Nature's Wonders

Sandhill Cranes at Paynes Prairie

I am fortunate to live in one of the best parts of the state of Florida. A one hour drive takes me to beaches, natural springs or vast prairies.

This past week I went with two friends, Moe Hahn above at the top and Sharon Crute underneath ...both wonderful equine artists, to Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park. Sandhill Cranes migrate through this area, but almost 5,000 of them have decided to stay for a while.

A great number of birds can be seen on the La Chua Trail which begins in the park entrance off SE 15 Street in Gainesville. There is an easy 1.5 mile walking trail out to the raised viewing platform (remember it is also 1.5 miles back!) But you don't need to go that far. The day we went most of the birds lined the trail. They kept their distance and continued feeding while throngs of people watched and photographed.

Even though I am a Florida native I have never seen a flock of Sandhills in this great a number. It was thrilling to say the least to see nature in all her glory. The squawking was continuous as the birds called to one another...a sound like no other.

Rangers told us there are a couple of Whooping Cranes in the flock but we did not see them. If you go out watch for alligators. They are not a direct threat, but it never hurts to be cautious with these guys, which were some of the biggest wild gators I have ever seen. We even saw a mom with little babies! Believe it or not, baby gators are cute.

And....Oh yes....here I am. All decked out in my safari hat and everything!

The First Day of the Rest of My Life

I have begun a list of my goals as promised yesterday. At the top of my list...the number one goal...is to get better organized. I am not too bad at this. My main problem is I get toooooo organized, making a file for each and every thing. This leads to overflfowing file drawers. I get so carried away that I often find that I have made several files for the same thing! So, I have started culling, consolidating and throwing away. Yes, I actually have a trash can full of old papers (some dating back to 2001).

Now, don't get alarmed. I am also recycling. All unwrinkled paper printed on one side goes into the scratch paper bin. This is great when I want to print an email to save in my afore mentioned files (oops, here we go again).

Cleaning out the files should take a couple of days. Then I will divide everything into categories and relabel. I feel pounds lighter already!

Happy New Year

HOORaay!!! A new year a new beginning. Off with the old and on with the new. Don't look back just look forward. Etc. Etc. Etc.

You know all those old sayings, but this year they all seem so much more poignant. Most of us have had some rough times in 2008 and are anxiously waiting to experience the wonders of 2009! I predict a glorious year is dawning!!!

I will be counting my blessings as this past year creeps away into the dark night. Come tomorrow morning I will put pen to paper and list my goals for 2009. Some are personal as I continue to be a work in progress. And others are career oriented. Those I will share with you here.

At the top of my list of goals is to blog regularly and add photos. I have been shamefully remiss and am rectifying that as of now. Since EVERYONE begins EVERYTHING on Monday I will begin my blog postings on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009 and pledge to post every Thursday.

Please jump into the fray and comment on my ramblings and musings. The more conversation we can generate the more enlightened we all will become.

I wish you all the very best life has to offer in 2009.

A New Day - A New Beginning

A New Day - A New Beginning 12"x18"

Roseate Spoonbills are beautiful birds. They used to flock in great numbers. Now I am lucky to find a few together feeding among the mangroves.

This is a study for a larger commissioned painting. I always paint a study, to scale, so the person who placed the commission can see exactly what I have planned for their painting. It is better to make changes at this point rather than after I have started a large painting.

Dance of Morning Light

Dance of Morning Light 8"x10"

At the last Wekiva Springs State Park Plein Air Event I painted Dance of Light. I am not a "morning person" but somehow at this event it seems a crime to sleep while all this beauty is blossoming outstide my door.

Last night I joined my good friend, Nancy Moskovitz artist extraordinaire (http://www.nancymoskovitz.com/) , at an artists reception for Bobby Goldsboro. Yes, he is the singer, and now a painter. He told me that he had promised himself that he would begin painting all the images he had stored in his head when he turned 65, that was two years ago. He is exhibiting in various places around the state. If you get a chance, do see his work...and of course, all is for sale.

Still Waters

Still Waters 10"x8"

Friends of Wekiva Springs hosts a wonderful invitational plein air paint out each year and I have been lucky enought to be invited. The state park and springs offer endless venues to paint from pine tree flats to the beautiful spring itself. "Still Waters" was painted on the Wekiva River just down from the spring head and can be seen at Thornebrook Gallery.

The gallery opening reception was this past Friday. We did not have the turn out we had hoped for, but did enjoy seeing old friends and collectors as well as meeting a few new people. The gallery looked fabulous! David and Trisha did a great job of hanging all the paintings. I took my entire collection (about 30 paintings ranging in size from 8x10 to 30x40) for them to select from, thinking they wouldn't use them all. But, Wow!, they did! The lighting of paintings is crucial and can make or break a show. David has state of the art lighting which allows the viewer to really see the art work. I arrived a bit early and when David flipped on the light switch I was blown away! Even my husband, who is my best critique, was very impressed.

I will not be exhibiting in the Gainesville Downtown Out Door Art Festival this year because I was once again juried into the Disney Festival of the Masters which is on the same weekend. So, I do hope you will be able to get by Thornebrook Gallery before my show closes on Sept 27 to see this collection of new paintings.

And, by the way, Thornebrook Gallery is not just another art gallery. It is one of the best gift shop/jewelry stores you will ever find. If you are looking for just the right gift (for yourself or anyone else) you must see the many unique items offered at Thornebrook Gallery. I must admit, I found a bracelet I had to have Friday night...and yes, it went home with me.

Thornebrook Gallery Exhibition

Shangri-La 16"x20"

Shangri-La is the last painting I created for the Thornebrook Gallery Exhibition. Us plein air and landscape painters are always on the hunt for new locations and inspiration. I came upon this dream-like path early one afternoon. The graceful live oak trees covered in moss and azalea bushes in full bloom were irresistable.

The collection of 26 paintings was delivered this past Monday. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment to complete the work and deliver the paintings on time. And yes, relief when the project is put to bed.

The Artists Reception is this Friday evening and as always , is quite daunting. No matter how successful, artists are concerned with how the public will react to their work. I learned this early in my career while studying with the renowned A. E. "Bean" Backus. His work was highly respected and could be purchased only by placing your order in a waiting list, often waiting several years before getting the painting. And yet, with each order and each show, I saw him anguish over whether or not the collector would like the painting. My having been just a beginner at that time, not exhibiting my work, I was puzzled. Now I fully understand. You put your heart and soul into each painting making it difficult to separate yourself from it.

Oh well, I have done the work and am proud of the collection so I will go to the reception, pretend I am a princess for one evening and have a great time. I sure hope I will see you there!!!