Absolute Chaos - SOLD

Well I have felt that my life has been in "absolute chaos" for the past month with my son, daughter in law and their 4 children staying with us during house renovations.  When you get older and have no children in your home and you settle in to little routines, having 6 people move in complete with legos, thousands of legos - well it can really change things around.  We actually made it very well.  I love them all and my daughter in law helps me organize and rearrange so that my life if more manageable.  I have kinda of a artistic personality that is not exactly like that.  They all left today and my house seems so much bigger but so much quieter...........too quiet.

Serenity - SOLD

I love the Serenity Prayer:  

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

courage to change the things I can, 

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Beauty and the Beach - SOLD

My friend and I visited Cancun a couple of years ago. We had been watching all the young ladies walk by in bikinis and lamenting the fact  that those days were over for us.  We remembered when we were the young girls who drank milkshakes and ate tons of fries and never gained an ounce.  Then we saw these three ladies enjoying the ocean and their friendships and they were totally comfortable with who they were and did not even care that their bikini bodies were long gone.  They inspired us!  They brought us back to reality and the fact that life and bodies change but the inner beauty and wisdom that comes with age is priceless.  I painted another version of these three about 2 years ago and the painting seemed to resonate with so many of us more "mature" women.

Three Amigos

This week the challenge at DPW was to paint fruit.  I set 3 apples in a roll on my drafting table and sat down to paint them in acrylics.  I was uncertain about the colors I was seeing in the shadows of the apples so I asked my granddaughter was she saw and she said, baby blue mixed with purple and white.  She was right on target.  She does this consistently.  She truly has a gift to see colors.  That is one of the hardest things for me as an artist to actually "see" not paint what you think you know.

4" x 6" canvas board

Living Faith - SOLD

I meet with a wonderful Spiritual Director each month who consistently encourages me to live faith and practice the presence of God.  

Color Me Happy - SOLD

My friends laugh at me all the time because they say I take picture while just walking down the street but one day I passed this flower pot outside a business and I fell in love with the flowers, the dark background of the building and the way the light was so bright on the sidewalk.  I painted this little 6" x 6" to see if I would like to paint a larger one and I do and I will.  It does make me happy

Catch of the Day - SOLD

One of my friends took a photo of another friend's grandchild after his great catch while fishing.  I fell in love with this little guy - his stance, his half smile and the way he was watching that fish so closely with a little question in his expression as to what to do next.  I always love painting children but because four of my grandchildren and their parents are staying at my house while their house is undergoing renovations, I have children more on my mind than ever.  I had forgotten what day to day energy it takes for parents to raise, nurture, feed, dress, bath, and answer one thousand questions on a daily basis.  I am so proud of my son and his wife and the way they handle this parenting quest every day with patience and love and Christian direction.  Wow!  I hope some small part of my parenting skills measure of to theirs and in some way I helped in this legacy.

Independence Day - SOLD

Every year my good friend and I go to the beach for a week and I am constantly snapping photos to use later.  (My daughter was with me one time and told me my photo shooting was getting out of hand).  Anyway, Deb and I saw this cute little girl playing by the water and she had on the cutest red, white and blue swimsuit with stars on the top.  I loved the suit and the little girl.  I am painting for a show coming up and I certainly wanted to include Ms. Independence Day.

Redhead - SOLD

I have been so honored to have been asked to paint several commissions for the last two months.  I have also been given some wonderful time with my grandchildren to teach them how to paint but today was a great day because I was able to sit down at my easel and paint something for me.  Rodney Campbell gave me permission to paint his lovely redheaded woodpecker.  Rodney captures nature at it's best and brings beauty to the most common moments.  Check out his Facebook page

Bailey - SOLD

When you have a little girl with such blue eyes it is hard to make sure you capture that sparkle.  Bailey is a little cutie and I know for a fact she is the apple of her Grandmother's eye.

The Boys - SOLD

I have had several commissions for Father's Day.  What a better way to capture special memories than a painting of favorite moments.  These boys are in the back of their pickup truck.  Looks like a day of fun.  Happy Father's Day!

For my artist friends,  you know how we learn something with each painting we do.  Well, most of you already practice this lesson I know, but this is a 8" x 10" painting.  I will never do a portrait that size again.

Jan's Gran - SOLD

So much joy in a little guy running on the beach.

Corky's Little Church - SOLD

Last month I painted a little white church that is on the road leading to the little church my husband is filling in for.  Our little church offers yard sales, bake sales and auctions every month to raise finances to keep their church going.  I offered the little church painting as part of one of those auctions and the response to this little church has been overwhelming.  There seems to be a "little white church" in so many or our lives.  And with this memory are memories of days gone by,  ministers, special moments and probably remembrance of our own spirituality.  A symbol that God is with us and always has been.  

Gilbertas and Daddy - SOLD

Nothing reminds me of Father's Day more about than two guys and a train going for a walk.

Never Grow Up - SOLD

Oh my Goodness - time goes by so fast and while I was painting this picture of Jamesdon I was so reminded by the song playing in the background from Taylor Swift - Never Grow Up.  These tender moments when a little boy is fascinated by picking flowers (probably for Mama) and the sweet, sweet things they say race by so quickly.  Recently I entertained four grandkids and it was utter chaos but tons of fun and during the multitude of nighttime rituals such as teeth brushing, potty time and getting pjs on, my little four year old looked at me so serious and asked, "Mimi, why do we have eyebrows?" They stop me in my tracks to just laugh.  And then seeing them all snuggly in bed and sleeping so sweetly  - I smile and my heart just wants to melt.  And the next morning My "little boy" comes to pick up his little people and he reminds me he will be 40 years old this year.  What????

I still remember what he looked like in his pjs sleeping sweetly.........................

High Key Church - SOLD

I wanted to try a more high key painting and so many people seem to respond to my little churches that I used one I have wanted to paint for a while now.  I would love to hear from you to see what you think.  

Sarah Jane - SOLD

There are times when I paint children that I just fall in love and this was one of those times. In the reference photo I was given to paint from it looks like God is shining down love from Heaven on this little jewel.

Her mother also provided a close up of Sarah Jane so that I could see her personality a little more and I painted this first to have her looking over my shoulder at the larger one.

Soccer Strategy

This painting is one of my grandsons and his friend who played soccer together this Spring.  The little girl is so good and it looks like she has some definite ideas for the next play.  I love her pink socks and pink ball.  She is full of "girl power".

12" x 16" oil on stretched canvas   $200

Still Life

The genre of "Still Life" describes a painting featuring an arrangement of inanimate, everyday objects, whether natural objects (flowers, food, wine, etc.) or manufactured items (books, bottles, crockery, etc.).  According to the internet, the Tate Museum Glossary puts it very succinctly, defining the subject of a still life as "anything that does not move or is dead.  

If you use that last description I might be categorized as a still life.  Last night I met with four other long time artist friends, shared a wonderful meal and then stayed up all night and painted.  One of my friends has a wonderful farm complete with her own private studio.  We literally painted all night and after a wonderful breakfast, I drove home (1 1/2 hour drive).  I am really tired and  I have truly not moved much since I returned home  except to post this painting.   I might be a little out of shape for this.............

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/marcia-hodges/still-life-ii/479764

Out of the Blue - SOLD

For my artist friends - have you ever just "felt" the need to paint something not knowing why you are drawn to it.  It might be the colors, the composition, the way you are feeling at the moment or you just want to try it.  Sometimes I paint something that I think is specifically for someone.  Maybe the painting will resonate with them and they will know it immediately or maybe it is just for me to have the opportunity to play with the colors and see what happens on the canvas. Sometime I find myself asking, "where did that come from?"  That is the way it was with this little painting.  It is very different than the things I usually paint.  I am experimenting with acrylics more and more and have found a new love for them and that is what I used with this.  

Do Dah Days - DONATED

Do Dah Days was celebrated in Birmingham this weekend and a friend and I walked around the park during the activity surrounding the set up.  We saw this gentleman walking his dog and we loved his white hat and pants and his little friend.  I am donating this painting to the Oasis Counseling Center Art Card sell that help to raise funds to help women, children and families have access to high quality mental health services. 

I rarely paint in acrylics  but I needed to this morning to ensure the painting would be completely dry for delivery by Friday.  I find I am enjoying the freshness of color and the quick clean up with water.  

Girlfriend Gifts

Recently someone commissioned me to paint a whimsical painting of her and her girlfriends for gifts for Mother's Day.  These little remembrance paintings became very popular with others.  If you would like to create a memory of you and your girlfriends, you can send me particulars of the event you would like to capture in the painting to paintingbythelake@gmail.com.  The small 6" x 8" original paintings are $25 + shipping or you can order cards, t-shirts or tote bags from my site at  http://fineartamerica.com/featured/girlfriend-gifts-marcia-hodges.html?newartwork=true

Jameson - SOLD

I simply love painting children and this little guy seems to be amazed as he looks out at the ocean.

Beach Awed

I took this picture while people watching at the beach in Destin.  This little love was with her family and she stopped and just stared at the ocean for the longest time as if she was in awe.  I wondered if it was her first time to ever visit the beach.  It brought back memories of me taking my children to the beach for the first time and up until that visit they had only visited water parks with simulated "waves".  My son who was probably about 3 or 4 stood looking out at the ocean just like this and asked me, "Mama, when will they turn the waves off?"

This is a 16" x 20" on gallery wrapped canvas and is available at Sunshine Village Gallery/Art/Antiques in Georgia.  The cost is $300.  If you are interested in purchasing you may contact me at paintingbythelake@gmail.com

The Old Home Place

This was my third painting at the Plein Air Paint Out.  The home on the Stamps farm was built in the 1800's and was a very stately presence on the 500 acres
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/marcia-hodges/the-old-home-place/476378

The Garden Gate

This is one of the pieces I completed when painting with the Alabama Plein Air artists.  Lovely setting in Montevallo, Al at the Stamps farm.  Lovely large farm with many areas to paint.  In the back of the house there was a garden surrounded by a white fence with beautiful little rose bushes here and there.  I love the peacefulness of painting outside.  It was rather funny that there were peacocks also on the farm that would periodically cry out with a loud noise...not sure they liked us being there.

This is a 9" x 11" oil on linen canvas.  

The Old Red Barn - SOLD

A couple of friends and I are planning a trip to Colorado to paint with a wonderful artist, Julee Hutchison.  We are very excited about this privilege but I, for one do not fee very confident with Plein Air painting so I painted this weekend with the Alabama Plein Air group to try and get some practice.  I love painting outdoors as the colors are so vivid, the air is wonderful and you can hear birds chirping.  The downside is that there are bugs that do not even care if you wear bug spray, the sun is very hot if you do not have an umbrella (note to self - BUY one!) and I am sure there were snakes nearby when I was standing near the tall grass. 

To see more of Julee's work visit http://www.juleehutchison.com/paintings.php 

Waiting My Turn

I am late getting my hummingbird feeder ready this year and because of that, I have not seen one hummingbird rushing by.  Usually they are knocking each other off the feeder and last year there was one who would go sit in the tree nearby and wait for his chance to have the feeder all to himself.  That was unusual as they generally are very aggressive toward each other.  I hope word gets out that I now have the feeder full with the red, sweet stuff so my little friends will visit.  I love them.

Beach Dreams - SOLD

This is the second time I have painted "Evie" - she is such a doll.  The first time I painted from her photo I gave the painting to her mother.  This painting is 16" x 20" and will be available at Sunshine Village - Gallery/Art/Antiques in Watkinsville, Georgia.  I am happy to be represented there and have several pieces ready to be shipped.  Stop by if you are in that area as art is always better "in person".

Take Me to Church - SOLD

Several times during the year I donate a painting to a good cause.  This painting is going to be auctioned in Northern Virginia for a Young Life event.  the organization provides Christian retreats for young people.

"Moo" - SOLD

I am really not sure what draws me to particular subject.  I did not set out today to just "paint a cow" but I saw a photo of this jersey cow by Bonnie Sitter and I liked the way she was walking around in the wildflowers and the way she turned her best side to the camera.

I Have a Bluebird On My Shoulder

I have been sick with the flu this week and have missed seeing my grandchildren but one of their toys just called out to me to be painted.  This is a little bear with a bluebird on his shoulder that I found at one of the many hospital gift shops I have visited around the country and the bear actually moves and sings the song with the bird chirping along.  Maybe it is magical thinking to think that something just wants to be painted, maybe this painting is for someone in particular, I am not sure but I believe in that Spirit and believe these fellows have a little bit of magic inside them.

Simple and Elegant - SOLD

The photo reference for this piece came from Paint My Photo and a photographer named  Viacheslavi. I love his photo references - he fades and blends his photos so that you do not have to even design your composition but just follow his lead.  He has a great eye for making even the most simple arrangement unique and beautiful.  I am so glad there are wonderful photographers out there who share their art with us painters.

I will say that even though the scene itself emanates simplicity, I did not find the painting very simple to paint.  For one thing it is always a challenge for me to paint glass.  You don't really paint glass, but what is behind it.  I find the challenge is to know when you have said enough without overdoing it.  Leave something for the mind to complete in the painting.  I also struggled with the background and could not decide what to do with it.  I tried painting it the way it appeared in the photo reference but it did not work at all the way I wanted it to.  Finally I decided to just wipe off and follow my inner creative sprit and what "felt right" without over thinking.

I was reminded of a time I threw out dying flowers from the deck  into the yard only to find that the next Spring they had taken root on the hillside by my home and were creeping down the hillside and looked wonderful!  When I showed them to my grandson, Weston, he said, "Mimi, sometimes things just happen".  Well, in this painting, "things just happened" and I like them.

Roses and Ribbons

I have been focused on flowers this week and I enrolled in a short online workshop with Richard Robinson from The Complete Artist.  Enjoyed the video demo but painting roses is very hard for me.  I am not sure if I just have an artist block toward them or I have just not spent enough time painting them but I find them hard to paint.  They are like little puzzles that have to be carefully followed to get "put together".  In addition, I am not a very detailed oriented, realistic painter so it takes a lot of decision making in regard to soft edges and lost edges and how to complete the painting using red without having your entire studio, clothes, hair, lunch, walls everything not end up red.  Red just has a life of it's own and once out of the tube be careful.....it crawls around

I'll Sing in the Sunshine - SOLD

I love sunflowers and these rainy, rainy days make me want to see the sun and flowers.

Spring Has Sprung - SOLD

Recently I was with a friend at a local garden shop and feel in love with this cute, little odd shaped white vase and I found two poppies that worked nicely in it - one green and the other one pink.  I was thinking about the way I could use these in a painting while my friend was looking at a little owl decoration.  She said, "you always see a painting while I see a decoration or gift."  We laughed because that describes us pretty well.  We "see" with different eyes.  I loved the way this painting turned out.  I painted it with a palette knife which brings a softness and all kinds of unexpected surprises with the paint.  I have very neutral paint on my walls and these colors just work there.  I hope this painting finds a home but it just might turn out to be mine.

Little White Church - SOLD

Earlier I posted the small value study I created for this painting.  That study was a give away on my facebook page. This is the final painting - a 11" x 14" oil on linen that will be auctioned and the proceeds given to GoodHope United Methodist Church.

Little White Church - Gift

My husband has been serving a small United Methodist Church in Columbiana, Alabama and I am just along for the ride as the wife of the preacher.  He retired about 7 years ago as a full time Methodist Minister after 35 years of serving churches and as a District Superintendent where he oversaw about 70 churches.  I am saying all that to say I have seen a lot of churches and known a lot of people who have been members of those churches.   I have experience.  When Audie started serving this church we went from attending a church with 50,000 members and multiple campuses to one that has approximately 50 members. I found the number of members makes no difference but the quality of members makes a huge difference.  The people I have met are some of the most genuine, dedicated, "real" Christians I have ever seen in one place.  I forget how living in a small community and attending a small congregation is like one of the early churches in scripture.  These people all know each other, the good, bad and ugly and really love each other. Not only do they love each other but with an open heart they strive to follow Jesus' example at all times.  The scripture "Love your neighbor as yourself" is their attitude.  You might think a little country church would have a close-minded, dogmatic idea of what a Christian is or is not - not these people - I have seen them listen to new or different opinions and not just write them off but honestly seek to find God's answer in matters. They try to see the perspectives of others, even if they might disagree with them.  

Their dedication as a church family runs deep, Senior luncheons, auctions, yard sales, and barbecues to stretch the budget. They seem to never tire of working hard for the church and church building that they love.  They remind me every week of what is really important - of what it means to live more simply and seek to follow Christ the best way I can every day.

I am in the process of starting a larger painting for a auction at our church so I usually paint a smaller painting to check out colors and values.  This little white church is a 8" x 10" stretched canvas and I will be giving it away on my Facebook page, Marcia Hodges, artist in honor of GoodHope United Methodist Church.

Rebekah Joy - SOLD

This week I worked on a painting for my friend.  It is her granddaughter and i feel in love with the personality that shines through on this little beauty.  I love her skin tones and her white blond hair.  I still find that I cannot capture a photo that is exactly like the painting.  The paintings always look better "in person".  I have read articles, watched videos and done all of the things suggested - but to no avail.  If anyone has a secret please share!

Easter Portrait - SOLD

This weekend I worked on a whimsical Easter Bunny.  I found this reference photo on Paint My Photo and feel in love with the look this bunny gave the camera.  The photographer is from Germany and named Kirikina.  I thought painting a bunny would be easy but I found it a little harder than I expected.  I know where the eyes, nose and mouth are positioned on a human face but a bunny is a little different and the form on the soft fur is created by very small value changes.  I felt like he was smiling at me during my struggle to get him "just right".

Let's Dance - SOLD

These three little beauties are the granddaughters of one of my friends.  They were ready for the wedding and they were caught in a garden dancing, discussing important tips on how to walk down the aisle and enjoying their time as princesses.

The Blessing

I am very excited to be involved in a new project.  I have been asked to provide illustrations for a book in progress.  The goal of the book is to use a story, symbol, ritual and rhythm to communicate a message.

The writer would like to include a picture at the end of each chapter to sort of use as a meditation or reminder of the message in that particular piece of the story.  The goal of the book is to assist those in recovery and their families, something I am passionate about.

Painting Lesson - How to "Loosen Up"

I have a couple of friends who asked me to assist them with their painting skills.  They are very dedicated artists who are returning to more painting as their lives have freed up time to do so. Sometimes I am asked, "how do I paint like you?"  Well, I hope your aspirations are far more broad than painting like me or someone else.  I believe that everyone has a unique painting signature - something that is in your gift that is specific to your style.  But I think anyone can improve by study and painting more and more.  I have said before that I heard it takes miles of canvas to be an artist. 

More often, people will write to me and ask, "How can I paint more loose?"  Richard Schmid in his wonderful book entitled, Alla Prima, Everything I know About Painting, speaks to the matter of "looseness" in painting.  He states that "looseness is not a frivolous departure from control, quite the opposite.  It arises from the freedom which comes with superb control.  Any athlete or accomplished performer will confirm that.  Looseness should describe how a painting looks, not how it is done."  

 With all that said,  I gave my few "students" a homework assignment.  One that I got from C. W. Mundy.  Several years ago I read an article about C. W. Mundy (InternationalArtist.com, February/March 2005).  He is described as an American Impressionistic Artist and he suggested painting a photo upside down to override your logical tendencies enabling you to unleash the creativity in your soul.  He states, "The power of the suggestive is much greater than the statement of reality". I have gone back to this exercise over and over when I feel like I am stuck in my painting or I am painting too tight and exact.  

I took the photo below and placed one inch grid lines on it.  (Click on the photo for a larger view)   The students then took a 5" x 7" canvas and divided it into 1" grids with very faint pencil lines that could be covered with paint during the process.  Then the photo with the grid lines became their reference and they painted the color notes and shapes that were apparent in each square - for instance, paint what is in square #1, then #2 and so forth.   They were instructed to not turn their painting over until it was finished.  I always find the results amazing.  

If you take this challenge or homework along with us shoot me an email at paintingbythelake@gmail.com and send me a copy of your finished work.  I would love to see it and then we could compare here.  Happy painting upside down!

                                            #1       #2

Our Finished Paintings

Preston - SOLD

This young man has the most beautiful blue eyes and a lot of personality behind that smile.

Running Like the Wind - SOLD

While staying at the beach in January I took several pictures.  One of the days there was particularly windy and this little girl rolled up her pants legs and ran and ran along the shore.  She was so cute, complete with pink bow in her hair.  The sun was shining and the water was clear.

Lily - SOLD

This child is absolutely precious.  Have you ever heard the expression "cute as a bug's ear"?  According to my search on the internet it presumably came from the precept that the tinier the thing is  the greater it's chance of being classified as cute.  The expression suggests that what it is calling tiny is the image of cuteness.  The expression signifies someone, particularly a baby, who is beautiful or fascinating in a delicate way.  Scientifically speaking, the expression is meaninglessness, since insects do not possess ears.  For whatever reason the expression was created I could not help but think of it when painting Lily.  Her grandmother caught her in a very pensive moment and sent me a reference photo for this painting.  Every reference photo and cropped version on my computer I named "Lily Bug".   I think you will agree with me, she is as cute as a bug's ear!