Just had the most wonderful evening with my boys and their beautiful families. Feel very grateful and, yes, fortunate.

Did these two paintings for a family for Christmas. It is strange that when you do a painting of someone, they become very important in your life. Feel like these kids are connected to me.

Took my two Sons and their beautiful families to Christmas Dinner tonight and we had such a lovely time. Amy and Hix had us over for appetizers before dinner. They both have birthdays right at this time and that is not fair. I usually BD them in July.

Outdoor Painters Society had it's Christmas Party this Sunday. Some 45 of us attended and ate wonderful bar b que. Chase did most of the planning and it was a great event. Had an exchange of paintings in a Chinese auction. Mine went in three trades and I was fortunate to get Kaye Franklin's. Here is my 10 by 8:

This sold today. And, the buyer had no idea who the model was or didn't care.

Sold today these two to my physical therapist (for rotator cuff surgery). Such a lovely family she is the matriarch of.

This was a fun painting that is entered in a show

Red Roses

HAD two dozen of the most beautiful red roses at my front door this week end. Pulled a few out and painted them in a 16 by 20 that I started and finished today, a rather long day of painting. Will post the painting when it is a bit drier and I can take a photo.

Just found some wild pears and had fun painting them.

This is one of my paintings from school

Professional Art Group meeting today. It was so good to see everyone and everyone almost was there. This is a great motivational group for me. Am so pleased to be a part of it.

Show at Atrium, North Texas Health and Science on Montgomery Street in Ft. Worth

These are my two entries:

Did a painting in one session that I actually like. That is a rare event.

Sunday Night

Had a neighborhood Get Together that was truly fun. Actually met some of the new neighbors that I had not known. More little girls wanting to be artists and bringing me some of their art work to look at. Five year old Tally has done some really nice work, with lots of detail for a five year old.

Went to a Swan Party (friends for 27 years, celebrating birthdays each month). this party was all the way in Dunncanville at a lovely home on the golf course. Great food and fun.

Here is a painting that is out on consideration.

Doing my homework tonight

Got a session in at the gym, did my figure drawing work, writing a few notes. Even worked a bit in the yard. Good day. Taken to lunch by the Wernicke's. Ate dinner with Elsie Gunter at Market Street last night.

This sold today on internet, both going out in tomorrows mail

Another internet sale today.

Whistle Pik just called with this sale. This has been a great month of sales. Maybe a high with a couple of commissions that haven't quite been finished.

Dr. Perra is coming to pick this up, Sun. Oct 23.

We will enjoy a Pomegranate martini and snacks together and some good talk.

Just sold this little guy on the internet

These two will go to Whistle Pik Gallery

In the past week have had several youngsters here interested in painting. It's been fun to have a tea party in my tree house with them and their parents.

new sales:

So nice to deal with these nice people: Spring, Texas, Carolyn L.

Painting that sold at Western OPA (oil painters of America)

Trying for a looser application of the paint and think these two are successful

Last day of school for the first semester of summer college. What a splendid group of kids and adults in this class. Feel like family. Brought home these paintings and three more that I will add another day.

Book List that you need to collect as an artist: Friend Christine Elaine Patterson sent these

All of Andrew Loomis' books:
Drawing the Head and Hands (out of print)
Figure Drawing for All It's Worth (out of print) (Will tell you a story about these two books at the bottom of this post)

The Human Figure by John Vanderpool
Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist by Stephen Rogers Peck

Bridgman's Complete Guide to Drawing From Life by George Bridgman

Harley's Browns Eternal Truths for Every Artist

Hawthorne on Painting by Mrs. Charles W. Hawthorne

Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid

The Art Spirit by Robert Henri

And I am going to add:

John Carlson's Book on Landscape


My Story:
Have a very sweet, kind, thoughtful friend named Rebecca Bridges Rice. We were talking about Loomis' books and how the very ones I wanted the most were out of print. A year went by and then a package arrived from Rebecca. Her Mother had found the books in a used book store. Rebecca paid, wrapped and sent. They are among my prized books, most prized books. This emphasizes how fortunate we are to have met some of the finest people through the arts. Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you Elaine. Am blessed to know and love you. Above is the painting that RBR bought.

Just got notice from National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society that this painting was accepted into their "Best of America" Exhibition this coming September. It is a 30 by 24 size.

Really had a fun day in college today, but don't have the painting home to photograph. Tried a repair on this one yesterday. to take a photo yet. This

Tell me if you think I was able to salvage or what it still needs. Thanks

Torn rotator cuff determined after dye injection and an MRI (in the tube). My only concerns are for painting and rolling the hair. Anyone else have some advice to give? Have been working on this painting. Would appreciate any suggestiongs.

This is my July 4th painting for this year-Red, White, and Blueberries

Just finished this one.

Commission to Cantrell family here in Colleyville

Sold over the weekend

Whistle Pik called and said that this painting had just sold. Actually as happy for them as for me.

On the night of Reception Dr. Dee from Women of Wonder group bought his one.

Picked up paintings from Southwest Gallery today for the Outdoor Painters Society. Had three in the show and my Quick Draw, which made four. Sold everything except my Quick Draw (done in two hours at a designated site with lots of people around)

Reception June 3, 6-9 pm, Ft. Worth Community Art Center, 1300 Gendy St. FW, Texas

This is one of 25. Went to the show yesterday and was thrilled to find 5 had sold and the reception has not taken place. Come join me and share a glass of wine. Several other shows going on at the same time.

The people you get to meet via the art world are wonderful

I wouldn't have had the privilege of meeting the artist who purchased this painting if we hadn't have been in a workshop together. I would not know some of the finest people in the world that teach workshops, are professors in college or the students of those professors, if it were not for the world of art. Feel greatly privileged.

Spent 5 hours with the person, a fine artist from Dallas, sharing a bit of life, eating the best burger at Kincaid's, and going to the Ft. Worth Community Art Center where I found that 5 paintings had sold in my show there. Here are a couple of the smaller paitings that sold:

Took 4 paintings to TCC for a show today. Here is one of them:

Delivering this painting to Trinity Arts Guild today

When I was in Belize, doing Habitat for Humanity, visited this village and was stunned by the kindness and happiness of people who are so very content with what they have. Think this can be a mighty lesson for us all.

West Virginia artist bought this painting. Thrilled

Just had a dear artist from Dallas buy this painting.

Will host my Professional Art Group this Wednesday at my home. We will have a great breakfast, critique work, and discuss some pertinent subjects pertaining to our art life.

Here will be the couple of paintings that I show and ask for critique help from the group. Have been a part of this group for about 15 years now and it is very important to me.

Family Reunion, Paintings to Whistle Pik, Gallery Walk, Paint Out with Outdoor Painters Society All in one week end.

This was one of paintings I did on Plein Air outing in Hill Country.

Tarrant County College Show

Won an award of 2nd in the oil paintings with the Mouse painting shown earlier in posts. And what really thrilled me was selling this painting to the family of a favorite young, really good, painter that has been in college with me and now in TCU.

Entry into International Salon at Greenhouse Gallery