Time to Relax

"Time to Relax"

6.25" x 6.25" oil on linen

$125 unframed, click here to purchase.

While sitting on my parents' pier yesterday I decided to paint her newly painted pier chair.  I loved the crazy green color.  I think I may have gotten my love of color from my mother.

On a more personal note, my oldest graduated from high school Friday night.  Here is his Salutatory speech and song that he wrote:

Debbie's Home

"Debbie's Home"

16 x 20, oil on linen

This was another home we were invited to while at the Aldridge Garden's Plein Air event.  

The Farm

"The Farm"

10 x 10, oil on linen

$350 framed

I painted this painting on the front porch of Jim and Josephine's home in Columbiana, Alabama.  Josephine told me a precious story about the horse (that you can barely see grazing in front of the barn).  She said his mother died and she went to see the horse and he was mourning, and seemed to be actually crying.  She said she stayed with him and cried with him.

Just another benefit of being able to paint in the outdoors... getting to hear such awesome stories.

"Best Friends" Hoover Belles - Aldridge Gardens Quick Draw

"Best Friends"

Hoover Belles

Aldridge Gardens Plein Air - Quick Draw Painting
Available, $425 framed, $375 unframed, contact me if interested.

Sunday afternoon was the "Quick Draw" event at Aldridge Gardens.  The Hoover Belles came and volunteered to be painted throughout the gardens.  I was trying to hurry to get set up and found these two "Belles" walking towards me and I asked them if I could have a volunteer.  They both smiled and said "Sure."  So I decided to paint both of them :)  I told them it would take me a few minutes to get set up and they just sat and carried on a sweet conversation.  I found out their names were Jamie and Sarah, and they are best friends.  As soon as I discovered that, I told them that "Best Friends" seemed like a very appropriate title.  I had two hours to complete this painting.

"The Palmers" Aldridge Gardens Plein Air Event

" The Palmers"

11 x 14, oil on linen panel

A few of the artists spent the day in Columbiana at the home of Jim and Josephine, a gorgeous home with out of this world gardens.  I was truly in awe of the workmanship that went into its beauty.  I got to visit a good bit with Jim and Josephine, and their home is truly a labor of love.  I asked Josephine when she started gardening, and she told me she has always enjoyed working in the yard.  She thoroughly loves to plant a seed and watch it grow.  The land is her canvas, and she's a wonderful artist.

Blue and Purple Hydrangeas

 "Blue and Purple Hydrangeas"

6.25" x 6.25", oil on linen

$125 unframed, $150 framed.  

Contact me if interested.

Another painting from Aldridge Gardens.... Today was Day #3 of the event.  If you're in the area, please come Sunday afternoon to the artists' reception at 3:00 PM.  We'll have all of our paintings for sale and on display.  I'm looking forward to seeing all of the other artists' work.

Southern Living

"Southern Living"

8 x 6, oil on linen

$150 unframed

Painted in the private garden of Mike & Betsy... I found out this garden was featured in Southern Living magazine last year :)

"Blue Hydrangeas"

"Blue Hydrangeas"

12 x 12, oil on linen

$425

This was my second painting of the day today at the plein air event hosted by Aldridge Gardens in Birmingham, Alabama.  This painting will be for sale Sunday afternoon at the artist reception at 3:00, but if you're interested in buying it just let me know :).

"Mom and Dad"

 "Mom and Dad"

6 x 8, oil on linen

Another quick sketch... this time my parents together, sitting on a park bench on Broad Street. 
I had just finished up a painting and they were sitting there so sweet visiting with me and all the passersby... I smiled and told them to sit tight for ten minutes. This is not meant to appear "finished" but I can definitely tell that it's them. Aren't they precious?

a photo of me painting (taken by my friend Kay)

Ocean

"Ocean"

8 x 6, oil on linen

$150 unframed, click here to purchase, or contact me if you're close-by

(frame available for purchase, price varies depending on frame you choose)

Well, actually it's the Gulf of Mexico... but we call it the ocean!  I've been seeing posts from facebook friends and pics on the beach.  About this time every year I really start wanting to go.  I love the beach!  I love to go out on that sand for the first time on vacation and look out at the horizon.  I am reminded at how small I am, and how big God really is.  I always feel "reconnected" at the beach.

"Down the Road"

"Down the Road"

11 x 14, oil on linen panel

available $425 unframed, click here to purchase.

My son and I turned onto our road one day and I saw a painting.  He took pictures for me, and I used his photo for a reference for this painting.  I loved how the sun was setting behind the trees to our right, casting long shadows on the field to the left.... framing a lovely scene.

"Rain"

"Rain"

14 x 11, oil on linen

$425 unframed, click here to purchase

"Oh Happy Day"

"Oh Happy Day"

6 x 6, oil

A painting for a dear friend of mine and my family.  Rob just celebrated his 40th birthday.  Rob has a wonderful blog for those that suffer with depression and bi-polar disease.  He has taken something horrible and turned it into something positive, encouraging and motivational.  Please take a moment to read some of entries...  www.emotionalvictory.blogspot.com

Daddy

"Daddy"

6 x 8, oil on linen

I should probably title this painting "10 minutes."  My Dad was sitting on his back porch the other day while I was painting and I picked up another panel and told him I wanted to try to paint him.  He started giving me reasons I shouldn't... he was about to go do such and such... but then I asked him when he needed to go and he said, "10 minutes."  That's about as long as he could sit still anyway.  During the brief time I was painting him, he changed his legs and I told him to put them back.  He's a good Daddy :)  He was tickled with the outcome though... and immediately put the painting on his facebook as his profile picture.

And.... for those of you that are wondering how our little "Bailey" is doing... she is spoiled ROTTEN!!!!  I can't believe how much I love that little goat.  Here's her most recent photograph....

She still drinks a big 'ol bottle every day and she follows my daughter everywhere!  She is so precious!

News & Events

"Oranges and Flowers"

20 x 20, oil on linen

Available at newly opened "Vintage Hip" in Historical Springville, Alabama.

Grand opening this weekend, May 12!

Contact me if interested in purchasing.

Upcoming Events:

This weekend, Friday & Saturday, May 11 & 12, I will be participating in Gadsden's GadAbout art event.  They have stationed me to paint at the WOW! Factor Store located at 106 Broad Street in downtown Gadsden.  I will be painting there Friday from 4 until 8 PM... so if you're in the area, stop by and say hello :) 

Next week, May 16 through 20 (Wednesday through Sunday) I will be participating in Birmingham's Aldridge Gardens Plein Air event.  For more information, click here.

Bluebird 3

"Bluebird 3"

6 x 6, oil

Kite Flying

"Kite Flying"

5 x 7, oil on linen

$125 unframed, click here to purchase

Painted from a picture of my daughter, without a care in the world.  

Gerbers and Daylilies

Gerbers and Daylilies

7 x 5, oil on linen

~sold~

Something a little different for me...  a small plein air painting where I really squinted while painting so to not get caught up in the details.  I wanted to focus on the strong dappled light hitting these flowers.  These are some of the flowers in my parents' backyard.

Shopping in the Rain

"Shopping in the Rain"

6.25 x 6.25 oil on linen

$150 framed, click here to purchase, or contact me if you're close-by :)

I'm enjoying painting these little paintings of rain.  This was taken somewhere either in North Georgia or North Carolina.  I was shopping with some friends.  Well, they were shopping.  I was taking pictures :)

Oranges in Green Bowl

"Oranges in Green Bowl"

7 x 5, oil on linen panel

$150 framed, click here to purchase, or contact me if you're nearby

I painted this little painting at my parents' house yesterday while sitting on their back porch.  My mom has these really cool green bowls that I think she originally bought for me to paint but then decided to keep them.  (just kidding, Mama).  How do you like my title?  Pretty original, don't you think?

"Eiffel Tower, after the Rain"

"Eiffel Tower, after the Rain"

6 x 6, oil on linen

~ Sold ~

Art allows me to travel through my paintings.

"Romance in the Rain"

"Romance in the Rain"

6 x 6, oil on linen
~sold~

If you don't have a red umbrella, go buy one.  It's a refreshing spot of color when everything else is grey :)

Little Bluebird

"Little Bluebird"

4 x 4, oil

The last of the little birds for now... I'm posting all three together below.

$110 each framed.

Cindy's Homeplace

"Cindy's Homeplace"

11 x 14, oil on linen

Another house commission from Orrville, Alabama.  This home is across the street from the Dunaway House I recently painted.  Cindy is a childhood friend of Patti's, and asked if I could paint her childhood home for her.  I had actually taken pictures of this home while I was down there, and Cindy sent me a picture of the dormer window that was once on the home which she wanted included in the painting.  Thanks, Cindy!

Little Red Cardinal

 "Little Red Cardinal"

4 x 4, oil

Bird number two :)  

Little Yellow Finch

"Little Yellow Finch"

4 x 4, oil

I've painted three little birds....  this is the first one.   I think I will be painting more.  Love the colors!

"Dunaway House" ~ Orrville, Alabama

"Dunaway House" ~ Orrville, Alabama

12 x 12, oil

This is a different view of the Dunaway House, painted for my friend Patti.  She grew up in Orrville and has such fond memories of the town... and after visiting, I can see why.  I told her it was like Mayberry!  I hope to go back to paint there again one day.  Thanks Patti :)

"Sunset"

 "Sunset"

 (plein air)

6 x 6, oil on linen

Available at Gadsden Museum of Art

Painted on the Coosa River, from my friend's boathouse, aka "Gaylord's."  

"Cove Creek"

"Cove Creek" - plein air

12 x 12, oil on linen

available at Gadsden Museum of Art

Painted from my parents pier on Cove Creek... a creek that runs into the Coosa River.  Wonderful day.

Because He Lives

 "Because He Lives"

6 x 6, oil on linen
~sold~

The hymn was on my mind all day.  I got up at 5:30 Wednesday morning feeling absolutely wonderful following a doozy of a migraine on Tuesday evening.  I kept singing, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow..."  So I decided to title this painting after the hymn.