Some EARLY RESOLUTIONS concerning the paint world

Going to list them fast and without much sub topic  pertaining to them:  be grateful (for things like the time to paint, a place to paint, the freedom); give myself credit (for the persistence I have, for my passion, my accrued skills, interest, drive, smarts); no jealousy of anyone (nor any unkind words towards another artist as a put down); hang out with people that are positive and not negative about my art or life in general; be true to myself; go ahead and risk because mistakes are OK and actually a form of growth; get some action going on a bodacious plan; and above all be honest and face truth.  

One more little item for the next month:  For the 26 people killed in New Town, I am going to do  that many kind deeds (completely unexpected, maybe unplanned, to friends and unknown, just to have some small thing come out of that horrendous thing that might have a positive affect.   Jump on the bandwagon with me.

Here is a recent small painting available:  "Stew Ingredients"  (priced at $500)   12 by 16  framed plus tax     Until the end of January.  This is a one time opportunity and I like this little pic a bunch.

Sam, Zi Zi, and Harrison

Did this painting for Daughter and Son in Law in Estes Park, Colorado.  The dog sleeps with Samantha every night and never moves a muscle.  They are inseparable.  It is a lovely thing to watch.  And, this is the most unusual dog--low to the ground, extra large head, long body, and large tail.

Christmas Greetings

Brrrrrr.  It is actually cold enough to build this snowman (just no snow) and my heater's been a non-working unit since Monday.  Have had a couple of days of our coldest weather-19 degrees and 27 degrees.  Been camping out in insulated underwear, socks, jeans, hoodie, and jacket worn all day long and all night long for two days.

May the season be a grand one for you, healthy and happy, spent with those you love.

Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipe

Made these the other day for a cookie exchange party we had for PAINT (prof. artists in N. Tex).  Isn't that a great acronym!

Cranberry/Walnut/Oat Cookies

3/4 c butter
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 c flour
1 t vanilla
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
2 3/4 c oats (either regular or 1 minute)
1 1/2 c dried cranberries
1 1/2 c walnuts

Mix all together.  Drop 2 inches apart on pans.  Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes until firm and LIGHT brown.  Cool 4 min and transfer.

Doug Clark at Trinity Arts Guild. I had the pleasure of introducing him.

Doug Clark did a sculpture of a buffalo at the TAG meeting this Monday night.  I had the privilege of introducing him and that is pure pleasure, as he is one of my favorite folk.  He is a teacher for more than 20 years in art in the Ft. Worth Public School System.  And, he is a glue for connecting a bunch of us artists to paint in plein aire.  

     Here is a painting I did two Saturdays ago at the Botanic Gardens in Ft Worth.  Doug had set this up, then we all went to lunch at the Kimball Museum and to a docent guided tour at the Amon Carter Museum.  The Phillips Collection is a great show at the Carter.  Be sure and see it.

A benefit of the art world is meeting and getting to know your fellow artist

One of my fellow artists bought a painting this week and picked it up last Sunday night.  We made a party of the "pick up".  I had a piece of pecan pie for her and a strange drink I make with pomegranates.  We talked for quite a long time and then decided to go to dinner (after dessert is the way to do it).  Talked non stop, sharing life and experiences, came home and talked for more hours.  We had so many things in common.  About 1:45 a.m. we realized the time, when a concerned call from a husband alerted us as to the lateness of the hour.  She left at 2 a.m.

     Here is the painting that she bought and provided the platform for so much fun.

Top 15% in Bold Brush Online Art Competition

One of the fun things in my life is to always compete each month in the Bold Brush Online Juried Art Competition.  I haven't made the top awards yet, but have made top 15% about 80 % of the time.  Since there is usually some 350 to 500 paintings entered each month, I feel very happy to have this percentage.  And, I'm always looking forward to the awards.

     An aside here:  I LOVE to compete.  For some reason, rejection doesn't bother me that much.  Feel some disappointment momentarily and then am immediately on to the next item of the day.  And, since I enter a lot of competitions, am always excited about getting into a show, and if I get into the show, about the possibility of an award, or the possibility of a sale.  Don't negate the possibility of sales.  American Impressionist Nat. Show has been wonderful along with National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Oil Painters of America, Western OPA, Salon International at Greenhouse, Bosque International Show, and Blossoms.  ALL have sold at least two paintings for me, and I am very grateful.  Another show that has done even better is the Outdoor Painters Society Annual Show held at Southwest Gallery.

THIS IS MY TOP 15% in the October, 2012, BOLD BRUSH ONINE JURIED ART COMPETITION:

Just back from Chattanooga, Tennessee, and American Women Artists National Exhibition Award

Just back from an exquisite time in Chattanooga.  Loved the entire experience, but what really stands out in my mind is the sharing of life with several people:

Fell in love with a family named Elder.  Martha (my sis's name) and George (my Father's name) are the two Elders.  Both are very sensitive, kind, and thoughtful in their dealings with the world.  Besides that, Martha is truly beautiful and George is handsome.  George had polio and another dibilitating disease when he was 3 and lost a leg.  Wears a prosthesis which is removed when driving a car and sitting for long periods of time.  Prosthesis rode beside me on floor of front seat when George was kind enough to take me to the airport.  Martha and George are remarkable.  Hope they know it.  I sure do.

And, I had the privilege and joy of sharing a bit of life with Joyce Metters.  She provided transportation and shared a lot of meals with me.  Thus, we shared a lot of life.

AMERICAN WOMEN ARTIST's National Exhibition Award:  Tubac, Arizona, at the K. Newbie Art Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, Month of November, 2012.  Also sponsored by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.  Here is my entry and "Best Painting" award.  This was a bigger for me.

Halloween is Today and here are some tidbits I gained from reading an article from Lori McNee:

This is what I want.

Had a wonderful, cathartic reaction to getting rid of some paintings that I have had around for many years. Even threw a watercolor out IN the frame! How is that for a spendthrift! Had a fun Saturday in Grapevine. Sold 9. Here is one of them to a long time friend in my Sunday School class. Thanks, Joycelyn. Honored to be hanging with you.

Perfectionism

Perfectionism-can be a healthy route to trying to be excellent or it can stymie and make us dysfunctional by the thought of it. (I am paraphrasing a Genn writing) When you fail, be practical and go forward. More joy comes from questioning instead of giving pat answers. BE HAPPY YOU HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND THE HEALTH TO PURSUE. I consider my schooling a privilege. And, I, most probably, will be a student for the rest of my life. Here is a recently done painting:

Gearing up for Grapevine, Texas, Lancaster Theater on Main Strree

This coming week end, October 19th and 20th, I will be in the Lancaster Theater in Grapevine, Texas, on Main Street. Friday from 5pm until 9pm and Saturday from 9am-7pm. Might do a demo on Saturday if the traffic slows down. Including an advertisement and a photo of a painting that will be shown. All paintings are out of frame and will be at sacrificial pricing. Last Saturday was a great success with 36 paintings finding new homes. Even sold a couple of abstracts (what? me? abstracts?) done in my starting years.

My 23rd Mentored person, 12 year old Elizabeth Ellis from Garner, Texas

Elizabeth's Dad brought her from Garner, Texas, on 10/10/12 for mentoring program from the Garner ISD gifted and talented. The entire family had to make plans for Elizabeth to be here, such as Becca, 6 year old sister taking the bus by herself to school without Elizabeth, and Daddy driving into Colleyville from Garner, Tex., to deliver and pick up Elizabeth. We looked at gallery, treehouse studio, office, freighting area, drying area, varnishing area, photo area, framing area.  Elizabeth did an upside down drawing, continuous line drawing, timed drawing, and color drawing,  opened a freighting box for me, varnished a painting, did a support, all with confidence.  

Below is a photo of Elizabeth:

Saturday at the Bedford Boys Ranch

I am feeling so much satisfaction at passing on three dozen sketches and some art I did several years ago. Even sold a couple of abstracts! ! ! ! ! that were under glass. Have done one wax painting and that is in a new home. My ballet dancer, done from a live model, that Tony Saladino gave me an award in another city found a new home. My band painting found a new home. My girl climbing into the back of the truck (that precious pig tailed red headed beautiful young girl that I took a couple of hundred photos of in Glen Rose) with the dog looking on-fun photo and fun to paint, is gone. A painting that I did in Argentina and invited a young man to paint along with me on the painting is sold. The weather was so bad. Temp had dropped 40 plus degrees and it was cold and the show was outside. After setting up and warmth of effort had waned I was feeling that cold. Frankie Burget placed a warm jacket on my shoulders. She is Frankie Couch's daughter. The two of them could not have been nicer. Daughter worked at setting up my bin, supplying the technical skills that I didn't have. Really beyond! Bobbie Badger bought me a great hotdog for lunch and bought three of my better paintings. Surprisingly, a couple of portraits of people also departed. Interesting! Anyway, cold weather or not, I ended the day with a very warm heart. Below is a painting that I did at Chase Almonds" place. What I remember of that day is that about 5 of us (including Doug Clark and Claudia Davis) heard a crack of thunder at mid day and headed to a Mexican restaurant for the most delicious time. Am sure we spent three hours of great time together. Some of the by products of painting are priceless. Anyway, this painting was bought by a neighbor down the street and thrilled me to be hanging in their home.

Western OPA Jeff Legg, juror

Sale and Show on October 6th, Saturday, at Bedford Boys Ranch

Trinity Arts Guild and Bedford, Texas have combined to make an Arts Festival on Saturday, October 6th, from 10 am until 5 pm at the Pavilion at the Bedford Boys Ranch, 2801 Forest Ridge Road, Bedford, Texas (exit Forest Ridge off of Airport Freeway). Food trucks will be available from 11 am until 2 pm. This will be a great sale. . . . sale of sales Here is an example of paintings that will be available at superb pricing:

Celebration at Southwest Gallery, Dallas, Texas, for 45 years of Grand and Glorious Business

What a celebration Bob Malenfont and his hard working crew put on this past week end, Sept. 8 and 9, 2012! ! The Southwest Gallery has been in business for 45 years and that is a feat in itself, with all of the ups and downs of the economy along the years. The event had great music, fabulous food, every drink almost known to man, and some 20 to 25 artists demonstrating over the week end. Saturday night Bob provided a sit down dinner for artists and their mates. What a fun night that was. We are a family. It was great to see my dear buddy, Bob Rohm, who did a couple of wonderful demos. And, I met a couple of "new best friends" in Paul , a Franciscan, and Rick. Both work there. It was nice to meet Lisa, Bob's wife, and I am taking it upon myself to get his daughter a raise. Will post my demo paintings as soon as I get them photographed.

Irving Arts Center is being picked up tomorrow

This painting won a minor award in the Irving Arts Center in the professional category. It was an interesting show with a wide spectrum of art from many directions.

Western Oil Painters of America

This has been quite a month of National and International Shows and I am really honored to have gotten into them: Bosque International, American Women Artists National, the National Pet Show, and Western Oil Painters of America which I just found out a couple of days ago. Also won a minor award in Irving Arts Center. The month before I won Best of Show in Texas and Neighbors and won an award in the International Texas Spirit Show. Here is my Western OPA entry, 48 by 24,quite large to freight and send with it's large frame. Jeff Legg is the juror and I have much respect for him.

Painting design

Since abstract design is underlying all work, I call me an "abstract slightly impressionistic realist". I'm sticking with this. The painting I am posting, I did an overall design of the entire object, leaving some negative spaces as background.

Painting in a group

Recently read a statement from Genn that said "painting is deeply lone

ly, unglamorous task of tolerating oneself long enough to push something out." It set me to thinking about being up in my Treehouse Studio for hours on end, sometimes even forgetting to eat and drink and go to the bathroom and certainly never speaking to anyone except myself. I kind of love that experience. And, then I decided to get some graduate courses in college in the painting direction. This is where Genn says interpersonal aggravation sets in, interest flags, and quality becomes intermittent. But, for me, I love the interaction and the sharing of ideas. It is a pretty long drive, and I am utilizing that drive to listen to some really good "books on disc". At the moment "War and Peace", all 47 discs, is underway. Never would I have read it. Now the traffic jams and I just sit back and enjoy. Here is a piece done in the midst of people. True, my professors are after me to go to abstract. I just respond that I work in abstract realism. And, that is really true that my beginnings are totally abstractions of the set up or landscape or figure or floral.

I'm not sure.

whether I enjoy the people more than the sale of art. Yesterday had two women from the Plano area come and pick up two of their paintings that have been on hold as they pay them out. We had the best time sharing life with each other. They are both single from death and divorce and they are both handling life so very well. They both have pets: parrot and dog and a dog. They will be on a cruise to Alaska in a couple of weeks, so they plan and prepare well. And, they both take very good care of their physical and mental and emotional health. Mighty proud of them.

Arlington Museum of Art Invitational Art Show called HeARTbeat.

The RECEPTION will be this Friday, August 17th, at the Museum from 6-9 pm. Come if you are in the area. The show will run for over a month, ending on September 21. Took my paintings this morning. It is curated by Lee Bowman. Here is a painting that will be in along with Eggplant and Sunflowers and Jug:

Arlington Museum of Art

Monday, today, will take three paintings to the Arlington Museum of Art. Am a part of a group of 12 artists that were put together specifically for this month long show. We each have three paintings that we are to bring. Here is one of mine:

I live in the middle of a very suburban area called the Metroplex (Dallas and Ft Worth, Texas)

In a small town called Colleyville, populated all around. My distinction is that I am visited every night by an assortment of critters-coyotes, possums, skunks, armadillos, a den of foxes (check earlier photo), have a hawk's nest right outside my Treehouse window (my studio where I paint) and the babies got so used to me talking to them I became very hohum, an owl, Eastern Bluebirds raising their young, house wren who constantly finds my prized hanging basket to build her nest EVERY year, raccoons, and guess what just came into my view last night? a Bobcat. It took me a while to realize what I was seeing. Guess I am in a pathway because of the creek flowing through the property. Every time I get up in the night (bathroom visit, drink of water) I have to check out the security lights and see what might be visiting. Really kind of nutty about this.

Fine Art Studio On Line, FASO, has a Bold Brush Contest every month. I have entered it for a couple of years, every month.

Have been successful in getting into the top 15% about 3/4's of the time, but have never gotten into the top awards. That is a goal for the year. Here is this month's submission-----a very impressionistic figurative.

AGING is not an illness

I just gave a program to a retirement center (some memory problems also) and these were my main points that we discussed. These reasons are the main reason that I am in graduate classes in college and will continue to learn for the rest of my lie. Remember: 1. Exercise regularly. It improves your balance, boosts strength and actually may help your mood. 2. Eat healthy. Eat a variety of good for you foods daily and practice pORtion control. 3. Be cautious about anti-aging therapies. Thoroughly investigate supplements, especially careful of restrictive diets and expensive remedies before you spend money and maybe hurt you. 4. STAY CONNECTED. Maintain close friendships through which you can share your thoughts about the challenges you face. 5. Keep your mind active. Learn something new. Go back to school. Remember what is good for your heart is also good for your brain. 6. Pay attention to your emotional well-being. A strong sense of purpose helps you face difficult times. And, allow yourself to grieve the losses that occur across life. Sharing your feelings can be a positive way to process emotion. HERE IS A PAINTING THAT WAS A DEMO AT A SIMILAR GROUP OF RETIREDS;

This is the award painting in the show. Juror was Kaye Franklin.

International Show in Graham, Texas, entitled Texas Spirit gave me an award and sold one of my three paintings in show at their auction (only two sold in auction)

Took this painting today to the Art Center in Irving to a show there.

Met with my very dear Prof. Artists Group yesterday.

It is a pretty unusual and special group that can hang together and critique each other and still love each other after almost 20 years. They are a dear bunch. You suffer with each other when you know that another is going through a particularly difficult time, with health or a loved one. Several are undergoing such. I'm wiping tears away right now as I write this. My work that I brought for critique was below. Also entering one into American Impressionist Society Show and the other into a Pet Show.

National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Exhibit

In 2010 I won the best Still Life in the Best of America National Exhibit, $500 award. This year am entering this into the show. Actually entering these two paintings:

Every night they come to visit me.

I know they have a den not too far from my backyard. This is a nightly occurrence and mama fox will eat a bit and then fill her mouth to the brim to take back to the den. Daddy fox just eats. Occasionally one of them will come during the day. Taken with my I Phone with little light on the subject.

Monterrey Monarchs. W

What a gorgeous sight. And, then to know their story and the miles they cover in their migration, never having done it before, is too much to understand with our human mind.

Today was spent with some spectacular women!

Spent most of the waking day at the Colleyville Convention Center. Saw some women I haven't seen in quite a while and what a pleasure it was. Rena Tarbet gave a magnificent motivational talk. I think of the 37 years I have known her and the entire time that has been an ongoing fight with cancer of the breast and then into other parts of the body and now in the brain and her non persevering battle. She is an icon. Sure love Ret, Renova, Bonnie, Betty Jean, Carolyn, Donna, and Velma. Some powerful women that are making big differences in this world. I salute you. Going to put this girl up as a means of saying how much I respect and love and feel the love of this community of women.

When in Monterrery, California, saw these gorgeous Monarch butterflies on their annual migration:

Commission coming to an end

Been working on this home that owners have lovingly, consistently labored on for 28 years. Now are downsizing. Just imagine how difficult it is to sell a work of art that you have created in a 28 year time element. The back yard is a virtual paradise.

The Ups and Downs of the art world

Yesterday, drove to Graham (2 1/2 hours each way for me) taking my three paintings that made it into the International Show. Also took a dear friend's painting who had broken her wrist and can not drive. Today, three artists had lunch together in Grapevine, Texas, and then two of us put out posters for our PAINT group's show at the Lancaster Theater that will open soon. All of this is an "upper", only to be balanced with the "downer" of not getting a painting into the Schmid Auction. Auction results were given today. This is GOOD for me to have the balancing of art in life. It gets easier and easier to put it all in the big perspective of life and realize it has little meaning. That is the lesson for today.

International Show: Spirit of Texas, Graham, Texas

Just got word that all three of my entries into the International Show at Graham, Texas, judged by Kaye Franklin (who has done so much for the art world in Graham and elsewhere). They are two very large paintings and one small painting: 40 by 30 "Behind the Daley House", 32 by 48 "Village in Belize" , and a small still life 12 by 16 entitled "onions". Here is the Village in Belize.

Schmid Auction

Waiting for the results of the Schmid Auction. Will post and be transparent with my blog if I make it or don't make it.

Southwest Gallery in Dallas, Texas

Southwest Gallery just had me do a commission of a painting they had sold of mine. Sure hope the person that I did the painting for is satisfied with it. Will know this next week. Also took them a couple of other paintings: one is a 5 ft by 4 ft and with frame is 72 inches by 60 inches. And, I got that monster of a painting in my auto by myself. (I am sooo independently stubborn. Just hate to ask for help. What is that all about?) The other painting is 60 inches long by 12 wide plus 5 inches of frame around it. Didn't have time to take a good photo, just took this with my IPhone. It is the 72 by 60".

Sold these two today to a couple of sisters that were having such a good time with each other.

Sometimes it seems unfair to be having such a fun time making your living. Made them a pitcher of berry and fruit tea and shared my nest of 3 baby hawks right outside the window of kitchen along with a bit of life. Then this evening went to a Sunday School cook out and had continued joy.

Outsourcing

The best outsourcing that I do is having Daisy to clean my house and gallery every two weeks. She is trusted and perfect for the job. I always make a new and different drink in my valued commercial blender as we talk over life for 20 to 30 minutes. Oh yes, we both are into American Idol and have our favorites. My second favorite outsourcer is my yard man of 14 years, consistent and dependable. One day had a tree service top my 65 large Oaks and as the workers balanced on small limbs with chain saw in hand, my youngest Son came by and said "whatever you are paying them, Mom, it isn't enough!". Great outsourcers they were. And, also use a plumber for those types of jobs. But, the art is all my baby. Have built my web, my newsletter, take my own photos, crop, size, send via internet into the competitive world, frame, crate, varnish, etc. etc. And, I love most every minute of it. This is the painting going into the GAP Show that is being held with the traveling National Watercolor Show:

PAINT group of 12 will have reception this Friday evening from 6-9 pm, Ft Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy St, Ft. Worth Texas. Lots going on at this location this same night. Come out and have a fun evening. Be sure and make it to the Kimbell and Amon Carter Museums for the Impressionist Show and Sargent show. Here are a couple of my paintings that I will show:

Southwest Gallery just told me that 3 of my 4 paintings in the current Outdoor Painters Society Show have sold, including the Quick Draw from our 2 hour paint out. Posting the small scene from Estes Park:

Texas and Neighbors Best of Show

It was a thrill and pleasure to have friends from so many directions of life at the show. It was a double thrill to have Albert Handell, internationally known, as the juror of the Texas and Neighbors Show. It was a triple thrill to have the most gorgeous bouquets representing some 18 of the paintings in floral depiction in amazingly creative interpretations. The floral arrangements were works of art in their own direction. They could not have been any more lovely and were

done by the Chocolate Factory. The food is the best reception that I've ever been to, and it too, is presented as a work of art. The music was beautiful, a guitarist, who played for hours. This is my painting that won Best of Show: The White Pumpkin (it is still on my dining room table in my own arrangement (not 100th as lovely as what was at the Texas and Neighbors Show.)