March 2014 Calendar Stories

Like Peas in a Pod

March. Spring. Babies. 

I found this series of pencil drawings in an old notebook (which now I am thinking would make a great series of paintings for a nursery) which tells the story behind the story of where babies come from. It starts out with seed packets, harvesting the crop, packaging, getting ready for shipment, first by boat then by truck and final delivery. It's all done by dogs, cats, beetles and of course a stork. This painting is obviously the "going down the river" scene. The babies will then be placed on delivery trucks and taken to the appropriate cities where they will then be delivered by your classic stork. Just to be clear, no babies, animals, bugs or birds were harmed during this process. 

February 2014 Calendar Stories

Love

 February 2014 is recycled from the calendar painting of February 2001. The 2001 February calendar was one of my favorite calendar paintings ever. I altered the contents of the heart but painted everything else the same. 

I was going to stop at that last sentence. It makes it seem so easy, but truth be told, I struggled on this painting. The heart is so thick with paint from painting over it and over it again and again. And in the end it is a simple two color design, well almost one color, the back round color just being a lighter shade than the words.

Bottom line, Love is complicated.

January 2014 Calendar Stories

The Peacock 

January can be the most difficult month to decide on because is it the opening picture. It is the first art you see when you purchase the calendar. It is the doorway thru which you step into a brand new year. 

I usually do a winter scene for the month of January in blues and chilly colors. This year I wanted to do something different. Something the said welcome to the new year, may it be full of beauty, grace and hope. Artwork that makes you feel warm and happy and that anything is possible. 

April 2014 Calendar Stories

The Ford Plantation

Two and a half years ago my sister got married at the Ford Plantation. I was lucky enough to stay at a house on the golf course. The host and hostess made sure every need was met. It was a glorious week. Every morning I got up and sat facing east watched the sun rise, sipped my coffee, listened to the birds sing and smelled the sweet jasmine that was blossoming, and did my daily painting. It was wonderful. I wish that life could always be like that, and maybe that is why I like this painting so much, it brings back the sweet memories of that week in Savannah. 

Also, this painting was out of my "box," different for me. I stylized what I saw before me and made it my own. I liked that part of the experience too. The whole trip was delightful and the my paintings from that time were very fun and not my norm. I have repainted this scene on paper, wood and canvas several time and in different dimensions, and I like them all, I don't know if it is the style, or the memories that I like. And I become connected with a new family. Thank you Mary Kay and Paul.

July 2014 Calendar Stories

Lemon Love

Kelli loves lemons and when her mom passed away, I tried my hand at painting lemons for Kelli. Loretta was an inspiration, she loved a good Lemon Drop Martini. She love sparkly high heels and continued to wear them till the end. She would show up at chemo dressed to the nines always wearing high heels. She said, proclaimed, "Cancer does not define me!" And I thought, no it doesn't, you are even more brilliant and vibrant. So many friends and family have struggled with this disease, and thru it all it does not define them,  thru the fire of struggle it refines them, turns them into gold. July was my most difficult month to paint. Just like lemons themselves, they can be difficult, but in our society they represent adaptability and courage, to take something difficult and work thru it and turn it into something good. Kelli and her mom, and so many of the others I can't mention here, choose to live fully even when handed lemons, they choose to have a delicious time. Cheers to you! 

July 22, 2013

Getting Ready for the Show

Overbluff Cellars in Spokane Washington will host 

my artwork for the month of August. 

I am looking forward to the trip and to 

tasting their fabulous wine. 

July 19,2013

Kid Art

 I found a little pencil sketch of this guy and knew I had to paint him in color. I've seen Chomp Chomp in all sorts of Jack's drawings but this time my daughter had outlined him and something in my brain clicked. When I told them I would give them a percentage of the profits, if Chomp Chomp sold, they were all over it. 

Not to be out done, Coco then handed me a drawing and wanted credit for it. So trying to be a fair mom, I painted her artwork as well. 

The robot piece is something Jack drew, Coco found and colored and I painted onto wood. Kid art is so fun, we all should do it sometime.