Back Again

I know I've been gone a long time, but, I haven't been idle. It would take to long to tell you everything I've been doing, so I'll skim for you. Lots of reading. I'm enjoying re-discovering E.B.White. He's just one of the best. I'm meandering through "One Man's Meat." It was copyrighted in 1938. I've read almost everything he's written. He takes you back to a "kinder" time.

Then, pretty much have to keep my head in "study" books. Grammar was not my favorite subject in school. I can honestly tell you, I was happy when I  barely scraped by passing the class. There's a whole shelf of nothing but books on grammar on my studio book wall. I keep thinking that just having them there will somehow improve  my abilities.

Reading good literature is always recommended for budding writers. Stephen King says it's one of the best things a writer can do to improve their own work.  I'm happy to follow his advice.

Anne Perry is a mystery writer that a close friend (Kate Measures) put me onto. I was whining that like TV, most fun reading was either vulgar, full of violence or plain mean. She listened and then said "get Anne Perry." I took her advice and purchased four of the series with Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. I was hooked. Clean, well written, and holds your interest till the last page.

Time for my late morning break with hot tea and a nice, fat slice of yellow cake, yumm.
 

Fun ways to spend grey days.

For the first time in several days we have sunshine! The snow can't melt yet—it's still in the lower teens. I've got no complaints though, it's been guilt free time to be on the computer and getting a lot of writing done. When you can't do anything else, I mean, no one can get to the front door, so you're not likely to have unexpected company. And I've made friends with dust and laundry, so I felt perfectly civilized to sit in my pj's all day with my friends and proceed to write, and eat everything in the kitchen.

     Last summer I enrolled in a writing course, the LoneRidgeWritersGroup, it's so exciting to learn about writing, it's something I've always wanted to do. The task of setting my stories on paper scared the pants off me for so many years. But, I reached that age where you say—what have I got to lose?—I signed up, and I'm loving it!
     My instructor is Kathryn Johnson, she is kind and patient with me—and my feeble efforts—I can see my writing improving, but still have a long bumpy road ahead. I'm looking forward to the literary journey with help from the school, and Kathryn's guiding hand.
  
     Kathryn's new book, THE GENTLEMAN POET was just out this past fall. I bought a copy of it as soon as it hit the stands. It's a great read if you like historical romance, and who doesn't ? The amount of research must have been staggering! Hope she sells a million. Till next time.

    

Fall Colors - 8x10 - Oil $185.00

     I have neglected my studio the last several weeks. It's been so cold and grey,
I haven't had much interest in anything but my warm "blankie" and a good hot cup of green tea.

     I've been catching up on some past due reading, a wonderful way to pass the cold days. You might know, just as I was getting ready to get back to work, a new book by Richard Schmid arrived at my front door this morning! Well, any thoughts of work went right out the back door. This new book is so exciting, 300 color plates of his landscapes. I can't stop looking at it!

Here is a small canvas I did last year... lots of color in fall woods.

Tuckers Tower - 12x24 - Oil

This was fun and different for me to paint. Tuckers Tower is a local landmark in the area where I live. This painting was a commission piece.

I painted from a photograph, belonging to the client, who has photographed this landmark from every angle and in every season , and all kinds of weather. He has some beautiful photographs. 

Happy Dog - 16x20 - Oil

Happy dog got her name because she always appeared to be smiling and happy with everyone.

She is the ranch dog, ( Pecan Valley Peruvians, Weatherford, Tx. ) where she is free to roam and do as she pleases. Happy dog's portrait hangs in the collection of Lucho and Jeanelle Dapalo, 

owners of Pecan Valley ranch.

This is one of my favorite paintings. Could it be because I love dear little happy dog?

 

Peonies In Vase - 16x20 - $475.00

More Peonies! This painting looks like "a room full of little girls" all pink and fluffy.
I have to confess, I was tired of pink when I finished! But now it makes me feel good to look at it.

Garden Statuary - 12x20 - Oil - $375.00

Everyone paints peonies, with good reason. They are beautiful and easier than many other flowers to paint.
This hedge of pink peonies allows a view into the garden beyond. No secret garden here!

Cowboy Blue - 24x34 - Oil - Unframed - $1500.00

This was a fun painting to do. The rider was in an enclosed

arena while I did the photography, boring as everything. So, I moved him out into the wide

open spaces with lots of blue sky. He was much happier!

Early Light - 9x12 - Oil - $210.00

The day was perfect when this was painted. The weather was wonderful, I was with good friends ( other artists ), we laughed, snacked, and learned from each other.

Going into the new year, I promised myself I would join the "Painting A Day" club. Well, looks like I may need to consider the "Painting A Week" club instead!  That is a big  commitment. I admire those artists
who put everything aside for an hour or so to do the thing that means so much to them, and their
progress in painting.

As I think about it, I promise to me again, I will do it , after all I'm worth it! :-)

Happy Times - 34x40 - Oil - $2,000.00

I enjoyed the process of this painting so much, it was finished before I knew it!
The model is a dear friend, Susan Waggoner. She posed for me in August, in Texas, and was kind enough to wear leather in order to get the look I wanted. It was so hot that day! When I think of it now, I can't believe I ask her to do that.

Country Road - 9x12 Oil - $210.00

Driving through the country one day, I found a small "peep hole" into a warm yellow field. I made the opening a little larger, allowing a better view of the distant landscape.

Lonely Watch - Oil 6x8 - $125.00

I passed this little cedar tree several times, before I realized the emotional impact it made on my mind.

sold

Pink Sky                                      8x10   Oil

Coffee with Richard Schmid...

With my morning coffee in hand I had a leisurely stroll through the art works of Richard Schmid this morning. He is right up there with Robert Henri. I have his DVD's on painting and the leather bound edition of "ALLA PRIMA" Everything I know about painting.
                                               SOLD

It's so inspirational to study the paintings of these great artist. As I prepare to  start my own canvas, I think of all those in the past, struggling to learn and create good art work without the invaluable reference materials we have today. Just one of the many blessings to count!

Painting In The New Year...

This time of the year always has a feel of fresh starts, starting over with a clean slate. Promises of "doing better" and keeping focused. I gather my favorite art books, stack them in a neat pile and vow to read and study so many hours each day. One of my favorite books is about the artist Robert Henri. I have many others, but I do believe if they were all taken away and I had this book only to guide me in my painting, and I applied it every day, my work would improve beyond my dreams.

So, the week between Christmas and the new year is my time to relax and plan for what is to come in the
new year. And as country folk say, "If it is the Lord's will".

Country Artist with camera: White Christmas after all!

Country Artist with camera: White Christmas after all!

White Christmas after all!

Christmas was white this year, first time in a long time. it was absolutely beautiful! I managed to get out long enough to get a few "Snow photos" of the woods out my front door.

Has Christmas changed or is it me?

Well, here it is three days from Christmas and It still doesn't feel like Santa is near. Maybe it's because there is no tree in the house, no bright colored balls tucked into cedar boughs all tied up with big red bows. I must do better next year.

Several years ago I photographed a gentleman who played Santa in the towns around where my Studio
was located. He was so much like my idea of Santa when I was a child, he made me believe again !

                                                                        HO, HO, HO!

I displayed the Santa portrait every year in my studio at Christmas time. I've pulled it out to share with anyone who would like to see the "Real Santa".   Merry Christmas to all !!

Back roads with a friend...

On Tuesday Dec.14, my artist friend ( Marsha McDonald) from Texas, drove up to spend a couple of days with me. The sun was beautiful and warm, a perfect day to drive the back roads and photograph nature. Of course the best light is near sundown, so we get our cameras and head out. Well, near sundown it was as cold as blue blazes !!

We nearly froze our fingers off... laughed a lot and most of all got what we wanted, then headed home to
put the tea pot on for some hot green tea and art talk...all in all, a great day!

Paintings

Hay Bales  - 4x10  Oil             -       SOLD

                                      Old Barns   - 12x16   Oil