An Evening at the Windermere…

An Evening at the Windermere – Mackinac Island
9×12 $350

I’m shipping this to Lilacs & Lace Gallery on Mackinac Island as soon as it’s dry.  The Windermere Hotel is on my bucket list… one of many.   Such a beautiful, peaceful getaway.

I can’t believe school is wrapping up for summer already! Crazy schedules these last 2 weeks trying to fit everything in before the big count down of summer begins.  It seems like a nice and lazy season but after July 4th it’s gone in a flash!   We’re lucky to live in an area with all 4 seasons.  If only one of them… not mentioning any names (WINTER) wouldn’t over stay it’s welcome…  I know, I know, count my blessings.  Happy to do it.

I want to pass on a couple of things art related.  First is the Rosemary Brush Co.  A fellow painter recommended them and I went whole hog and trusted him and got a bunch of brushes… and I love them!  They were inexpensive too… quality is all good… they hold their shape nicely.  I highly recommend them… you can contact them for a catalog at http://www.rosemaryandco.com/.  They are from the UK so count on a bit of extra shipping time.

I also got some good feedback from Carol Marine’s blog.  She’s a fantastic painter and is highly successful in not only galleries but also an online gallery she and her husband run called http://www.DailyPaintWorks.com This tip is about saving paint left on your palette.  I use an air tight container and it still goes bad after a couple of days of non use.  Here’s an excellent solution: They’re called “paint savers” and they’re little suction cups that keep your paint wet for weeks. Here’s a photo and a link to the website: http://www.paintsavers.org.

Feed your passions!

Velvet Fudge Shop

Velvet Fudge Shop 16×20 $900

This is my latest… a fudge shop on Mackinac Island.  I gave it a good dose of whimsy.  I’m shipping this painting to Lilacs & Lace Gallery on Mackinac Island today.

My sister and her husband are in town visiting from SC.  We always have fun together… My sister and I even met up with old childhood friends.  More than friends actually, our best friends, who also happen to be sisters.  It was awesome!

Queen & State

Queen & State 20×24 $1,100

My goal was to do something different… this ought to about do it.  This is my favorite spot in Charleston.  It’s right outside Smith Killian Fine Art gallery, which is a place I could spend most of my time.  The main artists are Betty Anglin Smith (mother) and her 2 daughters, Shannon & Jennifer and a son, Trip who does photography.  Triplets actually.  I can get lost in their work.  Check it out http://www.smithkillian.com

My trip to Mackinac was a huge success.  I delivered 13 paintings to Lilacs & Lace and I’m ready for summer to begin!  It’s under new ownership and I’m happy to  be working with Barb & Kathy this year.  It was a whirlwind trip… I usually mix business with pleasure and stay for several days, but the schedule just didn’t permit this year.  My husband had a tooth pulled the day before so he was in a good bit of pain and discomfort the whole time.  We did manage to get in a movie (Dark Shadows with Johnny Depp) which was great… except for the scary parts.  It’s a comedy I know… I can’t force myself to look at the scary parts.  Never have been able to… I prefer to spend time admiring my lap.  To each his own.

My next painting will be of Velvet’s Fudge Shop. I just started it (the easiest part and the most important).  It’s roughed in and I’m ready to commit some serious paint…  Feed your passions!

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air 40×30

My dad and I rode our bikes to the Algonac State Park last week.  This is the road leading to the Wagon Wheel section of the park.  Although it was closed,  I did get some photos so it was a worthwhile trip after all.

Currently, I’m working on a downtown scene of Charleston, SC.  I was a bit fearful of getting out of my comfort zone, but said a prayer and went for it.  I’m glad I did…  I’ll post it when it’s complete.

This is one day that I had (still have) a long list of chores to do.  This happens all the time.  My husband tells me to treat painting like a job and put in 8 hours.  I warned him I would have to ignore all the household buzzers and the phone and wave at the dust bunnies as I pass them by (okay, I do that already… I refuse to have my life dictated by dust) and I must say I was successful at it.  So much so that I’m going to do it again tomorrow.  What about the list?  Not sure what to do about the list…  The important thing is to stick to my priorities and that is painting!  Feed your passions!

Woods XI

Woods XI    6×8    $250

Woods XII     8×6     $250

These are the two little woodsy scenes from my Mackinac Island photos.  They’re framed in wide, distressed gold frames.

I had a great day today with my mom.  We ran errands and had lunch.  I promised myself I wasn’t going to eat pancakes… I ate pancakes.  I suspect willpower issues.   I’m on the verge of starting Weight Watchers again.  It was a success last year.  I know what I should and shouldn’t eat.  It’s simple.  It’s just that tomorrow is for some reason the best day to start.  I just bought the special scale that will measure a fraction of a pound… so you feel successful even if you only lost, I don’t know, what 3 ounces?  I think that’s like 3 hours of sleep.  I did notice that you weigh considerably less in the morning.  Morning is good.  I have to make sure I get a good 8 hours in tonight… that’s like, what… a pound?  Pardon my math…

Woods X

Woods X 40x30

Woods X is another painting that I’ve enjoyed so much.  It’s a journey and I feel like I’m walking through the trees and stumping my toes on the roots seeking something… not exactly sure what it is.  In the process I’m discovering all sorts of things.  It’s so awesome.  It’s spiritual and wonderful.   Maybe at my young age of 36 (okay, not 36.  Maybe a bit more…. 42?  Nope.  Not that either.  Anyway, no matter…) the point is I’m getting deep.  No nose plugs.  Finally.  It’s about time.

What’s next?  You tell me and we’ll both know… Feed your passions!

The Grand Pool

The Grand Pool 9x12

This is a painting of the pool at The Grand Hotel.  We love to spend time here because it’s so peaceful!  Plenty of shade if you’re not a sun worshiper… always a nice breeze.  The best place to read a book you can’t put down.   Then when you get hungry you can walk over to the grill they have going outside and buy a hamburger to die for or go inside for an incredible lunch!  I think I could spend my whole summer at this pool.  It’s a bit pricey to get in but you get to stay the whole day.  I can’t say enough about this particular pool… and I’m not even a pool person.

I’ve been busy with woodsy paintings again… they simply aren’t out of my system yet.  I’m going for the ride.  I’ll post those soon.

A Day Off

A Day Off 9x12 $350

This is another shrimp boat I came across at Shem Creek in Charleston, SC.  just relaxing at the dock.  I love painting boats… they’re so interesting to me.  I remember that day because it was sunny and warm and breezy and lots of people were out on the long pier that runs along Shem Creek.  It’s breathtaking and such a wonderful place for folks to go.  The sun sets at the end of the pier and it’s magical!

Resting At Sunset

This is another boat… it appears that I’m on a boat kick and I’ve decided not to fight it anymore.  I will paint what strikes me.  I wanted to paint a brilliant Alice in Wonderland piece for an art show in Port Huron, MI but I cannot muster the inspiration to come up with something original.  Poo.   I’ve watched the movie and I love it but I sure can’t paint from the movie.  I need something that’s my own.  Maybe it’ll still come to me… I have another week or so.  Meanwhile, I’m having fun with the boats and water.  This way I have some structure with the lines in the boats but I still get to be free with the flowing water.   I’ve loads of great photos from visiting my sister in Charleston, SC.  When something else strikes my fancy I’ll simply jump on that bandwagon and go for a ride.  Life is good.

Shem Creek Reflections

Shem Creek Reflections 16x20 $900

This is the painting I did just because I felt like it.  When I was visiting my sister in SC I took some great photos of the area.  The reflections were so cool that day on the dock at Shem Creek in Mt. Pleasant, SC you could get lost in them.  Can you see the difference from a carefully planned and executed painting to a free will painting?  I like the free painting better myself.