I Couldn't Love You More - SOLD

I have been painting a lot of commissions for Christmas.  I love painting for people who tell me they are happy with their paintings or that I have captured a certain "spirit" or personality.  Those times make my day but I find that I get very "serious" when painting commissions.  Mostly, it is self imposed pressure because I want to please the person I am painting for.  I have to fight being too "tight" or reverting back to a way of painting that I have tried to move away from.  As I have mentioned before, it is very hard to paint freely or loose and at the same time try to incorporate the needed color theory, rules of thirds, exciting brushwork and value patterns that make a good painting.  I constantly read and study painting techniques and attend workshops as often as I can. In fact, next week I will attend the Sarah Towery Art Colony at Lake Martin which I have attended for over 10 years now.  I love painting with many other artists that I have known over the years and I am especially happy to be painting with a wonderful teacher, Julee Hutchison.  But today I strayed - I took the advice of another artist and took an old painting and painted over it.  Someone told me recently that I should paint more intuitive paintings and that is what I did.  I painted a very loose vase of flowers with a lot of pushing and pulling of paint.....adding and removing until I found what I wanted.  There are some places where the old painting peeks through and adds interesting detail.  Rarely ever do I say, "I love this" but today I do. I couldn't love it more.

Sometimes people will ask me to replicate something I have already painted and sold.  That is really impossible because paintings can be similar but there are always nuances that cannot be repeated.  I know this one will never be repeated, it is one of a kind.

Alex - SOLD

I Am Will - SOLD

"I am worthy, I am a Child of God, I am Will".

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disability; signs typically appear during early childhood and affect a person's ability to communicate, and interact with others.  ASD is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum condition" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.  There is no known single cause of autism, but increased awareness and early diagnosis/intervention and access to appropriate services/supports lead to significantly improved outcomes.  Some of the behaviors associated with autism include delayed learning of language; difficulty making eye contact or holding a conversation; difficulty with executive functioning, which relate to reasoning and planning; narrow, intense interests; poor motor skills' and sensory sensitivities."  (Autism Society website).  Please consider getting involved with your local organization.

I've Got You Little Brother - SOLD

The love between siblings starts out strong and ends up strong.  Sometimes, usually during adolescence,  there are those "in between times" when we might grow in different directions and even choose being with our friends over our brother or sister's company.  But when all is said and done and we mature and life starts flying by at a faster speed than we could have ever imagined, we think back to that picture when we were together and you were my little brother and in a way, you always will be.

Embarrassed - SOLD

When I was younger I really loved the sun.  I slathered on that baby oil and iodine and headed to the lake every chance I got.  Well, now years later all that sun worshipping has taken it's toll and I have had several "procedures" plus I have a full body exam every 6 months due to all the sun damage.  Hey, who knew???   Anyway, yesterday when I saw the Nurse Practitioner at the Dermatology office, she said, "What is this bright yellow in your ear?  And there is bright pink on your knee and some other colors on your hands."  I was embarrassed!  I know she probably thought I did not even take time to take a bath before coming but that is not true.  I did!  I told her I am an artist and I really get into my paintings.  

I do not think I am a cow but just wanted to paint one today and I made her pink because she is embarrassed.

Hope you smile and wear sunscreen.

Baby Cecil -SOLD

Oh My Goodness! Some babies just look like Gerber babies and they bring to mind baby powder, formula and just plain ole sweetness.

Not Your Ordinary Pumpkin - SOLD

It feels like Fall in the air but I just could not be ordinary.

Penelope - SOLD

 Some little faces just make me smile.

She's A Lady

I have had strong women on my mind today so I painted this little painting (8" x 8") for all of those strong women out there.  I started the day by drawing a card for one of the strongest, most beautiful, most intelligent women I know.  I missed her Birthday and wanted to create a card for her with fashion from the 1960's.  (I wish I had taken a picture of it before I mailed it.)  But Biddy Stewart, my heroine, is 98 this month and she is so remarkable.  I want to be her!

Then I ended the day by painting this painting while praying for a dear friend who is going through a very tough time.  She is beautiful, intelligent and a true Southern Belle but she has been forced to "be tough" and fight some red tape for the health and well being of someone she loves.  She is STRONG!!

I am amazed at the strength of the women I know; women of all ages and backgrounds, nationalities, families, social status, color, religion and circumstances.  Thank you Tom Jones for the title to this painting!


"She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. She walked with the Universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings."   Ariana Dance

Emma - SOLD

This is Emma.  There are really no words that describe how our furry children can bring joy and meaning to our lives.  One study revealed that dog owners who have had heart surgery are more likely to get up sooner and take their canine companion for a walk.  In an article I found by John Allemang, he stated, "animals give us a purpose, a sense of meaning, an altruistic obligation to be active and aware."  Researchers have long known that the animal-human bond is strong.  When we lose a pet, Julie Axelrod, explained in a article entitled, "Grieving the Loss of a Pet" that we actually mourn several losses at the same time.   

These include: 

• The loss of unconditional love
• the loss of a protege
• The loss of a "life witness"
• The loss of multiple relationships and routines
• The loss of a primary companion

Helping a friend who is grieving might include helping them through the loss of their pet.

Rest in Peace Emma.