I am working on kick starting my attempt at keeping folks informed about what is going on in my art world.  Historically I have vowed the same intention only to have it fall by the wayside.

It would be a great incentive for me to get encouragement from followers.  SO, please contact me and give me a kick-in-the-pants when I falter.

Recently I had 2 paintings juried into the A. E. Backus Museum "Best of the Best" show/sale held once a year.  AND.....one of the paintings sold the first day the show opened to the public.  Color me a very happy artist.  Top painting 8" x 12"  Available        Bottom painting   12" x 9"  Sold

  

It has been quite a while since I have posted on my blog.  Life just got in the way.  In 2015 my husband and I Sold and moved from our home of over 20 years in Ocala, bought a new home in Ocala, downsizing....in other words trying to fit too many possessions and memories into a smaller space.

Then we decided it would be fun to spend summers away from Florida, where we both had lived almost all of our lives.  So we bought a camper and off we went to Franklin, NC.  As if that wasn't enough after a couple of summers we decided to give up camping and BUY A CABIN, so we sold the camper.

It took us a couple of years to realize that living in two places wasn't all it is cracked up to be.  Hauling things back and forth.  Wanting to be in one place when we were in the other. Missing the Grandchildren was the worst.  So....we sold the cabin.

Now we were living in Ocala in a smaller house than previously.  We had experienced being involved with our two older grandchildren - and thoroughly loved every minute of it.  Now one was off to college and the other well on her way in High School...not much time for Grandmother and Grandfather.

Our younger son lived in Ft. Pierce, FL and  had started his family with a son of his own.  He asked us to return to Ft. Pierce to live, where we had lived for over 20 years and raised our sons.  It was wonderful to be asked!  We looked forward to be in the life of our last grandschild and watch him grow up as we had done with our older two.  Soooooo, you guessed it, sold the Ocala house, bought a house in Ft. Pierce and off we went.

Through all those moves I had continued to paint and participate in shows.  My work took me to 3 separate solo exhibits at the Capital in Tallahassee, earned me a visit to the White House with my Hand Painted  Ornament for the Official White House Christmas Tree,  a one woman show at the Appleton Museum, another one woman show at Sante Fe College as well as other memorable events along the way.

We are now settled - for the last time - and looking forward to new adventures.  I will keep you posted as life progresses.  Oh, by the way,  I opened my very own Fine Art Gallery in Ft. Pierce.  I will save that news for the next post.

Lots of Holidays just around the corner

Roseate Spoonbill

While shopping at our local mall this past weekend I noticed that holiday decorations are going up everywhere.  Which made me think of  my hand painted glass ornaments.  In the past  most people have collected  my Christmas ornaments.  This year I'm adding  Halloween ornaments to the collection.  Yep, keep watching here for Pumpkins and Ghosts.  

White Egret

Of course, I still offer the bird collection too.  Choose from the following list:

Roseate Spoonbill, White Egret, Great Blue Heron, Sandhill Crane, Tom Turkey, King Fisher, Pheasant and Cardinal.

If there is one that you would like that is not on this list, let me know.  I will design one especially for you.

Day 5 - Artist Challenge

Grey Day

For Day 5, the last day of the Artist Challenge, I have chosen two paintings that are a bit different from venues I gravitate to.

"Grey Day" was painted during a plein air event in Evinston, FL. a few years ago.  Wild flowers were in bloom and the day was dark and overcast.  I had just finished painting the Wood and Swink Post Office when this scene caught my eye.

Golden Pathway

"Golden Pathway", the second painting is a studio work inspired by photos from a trip.  The light that day was spectacular.  The sun shown through a veil of mist making everything take on a golden hue.

The last painting in the challenge, "Summer Solitude",  is a recent one, again inspired by work on Bud Adams Cattle Ranch.  (I told you I have spent a lot of time painting on the ranch.)

This was a gorgeous day, late in the afternoon when the sun casts a warm glow causing the clouds to brighten and the tall grasses to turn brilliant oranges, golden yellows and warm reds.

Now for my challenge:  Susan Cassens, Kathleen Chenet, Sean Dowie, Michael Enns,
and Elizabeth Ferber.  All are very talented artists and friends.  I know you will enjoy seeing their work.

Summer Solitude

Day 4 - Artist Challenge

Day 4 of the Artist Challenge brings more memories.  This painting of a Royal Poinciana Tree and Coconut Palm was inspired by many painting trips to the Ft. Pierce Inlet.  It is in the private collection Ft. Pierce natives who live on the Indian River Lagoon.

The Lagoon also inspired the Roseate Spoonbill painting.  Kayaking on the Lagoon reveals many hidden treasures.  

And, of course, another painting from Bud Adams Cattle Ranch.

                                                                                                                                 

Day 3 - Artist Challenge

Salt Springs

Seminole Hut on Adams Ranch

 I paint all around Florida but find I most
enjoy painting the interior.  The hammocks, pine forests, rivers of grass and natural springs and river hold more of a mystery for me as a painter than sandy beaches and coconut palms.

Don't get me wrong, I also like to paint swaying palms and crashing waves, just not as often.

Pine Forest

Day Two Artist Challenge

Day Two of the Artist Challenge brings back more memories of plein air painting in the 90's on the Bud Adams sprawling cattle ranch in St. Lucie County.  Bud kept his property as close to "natural" as possible, instructing his cowboys to eliminate any plants not native to Florida.

No hunting was allowed on the property so wildlife was abundant.

White tailed deer, flocks of wild turkeys, egrets, herons, ibis, alligators, etc. could be seen on every trip onto the ranch.

These are three paintings from those "good ole days".