Red Barn

Here is the painting I was working on yesterday at the Plein Air event. I got a little time today to make some progress on it.
Enjoy!

Beautiful Day

I'm Back. .

I attended a plein air workshop today. It was given by Mellissa Meeks and was held at a beautiful farm in Taft, Tn. The drive to the event was beyond words. As my sweet little GPS guided me through the rolling hills and breathtaking country side, I could feel my excitement building. So I did the first thing that came to mind....I called my hubby. I told him that he had to drop what he was doing and come join in on the fun. Next thing I knew his car was pulling into the drive. The property belongs to some friends of Mellissa, Tom and Ben.(thank guys for sharing your slice of heaven) Let me just make one thing perfectly clear....they have TALENT!!!! The grounds were groomed yet wild. The air was sweet and warm with a hint of hay mixed with honeysuckle. After getting out of my car and seeing all the others gathered around shooting pictures as fast as there little shutters could fly, I grabbed mine and took off. Down a hill and through a steep narrow path I found it! A spot that can only be described as an actual room made of land. The trees were dense, the light was low and the sound of water was faint. There was a small spring squeezing from the earth and a swing hung from a large tree. There was a raised koi pond in the center filled with activity. The best part was that there was very little sunlight. The leaves fluttered with a soft breeze to let the sparkle of the sun just kiss you every once in a while. The air was so cool that I believe I could have stayed there all day. But there was painting to be had.

So I trekked back up the hill and joined the group. We ate and talked and painted and talked and ate and talked and painted and painted.... Everyone was perched in their own special nook and silence.....we were gone...lost in our canvases. YUM! The day closed with a slice of Coca-cola cake. THAT my friends was literally the icing on the cake! I drove back home in complete silence dreaming of the day. Remembering the spots, the painting, the chickens, the sight of my husband letting go and the smile on his face, the food, the laughter, the wonderful smells and my God. I am so grateful to be able to see and feel all of this day. Just to live this day and to have these memories to keep...Thanks G

Off to a Plein Air Event today!

Today I will be meeting with some local artists and attending a Plein Air event. I am hoping to get SOMETHING painted and not get caught up in the atmosphere of the day. I will post when I get home.

Here is a little info for your Saturday:

En plein air
En plein air is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors.Artists have long painted outdoors, but in the mid-19th century working in natural light became particularly important to the Barbizon school and Impressionism. The popularity of painting en plein air increased in the 1870s with the introduction of paints in tubes (resembling modern toothpaste tubes). Previously, each painter made their own paints by grinding and mixing dry pigment powders with linseed oil. The Newlyn School in England is considered another major proponent of the technique in the latter 19th century.
It was during this period that the "Box Easel", typically known as the French Box Easel, was invented. It is uncertain who developed it first, but these highly portable easels, with telescopic legs and built-in paint box and palette, made treks into the forest and up the hillsides less onerous. Still made today, they remain a popular choice even for home use since they fold up to the size of a brief case and thus are easy to store.
French Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Augusta Renoir advocated en plein air painting, and much of their work was done outdoors, in the diffuse light provided by a large white umbrella. In the second half of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth century in Russia, painters such as Vasily Polenov, Isaac Levitan, Valentin Serov, Konstantin Korovin and I.E. Grabar were known for painting en plein air. American Impressionists, too, such as those of the Old Lyme school, were avid painters en plein air. American Impressionist painters noted for this style during this era included, Guy Rose, Robert William Wood, Mary Denil Morgan, John Gamble, and Arthur Hill Gilbert. The Canadian Group of Seven and Tom Thomson are examples of plein air advocates.

And Now Back to Painting!

I know, here lately, that I have done a whole lot of family posts. I have enjoyed giving you all a glimpse of the wonderful people in my life.So now let's get back to painting. I really need to get back into the swing. My soul is aching for some canvas and color. Here are two new projects I am working on. I will keep you posted on their progress and on others along the way:)
Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is a special day..it is my sweet daddy's birthday. So I thought I would give him a little shout out.

These are a few of the pictures and thoughts that remind me of all that he has taught me over the years. (Background plays our song, "Bye Bye Ms American Pie")

Growing up I was pretty lucky. Lucky to have a father who loved me soooo much. That every time I hear his voice or see his face...I know that I am loved. He is the kind of Dad who would rub my feet for hours, just because I didn't feel good. (still does that to this day) He is stern and gruff but has the heart of an angel. He took care of his mom and sister when he was younger. He was raised by his mother and I guess that is where he got his sense of caring and compassion, because she was sooo loving. He is always there to care for and love me and everyone around him. He doesn't leave our side when any of us hurt (unless he gets queasy or needs to go on a food run) He has shown me what a real husband and father should be. He gave me such a good example that it took me two tries to find one like him :) Generosity is a trait that I do believe he was born with. Not many people do for others the way my Dad does. He gives every bit, until I know it must hurt, and then expects nothing in return. He has helped others start their new businesses, families get through hard times and has lent friends and complete strangers a gentle hand up. He has worked so very hard over the years to give all of us every opportunity in this big world, until he can do nothing but fall asleep in his chair at the end of the day. Yes he snores when he sleeps. And he has to wear a breathing thing that sounds somewhat like Darth Vador. He sometimes shouts out orders like a commander in chief, such as.. "LIZ where's that remote" "HEY we need some water over here" "YOU don't want to do that" But he has always been my biggest fan...always been my strongest sidekick...and has shown me what it is to be a giver. I will never ever be able to repay him for all he has done for me. And there are not enough words to describe how much I love him.....but I hope he knows how much he is cherished.

Happy Happy Birthday Dad.

I love you so so much

XXOO,

M

Ahhhh, now a day of rest!

Well the party was a huge success. The driveway was lined with the fire of tiki torches. Then the kids began to arrive. The cars pulled up one by one as they all geared up for the evenings events. The club was dimly lit and the lights were in place. All we needed to add was a little caffeine and a whole lotta fun! Greg was our DJ for the evening (he loves this kind of stuff...it's his art) He did a great job changing it up from old rock to head banging to dance. The lights went down and the volume increased. The kids ran around eating and drinking and dancing with their glow sticks. (thank God no injuries to report) Chan opened all his gifts and and then confetti of every shape and size was thrown. As you can see I was a little wiped out at the end. And I can't even describe the condition of the garage in words. But they had a blast! Now remember this is a mother's description of what went on last night. I am sure there are other perspectives. But they ARE a great group of kids! There was no fighting, smoking, drugging or drinking. And the police did not have to be called. So for this alone I am thankful. Because believe me....I have met the kids this age that are doing all of that. And I am glad that we had one more year of not going in that direction. There good healthy fear of a great "Dad" seems to keep that at bay....for now:)

So today we will sit around and say awwwwwww, and rest.

Enjoy!

My Chan

So my oldest man child is turning 16!!!! Yikes, how time has flown. He is turning in to such a handsome young man. All my kids came to me in their own special way. I have one by birth, one by adoption and one by marriage. Chan is my "by marriage" son. I remember the first time I met him. He was 9 yrs old. I had come over to his house and he walked in to the kitchen with his fluffy little hair and his t-shirt and sponge bob boxers on. How cute! He said.....hi, I'm Chandler and then gave that little "ricco swave"smile that he does. He IS a charmer. I do believe that runs in the family ;-) Chan hasn't had the best life up until then. But he sure had a daddy that loved him to pieces. I have watched him grow so much over the years. He has been my one child that is very very much like me. Now, he is a boy, so he has gone through his happy phase, his angry phase, his surfer look and his dark knight persona. He has studied hard and hardly studied. He has had braces twice and glasses that were constantly lost. He has had his first girlfriend and his first kiss. He has learned to go from being an only child to being a brother and one of three. He has been a mentor to his friends. He has definitely had his ups and downs. But through all the good times and the bad he has been a joy. I am blessed to have been given the chance to have a third child. A child who has many different talents and gifts. The biggest being his ability to read people's feeling,vibes and situations with complete clarity. This I admire about my eldest man child the most. This is the gift that will allow him to go out in this great big world and survive whatever is put in front of him......16, it is going so fast. But instead of thinking about what will be and what is to come....I will just enjoy this time I have and stay present.

So all that being said, he will have the birthday bash of HIS wish. Because that is just what we do in this house. He is only 16 ONCE. Never again will he get license or his first car. Never again will he be this age. So we painted and decorated and are ready. Above is the rug that once adorned the undercarriage of our cars in the garage. It is now the club rug. And tomorrow the kids will arrive....we will load them on junk food, loud music and LOTS of caffeine and then.....we will send them home. (wink)

Enjoy the pics and your memorial day weekend.

Be safe,

M

Mural Work

I have been busy finishing two large murals at work. (they are each 20' wide x 13' tall) It is for a new preschool here in town called Premier Collaborative. The children will be painting the fower heads on the stems themselves.

I had a lot of fun doing this one. (as you can see) Hopefully I will get back to canvas painting soon. My soul is craving it!!!!!!

Here are a few pics that my sweet friend Leigh, of Fence postings http://fencepostings.wordpress.com/, did for me the other day.

I am WAY too old to be hanging from trees!

Enjoy!

Inspirational quote for the Day

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and
could say, " I used everything you gave me."

Erma Bombeck

Enjoy!

Art Fest Re-Scheduled to May 16th

The Monrovia Art Fest has been re-scheduled to Saturday, May 16th. Due to the rain that we received! Yes....more rain.

I would love to see you all come out. I will be having paint demonstrations all day....and maybe, just maybe a little treat (hint: painting give a way)

See ya there :)

Saturday May 9th- Art Fest!!

Hopefully the rain will hold out for a bit this weekend for the Monrovia Art Fest. It will hopefully be a fun day full of art, fun, food and music. It is always nice to see so much art in one spot. And Artistic Minds does this one up right. Every year they do a great job of creating a wonderful art festival. This is one of my favorite shows. If you have a chance to come, stop by and give me a shout!

Above is a picture from last year's festival. The cutest little girl came by and we painted a scene together of the information booth. She did a great job. The painting is now on display at the Artistic Minds Gallery. I wonder what will be painted this year? hmmmmm we will have to wait and see.

Please no rain, please no rain, please no rain!

Monrovia Art Fest 2009

Saturday, May 9th
10-6 p.m.

Hosted by Artistic Minds
2652 Old Monrovia Rd
Huntsville, AL 35806

Join Artisans & Musicians from the Southeast for a beautiful day in celebration of the arts & community.
Family, friends, and pets welcome!
http://www.artisticmindsgallery.com/

Rainy days and painting

Here lately I have been so busy with work that I have not gotten to paint. So last week I sat down at my easel and.....nothing. I tried again on Friday and .....nothing. Sat...nothing Sat night..YEAH! FINALLY!!

I can't stand it when my mind and body WANT to paint, but my soul is not there. Or maybe its my right brain. Whatever it is, it is frustrating! I feel like I am being split in two different directions. Frustration, anxiety, exhaustion and depression seem to creep in and try to take over. Then after a long pause, some meditation (per my sponsor) and some rest..it slowly starts to come back. First there is a "piddling" phase-sitting and just playing with color or painting the edges of some finished pieces. Second there is the "into-it" phase- finally finishing some pieces or working on some others. Finally will come the "crazed artist" phase (this one I like the best) - when the world seems to drop away and there is nothing but the paint and the desire. Fueling me like the rush of a powerful locomotive. I feel myself flying into the imaginary world of color and texture. The trips and turns as my mind races to catch up to my hands. Not taking a break for hours because I am so deeply lost in the process. The constant tick of the brush as it hits the side of the water jar. The jazzy music coming from the stereo, enveloping me like a silky soft robe. Ahhhhh I sooooo love this part of painting.

Maybe it is the addict in me that makes me so crazed...who knows.... But boy oh boy do I love it!

Here are a few I have worked on this morning. They still have a way to go. I guess I am in the "into-it" phase.

Enjoy!