There is Peace Inside - SOLD

12" x 12" oil on stretched linen canvas

Last year two girlfriends and I spent the weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.  We passed this church one day and I was struck by the welcoming look of the front door.  It seemed to invite you to walk in.  I am sure a lot of life events have passed through these doors.  Beautiful brides have walked through these doors and down the aisle of this church with hopes and dreams and seeking the blessing of marriage.   Parents and friends have crossed this threshold for the last time as their casket was carried out.  Some who left this world too soon.   New babies have been carried in the arms of their parents in their white christening clothes.  Some have entered here looking for peace during times of distress, some just seeking the unknown, not sure of what that is.  This is a peaceful place, a place where we can meet God, celebrate the good, cherish memories, seek and find the reason for why.

A Perfect Sunshiney Day - SOLD

20" x 16 oil on linen stretched canvas

Yesterday was a wonderful time with family and friends.  I loved seeing all the families celebrating on facebook and all the smiles and happiness shared.  I was thrilled to receive emails and messages from people who received my paintings for Christmas presents.  That makes me so happy to be a part of making someone else happy!  I am amazed at the thoughtfulness of children and husbands who actually sought me out to paint someone special for their gifts.  I am truly thankful.  Today is another beautiful, sunny day and I am ready to varnish - finally the warm weather will help my paintings dry.  

I have met the most wonderful photographer who shares her photos.  Jill Wellington Photography.  This lady is gifted.  She "sees" the best photographs and she shares so much great information for any photographers out there to make their photos even better.  Follow her blog, http://www.jillwellingtonblog.com  for some great tips.  I feel in love with this reference photo from her.  The little girl, the light, the hat, and the mood.  Thank you Jill!

Old MacDonald Had a Farm - SOLD

My maiden name was not MacDonald but close, it was McLeary.  When I was young, my father had a farm that had belonged to his family.  The farm had two houses on it.  One house had been my grandmothers and the second house was the home of the "share-cropper".  The man who lived in that house was named Mr. Spratlin.  Mr. Spratlin raised cotton on the farm and rented the land from my father.  I think they shared the profits of the cotton.  One particular weekend my older brother, my younger brother, my father and I went to visit the farm.   As we approached Mr. Spratlin's house we noticed there was  a new dog house nearby. As we got closer to it, my older brother looked at my father and said, "Oh no Dad!"  I was unaware of the problem until my brother said, "that is solid cherry wood".  Evidently there was a cherry chifforobe that had been stored in my grandmothers old house and this appeared to be what the dog house had been constructed from.  As Mr. Spratlin approached he said, "I built that this week from an old piece of furniture I found in the old house.  I hope that was ok."  I looked at my father's face thinking he would be mad but instead he said, "well that looks like a fine dog house".  On his face I saw tenderness, forgiveness and acceptance written there, not anger.   I could not believe it!  Why wasn't he mad?  I thought,  "that man is crazy!"

 As we left that day I remember my father told my brothers and I that Mr. Spratlin was loosing his eyesight and he did not know he had destroyed a good piece of furniture.  That was more than 50 years ago.  I do not remember a lot of the conversations I had with my father during his life but I do remember that day and that message.  I remember that in that moment my father saw what was truly important - another person.  He did not stress over a "thing" or the loss of a tangible object.  I saw true compassion for another human being.  There have been times in my life when I have tried to remember that story, that day and that dog house.   

Sweet Memories - SOLD

This is a cold, rainy day and I have had a wonderful time with a sleep over with my 5 grandchildren.  Such sweet memories.

Utterly Beautiful - SOLD

I am trying to have a few paintings available for last minute Christmas presents and I am trying to finish them in time for them to dry.  I could not resist this little lady. 

"I've Got You Babe" - SOLD

I loved the way these two birds were huddled together and I heard that there is a new play on Broadway called the Cher Show.  These two reminded me of that song, "I've Got You Babe".  

On another note, today was art class with my grandchildren.  I try to expose them to different kinds of art but I do lean toward the impressionistic style that I am drawn to.  This year I taught 3 classes and the phrase I hear most often is, "I want to paint loose".  To paint "loose" it requires the artist to focus on shapes and colors more than content, for instance, don't set out to paint a blue bird but identify the shapes and colors within the big shape and allow the viewer room to interpret what those shapes and colors depict.  Today I was talking to the kids about warm and cool colors and I was so surprised that they knew what I was talking about.  My oldest grandson said, "you taught us that Mimi".  I then went on to explain that today we would paint some flowers in a vase in an impressionistic style.  I was describing to them how to be free with their brushes and just first randomly lay down some paint strokes.  One of the seven year olds said, "Mimi are you saying you just want me to go crazy with the paint?"  The other one said, "You have watched Mimi paint - yes, just go crazy."  Not sure that is exactly the idea I had in mind but their paintings did look very impressionistic. 

Chicken Mingle - SOLD

It is ok to mingle.

Still Together - SOLD

These two are still together regardless of the weather, extra pounds and fluff.

Snow Bird - SOLD

  

I  have birds on my easel today.

I Really Can't Stay - SOLD

Today I had this little guy on my computer to paint.  The reference photo was created by Barbara Swinton.  I am so thankful for talented photographers who supply beautiful photos as reference.  It is getting cold outside and instead of walking Max early,  decided to paint.  My husband told me they are not going to play the song , "Baby It's Cold Outside" on some stations as it has reference to sexual content.  Ummmm.........interesting :)