GRAPES AND MORE GRAPES

                                  6" x 12" - Oil on Panel

Really don't know what to say about this one!  Last fall my husband had an insatiable appetite for grapes.  (I prefer mine in liquid form).  We had green grapes, red grapes, purple grapes - you get the picture.  What better time to set up a still life and do a companion piece for the oranges featured  in  the October post.  It was  lovely the way the sunlight seemed to make these little orbs glow enhancing   their natural translucence...oops - sunlight moves quickly - so  artificial light - not the same effect - take photos  - totally lost the translucence.  Capturing the reflections on the silver tray  became a challenge as well.  Sometime I shall try painting grapes again - but not for a while!

DEBRA - SOMEWHERE IN TIME

                                 14" X 11" Oil on Canvas

The 1980 movie SOMEWHERE IN TIME starring  Jane Seymour  and the late Christopher Reeve is a favorite of our daughter in law, Debbie.  She and son, Edward, traveled to Michigan to stay in the honeymoon suite at the Grand Hotel  last year.  They enjoyed exploring Mackinac island, and staying and dining  at the Grand was a dream come true for Debbie. 

Sooner or later I suppose most of us want to paint a face in a mirror as so many artists have in the past.  An on line photo was just the inspiration needed to pose Debbie in front of her dresser and paint her "Somewhere in Time" - note the pocket watch on the dresser if you are familiar with the story line. 

We included this painting framed with her Christmas gifts and she was delighted!  Debra is a  beautiful model and I'm eager to paint her again.

BALSAM SHADOWS CARDINAL

                 16" X 20" Watermedia on Textured Canvas

Christmas Blessings and Happy Holidays to you wonderful blogging friends.  Thanks to all who visit and leave encouraging comments!  You are appreciated more than you know and I am forever grateful for your support!

May the new year bring you peace, happiness and good health with many creative opportunities.

Balsam Shadows Road is our North Carolina address.   We are not usually in Maggie Valley  when it's cold but did spend one winter there and the snow was so beautiful.    Photos taken then still inspire paintings today.  This one is mixed water media on stretched canvas  textured with rice paper. 

MY BEACH

36" x 60" Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

I'm a beach lover - sun, sand, salt and our fabulous Gulf water!   April's post presented a small landscape with a rusting John Deere bicycle.  That old bike was such a challenge, couldn't resist another go at it.   The large canvas certainly needed paint and a change was needed for an "over the sofa" painting in our living room.  I would attempt a fantasy beach setting and place the bike somewhere within.  If the painting proved successful, on the wall it would go!    Last week when the call to artists went out for the Mini/Maxi show  the painting  was entered!

Happy Dance!  MY BEACH  was awarded  "First Merit" last evening at  the Charlotte County Visual Arts Center's Maxi/Mini theme show reception!     Thank you Judge Karl Hollander!  Public viewing December 8 - December 31, at  210 Maude Street, Punta Gorda, Fl.

Marie's China Bowl

                                 6" x 12" Oil on Panel

        I never met my husband's grandmother, Marie, but the many colorful stories I've heard makes me sad  I didn't have that chance.  As a widow,  she   lived in south Florida  and grew a variety of fruit and vegetables assisted only by her loyal pet duck, Goldie.  We inherited her lovely China  and this is the first attempt at including a piece  in a still life painting.  Still fascinated by reflections,  the setup is on glass over  black foam core.   A companion piece is on the easel - a short break from painting faces and figures!

Kodak Disposable

                                 6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

By his gleeful expression one can see young Eddie was quite taken with the Blarney Castle on a trip to Ireland a few years ago with is dad and brother to explore their paternal heritage.   While visiting the castle,  he chose not to kiss the Blarney Stone but has managed to grow quite eloquent without the magic of the Stone's gift.

In this digital age one seldom sees these little cardboard cameras  except maybe at weddings.  Just couldn't resist painting this happy memory!  Haven't I mentioned grandsons are wonderful models!

COWBOY

18" x 24" Oil on Board

This handsome cowboy's name is Taylor.  He is our grand nephew who just graduated from high school and we are so proud of him and his accomplishments!  Producing this portrait was a family effort with his mom, dad, and older brother assisting in the taking of 81 photos for reference.  So happy the painting was completed in time for his graduation, and I'm thrilled it was well received by him and the family!  What fun painting Taylor and one of the horses he enjoys so much.

UNTOLD STORY

                                              

                                14" X 11" Oil on Canvas

       One never knows what's just beyond or behind the fronds when scouting an island with a camera!  This lonely rusting relic is tethered to a palm tree near the waters edge of  Pine Island Sound.  The actual setting has been only slightly altered by my brush. This piece is a study.

       A 36" x 60" canvas sits on my easel where "My Fantasy Beach" is slowly developing in acrylic, and the old John Deere will again rest under a palm tree somewhere in the painting.  This small study familiarized me with  the character of the rusting  seemingly forgotten bicycle.     Wish we knew it's story and why faded silk (or plastic) roses are waiting in the basket ....for whom?  We wonder...

People's Choice Award

 "PrimaVera...The Spring Exhibit" March 17- April 17, 2014
Visual Art Center, Punta Gorda, Florida

What can I say?  People's Choice Awards reflect the public's interest and taste.  These are voted on by regular people as well as fellow artists, family and friends.  Being able to work in this crazy profession I so love, and receiving an expression of appreciation like this makes me a most fortunate person!  Thank you very, very much for this honor!  It is thrilling that SPLASH DANCE has been so well received this season!

Silent Sentinel

                                 36" x 24" Oil on Masonite

The Great Blue Heron  is a majestic sight whether cruising the coastline with slow wing beats or standing motionless scanning for prey.  Sometimes it  will wade belly deep making long, deliberate steps.  When in flight, the heron tucks in its neck and the long legs trail out behind.  A beautiful bird to behold and fortunately here in South Florida there is no shortage of them. 

This bird was spotted, photographed and sketched  at Ponce de Leon park in Punta Gorda. 

"SILENT SENTINEL"  was juried into the Fine Feathered Friends Show last month and last week sold to a collector who lives on a lake and enjoys watching a variety of wading  birds.

SURPRISE PACKAGES

To my delight, NEW POINTE SHOES received a merit award  in the Art League of Fort Myers Juried Fine Arts Show "Surprise Packages"on Exhibit through February 28, 2014 at 1451 Monroe Steet in the heart of the River District downtown Fort Myers! Susan Bridges, President and Executive Director of the Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs judged this show. Susan's work is represented in galleries in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.  Thank you,Susan!!

Two awards this month! I am humbled, blessed and celebrating!

FINE FEATHERED FRIENDS SHOW

      

 Last evening I was honored with the First Place Award in Cape Coral Art League's annual juried show celebrating all varieties of the birds we so enjoy.   Fine Artist Janette Chupack judged the show and I am thrilled she chose SPLASH DANCE for the blue ribbon!  Thank you Janette for this fabulous award and thanks to the Cape Coral Art League for a delightful show and reception!   SPLASH DANCE was the subject of my July 29, 2013 post called "Water Ballet". 

The show may be seen at 516 Cultural Park Blvd, Cape Coral and  runs through February 26  during the hours 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Monday through Thursday!

Under the Christmas Roses

14" x 11" Oil on Canvas

Christmas Blessings and Happy Holidays to my wonderful blogging friends.  Thanks to all who visit and leave encouraging comments!  You are appreciated more than you know and I am forever grateful for your support!

May the new year bring you peace, happiness and good health with many creative opportunities.

Beach Baby

                                                            16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

Living close to Gulf beaches is indeed a blessing and watching children play in the sand and surf is a source of constant joy.  Whether building sand castles or wading in the foam, these little ones beam their pleasure and squeal their delight!  This content little boy lost in his own water world was a painting awaiting the canvas! 

Puppy Jade

         

              

Our precious Jade is a shelter rescue.  We found each other just before Christmas almost five years ago.  For my husband and me it was love at first sight.  She was so beautiful standing on the green lawn with her long  hair blowing in the breeze,  the sun giving her a backlit glow.  We were told she was five years old so will celebrate her tenth birthday over the Christmas holidays.   So many times I have wondered what she was like as a puppy - she is so very affectionate now - she must have been a bundle of pure joy!   Since we have no puppy photos this is a just-for-fun fast attempt to paint her as she may have looked on a  6" x 6" gallery wrapped canvas.