ONCE IN A GREAT WHILE DOES SOMEONE TRULY AFFECT YOUR LIFE

and you determine to make some changes.  Today a collector (has some eight paintings from over the years) came to pick up a  painting that was in Lay Away.  In a period of 5 months, Stan lost some 50 pounds by changing the way he thought about food and then following through his thought process with action.  He says there comes a time in life when you must make smart choices.  And, he determined that he was not going to live to eat, but that food was a means to life, just a fuel.  He knocked out sugars and does not have carbs after 2 or 3:00 in the afternoon, broils fish and chicken.  He hired a personal trainer for 5 months to make himself accountable to the personal trainer via pushed, technique improved, or even infuriated into motivation. He works out every morning before going to college class to teach in the music world.

He knows that practice makes perfect and that it takes 10,000 hours over a period of 10 years to truly become at the top of your skill level.  Practice can actually change the body.  And, perfecting skills in one area does not make you skillful in other  areas of life.  For instance a great Chess player may be able to remember hundreds of intricate moves in Chess and not have a great memory.  Short term intensity cannot change long term commitment.  The kind of practice is the key:  the kind that does not take NO for an answer, but says "dust yourself off and try again and again and again".

Few people have reached the top of their game, be it a stupendous pianist, great artist, or gymnast, who has not put in the 10,000 hours  of practice over 10 years.

Here is one of their many paintings:

Two Paintings in the Top 15 % of the Bold Brush Online Show

This makes about 20 paintings in the Top 15%.  Have not won a top award in this prestigious International Show.  That is a goal this year to make it into the top winnings.  Here are my two paintings:
Phoebe and Pickles was a commission by a husband for his wife for birthday (two dogs).  And the brownish dog died during the time I was working on the painting.  Felt like I had lost my own dog.  Other painting of Calf was from a farm on Hwy 281.  Mama Cow would not let her milk down for farmer to milk her until they brought the calf in.

A Night to Remember

What a night it was.  Some favorite clients (who have become good friends) picked me up and transported me to their home in Grapevine.  (This is the family who bought a painting of mine in an estate sale and wanted a photo of me with their daughter and the painting.  They have since purchased and have in lay away some 10 additional paintings and we have become solid friends.)  They have more fun in their various collections and work as a team in finding items at garage sales and estate sales.  I had the privilege of seeing these wonderful collections, meeting their Son, meeting their pets, seeing my paintings and a wonderful Henri painting,  enjoying a fabulous meal (with enough food from this meal  sent home with me that only tonight, four days later, have I finished all of that good food), wonderful conversation, and then sent me home with a little live Christmas tree and mints.  THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A MEMORY MAKER.  Will never forget the evening.

Here is one of their paintings:

Fun Morning, to say the least, with young Friend

The ER Doc who bought these two paintings for his lovely wife for 2013 Christmas spent the morning with me.  We toured my gallery, my gallery in Grapevine, and a show hanging in Grapevine at the Visitor's Center (clock tower building across from Rail Station-Tarantula).  These two people introduced my daughter and her husband many years ago, for which I am grateful.  

I am happy and feel so blessed to be hanging around with them.  Here are the two paintings:

National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Just Sold This One

If the International Salon in Scottsdale will sell my entry there, that will mean every single entry into all shows this year have sold, and that would make me ecstatic.

This One is Going Into Lay Away

This was originally done in small format on the Isle of Capri when I was on the most incredible painting journey along the Amalfi Coast of Italy.  Sorrento was home base for the first 10 days.  Painted in Positano, Praiano, Paestum (best Greek ruins), Pompei, and Amalfi.  And, then Naples and Rome and the magnificent coliseum  were the final 7 days.
    Painted two days in Pompei and had two feral dogs come in and situate themselves on both sides of me and not let anyone come into out little grotto that I was painting in.  It was a wonderfully strange experience of connection with those two dogs.  And, I did not have any food to entice them.  It was their idea to be my protection.  Can still see and hear the snarl if anyone dared to trespass.  Thought that I might be coming back to Texas with two dogs.  But, they would accompany me as far as the entrance to Pompei and then, as if by magic, disappear into their world of feral dogdom.
    So this painting has some great memories that go with it.  And, I like the painting.

Five Paintings left today

It was a thrilling day today.  Four paintings went to a gentleman who already owns four of my others.  Here is one that left today (along with the dog commission in earlier blog).

Husband had this painting done for Wife as a birthday present

These two adorable dogs were a birthday present from Hubby to Wife.  And, during the painting of the brownish dog, Pickles, at age 15, she died.  By the time I finished the painting, these two became a part of my family too.  Painting was picked up today.  It was such a joy to do.

Sometimes we paint the strangest subjects

My parents both had farming in their backgrounds.  I am inherently interested in domestic farm animals.  Actually in all animals.  This Mama Cow would not let the farmer (at historic farm on hwy 281) milk her by not letting her milk down until he put her calf on her.  And, Farmer Brown was trying to wean the calf off of her.  As soon as calf was let in, she let the milk down and the farmer could then proceed to milk her.  Interesting how clever nature can be.

Had Breakfast with Two Long Time Colleyville Friends.

Lila Coley and Sammy Bolin and I have been three of the long time members of this little city.  Worked with both of them on city projects.  Sammy  retired several years ago from working in the city hall

.  Miss seeing her when I visit the library.  And, Lila and I have been connected via the heritage of the city.   We had much to share and laugh about.  Met at the new Bacon's and had a two hour breakfast.

Am including this painting because it is wild grapes from my yard that abound in all three of our yards (if we allow them their freedom)

Pavlova. She was my female swan that I had for many many years.

She and her mate, Baruschnakov, lived with me for a long time.  Finally mated and had two eggs.  The male swan was killed by a man (probably with an anger issue) when the man was mowing the yard.  Pavlova then quit the nest and died of heart break.  Swans mate for life.  Here is a painting of her that I lovingly did.

Painting won the blue ribbon in oils in a National competition.

The Sales are Just Amazing to me:

We must be in a better economic era.  The sales just keep going on a steady basis.  These couple of paintings have sold at various locations:

Just sold a couple of small paintings. Had the crud (lots of us have) all this week, so this is an unexpected plus.

Both paintings were small, in the 7 x 5 " size.  Both framed.  Here is one of them:

Thanks for giving me the impetus to speak up:

Brian Sherwin, editor of Art Edge, just gave me the courage and words to speak up about having works of art thrown down our throats as "art" when they are all about shock and hype value.  For instance, "Sprinkling of Fate" , which is supposedly vomit sprinkled with gold dust (kind of makes me sick to even write this), is an example.  So, if you don't like the works of someone, have the courage to say so.  And, if you do like someone's work, have the courage to say so.

Can't Figure this one out:

Some 10 years ago did this painting a couple of times.  One of our representatives to Texas State Capitol asked to borrow the painting for the years she was serving in our State Government.  The other painting was sold.  Just recently the painting from the State Capital came home to me when our representative was not reelected, and it sold to the lady that bought the boy fishing and girl with flowers in her hair (a couple of my favorites).

And, then I got an email with this other painting in it wanting to know what the title was, a little about the painting, and value would be.  Whoever bought it from me made some changes to the painting:  They repainted the boys hair dark (maybe they had a dark haired son) and they added these red flowers (maybe they decorated their house in red), but they kept my signature.  Isn't this the strangest story! !   Both the paintings are below.  Just remember I did NOT paint the dark hair or the red flowers and much of the rest of the painting.

Notification from the National Paint the Parks Exhibition that I won the Coutts Museum Juror's Award for this painting:

This painting left me today. It's new home with one of a group of women called the Swans

The story is interesting behind this painting:  One of my Swan friends gave me an Amaryllis bulb for Christmas.  I placed it in the window and grew it for several weeks into a beautiful blooming Amaryllis.   Not only did I have the beauty of the flower, but I had the fun of painting it.

And, then some months later, another of the Swan women friends bought the painting.  So I get to be doubly blessed.  Appreciative of the purchaser for braving the driving she did to buy the painting.  Here is the painting:

This is different painting for me

The Sunflower painting  just went into lay away at Holder Dane Gallery.  But, the main thing is it is such a different style for me.  Not sure what made me do it.

The first painting just sold to a collector from Grapevine also from Holder Dane Gallery.  It is titled "Don's Roses".

New App on the market:

This was interesting experience.

I painted my self portrait in flowers, meaning I used flowers in the right value to determine my features and my head shape.  Never did I paint it with the idea that I would sell it, but that is what has happened.  This is one more painting that has gone to the Richardson family.  Their collection is growing faster than my Spring lawn.

Two favorite people bought the first two paintings shown in previous blog from Bedford Fest.

Had twenty three paintings leave home this past Saturday (yesterday).  One family bought 9 paintings.  Here are a couple of the paintings they purchased.
     Interesting side line story:  The husband picked out a painting of a red headed woman in green that I did from a model.  He said it looked like his wife and when I had her turn her face to profile (which painting was) , it was dead on likeness of his wife.  It was almost spooky.

This Saturday, Oct 5, 2013 is BEDFORD ARTS FEST and I am a featured artist.

Friday before the BEDFORD ARTS FEST on Saturday, Oct. 5th, is a Reception at the Old Bedford School that is a celebration VIP event honoring the artists that are featured.  I will bring a painting that I am especially proud of.

BEDFORD ARTS FEST-Sat. Oct. 5th, from 10 am until 6 pm  

WHERE:  It will be at the BEDFORD BOYS RANCH in a large tent and in the gym.  Off of Forest Ridge Road, Bedford, Texas.

FOOD TRUCKS will be on hand.

Wear your comfortable shoes and remember a Fall jacket as the weather will be crisp.

Here are some of my works that will be incredibly well priced:

Sent to me from my High School buddy, Bill Webb

All in a Day

Judged the Keller City Hall Show that is open to all Keller citizens in about 10 categories.  A Best of Show and one Honorable Mention per medium was given.  It was great fun with all the different mediums and styles.

Last Wednesday I judged the "Shining Stars" show with another woman from TCC NE campus in the graphics department and she went to my web site and bought a painting.  We did very well together and were right on target on the same paintings.

Just Found out that two paintings both sold at shows:  Western Oil Painters of America sold an all time favorite painting of mine entitled "Samovar and Reflective Cup".  And the National Bosque Classic sold "Honeycrisp Harvest".  Thanks to both galleries.

Vanity Galleries

Just in case some of you artists have been contacted to participate in a gallery that you pay a fee for a certain square footage of their space, I am posting this tiny portion of an article written today by Brian Sherwin, one of my favorite writers for the art scene:

Judged the "Shining Stars Art Show" this evening

Along with Stacy Luecker, the two of us had a great time judging the Shining Stars exhibition.  It went very well and rather fast, in my estimation.  We gave a Best of Show, 1st, and 2nd.  We did a little negotiation between us, but made responsible choices, I believe.  This next week, I judge the Keller City Hall Show.

Getting ready for Bedford Arts Fest on October 5th, Saturday, at Bedford Boys Ranch, Bedford, Texas.  I am a featured artist and am thrilled to be a part of this well planned and organized function.  Here are a couple of paintings that will be in the Saturday Fest:

Just received notice that this Still Life was accepted in International Salon in Scottsdale.

Quite happy that the following painting was juried into the Salon of Fine Art in Scottsdale.  1200 submissions were sent in and 100 paintings selected.

The landscape below this just went out today to the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Thrilled to have made that exhibition also.

Such Reasonable and Successful Teamship in Grape Fest

First of all we were lucky to get the privilege of being in Grape Feat in a booth, sharing the "time slots" of selling, the setting up of booth, the taking down of booth, all for free to the 17 artists that participated, thanks to the negotiation of David Morgan.  And then we had the three women:  Naomi Fron, Beth Wasson, and Arlene Taylor who chaired the event with great leadership and patience.  It was remarkable to see the efficiency of the experience called GAP in Grape Fest.  GAP stands for Grapevine Art Project, a group of all kinds of artists that meet in Grapevine and have the opportunity to sell and show.

Here are a couple of my paintings that sold in the festival called Grape Fest:

Scams and Fraud

Imagine I have at least 3 scams a day.  Some are more sophisticated and have done their homework on specific paintings.  Others are an easy delete.  I find myself wanting to play little games and see how far I can get, but this is really foolish on my part, spending any time at all.

Here is an internet address you can go to to check out scammers names:  www.ArtQuest.com/artquest/scammer-names.htm

There are an amazing amount of scams.  Don't take a cashier's check or ever any amount that is over the cost of item.  You are asked to send them the difference (or pay their shipper, etc. etc.)  The cashier's check looks legal, but is fraudulent.

GrapeFest this coming Thursday thru Sunday, Sept 19th-22nd

Wear your most comfortable shoes, hat, sun screen and bring a bottle of water.  I will have 40 studies and paintings at the Grapevine Art Project Booth.  Some good buys.  Here are some of my forty that give an idea of the wide assortment of subject matter.  Can take credit cards, checks, cash.

My painting in the Cancer Exhibition in Southlake Town Hall