Hide and Seek - SOLD

12" x 12" oil on gallery wrapped linen

You can click on the image and see a larger view with more detail.  I love getting emails from customers after they have received their paintings and they tell me that they love them!  Paintings truly are more beautiful "in person".

Love Birds

8" x 10"

oil on stretched linen

$100

Topiary Road - SOLD

This is a very peaceful road that a friend of mine jogs every morning.  I was struck by a picture he posted to his facebook page because I walk a road that looks similar every morning and I love it. I also love finding new sayings or messages that speak to me and last night I found a scripture while participating in a Bible Study.  Maybe I have read this before but I never heard it nor did I know it existed.

Proverbs 6:  20 - 22 "My son, keep your father's command and do not forsake your mother's teaching.  (The study stated this was in reference to scripture).  Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck."

This is the part I love....."When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you."

Today I Will Be Happy - SOLD

There really is truth in the fact that we can choose to be happy.  

Splash

8" x 10"

oil on stretched canvas

I love watching kids run in the ocean, even when the water is freezing they are so excited to squeal and splash around.  This little girl was even dressed for the occasion complete with bow in her beautiful hair.  I was in my beach chair covered up and smiling.

Life in a Fishbowl - SOLD

My husband and I have been in Destin, Florida this month and I have had beach paintings on my mind.  I found a picture of this fish, a koi, I think and decided he needed to be captured on canvas.  He makes me smile.

Me and Mommom - SOLD

Having a grandchild is a gift- one of the greatest ever - I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a great grandmother and be able to witness life moving forward at such a rapid pace.  

Love Always - SOLD

12" x 24" on gallery wrapped canvas

Mixed media

I love painting mixed media.  The painting seems to take on a life of it's own.  I found some wonderful paper that says "Love always" and I have that incorporated into the painting on the lower left.  

Soccer Secrets

10" x 8" oil on stretched canvas

$125 + shipping

I absolutely love watching my grands play sports.  Miller wears his baseball cap even during soccer games and he and his friends take every opportunity to share secrets on the sidelines.  

A Pretty Mess - SOLD

This is the granddaughter of one of my friends.  She is beautiful and when I mentioned that to her grandmother, she said, "She is a mess but she is pretty".  During a critique by other artists recently one told me that I had the ability to capture emotion.  I hope I was able to do that here because I loved painting this little girl.

Palm Tuesday - SOLD

12" x 24" oil on stretched canvas

Today I did not go very far - well except Max and I walked 2 miles and then I came home to paint the house across the street.  My goal is to get my husband to take me out for lunch.

Summer Serenade - SOLD

This painting was fun.  I am painting inside on these cold days at the beach and I have surrounded myself with flowers trying to "will" some sunshine and warm weather.

St. Andrews By the Sea Episcopal Church - DONATED

20" x 20" on gallery wrapped canvas

Every morning Max and I head out for our walk on the road by the ocean.  Even though it has been very cold, I bundle up in my heavy coat and he seems completely fine with his long, curly hair blowing in the wind.  I listen to a lot of podcasts and today I listened to a interview of Jack Canfield, the author of Chicken Soup for the Soul.  He stated that he believes that what makes us come alive is the fulfillment of our soul's purpose.  He said, "We all have an inborn purpose we were born to fulfill and when we fulfill that, we achieve happiness and we serve the world."  When asked how he thought we could do that he stated, "Your passions are your purpose."  He quoted Howard Thurman, "Don't look to do what the world needs but see what makes you come alive because what the world needs is more people who have come alive."  I like that.  For me personally, when I paint I find happiness and when someone tells me a particular painting means something to them or if I paint a painting and just "feel" that is for someone in particular, then I am happy.  I am very thankful that my art sells but I think I am at the point where I really just paint for the pleasure of painting but it is nice to be able to buy more paint :).

The second podcast I listened to (it is a long walk) was the pastor Keon Henderson.  This guy is good!  He said that God introduces you to people who look like you will eventually look. The premise is that God can use people to shape our lives and he believes that every time you are in the presence of a great person that you look up to, God is giving you a snapshot of what your are going to look like.  He said if you have a dream that is nothing more than a thought asking for permission to live.  A dream is something God put into your head asking to live.  

So I guess I took away an idea from both of these podcasts....our passions are our purpose and we can make our dreams come alive.  That is what I am going to focus on in 2018.

Each one of us is given his own gift I believe that and I like the way it is described in 
Ephesians 4 in the Message:

"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.  You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who rules over all works through all, and is present in all.  Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.  But that doesn't mean you should all look and speak and act the same.  Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift....."

Pelican Dreams - SOLD

It is cold even in Florida but I am having so much fun!  The Emerald Coast Plein Air group graciously allow me to paint with them.  I did opt out today because it was 33 degrees, but Friday I am going to paint with the local figurative painters at a local gallery with models.  Yesterday I went to my favorite beach bookstore, Sundog Books and found a good book to read and some wonderful fish paper.  I wanted to paint a pelican so I thought he would like the fish and I love working on mixed media pieces.  AND to top it off, there are restaurants that have discounts for early dinners......so no cooking!!

This piece is 12" x 24" on gallery wrapped canvas...the fish extend to the sides and the side are also painted.