Pear for You....

"Pear for You"....16x20....oil on gallery wrap....$375(sold)

The depth of color in this painting really doesn't show in this photo....but it's pretty cool in person. It looks really nice with the pair of pears that I did a few posts ago.

I have a revolving foyer art show going on...I hang my paintings, as I complete them, on a grid system that I have hanging in my foyer. They hang there where I can enjoy them and critique them, as they dry and await their fate....either off directly to a new home, to a gallery or on the road with me to the outdoor art shows.

I love this system because I get to enjoy them before they go to their permanent home. Some of them, I will really miss. But alas, they have to grow up and head out on their own someday. Did I mention that my daughter is getting married?

Out Standing....

"Out Standing"....24x36.....oil on canvas.....$800 ($900 Framed)SOLD

This is a revisitation of a bird that I have painted before...it is a different size and different treatment, but the same bird. I took this photo during a trip to the Tickfaw River in Louisiana.

This guy was just "out standing" in the water begging to have his photo taken.

Coffee Cup Colors....

Coffee Cup Colors....6x6 ea.(set of 4)...oil on 1.5 Gallery Wrap....$175(set)SOLD

It is surprising how many people collect coffee cups and coffee cup art. I decided that I would be ready for them this year. This is my second set of cups that will be featured in my fall art shows.

Walkie Bird Wing-Ding...

"Walkie Bird Wing-ding"....30x30....Oil on 1.5 Gallery Wrap...$900

This painting features friends of yesterday's birds. These guys were planning their strategy so that when they commenced to "walkie-walkie" they wouldn't run into each other.

This picture does not really capture the real painting. I will be getting a new camera soon, as soon as Canon releases the new G11. When I do, I hope to learn how to really use it well and take better pictures of my work. Partnered with that I need to learn how to really use the photo shop programs. I know some of it, but not enough. That's why I quit doing the Different Strokes blog adventure, because the photo requirements were so stringent that I couldn't be sure my entries were up to par. So in my spare time, between painting, planning my daughter's wedding and planning a trip to Italy I will strive to make better quality photos.

Walkie Birds I, II, and III...

Walkie Bird I (King of the Hill)...12x12...Oil on Canvas....$150SOLD
Walkie Bird II (Goin' Places)...12x12...Oil on canvas...$150SOLD

Walkie Bird III(I'll be Right Here if You Need Me)...12x12...Oil on Canvas...$150 SOLD

I have a close friend that calls these birds "walkie birds" because of their funny little skittery walk as they go back and forth on the sand when the waves come in and go out. I took these photos late in the day last year when we were enjoying our two-day "recuperation" stay at the end of the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores.

I probably like these paintings as much as any I have ever done. I love the subject, the colors, and the fact that (to me anyway) you can tell that it is late afternoon at the beach.

That is my favorite time to be at the beach. The families with children pack up and go to dinner, the sun-bathers give it up and head in, and those of us who are left find that there is really no where else on earth we would rather be.

Somewhat Abstract.....

12x24......Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Somewhat Abstract"........$300

I have always wanted to paint the sparkles of light that you get in the background of some of the scenes you come across. I am so happy with this one. I am going to be taking a whole lot of photos with this effect. You can just feel the ambiance of the evening can't you?

"Bottlenecks"....

24x30......Oil on gallery wrap....."Bottlenecks".......$725($825 framed)

I really am happy with this painting. Not only is it a subject matter near and dear to my heart, but I like the different composition of this one as compared to some of my others.

This is from a photo I took in a restaurant in Las Vegas this past spring. I had a blast one afternoon wandering through some of the restaurants when the wait staff was setting up for dinner. I just wandered in and asked it they minded if I took pictures of the bottles or tablescapes or whatever interested me. Not one person said no.

We are just returning from my niece's wedding in Tampa. It was this past weekend and it was beautiful! My brother and sister-in-law did an awesome job putting the entire thing together. They did everything themselves...decorations, food, flowers...everything. They had some good helpers in the family and it could not have been any nicer if they had had highly paid professionals to do it all. (I still hate that I missed getting a stuffed tomato, though. Everyone was raving about them the next day. Where was I?)

Pear Pairing Oil Paintings......

set 8x10.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Pear Pairing".......$175(sold)

I am really excited about these two paintings. They are just the type of loose, colorful, funky paintings that I want to produce. I can just see them in someone's classy kitchen. The great thing about the groupings that I do is that they can be hung alone, side by side, or on top of each other. In kitchens sometimes walls come in horizontal patches (backsplashes) and in vertical segments (between doors) so these are great to add that punch of color.

The second festival that I will be attending this fall is the National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores Alabama. If you go to their site, highlight "Artist" in the keyboard to the left and then choose fine arts. Boom, I am number three. Also check out my friend, Martin Welch.

We both have an interesting situation coming up. We are both in the Red River Revel (see yesterday's post) and the Shrimp Festival. These are both 4-day shows. WITH ONE DAY IN BETWEEN! I will be by myself in Shreveport...no one is free to come with me. So on Tuesday night the show in Shreveport ends at 9 PM. I have to break down and pack my stuff (normally a 3-hour process with TWO of us!) Then I have to get up early Wed. morning, drive from Shreveport to Jackson, pick up Mike and the trailer with more stuff in it, then hightail it down to Gulf Shores to get there before check-in closes at 6 PM. Then we have to set up the booth still. That can take 4 or 5 hours. The people who visit my booth on the first Thursday the Shrimp Festival opens will probably meet a zombie woman.

The really good news is that the condo we are staying in is in walking distance of the festival (no parking issues) and they offer two free nights if you book 5...and I had to book five for the festival itself. So like we did last year, we will be staying two extra days to relax after it is all over with. I know I will need at least two days!!!

Garden Show-offs....

16x20.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Garden Show-offs"....$325SOLD

This is from a photo I took while we were out in Las Vegas the second time. They have the most beautiful landscaping around the casinos. And to think it's all built in the middle of a desert. They have signs in their magnificent plantings stating that they are watered with "reclaimed" water so that you will know they are not wasting resources.

I am still feverishly getting ready for my fall batch of art shows. I was blown away by how nice the web site was for the first one that I will be attending....the Red River Revel in Shreveport, La. Click on the artists icon in the lower left. It will take you to a list of artists. Scroll to the bottom and click on page 4. If you click on my name it will bring up a large page and if you wait a second (or click on the picture, I can't remember) it will start a slideshow of the paintings I submitted. Very cool.

Hot Sauce oil painting....

12x24.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Season to Taste".....$300SOLD

This is another of my stand-by subject matters. Here in the south people are known to be passionate about their hot sauce....to the point of wearing logo clothing and having logo dishes, etc.

I know a certain someone that carries his mini bottle in his pocket for emergencies. : )

Tomatoes on the Vine OIl Paintings....

12x24.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Vine Ripe".......$300(sold)

See the post from Mon., Sept. 7, for my thoughts on tomatoes. They really are one of my favorite subjects. And they always seem to look extra yummy on turquoise backgrounds.

I found out that I have been accepted into two more fall art shows....that makes four in total. I am so excited, but that means I need to really get busy!

If you need me, I'll be in my studio!

Tomato Pairing Oil paintings...

12x12....oil......$150 SOLD

12x12 .....Oil .......$150

I tried a different background on these and the look, I think, is totally different. They look more serious. If a tomato can, indeed, look serious.

My thoughts today are with those who are still dealing with the aftermath of 9/11. We are all still dealing with it on some level. Some much, much more than others. Children started school without mothers, wives set tables with one less place, and hearts are still broken over what might have happened differently. God bless America and those who love her.

Sun-N-Sand Hotel Landmark oil painting...

24x24....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap......"Back in the Day".......$600SOLD

This is an old landmark hotel from "back in the day" in Jackson, MS. I remember my husband's grandfather and his group would stay there when they came in town on business. I met them there for breakfast one time when my 30 year-old-son was 1.

Sunset behind the Blowfly Inn Oil Painting...

12x12.....Oil on Gallery Wrap....."Sunset Behind the Blowfly Inn".....$150(sold)

This is the view that you get from the Blowfly Inn in Gulfport, MS. It's back in business now and has been for a while. Katrina destroyed the original building and they moved to another location for a bit, but they are back on the bayou now where they belong. This is where Dacia(my daughter's) surprise engagement dinner was held this summer. She used to go there with her grandparents and the Blowfly is just part of the family. You may have seen it featured in Southern Living Magazine.

Tomato Line-up Oil Painting

6x12.....Oil on 1.5 Gallery Wrap....."Tomato Line-up".....$80SOLD

I am getting ready for my fall outdoor art shows and in addition to painting things that I am wildy inspired by, I am also in the mode of painting things that will sell. I cannot tell you how many tomatoes I have sold. And that wildly inspires me any day.

Wine Bottle Oil Paintings....

24x36.....oil on 1.5 gallery wrap.......Three's Company......$875 SOLD

I took this photo at the Cork Wine Festival, also. The light was coming in from the back and you could see it through the bottles.

Well, I have been busy busy busy this week and have gotten several paintings done. They will be posted next week after I have them all photographed.

Thanks to all who have commented and welcomed me back after my long absence.

And now to end the week with a smile. Check out these two party animals. Am I lucky to have a daughter-in-law who realizes how much I love getting these photos or what? The girls will be seven months old on Sunday. I feel like I fell asleep in January and woke up and it's September!

Another Vantage Point Oil Painting of wine bottle...

24x30.....Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap....View from Above....$700 (sold)

I just loved the idea of looking down on this bottle from above instead of the usual vantage point from the side. Maybe next I will do one looking from below......hmmmmmm.

Rework of old work that didn't work.....

I did this painting a while back and just never did LOVE it. There was something off about it. (plus this photo is bad, so it really looks off) I liked it enough not to frisbee it into the yard, though. So the other day I decided to make a few changes and now I do love it. So there.

24x30.....oil on canvas.....Savignon and Shadow....$450(sold)

Sax Education 2.....

12x24.......Oil on 1.5 gallery wrap.....Sax Education 2......$290 SOLD

This is painted from a photo that I took when I was the featured artist at the Cork Wine Festival in Shreveport, La. The light in the club where the opening reception was held just made this sax glow orange. It was "at rest" during the musician's break and I just had to take a shot of it.

The painting is hanging now at the Cups Coffee House in Dogwood Market. My work is featured there throughout the month of September. I met a nice lady there today when I was hanging the show and she expressed an interest in this painting. I by accident quoted you the wrong price, as you can see, but if you are tuning in, just call me and I will honor the price I told you.

For now I am going to paint, paint, paint!