Shadows, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

10x10. oil on canvas panel

Haybale

8x10, oil on canvas panel

A Calm Afternoon

8x10, oil on canvas panel

When I was raising my children and working, I always multi-tasked.  If I was helping with

homework, I was folding clothes.  If I was talking on the phone, I was unloading

the dishwasher.  We all know the drill and we all have done it. 

I was always thinking of what I needed to do next before I had

even finished one chore.

But painting is different.  I'm always in the present when I paint, and it's the closest

I come to meditation.  Just like the title above, I am always

calmed by painting.

Night at the Farm

8x10. oil on canvas panel

Two Barns, Stars Over North Carolina

5x7, oil on canvas panel

5x7, oil on canvas panel

Pampas Grass

9x12. oil on canvas panel.

I intended for the pampas grass to be the center of interest in this painting, but it's too far to the right.  Generally, the center of interest should fall about 2/3 of the way from the top, bottom, or sides, following roughly the rule of the golden mean.

So I am saying the center of interest is the old garage and the secondary area of interest is the

light on the fence.

One of the fire barrels also has a nice light on the side, but it doesn't show well

on this photo.

Night Falls on the Farm

5x7, oil on canvas panel

This is my first time to paint a night scene, and I loved doing it. Expect more.

The Wedding Dress

10x10, oil on canvas panel

Over the years I have collected boxes of photos and slides for painting references When sifting through my arsenal I always pause at the wedding dress, consider it, then put it back and choose another. I finally decided it. was. time. to "get 'er done"...so here she is.

I saw True Grit this weekend. The Coen brothers have triumphed once again. I loved the language, the acting, and the story-- a stellar movie.

Farmhouse among the Brambles

24x20, oil on stretched canvas

Finished today! And at last the snow has melted enough that I can photograph in my usual place--the driveway.

This one has been making the rounds so you may have seen it, but in honor of our new year and for a great laugh, here it is.

Dear God,

All I ask for in 2011 is a fat

bank account and a

slim body...please

don't mix these up like you

did last year.

Amen

Work in Progress

24x20, oil on canvas

I saw the Wolf Kahn exhibit at the Melbery Gallery last week. and was so excited and inspired that I went directly to the art supply store and bought some large canvas. I have been painting mostly 8x10's for eBay, but I'm not doing very well with it these days. Also the prices I have to ask on eBay are low, and this does not support the other venues I sell in. So I think I'll paint some larger ones for a change and take a break from eBay.

Happy New Year to you all!

Fixing 'er Up, St. Andrews, Canada

8x10, oil on canvas panel

If you've never been to St. Andrews, Canada, I highly recommend it. It seemed like going back in time when things were a little slower, and nothing was too new, shiny, or slick. I was there about 12 years ago, so it may have changed, but I hope not because I have such fond memories of it.

At one time we were painting at a fish cannery which was practically on the water so the boats could bring the catch in immediately. The guys working there enjoyed watching us paint, probably a good boredom buster from their everyday activities. One asked if we like salmon and, of course, we said "yes!" He came back on a bobcat carrying a huge box on the blade. It must have weighed about 50 pounds. We ate well that night.