From the Past

Almost every week I have the wonderful and quizzical experience of having an email or telephone call about a painting from the past.  This story came to me from a dear neighbor that lives down the street, actually on a street named after my daughter, Holly, in a sub-division that I did many years ago.  Had the privilege of going to a New Years Party that was a dy no mite time (more food than you could even begin to name, much less eat).  She was at her Church with some friends including another person named Ann Hardy.  They found a painting that I had done and neighbor had never seen at the Church.  She felt that probably I had donated it to an auction and then the owner had given it to the Church.  I did not remember doing the painting, but did recognize it as mine.  The date of origination was probably in the early 1970's, as I was painting on paper at that time.  That is a long time ago-some 45 years! !  !

Another fun story was from a former real estate friend and his wife, a writer.  They had moved to Denton from Colleyville and consequently put a painting of mine in much better lighting.  Because they could see it so well, they thought the heavily textured underpainting was a "growth or something that was coming up through the paint".  I got the biggest kick when I saw what they were talking about.  Their Son was with his Dad and when they uncovered the painting.
 Son and I had a good laugh.  Son ended up buying a painting of my Great Dane, Belle, as he is a Dane lover also.

Just Sold at Southwest Gallery

Susan just sold this painting for me at Southwest Gallery.  This is such a fun story.  Each year this house wren comes back and makes her nest in a hanging basket (new each year) of Geraniums.  Then the process of not watering for the time that nest is with eggs and babies.  Usually the Geraniums die off.  But, the fun part is that Mama House Wren is so used to me looking into the nest that she does NOT fly when I intrude into her personal life.  Actually look forward to hanging HER basket each year.  Ain't she cute! 

People From My Past

Tom and his Son, Mark, came by to see me and have me look at a painting that Tom and Mary S. had bought at an auction at one of the Gala's many years ago.  They had moved and placed  painting in a much better light.  This light revealed that I had painted it on a very textured surface and they were seeing this texture for the first time and thought something was happening to the painting.  We did have such a fun time renewing friendship (Tom was originally in Real Estate here in Colleyville).  His son, Mark is a financial advisor, as his Mother, Mary, was.  (Mary has a great book on finances that she sent to me.  Well organized and exceedingly interesting).  Mark bought my painting of Belle, my Great Dane.

What Fun to Barter

My esteemed Veterinarian and I just bartered (her idea, which makes it doubly nice) for a couple of years of vet bills for my darling dog rescued two years ago and by my side as I write this.  She is so smart and accommodating and I am the Alpha dog in our pack, so that makes it very nice.  It is good to have the background of dealing with horses for 20 years.  Teaches a consistent and loving approach without being too harsh or too milktoasty.  Actually feel that parenting and raising animals has a similar approach:  consistancy with love, setting boundaries, giving responsibility and rewarding with praise/treats/pats.

She chose a 12 by 16 that was so recently painted that I didn't get a photo of it.  (landscape)  And, she also chose a 16 by 20 still life that I did at Dena Wenmoh's near Marble Falls on a plein air paint out.  And, this last of the owls.

Ramifications from the Bluebonnet Show Continue

Actually have now sold 31 paintings from the show as things keep happening after the fact of the show.    Taken several commissions from the show as well as selling more paintings.

A long-time friend, Bonnie, (real estate) brought a neighbor over here.  The neighbor, Betty B., had purchased several paintings from the art festival days.  She bought a large 30x40.  When she came to pay for it, we had the most fun two hours of conversation and  catch up from 45 years of earlier contact!  She is an adventurous lady.  This was her painting:

DO I HAVE SOME KUDOS TO HAND OUT FOR A FABULOUS ART SHOW

On Sunday evening, Dec. 6th, from 6-9 pm, Bluebonnet Funeral Home and Cemetery hosted an Art Show for me (their idea).  My liaison was Dee McIntosh, the person I went to for a final resting place.  And, he has been terrific to work with on both accounts, reception and show and final resting place.  But, let me give you a forerunner  of the event.  Friday night about 10:30 pm I started vomiting my innards out and continued until 6 am., Saturday morning.  Was supposed to load my car and take in several loads of my 68 paintings (and my frames are all really good, heavy frames).  Stayed in bed until mid afternoon and then made my first trek with paintings.  Came home and went back to bed.  Sunday finished the loading and set up.  Telling you this to say I was not sure I would function at any capacity at the Reception.
  I could not have done the show without some wonderful family and friends:
Hix and Amy made a banner for me.  Dee McIntosh had it installed.  Hix Hardy was my cashier and  record keeper of all paintings sold, and exactly 25 paintings sold.  That was a great night.  His side kick was Sandra Eddy, long time friend of mine, that manned the guest book and had people sign up for the drawing.  Carol Rasco and Shirley Eblen, from the Singles group at First Methodist downtown, were my name taggers, and they were hard workers.  The location was great, the music lively, and the reception superb.  Best idea of the evening came from Dee on how to get paintings out of there in one fell swoop.  Can you guess what vehicle was used?  And then my other Son, Hunter and his wife, Liz, showed up and helped tear down, so Dee and his lovely wife, Hix, Hunter, Liz, and I got it done in record time.

25 PAINTINGS ! !  WHAT A NIGHT.

Just got word: Have been named a MASTER SIGNATURE MEMBER ARTIST for Outdoor Painters Society. Humbled.

Outdoor Painters Society has only yesterday named 5 MASTER SIGNATURE MEMBERS to their ledger of painters:  John Cook, Fran Ellisor, Kaye Franklin, Ann Hardy, and John Pototschnik.  Am humbled and honored to be in their company.

While I was in the midst of judging online the NOAPS (National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society) Fall Online Show, I happened to go to my email while waiting for a phone call for information on submitting my vote.  The information stated above came to me from Tina Bohlman, President, and it rather stunned me.

By the way, there were 791 entries into the show and you give considerable time to a good many of the entries.  Went through them three times, and the second time voted and then checked myself.  Wonderfully interesting experience.  This was my third National Show to judge.

So, I have been working like a beaver to get my "Painting for the Living" Show all framed and labelled, the NOAPS judging done, my Christmas cards made (which I painted the image), dancing lessons attended, college attended, and Christmas decorating done.  Whuff ! ! !

Here is a small painting that will be at BLUEBONNET FUNERAL HOME SHOW, this Sunday, Dec. 6th, 6-9