"Bell Tower-MSSA"

9 x 12

oil on canvas
sold

The is the bell tower at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, part of the Chautaugua movement in the US at the turn of the century, located in East Tennessee between Nashville and Chattanooga.  I'll be taking it to The Gallery on the Assembly in a few weeks. This entire area is filled with quaint old Victorian homes built in the late 1800's to the early 1900's. My husband will be teaching a photography class there and I'm planning on a week of plein air painting. A little slice of early Americana!

Dallas Reunion Tower

9 x12

oil on  canvas

Painted with our Monday group of plein air painters yesterday and found this lovely spot south of downtown Dallas with the Trinity River and the top of the Reunion Tower in the background. For those of you who aren't familiar with Dallas, the tower is a big part of our skyline. An elevator takes you up 50 stories to a restaurant and observation deck.

"Proud Bird"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

The proceeds from this painting will benefit the Oklahoma Tornado victims by supporting Mercy Chefs, a non-profit, faith based, charitable organization committed to serving professionally prepared meals, during local, state and national disasters and emergencies. My son's in-laws have had devastating losses in Moore, and while he was there helping with the clean up, his family was served food from Mercy Chefs. Please consider taking this proud bird home and helping in this worthy cause.   

$95 on the Daily Paintworks 

"Gilmer"

30 x 40

oil on stretched canvas

nfs

This is a painting for our son's new office. It was painted from a photograph on his property in Gilmer which is in East Texas, a beautiful section of our state that is also referred to as the Piney Woods. Overlooking the 15 acre lake has been one of his favorite places to be in that "get away zone" for peace and tranquility. Hope this painting continues to take him back to that "quiet place". 

Copper Tray

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas, $125
sold

Bought this beautiful copper tray at my favorite shopping spot, a garage sale. Was visiting my son in Houston and on an early morning walk, I stopped at a sale and asked them to "hold" this tray while I went back to the house for money. I thought it was well worth the extra walking!

"Colley Whisson Workshop"

10 x 14

oil on board

sold

Have just had the joy of taking a fantastic four day workshop with Australian artist Colley Whisson. http://www.colleywhisson.com/

Be sure to check out his website and take the time to watch some of his demos on YouTube. His use of color and the ability to capture light in a painting is like watching a magic act.

These are my four paintings from the workshop, following along with him as he did a demo each day on his step by step process.

10 x 14

oil on board

sold

12 x 16

oil on board

sold

12 x 16 

oil on board

"Thanks For The Ride"

16 x 20

oil on stretched canvas

Loved these two little girls showing appreciation for their horse and buggy ride through the town of Estes Park, Co. This painting is going to the ACA art show at a local gallery for the month of May.

Robert E Lee Statue

9 x 12

oil on canvas

Robert E Lee statue on his horse Traveller, at Lee Park in Dallas. On June 12, 1936, the statue was unveiled by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A smaller-than-actual-size replica of Lee's Virginia home, Arlington House, is also located in the park.
Our Monday plein air group is still painting historical sites in the Dallas area.

"Versailles Park Gazebo"

9 x 12

Oil on canvas

$125

Have had several beautiful Spring days to paint with my local plein air group. This is the gazebo at Versailles Park in Highland Park, also called Echo Park by my children because you can stand in the middle of the gazebo and your voice will echo. The area is a perfect example of the dogwoods, azaleas and tulips that are in bloom here in the Spring.

This park also has fond memories for our family because our son proposed to his wife here and she later had her bridal portrait photographed here. A similar painting was their first anniversary gift. 

"Morning Light"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

sold

This is my "quick draw" painting from the Outdoor Painters Society weekend show, Plein Air Southwest at Southwest Gallery. The timed quick draw event was held at the Dallas Arboretum with about 40 artists completing a painting from 10-12. These were quickly framed, delivered to the gallery to be hung on the "wet wall" for the opening reception from 3-7. That's the reason for the hasty, not so good photograph. But I am happy to say that the painting sold within the first hour of the show.

Here are my other two plein air pieces that were juried into the show about a month ago. If you are in the area, visit the gallery for a real visual treat!

Here is the gallery link for all the artists in the show, along with their paintings:

http://swgallery.com/artists.aspx?style_id=28

Happy Easter

 "Angelic Perch"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Several months ago the Highland Park Presbyterian Church had an art show for our plein air group that paints historical sites in Dallas. We had painted outside their church and they wanted to feature these paintings in a month long art show. With the success of that show, they wanted us to paint some of the features inside the church which will result in a show there for most of the Spring months. 

These are my three entries to the show that will start mid April.

The angel sculpture and also the altar cross are works of one of the church's members, Barvo Walker, who is well know internationally, and especially locally for his replacement sculpture on our Texas State Capital, and also of the fireman and child sculpture from the photo after the Oklahoma City bombing. 

"You Are My Witness"
9 x 12
oil on canvas

One of the church's stained glass windows.













                                "Altar Cross"
                                Oil on canvas
                                       sold

                             Cross and open bible on the main altar.
                     

"Rise and Shine"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

Painted this recently with a group of art friends at a soon to be opened art gallery and studio space in an up and coming area of Dallas. This bright and light space called for a bright and cheery painting! 

"No Trespassing"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

One of my plein air groups that paints Dallas historical sites met today to capture some of the shot gun houses in the 10th street district. Here is a little information on the area. 

Tenth Street Historic District

Dallas' 12th historic district was adopted in 1993. One of the only remaining intact Freedman's Towns in the nation. It is a cohesive collection of modest folk and vernacular dwellings dating from the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries. In this neighborhood there are 257 domestic structures, four commercial structures, three institutional structures and one cemetery.

A few of the houses have been updated, but as you can see from the "No Trespassing" painting above, many have not. Quite an interesting morning visiting parts of Dallas I had never seen before. The Preservation Dallas Society is planning an art show later this year featuring many of these plein air paintings. More to come on that event!!! 

"Antique Book"

16 x 20

oil on stretched canvas
sold

I've used this old book in another still life set up before and love how the light plays across the cover and other objects. It's a Shakespearean book dated 1858, beautiful with a gold embossed cover and spine. Being so fragile, just by opening it, it causes pages to loosen, therefore it is not handled very often. 

If you follow my blog, you know how much I painted in the month of January...a great start to the new year, but I've slowed down the daily painting this month since I am getting ready for a number of Spring shows. That involves a little more time dealing with special frames, hangers, entry forms, etc. This is one of the entries I have submitted to one of the shows and will find out in several weeks if it is accepted.

30 Paintings Collage

Just when you thought you were finished with the "30 Paintings in 30 Days", here are all of the paintings in one photo collage. I hope you have enjoyed this journey as much as I have. Again, thank you for following along!

30 in 30, #30, "The End"

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

sold

It's been a lot of days of painting, but have finally reached the last of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days". The ranch theme for this series has been inspired by the Food Network show, The Pioneer Woman, a great cooking show, but equally as inspiring in it's videography of the family's ranch. These particular horses are from a painting trip to Ennis, Texas, just south of Dallas. Their position, just like bookends, seemed to be a perfect "ending" for this challenge.

Thanks again to each of you who have been following me through this painting frenzy, for all your encouraging comments, and especially to all on my "followers" list who have had their mailboxes filled each day with these posts. I promise to give you a break!  

30 in 30, #29

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here
sold

Had planned for this to be the last of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, you know, "riding off into the sunset"...but have come up with a finale that I like best to end this series. So stay tuned for the finish tomorrow! 

30 in 30, #28

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here
sold

Feeding time on the ranch is my 28th entry for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days". Hard to believe that we are down to only two left in this challenge. Can't tell you how much I appreciate all the comments by you who have stuck with me through this painting frenzy.

30 in 30, #27

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95 

Purchase here

"The King of the Ranch" is what this rooster thinks as entry #27 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days". Just don't tell the cows, horses and ranch hands!

30 in 30, #26

9 x 12

oil on canvas

Available at Adobe Western Art Gallery
sold

Entry # 26 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" on the ranch!

30 in 30, #25

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

We are up to 25 entries in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with this cat that lives on the ranch, gotta stay with the ranch theme, you know! This one is also a first for me, painted entirely with palette knife. A big part of this challenge is to grow in your art by tackling new things and stretching yourself past the norm, and I will have to say this was a totally new and enjoyable way to "sling paint". Thanks to all who are following me and encouraging me on this challenge, hope you will stay with me for five more!

30 in 30, #24

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase information

Checking for open gates on the ranch is the entry number 24 for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge, also proving that real cowboys wear pink shirts!

30 in 30, #23

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

Fishing on the ranch lake is entry number 23 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.

30 in 30, #22

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here
sold

A cowgirl has gotta have just the right boots! Ready for some boot scootin'??? Number 22 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days".

30 in 30, #21

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

Love this cowboy's happy face knowing he's having fun working on the ranch, #21 from my series "30 Paintings in 30 Days".

30 in 30, #20

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

sold

Number 20, two thirds through the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge.  

30 in 30, #19

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here
sold

There are always fences on the ranch that need repairing, so everybody gets to help. Again, many thanks for all your comments on this challenge of 30 Paintings in 30 Days.

30 on 3, #18

9 x 12

oil on canvas
sold

Ready to mount my horse! Every young girls dream. An everyday occurrence on the ranch for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge. 

30 in 30, #17

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

A good break from all the work on a ranch is a little fishing. This is number 17 of the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge. 

30 in 30, #16

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

This is the start of the second half (#16) of "30 Paintings in 30 Days" with getting the horses out of the barn for another day on the ranch. Thank you again for so many positive and encouraging comments!

30 in 30, #15

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Day 15...Half way through the "30 Paintings in 30 Days"! Now that's something to "crow" about!!!

30 in 30, #14

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Cowgirls are part of the ranch, too! Number 14 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.

Thanks to everyone who has posted so many encouraging comments, you are my cheerleaders!

30 in 30, #13

9 x 12

oil on canvas
available at Dutch Art Gallery, Dallas

Every ranch needs a dog to curl up with after a hard day of work! This is entry #13 in the "30 Paintings in 30 Days". 

30 in 30, #12

9 x 10

oil on canvas, $95

Thought I would give you a glimpse of a couple of stages I usually go through with these paintings for the "30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge.

I start off with a light drawing, spray a fixative, then a wash of yellow ochre and red, giving the painting a warm under tone.

Burnt sienna and ultra marine blue makes a darker mixture for establishing darks and lights and values. This is followed by adding color to the painting.





I'm a couple of days ahead on the paintings and I especially like tomorrow's painting #13. Stay tuned!

30 in 30, #11

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

"30 Paintings in 30 Days" challenge entry number 11. Another cowboy fits right into this ranch theme! Here are some of the other entries for the day.