BADASS BUNNY

LIVE ARTFULLY..."BADASS BUNNY" ©SUZAN BUCKNER 2016

R.I.P. HARAMBE. "SENSELESS" ©Suzan Buckner 2016 .

My heart is broken from the death of such a magnificent animal.

BLUE RIDGE ART IN THE PARK THIS PAST WEEKEND...

WOW..I did one day of the Blue Ridge Art in the Park arts and crafts show this weekend. First, I always think of the movie "Deliverance" when I go up to Blue Ridge, Georgia...I expect to hear banjos every time I turn a corner. Great things that happened this weekend..several commission jobs, a little money, and I came back with what I have been wanting to figure out...a way to unify and change my art, and develop a more cohesive style..and I did figure that out. I started a painting tonight, and had every intention of doing it in the full new style, and I looked up after putting down the base coat, and saw this poodle. It was perfectly visible..and I just sketched around the area..Everything was exactly like I "saw" it..and so I just went with it..and this is the 24 x 36 end result. I am very proud of it. I borrowed the color scheme from an excellent artist that was across from me..She had this painting of these dancing dogs, and I fell in love with the colors she used!! Other great things..We stayed at a one level hotel called "DOUGLAS INNS AND SUITES"..and it was crazy CLEAN. One of the nicest hotels that I have ever stayed in, and I normally only stay in Hampton Inns, so that is saying A LOT. It was really clean and nice, though very modest. The biggest, and greatest thing of yesterday was "The Enemy" was NOT there...I know she normally does this show, but she was not there...Don't know why..and don't care..But, I did not have to see her face at ALL...I was Happy Dancing all day. I am guessing that they put her on the grass instead of the spot that she wanted, because the only empty spot that was there was one booth over from mine, or maybe she got rejected..who knows. So...it all started out wonderfully, and we got set up (parked directly behind our booth)..and then went to the hotel. Saturday morning we got to our booth..and my neighbor to the right of me were talking, and I guess the nasty neighbor on the other side heard me say something that he didn't like, because he ended up verbally attacking me over politics..(He was one of those crazy people from Mississippi..obviously)...I quickly squelched that little bitter conversation though, and luckily he did I as demanded and shut the hell up..no longer speaking to me AT ALL...(YAY!!)..The rest of Saturday was pretty normal..Sold some art..gave some away..talked to a lot of people, went around and bought some jewelry, etc...etc...) Then Saturday night, Nature Boy (my sweet husband) started getting ill, and I went to the store to get him some things, and when I got back to the hotel, he wanted to go to the Emergency Room...which kinda freaked me out. I got directions, and took him there...found a police officer parked on the side of the road (Fannin County Sheriff), and told him I needed to get my husband to the hospital. He says to me "Ma'am, before I help you, can you put your seat belt on?"..Because THAT is the most important thing when someone has a sick person holding their chest sitting next you. THEN, He gives me DIRECTIONS....HELLOOOOOOOOO..You are SITTING on the side of the road, YOU are NOT busy...why aren't you leading me to the hospital. I wanted to tell him to get off his lazy, fat, white "good old boy" ass, and DO HIS JOB. But, I didn't..I needed to get Nature Boy to the hospital...So, shame on you, Mr. Policeman..Shame on you. I finally found the hospital, and got Chuck inside...KUDOS to the wonderful nurses, doctor and staff of FANNIN COUNTY HOSPITAL. They were AWESOME!! They went above and beyond to make us comfortable...efficient..NICE ..and made the experience very smooth!! THANK YOU FANNIN COUNTY HOSPITAL!!

Anyway..Mr. Chuck turned out to be dehydrated, and everything else was great..and we finally got back to the hotel around 11:30 pm..We got to the show on Sunday around 6am, and Chuck went back to sleep in the front seat...I thought about him being out in the heat all day AGAIN, and made the decision to go ahead and go home...I figured it would be easier to pack up before it got hot..so, we ended up coming home...That was a good thing..because we were just plain exhausted...Luckily we covered our expenses, and made a few hundred..and all is good. I am thankful to the Good Lord that my husband is alright, and we made it home safely.

Live Artfully!

Just got a message asking me if I would be at Gumtree this weekend...I will NOT. 1. I did not apply this year (something in my head told me NOT to)...and 2. HAD I applied, I would still not be doing it, because I am currently BOYCOTTING MISSISSIPPI, and anything in that state until the HATE LAW is repealed and NO LONGER EXIST!!!! SO PLEASE ...BOYCOTT MISSISSIPPI and NORTH CAROLINA WITH ME!!!!

"HOME SWEET HOME"

Ok..boredom drove me to it...I have started making these houses...they are made out of paper mache' and recycled thick cardboard, and I am doing mixed media all over them. They are no where near finished, but they are giving me something to occupy my down time in painting. I finally organized the art studio, and got a grip on everything...but, still have not painted anything much. I use to make little houses..(flat, and hang-able) and they sold well...but, there is only so much you can do...I did just buy some Liquitex spray paint..so I might go all graffiti on them. I was talking to my friend Deb the other day, and she suggested making some of these...just to be DOING something...so, we will see where it goes, if anywhere...

The only other thing that I have been doing around my "HOME SWEET HOME" is becoming a political crazy person. I am so mad about the possibility of Trump being nominated as a candidate for President..If anyone is stupid enough to follow him, they basically deserve all the bad things that God can rain down on a person.  What a nasty human he is..and all this hatred has bent my world out of shape...Racism..dragging us back 50 years in time. Sheesh...Anyway..enough of that talk...LOL.

Live Artfully!!

TROYFEST 2016 AND LITTLE BUNNY FOO FOO

Good GLORIOUS Afternoon!! Well, Troyfest in Troy, AL is behind us..and what an AMAZING WEEKEND it was. So good to see everyone. We love the people of TROY!!

We drove up on Friday afternoon, and got set up--then met up with my uncle, who had driven up from Pensacola. He brought me 48 canvases to paint on!! ALL kinds of sizes!! LUCKY ME!!

After that we went to the hotel, and the next morning, the show began!!

Shortly after the show opened..I spotted a very large Folk Art piece, and had to go see it. It was almost the size of a door, and it was great. It used a childhood story/ poem called "LITTLE BUNNY FOO-FOO"..and had some of the story painted on it. It was a very large standing bunny, holding all the little mice that the bunny had bopped on the head. It was by a Folk Artist named SCOTT MCQUEEN..(whose wife was also there with their painting pig, Blossom)..I really wish that I had bought it..but I had only taken a few hundred to spend..and I wanted jewelry (which I am officially addicted to...haha). My other favorite piece this year was a drawing/pen and ink of Tom Selleck in one of his western shows by fine artist, John Warr. I loved it too. It is just very hard for me to buy art, because eventually, I want a 300-400 square foot home, and I know I won't have a lot of room for art.

Saturday went pretty well..We sold a lot of Chuck's pieces, none of mine..(Thank goodness, because I need them for the next show). That night we went to the Awards dinner, and I got the Doug Hawkins Folk Art Merit Award. I was super HONORED to receive this award, because it was the first year that it was in memory of Doug, whom passed away in 2015. He was a great supporter of the arts--in Troy and all around Alabama. He was also the grandfather of a good friend, and that meant the world to me. It also came with money..but that did not matter as much as the ribbon. (Though I appreciate the money too!).

We finished out Saturday, and went back to the hotel..Sadly, this place could have ruined my whole trip. We were in our room, and there were a group of boat racers next to us..and they thought it would be fine to stand outside our hotel room in the parking lot and sidewalk and have a party..Lots of cussing, and yelling..after calling the desk attendant TWICE..and almost at midnight..and after me going outside and blasting them..they finally went away..but..I raised such a stink about it to the manager that he refunded ALL of my money for the rooms..so, we basically stayed for FREE this weekend...SCORE!!

Sunday morning we went back to the show early because they had church service on the square, and I like being there for it. One of my friend's daughters sang (I think she is around 8 or 9 years old)...it was beautiful, and the sermon was astounding !! It was the PERFECT thing that I really needed to hear this weekend. The preacher, and I'm sorry, but I do not know his name spoke directly to me ..it was a question that I had been tossing around all week in my head, and the Lord sent it to me. It was truly a blessing!!

In fact..this entire weekend was full of revelations...It started with Thursday night. I was outside on my porch, and looked up, and there was a solid white deer. So..I am very spiritual, and open to messages from my higher power, so I ran to look up the symbolism of seeing a white deer...and this is what I found...from www. symbolic-meanings.com (blog).

The Native Americans believed the occurance of a white animal was a huge sign of prophecy – a sign from the great spirit that a major shift in their world was to come. 

Usually, white animals were seen during soul-quests, or vision-quests.  However, if one was seen during the normal course of day, this would cause a tremendous ripple among the tribe.  A great meeting would be called, the elders would be consulted, and great care would be taken to communicate with the animal spirits to determine the meaning of the message.

Not much has changed over time, as you yourself recognize the special power of the white deer that comes to you – and wish to know more about it.

When white occurs in the animal realm it is a message of:

• higher thoughts
• higher ideals
• purity of soul
• cleansing of spirit
• attaining higher knowledge

Compound these attributes with the those that the Female deer represents:

• Benevolence
• Kindness
• Creativity
• Spirituality
• Renewal
• Connectedness

The Male deer holds the same representations, but also includes attributes of:

• Longevity
• Virility
• Abundance
• Endurance

The deer was/is a symbol to the Native Americans representative of the great spirit – a sign of the sun as its antlers spread like the sun’s rays.  The Native Americans also recognized the shedding and regrowth of the antlers and deemed this a symbol of regeneration, cycle, and growth.

Above all, we can recognize the sensitivity of the deer – alert, keen, and always aware – we can translate these qualities to of being spiritually aware – and this is why the deer is seen primarily as a spiritual symbol.

The fact that you were able to see this very powerful sign – the white deer – is a message that you are on a path of growth and expansion that will lead you in a direction beyond your wildest dreams.  The message of the white deer is one of “get ready.”

Along with seeing the white deer, I spoke to someone at the show, and we really connected over the above "WE ARE THE SAME" painting...making me realize that I am not the only person who is fighting this war on discrimination. THEN..I was making light of my art, and the person that I was talking to said to me.."But you won an award, that has to validate you as an artist."..AS SOON AS IT CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH--my mind exploded. I DO NOT NEED VALIDATION AS AN ARTIST...I've never needed validation for any way that I chose to live my life, and certainly NOT for my art...I don't NEED to say "LOOK AT ME"..my art takes care of that. I don't need someone's approval. I have always lived my life LIKE I WANTED TO. I know in my heart that I have not even begun to touch the potential of my talent!!  It was so much of a wake up call!!! On top of that..the preacher said things on Sunday that I really felt and needed to hear...So..I am on my way..The signs are there..Wish me Luck!!

All in all..This weekend was GREAT..I was only about $180 short of my thousand dollar a day goal..and everything except the hotel was perfect! (But, the refund of the rooms made that even OK). I love TROY. It's a fabulous place with fantastic people!!

Live Artfully!!

HAPPY EASTER

I hope you all had a beautiful, glorious Easter this year. I cooked all day, making about 20 baked porked chops, green beans, cauliflower, deviled eggs (about 30 of them)..and a few chicken breast..I'm set for my week!!

Live Artfully!!

GOOD DECISIONS MADE!!

Good Glorious Morning! (or afternoon, depending on how you look at it!) The above piece is the latest of a long list of commissions that I have in the works.

I am here to tell you about decisions --I luckily made some great decisions this year. I decided to apply to very few spring art shows. Out of the ones that I would have applied for..(just this month), at one of them, the main promoter (the show was "his" show) died the night before the show. Which is terribly sad, and they should have cancelled the show..but, they didn't. At another one that I would have normally applied for--bad weather caught them unaware, and wiped out about 50 tents..(not sure of the actual number, only what I read on the artist Facebook group that I am in.) I feel so sorry for all the artist that had damage..It looked bad from what I saw. So, I am happy that I left that show behind...because all an artist needs is extreme bad weather, and having to fork over an additional $200-300 for a new tent...I sat out in the rain at almost every show last year..and even though the money was great..I honestly do not want to "weather" shows this year..THEN..another shocker in the world of art shows..Slotin Folk Fest in Atlanta has cancelled their show after 24 or 25 years in the business. That is another sad end of an era..The art world is not looking so good from my point of view..But, I made my decisions to cut back, and I am happy that I did so. That's about all..just staying at home..out of the rain..

Live Artfully!

A GREAT WEEK!!!

WOWWW!! This past weekend, my best friend in the world turned 50. She was very sad, and down about it..(Even though I kept telling her that it is no big deal..)..Anyway..I have not seen her since I married Nature Boy, and left my hometown of Pensacola, FL...some 14 years ago. We have talked on Facebook, and the phone frequently, but have just let our lives get in the way of "seeing" each other. So..Her husband planned a secret weekend for me, her and her daughter...We have kept it a secret since OCTOBER ...I drove up on Friday, and waited in a parking lot of a grocery store, until her husband asked her to go to the store, (small town..not many grocery stores)..and then he called and said she had left the house..her daughter then went to her house to get her clothes, and things..and I met her at the store. She pulled in the parking spot..and sat there..and sat there...I walked up behind her and stuck my face up to the window. I think she went into shock...hahaha..Then she flung the door open, and started crying...I told her that "I" was her birthday present, and she was to follow me to a hotel up the road, and ask no questions..She kept worrying that she had no clothes..no toothbrush..etc..I just kept telling her that her husband was going to bring her stuff...So.. once we got the hotel, and in the room...we decided to go down in the lobby...got in the elevator and when the elevator opened..there stood her daughter!! She had not seen her daughter since Thanksgiving..and she started crying again!!(She obviously cries a lot...)

We had a really good time..did stuff..hung out...went to out to eat on Friday and Saturday nights...I hope she had fun!! It was so good to see her and her daughter, and hang out and be Suzan ..not Suzan the artist..I hope that makes sense..Sometimes we are different than what we DO..it was good to have a weekend where art didn't occupy my every thought!!

SO..I came home on Sunday, and Thursday was our wedding anniversary. We decided to go to Tuscaloosa, AL..for the Grand Opening of the new Kentuck building. It is beautiful..and so classy..and the party was wonderful..We had a lot of fun, and got to see my art which is now part of the Kentuck permanent collection (donated by one of my collectors)..Got to see old friends..It was a nice way to celebrate our anniversary!!

We came home on Friday, and Saturday, we went to Mentone, AL and went to the 50th anniversary party of some very special people in our lives!! Watched them renew their vows and saw many people that I have not seen in a long time. There was probably 200 people there..Seven of them did not recognize me..even though they have known me for years...THAT is the best feeling EVER. When you lose weight, you never realize how much you change..I had a blast, and wore polka dotted pants!! I love polka dots..but, the old Suzan would have never, ever wore polka dotted pants out in public!! LOL..it takes so little to make me happy.

In the art world..I don't know where I am going or doing right now..I'm not painting..and not applying for many shows. I got into a couple of shows so far..but, not sure if I am going or not. I keep waiting for the art thing to hit me again..maybe it will, maybe it won't...it is no longer as important as it was to me..I'm just in this "been there, done that" mentality...So, we will see....

Live Artfully!

LIFE IS GOOD!! REPORT ON MY DAUGHTER'S DOG and OTHER STUFF!!

Well..My daughter's dog LUCY had her surgery yesterday, and it was good. They fixed 3 spots in her spine, and though she may not walk normally, it did relieve her of pain, and helped her. Thank you to all the people that donated. We raised $4, 225 dollars towards the $8000 bill!!  Your help is greatly appreciated!! THANK YOU ALL!! The little doggie is still at the vets office, but hopefully gets to come home tomorrow!!

I didn't have a picture of any new art, so I thought I would share my lunch with you..No breakfast, as I don't get hungry until late afternoon..so, I never eat before then. This is typical of my lunches!! I am still on my way of eating (going into my 14th month..) ..and I am never going back. This is nine pieces of pork bacon (none of that gross fake stuff for me)..3 ounces of Monterrey Jack cheese, topped with guacamole and green olives..sprinkled with hot sauce. I also had 2 boiled eggs..but ate those before I went in search of a picture for today's blog post...and while I am showing my food, I will tell you..The other day, I ordered a size 18 pants..I knew they would not fit, but I ordered them, KNOWING that I would one day fit into them...They arrived in the mail, and I tried them on..and LO and BEHOLD..they fit PERFECTLY. Praise the Lord. I have lived for this moment for over a year!! That means since January 2015, I am down 6 or 7 sizes!!! Only a little ways to go!! I do not want to be skinny..but, am aiming for a size 14!! That is all I dream of!!

Anyway..it's a boring winter here..not painting a lot..just relaxing and chilling with Nature Boy...Nothing to say..nothing to write about..(just wanted to let you know how LUCY, the little pug dog was doing..) I hate when people show food online..but, I had nothing else to show...Bear with me, I promise that I will doing some art real soon.

Live Artfully!!

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY CHILD

Good Morning!! This is my daughter, Kimberly, and her dog Lucy..I want to tell you about her.

If you are seriously injured,  bleeding, in a car wreck..SHE WILL TRY HER BEST TO SAVE YOUR LIFE. She will not ask you what you believe in, who you are involved with sexually or romantically, nor will she care about the color of your skin, or even if you are a terrorist or not. If she is not at her "JOB", and you need her help..she will STILL TRY and SAVE your life. She will not ask you if you can pay her, and she won't ask what she will get in return for saving you. She will just do what she has been trained to do, without question, without expectation...without promises. She is an ICU TRAUMA NURSE. She works 2 separate jobs ..almost 80 hours a week..as a nurse. She basically goes home, goes to work, stands on her feet for hours at the time. She doesn't care if her knees and back hurt, if she has a headache, or if she doesn't want to be there. She takes care of her patients..with very little regard to herself.

I remember the first time that I took her into a hospital. She was 3 years old, and her great-grandfather (who raised me, and helped raise her) was dying. I held her little hand, and a nurse stopped me in the hallway, and said that I couldn't have a child up there. I told the nurse that she wanted to say good-bye to her grandfather, and pretty much no one was going to stop that. She looked at the nurse, and said "It will be OK..I'm not scared." She was THREE YEARS OLD. I had explained about the tubes, and what it may look like..and she walked in..climbed up on the rail of his bed...and kissed him for the last time. She did not cry..she was not afraid..

That kind of exemplified her life. She is head strong, and has been since she was very, very little. You could not tell her a thing. If she chose not to listen..she didn't.  She would push my buttons until I was a screaming crazy woman, and just laugh at me. She has basically done what she wanted to, when she wanted to, and nothing could stop her.

Some of her accomplishments --
At 13, she did a History Fair Project..she worked relentlessly for months on it. It went all the way to National Level..Where she took 1ST PLACE IN THE NATION. The project stayed at the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION for over a year on display. It now resides in the State Building in Florida, on permanent display.

At 12 or 13, She competed in an art contest..won a THOUSAND dollars, and bought her first computer BY HERSELF.

She was accepted into an INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE high school. (I think there are only around 74 in the whole United States).

She paid for her own car, and car insurance since she was 16 years old.

She went to 2 or 3 years to college at University of Alabama Huntsville, before switching to a nursing program.

She worked almost the whole time she was in school. Nothing was ever easy for her..and sometimes she wanted to give up..but she didn't.

Her life growing up was not easy. I was a single mother, and I worked almost every day. Kimberly stayed with my grandmother and my aunts a lot. I was poor, always tired, and I tried to be a good mom, but sometimes I just failed on that point. In spite of her childhood, she grew up to be a smart, funny, sweet, caring human. She is a great example of what kind of adult to be. She works HARD, has never asked anyone for anything, has had NOTHING handed to her. She doesn't care about "things"..and would give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it. She would get out of bed at 3am, and BE THERE if you needed her.

She has tattoos. I do not mean one or two little butterflies on her ankle. I mean she is basically covered from her shoulders to her toes in tats. I cried, I screamed, I threw fits..then I accepted them, and grew to love them. She has Einstein's head in a jar on her thigh..and a library of books behind him, (this represents her love of Science and Reading.) She has flamingos on one of her legs because she is a Florida baby. She has an arm completely done in all things medical for her love of Medicine. These do not make her "less" of a person. She is not a thug, she isn't a bad person..it is just her artistic expression of her life.

She is FUNNY...I do not mean hehehe funny..I mean she could make a living as a stand up comedian funny. She can make you laugh to the point that you are holding your stomach. She has a way with sarcasm and timing that is unrivaled. I can't even think of a cow without laughing out loud..because of ONE LOOK she gave me when we were driving one day, and we saw a cow. If she lets you know that side of her, it is magical.

Then there is LUCY..a wonderful, little PUG dog that belongs to my daughter Kimberly. Lucy has been through hell and back again with Kim. She is a fiery little personality, and they are matched better than most human couples. Lucy is Kim's heart. Her child, her fur-baby. OUT OF THE BLUE, something went wrong with Lucy, and she needs surgery SOON, or she will be crippled, and in pain for life.

My daughter just started a new job. She is a TRAVELING NURSE, and changes jobs every 13 weeks. If this had happened to Lucy a month or so ago, Kimberly would have had money to handle it without help. If this had happened then,  I would have had money to help her with it, or paid for it. But, I don't..I used all my money to pay the bills ahead so that we can survive this winter. (Because I wear that "starving artist" T-shirt proudly)..Winters are tight for us..but, I gave my daughter what I had. IF THIS COULD BE PUT OFF A MONTH, we could get the money up..but, it has to be NOW. SOON. IF THEY ARE GOING TO SAVE LUCY'S LEGS..TIME IS THE PROBLEM.

PLEASE..PLEASE..PLEASE..Click HERE to help Kimberly and Lucy. I am not asking for hundreds..FIVE or TEN dollars will help. If you can't help..then PLEASE SHARE THE LINK so maybe someone will. We have generated enough for the pre-OP MRI..and still need to cover the surgery. Any one of you that know me, knows I would help you all in any way I could...anytime with anything. I hope you'll do the same for my child. Thank you for reading this, and for getting to know Kimberly a bit.

Love, Suzan

Live Artfully!!

WOODLAND ANIMALS!! ROCKY RACCOON!!

NEW for 2016!! WOODLAND ANIMALS..Meet Rocky Raccoon (and coming soon, his brother Ricky..)..along with squirrels, mice, possums, armadillos, deer, bear, and bunnies ...and MANY more!!
He is 8 x 8 x 2..on a cradled wood panel.

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY..AND A PINTEREST INTERVENTION

Wow!! Yesterday was a gloriously beautiful day!! It has rained for days..a lot of flooding across the US..Some serious damage, and more than a few deaths due to the floods. I am so grateful that I live high up on a mountain top, but even here..there was standing water in my yard. I know we need rain, but when it's that much rain..it's crazy..I hope the sun comes out for a while, and blesses us with warmth, and bright days.

We took full advantage of the gorgeous day, and went on a short road trip..I bought my FIRST Mona B purse/messenger bag. If you don't know the brand..Google it..They are awesome!! They look old and worn, and leathery..and are just perfection. I don't own a lot of purses..maybe 3, and the one I bought is big, and perfect to carry a sketchbook in when I travel to do shows!! I love it..

How many of you play on Pinterest?? I had to do a major self-intervention on my Pinterest account. I just randomly deleted over 100 boards..It's a sickness, I'm telling you..Like electronic hoarding or something...I'm slowly but surely weaning myself off of the internet. It's a total time sucker...I've got a couple of things on the table, and am going to have to force myself to paint MORE..especially if they pan out..So..good-bye Pinterest..I will still visit..but, I can no longer live there..hehehehe.

That is all..I got all of my commission pieces done before Christmas, and got 4 more yesterday..so, back to the wonderful grindstone that is my life.

Live Artfully!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Live Artfully !!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Well..that time is upon us..Christmas is in 4 days. It blows my mind that this year is almost over. I wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season, and for my friends and family that are of the Christian faith--Merry Christmas!! I hope it is a great one for you!!

When my daughter went off to college, I asked my husband if it was ok if I did not decorate for Christmas..and he was all for it. So..The season has no stress for me. I do not have to cook for anyone other than Nature Boy and myself...I do not have to fight the malls, and shops. I buy myself what I want, and there is no other pressure. We do not give gifts, and basically we have a normal day, and celebrate our religious belief on Christmas Day. We thank God for what he has given us, and we go see Nature Boys kids, and family..Basically, a relaxed day of thought and prayer. However you choose to spend your day, I hope it brings you blessings and peace.

I have to paint a couple of more paintings tonight to show my collector in Chattanooga. All commission pieces are done, and shipped..It took me two trips to get all of them to the post office...but, we made it.. I spent almost $500 in postage alone..I've never shipped so many paintings. (Thank the Lord)!  I did not photograph many of them..I have gotten very slack about doing that..and plan in 2016 to get back in the habit of photographing ALL of my work...and documenting all of it..and sharing it on the social media sights. I missed sharing a LOT of pieces this past year. I've become lazy, and have been slacking. Since I am doing very few shows in 2016, I hope to have time to "DO" some things...I'm excited at being to a point where it's not all about the money. I would like to do over 400 original "designs" this year. I have a book of sketches that I have been working on daily..But, anyway..for now..at least a week or two..I'm going to relax..read some books (which I have missed like the flowers miss the rain..)..watch some movies..redo the studio..clean the house..and basically enjoy life. THAT will be the best Christmas present to get.  TIME to think, renew, and show gratitude for this wonderful life that I have been given.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!!
Live Artfully!!

KEEPING AN ART JOURNAL

Well..I'm back at it..between all the Christmas commissions, and packing..I have done a few pages in a new "journal" I plan on painting the entire book, then starting at the beginning, and writing on the pages..I'm painting very fast on these..30 minutes or less..and just not caring one way or the other.

I am in one of the happiest places that I could possibly be right now. I've rested since Kentuck was over..just worked on whatever makes me happy, and commissions for Christmas. I have freely painted and done whatever I have wanted...I've played A LOT of Angry Birds.. I LOVE Angry Birds..I think I have 8 or 9 different games on my phone.

I am FREE FREE FREE until at least April..That means that I can paint what I want..and do nothing if I want. I paid the bills ahead for 3 months, and I have everything I need or want..and all I will have to buy is groceries, but even those for the time are stockpiled ..It completely freaks the store clerks out when I go grocery shopping..they always assume that I have 20 people to feed. To give you an idea of how I do it..I bought meat in late Oct...and will not need to buy more for at least another month...hahhaha..

Anyway..the only downside to this matter is ..Nature Boy MAY go crazy..let's just hope we do not have a scene from "THE SHINING"...Poor man..he is bored silly already..I keep trying and talking him into painting or doing something that doesn't require him to be outside...He likes being out there, but I am sure that it's going to get cold eventually.

Time to heat dinner up..(I only cook one day a week!)..Live Artfully!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

Well..a few days ago, I turned 51!! YAY!! Another year under my belt. This was the best year ever, and I am so grateful for the entire year! I gave myself several hundred dollars to "play" with for my birthday, and went on Ebay, and bought a lot of new clothes!! Most of them were new with tags..some fit perfectly (most of them)..NONE were too small. (ONE was a regular XL, and it FIT!! WOOHOOOO!!! Two of them were too big, but will make great over-shirts!! I got 8 sterling silver Navajo/Zuni rings (all signed by the artist)..I ADORE THEM..I got some jewelry..and I bought myself a set of 10 little "penny" dolls to add to my collection, and 3 pair of knitted leggings lined with flannel...My favorite pieces are the long, hooded coat. It's linen, fully lined, and EXQUISITE...Made by J. Jill..(the best clothes ever!!), and I also love the long mustard yellow sweater..The boots are wonderful, and it tickles me that my ankles are small enough now for boots. Those are  my 3rd pair of boots. I LOVE boots, and after having cankles (where your calf and your ankle is the same size) for 10 years, I'm so happy that I finally can fit into boots..(small things make me happy)!

I have 3 more commission pieces to finish out this year before Christmas, and a pile to ship, and I will be done!! I mailed out so many last week that we had to use a dolly to get them to the post office..I am very grateful that work has been PHENOMENAL!! Thank you to everyone that purchased from me. On the 15th, I'm showing to a couple of collectors in Chattanooga..and again, I will be DONE. I am so excited to be able to 1. Fix the studio up, and 2. Be able to paint my heart out until my first show in APRIL. I'm not applying to a ton of shows this year. I want to create fresh new art..and work on changing my styles a bit. I have already got stacks of panels to work on, and plan to buy a pile more next week...What more could I ask for ?? Life is good!

I will make sure that I share my studio redo (not buying anything new..just working on the old)..it should be fun. I can't decide whether I want to get rid of my pink and purple walls though..or keep them...I think I might paint them all white..and all the furniture white...but, we'll see.

Ok..so my birthday week has been GREAT, hope you enjoyed me sharing my "presents" with you..I will be returning to art soon..Live Artfully!!

THANKSGIVING COMES TO AN END

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our day was nice..Nature Boy and I went to his sister's house for T-day, and I fasted..and it felt good. I decided not to eat today to remember those less fortunate than I am, those who went hungry, for those who do not have what I have.

I spent the day, silently thinking of all the things that I was grateful for. I am so fortunate..and grateful that I have plenty, and do not need much.

We just got back from a week in Georgia. We spent the week at a friend's house watching their 2 Corgi dogs..They were awesome! I missed them today..(our first day back home). It was fun and refreshing to be out of my own house! They also bought me a beautiful eco-dyed scarf..dyed with eucalyptus leaves. It is GORGEOUS..and a necklace with a large quartz thingie on it..They were beautiful gifts.

On the weight loss front..I've got 55 more pounds to lose. That is a very long way from where I was in 2012...when I was approx. 173 pounds away from where I wanted to be. I used to have a friend, and we would sit in a "group" on Facebook..she was my weight loss "buddy"..We did not do very well, and she turned out to be really C.R.A.Z.Y....I'm so grateful that I ended that toxic relationship, and got my weight loss straightened out. It probably would not have taken me so long to lose weight if it had not been for me listening to her ...sheesh..some people! Since January 2015 though, I'm down around 80 pounds.

My daughter called me today..Love hearing her voice. So happy that she is back from her 5 week vacation all over Europe!! Saw one of Chuck's daughters, and 2 of his grandkids also..made for a good day!!

Well..it's late..and I'm going to paint for awhile...Live Artfully!

BLACK DOGS ARE GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF ME!!

Hello! About three days ago, I tried to paint a Scottish Terrier...(bottom pic)..then today..I kept trying. The top one is the latest, and looks more like I wanted it to. Black dogs are HARD to paint. At least they all look different..haha..Sheesh..Ok..back to work!!

Live Artfully!