New on the easel

Been working on a new kind of series lately, of pieces that make you just "feel" them. This painting is obviously still in the construction phases yet, but I wanted to share the early stages with you. It is an oil painting and I roughed in the little girl or boy, then laid a background down. The little girl/boy will hopefully be done no later than this Sunday, but if it takes longer, that's okay too.
It needs some more refinement yet but the essence of this child is there. She will have long curls cascading down her back, or he will have a pony tail, when finished.
I know what I "feel" when I look at this child, Freedom, and describable joy. I'd like to know what it makes you feel. What should his/ her name be? What name shall we give the painting?

Interpretive Art, first stage

My friend Michele Lee and I are thinking about teaching a class soon at 16 Main, studios and gallery. The basis of this class would be to exercise the right brain and pull out your creative energies. To do this, the first step in the process will be to stain water color paper with either watercolor paint or food color. Either one works great. I won't go into too much detail, but just try and push you over into creativity. So, the first step after staining the paper, is to find the picture. You can facilitate this by using Matts of various sizes to help see the images in a framed setting. In this first one, I see humming bird descending into a flower.
In this one I see blue birds

And finally in this one I see gladiolas.
The next step in the process is Michele's gig. To teach the students to then, paint the picture, fill in the background and bring the details to life. For this phase she will teach in acrylics. By the close of class, the students should have a completed painting.
I told you what I see in the images, but I am very curious to hear about what you see!

Jazz Art Competition

Gonna be a Jazz Art Competition in town to be judge by Face Book viewers.
I thought I'd enter this Billie Holiday painting, "The Jazz Singer".
She's done in black and white and all shades in between. I don't know what got into me when I painted her. I did 3 different poses of her, stretching through different times in her life. I was like, "Mesmerized" by her raw talent and beauty. Fabulous artist with a bumpy history, just like the rest of us.
This one is done in oil and measures 16"x16", 1 1/2 gallery wrap with black on the sides.

Into The Mystic

This painting took some time to be born. Started off with a little Hendrix while I painted the background. I knew before this one was finished that it was going to be Van Morison's," Into The Mystic". I loved every step of this painting. I went to a lot of "places" while creating it. I will share with you now the lyrics that echoed in my mind during the whole process.

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won as we sailed into the mystic
Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows I will be coming home
And when that fog horn blows I want to hear it
I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
Then magnificently we will float into the mystic
And when that fog horn blows you know I will be coming home
And when that fog horn whistle blows I got to hear it
I don't have to fear it
I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float into the mystic
Come on girl...

The Energen Art Reception

Well, my friend Michele Lee and I went down to Birmingham today for the Energen art competition reception. Boy was it an upscale event! Michele and I were in awe of the artists work and the catered foods all so lovely to look at and even better to eat! The above picture is of a lady whose department purchased one of my paintings. I didn't get her name or what department she worked in though, but thanks to all those in that department for choosing my art.
This gentleman did the honors of presenting all the monetary prizes to the winners.
Michele and I snuck out of the front doors of the company to eat at the outdoor tales that they had set up. What your looking at but can't really see is some of THE best chef prepared foods around! Michele and I met the chef and paid our compliments too.
Here is Michele with her painting as it was displayed.
Here's me with one of mine, "White Diamonds Black Night".
And finally here I am again with the painting that sold, "Blowin In the Wind".

A day at Montevallo arts fest

This is the painting that sold today at the Montevallo arts fest. A lovely young lady purchased it. She was getting her own place from what I gathered and wanted something that had her colors and style in it and she just loved this one.
below is the set up for the booth at the show. We had an absolutely gorgeous day. perfect in the 70's with sunshine all day. The people from Montevallo were very nice and polite and we had lots of help from the volunteers too. I think I had sweat and pollen though in every pore of my body! You know spring in Alabama!
Thank you Montevallo for a perfectly lovely day. I must say that I spent it too with a wonderful friend. We never did run out of things to talk about. Thanks Lynn, I couldn't have done it without you.

Upcoming Art Show

Hi good friends.
Come join me this Saturday the 10th of April at The Montevallo Arts Fest in Montevallo Al. The art show will be at Orr Park 10am -4pm. I will have my wonderful friend Lynn Booth with me that day and I look forward to visiting with her and you. We'll be there rain or shine.
P.S. I checked the weather forecast and it's gonna be GREAT!