My study of Deb Pero's painting

Study of Deb Pero's "Shade Seekers" SOLD
8" x 10" oil on gessoed masonite - nfs

After painting three Hereford cows plein air this past weekend at a farm, I decided to noodle around with the study I'd done of Deb Pero's pasture scene. I realized that my colors were too bold to achieve the atmosphere that comes from viewing things at a distance. So here's my 'noodled' version... I like it much better. Thanks, Deb, for such a sweet little piece to play with!

Happy & Sad

I am happy to report that the past two days have been a whirlwind of artistic delight! The Paint Out in Madison, Ga could not have been better planned or executed, thanks to many caring people with the Madison Art Guild and Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. The weather was ideal and the sites fabulous. I received an Honorable Mention and two of my three paintings sold!
Now for the sad part.... In the tired but excited state I was in once I got home, as I was transferring my images from camera to computer, I lost the images of my paintings and the auction! I was sick! I have one painting to re-photograph, but will have to rely on my sister to send me copies of 35mm shots that she took. The auction was covered by press, so I may be able to get some images from Greg Strelecki, the photographer. None of these being digital, I'll have to wait...bummer. On a positive note, I did not lose the reference shots that I took at some of the lovely locations I visited that will make their way into paintings in the future.
So, as I'm able to get images, I'll post them and tell you more about this event and some of the wonderful artists that I was able to meet. For now, here's the one painting that did not sell that I'm keeping for myself(for the time being).

"Ainslie Oak"
8" x 10" oil on gessoed masonite

This view was looking through massive twisted limbs of one of the centuries old red oaks on the farm where I was plein air painting. Very painterly and joyfully done!

Plein Air in Madison

I am so excited to be spending this Friday and Saturday at the Paint Out in Madison, GA! It's part of their spring Georgia in Bloom 2009 Art Fest. Not only is this a terrific opportunity to fellowship with other artists, I really need this time away from my own "stuff" to concentrate on painting. This time of year I'm not sure I'm an artist who loves gardening or a gardener who loves painting! As I type this, there is dirt under my fingernails from the tomato plants I just stuck in the ground. I started way too many from seed, but I just couldn't resist all the wonderful different varieties that are unavailable as plants in the local stores... like Black Brandywine, Super Sioux, Jetsonic and Sugary Cherry to name a few.
See, I'm off on a tangent... back to the paint out. I've filled my Jullian easel with oils for the first time. I've used acrylics in the past, but it's always a mad dash to work before they dry. Since the temperature is supposed to be in the 80's this weekend and the last few days have been breezy too, I thought the oils would be a more relaxing experience. I think I'll go ahead and wear my paint spattered jeans since I'm a messy painter, though!
Can't wait to report back to you on Sunday!

Hampton Gallery

Cameron Hampton with "Wallowing Wild Boar" sculpture

Saturday evening I had the chance to attend 'The Blue Green Earth Exhibition' at the Hampton Fine Art Gallery in Greensboro, GA which is co-owned by Cameron Hampton. Cameron is an multi-faceted artist that I first met at Art on the Avenue, where we both have work hanging. She also received the Best of Show award for “Intersection” at the recent Georgia in Bloom Show in Madison, GA.
I encourage you to see the show in person through May 30 and check out her work on the web.

Deb Pero

This painting was NOT done by me....although I wish it was! This sweet little 5"x7" oil was done by Deb Pero and I encourage you to check out her '60 Days - 60 Paintings' project before they are all gone sometime in May. I admire her ability to choose just what is necessary to achieve such large atmosphere in such a small space. As a lesson for myself, I painted an 8"x10" oil of this scene last night. Just suffice to say that what looks so effortless coming from Deb, did not coming from me! It was a delicious slice of fun, though, and I will keep trying. Thanks, Deb, for the daily eye candy!

Most of my Friday was spent prepping paintings and delivering to two of the Macon galleries, Art on the Avenue and Macon Arts.

Floating

"Floating"
20" x 20" acrylic on visual edge canvas

This is the second in the series of three workmen paintings from the huge school construction site that my husband monitors for the architect. Here the workmen are hand floating concrete. The wet slab has already been machined with a circular troweling machine. They only have a short 'window of opportunity' with concrete, as it begins curing soon after water is added at the batch plant inside the truck. Time and temperature all play a part.

"All American" in progress

Just to let you know that the rodeo series is coming along. Thought y'all might like a peek at the 24" x 36" oil that I've been working on in my studio. I'm pretty sure I'll have some more cowboys coming up... they're just a great subject!

An Honorable Mention!

"Bulls in Muck" got an Honorable Mention in the Georgia in Bloom Art Show and Sale this evening... and sold as the show was being hung! Wow! I'm a happy painter right now.
My daughter, Kelly, went with me and we had a lovely time visiting with other artists, patrons and the many shop keepers that make this venue such a success.
Something unusual and very thoughtful... Peter Muzyka presented each participating artist with a DVD slideshow of the artwork entered into the show. Since the pieces were scattered throughout the county at participating venues, this slideshow was playing for us during the reception in case we weren't able to see all of the pieces in person.
The show hangs until May 9th, so you still have time to see it. If you'd like to know who, what, when or where just drop me an email and I'll give you more info.

Inky

"Inky"
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

Waiting for Dinner

"Waiting for Dinner" SOLD
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

Sisters

"Sisters"
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

This basketful of cat is Muffin and her sister, Patches, in their teenage years. What is fascinating (besides both of them being able to cram into the same Easter basket) is that their black and white patterns meld together to form one 'cat mass' instead of two kittens. You've just got to love those expressions!

Easter Break

Wow! What a gorgeous day it is after two nights of thunderstorms.
Just a little note to wish all a Happy Easter and say I'll be back Tuesday. Not only do I have twenty-four folks coming for Sunday dinner and an egg hunt... I have a 24"x36" commission to finish up... and Friday's cat painting is only half done. As an incurable optimist, I often load my palette a little too full!
See y'all on Tuesday!

Birdie in the Window

"Birdie in the Window" SOLD
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

Sacked Out

"Sacked Out" SOLD
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

Cat Topography

"Cat Topography"
8" x 10" acrylic on gessoed masonite

I started this painting playing with the fuzzed pattern on the rug and was having such fun with it that I just kept right on going into the cat with the same technique.

Muff

"Muff" SOLD
8"x10" acrylic on panel

Morris

"Morris" SOLD

Morris is one BIG cat! He loves to get in my chair and then give me that "Drop dead!" look when I go to sit down. Do you know a cat like this that will NOT move?! He would never bite or scratch... it's just that he won't help me move him. He simply turns into a huge mound of jello, making it impossible to even scrape him out of the chair with one hand. No...I have to put down whatever I have in my hands and use both hands and quite a bit of muscle to lift him out. Then I put Morris in my husband's chair. I should've named him "Jabba the Hut"!

In the news!

Hazel Caldwell in the news! A big congratulations for being voted Best Artist in Forsyth for two years in a row by readers of The Reporter, our local newspaper.

I'm glad to be working with Hazel on a project to paint images of Monroe County to be displayed at the Arts Alliance in Sept'09 and then dispersed into countywide retail establishments during Oct'09.

Thanks for the plug, Hazel!

Debbie Anderson

This 10"x12" pastel by Debbie Anderson was my favorite painting in the Art on the Avenue recent show. In person this little painting simply sings! You feel as if you can walk around the cows and watch them move on to that next clump of grass... the spacial quality is that good!

Introducing Cindy Davis

I met Cindy Davis at the Art on the Avenue reception and we just 'clicked'! Her witty personality just spills out and infects you. Check out this line from her bio: "My painting began more like an adverse allergic reaction to cubicle living rather than some unfulfilled childhood dream to become an artist."
Can you get a peek from that? Cindy is a vibrant abstract painter and an art marketing guru, teaching 'social media marketing' workshops. Her blog, Cindy Davis' Not So Secret Art Marketing, is chock full of must-reads. I've just begun to scratch the surface of what this gal knows. A little every day, Cindy... I promise!