"I Don't Think So" - SOLD

This little whimsical girl has an attitude...how many times have I heard one of my grandchildren talking to another one and saying, "I Don't Think So" when one of them says they are going to do something the other one does not like.  

This painting is painted with acrylics and mixed media on watercolor paper and then affixed to a 10" x 10" stretched canvas and polished.  I love the way the finished product looks.  She is available on Easy at 

Day Dreaming

I have seen this look a couple of times - usually right before the little person gets sleepy.  In fact, I think I have seen the same look on my husband's face.

This painting was painted on 140 pound watercolor paper, then it is attached to a wood canvas and polished several times to a gloss finish.  I love this process and it looks so good "in person".

She Sparkles - SOLD

This little girl is enjoying sparklers.  There is something magical about sparklers - they can transform you into a fairy in a moment.

10" x 10" on stretched canvas

Holding On Tight - SOLD

It is hard to believe that time goes by so fast.  This little doll baby is the new granddaughter of a long time friend.  At least 30 years ago our children played together and now I see the cycle of life continuing.  I love the way babies hold on tight to our fingers like they are so glad to be here.  It is like their own language telling us they love us and they are here to make our lives more full......especially for us known as Mimi, Grandmother, Gigi, Nana ---you get the message.

Cole - SOLD

Sweetness

Caught - NFS

Last December I took an online course with Mindy Lacefield.   The course was a more intuitive type of painting where you laid down paint and waited until you "saw" something on the canvas that spoke to you of a painting.  (I am not sure I am doing a very good job of explaining this.)  Anyway, I saw this little face and developed it and she reminded me of the look on one of my children in the past or grandchildren who had just been "caught" doing something forbidden.

This is so different from the way I usually paint but I hope to revisit again and again as I loved the process and the outcome.  I am not selling this little girl because she is a reminder to me to keep on trying this style.  Recently in an art show several people told me that she "spoke" to them, something about her touched them.  I listen to those kind of comments and let them lead me along this path of creativity.

Love Him in the Morning

Last night my husband and I attended a reunion of a youth group that he had been the Youth Director for 35 years ago.  What a wonderful experience to see so many "young" people who are now in their 50's and have grown children.  One of the best parts of the night was to  hear their life journey stories.  Many of them have been in full time Christian ministry for all those years and  the stories of how that group was a pivotal time in their lives was so positive and uplifting.  The bond these young people shared was so strong - they talked about the fact that they came from several different schools but they had loved each other and found common ground in their faith.  

We sang old songs that we had shared during that time and one was titled, "Love Him in the Morning".  It is a song about loving God all day long.  We all remembered the words which is a great accomplishment for me since I cannot even remember where I put my tennis shoes this morning.  I feel very blessed to have been a part of this group and see the miracle of lives changed and lives well lived.  

My angel is a 24" x 24" on gallery wrapped canvas and was created with mixed media.  There is burlap attached to the canvas and then painted.  This is a long process  but one that I find I enjoy the outcome.  

Come On Daddy - SOLD

This is a commissioned piece taken from a reference photo where a little girl's Daddy followed her around all day long to keep her protected from the sun.  What a great depiction of what a Daddy will do for his little angel.  He will strive to protect her for the rest of her life and if that day comes for him to "give her away" at an altar, he might find it as hard to let go of her hand as it was on this day to let go of the umbrella.

Super Super Hero

Last year my son and his wife and their 2 sets of twins lived with us for 6 weeks while their house was having some work done.  One of the younger twins dresses up every chance he gets.  This outfit was a combination of superman and a dracula cape but he is Super Super Hero to me!

Fantasy Flowers-SOLD

I was using a photo reference for this painting from Pixabay but I wanted to use limited strokes and paint it in a impressionistic manner.  I try to not think about what I am painting but just what I see - the colors and shapes.  I remember an art teacher told me once that you do not have to paint flowers so exact (unless of course you are a realistic painter).  Anyway, she said if you do not know exactly what kind of flower you have then it is a "fantasy flower".  These are fantasy flowers.

Crazy Daisies - GIFTED

I am trying to get the most out of my little daisies that are left.  This is a 6" x 6" on gallery wrapped canvas

Hello Sunshine - SOLD

I love going to Pepper Place on Saturdays and coming home with flowers and vegetables.  

Carol's Grands - GIFTED

Can anything be better than witnessing love? The love between siblings is especially special.  Because we moved around a lot, my kids had to "start over" at new schools and meet new friends often but one thing remained a constant.  They had each other.  The bonds that were formed have always been there and remain there to this day.  I can just imagine that will be the way for these two.

The Beginning

This is the block in for a commission for two grandchildren.  There is a lot of pushing and pulling that goes along with this stage that I enjoy.  Things just happen.  But while I was starting this painting I happened to scroll through Instagram.  Have you ever found yourself making comparison of your work, your art or any other abilities to someone else?  I am reading a wonderful book entitled, "Looking for God" by Nancy Ortberg.  In the book she states, "Comparison becomes a faulty scale on which we place ourselves, waiting to see how we balance out with the people on the other side.  Comparison leaves us jealous and critical and insecure. ...Part of what it means to be created in the image of God is that each person has his or her own story, giftedness, and calling.  I cannot find mine by looking at yours.  Your story may inspire me or warn me, but I should never use it to determine my own."  Once we understand this we are free to admire other people's gifts and be grateful for their contributions to the beauty in the world.

The Lady With the Gold Earring

I love the paintings of John Larriva.  Recently he sent out a 

https://www.patreon.com/johnlarriva

You can go to this link and become a supporter of his work on Patreon.  For a minimal fee a month you can watch demos and videos of how he creates some of his work.  I do not think I could ever paint like him but I learn something each time I watch another artist at work.  He has a very good teaching style and he is interactive to comments via messages.  I appreciate his offering!

I played around today with a small 6" x 6" board and painted my best friend's picture.  It is so wonderful to have beautiful friends.  (Not so wonderful having my picture made with her as she is ALWAYS dressed, accessorized and beautiful.)  She is also one of the Miss Alabama Moms every year and I am sure some people think she was Miss Alabama at one time.