New Watercolors... Finally!

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that it's already mid-summer!  What a busy one it's been!  Between the garden and the chickens and music and bands and gigs and a solo art show in a mountain town and generally just enjoying the sunshine and warmth, I have found ways to avoid my paintbrushes.  But sometimes it's good for me to take a break and step away from the studio.  When I come back to it, I'm inspired and ready to get to work.

Here are some of the new watercolors I've been working on.  If there's a link attached, it means, of course, that they've been listed for sale.

Season of the Butterflies, a 9 x 12.

Crow Over Banner Elk, 9 x 12.



Music of the Sun, 9 x 12.

Banner Elk Morning, 6 x 10.

Stormy Sea, 8 x 10.



Dream, 6 x 6.

Wren at Morning, 5 x 7.

Chickens in the Corn, on 6 x 6 paper with white edges.

Says Who? 4  x 6 in frame.

Sunrise Over the Lake, 4 x 6.

There's no doubt about it... the summertime colors have inspired me!  Until next time, keep on the sunny side and live in the sunshine.





New for April

Can you believe it?  April is here!  Warm weather will soon stay around for good!  And I'm so ready for it.

But before I go any further, let me announce the winner of my Springtime Giveaway... Monica!  Congrats to her.  Her new watercolor is on its way.  Thanks to all those who entered... and stay tuned.  There will be more giveaways as the year rolls along.

I've been busy lately with lots of music.  Our band has a gig this evening, another at the end of the month, and also on Mother's Day weekend.  And I've got a solo gig in mid-May too.  But I've been working on new paintings, and I've even added a new section to the Etsy shop... photography.  Here's what I've been up to in the visual arts arena.

Oriole Dreams of Sunlit Trees....

Waxwing in the Forest Light...

 

Shy Summer Grosbeak...

Afternoon Shadows... a fine art photograph... quiet mystery.

 The Journey... a fine art photograph ... soul travels



Okra Blossom... a fine art photograph... a true beauty from our 2010 veggie garden

Sharing the Garden... a fine art photograph... a surprise in my summer flower garden in 2010

There will be more photos to come, and of course more paintings.  Until then, enjoy the month of April, love the one you're with, and share a smile with a stranger.

What Goes On

Around here, what's been going on is wonderful weather. We've had many days of sunny skies and temps in the mid to upper 60s, even reaching 71 one day! You know I have been loving it, as have the daffodil shoots, and last night, I even saw some new irises springing up through the February ground. I found these lovely flowers and plants while I walked with my daughter in Old Salem yesterday!

I've been working on new paintings and new songs. I have a solo gig on March 5th in downtown Winston-Salem, so I'm seriously thinking about my set list and getting my new songs tightened up. When I'm not doing that, I'm either walking around the mountain or painting.

Here are some of my newer pieces. Most have been listed in my Etsy shop, so you can easily check them out by clicking on the link.

Several itty bitty miniatures... each of these has been framed in a mini bone or mother-of-pearl frame, averaging around a mere 2.5 inches in size. They are perfect for a little spot on a windowsill or bookshelf or bedside table.





A mixed media with oils, photography, and text, measuring 24 x 30 and also listed, as of today.... A Morning Song.

This white-throated sparrow is one of my favorite watercolors. It measures 5 x 7 and has been framed in a beautiful cobalt blue Italian made frame.

And lest you think that I only paint birds, here are a couple other newer watercolors to prove you wrong (though it is quite true that birds are my favorite subject of late!).



Until next time, enjoy the world of nature, listen for the birdsong, and hug the one you love!

Treasuries and Gift-Giving

Believe it or not, we've found ourselves heading into the season of gift-giving. Yes, it's here already! Sellers on Etsy are gearing up and hoping for good holiday sales, and treasuries are popping up with wonderful gift ideas. Today's post showcases treasuries in which I've been featured, but I'll begin with one I curated with the idea of Christmas wishes in mind. Is it too early for Christmas Dreams showcases things I'd love to get in my stocking or under the tree!


Be sure to follow the links to see the treasuries and featured items up close.

Innovation Design's treasury is titled Favorites, and I'm thrilled she included me!

She has featured my October Fire painting, a 16 x 20 original oil created from a photo I'd taken in 2009 of our autumn trees.

Diramar of Innovation Design creates beautiful crocheted scarves, necklaces, arm warmers and more. Here's one of my favorites, Cotton Candy, a perfect gift!

Bright, hot, and vibrant, this Red treasury by ColettesBoutique features one of my new mini paintings.

My Cardinal painting is a little 5 x 5 acrylic on canvas.

ColettesBoutique has beautiful jewelry for sale, and here are some truly fabulous earrings, but be sure to visit her store for more beauties!

GreenPost's Ornament treasury is filled with wonderful holiday ideas, as you can guess from the title. Kendra has featured another of my new mini paintings.

My Itty Bitty Poppies painting is another 5 x 5, an oil on canvas.

Kendra at GreenPost makes wonderful eco-friendly paper goods filled with flower seeds that can be planted, so her products serve two purposes! Here are her Cardinal tags, but wouldn't they also look wonderful on a Christmas tree?

GinnyHuber's Mountain Morning is a delightful collection of autumnal colors! I just love it!

Ginny has featured my mini Mountain Morning painting, a 5 x 5 acrylic on canvas.

Ginny makes wonderful felted wool products, brooches, envelopes (one of which is my business card holder), scarves and more. Here's one of my favorites, her Changing Leaves Scarf... so perfect for this cooler weather that is moving in.

And finally, a Laid Back treasury by DreamVintage which features relaxing and peaceful finds in shades of gray. She has included one of my bird paintings.

Winter Song is a 12 x 12 oil on canvas which showcases a tufted titmouse in the heart of winter.

Didem of DreamyVintage creates lovely jewelry that is, yes, vintage and vintage-inspired. Here's one of my favorites necklaces in her shop, made of porcelain and lace... so pretty!

With holidays fast approaching, I hope you'll remember to buy handmade, perhaps from some of the featured artists here, and support artists, whether locally or online at Etsy or other web venues. Until the next post, enjoy your days, be thankful for your friends and families, and share a smile with a stranger!

Birdsong & Blooms

Tonight is opening night! The paintings have been hung and I am ready. My solo exhibit will officially begin this evening at 7:00 as part of the First Friday Gallery Hop in downtown Winston-Salem, and I'm pretty excited about it! Fifteen pieces are in the show and are for sale... all small works, many 12 x 12s, some 8 x 10s and a couple 6 x 12s. And as the show's name suggests, each painting features a bird or flowers, as is appropriate for the dusky aqua blue walls of Imagine Flowers, a gorgeous little flower shop filled with fragrance, lovely vases, and all things pretty, related to flowers, of course. These pieces will hang for the month of June, and with luck, I'll make a sale or two; at least I sure am hoping so... fingers crossed.




Here's to a good show and to a sale or two... or more! Stay tuned!

Having Fun at the Weekend Show

Beautiful weather, though rather hot, a lovely location at One Way Antiques in King, great art, fun music, and wonderful crowds, but alas... not too many sales. Seems to be the state of shows these days. I made about 1/3 of what I made at the same show a year ago. Ah well. It was worth it just for the camaraderie and the inspiration of seeing the work of other artists. Here are some photos... hope you enjoy!

I shared my booth with my husband, and we set up next to the music stage. He displays most of his knives in cases, especially at outdoor shows, lest some small child come along and grab a knife and hurt him or herself. I try to have an earthy look at my booth to complement the style of jewelry that I do. So I use old Moxie crates, a moose anter, dried pinto beans, rocks (which I forgot to bring this time!!!), and other such things.





Here are a few shots of the location and other booths and sights there...




And here's a silly shot of me dancing to the blues of Big Ron Hunter with some old man who'd been dancing alone... and another good friend of mine who came to join in. Had a great time, but it seems I almost lost my skirt!

And finally, a couple shots of the band as we did our Sunday set.



So, same time next year, I suppose!