Just wrote this article for National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, so will share it in my blog

Whew! ! ! What a Week End

It started with a Friday night Surprise Birthday given by all three of the children at Hunter and Liz's home.  It could not have been a more wonderful evening of friends.  I felt so loved, so happy, so full of pride and appreciation to the instigators of this splendid event.  But, I had not planned for all of these festivities, so I committed to two afternoons of demos at Southwest Gallery, who also gave me a surprise birthday cake.

It will take me a long long time to assimilate and process all of the love that has come forth.

And, then, Southwest Gallery gave me a check for these two paintings that sold:

This painting is about 6 feet long, and titled "Gopher and His World".  Hidden in the painting are 13 critters (from a bunny to grasshopper to butterfly to spider, etc.)

Purple with Brass is 16 x 20.  Thanks, Southwest Gallery for the care you give your clients and artists.

This little painting left me today for a new home.

Special Request to All Kids returning to school (and their parents to talk to them about such)

Last Sunday, week ago, painted at Dallas Historic Village. The most fun part of the day was eating at Dancing Dolphins as a group of eight.

Painted from the real person all week

And, only feel good about a couple of paintings.  Not such a great percentage.  But did enjoy doing this figurative little girl from a photo I took.

I Said Goodbye to This One Tonight

That darling Father/Daughter team (Richardsons) were back tonight to pick up one of Daughter's paintings.  She also picked this one up:This was done from a photo taken in Glenview.  This is the same little redhead that is in my Butterfly Hunter's, Old Fashioned Girl with Old Fashioned Doll and all of the old truck loaded with hay paintings (kids and dogs on board).  Sure have had fun with painting her.

Plein Aire Painting in Heritage Village this morning

It was hot, but 7 of us showed up for a full morning of painting.  It was really good to get to know a few people better.  Janice Weaver from Aledo, Linnea McKenney,  Tina Bohlman, Doug Clark.  And, then the fun time of eating together.

Tomorrow I am actually starting a five day workshop in Dallas.  Looking forward.

Don't discredit Art Bought at a Variety of Sales Arenas

This past week-end, I had a family, father and daughter, come to my gallery/office with a painting they had purchased at an Estate Sale. Since this was daughter's first art purchase, they wanted a photo with artist.  It was a water media done in the late 1960's or early 1970's when I was doing all of the art festivals and Starving Artist Shows.  And, I actually truly liked the painting. (Can't say that about many that pop back up in life.)  But, I did not remember doing the painting and  verified by checking my signature.
     The interesting thing in life when you have done so many paintings and sold literally thousands of paintings. is the "remeeting" and reintroduction back into your life.  Some of the paintings have been passed down in inheritance situations.  Others have been found in a variety of places.  Some paintings you are proud of and some you are not.  I get an email every week with a description  or actual photo of a painting.  The new owner asks the usual questions of what was the story, do I remember doing the painting, what is the title, what is the current value?  I am printing these emails for my scrapbook.  They are wonderful stories and connections.
     Anyway, to get on with my original thought:  don't negate your old paintings turning up.  My father/daughter bought another water media (framed in same frame! as the one from Estate sale), and put three more paintings into Lay Away.  And, I get to add this wonderful family to my friends list.
     Here are their paintings in Lay Away: