Scarlet Tanager

I think that we've seen the last of the cool weather.  I packed up transitional clothes, jackets and warm jammies today.  Won't need them again until Halloween.  Hello, Summer.

  Scarlet Tanager on a 6"x6" canvas panel.  Click here to buy.

Cockerel

Colorful rooster on a 16"x20" canvas.  Click here to buy.

Red Kicks

Nothing lifts your mood like wearing red shoes. Especially when they are this comfy and cute.  8"x8" canvas panel, unframed.  Click here to buy.

Pink Converse

  I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.
Audrey Hepburn

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White Face

Hey, Mom? Mom?   My second go at a favorite photograph.  This is on a 16"x20" canvas. Click here to buy.

Norton's Floral

A local florist provided a gorgeous floral arrangement for our art association meeting, and held a contest for the best painting.  This is my entry.  I have never tackled such a large floral before, so I cropped in pretty tight to focus on an interesting part of the arrangement.  Painting flowers was really fun and challenging,  and I look forward to trying some more florals.  It sold at the show on Saturday.

My First Art Show

Saturday the weather held up and we had a wonderful day for the Mt. Brook Art Association's Spring Art Show.  This is the first time that I have participated in a local show, and I had a terrific experience. Lots of family and friends came by to say hi, and there was a great turn out even with the iffy weather.  It was unseasonably cool and breezy, but turned out to be a beautiful day, which was an answer to prayer.

Here's my booth.  Most of my paintings are on the small side, so the folding panels we found at Lowe's worked out great.   The EZ-Up tent was actually pretty easy to put up with two people (thanks, David).

The show is held on the athletic fields of an elementary school in a great little village with lots of people with their kids on bikes, babies in strollers and dogs on leashes.

My son Will and daughter Anna came to support me.  It worked, because I sold 19 paintings!!!!!

I was surprised and thrilled to receive one of six "Award of Distinction" ribbons given to artists for their body of work. The judge was very complimentary and encouraging especially about my still life.  Needless to say, I am now even more motivated to pursue my daily painting!

Chocolate and Cherry

I have been scrambling getting ready for my first art show on April 21.  Mountain Brook Art Association is having their annual spring show this Saturday.  Got my tent, some cool display screens and have been painting like crazy.  Fingers crossed that it doesn't rain.

This painting is in a series of tiny treats on 4"x4" canvas.  Stress makes me think chocolate.                 Buy now on etsy.

Pineapple "Casserole"

As I prepared food to take to our family's Easter dinner, I thought about the ladies who created some of those quintessential southern recipes.  Like banana pudding, glazed ham, or the pineapple "casserole."

Pineapple casserole is a holiday staple in our house.  Who dreamed this one up?

First, take a lot of sugary canned fruit - pineapple - then add a cup of sugar.  Now, because there may not be enough empty calories, add a cup of refined, white flour.  Now I know what you are thinking, at this point our casserole is fat-free,  we can't have that, so let's add shredded cheddar cheese.  Yum.  Now it needs a topping. . . let's take butter flavored crackers, crush them and toss them with a whole stick of melted butter.  Yummier.  Heat until the cheese melts and the crackers turn golden brown.

Now anywhere else in the country, this would probably be served as dessert, but down here it's a side dish.  Used in place of a vegetable.  Right next to the sweet potato casserole with brown sugar pecan topping and the strawberry-jello-pretzel "salad."
I love the south.

Blue Lips

OK, so David titled this one.  Because if you eat this cupcake, your lips will turn blue.  I know.

This is painted on a 4"x4"x1 1/2" canvas that has painted sides and will stand by itself.   I painted some similar ones (of angels) for Anna's teachers at Christmas time.  I am thinking that this would make a great end of the year gift for a teacher.  A calorie free cupcake for your favorite teacher.  What do you think?
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Spring Green

Anna's been wearing her green and pink Converse since spring has sprung here.  She probably won't be wearing her plum suede ones again until next fall.   I put away my socks and boots and got out the sandals and shorts.  I have to admit, I prefer the comfort and coverage of winter wear.  There is so much maintainance involved in the summer.  Shaving, tanning lotion, toenail polish.  Do I sound lazy?
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We Like Sheep

Anna and I spent a gorgeous Saturday morning recently at the petting farm in Oak Mountain State Park.  The goats were super friendly and interacted with us, the sheep seemed unimpressed.  They were content to graze in the warm sun.
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All we like sheep have gone astray;  we have turned - every one - to his own way;  and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.           Isaiah 53:6

I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.       John 10:11