Lavender Fields

                                                                          36 x 48
                                                        Available at VIEW GALLERY

This is one of my "white" pieces that I did a while back.  I really love the touch of lavender in it.  It isn't a color I use much, but I like how this one turned out.  The photos I take of my white paintings never do the work justice.  I try so hard to build layers in my paintings and somehow photographs never seem to capture it.

The family had "Clean Up Thursday" yesterday.  Everyone was required to go through their room and get rid of clothes they don't wear, and knick-knacks they don't want.  I alone had 3 large black garbage bags of clothes that I gave away to Goodwill.  This is just round one of weeding out "stuff" before we move in 3 months.  My art studio will be my biggest challenge.  I'll be moving into a much smaller space, but the trade off for natural light and a wonderful view of the lake will be worth it.

I've loved having all my children home.  We had a wonderful Christmas together.  Probably the best one in a while.  The five of us picked names before Dixon left for Charleston, and we were all required to make the person a gift.  I had Grace and made her a lamp for her new room.  Dixon had me and he made me this out of driftwood he found on the beach.  I love it.

What If?

                                                                         "Mariana"
                                                                           (SOLD)
Have you ever thought what if Christ had not come?  There would be no Christmas, no trees decorated,  no stockings hung on the chimney, no gifts exchanged on December 25th, no "O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant...."   Even worse, the Bible would stop at Malachi.  There would be no gospel, no promise of salvation or eternal life with Him in heaven.  No hope.

Let's remember this during this season.  He was the greatest gift.  The reason behind Christmas.  Let us be glad and rejoice, because "He has come".  Let us remember the announcement of the angel, "Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord".  Luke 2:10-11

Random Things

                                                                         "Act II"
                                                                           SOLD

I woke up this morning after having bad dreams, to find Crockett eating my Christmas ornaments.  I just now had to leave my computer while writing this, to find him with his front legs on the kitchen counter, eating Grace's chocolate chip muffins!!!!  Now please tell me again why I wanted an 80 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback????   Because I love him and he is my constant companion and guardian, but a real pain in the rear.

This is the last of my dancer paintings that I sold this month.  The photo doesn't do it justice, but my intent was to paint a shadowy trio of dancers that do not jump out of the canvas.  I think I did that.  I hope someone is going to enjoy it for Christmas.

Dixon comes home tomorrow.  The girls will be out next week, and hopefully the house will be harmonious.

Another Commission

                                                              "City Reflection 2"
                                                                       SOLD
It is funny how God works things out when you least expect it.  About two weeks ago, I told Tommy that I think I was just going to quit painting.  Working for my dad and renovating a house has consumed so much of my time,  I simply have not had a lot of free time to devote to it.  Then the fact that my sales at the gallery have slowed down, really bummed me out.  Of course he quickly told me that I was not going to quit and just said, you may just need to put it on hold for a while until things settle down.  Painting is too important to me and such a big part of my life, that quitting wasn't an option.  I said OK, but continued to be a "little Eeyore" about it.  A couple of days later, I got a big commission from a darling woman who walked into Drake's Design by accident and saw a painting, but needed it bigger.  Then, I just called Phyllis to wish her happy birthday, and she said, "you are on a roll".  I have sold 4 other painting this week at the gallery.  All of them being my dancers that I have loved doing lately. So, not only did God give me confirmation, but He also gave me the gift of my sales.  I still feel so amazed and humbled that people like what I do.

If I am to be really honest, I never was really going to quit.  I was just feeling sorry for myself.  I can't not do it.  It is my outlet and a way to express all my feelings and emotions that are inside of me.  It is my way of being thankful for God's grace that he has given me.  So, I guess I need to find some time to paint.  My wall at VIEW GALLERY is getting bare.

A Little Scary

Although this drawing is a little scary, I thought Dixon did a wonderful job executing it.  It was an assignment he had to do for a school, and it really shows his growth in drawing just during his first semester.  As usual, I like to show off my children's art, so if you can get past the wort on the chin, I think you will appreciate it.