Out in the Country

The South is a great place to be in the winter but payback comes in July and August. I lived in a rural area early in high  school. In the summer I would take a 2 mile walk to my Uncle's country store. The store had a wood stove  and one of those drink boxes where you put money into a slot and you slid the coke bottle through a track. After it was full, they emptied the container of bottle tops out onto the ground outside the store. The bottle tops became a great paving material.
 The painting above is based on memories of what I saw on the walk to the store. I tried to show the warmth because on some of those days the heat shimmered just like on a desert!

Marrakesh Express

I painted this a while ago and it is now living near New York City. After I finished painting I was thinkng of a title and the name Marrakesh Express came to me. The reason is that it looks more exotic than a typical flower painting--- not your grandmother's African violets. The title is the same as a song written by Graham Nash and recorded by Crosby, Stills and Nash in 1969. Their music is even more relevant today.

Change of Pace

when I visited London I noticed that these flower stands were found all over the city.Even though there might not be a lot of green space, the flowers offered up a bright spot. Instead of what you might see in a garden setting the metal containers add a bit of rhythm and repetition that make for an interesting composition. It is a good thing it is camera ready because I don't think they would have liked me going in and rearranging for art's sake!

SELECTION

I have been experimenting with using texture in backgrounds for my acrylic paintings. I have a large(12x16) geli plate that I can cover with paint using a brayer.I then place things on it like bubble wrap, stencils, etc. to create texture. I place the plate onto the canvas and Voila!- interesting patterns. This painting is a contrast of smooth and rough textures.

Call it a Day

I like to mix the modern with the old fashioned. Although the subject matter appears to be from a by gone era, the fact that it is on a modern frameless canvas brings a little edge to the painting.The good old days were romantic but I have read about what it was like to walk on unpaved muddy streets, not to mention the contributions made by the horses! I will take my roses any old way.

SECOND NATURE

Zinnias are the all-time favorite "happy flower."The combination of all the variety of colors is breath taking. A perfect contrast is the cool silver bucket.
I am leaving Ocean Springs, MS. today to go back home. I have spent several days with my group of friends That I have known since elementary school..We went to the Walter Anderson art museum yesterday. He was from an artistic family of painters and potters. He often took a rowboat out to Horn Island and stayed weeks at a time studying the creatures and plant life found there and then translated them into paintings.

you are not familiar with him; look him up. His work is a treat. This is a photo of a room in a community center that he painted for$1 many years ago.

Violet Phase

African Violets are one of my favorite flowers. I think it is the texture of the leaves and blooms; very velvety.This composition seemed to have an abstract feel to it.This is in contrast to the old fashioned nature of the flower which has a reputation for being a "grandmother" plant.

Oak Leaf Hydrangeas

My parents had huge Oak Leaf hydrangeas planted at their home in Mssissippi. The beauty of these plants is that they have tremendous staying power. After their summer blooming of snowy flowers, the dried blossoms  stay as an elegant reminder of their beauty. Then as fall comes along the leaves turn beautiful colors to rival even the most majestic tree. A definite more for your money purchase.
 I am in Ocean Springs, MS this week visiting with friends who go back to elementary school. That is a long time for some people born in 1952 and 1953. We have a wonderful time together and  feel 18 again as long as we don't look closely in the mirror!

Beauty Follows

The colors in this painting are some of my favorites. I had done a textured background prep for this painting and the texture shows through the flower  shapes and vase.I think it makes the painting much more interesting; a little  mystery added.

Choice Blooms

This was one of a series that I did of the same vase of flowers. I have found that if a subject does not excite me the painting of it won't either. The little bits of lime green with the pinks and purples were compelling enough to paint it several times. This one is headed to Syracuse, New York.

Interior Memo

my husband planted tulip and daffodil bulbs yesterday. I know that seems late to some who live in other parts of the country but it works here in the Upper South. The weather has been unseasonably warm and the ground was not cold enough to plant the bulbs. We have planted in January the last several years and have had beautiful flowers every spring. Today we had a snow so the timing was perfect.
I like these yellow tulips combined with the blue and white pitcher. Very Dutch!

Happy New Year

Happy New Year a few days late. I had hip replacement surgery December 12 but was still able to enjoy the holidays. We had a great time with family all the way through New Year's Eve. Excess cookies and pie have gone the way of the trash can ; it was wonderful but I have to stop!
This photo is from my instagram account- features the top posts of 2016. I have been blessed this past year and hope to be able to create more art in the upcoming months. I learn something new every day!