First Home

I enjoyed painting some commissions at Christmas time this year.  A  young friend commissioned this piece to give to her husband.  They have fond memories of happy times in their first home in Auburn.

I have been thinking about doing a painting a day for some time now.  The idea is to paint small on 5 x 7 panels, targeting specific skills upon which the artist wants to improve.  I have decided to accept Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge for the month of January.  I will be painting and posting, offering some of these pieces for sale.  Others I may use as inspiration for larger pieces.  I hope you will follow my journey.  Perhaps you can help me name them!

Thank you for your interest shown in my work by following my blog.  I appreciate your friendship and encouragement more than you know. I wish you happiness and health in the new year!

Vintage Year

This classic still life offers variety in textures, light and shadow, and color with its compliments of orange and blue.  I liked the reflection of light through the glass bottle onto the linen cloth.

It is available at Vignettes on Magnolia in Auburn.  Please join us for a wine and cheese reception honoring their artists on Friday, December 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

San Gimignano

I was drawn to the beautiful stonework in the header and arch above this Italian window garden in San Gimignano, Italy.  It is a beautiful walled hill town in the province of Siena in Tuscany.  It is famous for its medieval architecture.

This is one of my paintings in the Small Works Show at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery.  The exhibit opens on December 4 with a wine and cheese reception from 5:30 to 8:30.  It features paintings from the gallery artists just in time for Christmas gifting.  Please visit the gallery and see our work.

Ella Gaines

This was a commissioned piece for a friend.  She has a beautiful granddaughter!

AUMC Founders Chapel

 

Auburn United Methodist Church has been a special part of my life:  a sacred place to worship and celebrate life's blessings.  This painting is available at The Flower Store in Auburn.

Hydrangeas and Oranges

This painting will be for sale at our guild art show Thursday night.  I like the variation of texture in this still life with the window, glass tiles, granite countertop, painted wooden cabinet, burlap, wire, baskets, flowers and fruit.  So many surfaces to consider...

I hope you can come and see a this exciting collection of art from a group of very talented painters.

Art Guild Show

Please come to our show Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at Greystone Mansion, 434 E. Magnolia Avenue in Auburn, Alabama.  We are a group of artists who paint our individual pieces, as Ron teaches and critiques our work. I hope you can join us for this annual wine and cheese party that showcases our work.

Lake Living

This is the view from our pier that never fails to inspire.  I am about to be settled in my new studio at home on the lake.  Lake Martin is indeed a "Treasured Alabama Lake", as designated by Governor Riley in 2010.

Our annual fall show of the Ronald Bayens Art Guild  is coming up Thursday night in Auburn.  We will be busy next week hanging our art at Greystone Mansion.  I will post the invitation soon and hope that you will be able to join us.

Art Colony

I have just returned "home" to the lake after painting this week with wonderful artists and friends from across the Southeast at the Sarah Carlisle Towery Art Colony at Children's Harbor on Lake Martin.  Dawn Whitelaw was one of our artists in residence.  She is incredibly talented and worked tirelessly to teach and inspire us.  Many thanks to all of the workers and volunteers who took care of us so that we could focus on our art.

This is one of four paintings underway from my time studying there. It is based on a photo I took at the harbor on the Isle of Capri on my trip to Italy last spring.  I will be posting the others as I finish them up.

Lake House

This painting was done for dear friends.  They have had many happy memories with family and friends through the years at their lake home on Lake Martin.  They have an incredible view of the sunset each afternoon.

This was a new experience for me to paint on burlap.  I applied many coats of Gesso to prepare the surface.  It has a wonderful texture and hopefully lends itself to the lake scene.  My husband took photos for me one afternoon from our gently rocking pontoon boat.  Not the best setup for capturing an image!

Bo

This is a commissioned painting of a dog named Bo.  He loves the lake and his tennis ball!  

It is a graduation gift for a favorite niece from an aunt who is very proud of her accomplishments.

California Dreamin'

This Granddad was on a special outing with his granddaughters on a California beach.  

I can understand why California Impressionists loved to capture the effects of sunlight on water and sand.

Daffodil

Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers.  This painting is available at The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Shop.  Hope you will enjoy!

Almost There

Families with children of all ages are fascinated by visits to the beach.  I am fortunate to have memories of special trips with our children and grandchildren.

Mr. Henry

Mr. Henry is the beloved pet of a sweet young friend who lives in Atlanta.  He was her first "baby".  Now she and her husband have twin boys to enhance their lives.  Lots of fun times ahead!

Alex

Alex was best friend to his master for 14 years.  She has so many precious memories of their time together.  He was such a good "snuggler".  When she sat on her couch he always jumped up and took his special place in her lap, waiting for her to pet him.  He went on lots of family vacations...even had his own suitcase!  

Italian Holiday

I've just returned from a fascinating trip to Italy with good friends and traveling companions from my art guild. We traveled to Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, and Florence.  It was amazing to see the beautiful art and experience the history of this ancient, though modern, country.  

We visited the Angel Academy of Art in Florence where students are offered a three year curriculum in classical art training.  We also spoke with some artists who were taking three months from their busy lives to hone up on their skills.  I hope you will enjoy some of my photos.

I reached a milestone last month with the 10,000th visitor to my blog!  I appreciate each and every one, and thank you for your interest in my art journey.  

Now, it is time to channel my new knowledge into creativity!

Lakeside Mercantile

Lakeside Mercantile and Linda's Greenhouse are fun places to shop for antiques, crafts, and beautiful plants at Walnut Hill near Lake Martin and Dadeville, Alabama.  On some days, you can see this vintage truck in mint condition parked out front.  A great selection of flowers and plants is arriving now.

I am happy that this painting was accepted for the juried Fine Art Show at Auburn CityFest 2014.  Please come to the preview reception open to the public on Thursday, April 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and to the show on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Nunn Winston House at Kiesal Park.

Betrothed

This beautiful beach in the British Virgin Islands is the spot where my nephew asked his new bride to marry him.  They were on a week long sailboat cruise of the islands.  Welcome to the family, Christine!

Big Sur

The craggy coastline of northern California holds many beautiful vistas.  It is one of my favorite vacation destinations.  My brother and I had a great trip together out there last summer.  We had dinner outside one evening on a deck overlooking the Pacific.  Ruby throated bluebirds flew in and out of the trees quite undaunted by the restaurant full of guests.

Big Sur will be available at the Let There Be Art sale and celebration, opening with a gala evening Friday night at the Museum of Fine Art in Columbus, Georgia.  The show will run through April 17.  I hope you can come!

Lilies and Marigolds

My talented daughter in law helped me set up this still life on the deck at the lake.  We liked the composition and pops of color.  The reflections of sky and water can be seen in the glass vases.  Lilies and Marigolds will be featured in Let There be Art next week at the Columbus Museum.

Beach Buddies

I am honored to have been recognized this year as a professional artist in Let There Be Art, the juried art show and week long celebration of the museum of fine art in Columbus, Georgia April 11-17.

The show celebrates artists from the East Coast, throughout the South, and stretching across to Europe.   Please visit www.columbusmuseum.com/lettherebeart/ for the full schedule of events including the

Cirque D'Art premier party.

Some of the best shared memories are those between "big" sister and "little" brother... just

like in this beach scene.  Beach Buddies will be featured in the catalog and the show.  I'll be sharing additional show paintings with you in the next few weeks.

Sunday Morning

Putting our minds in neutral and enjoying nature are two things that can be hard to do in our busy lives.  I am reminded of the Bible verse from Psalm 46:10 that says, "Be still, and know that I am God".


Sunday Morning has been accepted to the juried show of the Energen Corpartion.  It will be available at the Energen Art Show at their corporate offices in Birmingham from March 10-21. Please visit www.art.energen.com for more details.  I appreciate the opportunity Energen offers Alabama artists to show and sell our work.

Daydreamin'

Our industrious grandson, Thomas, is the proprietor of all kinds of heavy equipment and knows the correct name for each piece.  He has spent endless hours working on this backyard construction site.

Simple Pleasure

Simple Pleasure has been accepted in the juried show of Arts Revive in Selma this spring.

Through the combined efforts of citizens for the arts, a gallery has been opened at the Arts Revive Carneal Building on the banks of the Alabama River in the heart of historic Selma.  It is the perfect venue for art, music, and community events.  The show will be open to the public from March 8-21.  It coincides with their annual Spring Pilgrimage.  A tour of homes, plein air paintout, and many other events are on the schedule. Check out www.artsrevive for more details.

My father, Clifton Kirkpatrick,  was born in Old Cahaba and grew up in Selma, so I'm happy to be returning to family roots for this show.

The Flower Store

The Flower Store is an Auburn Landmark.  Once located on South College Street, it is now in this beautiful location on Moores Mill Road.  It was a joy to paint this piece for its very talented and creative owner.

Franks

Contrary to what you might think, this Dachshund got his name because he loves to eat hot dogs!