Hurricane Katrina

The devastation continues in the South. My thoughts and prayers go out to all that are affected by this storm. Give Blood. Donate money to the Red Cross. DO SOMETHING! JUST DO IT! ...As the saying goes...That is my plan.

A Mysterious Friend

Here is a guy I would like to meet again:) He lives on Long Boat Key on the West coast of Florida. I was up very early one morning catching the sunrise and walking on the beach and this 4 foot high heron and I had a chance meeting. He seemed some what oblivious to me until I got just a little too close to take a photo. Even then, he only moved a few feet a way. I wonder if he survived the three hurricanes that ravaged Florida that year. Sunrises are more magical than sunsets in my book. All the noisy people are still in their beds sleeping off what ever they drank and made them much louder... 3/4 of the world is still asleep- it is the serene quiet with only gentle waves breaking the " new sand" by the water - not yet touched by human feet that I am after. I "get" why fishermen so often fish so early and rarely say more than a few words when one stops to see their catch. Mornings mean a new day a new chance to start over... hope... I dread the end of a day... I think of the minutes I wasted - work not done- paintings not painted- regret of things I said or didn't say. Mornings are gifts to be cherished and I use them to start again fresh.

Three Apples

SOLD Going to live in San Francisco!
This oil painting sold fast! It is painted on a 12"x16" canvas board. The painting is of three apples melting into a blue satin background. I love doing still lifes and usually try to do them every other painting I paint. If you would like to see this painting close up or any of the other paintings on this website that I have for sale - please check out the auctions listed as I usually post larger photos on the auction sites. Thank you for visiting and please don't hesitate to comment !

Butterflies

I have a natural and manmade butterfly garden. At the height of the season there was over 50 butterflies fluttering around at one time! I saw at lease 5 different kinds as well. I will miss them when winter comes. The busy season for Plein Air painting is about to start. Fall and spring. Our "season" will start out with the National Plein Air Paint Out on September 11, 2005. I will be with a number of other painters trying to capture the "soul and beauty" of Mead Gardens this year. It should be an extra special time as my husband and I were married there 20 years ago:) Off to paint!

Back to Blogging- Beauty and Collecting Art

Every morning I step out and sit on my patio for a cup of hot, steaming java. I renew my spirit by looking around to see all of what I have to be so thankful for. It's all there right in my backyard, in my ever changing garden, the flowers, singing birds, colorful butterflies, and the curious squirrels.
After working so hard this past weekend (12 hours each day) and this past week in general- I ended up sleeping till a late 8:45 AM this bright Monday morning. What a luxury! Usually, I am up far before then, even on the weekends.
I woke up with the thought this morning about collecting art- why I buy paintings from other artists. I don't buy them because they increase in value ( but they do). I don't buy art to match my decor or my couch. If you do - then you really don't "get art".
I don't buy prints or reproductions unless I truly cannot afford the original. An example of this would be a print of a Monet.... but since I own numerous art books of all the greats that I love to view- I don't even do that :) I buy art because the piece speaks to me -it reaches some inner voice. I paint art because that is what I need to do for my peace- I need to be creative- I need to express that creativity bug that God put in my brain. If I ignore it I am closing the door to my source of LIGHT.
I have art in my home and out side my home- yes, displayed even on my patio! Why? Because it enriches my soul and to share with others when they visit, is even more enriching. Real original art can be very affordable. I know people who have spent literally thousands of dollars redecorating their homes and offices and put cheap prints that say nothing about them other than they like cheap store bought prints! There is no story behind those! There is no mystery... such as who painted it, why did they paint it, why did the owner buy it.

Our world needs more mystery, more poetry, more stories, more depth, more color, and more texture. Surround yourselves with art that has meaning and substance and you will be a more interesting person, as well as blessed by art that was made to speak to you in your own secret language.

Water Lily

SOLD Water Lily - Now lives in Tulsa OK.

This is a framed 8" x 10" oil painting. It was painted from a photo of a water Lily I took while on vacation one year. Heavy impasto oil paint was applied with knife for the center of the flower.

Flowers

SOLD
I have an 8" X 10" oil painting on board
It is done in the style of impressionism with heavy impasto paint. These flowers are so beautiful!
Going to Live in Sunny California.

For My Niece

Sold
I painted this unusual painting as a result of a dream I had. The dream had some substance--I had been to Cranes Roost Park lately almost every day for walks. There are Cypress trees, dark water and white rocks on the shores. I dreamed about the park becoming a magical place at night where a family of trees get together in the moonlight by the waters edge. What's funny is I had seen the "Polar Express" movie 3 times during that period of walks and it had renewed my Christmas spirit that I thought was lost for good. The result is this painting came out painted in a somewhat surrealist style. My niece saw the painting in my living room several times and always told her mom that she liked it. So this year it is getting framed and put in her newly refurbished room. This painting is now SOLD :)

Long Boat Key

SOLD - Lives in Alabama
The hot lazy days of summer here in Florida makes me long for the beaches on Long Boat Key on the west coast of Florida. I painted this from pictures I took while on vacation there one year. The painting is sold now...( living in Alabama). You can walk the beach in the morning and evenings and you might come across one other soul. It is so peaceful with its warm blue green waters and usually gentle waves. Nirvana. Sunrises, sunsets, birds, horseshoe crabs, fish, dolphins. Not Available.

My Secret Garden

This is my favorite of what I have painted so far " The Secret Garden" I painted this while trying to escape the trials and tribulations of 3 hurricanes hitting my area -2004. It was done in oil and in the style of impressionism/ expressionism with heavy impasto application. This painting is not for sale .
I found part of a poem that was printed in the paper this morning and wanted to add it as it describes how I feel when I look upon this painting daily.

I stood at the gate of life and said

Give me a light that I may go safely

into the unkown and a voice replied

go out into the darkness and put

your hand into the hand of God.

That will be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.