Comfort

"Comfort"

16x20 Original Oil on Archival Canvas

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     Comfort, Texas is a haven of rest.  My husband and I came here to get away, rest, and spend some quality time together.  We agreed on "just us"for this trip.  I had to resist calling grandchildren and good friends to join us.  I wanted that.  But, I also wanted him.  He won out.  We have not really had any "just us" time in so long; almost a year.  We are staying at a beautiful place called the Haven River Inn, which is designed for a place of rest.  Ministers come here to recharge.  There is a beautiful river running through this place, and my hubby couldn't wait to get in.  He fished most of the day yesterday and I painted.  It's quiet.  No televisions, no noise.  He and the Lord.  Me and the Lord.  I couldn't help but think of the scripture in Hebrews that says, "I will never leave you or forsake you".  That's real comfort. God is so good.  As I look back, I can see so clearly how He was with me, even when I didn't realize it.  I know know, even when I'm the busiest that He is with me.  It's just so very good to take a time out once in awhile to reconnect with Him, and be quiet.   

Today is another day of comfort.   As we sit rocking on this porch almost silence listening to the birds, smelling bacon in the air, enjoying the presence of each other. This is the day we're going to do some exploring, and I'm sure laughing like we do.   

   

"Wild Thing"

"Wild Thing"

12x24" Oil on Canvas

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     Texas!  I just love Texas, and the wildflowers that live here.  This has been a very dry spring, so there aren't nearly enough of these beauties.  There are a few survivors...these yellow ones and the daisy's.  I rounded up this crock to fit the look.  I can just see this one hanging in someone's Shabby Chick living room.  I had so much fun painting this one.  I wish you could see it in real life.  This crock really looks like glass.  I changed the color temperature and added texture.  I really wish you could see it!

"Sweet Fragrance"

"Sweet Fragrance"

14x16

Original Oil on Canvas

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     Song of Songs 4:16 Awake, north wind, and come, south wind! Blow on my garden, that its fragrance may spread everywhere. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choice fruits.

     I just couldn't help but think about the fragrance of the Lord as I painted this.  Man, He is so creative.  The very idea of how in the world he created each and every petal of these flowers wrecks my brain.  Then, to think of all of his creation...even the things that I don't know about.  My God is amazing.  I hope you enjoy this painting!  Tell me what you think about it.

The Hill

"The Hill"

6"x6" Acrylic Pouring on Wooden Panel

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     For almost every single morning for the past 6-7 years my husband has walked up on the hill that is not far from our house.  This hill is the highest point on our property and you can see for miles all around.  He goes up there for a purpose; for prayer and worship of God.  He first started going up there to be alone with the Lord. As I left out one early morning, I looked back and I could see his silhouette against the early morning light.  My heart was humbled and so proud to be married to this amazing man.   He started a little tradition of picking up rocks and depositing them in the ruts of the road leading up to this hill top.  As he would pitch the rocks in the road, he would say a prayer for someone.  

     Today, if you go up to this holy place, you will immediately notice a rounded out spot that has no grass, because those faithful feet have been planted there for so many hours. You might also feel as if you are in a secret hiding place.   You'll  notice that the road can now be traveled easier because the ruts are full!  One can not imagine how many prayers are marked by these rocks.  If anyone has ever asked him to pray for someone or some situation, their name is under a rock.  It's a very humbling experience, walking up that road.  Many times it brings tears to my eyes as I think about all the prayers that went up in my behalf, in order that my youngest son be brought back home for reconciliation.  Still, rocks and prayers go in daily for those other ones that we love and that need breakthrough in their lives, along with all the other requests that we have.  Sometimes I think that a handful of people have a whole rut full of rocks because that man is faithful to continue to pray for them.  That's why I call him "Faithful Feet".  

With this being our National Day of Prayer, I pray that many other Faithful Feet find their secret place to pray for our nation...the one that is under ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD.

Lilly is Single.

"Lilly is Single"

14x16

Original Oil on Canvas

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     Pretty Lilly here was the first painting that I did in the Nancy Medina workshop.  This also means that it is one of my very first oil paintings, done with a brush, and also done using fresh flowers as a model.  I chose this single big and full beauty very carefully, anticipating what kind of challenge I was up for.  I remember my heart was racing and I was beginning to sweat a bit.  I think that came from being among so many artists.  I know I began to compare myself to all the others before there was even a need to compare.  At the end of the day, I was unhappy with it, so I took it to my hotel room and continued to work.  I haven't had time to work on it until now, but I think a few days to soak in my training helped.  I've made lots of changes and I do love this one now!  My husband made the comment, that the glass looked just like a glass of water!  What more could I ask for? I am pleased with the sharp focal area and the subtle color changes within the painting. I think Nancy would really approve of my painting.   What about you?  Do you think the glass looks like it has water in it?  

Sunshine and Dreams

"Sunshine and Dreams"

16x20

Oil on Archival Panel

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     This painting was started on the last day of the Nancy Medina workshop.  We only had a few hours in the afternoon to paint, and the challenge was to paint a still life (from fresh flowers) with a clear vase.  The previous days were spent painting just a single flower, so this was a real challenge for me.  I carefully selected the flowers and arranged them, while contemplating whether or not I thought I could "do it".  Nancy sped through, kept pushing us to complete the steps in lightening speed.  I remember breaking out in a sweat a few times, in panic mode.  Finally, I had to just let intuition kick in and just "go for it".  I didn't complete it that day, rather got about 70% finished.  I brought it home and looked at it for a few days, wondering what to do.  Late one night, I decided to just "go for it" again.  I'm more than pleased!  My flowers are rich and my vase sparked with water!  I had to title it Sunshine and Dreams because of coarse the flowers name themselves and the dreamy feeling that it gives me causes me to anxiously await summer.  Can you think of a better title?  

     This one won't be going to Deep Creek Art Festival tomorrow.  It's not dry enough to varnish, but is up for grabs.  Follow the link above for buying information.  

Beauty

"Beauty"

16x20 Oil on Archival Panel

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     This one is a real beauty!  I painted this while taking a workshop by Nancy Medina.  We learned to paint from fresh flowers, and it was such a joy!  I kind of felt like I might be in heaven...the fragrance of fresh cut flowers along with a brush in my hand.  Oh my!  Nancy is a fantastic teacher, and I learned so much.  I feel that this painting speaks from my personality.  It's focused in the middle and rough on the edges, kind of like me.  I love the contrast and the sheer beauty of this full hydrangea.  What about you?  

Art Festival

You are invited

to 

Deep Creek Art Festival

April 25th 6-9 pm

April 26th 10-4 pm

Colisuim

Come by my booth and register for a 

FREE door prize!

Mention that you saw my blog and get an 

EXTRA entry!

     There has been so much preparation and anticipation for this event!  My studio is full of all sorts of pieces in all sorts of stages, from the beginning to the end.  I've begun boxing things up all nice and snug for the trip over to Snyder.  The family affair of trying to get a booth built has been an experience, to say the least.  My body is sore from climbing and bending, but it is almost finished.  Now, I await in great anticipation for some things that I've ordered just especially for this show.  There will be a variety of pricing and a variety of media from oil and cold wax, to inks, and watercolors.  Come on out and enjoy the fun!  

Little Hummer

"Little Hummer"

Alcohol Ink on 6" Tile

Contact me for Purchasing Information

     Although I haven't posted on my blog in a few weeks, I have been a busy bee.  I got accepted into the Deep Creek Art Festival,  in Snyder, TX.  I've never done a show, and so have had lots and lots of decisions to make, including making a booth, finishing pieces, and creating pieces.  This is one of my latest creations.  I have wooden boxes that hold these tiles.  I can't wait to get them in.  I love little hummers, and they have started coming to our back yard.  We can't feed them yet, due to the horrific wind.  I think I would have sticky juice all over everything!  I plan to do a few more hummers over the next few days.  I'm also going to travel down to the hill country and enjoy some solitude and solid painting with an artist that I've admired for a few years, Nancy Medina.   I'm so excited to refresh, meet new friends, and learn some new techniques.  The show is April 25th, from 6-9 pm, and the 26th from 10 am until 4 pm; all at the coliseum.   Stop by my booth and sigh up for a FREE drawing!

Transformation

"Transformation"

12"x12" Oil and Cold Wax and Mixed Media

on Cradled Wood

SOLD

     I've been working on this painting for over a year.  Layer upon layer of oil and cold wax, waiting for it to dry in order to add and subtract another layer upon layer.  It truly has transformed over the year.  It just rings so true with the transformation that each of us goes through when we receive Jesus as our Lord.  We become a new creation, and look forward to the transformation that will come in eternal life.