"La Grange Française" (The French Barn) SOLD

"La Grange Française"  (The French Barn)

8 x8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

How come even the barns are pretty in France??  Tile roofs, old stone, flowers creeping 'round  an arched door that allows us to see through to the field beyond. 

I'm thinking that's why the cows party 'til the people come home.

Just sayin'.

Please Note:

Details are now posted for the Jan/2012 "Petite Pleasures"  Marco Island, FL workshop.  Escape the cold and come paint with me:)) 

To view it and my other workshops, just click here.

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"Happy Colors in France" SOLD

 "Happy Colors in France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Now what if your window was the one up on the left.

And what if, when you looked out you saw the city lamp with reddish-pinkish-orangish bougainvillea climbing up, around, and giving it a hug. 

And what if, when you looked down, you saw a beautiful blue striped awning sprawled out over a cobblestone street below. 

Call me crazy, but I am thinking you'd be pretty doggone happy about all that color. 

And being in France.

Kind a like getting the cupcake with the most frosting:)))

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"Beautiful Simplicity" SOLD

"Beautiful Simplicity"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

There is a sweet roughness to clothes dried on breeze, bleached by sun.

Laundry that is beautiful in its absence of complexity

With all of life's mysteries, this one we get

"Curl laundry over line, clip firmly with wooden pin

Let hang 'til dry"

Simply beautiful:))

I love the simplicity of acoustic guitar.  Michael Dowdle plays "A Simple Life". 

 Savor the beauty of this day and this moment. 

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"Be Inspired" SOLD

"Be Inspired"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

The soul has greater need of the ideal than the real.

It is by the real

we  exist,

It is by the ideal

we live.

~Victor Hugo

And now, an  inspiring song/story to start your day with:))  I Dreamed a Dream (Click Here)

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"Busted!!" SOLD

"Busted!!"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

After the Derby day debacle, Phyllis had sworn to go on a diet.  She should never have mentioned it to Ed.  He fancies himself as the next Eddie (AKA Jenny) Craig.  Says he knows what it takes to get oneself in svelte condition.  So he decided the best thing would be for Phyllis to eliminate ALL cheese from her diet.  He may as well announced that he was also going to stop shedding--both things about as likely to happen! 

Well, you know how they say we trade one addiction for another? 

I blame myself for bringing home the cupcakes, but how was I to know.

Phyllis  decided that the strawberry and carrot cake cupcakes  counted as a fruit and vegetable serving. 

I like the way Phyllis thinks:))

Please Note: This is No. 15 in the Eddie and Phyllis series. To see more click here.

In Other News:

• I have an opening in my October 25-27, 2011 workshop in Maysville, KY.  If this sounds like a perfect fit for you, just email me by clicking here.
•  If you'd like to come paint with me in 2012 you can check out your options by clicking here.

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"A Fragrant Affair in France" SOLD

"A Fragrant Affair in France"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

Swirling  petals carry the scent of a French breeze. 

A love affair?? 

You betcha:)

Flowers in France, paintings in Paris.  That's just how it went down this past week:)!  If familiarity breeds contempt, then I was in deep trouble, because 2/3's  of these artists were, as I like to call 'em, repeat offenders (that's what can happen when you hold a workshop where you live...).

Some have painted with me at so many workshops I am loosing track...and control I might add.  I threatened to throw the rowdy ones out, but quickly realized, due to the influence of the seasoned group on my new tenderlings, that I would have no one left in the Paris workshop, so I just kept painting and tried not to look over my shoulder....

For that reason I am holding them responsible for the fact that I have no group photos of their paintings the first two days, except a few that snuck into one of the larger shots.  Do not be deceived by the demure looks of this group of ladies...they posed nicely for the photos but even  the  city police had to stop and turn on their blue lights when we were outside taking our group photo, that's all I'm sayin'. 

I think it is obvious that I am going to have to start screening workshop participants.

a rare moment of behavin' themselves...

Pat in her sassy apron...

Sandy not giving me a hard time... 

A low down art show...

And remnants of the musical easels exercise.

Glenna, Pris, Ann, Ann, Kay, Barbara, Sandy, Vicki, Claudia, Pat, Ann Marie, Brenda, Vicki, Tricia, and Me...and one more Ann who left (escaped) a few hours early.

And yes, that is 4 Ann's, and 2 Vicki's.  I even had a Pat and a Tricia.  But not Patricia.  I just never caught a break from beginning to end.

Call me crazy, but I am having a workshop here same time next year---and so help me Hannah, some of them have already signed up for it! 

I figure anything can happen in a year. 

 People can change. 

Eddie's can move out and get their own place.

I am, if nothing else,

an optimist:))

P.S.  You can probably tell, I had a great time and love this group of women/artists.  I feel so lucky to be able to do what I do.  Thank you  girls for bringing such joy, laughter, and focus to this workshop---you were awesome!

P.S.S.  If you'd like to make a date to study with me, you can see what workshops are available by just clicking here.  If you'd like to know what the word on the street is about my workshops, just click here.

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"The Things We Love" SOLD

"The Things We Love"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

The things we love make us smile, warm our hearts and keep us coming back for more.  Market umbrellas, a glass of wine shared, and sunshine spilling out over it all---Italy is that and more. Here is the courtyard of Italian Kisses from a slightly different angle--we always return to the things we love:))

In Other News:
How do I love to teach?  Let me count the ways:))
Workshop in Paris (KY) well under way, palettes full of inviting color, laughter of friendship, busy brushes all add up to a very full heart.

 Me--lucky??  You bet the cat's pajamas (yes, Eddie wears pajamas.  Silk, of course, with a smoking jacket.  Cuban catnip cigars.  I know, I didn't know they made such a thing either--there's just no accounting for taste.)

We listened to French songs while painting a bit of Italy.  Tomorrow I guess I must play Pavarotti while painting France:))

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"Italian Kisses" SOLD

"Italian Kisses"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Every nook and corner of Italy give reason to fall in love all over again 

Vines tenderly holding onto stone

Colors that can only be cultivated by the passing of a century

or two

    or three 

It surely must be 

 Once  kissed by Italy

 Forever in love:))

In Other News:

• My workshop in Paris starts next Monday--can't wait to meet all the new artists coming to paint with me!  If you'd like to make a date to study with me, you can see what workshops are available by just clicking here.
• If you'd like to know what the word on the street is about my workshops, just click here.
• My new favorite movie??  Midnight in Paris.  Shocking I know--me and a movie about Paris.  Who'd a thunk it.  It's out in theaters now and it is one of the most enjoyable movies I have seen in a long time.  Eddie and I are giving it a 4 Paws and 2 Thumbs Up.  We LOVE it!!
• I will be drawing for two winners (May and June) for my monthly giveaway.  If you haven't signed up yet to receive my blog and newsletter, be sure and do so to get your name in the hat---Eddie is charge of the drawing but I am in charge of what the prize is, so you're in luck--otherwise you would be getting an autographed head shot of Ed, suitable for framing (according to him).
• I am going to be taking my newest easel on its maiden voyage at my upcoming workshop.  Can't wait!  It's a James Coulter  design and you can see it by clicking here.  And I have a brand spankin' new wet panel carrier to go with it that keeps the edges of my wet paintings untouched!  I promise to get pictures of it in action at the workshop:)) 
• Any suggestions for names?  I think she (he)  needs a name.

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"Be Open" SOLD

"Be Open"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

"Above all, watch with glittering eyes,

the whole world around you,

because the greatest secrets are always hidden

in the most unlikely places"

                                                                                                               ~Roald Dahl

Open window in France = An eyeful of roses

Be open.

it's a good thing:))

 

In Other News:

• More Eddie and Phyllis headed your way.  Stay tuned:))
• If you haven't had a chance to check out the workshops for next year, here's your chance:))  click here.
• All the Catalicious series of paintings are now in one place on my website for your viewing enjoyment:))  click here  and all of Eddie and Phyllis series are now in one place as well...click here

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