Happy Thanksgiving!

"Sunset Tom"  ...  a 'Spirit in Stone'

Gobble!  Gobble!

Well, the bird is in the oven and I'm fixin' to go to the garden and pick some fresh turnips to go with the sweet potato casserole.  Can you tell that I am totally Southern?!  I am so thankful for family and friends.  I wish you all health and happiness and a few quiet moments to dwell on the simple pleasures.  May God bless!

Time well spent

"Out of Africa" .....  a 'Spirit in Stone'

The last two gorgeous afternoons have been spent under a tent outside Magnolia Gallery at Lake Oconee.  I met some great folks who were out enjoying the fine fall weather during the Art Ramble put together by nine galleries within a fifteen mile radius of Greensboro, GA.  Friday I did a demo with 'Spirits in Stone', showing folks the process of choosing, preparing and painting on stones.

Crab

  Today I made 'rusty doodles', which are sculptures made from one continuous piece of steel tie wire... my construction background coming through.  The 'rusty doodles' don't photograph well, as you can see through them, but I've posted two of the smaller ones here just for you to get

Black Widow

the idea. With not being able to cut the wire, they are indeed a puzzle to the brain.  Maybe they will prevent me from getting Alzheimer's!

A Need for Art Education

'Circle of Life' honors

"Georgia Red" tied for third place honors in Arts Clayton's 'Circle of Life' show in Jonesboro.  Check out their Facebook page for all the pictures.

Ramble through 14 miles of art in Greene County

3rd Annual Holiday Art Ramble of Greene County, Friday and Saturday, 19-20 November from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Five local art businesses have banded together to create the ramble -  they’re close together in the convenient 15-mile stretch from Greensboro to Union Point. The galleries are Art of Oconee, Genuine Georgia, Hampton Fine Art Gallery, Magnolia Gallery and The Point of Art Gallery. Every stop offers exciting and different art forms and you can watch artists demonstrate their unique craft. There's door prizes and more, much more...For more info go to www.artramble.com or call (706) 486-6808

I'll be at Magnolia Gallery Friday & Saturday 1-4PM demonstrating my 'Spirits in Stone'... how I chose a stone, the preparation and painting of them.  Please come by see me and the other demonstrating artists.  

Small Works Show up through November

MaryJane, Debbie & Ginger

Great photo of some great artists who just happen to be the owners of Art on the Avenue in Macon, GA.  They have been so instrumental in getting my work "out there"!  The Magnificent Small Works Show will be up throughout this month and there are 30 photos of the reception and some of the art represented on their Facebook page. Be sure to check it out!

The Four Stages of Freelance Success

The Four Stages of Freelance Success

This link to a post on Lateral Action's blog is well worth a read by any profession! As an artist, I can name three such artist soloists that I have had the pleasure of meeting and one who I count as a current mentor. The attribute that particularly stands out to me is that all of them are completely comfortable and relaxed in their own skin... totally honest with no pretense.  I strive!

Fall at Sprewell Bluff

This past Friday, four of us women got together to spend the night, talk art and basically just have a good time.  We were to meet four more of our plein air group, The Fall Line Gang, the next morning at Sprewell Bluff to paint the fall foliage.  Well it turned really cold...our first freeze of the year... with a very brisk wind.  So-o-o, we four cheated.  We went out Friday afternoon before it froze and took pictures.  Saturday morning, over hot coffee and muffins, we chose a scene and put it on the computer screen, then painted our 'plein air' around the dining table.  The guys were guys and braved the cold, as did Matthew's wife, Rita, who is a photographer.  We didn't envy them one bit!  Preston came in mid-afternoon to thaw out and join us for a late lunch of delicious homemade chicken tortilla soup. Smart guy!  We missed the others, but we'll catch up with them next time when the weather cooperates better.

Three of us will be in Madison, GA to paint this Thursday, Nov 11th, 11-4:30 if any of you would like to join us.  Just email me for details.

Blast from the past!

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing two of my past paintings in their home environment... and it really did my heart good!  Both 4' x 8' paintings were originally commissioned in 1998 as murals to be put on the outside of cabins that are used for hunters and boy scouts. They are painted in acrylics on signboard and sealed with several coats of polyacrylic to weather the outdoors. Vickie gave me free-rein to treat the subjects, foxes and deer in a Georgia setting, any way I wanted. I remember that she sent a son to pick up the finished paintings in his truck.  Within the hour I received a phone call from her husband, Walter... "I don't like them!", he said.  "Bring'em back!", I said. "I don't like them.... I love them!", he said. "No way are these going outside!  We will find places for them inside somewhere."  And they did just that, building the foxes into a stone fireplace wall and placing the deer prominently in a bedroom.  Thanks to Walter and Vickie for giving my artwork such a good home!

Welcome to St Simons Island .....the book

Good news for "Beach Babes".... it was selected to be one of fifteen paintings by Glynn Art Association members to be published in a new book that welcomes visitors to the island.  It will be distributed to area motels, gift shops, galleries, restaurants and, of course, The Welcome Center.  I love that it portrays my sister, who could live on the beach, and her grand-daughter in water that has a color unique to the Georgia coast where the marsh meets the ocean.

"Circle of Life"

Arts Clayton in Jonesboro, GA is having a reception for it's "Circle of Life" show this Friday evening, Nov.5th, 5:30-7:30.   My offerings for this theme include "Georgia Red", a 30"x40" depiction of a family of foxes; "Day One", an 11"x14" foal on the day of her birth; "Sabbath Morning", a 24"x24" painting of a bromeliad and stick figure in the window that symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.  I hope you can join us for the festivities in their lovely gallery or catch the show before it comes down on Dec.18th.
In conjunction will be another show called "Vessels", which I think is an appropriate pairing to the 2-D show.

Women in the arts showcased in Charleston, SC

Interesting article in the Charleston newspaper about several venues showcasing women in the arts.  You can link to each gallery, blog or website from this article.  Worth the time.  Makes me want to scoot up to Charleston for a look-see!

Depot View

"Depot View"

12" x 12" plein air oil on canvas

This is the plein air I did on 10/13 in Barnesville, GA with several of The Fall Line Gang.  The view is from under the eaves of the railroad depot, which is now the home of Lamar Arts.  At first I had way too much detail in the background, but after a group critique, I softened it by wiping off a good bit of paint... much better.  This is how to learn!

Monroe County Arts kicks off the Holiday Season

Monroe County Arts Alliance will kick off its' Holiday Season with a reception this Thursday, Nov. 4th from 5:30 to 7:00. Come enjoy delightful refreshments and see what the talented locals have created for your one-of-a-kind gift giving... even if it's for yourself!  There will be all arts and crafts represented in all price ranges.  I have eight original paintings, prints, t-shirts, cards and a few little surprises in this market-type show and sale.  Extended hours are offered starting Nov 3rd of 10-6 M-F and 12-4 on Saturdays up until Christmas.  But don't wait that long... shop early for the best selection!