Kayla

About a year ago, a friend of mine had her life changed in an instant. Her daughter Kayla, was murdered in her car while she was talking to a friend on her cell phone. Her mother Robin is one of the strongest people I have met in a long long time. When she approached me to do a painting of her daughter, I jumped. I was given freedom to do it however I wanted. I soon found out that it was not up to me.

O Christmas afternoon, I passed by the blank canvas sitting on the easel in my dining room, and was called. I picked up the brushes and began to paint. Something happened when I sat down. Time stood still and Kayla and I had a day of panting like no other. As feelings and thoughts flooded my soul, God guided me. I sat there at the end of the day looking at the painting that I created and thinking that I now knew this girl. I knew her happiness and her joy. I new her message that she sent over and over to her mother, "I am safe and I am joyous". Simple and quiet these thoughts flowed through her eyes.

I delivered the final painting to Robin yesterday. There were many tears of joy and loss. And I found it hard to let her go. I can only imagine what her mother and friends experienced as they had to let her go last year.

I want to say thank you to Robin and Kayla for giving me this project. It is one that I will remember for always. I will forever be changed in some small way because of you both.

This world and life is not about money, anger, resentments,power or anything else. It is about one thing....God's love. We all have so many precious moments to be shared and experienced and paid forward.....

Enjoy!

"Kayla"

24X36 Mixed media on canvas

By Michele Lee copyright 2008

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas at the Lee house is always a fun time. My parents have come to wait for Santa with us. And the children are convinced that they are going to stay up all night. HA! I don't think so....Santa is already getting pretty sleepy. (wink)

One of our Christmas traditions is to go to the movies together. So today we all packed up and went out to see YES MAN. Great feel good family movie. loved it! Then it was home to play and watch Greg do his famous rotisserie chickens. YUM! And of course there was nap time....well at least for dad. That is his tradition at every holiday event. we always know it has been a good day if dad is napping soundly on the couch. Then we round out the evening with the kids and Nana playing a few rounds of goofy card games. They love this part. It is their time to see how far they can get with their cheating skills before Nana catches them. Grand winner for the evening...Julie.

All in all their is nothing better than having time to spend with each other without worrying about work or school or errands.....just fun family time....I couldn't ask for a better thing at Christmas.

I hope that all of your holiday season is filled with memories to last a life time.

Have a merry merry Christmas and a blessed new year.

Enjoy!

Michele

Horse of course

Here is a commission piece I did yesterday.

enjoy!

SOLD

Horse 11X 14

Acrylic on wrapped canvas

by Michele Lee copyright 2008

AND THE WINNER IS.......

Jo Anne!



Congratulations Jo Anne.

Now you will need to send me an e-mail. (you can find that on the right of the page under About Me- View my complete profile) Include your name, mailing address and an e-mail or phone# where you can be reached in case there is a problem. Then I will do my best to get the painting out to you ASAP.



Jo Anne said...
(Waving hands in air) I wanna' win.
Angela T. told me about your website. Beautiful paintings.
Jo



Thanks to everyone for playing along. I have a feeling the New Year treat might be another.
You guys want to do it again?
Thanks to Chandler for helping me draw the winner out of all the teeny-tiny pieces of paper.

FREE Painting Giv-a-way!!

16X20 Origional Acrylic
Framed in Black 2in frame
By Michele Lee copyright 2008
Drawing is on DEC 20th!!

I told you it was coming...so here it is! I am going to have a give-a-way for Christmas! This is my way of giving back just a little this year to that beautiful art-world out there:)
Here are the rules:
1. You must post a comment with your name only (please don't put your address on the comment)

2. On Dec.20th I will draw a name out of the "comment hat".

3. I will post the name of the winner that day.

4. The winner will e-mail me directly and then I will get the address on where to ship the painting.

So you will have to keep up. But all of the postage and shipping will be paid by me, along with the cost of the painting..$.00!!!! It's FREE!!!

Christmas Sale!

SOLD




Her Garden
5X7 varnished watercolor & ink on board
framed
by Michele Lee
$50.00 usd

I thought that since Christmas was approaching, I would give the gift of free tax/shipping! So, for the next few weeks, I will be posting a few pieces for sale directly from my site. And I will pay the tax and shipping no matter where it goes!

So let us start the shopping with this little piece. It is titled Her Garden. On a trip to Asheville ,NC, my husband and I saw a scene similar to this in someones back yard. I just knew that it had to belong to a beautiful woman and this was her retreat.

It is done in a technique that I do from time to time with watercolor and ink. It has been varnished and is framed in a 3in black wood frame. Ready to hang.

Enjoy!

Secret....Some time during this month there will be a give a way, so keep your eyes open.

First Etsy sell!

Another big "THANK YOU" to give out today. I recently opened an ETSY store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6452151 and the first painting, Glass Rainbow,was sold on Thursday evening. Thanks to A. in MI for her purchase.

I went down today to ship it off to her. As I watched them pack up the painting with care, I was humbled. I am so very grateful that I could be able to give someone, that I don't even know, a little bit of beauty. Funny, the lady at the post office wanted it:) I guess I will have to paint a similar one for her as a treat. hmmmm there's a thought brewing.......

I hope that the painting is delivered safely and that she enjoys it for many years to come.

Black Glove Diary I

SOLD

I was asked one day, "do you ever paint things that come from inside of you?". I got to thinking about that. The answer would be yes. Sometimes I find places or things in me that I just have to paint in order to let go of. And then some are just aching to get out. I get so frustrated and I start scribbling until whatever it is comes out. This was one of those times. I think I am going to title her Black Glove Diary I. She will be the first in a series. It felt good finding her and letting her out on the canvas. I enjoyed painting her and not worrying about the lines and shapes. She is messy and shy and not perfect....and that's ok:)
Enjoy!
Black Glove Diary I SOLD
Acrylic on canvas
By Michele Lee Copyright 2008

Study in Female Form

Here is a study I did today. Felt like playing with the female form.

Enjoy!

The Bride

Acrylic on Canvas

By Michele Lee

Copyright 2008

Sold and started a new

Well, Christmas season has arrived and I am starting to get busy.

A great big THANK YOU goes out today. I sold another painting. It was the one of the Magnolia and Pearls that I did for the special cork and canvas class. It is going to a couple in Kentucky for their 25th wedding anniversary. I hope they enjoy it.

The other, partial painting, is one I am doing for a gift. Sorry that I can't let you all see he whole thing. But the person it is going to reads this blog daily and I don't want them to see their present before Christmas. He he. It would spoil the fun.

Off to paint....Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well another Thanksgiving has come around. I am always amazed at how my kitchen is so suddenly transformed into a food frenzy. This year my youngest son has taken an interest in preparing the feast. As I watched him grab a recipe and amazingly create a casserole, I am driven to tears of gratitude. This coming from the little boy who almost didn't make it. He was my preemie. He arrived about 7 weeks early and was so tiny I could hold him in one hand. After many long nights in the neonatal intensive care unit and years of breathing treatments and sleepless nights, I am watching in delight at what God has given me. A young man standing in my kitchen preparing a Thanksgiving Feast for his family!

And as we sit down to eat I will look around the table....and I will know that there is no greater gift that God could have given me...than to be in the company of those I love.....my family.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Enjoy!

The Luncheon

A while ago, we had a Decorator's luncheon at work. http://averagetoart.blogspot.com/ It was so beautiful. Each centerpiece was a clay pot with a different herb and lemons thrown in. How creative. We each got to take one home. I got sage and planted it in my garden. I also took a picture and have been wanting to paint it for a while. I found a little free time this evening, so I got out my trusty paints and went to town.

Enjoy!

The Luncheon By Michele Lee

11"X14" Acrylic on wrapped canvas

copyright 2008

$75.00 usd

Saturday Happenings

It feels GREAT to be back at work!

On the schedule for today...We have a trunk show at the studio http://averagetoart.blogspot.com/ from 10-12 for my good friend Deb. She has some great Jewelry from Africa. Hope to see you all there!

Then at the Monaco Theater http://www.monacopicturesusa.com/ today from 2-4pm we have a special Cork and Canvas class for a special group of women coming in to town. Stop by and say hello and maybe catch a movie. I hope you all have a great Saturday.

Enjoy!

The jewelry show went so well, we ae thinking of having another one before Christmas. Great job Deb!

Thank you to all the ladies who joined in on the fun at the Special Cork and Canvas. It was nice meeting you all. You were such a fun group to teach. And you all did so well.

Sorry I didn't get any pictures.

Magnolia & Pearls

16"X20" Acrylic on wrapped canvas

By Michele Lee copyright 2008

$100.00 usd

A New Day!

I awake every morning with a cup of coffee and quiet meditation on my back deck. It is my time to reflect on the day that has passed. I ask God, Where was I wrong and where did I hurt someone? What can I do to different next time? Then I reflect on the day ahead. I ask God, what do you have for me today? What can I do to better serve?

I learned, over the past few weeks, that I need to slow down. I need to really appreciate all that God has given me. And I need to take care of this body. I saw how much I had missed my painting.

I went to the Doctor yesterday and was given a good report. With some physical therapy and an injection, my back will be fine. I am so thankful.

Today feels like a brand new day. Like this picture. It was taken early in my recovery. Everything was new and fresh. It was the first time, in a long time, that I had gone to the beach and REALLY seen it.

So look around...it' a brand new day.....take it ALL in.....it is the first and last time you will ever see November 21,2008.....what do you want to do with it?

Enjoy!

A Birch Fall

I was asked the other day, "What inspires you to paint?". So I gt to thinking....I know....frightening thought. As I was sitting down to paint last night, I thought that the answer to that question was life. Usually it is happy moments in life. I thought I would share with you all one of those times. So here we go...

I have a cousin named Becky. She lives in Michigan. She and her family have a get-a-way farm/ranch out in the middle of no-where.(about 700 acres or so) They have 3 small houses on the ranch One is Becky's private home, one is for the guys to come hunting (it is decorated like a log cabin), and the third is for visiting family (it is decorated like grandma's house) this is the one that we stayed in. LOVED IT! We took the boys and went for a week last year during fall break. Between hiking, riding 4 wheelers, playing with the alpacas and of course me chasing some pigs, we were in heaven. There is no computers and video games. There is just nature. There were so many colors that it was a bit overwhelming. And there were birch trees everywhere! I don't think that I have ever seen that many in one place before. All the colors of fall with these striking white trees popping up everywhere. It was the perfect weather and one of those moments in time that make you stand breathless at the sight of it all. Hopefully we will be able to go back again....and I can take my paint with me.

Thank you Becky for letting us enjoy your Get-a-Way place and escape for a week. You ave given this family more than you will ever know.

These were the thoughts and memories that I was having while painting "A Birch Fall".

Enjoy!

WLRH interview

This past week I had the pleasure of being a guest on WLRH radio 89.3 here in Huntsville, Al. Beth Norwood invited me to come and take part in her "Talk About Art" program that she has started. Every Friday at noon on WLRH she will air a different local artist. It was so much fun! Beth really had some good questions, that made me think about myself and my art. And what a sweetheart she was. She has the ability to calm a person just by talking. Very Zen-like. Thankfully my back held in there for the 45 min. taping.
My spot will not air until sometime in March or so. I will let you all know when it is coming.
Thanks go out to Beth for opening my eyes to myself and my painting. I learned a lot!
And my friend Leigh, who helped get me to the radio station and for video taping the interview. I will post that later.
So remember to tune in every Friday to WLRH, 89.3 to hear "Talk About Art" with Beth Norwood

Magnolia & Pearls

What a great day. A few of my girlfriends came over today to keep me company. We played scrabble, ate chips and chatted. It was so nice having them around for the day. I have been getting quite bored with this laying around and taking it easy thing. Thanks girls!

After they left, I was so inspired.....I decided to paint. So here is the new piece for the day. I am going to use this one for a class that is coming up. I like it much better tan that silly Tuscany piece. Thanks to Alissa for the idea.

Enjoy!

Magnolia & Pearls

16 X 20 Acrylic on Canvas

by Michele Lee copyright 2008

Mural work

Here is a piece that I am doing for work. We are going to be doing a mural for a local non-profit organization. The theme that we have chosen is Autism. So, since I am STILL down with my back (12 days and counting), I got to work on the draft painting for them. The frog is their mascot and puzzle pieces are the symbol for autism. Still might have to tweak it a little more.

Enjoy!

The girls paint

Last night before Julie and her friends went out, they decided to take over my "make shift" studio in the dining room. It was fun watching them giggle and play with paint. It reminded me of the days when she was 3 or so. We used to get the finger paints out and have so much fun painting and laughing together. She is growing up so fast. She is running here and there. The whole world revolves around her friends now. Typical 15 yr old. But watching the girls last night just reminded me of how young they still are. And how, no matter how old you are, it's always fun to dip your fingers in some paint and just play.

So, I left the heart and straw that they had painted and added a wee bit more. And here is what I/we came up with....

"Whipped"

Enjoy!

By Michele Lee and the girls

16X20 acrylic on canvas

copyright 2008

Thanks Deb

I have some of the best friends anyone could hope for. Today I had the pleasure of my friend Deb http://pandabeads.blogspot.com/ coming over and cleaning my house. Let me just say this...WOW! What a treat that was. If you have not had your house cleaned before.....do it. At least once. But make sure you get someone good. Anyway, back to the story. So I got to leave the house for a bit this morning! That was a treat in itself. (Since I have been down with this silly back thing for 8 days now.) When I returned home and opened the door I was greeted with the clean scent of pine cleaner. But wait...there was a hint of chocolate. What? I looked around the kitchen and there it was. A big plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies she had made for us! At that moment I was transported back to being a little girl, coming home from school. Then I heard the sound of small giggles coming from upstairs. I looked up the staircase to find my friend Deb. She wore a pink scarf around her head with little rhinestones on it. A tee shirt,a pair of purple Indian pants with a small blue patch on the bottom and bare feet completed the look. She had her headphones on and was giddy with joy from what she was listening to and what she was doing. What a sight. Now THAT my friends is something I just had to paint.

Instead of being so tight with my paintbrush, like I often do, I decided to just paint. Without thinking about how or what.....just paint. I haven't done that in a while. And it really felt good.

So here is Deb. The hippie cleaning girl who gave me a treat today.

Thanks Deb.

Enjoy!

Painting from bed

I have been in bed for the past week with a bad back. I haven't had my back go out like this since I was 18 or so. It amazes me that I can hall paint cans and ladders, juggle work and kids, clean the house and do loads upon loads of laundry and my back is fine. But put me in some high heels and take me to a wedding and WHAAMO! So needless to say I am bored out of my mind. My sweet husband got up this morning and moved a large chunk of my art supplies, from my studio, into the dining room so that I could paint. YEA! It has been 6 days since I could move. So this was really a treat. Thanks sweetie.

I decided, since I could physically only go to the dining room, I would go on vacation with paint. (Plus I have a cork and canvas class coming up and need a painting.) Hopefully I will be out of bed in time to teach the class.

So here it is.

Enjoy!

Italy

By Michele Lee

16 X 20 acrylic on canvas

copyright 2008

Who is she?

A while back, my husband and I went on a mini-vacation to North Carolina. We stayed at a sweet little Bed and Breakfast called the Butterfly Creek Inn http://www.butterflycreekinn.com/ Our host, Sarah, was WONDERFUL!!!! While we were at the house I fell in love with this little lamp made from an old hat. I quickly sat down and sketched the hat as I saw it. I was surprised to see a lady come out of the sketch and not a lamp. I found the picture I had done the other day and wondered...Who is she? So I thought I would share her with you all. Maybe you can help to identify her. Can YOU think of a name?

Off to paint....Enjoy!

Beautiful Day for a Wedding!

Congratulations Cary and Carol! I hope that you two enjoy every moment God has given and will give you in this marriage.

Yesterday two of my dear friends got married. I had the honor of being asked to be the Maid of Honor. And let me just say...it was a "Beautiful Day for a Wedding". I don't think it could have been a more perfect ceremony and reception.

Cary and Carol (CA Marks of http://alabamaimproper.com/ & http://www.southernsinfulbliss.com/)

are like my brother and sister, and it was so nice to see them both sooooo happy. Here are a few pictures from the day. If you would like to see more, trot on over to Shiney's blog. http://fencepostings.wordpress.com/

Now....I am off to paint :)

Enjoy!

The Bunny baby is here!!!!

The Bunny baby is here! As some of you remember, I did a commission piece for his mother a while back. Well on Oct. 19th Thad made his grand arrival. He is the new son of my dear friends Erika and Bo. And he has got to be the most beautiful baby I have seen in a long time. I think I will have to rank him right up there with my little chickadees.

I got to go over the other night right after he got home from the hospital and hold him and feed him and smell his little head. How I miss that baby smell. A hint of powder and soft new skin. Looking at his little face and the cute little half smile (gas from the bottle I'm sure) all I could think was, How precious we all are when we start this journeyof life. I wish that we could all remember how precious we are when we are walking through it. Sometimes I forget that God sees me that way ALL the time. Just like that little baby.

Welcome home Mr. Thad. We are all so glad you are here.

Enjoy!

TGIF

Here is a quick update and pictures from the past week. It has been a busy one!

1. Friday started with a bang! My friend Carol's bridal shower. All I can say is fun fun fun!

2. Saturday we (Average to Art team) ran in the Liz Hurley run. Well...some of us ran...and some of us, namely me, walked. What a great day and a great turn out. I was extremely proud of my boys! Later that evening, my two oldest children got to go to their first high school dance!!They looked so grown up. (I didn't even do the mommy cry) They are turning out to be such beautiful teenagers.

3. Monday night was Cork and Canvas. Thank you to everyone who came out for the Cork and Canvas. We had a huge turnout and you all were real troopers. Everyone painting their own individual piece was a big task. I am proud to say that quite a few of you actually got your paintings done.

4. My mom got to come home from the hospital and is doing GREAT! What a relief that is. She is a strong woman and I had no doubt that she would be fine. Thank you to everyone for your prayers. (mom will probably kill me for this pic)

5. And I rounded out the week with work/art/PURPLE! I spent the rest of the week doing my other art at my day job. Let me add....I LOVE MY JOB! A purple wall treatment for a new client.

Ahhh, I feel much better getting my blog caught up. Now I can go sit and enjoy some time off with my family......well at least for the next 24 hrs or so. TGIF

Enjoythe pictures and enjoy YOUR weekend!

See you all Monday night

CORK & CANVAS

Monday, October 20th, 6:00-8:00 pm.

This month’s subject: “Reflections of Me" An interpretive painting of you!

Monaco Pictures, in a partnership with Average To Art and local artist Michele Lee, would like you to come and relax on the patio, sip a glass of wine or two and learn how to paint your very own masterpiece.

Cost is $40++ prior to the event and $50++ the day of—includes two glasses of wine and all materials. *For this event, you will need to bring 3 things that represent who you are. This will create your still life.

Space is limited so email Madeline Sandlin, Special Events Coordinator or call 256.327.8342 to reserve your spot at this unique and fun event!

*If it rains, we will move the event indoors to our beautiful Scene Lounge.

1976

I got a box of goodies from my Mom a while back. In the bottom of the box was "A Year in Pictures" magazine from the year 1976. I was looking at this yesterday and realized...everything that I worry about in the world today, was going on in 1976 too. I was 10 yrs old that year. I remember vacations to the beach and skiing with my family, riding my bike with my friends and being happy and free. I got to thinking, maybe I worry so much about the world today because I am older. There is always going to be tragedy...but one thing is for sure...there is always going to be God as well. So, I started to create a simple collage of the thoughts and feelings I was having. And the words kept ringing in my head....Do not be afraid...Live your life...I am here.

Enjoy!

I Am Here

24X36 canvas

by Michele Lee copyright 2008