SUZAN BUCKNER

2012-01-18T00:56:00.001-06:00

Well..HAPPY 2012!! I am sorry that I haven't blogged in weeks!! I got sick after the last post, and it took nearly a month to get well, and by the time I got well---I had so much on my plate that I had to make art!

This year has started off WONDERFULLY (if you ignore that I was so sick),,,I got a great deal to illustrate a child's book (that's ALL I can say about it), and I got a HUGE commission job...on TOP of a SOLO EXHIBIT at the Kentuck Museum of Art, in Northport, Alabama. SOooooo..I have been painting like a crazy person, and can't SHARE anything that I have been working on. The above painting is for the show..so, I'm cheating a bit.hehehe. So..for now..stick with me..I will be putting a lot of art on the blog, and blogging more frequently as soon as I clear some of this work

As always..Live Artfully!!!!

NEW PAINTINGS FOR THE CHATTANOOGA MARKET CHRISTMAS MARKET DECEMBER 3rd & 4th!!!!

2011-11-30T13:59:00.000-06:00

I have been working on smaller paintings specifically for the Chattanooga Market© Christmas Market this upcoming weekend!! I am so excited to be going back there..so many good friends, and people that I care deeply about!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It seems to me that time is flying by, and this year has just been a endless blur of art shows, and painting. (NOT complaining!!). I just am having a heck of a time thinking that 2011 is almost GONE. It's been a great year!! Live Artfully!!

NEW ART!!!

2011-11-16T14:07:00.000-06:00

Hello! I have just been sitting around and painting little paintings. Getting ready for the Chattanooga Market Christmas Market (outdoors in the pavilion), and doing some art for the Wildflower Cafe in Mentone, AL. (If you have never eaten there--Let me tell you--IT IS WORTH THE DRIVE!!--Wonderful, Wonderful food and a great atmosphere!!) I am also cleaning the studio..This seems to be a long-time task..that is not getting better...hahah..it never ends..Anyway..these are a few of the paintings that I have done so far..time to get back to the grindstone. Live Artfully!!

IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING--CHANGE IT...2

2011-11-12T16:59:00.000-06:00

Started out with a journal page that I had done..tore it out..mounted it to wood, and made it into a dog...(I have an order for cute dog paintings..so..that is why I am doing dogs right now..LOL.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE SOMETHING--CHANGE IT.

2011-11-12T14:48:00.000-06:00

Last night, I attempted to paint an abstract painting. I worked and worked on it..and ended up hating it...This morning, I took it, and changed it...made it into a really cute dog painting...Live Artfully!!

ART JOURNAL PAGE

2011-11-12T00:24:00.000-06:00

I have been missing art journaling lately. I don't have much time for it ...but, yesterday..I played a bit..and made this...Live Artfully!

THANKSGIVING DAYS 4-9..and the LARGE PAINTING SOLD!!

2011-11-09T10:18:00.000-06:00

THANKSGIVINGS DAY 4--I am thankful for my intelligence..no matter how fleeting it is sometimes...LOL
DAY 5 of THANKSGIVINGS--I am grateful for funny friends that call me at 7am, and I am also grateful that I got up at SIX this morning..so that person is STILL MY FRIEND.
DAY 6--I AM SO VERY GRATEFUL that God sent me a wonderful man to love me, despite all of my shortcomings. I am also grateful that we share our weird sense of humor..and can laugh at most things.
DAY 7--I am grateful for my resilience. I have bounced back from some very bad things in my life (some of you know about them, some of you don't)..but, I have always come back, stronger, and more confident.
DAY 8--I am grateful for all that God has given me in my life. The good and the bad. I know that he gave me the bad, so that I can appreciate the good. I am grateful for the smallest blessings. Life is good.
DAY 9-- I am thankful for the customers that I have been blessed with. Many of them have become great friends of mine. I have the best group of art buyers!!! Thank you ALL so much!!!

Well..This weekend, we were at Moss Rock Art Festival in Hoover, AL. It was a beautiful area, the weather was perfect, the people were really friendly, I met several new friends, and saw several old ones. The sweetest thing happened. A couple of my friends/collectors brought me a stained glass cross that the man had made. It's purple with a white lily, and it really touched my heart that he made it for me, and then they drove over an hour each way to bring it to me. I was speechless!! Thank you LEN and MARY!!!!!

Also..this past weekend..I sold the largest painting that I have ever sold. It was an amazing feeling!! The lady even had her own golf cart to haul it off in, which was entertaining in itself!!

All in all ...it was a great show, and we had a lot of fun...NOW to get busy painting!!! Live Artfully!

DAY 3 THANKSGIVINGS!!

2011-11-03T21:35:00.000-05:00

THANKSGIVING DAY 3--I am thankful that I have a beautiful, wonderful daughter, who has managed to grow into a super adult, and I'm thankful that she grew up to be kind, funny, and secure in who she is, finished school and has a career. I am grateful that she chose a wonderful man to marry, and that they love each other, and that he treats her well. (Maybe in a year or two or three, I'll be grateful that they have given me a grandbaby--but for the time being, I'll be happy with my little grand-doggie..LOL).Live Artfully!!

THANKSGIVING DAY 2

2011-11-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

THANKSGIVING DAILY-- Day 2-- I am thankful for my grandparents raising me, and teaching me right from wrong (even though I chose to ignore it though my 20's) ...and I am thankful that they gave me a strong religious belief system, so that I have always had something to believe in, and hold on to.

MOSS ROCK ART SHOW AND THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY OF NOVEMBER and A WORK IN PROGRESS!!!

2011-11-01T16:22:00.000-05:00

Today is NOVEMBER 1st! Can you believe it?? Thanks to reading someone's suggestion on Facebook this morning, I am going to post something that I am Thankful for every day until Thanksgiving!

Today, I am greatful for our family, our extended family, and our wonderful friends! We are SO blessed!! (Thank you Jo for the suggestion of daily thanks until Thanksgiving!!)

This is a very large WORK IN PROGRESS. It's slowly but surely coming together..and I AM LOVING painting it. A lot of movement and color going on!!!

This weekend we will be showing our work at the MOSS ROCK FESTIVAL in Hoover, AL (Birmingham). This is a "GREEN", Eco-friendly art show, and one that shouldn't be missed!! Over 100 artist will be selling their art, and many companies will have helpful booths out with information on the enviroment, and green-living!!!! Hope you can join us!!! Live Artfully!!!

KENTUCK 2011 !!!

2011-10-23T11:10:00.000-05:00

Good Morning!! I have been home from KENTUCK for 5 days now, and FINALLY caught up with my sleep..Whew! It was AMAZING and WONDERFUL!!! I didn't get a chance to walk around much, or take pictures...but, here is a link with a lot of good shots of the show!

KENTUCK PICTURES

We had a blast! We arrived at 10:30 Friday morning, and got in line for our show packets. Everyone was nice, and in good spirits...we then went off to find our space and set up our tent. We got that done in about 3.5 hours, and by that time we were starving..so we went off to find food..going to the hotel, and resting up. It was the last rest we had all weekend!!hahaha.

Saturday morning we woke at 5am, and headed to the show. We had a great spot--right in front of the bathrooms, food court, and music stage. Before 7am we had made our first sale, and on Saturday, it didn't slow down. It was WONDERFUL!! Every one was so nice, all my art friends were close by, and we sold like crazy!!!

I saw some really great artist. I met Michael Banks, Theresa Disney, got to talk to William Skrips, (who happens to be my all time favorite artist!) and hung out with my friends Athlone and Alyce Clarke, Brenda Davis and Marian Baker. I met a fellow blogger, Lynn McDonald..and I got to know Anthony Pack--who makes great found object art!! I also met a couple of musicians that have a band called Sugarcane Jane. They were SUPER!! So...basically..this was probably the best show that I have been in so far. It was truely something that I will remember for years to come!!!

Live Artfully!!!

NEW STYLE (KIND OF)

2011-10-06T00:32:00.000-05:00

Hello!! Well..We survived the Norcross, GA show..and are on our way to KENTUCK next. I have been working on doing things a little differently..and adding more than one element to my paintings. This is the 3 that I have come up with so far. The middle one is standard size (16 x 16), the other two are quite large. Well..nothing much is going on here...work, work, work. Live Artfully!!

NEW PAINTING!!

2011-09-29T02:51:00.000-05:00

Live Artfully!!

NORCROSS ART FEST THIS WEEKEND!!!

2011-09-27T23:25:00.000-05:00

NORCROSS, GEORGIA--OUTSKIRTS OF ATLANTA!! OCT 1st and 2nd!! Come out and see us!!!
Live Artfully!!

NORCROSS ART FEST (ATLANTA) AND KENTUCK !!!!

2011-09-17T14:52:00.000-05:00

WoW!!! I have been working my tail off lately!! I did a wonderful show in Mentone, AL and another wonderful show in Athens, AL..Both went extremely well, and I got to enjoy the company of many, many friends that I hardly ever see otherwise!! It was so good to see all my friends and returning customers!! I appreciate the constant support of my art! Thank you!!

Next on the art show schedule is NORCROSS ART FEST!! This is an invitation only show on the outskirts of Atlanta. It is a specific kind of show, for WHIMSICAL ART. So, if you like happy, bright, colorful art--you don't want to miss it!! Come out, and support the artist!! It's OCT. 1st and 2nd. Hope to see you there!!!

Two weeks after it, we will be doing the KENTUCK ART SHOW!! It's in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is sure to be the best show EVER!! I was on the wait list, and due to an artist cancellation, we got in. This is so HUGE for me!! I cannot wait!!!

Other than preparing for these two shows, nothing much is happening here. The little dog that had come here to live, ran away, and I have missed him terribly..but, really it is just WORK WORK WORK for Nature Boy and me!!! Speaking of which..I need to get busy!! Live Artfully!!!

YESTERDAY WAS PRODUCTIVE!!

2011-08-11T17:24:00.000-05:00

WOW. I got busy yesterday! Then, I got busy today--but, all of these were done yesterday..That's about it...no time to play..got to work, work, work....Live Artfully!

GETTING READY FOR SEPT. SHOWS!!

2011-08-10T01:17:00.001-05:00

Painted this tonight. I started out with an abstract, and thought it needed "more"...this was the final result! I am so excited for the shows that we have coming! Welll...that is about it..Live Artfully!!

MY DAUGHTER GOT MARRIED LAST NIGHT!

2011-08-05T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well..we are into August, and I am moving along on getting ready for fall shows. I have painted 3 new paintings, and sold TWO of those..so, I am one ahead!

Last night was rather exciting. My daughter and her boyfriend, went to Las Vegas, and got married in the Doo Wop Wedding Chapel. It was a wedding chapel decorated like a 1950's diner..in turquoise. It was so adorable. My daughter had a beautiful green dress with a black jacket, leopard print shoes, and she looked BEAUTIFUL! She married her best friend from high school. He's been a rock for her as she was growing up, and I cannot believe that he is now my SON-IN-LAW. Nature Boy and I got to watch the entire ceremony on web cam...::::Smile::: Leave it to my child to have a cool wedding!! So..that's my excitement for this week..
Live Artfully!

TODAY..

2011-07-31T00:58:00.000-05:00

Ok..This is today's work--ALL day..repainted so many times that I felt like throwing it in the garbage. It was a still life, a dog (which Nature Boy said looked like a rabbit), then two different women. I was in the process of covering the last woman when this emerged. I like it ok. Geesh..I hate days like this...where nothing works!!

Other than that..I played with the dog. He is SO FUNNY. He'll go running after something or nothing, then I whistle and he runs back as fast as he can. Then he'd run after his imaginary friend, running as hard as his little short legs would take him, then I would whistle...this went on for a while...hahahah..He's so pooped out--that he's been sound asleep on the porch for HOURS.

Well..I think it's time for bed. Live Artfully!!

MANY MANY PAINTINGS TO SHOW...I NEED TO GET BACK TO BLOGGING!!

2011-07-30T03:21:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I have not been posting my art on the blog. What is up with that? Everything goes on Facebook, Facebook, Facebook. Facebook is EVIL! It's a brain-sucker, a time stealer...I have to get off of there!!!

Well..let's see..In July, we did a show in Mentone, AL., and it was the hottest day that I have ever spent outside in my life (and I am from FLORIDA, so I KNOW hot weather!)..but, we got to hang out with friends and that made it worthwhile. From July until last night, Nature Boy and I have been hanging out at home, working and working. Only a couple of things have happened lately. ONE WAS THIS:

You all know that ever since Petey died, I have been waiting for another dog to come into my life. I held off going out and finding one, because I knew that one day, another one would find me, and need me. Well..this little beagle showed up about a week and a half ago, and he was in sad, sad shape. He was afraid, wouldn't come near us, and starving to death (literally). He was so thin that you could count his ribs...and his head was like solid bone, no fat on it at all. I started feeding him, then began feeding him every four hours, and he's so fat. I cannot believe that he gained weight THAT FAST!! He's not afraid of us now, and follows us around. He's basically a good dog, except he HOWLS...and when he howls, he chases...I am bewildered that SO MUCH NOISE can come out of such a little dog!! He's still timid..unless he's chasing something...hahahhaha...but, he'll probably outgrow that in time. I named him DOBBY, after the elf in Harry Potter, because when I first got him to look at me, his head was so thin that he looked exactly like Dobby..but, anyway..he's become "ours".

The only other thing that has happened is that we did the Huntsville Gallery Tour. It was fun, and got us out in the public again. Met some wonderful new customers, and saw some old friends!!

Well..that's it...soon the fall season will be here! We can't wait!! Looking forward to doing some really good shows!!! Live Artfully!!

FINALLY ANOTHER PAINTING!!

2011-07-17T01:12:00.000-05:00

Whew! I finally finished another painting! I was beginning to worry that my art muse had been eaten alive by my diet muse...hahahha. I HAVE to get ready for upcoming shows!! You all need to nag me, until I produce something!!

Has everyone ran out and watched the new Harry Potter yet? I was going to go the other night, but thought that I wanted to watch PART 1 beforehand, so I rented it tonight through Pay-per-view, and watched it. It amazes me how different the actors are from where they started!

I haven't been doing much art--I've been working on me. I have a new diet blog-- suzanbuckner2.blogspot.com, if any of you would like to follow that too. As of today--the end of week 6--I have lost 25 pounds. I feel as if it is a million. But, I am keeping them totally separate--so this is the last you'll hear on this blog about dieting...unless it is in the form of Art.

Well..that's about it. I have to get back to painting..it might be an all-nighter.LIVE ARTFULLY!!!

OH GOODNESS!! DID I FORGET THAT I HAD A BLOG?

2011-07-13T01:06:00.000-05:00

Hello! I haven't been here in a long time. Summer, this year is my down time, and my regrouping time..so..I don't really have much to say. We did a show in Mentone since the Whofest Show, and that was fun. It was so extremely HOT though. I think that kept a lot of people away...but, we hung out with great friends, and got to see everyone...so it was all good.

Six weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers online. As of today, I have lost approximately 20 pounds!! I have given up sugar almost completely, and am eating as many raw foods as possible. I feel calmer, thinner, happier...and after struggling through the first few weeks, I no longer think about eating junk, and what I gave up...(white rice, white potatoes, white pasta,sugar, processed food, anything with high fructose corn syrup..and other stuff--including CHOCOLATE..hahahaha). Now it's whole grains, nuts, healthy fats, lean protein, fruits and vegetables...Nature Boy has lost about 4 pounds..and is excercising on the glider machine much more than I am.

I should be painting more. I have had something of an artist block lately..just can't seem to get back in the groove of things..but, I will. I have some big shows coming up in September and October, and HAVE to get busy. Well..that's about all! Live Artfully!!

ARTFUL HANDS ON FACEBOOK!!

2011-06-12T13:51:00.000-05:00

I have started a new page on Facebook called Artful Hands. You can "LIKE" or join it HERE. I think I'll be showing other artist, sharing links and tips for Living Artfully!! Hope you enjoy!!

THEN AND NOW..TWO YEARS OF WHOFEST ART SHOW--A FANTASTIC GREAT WEEKEND!!!!

2011-05-30T19:15:00.000-05:00

The Year is 2010--This is our first time setting up at an actual "SHOW"..we had done the Chattanooga Market several times, and a small art market called "ART UNTIL DARK" at Winder Binder Folk Art Gallery. We were NERVOUS. Our booth had so much stuff in it. The day went great. We sold a majority of the things we brought. It was a crazy weekend. Hot, and busy.....I remember not knowing how to react when people started talking about our art...we were SO GREEN, and uncomfortable.

Fast forward to this past weekend--WHOFEST 2011--

This year, we got two tents..Nature Boy had his own..We had a minimal amount of inventory..we didn't sell much, but made good money..(only $100 or so under last year). We knew a great deal of the artist that showed with us, we were actually responsible for a couple of them coming to the show. We were kicked back, and had a blast. We bought art (pictures following below.)

It was like the difference of being a child and being an adult. Our first time out--our "FIRST" real show..it was very scary, and we were naive about everything (especially pricing)..hahaha..I think my most expensive thing the first year was $125, (and I felt guilty about that). We were young, and stupid..we met many, many people at that show. Many of them are now great friends that I hope I have for life. This year, we were adults. We have grown. We weren't scared or nervous..We've done what feels like hundreds of shows between the two shows. (It is probably more like 30 or so).

The art that we purchased this weekend was AMAZING! One day a long time ago, I was in Chattanooga, and walked into a coffee shop--they had this artist named MARK LEAMON exhibiting his work for sale. I remember clearly walking in, and seeing it, and it stopped my breath. By that I mean that I felt as if I had walked into a world famous art gallery, and there sat the most empowering group of paintings that I ever seen. I was in there for almost an hour. I know the people in there thought that I was crazy, or something. I walked to each painting, and studied each line, each brush stroke. I KNOW good art, ( I was partially raised in an art gallery that my aunt was part owner in)..I KNOW good art--I knew what I was looking at was GREAT art. Not good. GREAT. Yesterday..I purchased 4 pieces of this artists' work. Yesterday, it once again made my breath stop in my chest. I would have mortgaged my house to buy a piece. I purchased one large piece, and 3 smaller pieces...

This is the large piece. It's GORGEOUS!! So intense and saturated with life!!! This picture does not do it justice! I had seen it on Saturday, and loved it..but, I was hot, and tired, and wanted to go home. I could not stop thinking about it...all night I thought about it...I woke up on Sunday morning, thinking about it..when we got to the show on Sunday morning...I walked up to the tent, and saw this piece:

This piece is amazing. It is done on the back of one of his sketchbooks, and has so much depth and layering to it. It's so beautiful! I cannot show you these painting in high resolution (the reason is obvious), and when I saw this it was hanging from a chain on a tree branch. OMG! I HAD to have it! (I later decided that I will find a tree branch, bolt it onto my wall, and hang it in my home that way. To remember it as I FIRST saw it.)...So...

....I positioned my chair to face Mark's tent...and I waited..and I waited..(Nature Boy and I tend to arrive very early..hahah)..I saw Mark unzipping his tent..and away I WENT.

I also purchase two smaller pieces. I will have to show these later..because they are carefully packed away with my own art.

I spent the majority of the last two days hanging out with my friend and fellow artist Brenda Davis. The strangest thing happened. On Sunday morning at 4:30am, Brenda and I BOTH had a serious leg cramp on the right leg wake us up from a dead sleep. We were not in the same place. She was in Chattanooga..I was at home in Alabama...weird..huh..(insert music from the Twilight Zone)..But, we had great fun!!

Ok..there will have to be a Part 2 to this post. I will show the rest of the art that I bought, or recieved and the jewelry (need the artist's permission to post a picture of it)..and I will tell of some more things that happened, etc..but, I have lost my wind...hahaha. Live Artfully!!

A PAINTING.

2011-05-24T23:26:00.000-05:00

Live Artfully!!

VERY VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY!! ELEVEN PAINTINGS (ALL 16 x 16)!!

2011-05-22T18:47:00.002-05:00

OK..I think that getting up early, and having coffee while scanning pictures of PICASSO really, really helps one free themselves and just paint with reckless abandon. That is what I did today! I just took a deep breath, decided that imperfection is sometimes perfect..and PAINTED....and PAINTED...and PAINTED...Before 6pm--I had done 8 good sized paintings. EIGHT!! Goodness...They just poured out...I went crazy!! I think if I can get Nature Boy to make me a couple of large cups of coffee--I THINK..I can do more. So far--to date--My record for "paintings in a day" has been 13..I may be able to break that...Nothing like purging demons and painting!!

Yesterday, we set up our tent in Mentone, Alabama..It was a beautiful day, and everyone seem to have sells..I got to see a lot of friends!! Thank you to all that purchased from us! I also got to see a very special friend--Stacy--Stacy is young, maybe in her late teens, and is in a wheelchair. She does the most amazing art using her mouth as a tool to operate her computer. She makes pictures on the computer, then prints them out. I have several of her pieces that she traded me last year. I was so sad to hear that Stacy has not felt good for about 3 months now, so I gave her a painting with her favorite color (PURPLE!) in it...in hopes that it would brighten her day, even if just for a few minutes. Please take a moment and say a prayer for Stacy. She's a wonderful spirit..

Nature Boy and I have ONE more show--coming up this next weekend!! We will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Saturday and Sunday for WHOFEST. It's to be held in Renaissance Park, and it'll be FULL of wonderful folk artist and ART!!!!

This is our last show until July 2nd and 3rd, and the ONLY time that we will be in Chattanooga this year (that we know of), so PLEASE come and see us!! I miss SO MANY of you that are in Chattanooga!!!

Well..that's about it..time to eat..and then PAINT AGAIN!

Ok..added 3 more after dinner...I feel like a cross between eating a pound of chocolate and not gaining an ounce (very happy!!)..and being hit by an 18 wheeler (very tired!)..hahhaha.
LIVE ARTFULLY!!

NO TITLE -- NOTHING TO SAY-- JUST PAINTINGS.

2011-05-20T10:45:00.000-05:00

HELLO!!! LONG TIME , NO SEE!!

2011-05-18T15:48:00.000-05:00

Well--our first half of the show season is winding down, and the weather is playing heck on my mental state. I have a tendency to hibernate in cold weather..thus justifying why the paintings have been few and far between...It has been a busy, busy half a year for us, and I can't believe that time is flying like it is! We have two more shows coming up..One in Mentone, Alabama...and the other is WHOFEST in Chattanooga. I wanted to do WhoFest, but was having to back out from lack of inventory, but since I left our last show due to our tent being vandalized..I had sufficient time to add to the inventory that I already had..and so...Chattanooga here we come!!

Besides those two shows, we will be doing ART ON MAIN in Madison, Alabama (weather permitting) on June 2nd from 4-8 pm. Hope you can come out to one of these events.

The other night we went to Mentone for a spaghetti dinner to help the tornado victims. It was fun, as we met up with some friends, and hung out while we ate. It was put on at the Wildflower Cafe in Mentone, and if you ever get a chance to eat there..it's WONDERFUL. The absolute best food EVER! I am so happy that we can just jump in the van, and go whereever we want to..It's one of the benefits of being OLDER...and being semi-retired.

Well..that's about it..boring stuff.LOL. LIVE ARTFULLY!!

A FEW NEW PAINTINGS!!

2011-05-12T06:56:00.000-05:00

Good Morning!! I have been working, working, working...and have a few paintings done for the show in Florence, AL this weekend! Maybe my booth won't look like an empty hole..LOL.We are at the end of the first half of my season--Last year, we sold throughout the summer..this year, I am taking 3 months off (except for one show) to paint for the fall shows...I am excited about being able to have time to work on painting, blogging, and business!

This weekend we will be doing the ARTS ALIVE FESTIVAL in Florence, AL. Next weekend we will be Mentone again for a show. Then we are done. I have some big shows coming up in the fall. I want to have fresh stuff.

Nothing much else is going on here..Sorry..I'm a bore..hahahha.
Live Artfully!!

WOW..WHAT A WEEK!!!

2011-05-08T22:44:00.000-05:00

WOW! where is time going?? On April 27th, Alabama was hit with a gazillion tornadoes...we were very fortunate and blessed. The areas all around us are damaged and so sad...It has broke my heart to know what the people of Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and others are going through. I pray for the areas nightly. Yesterday, we did an art show in Valleyhead, AL. There was massive destruction within 5 miles of us. It was a gathering of artist and we donated to help the victims of the storms. I wish that I could have given a million dollars more. The show was on a beautiful sheep farm called Sweet Seasons. It was very beautiful and peaceful, and a lot of my artist friends were there. We had a great day.

This is what we saw all day...gorgeous green hills and wonderful sheep. The owner, Paulette Manning is an amazing woman..and she put on an excellent show!! Thank you Paulette! I can't wait until next year!!!

Going back a bit..the day after the storms hit, we went down to Troy, AL for a show. It was also a great show, and the highlight of that show was that my uncle came up from Pensacola, FL, and spent the weekend with us. My friend, visionary folk artist Brenda Davis was there also, and we had a blast! Brenda is a wonderful person, so if you ever get to meet her, tell her I said Hi!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! Today is Mother's Day. Kimberly (my daughter) sent me Godiva Chocolates...and called. I miss her so much! (I'm sure she doesn't miss me, as badly as I miss her!)..and Nature Boy took me to COSTCO..so it was a wonderful day!! Hope all the mother's out there had a good one.

I am rambling..tired now..time for bed. LIVE ARTFULLY!!

PAINTING AGAIN...RACING THE CLOCK...

2011-04-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

Do you hear it??? The clock is ticking, ticking, ticking..so loud that I can only think of Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart"..it's beating in my ears. I have painted 3 paintings this week so far--I have also sold 3 paintings..so the clock ticking gets louder...we have to leave Friday morning to go to Troy, Alabama for a two day show..I have two large shows the two weeks following...I am down to 47 paintings....ARGGGHHHHHH !!! THE PRESSURE!!! I will be painting in the hotel room again, I'm sure...LOL..WHOOOHOOO..gotta love stress!! I fortunately work well under stress...

This past weekend we went and showed at the Mentone Earth Day. Other than a wonderful stained glass artist, I think that I was the only artist out there. It was so good to see all of my Mentone friends after a long winter away from them. They are some of the nicest people that I have ever met, and I look forward to seeing them again soon!!

I got sick after the show in Pensacola..after 10 days of antibiotics, I think it must be Spring allergies..and I probably need some Benedryl or something. I am tired, with a scratchy throat..and am slightly itchy..I, like so many of my friends, must have a LOVE/HATE relationship with SPRING. I love the newly blossoming trees and flowers, and the birds building their nest, and all the animal babies that seem to come out of nowhere...I HATE the pollen..LOL

Anyway..back to the grindstone! LIVE ARTFULLY!!

MY DAUGHTER TURNED 24 YESTERDAY!!

2011-04-13T21:45:00.000-05:00

Hello!! Yesterday was my baby's 24th birthday! I can't believe that she is that old, and has already done so much with her life!! I am very proud of you, and all that you are! I love you!!!

Well, ever since returning from Pensacola, FL..I have been in a pickle. First, I got sick..but, not really sick..but, my throat became painful, making swallowing hard...and my bronchial tubes became irritated. I think it was a combination of Florida pollen, and from an artist that set up across from us, that spray painted on his hanging paintings for two days. All I breathed for two days was spray paint. The man was asking $$$$ in the thousands..and I think he really cheapened himself by constantly adding spray paint to his work throughout the whole show. Come on..BE PROFESSIONAL. If you wanted to work..then work on something that wasn't hanging in your booth for sale...geesh!!

Anyway, I went to the doctor for my throat, and she put me on antibiotics, and they have actually made me feel worse than I did before I went. The days of me not painting were ticking away, and hit the double digits. THEN..I began to feel like I was never going to paint again. This is a death sentence for a productive artist!! I am sure that Nature Boy has wanted to duct tape my mouth shut, because I have been whining that I would NEVER PAINT AGAIN..woooo is me....PITY PARTY ATTACK...Today..I painted a cow. I hated it..so I painted it again. I ended up with the painting above. I still am not 100%..and I know the ONLY thing that is going to cure me is a good show. I came home from Prattville, AL, feeling all good and happy.(WONDERFUL PEOPLE there!)..Then went to Pensacola, and got my rear end kicked...and then had a horrible weekend last weekend...I NEED A GOOD SHOW!!!! So, this upcoming weekend, we are headed to the city of GUNTERSVILLE,AL. We will be doing the ART ON THE LAKE show. The weather is suppose to be pleasant, and maybe I can get my "artistic groove" back. It's such an emotional roller coaster...this life as an artist..you are marked by people's reaction to your work. If they react with indifference..it's like they might as well take a knife, and give you a frontal lobotomy..hahahah..at least that's how I FEEL!

Ok..I will not subject you to any more of my whining..I can hide from Nature Boy and his duct tape, but if you ALL decide that I need it..I probably couldn't hide..hehehehe.
Live Artfully!!

FROM THE PENSACOLA ART SHOW TO AN ALLIGATOR AT OUR HOTEL..OUR WEEKEND!!

2011-04-06T15:20:00.000-05:00

Good Morning~!~ I don't have any pictures of this weekend...Sorry..The first picture is of the Nature Trail that is on the campus of the University of West Florida, where the art show was held. The show was fun, and I got to see a lot of my old friends!!

I had dinner on Thursday with my friend Kyle, and his new wife, Tammy. I have been friends with her on Facebook, and am so happy that I got to spend some time getting to know her. Kyle cooked the most amazing dinner!!! I think I need to hire him to give Nature Boy some cooking lessons!! It was great being over there, and seeing the kids, and John!

My kindergarden through 5th grade best friend (Melissa) came to see me!! OMG!! I love her!! She is a person whose light just shines through. You can see such joy and happiness emitting from her.We've known each other for ohhh..about 40 years now..maybe 41..It's so cool to think that she would come and see me!! Honestly..I think she looks the same as when we played Barbies together at the age of 6!

My second grade teacher came to visit me. She is my adoptive ("heart" adoptive, not literally) mother. A great woman named Shirley. She had me in the first class that she ever taught..and later, she taught my daughter at the same school. Then, she retired. We probably drove her to that. I kept in touch with her all those years. The school was directly across the street from the house that I grew up in, and I did many, many bulletin boards for her throughout the years. Several of them were still being used when my daughter went there!!

My friends Theresa, Mitch and Anne (Theresa's mother) came also. This couple are some of the most amazing that I have ever met. I met them when I was around 23, I was a new single mother, and had been a seriously abusive relationship for over a year. I had just gotten rid of my husband, had a tiny baby, and I met these two kids (they were around 18-20 years old at the time)..They were sent straight from God to me. They kinda took me under their wing, and did so many nice things for me. Including ..bringing me a truckload of wood to burn in my fireplace for winter..I am so happy that they are still happily married (25 years!), and STILL two of the nicest people that I have ever met. I remember Theresa telling me that my aura was yellow..and that I was afraid..LOL..Don't know why that has stuck in my head all these years....Theresa's mother came too!! It was so good for my heart to see them all again!! I love you guys!!

I stayed a few nights with my friend Linda, who has the best dog (and the worse cat) EVER!! It was so good to spend time with Linda. She has been a wonderful friend, and true confidant for years! I love her so much!! I have laughed with her --longer and harder--than with anyone that I have ever met. She was wonderful. I miss her so much now, and realize that I have missed her since I have been here. She needs to come live with me. Her dog's name was Zoie..and Nature Boy loved Zoie!! I think I can now convince him to let me get a small inside dog. Linda's cat was beautiful, but scary..LOL..every time that I walked by..it hissed, and looked scary. I was seriously afraid it was going to eat my face...hahahaha.

My friend Sheri came by..and it was great to see her, and meet her daughter. She is the girl that I knew from high school in Pensacola, FL..but she was actually raised right down the street from where I live now!!! Her daughter reminds me of my own!! So Cool!

My elementary school teacher and her husband came by...I have also kept in touch with them through the years!!

Family came..and that was neat. For them to see me as an artist..not as the bratty child that I was most of my life!! Haahahah..

One of my buddies had a food vendor trailer at the show too! It was great seeing Jaimie, and meeting his wife and two kids!! Also, wonderful people. I tell you--I have been SO BLESSED with good friends my WHOLE LIFE. I thank God first for my daughter and husband, but then I thank him for all the people that he has brought into my life!!!!

Anyway--I got carried away...I forget that I am "Blogging" and not keeping a detailed LIFE JOURNAL...hahaha..so forgive me if I rambled...

The show was pleasant, not the amount of buyers that I would have liked, but the care of the artist was outstanding!! The people in charge of the show went above and beyond to make sure that we were fed, and taken care of. They held an award dinner for us, and I won a Judge's Award! I got a beautiful white ribbon. Throughout the show--they brought a cart around with coffee, and donuts, fruit and chips for us. Thank you UWF Festival on the Green Organizers!!

One of the nights that we stayed in a hotel..

This is what we saw in a river/swamp area below us...LOL..Nature Boy was so excited!!! The hotel was high up, and I don't think that this alligator could have gotten in the parking lot..I thought it was extremely cool to see this AT OUR HOTEL though!!! LOL..
Live Artfully!!!!

THE ART SHOW, TORNADO SIRENS..THIS WEEKEND

2011-03-28T06:37:00.000-05:00

Well..we did our first show of the season!! It was the Fountain City Arts Festival in Prattville, AL. We got up on Friday and drove down there..and thank God that we did, because it took us over 4 hours just to set up. But,let me start at the beginning..I got up Friday morning at 3am..put coffee on, and jumped on my new ellipitical excercise machine, and did about 2 minutes really fast. I was so proud of myself (until later that night-hahaha)..then life went on as normal until 9 am when we headed out. We drove down there, swung into our hotel, and paid for our room, then went to WHATABURGER!! OMG. I SO love, love, love Whataburger hamburgers, and we don't have one where we live, so that was REALLY the only reason that I chose this show, was that there was a Whataburger nearby...hahaha. We get there, set up ...and finally get everything done (by now it's about 7:30 PM)--and we go back to hotel room..and then..that really fast 2 minutes on the hydraulic restistance excercise machine hits me..I could barely move..hahahha. I hurt from my head to my toes..so..I ate a banana and took some Aleve, and off to sleep we went..

We got back to the art show around 7 am. People started looking, and buying..I met Brenda Davis--a VERY prolific folk artist, and generally good person to laugh and talk with..and then the customers started coming..I made some sells..and my aunt came to visit me (she lives in Montgomery--which was about 15 minutes away)..and it's all going well...then at 2:15, the art show people come by, and say we are closing up early, and bad weather is on the way. We start to pack up, and these sirens start blaring. The "run to the shelter" kind of sirens..blaring continously..the sky is black and churning, and some lady is saying she sees a tornado..hahha.. Well..I looked. I didn't see a tornado, I had Nature Boy look..he didn't see a tornado..but, I am assuming since they are blasting us with these World War 2 sirens, then someone MUST have seen one..so..we are shoving things into the van...(I seriously am praying that I did not destroy half of my inventory..sigh), and shoving and shoving..and the weather gets worse, the wind is whipping..we are all frantic...We finally get the last of everything picked up..we get in the van..we shut the doors..we take a deep breath..and.....THE SUN COMES OUT. It is a beautiful day. No wind, no rain..hahahaha. But..we did well..and met a new friend, and saw a couple of old ones, and met some that we will forever avoid..so all in all-it was a good show.

So, we head home..we get to the interstate, and the exit is blocked by police. We pull into a store and find out that there is a 5 fatality car wreck and they have blocked off a section of the interstate. We head back to town and had dinner, then came back by..still blocked...so we had to detour, so for 40 miles we drove 35-45 miles an hour with 600 cars behind us, and a million ahead of us...We get through that..and all goes smoothly..until we are on the last leg of our trip..we are on this section of road that is always the darkest, bumpiest road that I have ever been on, it's a state highway..and I hate it at night under the best of conditions..well, they had these concrete barrier walls up, and we had to drive on one lane under the worse thunderstorm that I have ever been on. I couldn't see, but there was nowhere to stop either..so I just kept praying and praying, and after about 30 miles of this, we finally got to our exit. Then 40 minutes later, we were home safely! I have never been so happy to be home in my life!! Goodness!!

So..HERE WE ARE..at home..We are Pensacola, FL bound this week!! I am very excited to be going "home", and to be doing a show there! I am not frantic about getting ready for it..I am not having to paint continously..and I am already packed. I have to pick up a few things today, and we will be ready to go!

Well..that is about all..a "not boring" weekend...and an exciting one coming up..then back home to get ready for the next show!
Live Artfully!!

THE DAY BEFORE THE FIRST SHOW OF THE SEASON!!!WHOOOHOOOO!!!

2011-03-25T05:13:00.000-05:00

Well..the day has come!! Tomorrow morning at 6AM, we will set up for the first art show of the season. We will be in Prattville, Alabama (on the outskirts of Montgomery, and about an hour outside of Birmingham) for the Fountain City Arts Festival!!! I am more than excited!! It has been a short, uneventful winter..and I am ready for some artsy people and events!! I need the people and the shows..it fuels my blood!!

We will be coming home from that show and then the next weekend, I will be going "HOME" to do a show in Pensacola, FL. Everyone is asking me if I am excited, and going to the beach. I AM VERY EXCITED to do a show in my home town, and see all of my old friends and some of my family..but, I am NOT going to the beach.

I was raised on the beach..and went frequently in my youth, but I really haven't been out there since I was about 20..I find it B-O-R-I-N-G. I mean seriously boring (as BORING as always painting with Van Dyke Brown Boring--hahaha)!! Same old, same old...NOW, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE swimming in the ocean...but, I don't feel that going into the ocean is safe any longer. Put me on a boat, a jet-ski, anything..and I am right there..but, going to the beach..walking or sticking my toe in the water...it's a waste of my precious time and energy. Also, IF I went out to the beach, I'd be out there for 20 minutes, and I would be dark as night..and that is not good for your skin. I am one half Greek, and I tan instantly...it is always funny to me that people go and go out to the beach, and they are still as pale and sick looking as if they had stayed inside all winter, on the couch, under a blanket. (NOT that there is ANYTHING wrong with hibernation--I support hibernation in any way that I can--hahah)SO..I will not be going to the beach..I WILL be finding exciting things to do, and seeing everyone that I can!! ALSO, my daughter and her wonderful boyfriend are coming up from Orlando, and so they will be in town too..I am WAY excited about that!!!!

This week has been a long one..First my computer fried itself..(Nature Boy's hands were on it when it fried..not laying blame, just saying..hahah)..After going 4 days without a computer, we went out and we bought the COOLEST one!!! It has a huge screen, and the screen holds everything. It has all the components in the monitor..So ALL we have is this huge flat screen, a wireless keyboard, and a wireless mouse..and it also has Windows7 on it (which I LOVE!!)..It's awesome! A little pricey, but with all the art and working on it that we do, I think it's way worth it. I have also decided to put a computer in the studio, and twice this week, we have went to look at them..and I just can't decide..I went today to look at laptops..but, I don't know if that is what I want, because I really can't see taking it around with me..the guy tried to sell me an IPAD..but I feel like that's not what I want either..I am leaning to another one of the big flat screens/wireless like we just bought, but is having TWO of them really necessary?? So, I put it off..two days in a row...and will decide when I get back..or maybe look around in Florida while I am there..

We also had the opportunity to buy an ellipitical (spelling???) excercise machine for a VERY low price..and I am now totally pysched about that! I was afraid at first--because I simply do not like movement UNDER my feet..(it has always freaked me out)..but, after Nature Boy jumped on it, and was dancing around on it..I was ok to get on it. It's going to be a good thing!! I got up this morning at 3..made my cup of coffee..and while the coffee was brewing, I got on the machine and "ran" on it until the coffee was done..LOL..I am happy that Nature Boy is joining me in the "get healthy" thing--I don't want to hit 50 in a FEW (4) years, and be hindered by heart health problems..if that happens, I might as well stop making art, and go sit my lazy rear on the beach.hahhaha. My next purchase is going to be a tread climber (have to save a bit for that), and a set of weights...

About the art--Well, I am a bit dissapointed in myself..I REALLY wanted a hundred pieces to start this season off, and I fell about 10 short. But..on the positive side..I have many, many more LARGE pieces than I have ever had in the past. I actually did OVER 100, since our last show in early December, but they kept selling and selling (NOT COMPLAINING!!--Thank you GOD!)..so, I am actually leaving out with my goal a little short...I would have made it, but woke up about 3 days ago, and I was just TIRED of working..and I needed a break. I did work on a ton of backgrounds though..so,if we have a good show this weekend, I can whip out more paintings for the Pensacola show.

That's about all..Wish me luck! Hugs to you all. Thank you for your continuous support!!
Live Artfully!!

LARGE 24 x 24 PAINTING!!!

2011-03-17T18:21:00.000-05:00

Whew..I almost had my butt kicked by this one..LOL. Sometimes abstract can be so hard!! I finally finished it with the lotus flowers..I kept knowing that something was missing, and couldn't figure out WHAT...Glad that ordeal is OVER..hahahah.

Nothing much going on here...cabin fever is setting in..come on March 26--I need a road trip!!
Live Artfully!!

A FIRE and AN ELEPHANT!!

2011-03-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

Well..I took a day off..and then yesterday, I painted this..so I am a slacker..LOL. The elephant is 12 x 24, and sold within minutes of posting..Thank you!! (You know who you are!).

Last night, I walked out on the porch, and stood a few moments..and when I turned around--saw that a house down the street was on fire (probably about 1/4 of mile down the road. I screamed "Oh My GOD!!" so loud that Nature Boy, who was putting a hanger on the back of a painting, literally TOSSED the painting...and came running. ( I didn't know he could move that fast!) LOL. I called 9-1-1..(they had already been notified), but better safe than sorry. We stood out there and watched this HUGE fire for about an hour. They cut the electricity in our neighborhood, so there was no sense in going inside. We knew that no one lived in the house...so we just stood out there and watched it. This morning, I got up and drove down there to see which house it was. I have to say that our volunteer fire department is WONDERFUL, because a large house burnt, and the two on either side of it (close together) did not look like they had any damage at all. Most of the houses on this road are far apart, but these 3 are really close..maybe a few feet between them. (I am guessing that one person probably owns all 3???) I don't really know because I don't know the people on that end of the street. But anyway--no one lived in the big house--even though it was a nice house, so...at least no one is homeless this morning, and it's not THAT tragic or anything. (Not being cold about it, but, you know...realistic about the situation).

Well, that was my little bit of excitement for the week. LOL. In one week and one day, we will be leaving for our first show this year. I am a nervous wreck..(always am)..but, at least I'll finally have something to blog about...hahahah.

I think today I might attempt something that has been ping-ponging around in my head for a while now. Nature Boy made me some 3 foot x 4 foot wood panels with cradled 2" sides..and I couldn't figure out what to paint that large. I think I am going to do a journal page painting..

Something like one of these (some old journal pages), except the entire thing will be hand-painted...and it'll be MEGA HUGE..Of course--I don't know if it'll work or not..or if I will get bored with it before I finish it..but, what the heck..anyway..
Live Artfully!!

BUSY BUSY BUSY WEEKEND!! HAPPY MONDAY MORNING!!

2011-03-14T08:50:00.000-05:00

Well..I certainly had a very productive weekend! I hope it went as well for all of you!! I painted yesterday from 10 am -- past midnight..I then played on the computer until 3am..then went to bed. I woke up 3 hours later..and here I sit..I am going back to bed...as soon as I finish this post.

I have been praying for Japan, and it's people. I have watched 20+ videos of the tsunami hitting them..and praying. It's so strange to see water doing damage of that magnitude. I have lived in Florida all of my life (until I met Nature Boy online about 10 years ago..), and I have seen what Mother Nature can do as far as damage. I have never seen damage like the Japan videos. The first ones that I saw..I sat there and saw water with a lot of debris..it was just washing over fields, and I said to myself..that doesn't look TOO bad..then, I realized that the "debris" was cars and houses, burning buildings, ships...and the depth of water, and the severity of it all hit my brain. What shocked me the most was that 1. There were no people in the water, and 2. There were people standing on rooftops, and watching it all. Can you imagine..standing on a building, and watching all of that go on 15 feet below you.

Ok..I don't have anything else to say..I'm still exhausted from yesterday..Other than painting, the weekend was pretty uneventful..unless you count me cooking the BEST tasting ribs EVER yesterday as excitement...so, I guess I'll close..hehehe.
Live Artfully!

WORK WORK WORK!!!

2011-03-12T01:40:00.000-06:00

Hello!! It's 1:30 AM, and I am painting away.. this is all that I have done in the last few days--The fish is so cool. He's 12 inches x 48 inches...he was fun to do!! I am painting, painting, painting...in hopes that when we go to our first show down near Montgomery, AL that we can just take a couple of days off and go down to Florida, and have 3 days there before our second show. But, to pull this off--I have to have enough paintings to carry two full shows!! So, right now, I am the little engine that thinks she can. LOL..Ok..paint should be dry..more work to do..Cross your fingers for me.
Live Artfully!

2011-03-08T01:29:00.000-06:00

Whew..Sorry for the overload, but I had to delete the post that had several of these paintings because the blog messed up...so I reloaded them (the ones at the bottom), and uploaded new ones...SO..that's it...
Live Artfully!

PAM CARRIKER -- ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE BLOG TOUR..DAY 4!!

2011-03-03T03:12:00.001-06:00

Art at the Speed of Life Blog Tour

We are all having a blog tour--and today is my day!

First, Let me introduce you to Pam Carriker--author, artist, friend, teacher, mother..and probably more!

One of Pam's friends sent her this tu-tu, and asked that Pam have her picture taken in it. I know this because I asked Pam..I think she actually pulls it off! I don't know many people that could look quite natural standing around in a beautiful blue tu-tu...

Anyway--back to the book. A very long time ago..Pam and I ended up talking on the phone..I will call anyone of the many artist that want to talk..and I will let them call me..I don't remember who called who..but, a that point--she let it out that she was writing a book. I jokingly said..ooooo..I want to be in it..and that was pretty much the last thought that I gave it. I have a serious tendency to NOT think about things...(which you all know--if you have read this blog for long)...Fast forward about 6 months...I get an email from Pam, asking me to be in her book. I immediately excepted! She sent me deadlines, and what she wanted me to do..and I of course..procrastinated..and procrastinated..and waited until the last minute...had to borrow some sold art just to have something to send to her..She was VERY patient with me..never got mad..always encouraging...FINALLY, I did get the article written, and the stuff boxed up..and sent to her. Approximately one year later...I recieved my copy of the book, and my art..and HERE we are today! So..that's a short history of HOW I came to be in this book.

So..I got it..and I ripped open the box..making the mailman stand there and wait, so that I could SHOW him. Hehehe.. I opened it, and this is what I saw...
1. A LOT of techniques..
2. Beautiful pictures of my online friend's art..
3. My own art..

Then, I sat down and I started to READ it. WOW! This book is FULL of articles about how we (the contributing artists) THINK, and how we make ART, how we make TIME for making art, how we make art with what we have on hand, on a budget, what we do if we are short on time, have an art blockage (serious brain problem--when THAT happens!)..the list is endless!

In the book, I talk about "Living Artfully". I tell you that my problem is NOT fitting Art into my life--but, the complete opposite. I have to fit my life into ART. Sometimes this means sacrificing other things. I don't hang out often with friends, I don't go "out" with Nature Boy..etc..I have missed family get togethers, and a lot of other things that people do. Do I feel like I am missing anything? NO. I have made the choice to BE an artist, and to SUCCEED at being an artist. I may procrasinate, and put things on the back burner, but if I decide to DO something--I give it 120% of my time and energy. Yes, I am obsessive..but, I am HAPPY. Happy to the point that some days, I feel a tinge of guilt for being so fortunate to be able to do what I love, what I KNOW I was put on this earth to do, and to make money at it.

So..If you want to learn techniques, and actually get into the minds of Pam and all of us... Get this book! You can buy it HERE, or at any major bookstore. Get it, and start making mixed media art EVERY DAY!

Here is a list of the blogs on the blog tour..for the next two weeks..ENJOY!!

1-Mar
Jenny Doh http://jennydoh.typepad.com/

2-Mar
Suzi Blu http://www.suziblu.typepad.com/

3-Mar
Seth Apter http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/

4-Mar
Suzan Buckner http://www.thriftycollageartist.blogspot.com/

5-Mar
Sue Pelletier http://www.suepelletierlaughpaint.com/

6-Mar
All Norah’s Art http://allnorahsart.blogspot.com/

7-Mar
Lisa Kettell http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com/

8-Mar
Nancy Lefko http://nancylefko.blogspot.com/

9-Mar
Chrysti Hydeck http://alwayschrysti.com/always-chrysti

10-Mar
Lisa Bebi http://lisabebi.blogspot.com/

11-Mar
Jodi Ohl http://www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com/

12-Mar
Laurie Blau-Marshall http://loudlife-laurieblaumarshall.blogspot.com

13-Mar
Dawn Edmonson http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com

14-Mar
Paulette Insall http://www.pauletteinsall.com/blog

March 15

Julie Bergman http://juliebergmann.typepad.com/pinkparismatch/

Live Artfully!

GOOD EVENING!!

2011-02-26T00:32:00.000-06:00

Good Evening. I am a woman obsessed! I am slowly getting my inventory up! I have done 3 tonight, and will do one more before I allow myself to try and sleep. I have a single-minded focus going on, and I don't want to stop...because any day now, I expect to wake up and this productivity will come to a screeching halt. I found the bottom one (ginkgo biloba leaves) in a magazine. It was a photograph, and an advertisement for the ginkgo pills. I just loved them..so I painted them on a background that I made last night. Gotta run now, and get back to painting..got to do it, while the muse is with me.
Live Artfully!!
Upcoming HINT--there is going to be a BIG blog tour in early March to promote Pam Carriker's new book--ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE...Stay tuned....

TWO OWL PAINTINGS!

2011-02-25T01:56:00.000-06:00

Hello! These are the latest of my paintings! The top one is 12 x 20, and the bottom one is 12 x 12.
Live Artfully!

FOUR MORE PAINTINGS and I JOINED THE DOLMAN GEIMAN LODGE CLUB!!

2011-02-24T00:32:00.000-06:00

Hello! I have followed this artist's work for a few years now, and absolutely love his style! While I was looking around on his site--I found that he does a link exchange, and I thought that I would share him with you! He does a fascinating mixture of collage, mixed-media and assemblage! You can check out his website HERE, and his blog HERE. I have also added a permanent button to the right hand side, so you can always easily find him! If you have never seen his work, You are in for a special treat!!

I got in one of my crazy painting moods today! I painted four--the top one is 15 x 15, and the others are 12 x 12. Not too happy with the cow, but..it'll do..I loved painting the top one, because I was just relaxing and watching TV..and painting..

Anyway--that's about all for today.
Live Artfully!!

FOUR NEW PAINTINGS!!

2011-02-22T17:19:00.000-06:00

Hello! Hello! Hello!! I have been working (it seems like ALL the time)...and these are the 4 new works that I have come up with. The latest one is the girl at the top. I literally have spent all day working on her, changing her, painting and re-painting...got her almost finished and HATED HER....so, I threw my hands up in the air..and randomly tore out some eyes, and boobie...glued them on, and threw some paint on there. I did all of that in less than 10 minutes..not really caring a bit, and finished her! Now, I really like her...

Nothing much else is going on..I am starting to organize for shows...blah blah blah...same old, same old.

Live Artfully!!

TWO NEW ABSTRACTS AND AN OWL!!

2011-02-20T01:12:00.001-06:00

Just worked today. It finally hit me that I have approx. ONE month before shows start up again...working..working... All 3 are 18 x 18 inches, acrylic on wood.
Live Artfully!!

AN ABSTRACT...

2011-02-19T02:38:00.001-06:00

Oh!! What a LONG day this was! Last night, I finally went to bed around 4am, and at 7am I was awakened by some serious bird chirping. My first thought this morning was.."WHO AM I..SNOW WHITE???"..The birds were singing like crazy..it made me want to wear a long, flowing blue dress and sing to the deer...NOT...I almost wanted to go out there (after only 3 hours sleep), and beat the poop out of some birds...hahahha...but, then it dawned on me..the birds chirping means the coming of spring, and warm weather..so, I immediately went back to feeling all warm and fuzzy about the beauty of the sound...So..THEN..I JUMPED up..I had to get applications done..because since I suffer from Severe Procrastination Disease..I had to wait until the LAST day to get a couple of them turned in...As I was filling out applications, I decided to CALL one in Florida, to see if I could still turn an application in...WOOHOOO..She let me send her the application...so, I am VERY excited about THAT show..I hope I get in!! By noon, I had gotten all of my responsibilities done, and ran to the post office to send them in..

Came home from that and eating lunch out with Nature Boy, and HAD to get some sleep...and here I am ...almost 4 am AGAIN..and STILL AWAKE...geesh!!

I did manage to do this painting. It has many, many layers on it, and is actually prettier in real life..because it's got a base of turquoise and hot pink..hehehehe. You can see random flakes in it. I took a steel wool pad and scrubbed it when I was almost done with it...so the texture is lovely......But, anyway..that's all....a long and generally boring day!! Live Artfully!!!

A CHICKEN AND A TEAPOT..

2011-02-17T23:32:00.000-06:00

Wow..I have been busy today..Completed two 12 x 24 paintings, transfered ALL the numbers and addresses that I had lying around into my phone book, finished cleaning the studio..blah, blah, blah.

Nothing much else..B-O-R-I-N-G......
Live Artfully!

TONIGHT I SAID I NEED MORE PAINT--ONE OUT OF SIX...

2011-02-17T05:06:00.000-06:00

Well..It's 5 am! Good Morning!! I am spring cleaning the studio (and have been all night!)..and earlier tonight I said to Nature Boy.."Honey, I need more paint"..I kept cleaning, and kept cleaning. This is ONE out of SIX containers that I have of paint. I had about half that much before I went on a deep cleaning spree, and kept finding bottles and bottles and bottles of paint. Not to mention that I also found 2 metal tins of Inktense pencils, and colored pencils, and Oh Dear!! ...we are NOT discussing HOW MANY gel pens, colored paint pens, magic markers..etc..that I found..I could open my own Dick Blick store ...I have said it before...I will say it again...I have a SICKNESS...hahaha...I am addicted to art supplies..but, oh what a wonderful addiction to have. Back to cleaning...
LIVE ARTFULLY!!!

ANOTHER ONE..

2011-02-15T23:22:00.000-06:00

Live Artfully!

HALF WAY THROUGH FEBRUARY..TIME IS FLYING!!

2011-02-15T16:59:00.000-06:00

Hello!! Wow..I hope you all had a wonderful, happy, romantic Valentine's Day! It is February the 15th. I can't believe that winter is ALMOST over. It's what I am living for. I think my change in eating habits has been a good thing, since this year has not been as rough on me as the years before. I seem to be in a semi-cheerful mood these days...Usually, through the winter--I stay under the covers..but, I have actually been quite productive this year!

Here's THREE new paintings--they are all 12 x 24 inches (I LOVE THIS SIZE)..and they are all acrylics on wood.

We have been spring cleaning. The serious, scrub-everything-with-Pine-Sol kind of cleaning. I love the smell of Pine-Sol. Makes me think of my grandmother...We are emptying drawers, closets, boxes, and basically PURGING. Well..I am purging--Nature Boy is going behind me, and saying "Do we need this, won't you use this,..." I am of the mind-set that if I haven't used it in a year...I don't need it. It's so much easier to just throw everything away, and start fresh. I think it cleans out your mind to do this also. It's all material bullsh*t , anyway. I am not materialistic AT ALL. I see no reason to keep "things". Anyway, I love this time of year, and cleaning during this time. Spring always brings a new beginning.

Nature Boy is cutting dead tree limbs, and working on the yard. He's got a vision of cutting this one tree down..it's only about 30 feet tall...hahah. I think he better call a professional..we wouldn't want him flattened by a tree..not to mention that it's within 15 feet of my studio..and I would be mad if it landed in the middle of that. Of course, I would probably just push it aside, and keep working..hahah.

Well..that's about it...back to work..
Live Artfully!!

PAM CARRIKER -- ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE and CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS STUDIO MAGAZINE!!

2011-02-13T01:45:00.001-06:00

Well..As I told you before, I am a contributing artist to this book, by Pam Carriker. Today, I got a message on Facebook from Pam saying that in the article about this book is in the Spring Issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studio, is one of my essays, and my doll (Rhinestone and Rust metal doll, with vintage doll head). If you haven't ordered this book..it's a must HAVE! It is full of mixed media collage techniques, insights to a lot of artist's lives, and the way they think--The contributing artist are: (The links are clickable, so that you can visit them all!)

Contributing Artists

To Order the SPRING 2011 issue of STUDIO, go HERE !
(Go immediately to page 40--that's where Pam and I are...hehehe.)

An added plus is that the adorable Ty Pendleton is in this one. Oh-la-la..He is a CUTIE!! (Crossing my fingers that he sees my art, can't live without it, and buys a ton of it...hhhahah)

Live Artfully! Thank you so much PAM!!!

LATEST PAINTINGS!!

2011-02-11T23:25:00.001-06:00

These two are 12 x 24 inches, acrylic on wood. The bottom one ("KING") is SOLD.

These two are 12 x 12..the girl is sold.

This is a collaboration that I did with Nature Boy. It's old, rusty tin on wood. He did the tin part, I did the background, and the eyes...

That's all...Live Artfully!!

ANOTHER DAY...ANOTHER PAINTING..

2011-02-06T03:18:00.000-06:00

My brain is currently unable to process thought..hahaa.
Live Artfully.

A NOT SO SIMPLE PAINTING...and NO ART SHOW

2011-02-05T04:11:00.000-06:00

Hello!! Well..we didn't get to go to the art show in Birmingham. We were waiting out the weather..which wasn't bad at our house, nor was it bad in Birmingham..but, all the roads between here and there got slaughtered on Thursday night, so I imagine that there were still some dangerous spots along the way. But, we set out to go anyway. We packed the van..and then got in..and the battery went dead. We waited a little while..tried again..and still no battery. Our neighbor was at work..and the nearest store that sold batteries was about 20 miles. So, we saw it as a sign...NOT to go. Sometimes you HAVE to listen at what the universe is telling you. It just was not meant to be. On a positive note..1. I have a start on my inventory, which is always LOW..(not complaining--thanking God)..now, at least..I have a starting point!! and 2. Today was our 9th wedding anniversary. (Thank you God again!) Nine years married to my best friend, still the funniest man that I have ever met. I loves my "Nature Boy"...He is absolutely the best husband that a woman could have. I mean this from the bottom of my heart. 3. We took a nap after not being able to go to the show, went out to the van, and it cranked RIGHT up. It's a Toyota Sienna...so it isn't a shabby vehicle..and it's never gave us a bit of trouble..(knock on wood), so..I honestly think that someone was telling us not to go.

We basically just hung out today, and I collaged and painted this. It was going to be so different, but I got it to this point, and I love it..so here it is. A 12 x 12 acrylic/mixed media on wood.

Tomorrow is here..and I guess I need some sleep..considering it's almost time for the sun to come up.

Live Artfully!

A SIMPLE PAINTING..

2011-02-02T17:19:00.000-06:00

Hello! I have played on Facebook, caught all my games up, talked to my daughter, snacked on anything that wasn't tied down in my kitchen, watched TV, read my pyschic reading, looked at all the horoscopes in the universe, took a nap, searched the internet, and now as a final attempt to PROCRASTINATE--I am blogging. It's cold..wintery..but the sunshine is beautiful..and I have today and tomorrow....to get ready for the Riverchase Loves Artist show in Birmingham. I feel like I don't have enough work. Of course, instead of hurriedly rushing about, I am procrastinating...why? Because I want to. The greatest thing about being an artist is that you can DO WHAT YOU WANT TO. WHEN you want to. I don' t have a boss..a time schedule..a watch, even..Most days, I don't know if it is Monday or Saturday..nor do I care to know..if I didn't have a favorite TV show that I watch each night..I might not EVER know what day it is...Just in case you are wondering..Monday's is the "Closer", Tuesday is "NCIS", Wednesday is "Criminal Minds", and Thursday is "Bones". That is my 4 hours of mindless TV a week. But, I digress..I love doing what I want to do, when I want to do it. It's an absolute blessing, and I thank GOD that he has granted me this privilege! I am always planning, and scheming in my down times though..and I have decided to do a few things in the upcoming months...

1. I think I am going to incorporate more Mixed Media in my work. For 3 years, I have done straight painting, for a year before that, I did ONLY collage (my "creative gluing" period), but, I am going to work on some more complex pieces in the near future.
2. I am wanting to re-read the Bible. Yes! I said re-read..I have read it cover to cover, I think 4 times..but, maybe only 3. It's not as hard as it seems..it takes about a year..maybe a little more...
3. I am going to start working with clay. I think I've found a good air-dry clay to start with. I know that clay work has been calling me for a while..maybe most of my life. I have always loved it. I am not talking about making pottery..I am talking about an eclectic mix of clay, and other mediums to make figures and things.
4. (MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT)--I am going to go on a work schedule! One of the cool things about DOING WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. I WANT to get on a schedule--or work on my self-displine..it's important to get anything actually DONE..By Monday morning, I am going to have a schedule..Example--6-7am--Coffee, computer..7-12 pm..Studio time. 12- 1--reading and lunch....etc..etc...I want 2011 to be PRODUCTIVE. I have messed around an ENTIRE month..and didn't get much done (only 20 paintings!)..I could have done 4 times that many if I weren't so LAZY...hahahah. Ok--I push myself..I know..you all do not have to tell me. So...

And #5. I am putting Nature Boy on a schedule. I am making a list, and checking it twice..and it's going to be a "Honey-DO" list...we need to GET THINGS DONE.

Well..that's about it...my ramblings for the day...Now, I am going to go heat up dinner for Nature Boy, and pretend that I have been slaving away at the hot stove for hours..hehehe...then, I am going back to procrastinating..because..after ALL..I have UNTIL MONDAY.
Live Artfully.

HAHAH...12 x 24 BUNNY PAINTING

2011-02-01T00:26:00.000-06:00

A very quick, spontaneous..no thinking painting. It was fun, and I like it!
Today was a total waste of time...got nothing done except this...:)
Live Artfully!!

FIRST ART SHOW OF 2011!!! LET'S PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER!!

2011-01-31T15:58:00.000-06:00

This weekend, Nature Boy and I are off to Birmingham, AL. The nerves and sleepless nights have BEGUN!! LOL. I am very excited, and nervous...always nervous going where I haven't been before!! But, hopefully, we pick up some new friends, and get to see some old ones, and all will be good..:) To top that off --- It's also our 9th wedding anniversary! Wow! I cannot believe we've been married that long...Shocks me, every time I think about it!

I spent all day yesterday reading Dan Brown's book -- The Lost Symbol. It was FANTASTIC, and I didn't want to put it down. Not even to sleep or eat. What amazed me about it was that it 600+ pages, and the time-frame of the book was about a 14 hour span. So, if you like mystery, severed limbs, tattoos, and religion--this book is a GOOD one!!

I painted another painting. It started out as a bird, then became an overly busy abstract, then I finished it...LOL..It was a long (for me) process.

I am tired of painting this girl, but the painting was vacant..so, here she is again! This painting is 24 x 24..so it's big! I am ok with how it turned out. Not one of my favorites, but it'll do.

Then..I redid 3 paintings. Just added to, and took away from something that I had already painted..This one is 16 x 16 inches.....

this one is also 16 x 16:

Then this one (one of my favorites)..this one is 12 x 24 inches, and it was a bunch of those eyeball looking flowers that I did last year. I hated it, in it's former state..so I completely repainted over it..(the two above were just "changed", not completely painted over..)..

I don't know why I like this so well...only that it was completely spontaneous, and unsuspected....LOL..and it makes me smile...which is always a plus.

That's about it..I need to get to work. I spent an entire day reading, so I am behind.
LIVE ARTFULLY!!

24 x 24 PAINTING--FULL DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT WAS DONE-- WITH A LOT OF PICTURES!!!

2011-01-26T03:10:00.000-06:00

Hello!! I painted a painting tonight. It is 24 x 24 inches, on cradled wood panel. Nature Boy asked me to put antlers on it..so, I did. I painted it on plaster, with acrylics (Golden's Fluid Acrylics). This is the finished painting:

First, after Nature Boy had made the cradled panel for me. I covered the entire piece (front and sides) with PLASTER. I used a large palette knife, and just went in one direction, then the other, (making an "X" motion) over the entire thing:

After it dried (it'll dry overnight)...I took some Indian Yellow Hue and Quin. Nickel Azo Gold, put it in a small plastic container, watered it down a bit...(not too much, because the plaster is very absorbent...), took a large house painting brush, and covered the entire front with it. I then put some white into my watery paint (just a drop or two), and made some areas lighter.

Next, I took my large palette knife, mixed some white with a little Naples Yellow Hue, and paletted it randomly over the entire surface. I did this quite messy, and very quickly.

Next, I took a stamp pad of Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Ink (vintage photo colored), laid it flat on the panel and rubbed all over it.

After that..I took some Phthalo Blue (green shade), and watered some down in a clean container..took the large house painting brush, soaked it all up and drug it across the painting. I let it drip heavily. Then I let it all dry.

I had a letter stencil sitting nearby..so I thought that I would take some Yellow Ochre and white, and stencil it onto the painting...

At this point, I sat back and looked at what I thought might possibly be the ugliest pile of crud (being nice here), that I have ever painted..::laugh::: I hated it. I made gagging noises. I wanted to puke. Yes!! It was UGLY. So, I got out my trusty blue painter's tape, and taped off the area directly above the letters.

I mixed some Yellow Ochre and White, not mixing them really well..just swishing them around a bit, took my large brush, and painted everything lightly below the tape. Working my way around the letters. I dried that with a hair dryer, then pulled the tape off.

Then, I left a 1/2 inch gap, and put the painter's tape across the painting again. This time, I mixed Phthalo Blue (green shade), Naples Yellow Hue and white. I brushed the top part of the painting with this color. Dried it with the hair dryer, and then pulled the tape off.

This left a wonderful little strip of the original background right across the upper portion. I REALLY like the detail of it..and it's my favorite part of this whole painting.

I really liked the painting at this point. I almost stopped..but, decided it needed something more. So, I walked by the tulip painting that I did the other night, and thought that those would look cool on this painting..but I didn't want them purple, and decided to cut them out of old magazine (1940's, I think) paper. I cut the stems, leaves and flowers out in parts. Just sort of free handed the whole thing, and I took tiny pieces of the blue tape and taped them to the painting, to get a feel of the composition and all...

I kept cutting and taping until I was happy with it...

When I got them like I wanted them, I used Golden's Matt Medium to glue them to the panel. I painted around the flowers with the Matt Medium, and it left a darker line, which I liked. But--since the whole thing had a plaster base, the plaster showed where I had put the medium (which was great)..just be careful if using plaster..and don't go hog-wild with the medium..because it will show up.

I covered the top of the paper flowers lightly with the matt medium, and dried it with the hair dryer..then I watered down a little green paint, and painted the stems and leaves, making sure it was watery enough to show the writing through the paint. I continued, and did the same with the flowers, Then took a tiny bit of white and painted highlights...

At this point..Nature Boy came in, proudly holding his drawing of a pair of deer antlers..and wanted me to put them in a painting somehow..so, I sat back and had to visualize how these "antlers" were going to work in this painting. I decided to figure out how big I needed them, and I drew one antler out on a piece of tar paper, and cut it out--so that I would have a pattern to use. I used the pattern of the girl's face with it, the one that I made a couple of weeks ago..and taped them on the painting. I had one antler, and just flipped it for the other side..outlining the whole deal with a pencil.

I then took an oil pastel crayon and did my heavy outlines, smeared them all with my finger (which I cleaned on my shirt--because that's what I do)..and painted the eyes...

Then I painted the antlers with a chocolate colored Golden's glaze, and highlighted some areas, and painted the lips...and POOF..a finished painting...

Live Artfully!!

SNOWED/ICED IN FOR ONE WEEK...A HORROR STORY..

2011-01-16T10:23:00.000-06:00

Ok..Here's some more paintings that I did with the same outline. I can't seem to stop doing them, and feel like I may never paint another owl, tree, man, etc...again..They are so fun to do..and it's challenging to make them different. But..I do have to paint other things for the show in Birmingham on Feb.5th. It's called Riverchase Loves Artist Art Show, and I am praying that we won't be snowed or iced in! I am excited to get out there with the public again.

We have officially been snowed in for one week. I am going a little bat crazy..and want to drive like a 1000 miles, and not stop.. just to get out of the house, and DO something. Thank God that I have painting and drawing that I can do--because I would be seriously bonkers. I am watching 3-6 episodes of Criminal Minds A DAY...Bones--2-3 times a day..The TV is turning my head into a vegetable of a rotten kind..

I have had several people recently ask me to teach an online class, and one lady that I know in real life (as opposed to online life), ask me to give private lessons. I really wish that I could do this for you all. I cannot. I am not here to teach (though, if you have any questions that I can answer--I am always glad to help you!) I am here to paint and create art. I am obsessive about it. It makes my blood pump. All of my life (starting as soon as I could talk), ALL I have said that I want to be is an ARTIST. I tried teaching....and I am not good at it. I just want to paint. So, I'm sorry..but, there are a lot of people out there teaching some good classes, I just don't have time to be one of them. :(

Pam Carikker's book, "ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE", which I am one of the contributing artist--came in the mail on Friday!! It's awesome, and has lots of good writings from many great artist, with a lot of really good tutorials and "how-tos". You can order it HERE.

That is about all for today..I am ready to get to work. I might paint some trees and flowers today...LOL..just for a change of pace.

Live Artfully!!

THREE WOMEN--ONE OUTLINE...SNOWED IN CRAZY!!!

2011-01-11T16:37:00.000-06:00

Day 2 of being completely snowed in, and I am going CRAZY!!! But, I have been painting, and eating, and sleeping, and painting some more...Now, the temperature is dropping, and it's icing over..and I may never get to leave my house...sigh..Oh well..I shall just keep painting, and painting, and painting.

This is a really fun series that I am doing. I drew and painted one yellow lady last week with roses in her hair, and I really liked everything about her proportion, and the way she came out..so, I took some thick tar paper (the kind you roof your house with) and I cut her outline out. I have just been painting her over and over and over...and am having fun doing it. I am hoping to have the same face in about 9-12 different ways for the show in Birmingham on the 5th of February. I think I am going to make stencils (for lack of a better word) out of some more of my favorite pieces, and start using them. All I am doing is drawing the outline ..then freely painting the pieces..

Nature Boy has been out playing in the snow..yesterday, he built a snowman. It was hilarious! He took a pair of blue jeans and a jacket and filled them with snow...then, he put a head and a cowboy hat on it..this morning..the poor thing was just a pile of wet clothes...I don't know why it met such a rapid demise--as it's getting colder, and not warming a bit...sigh...

Thank Goodness that we made our monthly COSTCO trip before this snow hit. I am comforted in knowing that I have 60 packets of hot chocolate..over a hundred packets of Organic Oatmeal..and basically enough crackers, meat, veggies and cans of soup to last until June or so..hahahah! I LOVE COSTCO!

Well..off to paint some more! Live Artfully!!

HERE FISHY FISHY....

2011-01-06T10:08:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to painting last night, and this 24 x 24 x 2 inch fish is what came to be. I really like him. He's so vibrant, and the colors just POP off of the piece! Nothing much is going on...I have been sleeping A LOT. I kicked the cold symptoms, but it has just left me life-less..this too shall pass..LOL.

That's all folks..I am boring winter mode..Live Artfully!

GOOD MORNING WORLD -- INVITATION ONLY SHOW -- 32 DAYS AWAY...

2011-01-04T10:23:00.000-06:00

Good Morning!! Well..all I can say people is...BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR. Yesterday, I was stressing out the 2011 Buckner Art Show Schedule. We want to do this one, not this one..these two are on the same day in two different states...we'll have to get hotel rooms for this one..I think we can drive home for this one..which one has more people...it REALLY stresses me out. I get overwhelmed...I get in a tizzy..like the magical, evil Art Show Fairy is going to come in my house, and banish me at that very moment, if I don't turn in an application--or Zapplication...complete with images on CD..sigh...THEN..I stopped. I took a deep breath. I prayed-- Nothing extravagant, nothing fancy. I just said.."Lord, you took care of us last year, so I will trust that you will take care of us this year." I went in my studio and painted a silly dog. Not so much to make a masterpiece--but, because when I pick up a brush--the harsher, reality-ridden world goes away for a few moments. It is where I find my happy place. It calms me. Then, as I got up to cook Nature Boy's dinner--I stopped by the computer room to check my email. POOF. An INVITATION. To an Art Show. A nice one. In Birmingham, Alabama (read as BIG CITY)...and they want US to show our art there. WOOOHOOOOO!! I began Happy Dancing...I am thinking April..May..June..One down..(all of this is running through my head) ..I continue to read the email...GULP..(eyes slightly bulging..)..in FEBRUARY??? OMG!!! That is unheard of in this area!!! It can't be!! That is in 32 days..OMG..I have, MAYBE 10 pieces of art in my inventory....ARRRRGGHHHHHHH....The good thing about this (besides having a show to do)??
I WORK WELL UNDER PRESSURE. Thank you Lord. Live Artfully!

DAY 2 of 2011--

2011-01-02T22:27:00.000-06:00

Well..It's going on the 3rd day of the New Year..and I have done one painting. I had the flu last week, and even though, I kicked it out of my system in 4 DAYS, it left me tired, and very run down...so, I am mentally "limping" through the motions...I painted this today, and it took me nearly all day to complete it...but, at least I don't have flu symptoms any longer--so I really am not complaining.

I will post a post with my New Year's Resolutions as soon as I am not so tired...and other stuff. Live Artfully!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR--2011!!!

2011-01-01T09:34:00.002-06:00

THE LAST PAINTING OF 2010--#351!!!! WOOHOOOOO!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

2010-12-31T22:58:00.000-06:00

Live Artfully!!

THE LAST DAY OF 2010--HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-12-31T08:38:00.000-06:00

Well..it's over..in a few short hours..2010 will be forever gone. Can you imagine? This year has certainly FLOWN by, and most of it seems like a blur to me. All in all--it was a fabulous year!! I am so grateful for it!

A short re-cap of 2010..(more for my future reference than anything..)

*Our first solo show--which we were complete nervous wrecks for..LOL..(seems like eons ago!)
*The start of doing art shows--totally intimidating at first--now..we are all excited about expanding further into the United States.
*My first FINE ART SHOW...I was so nervous that I got sick, and told Nature Boy (my husband) that I was WAYYYY Out of my LEAGUE...but it turned out wonderfully!! Thank you Athens on the Square people!
*I painted slightly over 350 pieces this year!
*Out of the 350 pieces..I have approximately 16 left. The others were painted over, given away, or SOLD (YEAH!!).
*My daughter graduated from nursing school, moved away, and is living happily with her high school sweetheart..and working as a REGISTERED NURSE (who doesn't give her mother free medical advice..but ...you can't win them all!)
*my father passed away--but, since I had rarely spoken to him in 30 years, I really wasn't affected by this.
*I found my best friend's children (she had passed away 13 years ago, and I had lost them)..but, now they are back in my life..
*Through Facebook, I have reconnected with most of my life-long friends!! (I love FB!)..Including my best friend from kindergarden..and so many others. It brings me joy to know all of them as an adult! ..LOL..
*Met a ton of new friends--probably the best part of 2010!
*got rid of the negative people in my life...permanently..hopefully.
*watched re-runs of the Gilmore Girls over 500 times!! That is 2 times a day, almost every day this year..LOL..and I still am not tired of it...
*got published in a book! Pam Carikker's "Art at the Speed of Life"...It won't formally come out until 2011, but it was a 2010 "thing".
*Finally got a new fridge and stove. I feel like a princess to have working kitchen appliances again!
*Had an incredibly HEALTHY year! Both Nature Boy and I both were beyond blessed with no major health issues this year. One injury to my knee--but, nothing serious. Thank you God!!
*changed my eating habits!! (WWOOOHOOO!)
*woke up every morning, grateful for all that I have, and not wanting more. (Not that I have a lot of "things"--because I don't), but grateful for what I DO have. Love being non-materialistic, and not needing "things"...:::smile::::
*Nature Boy and I have been together for 10 years!!

Well..that's about it. It was just a lot of work, and more work--but, I had fun doing it, and I like looking back on the entire year, and saying that it went PRETTY GOOD!! Now..it's time to think about what I want in 2011. I have no clue. I want bigger art shows, I want to stretch my artistic wings, and do MANY different things. I want 2011 to be more successful than 2010. I want continued health, and good will towards other people. I want to find a way to "give back" this year. I want to continue to refine what I eat, and lose more weight. Not to be thin, but to be HEALTHY! I want to work on my spiritual/religious side.

I am not posting New Year resolutions this year. I would have to put down.."paint over 600 paintings..", and ya'll would roll your eyes at me..and think me insane. I also don't like putting down expectations that we all know that we aren't going to stick to.

I hope everyone out there has a Wonderful New Year!! Peace, Love and Joy! Live Artfully!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS/ HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2010-12-24T12:20:00.000-06:00

Christmas Eve..I just want to take a moment and wish you a wonderful Holiday Season..whatever your religion is, or whatever you believe...I hope it's a good one for you. I take this week, out of every year to reflect on the year gone by, and to plan my goals for the upcoming year.

This is the first Christmas in my daughter's life, that we will not be together. I miss her..terribly. But, am comforted in knowing that she is happy, and with a nice man, whom I love also. So, now, I have two kids..he is the son that I never had. I am happy to know that he loves my child, and is good to her. That is all a mother could ask for.

We went last night to Nature Boy's daughter's house..to give presents to the grandkids. All of us are so blessed to have those 5 wonderful, beautiful children in our lives. I truely love them, and am constantly amazed at the little people that they are!

As you celebrate this Christmas--I ask that you take a moment, and say a prayer for those who are less fortunate, or alone, or have worries. Say thanks and be grateful for what you have.

Well..that's about it..I am going to paint today..because that is what I want to do...everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS/ Happy Holiday Season. I love you all. Live Artfully.

I COULDN'T DO IT!!!

2010-12-22T00:33:00.000-06:00

Well..my "gluing in journals" lasted about 2 hours..and I was bored stiff the whole time...LOL..Anyway..I started this round painting. It's the coolest board...It's 15 inches across, the edges are about 1 1/2 inches, and they are rounded smooth..Home Depot was selling them as tabletops, I suppose..seems too little for a table to me...but oh well...So, I started painting, and it came out to be an owl, which I hated..so I sanded away..added a ton more paint, and sanded some more..and then this emerged.....Live Artfully!!

CAN'T SEE THE FOREST FOR THE TREES.....

2010-12-21T13:35:00.000-06:00

Something just occurred to me..I use a lot of pictures from books and magazines for inspiration and reference..and I have them everywhere...tacked on the walls, lying around in huge piles, they fill drawers, shelves, boxes..etc...I have an insane amount..LIKE I could possibly draw/paint them all or use them as elements in painting in the next 200 years....I also have empty journals of the same magnitude, lying around, waiting for me to art journal my way through them..uh huh..that is going to happen in this century...RIGHT...I will hold my breath, and WAIT for it to happen...LOL..so today--I have decided to take control of the images that rule my studio..I am on vacation (I swore that I wasn't going to paint until the first--and well, we SEE how THAT has been working)...so, today--I am going to be over-indulgent and I am going to take my glue stick, and fill those journals with all those images...I may only get a couple done, but that is a start....and it'll be nice to have my inspirations, or a tiny part of them..in books..that I can just look through..and find what I want..at least that is the plan...I am also going to drink hot chocolate, and maybe..JUST MAYBE..I won't stop to paint just a LITTLE...LOL...surely I can go ONE DAY without picking up the paintbrush...SURELY...Live Artfully!!

ONLY 5 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS...

2010-12-20T05:58:00.000-06:00

Some things amaze me...the way time flies (whether you are having fun or not) is one of them. This year is ending FAST. Have you thought yet about your goals for next year? I am having a heck of a time wrapping my head around finding art shows and applying for them. It is a rough job for me..because I am one of those people that cannot plan in advance...I like having no committments, and you just can't do that and do shows. They want you to sign up in January for a show that is in Oct...How do I know what I'll be doing in OCT?? It's 10 months away..LOL..

I have just been trying out new things..different styles..I feel like it's time for a bit of change..not completely..but just a little..I am excited for 2011 to get here. I am defining my goals, and am ready for the next step up..whatever it may be..to take my art to the next level.

I got Nature Boy a new miter table saw for Christmas. He's already using it, as we don't really have Christmas with presents under the tree. We just go and buy stuff..and say it's for Christmas..LOL. Anyway..he was out there yesterday making me frames, and adding sides to my plywood for paintings..and generally playing with his newest man-toy...LOL.

Nothing much is going on..this will be my first Christmas without SHE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING (my daughter), and I miss her terribly. She moved to Orlando at the first of the year, and is constantly working now..being all grown up and all. I am proud of her, but wish she lived closer by.

Well, that's about all...Kinda boring..Sorry...Live Artfully!

SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR ME...

2010-12-16T18:11:00.000-06:00

Well..we've been iced in up here for a few days, so I am painting SPRINGTIME...LOL..Imaginary flowers to keep the thoughts in my head from freezing...did I mention that I strongly dislike SNOW??? LOL LOL...Christmas is 9 days away, and it really makes you stop and think..where did this year GO??? It seems like yesterday that we were doing shows for the first time...WOW..this year has been AMAZING!!! Oh well..back to the studio..must paint more happy spring flowers...Live Artfully!!

SUNDAY REVISION of PAINTING

2010-12-12T18:20:00.000-06:00

Worked on her a little more...

GOOD SUNDAY AFTERNOON!

2010-12-12T15:16:00.000-06:00

Just painted this...I think she has the perfect nose. FINALLY..noses are so hard to paint. ...Anyway..just hanging out and painting, and being cold...watching it snow outside, and fighting winter hibernation tendencies--I REALLY think that I was a bear in another life...lol.Anyway..I am going to paint some more. It's a perfect, peaceful Sunday....Live Artfully!

OMG!! I AM BACK!! GONE SO LONG THAT I FORGOT HOW TO BLOG!! A MEGA TON OF PICTURES!!

2010-12-12T02:41:00.000-06:00

WHEW!! That was a LOT of UPLOADING!!! We have been so busy..At my last post, I was on my way to the Mentone Gallery House Tour, and then the Head of Hooch (a sailing regatta in Chattanooga, TN)..we showed at both of those places. On Nov. 5th, (the night before the Hooch), I fell in Food World grocery store, and tore my kneecap. THAT has been a mess, and I won't rehash it..THEY DID NOTHING..luckily, I kept going, and a month and several days later--it's almost healed. After that I was BUSY, BUSY, BUSY...as you can see from the photos...getting ready for the Chattanooga Market's Christmas Market..I sold all of this stuff there..except the journal pages, and a few others..but, most of it sold there!! I made hand-painted ornaments, clipboards, paper mache' owls, hand-painted journals, and what felt like a million-- 4 x 4 tiny paintings...I painted night and day for 3 weeks...and THANK YOU GOD..it paid off!!! This week, I have done a little bit..(the journal pages, and about 5 paintings), but mostly have lounged around on the couch..getting my couch-potato groove on...LOL...I have a few more Christmas gifts for family to work on next week..then I am on vacation until MARCH...by VACATION, I mean no more shows...I will be furiously painting like my tail is on fire to get ready for next season!!! That's about all for me...Nothing much else has been going on. I hope you all haven't forgotten me!!! I miss blogging.. Hugs all Around!!!
LIVE ARTFULLY!!!!

THIS WEEK'S AND LAST WEEK'S WORK--THE MENTONE GALLERY HOME TOUR, and THE HEAD OF HOOCH !!!

2010-11-03T21:32:00.000-05:00

Whew..I am down to almost the end of this season. After Saturday--I'll finally get 3 weeks off! I am living for it!! Last weekend, we did the Mentone Home Gallery Tour in Mentone, AL. We were in a lodge called Nippersink Lodge--it was FABULOUS!! The host were wonderful to us, met a lot of nice people, got to see some old friends...Generally--all and all, a GREAT weekend!! Thank you to the people of Mentone!!!! We love you!!!

This weekend, we will be selling at the HEAD OF HOOCH in Chattanooga, Tennessee!! It is a boat race, with artist, and food vendors set up for the thousands of attendees. It should be a blast! I can't wait to watch the races!!

The first three weeks of December will be the Chattanooga Christmas Market, and we will be at the First Tennessee Pavilion the first weekend (SAT and SUN), then the two following weekends, we will be at WAREHOUSE ROW in Chattanooga (FRI and SAT)...I have to get busy, and make a ton of gifty stuff!!!

Well, that's about it...Maybe when I get done this year, I can go back to fun stuff on my blog...Live Artfully!!

THIS PAST WEEKEND IN ROME,GEORGIA--THE CHIAHA HARVEST FESTIVAL!!

2010-10-26T12:31:00.000-05:00

What a FUN weekend!! The Chiaha Show was GREAT!! We got there on Friday, and set up, went back to the hotel, and relaxed--then went to a artist/patron get together...got up the next morning, and did the show..I actually painted the top picture in the hotel room on Friday night, and it sold on Saturday.

I won a Merit Award (Honorable Mention), and two purchase awards which was exciting! Our friends (and fellow artist ) Penny and her husband, Johnny were set up across from us, and our friends Paul and Bill were just two booths down. We sold A LOT--THANK YOU CHIAHA PEOPLE!!!! All in all, it was a PERFECT weekend. Well..except for my hurting back on Saturday, but..you know..stuff happens to us as we age and get older.

Well..have to get busy now--we will be in Mentone, Alabama again this weekend. I LOVE MENTONE!! We will be at the Nippersink Lodge for the home and gallery Tour! If you are nearby, please come out and see us!! You can get a map at The Mentone Hotel, and other local establishments. It should be a lot of FUN!!!!

Live Artfully!!

LOTS OF NEW WORK AND THE CHIAHA HARVEST FESTIVAL--ROME GEORGIA

2010-10-21T12:38:00.000-05:00

This weekend, Nature Boy and I will be showing at the Chiaha Harvest Festival in Rome, Georgia. It looks like the weather will be perfect, so if you are in Atlanta--or close by--come and see us!!

Last weekend's show was FANTASTIC! Mentone is SO GOOD TO US!! THank you for all the people that came to see our work, and a special thank you to the woman that drove from Madison, AL just to buy from us!! We appreciate you!!!

It has been a whirlwind week--I have literally been painting night and day..with very little sleep, or anything else. Thank you Lord for our health, and stamina that allows us to produce!! I did 14 pieces so far--and Nature Boy did 19!! I think he's trying to take over our booth...hehehehe.

I am very excited about Chiaha!! Friday night there is an artist and patron gathering, and on Saturday--we have been invited by an artist friend of ours over for dinner. I feel so lucky, and so full of life!!! (This will almost be like a vacation for us.) We are staying over in Rome until Monday, so that we can hit my favorite antique stores.

Well..back to painting..I am hoping to get one more piece done before tomorrow...maybe two...
Live ARTFULLY!!!!!

MENTONE ALABAMA COLORFEST FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND!!!

2010-10-15T18:31:00.000-05:00

HELLO!!! I am SO eager to get up in the morning, and feel the 33 degree crisp weather that we will be having!! Then, it's off to Mentone, Alabama for a two day show!! I am happy, happy, happy!!!

This week I discovered a Japanese place in our little town, that has the BEST food in the county!! I have been eating avocado and cucumber rolls for two straight days, and seaweed salad. Yum YUM Yum!!! I had never had seaweed before, and it really surprised me. It's a different, slightly sweet taste...and delicious!! I have been so sick of the way all the restaurants cook here. So, to find an authentic Japanese restaurant in small town America (this would never be a problem in a larger city)..was a blessing from heaven!!

Anyway..other than eating ...I have been painting a little. I got these 4 painted, along with about 4 more--which I didn't photograph yet, but I will. Maybe, I'll have enough to do this show! We went out there this morning to set up, and it's right smack dap in the middle of a wooded park. It's awesome..except walnuts and hickory nuts are falling, and a hickory nut fell and hit Nature Boy in the head. It must have hit hard, because I HEARD IT hit....and he said it hurt...Maybe, I'll wear a hard hat out there tomorrow..hehehehe.

Oh well..nothing else is new. I have a boring life (which is fine with me)...Live Artfully!!

A WASTED WEEK...

2010-10-09T22:35:00.000-05:00

Hello!! I haven't posted in a while..haven't been in a good frame of mind. We did that show last weekend, and it was a complete flop--sold to two people...and actually spent more to do it, than anything. I am always so "down" after something like that...it really messes with my head, and hurts my feelings. I guess that all artist have bad shows. So, I have been pouting all week, and only got 8 small paintings done for the Talk of the Town/ Beauty and the Beast Breast Cancer Awareness event (in Scottsboro, Alabama), and this one. This one is 16 x 32 and I love the way it turned out! Tomorrow it's off to the Chattanooga Market for "Cut-UP for LIFE", which is hairdressers cutting hair,and donating the money to help AIDS/HIV patients. I plan on getting this mop cut from my head first thing in the morning...hehehe.

I have lounged around and read books all week. I should have been painting for the COLORFEST FESTIVAL next week in Mentone, Alabama. It is a festival to celebrate the changing of the leaves, which are probably going to be amazingly beautiful!! I can't wait!! If you can't make it to Mentone next weekend---KENTUCK is also going on in Tuscaloosa, Alabama--I think it's just outside of there--Some of my FAVORITE artist are going to be there..Athlone Clarke, Michael Banks, Chris Beck (does AMAZING metal sculptures that look like clothing), Aaron Hequembourg, William Skrips (love, love, love his assemblage pieces!!), and Fleetwood Covington....I really wish that I was going..and that I had a million dollars, and a HUGE semi to fill, so that I could buy from all of these artist... Anyway..that's about it in my life. I hope you all are living Artfully!!! Hugs!!~~me~~

I'VE BEEN A LITTLE BUSY THIS WEEK!

2010-09-25T15:06:00.001-05:00

I have been a little busy this week. 12 new paintings, and one RE-DO (the last one). I have one week until my next "SHOW", but will be set up tomorrow (Sunday, Sept 26) at the Chattanooga Market, at the First Tennessee Pavilion. I am excited!! I haven't seen my Chattanooga friends in a long time!!! Live Artfully!!

THIS PAST WEEKEND'S ART SHOW!! DISASTERS and DELIGHTS!!!

2010-09-22T01:19:00.000-05:00

Athlone Clarke original 24 x 24 " A Boy Named Socrates"

Whew..Saturday was a crazy day! We went to Ft. Payne, Alabama--to the home of Anne Hamilton, a wonderful artist for the Northeast Alabama's First Annual Art Show. Here's the house where we sat up.

It's an old, Victorian style home. It was absolutely beautiful! Chuck and I sat up in the front yard, artist set up on the porch, and all through the inside of the home. It was a very lovely setting, and set the stage for a wonderful day!! We got our tent and all put up, and about 5 minutes after we were done, a gust of wind hit our tent, and it ROLLED down the small incline in the yard. SO..we finally got everything picked up, and put back together--and I had damaged about 8-9 paintings...but, Oh well....what can you do?? After we sat back up...the rest of the day went wonderfully--with several of our friends coming over to visit us, and everyone having a great time!!

The big highlight of my day was when Nature Boy (my husband), went down to see the other artist in the city park. (They were having a larger art show down there, at the same time)..and he came back carrying an Athlone Clarke painting, that Athlone had gifted to Chuck and I (it's the one above). You may remember this artist in the video of him that I showed a couple of months ago on here. I was deeply touched. It made my eyes swell up with tears!! What a great treasure!!! I sincerely admire him and his art, and it will be something that I keep forever! I took him the large 30 x 30 inch painting down there, and gifted back to him. I hope he liked it! Anyway..all in all--it was a fantastic day...with just a little bump. That bump was worth sharing the fellowship of the other artist, and all the goodness that was spread that day!

Now, we are back home, and I have two weeks to prepare for our next show--so far, I have 10 new paintings done, and ready...I would like to have at least 40 or more...so..I have to get busy!! Live Artfully!!

30 x 30 inches!!

2010-09-16T00:12:00.003-05:00

Whew..this is a BIGGIE..it almost killed me..LOL. Live Artfully!!(given as a gift to a wonderful fellow artist).

ONE MORE SHOW DOWN....EIGHT TO GO!!!

2010-09-13T01:18:00.000-05:00

Hello!! This weekend we did the ART ON THE SQUARE Art Show in Athens, Alabama. It was suppose to be outside, and on their town square, but due to the threat of bad weather--they moved us inside the local university's gym. SO...we ended up INSIDE--with air conditioning--and it was PERFECT. We set up, we met some super nice people, there was a good variety of art there. I bought the best photograph from the "Budding Artist" (high school students that had art for sell!) booth--it was of an old KRISPY KREME donut sign, and I REALLY love it. Krispy Kreme holds a very special place in my heart....Not for donuts though. On the night that my grandfather (my heart and soul of my entire life) died, I stumbled into the neighborhood donut shop. There, that night..I met some people that would turn out to be some of the most important people in my life. I met Wendy, the waitress there--who became one of the best friends that I have ever had. (She is the one that had a major heart attack a couple of months ago (thank God that she lived), and the reason that I changed my eating habits so drastically). I met Vern--who was 60 years old, and he became my most trusted friend, and a father-like figure to me...I met many people that night, who became like family to me, and were there through thick and thin for the next 10 years....So, that is why I SO LOVED the Krispy Kreme donut photograph that was taken by a wonderful 15 year old boy. I hope his mom tells him how much it moved my heart. (I really think that I am getting sentimental in my old (45) years of age..hehehehe.) Anyway..the show was fun, and we did REALLY well. Amazingly WELL...FANTASTICALLY WELL...heehhe..you get the point!Oh!! One more thing--Nature Boy OUTSOLD me by $55...hehhehe...He is going to be famous....Now..on to the NEXT show..

SATURDAY--SEPT. 18th in Ft. Payne, AL(Northeast Alabama Art Council Art Show during Fort Payne's Boom Days) (450 Elm St. Fort Payne, Al)...It starts at 10 a.m. Make sure you come by and see Chuck and I!!

This will be held at a very nice, old Victorian home. The Boom Days art show will be held in the city park, and the art show that I will be at will be up 6th Ave on Elm Street. We will be in the yard--and you won't be able to miss us..hehehe.

Well..it's after 1am..and time for bed...Have a Happy, Happy Week!! Live Artfully!!

NEW WORK!

2010-09-08T01:43:00.003-05:00

THE WEEKEND--MENTONE ALABAMA LABOR DAY ART SHOW

2010-09-06T18:30:00.001-05:00

This is our booth (one of two that we had this weekend) on the morning of the second day. We consolidated things as well as we could to make it look very full!

We are home today after a WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC weekend at the Mentone, AL Labor Day Art Show at the Mentone Inn. Thank you to all the great people that came out to support the artist! The weather was truly a gift from God. It was magically PERFECT!! The people were friendly, welcoming and loved art!! This was absolutely the BEST show that we have done so far! I met some of the coolest people!

We sold a ton of stuff...possibly, most of ALL that I painted the entire of month of August. I have another show this next weekend, and I am going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to have enough to fill the booth. Fortunately--I LOVE the CHALLENGE of pulling rabbits out of a hats!!! I am so pumped and excited!! Hopefully, tomorrow morning we can go find a new white tent for shows, and get some prints made, and etc..etc..then I can come home, and PAINT MY REAR END OFF! WHOOOHOOOO!!!

There were some great artist at the show. Athlone Clarke, and his wife Alyce (both had separate booths and awesome art!), our friend Michael Wimmer (a magical assemblage artist!), and Pamela Willis Watters (some of the prettiest, brightest pastel paintings that I have seen!!--check out her website!) were just a few of them. Sadly, I didn't get to move out of the booth much, and get to know anyone else...I did run over and buy a wood carving piece from an artist named Jim. He does this incredible stuff, and we had bought a piece of his back in July. I bought a large carved Indian head..and I dearly love it. (I'll show a picture as soon as we unpack).

Thank you to all my friends and collectors that came out! I loved seeing you all again!! It made the weekend extra special.

This morning, Nature Boy and I got up and went down to First Monday Trade Day on the town square. The first thing that happened was I LOST NATURE BOY! Worried me sick! He had to go back to the van to put some books in there--and I said "I will be right here on this corner"..and all he HEARD was "blah, blah, blah..."LOL...(those of you with husbands, surely understand this!)...so, we got lost...by the time I found him, I was too tired to shop....hehehe...so home we went..and I immediately went back to bed...I feel like I could sleep for a week!

But, Alas...I have to go paint! THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE!! LIVE ARTFULLY and EAT HEALTHY!!

GOOD MORNING!!

2010-09-01T10:27:00.000-05:00

I had to borrow one of Nature Boy's flower photos for a picture this morning...hope he doesn't mind!! Sitting here drinking coffee, playing on Facebook, and procrastinating going into the DUNGEON of DIRT..aka..the studio. I HAVE TO CLEAN IT TODAY!! I cannot work any longer in that mess...that, and I have to make Nature Boy some clay faces for his art people, and I don't have a clue where the mold is...sigh..it never ends...

We have 2 more full days to finish up before we set up on Friday for the Mentone Alabama Labor Day Art Show. I can't wait!

I am almost through my 3rd week of my changed eating habits. No sugars, no fats. All grains, fruit and veggies, no red meat. I have lost what I feel like is a lot of weight so far. I no longer have back pain when standing, I feel more energetic and "light" on my feet. I thought that giving up sugar would kill me, but it hasn't. Funny thing is that I am having NO cravings whatsoever!! I made a decision, committed my mind to it, and am executing it. I hope to never go back to my old habits. Next week, I start the excercise part of it all..and am actually looking forward to it. That is basically what I have been doing. Painting and eating well. That's it...boring ...LOL..(not really).

Yesterday, I called an old best friend. One, that I had not treated so nicely when we last saw each other. (I have not always been the wonderfully nice human, that you all know and love..hahahaha) I had emailed her, but she didn't immediately respond, so I called her. The first thing that I did was apologize from the bottom of my heart for the way that I had spoken to her. I explained it was a bad time in life, and not all things were right with the world...we ended up talking and laughing for THREE HOURS straight. When we got done, a part of my soul felt refurbished, and complete again.

I have re-connected with almost all of my old friends from my past. Thank God for the computer. I have found them all through here. Well..there's a couple that are well.....better off left alone...let's say...heheheh.

We have a busy schedule coming up! For those that care:
Sept. 4-5 MENTONE ALABAMA LABOR DAY ART SHOW
Sept.10--FUNKY FRIDAYS (5-8pm) at REFLECTIVES, 220 Old Hwy.431. In Hampton Cove--for those of you in the Huntsville, AL area
Sept 11--ART ON THE SQUARE in Athens, Alabama
Sept.18--Ft.Payne Alabama Boom Days. We will be set up at Anne Hamilton's house.

Well..time to work!Live Artfully and Eat Healthy!!!

UNCLE JACK..WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS WEEK..

2010-08-31T01:30:00.000-05:00

Uncle Jack--16 x 20--acrylic on wood...Well...well...well...I painted a little bit tonight..nothing major, but, I am ok with it. I am seriously tired of painting...I have completed MANY paintings this past month, and Friday morning we will FINALLY be going to set up in Mentone, AL for the Labor Day Art Show. I am excited to be going somewhere. I have been here at home for nearly a month, and am biting the bit to get out! I was going to write something more, but..just got an idea for a painting, so I am going back to do another....Live Artfully!

NEWEST WORK...

2010-08-29T11:01:00.000-05:00

Threw this together last night after getting frustrated with an Alice in Wonderland thing that I am doing..Going straight to the studio this morning to continue fighting with Alice...(right now, Alice is kicking my butt..lol)Live Artfully and Eat Healthy!!

MY LARGEST PAINTING EVER!! 2 x 4 FEET!!!

2010-08-27T00:30:00.001-05:00

Whew..this was a doozie!!! I'm exhausted! It's huge!! Live Artfully!!

NEW PAINTING..

2010-08-24T23:16:00.000-05:00

Wow..I have had a boring day. Not that any day is exciting or anything..I like it that way..but, I have been bored inside my own head..hahahah. I have been eating RIGHT for over a week now, and am FEELING wonderful..but, I was just bored. I kinda just piddled and painted this..She looks so sad..I guess I would be sad too, if my hair looked like that..LOL.

I am antsy to get out there and sell my art again. It's driving me nuts to not go out, and set up and meet my people. I miss them. I have sold 10 pieces of art this past couple of weeks online, and I am SO GRATEFUL to all of you that bought pieces from me!! But, I think I need the fresh sunshine and setting up a tent at a show..gives me that. I have 10 more days to work, then we will be showing again!! I can't wait!! Live Artfully!!

3 NEW PAINTINGS!!

2010-08-23T04:09:00.000-05:00

Here's 3 new paintings..I have to paint more..it's 4:00 am, and I just realized that I only have 12 days left...no sleep for the weary...Live Artfully (and pre-order Pam Carriker's new Mixed Media book!!)

ART AT THE SPEED OF LIFE BY PAM CARRIKER IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER AND I'M IN IT!!!!

2010-08-21T19:41:00.000-05:00

WOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! I just got an email from Pam Carriker telling me that her new book (in which I have a chapter in!) is now AVAILABLE for Pre-Order through Amazon!!! It's going to be so great!!! There are so many talented, wonderful artist in this book...It's guaranteed to AMAZE YOU!!!
GO HERE TO SEE IT ON AMAZON.COM

Thank you Pam, for all the hard work you did on this project!!! HUGS!! Live Artfully!!!

GOOD MOOOORNING!!

2010-08-19T03:02:00.001-05:00

Have a wonderful, happy Day!! Live Artfully!! 16 x 16 acrylic on wood.

I STOOD IN THE RAIN

2010-08-18T17:11:00.000-05:00

16 x 16 acrylic on wood.$75. Live Artfully!

JUST PAINTING AWAY...

2010-08-17T17:13:00.000-05:00

Just busy today painting....Live Artfully!

THE PAINTING FROM HELL...6 PAINTINGS IN ONE...

2010-08-15T03:25:00.000-05:00

OMG...I painted the first painting..and BEFORE I PAINTED IT RED--I LOVED IT..but, then...I JUST HAD to paint the background red..and put those tacky gold stars all around. It looked like a poodle threw up at Christmas dinner type thing....so then I tried dripping the background..and it keep getting busier, and busier...and I was hating it more and more...so I kept painting, and kept painting..then I LOVED the face, but the NECK was driving me crazy..she looked like she had a collar of chains on..so I fixed that...kept painting, kept painting...then ...it looked boring to me..so I kept painting, and kept painting......decided on a girl with a "halo" and the Lord's Prayer in the background...I spent TWO HOURS stamping out the Lord's Prayer behind her..and when she was done..I HATED IT...So..I went outside...took Nature Boy's (my husband) sander, and sanded the whole thing..for a LONG time (all the while imagining that a masterpiece was going to secretly reveal itself to me..LOL)..and when it wasn't working, I just painted some more on it...by now, I am hating it..thinking of burning it...wanting it to be GONE...but, I kept painting..painting...painting. Finally..got to the last stage. GUESS WHAT??? I STILL HATE IT!!! (laughing)...OH WELL....Live Artfully!!

THIS TOO SHALL PASS..

2010-08-13T17:36:00.000-05:00

A favorite saying of a friend of mine...16 x 16 acrylic on wood. Live Artfully!

KRINK MARKERS !!!! ART JOURNALERS LOOK!!!

2010-08-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

Good Morning!! I woke up, and while having coffee this morning..I found these markers on Dick Blick. They had a post about a mural that is being painted in one of their stores, and it had a video, and as I watched the video..I saw these. They are called KRINK, and LOOK FABULOUS for ART JOURNALING. The guy that invented them was a street painter (graffiti artist), and he formulated these markers for street art. OMG!! I sound like an advertisement, but seriously cannot wait to try them out. I even facebooked Teesha Moore to tell her about them...LOL....I want them all..in all sizes..andddd...if this isn't enough..they have something called KRINK Permanent Ink Mop, and it's made for making drips..large, runny drips..the kind that I LOVE!! Just letting you all know! Live Artfully!!

WHEW...THAT WAS GREAT!!

2010-08-13T04:13:00.000-05:00

I was painting on this..have been for hours..and nothing was working..then, I found the zone..and with heart pounding..and working feverishly..I almost totally redid it in about 10 minutes, and this is where I stopped. It was so wonderful..hitting that zone...and knowing you are in it .....and it's exciting, and when you are done..you just let out a huge breath of air, and it feels right. Live Artfully!