"Bonjour!" SOLD

"Bonjour!"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Bonjour!
Just a simple hello on the signboard sounds so beautiful in French.  And who could resist old iron gates and roses or  the thoughts of  fine wine and fresh bread inside?
Just between you and me..
they had me at bonjour:))

In Other News:
You are stranded on a deserted island (hopefully Tahiti or some such place:) and can have only one ART book--what is it and why??
Send your info to me and it will be part of our upcoming show for the best art books according to the listeners of Artists Helping Artists blog radio show!  To listen to past shows, click here.

 Just a reminder, if you would  like to know what colors I use on my palette and what my favorite brush is (among other things), the info is always listed on my blog under "Favorite Things" Read more...

And last but not least...when you purchase a painting (behind the scenes details:))  Read more...

Pin It

"Candy Colors of France" SOLD

"Candy Colors of France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Pastel spring candies and aged French buildings have a lot in common. Both are easy on the eye, leave you wanting more,  and we can each have a favorite:)) 

I am a sucker for pastel M & M's and French blue awnings that have faded in the sun.  How 'bout you?

I have uncovered something that you French-a-holics will enjoy.  It's Fabulous Fifi....A French-influenced weblog featuring unique decorating, styling, gardening, crafts and food ideas for incurable romantics.  Only visit if you have time--I like to have never got out of there yesterday:))  Have fun! Pin It

"Colors of the Heart" SOLD

"Colors of the Heart"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

I once bought a book because I fell in love with the cover.  It was a painting by Bonnard. Colors and shapes so yummy I justified the reasons to have it, although the book itself had no appeal to me otherwise. 

Sometimes those unexplainable urges and impulses tell us more about ourselves than we would ever guess.  It was, I think now, an early sign of where I was heading.  Part of me , the "silent" me, knew that.  I hadn't thought of the book story in years 'til I happened to mention it at my last workshop.  And it occurred to me in that moment my work had the same flavor that had appealed to me so long ago on that book cover. 

Listen to your impulses, to those sometimes faint, unexplainable "needs" that we feel guilty about because they can't be explained.  It's probably just your higher self planning your next move:)) 

And now a brief story for the new painting that takes place somewhere in Italy:

Sittin' in the shade

 feet bare and propped

 Eat, Love, Pray-- balanced on table's edge

Waiting for my limoncello

No schedule.

No have to's

No place to be

Just be me

Sittin' under dat tree.

Like to win a Dreama/Leslie workshop? Leave a comment on Artists Helping Artists this week and your name goes in the hat--easy as that! Pin It

"Did You Pack the Tuna??" SOLD

"Did You Pack the Tuna??"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Phyllis's Picnic Check List

Birdnoculars for Ed. 

Check

Catnip Tea for Ed. 

Check.

Book--To Kill a Mockingbird for  Ed

Check

Sunglasses for Ed

Check

Furscreen for Ed 

Check

And last but not least, Ed's new script, Hairy Potter  (don't even ask about this one, trust me, you don't want to know). 

Check

Eddie's Picnic Check List

Make list for Phyllis. 

Chick (I like to think he meant check here, but it is spring with all the new little birds out and I know how his mind works...)

Living with Ed?  No picnic.

Thoughts of him leaving the house for an entire day to go on a picnic?

Priceless. 

Please Note:  This is No. 10 in the "Eddie and Phyllis Series".  To see more of Eddie and Phyllis, click here.



Pin It

"Eddster Bunny"

And yet another "niche" acting part Eddie has assumed. 

And per usual, I probably shouldn't say what I'm thinking.

Things like..."Hey Ed, don't quit your day job.  Oh, I forgot, you don't have a day job."

Well, that's all for this post.  Just came across this in Eddie's portfolio and thought you should know.

I know, I know.  It actually goes in the TMI category.

 Happy Eddster.

Pin It

"Primavera Italiana" (Italian Spring) SOLD

"Primavera Italiana"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
                                                                                                                                                       ~Nadine Stair

Pin It

"My Heart's Already There--La France" SOLD

"My Heart's Already There--La France"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

"I see my path, but I don't know where it leads.  Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it." 

                                                                                                                                                      ~Rosalia de Castro

This quote hangs above my tub.  Torn from a magazine, a bit rumpled, it serves to remind me that surely the joy is in the journey, the anticipation of what's coming next. To be alive in this very present moment and to allow myself to be filled  with a sense of wonderment of what lies ahead. 

Often times, journeys of the heart are some of the best trips we take:))) 

Pin It

"Recipe for a Rockin' Workshop in Tennessee"

Take one awesome welcome (Thursday evening kick off  with lots of laughter and good food!) by my host, Artist David Gillihan   at the Artists on Main Painting Society of Goodlettsville, TN.

Paired with an inspiring co-sponsor, The Nossi College of Art (Nossi Vatandoost   is a lady with a dream --she started a few years ago with about 5 art students and below is the dream fulfilled--an art college!!)

Stir in one wild and crazy bunch of women ...

Gina and/or Jenna, Annie, Jeanne, Lisa, Pat, Lisa, Kaye, Karen, Denise, Monica, Marie,  Christine, Beverly, Charlotte, Vicki, & Lauren (oops---some of the girls are missing from this photo due to me forgetting to take it before the class started departing!!)

And one guy brave enough (or crazy enough) to hang out with us and was behind the camera on this shot..

David G.

Shake and bake up deeelicious themed lunches by  Debbie at 8 Lavendar Lane

Bodacious Bandanas

Bountiful Baskets

 Some "jam sessions" with musical easels

Let marinate for 3 days (note devoted artist  Lisa's right who just wouldn't stop painting long enough to eat....)

and voila!!

A whole batch of juicy, colorful paintings!

And more paintings!!

This workshop was an absolute delight to teach.  With the exception of a few transplants (including me), it was unique in that most of the artists were members of David's Artists on Main group--so there was lots of good natured ribbing and laughter! If you knew half the stories of the artists in this group you would be so inspired.  And that's one of the best reasons to teach--I get to surround myself with loving, inspiring people AND  do so while painting!  Thanks to each of you who contributed to making this a workshop to remember!!

The best quote of this workshop?
"Is that big glob of yellow supposed to be a flower???"  came from...well, I'm not going to say their name here, but the class knows who I'm talking about.  Her name starts with a Ka and ends with an ren.
And we don't know if she will be allowed in the next workshop......
Just sayin'.

In Other News:  I've done it 51 times.  And this Thursday will be 52!  And it's not what you're thinking.  Hey...What were you thinking??  I'm talking about the Artists Helping Artists Show (just the #1 Art Show on Blog Talk Radio hosted by me and my side-kick, Leslie the Palette Knife Painter Saeta).  It's our one year anniversary and we are giving away lots of goodies to those who call in live for the show this week.  Like a workshop, an original painting, a Randy Higbee floater frame...and more.  So if you are enjoying the show--help spread the news:)!!

It's time for another Eddie and Phyllis painting.  Eddie has been complaining about all the other cat faces that have appeared on here lately so in order to keep the peace, I am working on the latest in his series.  It should be out this week, providing he semi behaves himself. 
I would like to say that Eddie ran to greet me with open paws upon my return from Nashville.  I would also like to say I won the lottery this week. 
Neither would be true.... Pin It

"Coloring Outside the Lines in France" SOLD

"Coloring Outside the Lines in France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

If I were to call  and tell you to meet moi (love slinging those big French words around..:)) at this French cafe  to plan our strategy for coloring outside the lines   in France---whilst sipping strong French coffee ---and that all the arrangements had already been made for you to join me--JUST HOW QUICK COULD YOU PACK YOUR BAGS AND GET TO THE AIRPORT???

See, you are a highly motivated person.

You just need the right stimulation

France and Coffee:))

In Other News:  We are kickin' up our hills in Tennessee at the workshop:)))  David Gillihan and all the ArtistsonMain plus some newcomers (like me) are having a yee haw time and....wish you were here painting with us:)))  Photos to follow later.  Eddie gets excited over using the mouse to post for me 'til he remembers it's not that kind of mouse.

Pin It

"Formal Catalicious" SOLD

"Formal Catalicious"

12  x12in oil on museum quality panel

$550




Detail of Whiskerlicious Woowis

  What does one say about a cat wearing an all white tux with a bow tie on their ears?? 

Definitely in the category of "what not to wear" unless your name is Woowis (yes, Woowis, like Lewis with a w).

Only Woowis could pull this look off. 

I have to say, none of my cat's friends are safe from being painted.  Even Woowis.  He usually keeps a great distance between us, however......I have found his weak spot. 

We all have at least one.  It's just figuring out the specifics....in this case it turned out to be shrimp.
Shocking, I know.

Please Note:  This is No.3 in the "Catalicious" Series and does have the coveted (?) EBSA stamp (Eddie Bill Seal of Approval....just in case you needed to know:))

Pin It

"All Strung Out... in Italy" SOLD

"All Strung Out....in Italy"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Feeling strung out?? 

If you're laundry swinging in the warm Italian air,

then it's a good thing.

It's alllllll relative:))

 In the News:  I am pleased as punch to announce the winners for my monthly giveaway.  All three of them--Jan, Feb, and March (yeah, that would be me...running a bit behind on the drawing part.  Blame it on Ed.  Please).  Grace Mendez of CA is the first one to return my email--haven't heard from the other two yet...so check your inbox...you might be the winner:))! Winners will receive their choice of  my book-- "Let Their Be Love" or  Eddie.  Since they will be given a choice, I am betting I will be short 3 books and long on one cat --what say you??

Pin It

"Catalicious" SOLD

"Catalicious"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Each moment

Every day

When I pause

I am conscious of

overwhelming

Abundance

It takes....

patience,

willingness,

persistence,

to pause.

Real life is there

 in the pause.

Thanks to my artist friend, Mary Sheenan, for providing me with some wonderful cat pics when I sent out the call for a silver tabby to paint!

Please Note:  This is No.2 in the "Catalicious" series.

Pin It

"Cool Catalicious" SOLD

"Cool Catalicious"

12 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$350

There are certain things in life we crave.

Craving is different than wanting.

Craving is the wanting that persists:))

You know, like when you are craving chocolate.

You can eat a handful of jelly beans (guilty) or a entire bag of donut holes (ahem...guilty)

and still be craving....CHOCOLATE!


And craving is a joyous thing. It's so specific. You know exactly what to do to get it taken care of.

It's not ambiguous. There is no guessing involved.

Well, I have been craving to paint. And not just anything.

It had to have fur, whiskers and eyes that hold all the secrets since time began.

Eddie, however, had his own cravings, something to do with collecting bird eggs for the kids for Easter (like I'm gonna believe that one....).

Thank goodness he is not the only cat on the planet, even though that would come as a shock to him.

Thanks to my artist friend, Janie Jicha, for providing me with a fix for my craving:)))--some great cat photos to paint from:))

Craving satisfied.

At least for today.

Tomorrow is a whole other deal.


Please Note:  I have actually been on a cat painting binge...and feel the need to add another series called..."Catalicious"  (code for don't tell Eddie) .  This painting is No. 1 of the series.  For fans of the  Eddie and Phyllis series ...not to worry, No. 11 coming soon!

Pin It

"Ready and Waiting in Italy" SOLD

"Ready and Waiting in Italy" 

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Threshold

A word of promise. A place from where one can actually see what is there.

No longer around the next bend in the road, covered in mist, dropping away from us.

Threshold.

An entrance to. It takes action on our part to move into the place we see. It is there, within reach.

Threshold.

It is a time and place that is a pause. We are between what has been and what is almost now certainly here.We reflect.  It is good to reflect, to understand how momentous this is.

Threshold.

We welcome this robust demarcation line between. No gray area of sides. That was then . This is now and just on the other side, the future. My future. Your future.

Threshold.

Is it a coming home or a journeying forth? Depends on where you are headed and where you have been. It doesn't matter. What matters now is that you are here, now, at the opening to,  the entrance of your life.

Pin It

"Color Notes of France" SOLD

"Color Notes of France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

 

How foolish it seems. Listen to your heart? Your inner voice? Follow that direction? What about all this work? Who's going to do that?

The secret is listening to your heart and making that the "business" of the day or moment. Trusting that what your heart guides you to, makes more sense and knows more than the eyes that are taken in by the visual of the big "to do" list.

How about the "to be" list. To be instead of do. Notice how flowers and birds just be? They just be themselves. And look what happens. They are fed and clothed and cared for.

And in their "beingness" they delight us. Their singing, their fragrance, make our burdens seem non existent and brighten eyes tired from staring at ever growing "to-do" lists.

Let your work be your prayer and your living an art.:):)



Pin It

"The Light Falls Softly in France" SOLD

"The Light Falls Softly in France"

12 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$350

   

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.

                                                                                                           ~Aaron Rose

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.

                                                                                  ~Michael Strassfeld

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!

                                                                              ~John Muir

The windows of my soul I throw

Wide open to the sun.

                                                                        ~John Greenleaf Whittier

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering.

There is a crack in everything,

That's how the light gets in.

                                                        ~Leonard Cohen

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

                                                                ~Kahlil Gibran

Your life is something opaque, not transparent, as long as you look at it in an ordinary human way. But if you hold it up against the light of God's goodness, it shines and turns transparent, radiant and bright. And then you ask yourself in amazement: Is this really my own life I see before me?

~Albert Schweitzer

Thank you for the light you shine into my life and those around you. 

You are

An extraordinary gift.

Pin It