"A Jar of Sunshine"

"A Jar of Sunshine"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

SOLD

Canning jars are great for holding lots of things----like sunshine!!

In Other News:  

It's great feeling to know when someone's got your back.  

And I know a whole bunch of you have got mine, as evidenced to the response of my random/mistake piece of email that went out to some of you on Wednesday (just wanted to make sure you are reading everything I am sending you;)).  

I am in charge of some behind the scenes techy work.  As much as I would LOVE to blame Eddie, I have to own up and say I did this one all by myself.  

I would like to say it won't happen again, but there are still more things coming up requiring my not so savvy tech work....so you have been warned---you may or may not receive another embarrassing bit of off track email. 

Having said that, if you get anything requesting can salmon for the holidays, I think you will know who sent it.

To Subscribe to Dreama's Art , Click Here:))

Art, Humor and Inspiration--In Your Inbox!

Click to Share What You Are Grateful for Today!

Pin It

"Half Pint" SOLD

 "Half Pint"

8 x 8in original oil on museum quality panel

$400

Okay, so I confess.  I have a bit of an "addiction" problem with blue Ball jars.

Luckily, I have found a 12 step program for this.

In Italy of all places.

Part of the process for getting the blue ball jar issue under control involves painting arches, terra cotta, and 1000 year old buildings.

I have been told that a diet high in carbs is helpful as well so I will have to eat lots of pasta, breads, gelatos and the like.

I am willing to do whatever is necessary to kick the habit.

I am not sure what the success rate of this program is, but if I am not cured on this first trip, I am already committed to going back.

Wow.

I feel so much better getting this off my chest:)))

P.S.  Stay in touch, it's almost time for all the photos, original watercolor postcard giveaways, and paintings from Italy to start!

To Subscribe to Dreama's Art , Click Here:))

Art, Humor and Inspiration--In Your Inbox!

Pin It

"Reflections of...the Way Life USED to Be" SOLD

 "Reflections of...the Way Life USED to Be"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

I think Eddie's grand gesture may be backfiring a bit.  His plan to garner extra media attention for mentoring the mystery offspring, one moustache wearing Eddie Pierre, has turned out to be a bit more than he bargained for.  Phyllis is trying to do damage control, lecturing Pierre on the importance of manners and that playing with Mr. Eddie Bill's tail is strictly off limits.

We are less than a week into the summer visit and  Eddie's already reminiscing about the "good ole days" to Phyllis.....says someone should have warned him that the Big Brother Program for mentoring youths was really the Big Bother Program....

All I can think is...
What goes around, comes around;)))

Please Note:  This is No. 23 in the "Eddie and Phyllis Series".  To see more, just click here:))
The collection is available in print which you may view by clicking here:)

COME PAINT WITH ME:)!  2013 WORKSHOP DATES ARE HERE--Click to View:))

Get Dreama's Blog and Newsletter in Your Inbox...for FREE!  Just Click to Subscribe:) Pin It

"Always in Style" SOLD

"Always in Style"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

Paris

a classic song

  fresh flowers

 

 Always in style:)

If video doesn't appear, click here:)

You can view my 2013 Workshop Schedule by clicking here:)
Get Dreama's Blog and Newsletter in Your Inbox...for FREE!  Just Click to Subscribe:) Pin It

"All Aglow" SOLD

"All Aglow"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

Signs it's going to be a good workshop

1.  Your name is ON the sign ;)

2.  A SHRINE has been built in your honor?

3.  They're serving dark lettuce  wedges that some would say looked like chocolate:)

Signs that you have a ROWDY bunch on your hands??

to be included in my next post...

Honestly, it was a great time spent amongst friends:)))!

And with no Miracle Grow, 

just colors and brushes,

 a BUMPER CROP of sunflowers were grown in one day:))

Stay tuned--- more to come on Nashville, American Pickers, Paintings, & Artists!!

P.S.  The newly added Paris Workshop for July 2012 is now filled, contact me if you would like to be on the wait list.  

Pin It

"Pink, White and Ed" SOLD

"Pink, White and Ed"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Bad boy Ed has been quite contemplative of late.  

One could almost think it is the softer, more mellow side of Ed.  

Almost.

There's the  unfinished business of one Eddie Pierre

part  Parisian, part Kentuckian, 

half a moustache

Full Blooded Trouble

Contemplative and plotting can look pretty similar

....kind of like Eddie Bill and Eddie Pierre.

The plot thinnens......

P.S.  My Nashville Workshop is in full swing at the Nossi College of Art and Design:))  Beautiful art accumulating as we speak:))!
P.S.S.  Any American Pickers fans out there??  I am gonna do my best to visit their store while I am here in Music City:))  Stay Tuned!

Pin It

"Imagine" SOLD

"Imagine"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

In other news: 
Eddie has been throwing a hissy fit.  Fairly normal behavior for him actually.  If he could only get paid for that activity we'd both be rich.  In order to placate him I have promised to paint he and Phyllis...so keep your eyes peeled.  And please brag on it to high heavens when it does appear (like how young he looks and how at first glance you thought it was Johnny Depp).  It should help calm him down, although quite frankly I think the bigger problem may be that he is concerned over the "Santa Claws keeping a list and checking it twice" possibility that always gets his fur in a wad 'bout this time of the year:))

Open 24 hrs/7 Days a week:)) Dreama's Art Supply Store

A book you can read this minute...

Digital Version of  my book, "The Artist's Toolbox", is here!

$19.95 Click to Purchase

2012 Calendar to put some color in the day:))...
$25 plus 4.95 S/H within US  Click to Purchase Pin It

"French Sisters"

6 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$350 

Dancing sunlight,  blue striped dresses and an armful of flowers---you can tell that happiness runs in the family:)))

Dreama's Art Supply Store--a ready made wish list:))

2012 Calendars $25 (plus 5 S/H within the US)  Click to Purchase

You can start reading this very minute--Digital Version of  my book, "The Artist's Toolbox", is here!
$19.95 Click to Purchase Pin It

"Sitting Pretty in Italy" SOLD

"Sitting Pretty in Italy"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

Today was Day 1 of my workshop in Maysville,KY.
Nearly an hour drive through the heart of the country, my day started with view after view of those kind of things  that bring a calm and steadiness to the heart.
Foggy mists lying in valleys low, strong morning sun streaming through colorful trees--and a few cows that looked my way, albeit a bit disinterestedly:)))
It was a great way to ease into my next to last workshop for 2011.
I feel so honored to meet and teach the people that somehow have found their way into a workshop with me:))  Their energy, their beingness, is truly a gift.

And who would have guessed.  Eddie...in an attempt to clean up his bad boy reputation--ACTUALLY SENT FLOWERS!!!

Well, actually, it was Rosemary---with Rosemary Brand brushes attached--and they weren't sent, they were delivered in person by artist Barbara Lowry who said Phyllis was part of the game plan too.  I actually think Barbara and Phyl put it together.  I can't imagine Eddie thinking of someone besides his own little furry self.

Guess I'll find out when my bill hits.  If he indeed was the gifter, he will have, no doubt, gifted me via my own credit card---that's how Ed rolls.

And I can't wait to try the new brushes!!  I have a feeling Eddie was only on board for those because he thought it would be a "brush his fur" kind of brush...

Workshop photos heading your way, so stay tuned:))  Wish you were here painting with us!

In Other News:  "Dreama's Favorite Art Stuff"  I get emails asking about lots of things-- from how I photograph my work to what colors I use on my palette and what books do I think are the best--so I have created a little store with just those kinds of goodies in it:))  My favorites and why.  You can have a peek by clicking here.

Pin It

"Home Grown Color" SOLD

"Home Grown Color"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Home grown flowers don't need no fancy containers. 

Like all natural beauties,

(think Sophia Loren and  Katherine Hepburn)

they look good in any ole thing.

Even a rusty tin can:))

Compliments of Farmer's Market, Lavender Land:)))!

Needing a Lavender Fix??  Click here for more of the story of Lavender Land:)) Pin It

"A Lavender Kind of Morning" SOLD

"A Lavender Kind of Morning"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Hope you don't mind some company for breakfast. 

They don't eat much and they never overstay their welcome. 

You can relax and enjoy your coffee while they do all the work.

Just you

and the hummingbirds

on this lavender kind of morning:))

And the Lavender Land story continues....just click here to follow along;)) Pin It

"Never Look a Gift Cat in the Mouth" SOLD

"Never  Look a Gift Cat in the Mouth"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Never look a gift cat in the mouth.

Especially if his name is Eddie.

Eddie has been wining  and dining Miss Phyllis to beat the band. 

First it was the wine ( the level in my wine vinegar has been going down and down).

Then flowers started popping up everywhere (and happen to be an exact match to those growing in the neighbors yard). 

While Phyllis is totally bowled over by Eddie's attentiveness, I, on the other hand, am not.  

He has been spending an inordinate amount of time reading and taking notes in his new favorite book, "When Good Things Happen to Bad Cats" (and I hear him snickering quietly to himself as he's reading, which I confess, makes me uneasy).   

Higher education is not all it's cracked up to be...I wish I had never enrolled him in that reading program No Cat Left Behind--worst money I have ever spent! 

No, I take that back.  The money I paid the shelter for Ed would have to edge out the reading program.  They said I could "try him out" for two weeks.  Wish someone would have warned me that would be the best two weeks of my life....

Please Note:  This is No. 13 in the Eddie and Phyllis series.  To see more click here.

In Other News:

• 12 workshops for 2012!  My schedule is now up online.  You can see check them out by clicking here.
• Artist Karin Jurick is our guest this week on Artists Helping Artists.  Click here for details and to sign up and get your reminder of upcoming shows
• I will be drawing a winner for my monthly giveaway this week for May--stay tuned:)
• And it's almost time for my newsletter--if you haven't signed up to receive it, you can do so by clicking here.

Pin It

"Dreama's Daisies" SOLD

 "Dreama's Daisies"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel
$550

Repeat offenders.

Fab Four of Iowa.

An Attendee of the Royal Wedding.

Good Music.

Gorgeous Paintings.

Smiling Faces.

Happy Hearts.

And NO EDDIE.

Just a few of the MANY reasons I love to teach:))

Day One of My Lexington, KY Workshop.

Photos to follow soon:))

Above painting, my effort for the day.

Tomorrow---you will see....

Marilyn's Daisies, Yvonne's Daisies, Faye's Daisies, Patricia's Daisies, Linda's Daisies, Judy's Daisies, Sheryl's Daisies, Rhojean's Daisies, Patricia's Daisies, Barbara's Daisies, Brenda's Daisies, Sarah's Daisies, Marcia's Daisies, Joy's Daisies, Anna's Daisies, and Kay's Daisies:)))

Wish you were here painting with us!

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

"All Roads Lead Home" SOLD

"All Roads Lead Home"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

Available to Purchase for Help Japan Challenge

Click Here to Bid

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

May the rains fall soft upon your fields,

And, until we meet again,

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Please Note: All profits from this sale will go to the Help Japan Fund. 

Pin It

"Opening in France" SOLD

"Opening in France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

There is always, always, time for the sweet breath of life to blow across the soul.

It is the other things that there may not be time for

And if they fall away

No one will notice

They will not be missed

This quietness, this time of pausing, this is what the world is hinged upon.

It is what must be

 so that all that is unnecessary will fall away

For it is that other that weighs  down, that would prevent the taking of flight

There is always time, time for the sweet breath of life to blow across the soul.

Pin It

"France, the Cat's Meow" (According to Eddie) SOLD

"France, the Cat's Meow"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Okay, it was late, I had been painting all day and in a weak moment, I asked Eddie to name the painting.  And yeah, that's him, up in the window, doing what Eddie does--acting catty.

Pin It

"Baby Blue"

"Baby Blue"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$350

We did a paint along in the workshop today (see above demo)....and it seemed to bring out lots of smiles and happy paintings in everyone!  Second day in the workshop means everyone is more relaxed and so there is even more laughter and good art taking place.  I feel so lucky that I get to do this--there is so much work that goes into preparing for one, I almost forget how much joy there is when I actually get to the "doing of it" part!  From dear friends I have known for 30 years to new ones just met yesterday, it makes for a one of kind experience each and every time.  Hard to believe it will be over tomorrow!  Gotta get this group to stand still long enough to get a group shot...:))  Will post that tomorrow.

• 
  
  Just a reminder for those who live in Kentucky.  Harrodsburg Festival of Books and Arts is coming up the last Saturday in June.  I am the  featured main stage artist and will be speaking about my book and doing a demonstration painting from 4-5pm from the stage.  I would love to meet you! This should be a great festival so mark your calendars..:))
• 
  
  Remember, I am giving away my first copy of my book, "The Artist's Toolbox" --to be eligible, leave a comment on my blog!
• 
  
  Leslie Saeta and I are finalizing plans for our upcoming workshop in California in September.  We anticipate this will fill quickly so let us know if you are interested and/or planning to attend.
• 
  
  If you are enjoying our Artists Helping Artists blog radio show--help us spread the word!  Please tell your artist friends they can call in or listen to previous recordings.  Also, if you have a blog, you can add the badge for the show to your page to let others know about it (and it gives one more reason for others to visit your blog, knowing you are posting cutting edge art info..:))(to add badge just the share button on the blog radio badge that is on the sidebar of my blog)  Thanks so much!

Happy Friday! 

Pin It

"Polka Dot Blues...." SOLD

"Polka Dot Blues..."

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

Okay, as you know, if you have been following my blog--I have been hanging out in Italy and France for quite some time.  With the advent of my workshop in Lexington, I felt the need to do a practice run back into the flower fields....so "Polka Dot Blues...." is the result of that.  I sat it up this still life in my studio and timed myself in order to be able to do it and talk and get it done before all attending grew tired and went home....I figured if all else failed, I would just have everyone take a bathroom break and then sneak this one onto the easel while they were away...:)) Well, as it turned out, I didn't have to do a "bait and switch"...

Here's the Lexington Crew Hard at Work......

Sometimes, it doesn't pay to show up and teach a workshop.  I mean, when you have students like Ann H. arrive with a bald head under one arm and wig in the other  hand....well, you  begin to wonder, what have I gotten myself into.....I mean, I don't want to lose my head over this---it's just a floral painting workshop.  Momma told  me there'd be days like this.  Well, not like this............

It has been a full day...workshop, demo, dodging crazy lady with bald head, blog radio (which today turned into "Artists Helping Artists Roadshow" with me on location and Leslie moving her son back home from college...:)  And I actually came home and painted one of my French scenes--which I will post another day--it has been, all the way around, a happy, satisfying day.

And I still have two more days of the workshop with great people to hang out with.  Life is abundant and full..:)  Have a beautiful Friday and do something special for yourself--you so deserve it!

P.S.  Check out "The Artist's Toolbox" if you are wanting to get serious about marketing your art.

Pin It

"Le Banc en France" SOLD

"Le Banc en France"

6 x 6in oil on museum quality panel

$200

Nestled up against sun warmed stone walls, the white bench beckons.  Come sit a spell in this quaint French town.  You never know who will wander by and decide to sit with you to share stories.  Surrounded by a shady bower of vines, geranium scent hanging heavy in the air, friendships come easily. 

I know--you are curious as to why you are not in the picture.  Well, you just left to grab a bite to eat (fresh mozzarella with homegrown tomatoes) and share a glass of wine with a new friend .....Old benches, new friendships, just another ordinary day in France!

Pin It