Garden Peony

This Garden Peony, (8"x8") is from a stately garden in Georgia.

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Rounding the Corner

This 24x18 piece from Venice is on its way to Brazier Gallery in Richmond VA.

Another Bluebonnet Painting

Living and working in Texas, I see many, many (did I say many?) bluebonnet (BB) paintings. My friends have heard me remark, "The world does not need another BB painting!" And yet, here I am again--painting one or three BB paintings this spring. Who can resist? This year was the best BB year ever--according to all who witnessed this spectacle. I actually have BB plants in my small yard and paint an outdoor still life every year. Somehow, I missed it in 2012. There's always next year. Be patient. It will be here before you can say hayfever.

Another Bluebonnet Painting, oil, 9x12

Callaway Quick Draw

In the previous post I told you all about the quick draw. Here is the painting. Pine Mountain Shops is 14x11. I really wanted to do a 12x9 but mismanaged my frames and didn't have that size left. This trip was a learning experience.

Last Day

The quick-draw yesterday went very well. The weather finally cooperated. The strange time of noon to 2: was unusual but manageable. I got there early and found a shade-tree spot. (Tree shade is always cooler than umbrella shade.) It was very pleasant. My quick-draw was a view up a Pine Mountain sidewalk of shops. I will post photos later. I've had trouble getting good images here. No awards and no sales this week but I had a great time and found a wonderful new place to paint. Ken DeWaard won the purchase award (top prize) in the show. He is a very good painter and I was glad to meet him and some of the other fine artists in the show. More later.

Today was beautiful but windy. The morning was the best since getting here. It did get very windy this afternoon. I was able to photograph areas I had painted when it was cloudy. And, it was take-down day for the show. Tomorrow I head home. 

Callaway Continues

Day two included transportation to private homes for a day of painting. I was teamed with Ken DeWaard and we were taken to a wonderful home in Newnan. It was an hour and half ride. The gardens were casual and very beautiful. I painted the front of the house (11x14) and then a spot in the back garden (9x12). We were taken to dinner then the shuttle brought us back to Callaway. It was a long, full day.

Today is rainy but I painted on one of the lakes (under my Shade Buddy). It was mostly sprinkles but very gray. It is beginning to lighten up and, hopefully, will be a good painting afternoon.

Here are the two paintings from yesterday. (I am glad we will have time to finish them up before turning them in on Friday.)

Callaway Gardens

After a long, long drive, I am finally at Callaway Gardens in GA. My intention was to post, with photos, each day. I arrived yesterday & the pace was intense all day. A shuttle took the 36 plein-air artists on a tour of the Garden highlights. If you have visited here, you know how amazing it is. If not, plan to come. The day ended with an artists' reception at the Callaway home. "Bo" Callaway, 80+ son of the founder was host & spoke of the gardens and people who came here. Franklin Roosevelt was a friend & frequent guest of the Callaways. The log cabin home is delightful.
Monday was designated "paint in the gardens" day. The azaleas bloomed early and only a few are blooming. The rhododendron and mountain laurel, however are beautiful. I will do my best to post photos while I am here.
Until next time...

Venice Laundry

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Is it nostalgia that draws us to laundry hanging outside? Oh, the sweet smell of clothes and linens dried in the sun. I have certainly done my share of hanging laundry but not in a long time. In America most of us are fortunate (?) enough to have machines that do that work for us. In places like Venice, hanging laundry is commonplace. And, I am drawn to it.

This piece is 8"x8" and on gallery wrap canvas. Easily wired for hanging or just stand it on a table. Starting bid is $65 plus shipping (and tax if you are in Texas).

Point of View

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These delightful men were perched on a wall in a village in Spain. I could imagine their daily ritual of gathering to watch the bus-loads of tourists arrive. The view behind them was vast.

A Great Day

There is a walking trail near my home and I have been eyeing some paintable views for a while. When this morning dawned sunny and crisp, I couldn’t resist. I was set up at 9:15 and all packed up at 10:43. It was high 40s to mid 50s and very little wind. Perfect conditions! Texas January’s can be wonderful. I even got in a three-mile walk before lunch.

I call this 9x12 Armand View—the name of the street nearest this spot. Armand Bayou is on my left and curves around to the right, just over the rise. I could not get a good composition with the blue water next to the warm grasses. Maybe at another time of day.

A beautiful day. A real blessing. I pray that you too have a blessed day.

San Barnaba Kiosk

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This 8x8 was done plein air in San Barnaba, Venice. I later changed the figure in the studio. The linen is glued to archival gatorfoam. It is up for bid for a limited time.

Goodbye 2011

White Amaryllis, 12"x12"

Happy New Year to all my friends and followers! Here's wishing you joy and success in 2012.

This is the last painting of 2011--finished this afternoon.