kinds. I had hopes of becoming an architect, but my high school counselor advised against it because of my poor math grades, my least favorite subject. Well, I don't need any math at all to design my little houses. These are probably more fun and less stressful than the big kind anyway.

The thing that made these so much fun to work on was my watercolor crayons and charcoal pencils. I don't know if these close-ups will allow you to see the detail but I am really happy with the effect.

Speaking of houses, consider supporting Habitat for Humanity with me so that everyone can have a decent home!