Merry Christmas

This is the fourth painting in my series of Redbirds.  Each year I paint a new one and print notecards.  If you need hostess gifts or stocking stuffers, these are available at The Flower Store in Auburn and the Museum Store at Montgomery Museum of Fine Art.
I want to thank you for following my blog and encouraging my art journey.  Wishing you a merry Christmas with health and joy in 2020!

Celebrating the Holidays at the Art Haus

We are looking forward to the inaugural show for the new Art Haus in Opelika this Saturday from 11:00 to 2:00.  It follows the Christmas parade downtown. I hope you will come out for a fun filled day.
I have enjoyed spending some time there painting this fall.  
My small Santas will be for sale along with beautiful artwork from a group of talented local artists.  We are thankful for the vision of the Stern family in providing this lovely gathering place for the arts in Opelika.

Aubie

 Aubie is the beloved mascot of my alma mater, Auburn University.  He delights all who meet him!
This painting will be in my solo show featuring Auburn related paintings this weekend at The Local Market at J & M..  It is fun to have our team back in town.  Our son and daughter-in-law graduated from Ole Miss, so our family loyalties are divided this time.

All AUburn

We are glad to have two college mascots at Auburn University.  Tigers and eagles will be in my art show at The LocAL Market at J & M this weekend. I will also have landscapes, seasonal small paintings, notecards and prints.  I hope you can join us for the show opening Friday and for the fun activities downtown before the football game Saturday night.

Nova

Nova will be for sale next weekend at my art show at the LocAL Market at J & M on Friday, November 1 and Saturday, November 2.  I will be there from 10 to 2 on Friday.  I hope you will come shop for art and souvenirs.  Enjoy the downtown home football game activities at Toomers Corner!

Tucker

Meet Tucker!  He is a precious King Charles Spaniel and a service dog who hangs out with his master, Dr. Charles Greenleaf, at Auburn Pediatric Dentistry.  He offers comfort and snuggles to the children as the wait for their teeth to be cleaned and for procedures.  What a great idea!

This painting will hang in the office above his play area.  He will have his own built in doggie bed. I caught him napping when I delivered his portrait!

Sadie

Sadie showed up one day and has been a garden companion and snuggle bug for her mistress ever since.  She is lucky to be a beloved pet in this family.

Watchful Eye

This majestic eagle reminds me of Spirit, Auburn's much loved mascot, who has entertained the Auburn faithful with her pregame flights in Jordan Hare Stadium since 2002.   When she was found in Florida at the age of 22 with an injured wing and beak,  she was brought to the Auburn School of Veterinary Medicine for rehabilitation.  Her flight is one of my favorite Auburn traditions!
I understand that we have a new addition to our official eagles this fall.  She is a golden eagle and her name is Aurelia.  Maybe she will make her first game day flight next weekend.

Watchful Eye has been on display in the show house for The Legacy at Cary Creek.

This Ole House

This is a recent commission of an old homeplace that had been neglected.  While making the decision  to tear it down, the owners were able to salvage materials to be reused in a new home that was built nearby on the property.

I was given license to imagine what the home may have looked like when a family lived there. It made me think of an old country song entitled "This Ole House" recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

My client sent me a sweet note and the above photo to let me see my painting in place.  I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me to work with them and honor the past!  

Mend the Heart

I stopped by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce this week to drop off  my painting, Cocksure, for Mend the Heart 2019 Tornado Relief Benefit.  The art auction will be an evening event from 6-8 PM on August 13 at the Jule Collins Smith Museum.  Hors d'ouvres will be provided by local fine dining restaurants and music by Muse.  Advance tickets can be purchased at the Auburn and Opelika Chambers, or at EAMC.ORG/MEND.  All of the proceeds will go to repairing and rebuilding recovery efforts in Lee County.

Mary Margaret's Flowers

This beautiful floral arrangement was created for a sweet bride this spring.  I enjoyed painting the colorful palette of corals and greens.

Sweet Memories

What a treat it was to travel to the Plein Air South artists' convention recently with a talented group of plein air painters. We received inspiration and instruction from 20 invited artist/instructors and from each other.  We were offered demos both inside and outdoors in this beautiful setting of Florida's Forgotten Coast.  Even after surviving the destruction of Hurricaine Michael this past year, the community welcomed us with open arms.

Sweet Memories is my painting of a beach home in Mexico Beach in her former glory.  She hosted many fun family times and celebrations.  While the home was damaged, the memories last forever!

Auden and Langston

These dog brothers have the same parents, but came from different litters.  They live in California.    They were ring bearers in their master's wedding!

Nowhere To Be

These lovely ladies had nowhere to be today.  I snapped their photo as they were heading out to walk on the beach last summer.  This painting is available at Vignettes on Magnolia in Auburn.

Chloe

Chloe is a Bichon Frise.  The husband of her owner commissioned this painting for a gift.  He tells me there was a tearful moment of joy and surprise when his wife opened her present.  These are words to warm an artists's heart!  I so appreciate him sharing this with me.
Vetstreet describes this breed as a lapful of charm in a cotton ball cloud.  I loved painting the curly hair on her ears.

Living Coral

Each year the Pantone Color Institute declares a color of the year.  Their selection has quite an impact in the realms of design and décor.  Pantone has announced "Living Coral" as its 2019 Color of the Year.  It is described as "an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge."

I wonder how the color analysts create their descriptions, but this one well suits a painting I recently completed.  This painting is much more design oriented than my usual style, but I really loved seeing it come to  life.

Twin Sisters

These beautiful little girls are great models for their handsewn heirloom dresses.  They were photographed in their grandmother's garden.  I love how the sun highlights their pretty red and blonde hair.

Bruiser

 Bruiser is a beloved pet and life companion to his owners.  

As I paint commissions, I send progress images to my client so that they can help me by critiquing to produce the portrait they desire.  Bruiser's owners sent me a lovely thank you, along with this timeline photo collection of the individual images I sent as I was painting.  We thought you might enjoy seeing how his painting progressed in my studio.  On the left is the original photo my client provided, then the progression from drawing to completed painting.  Thank you. Jim!

Winter Invitational - Auburn Arts Association

I am honored that my painting, Family Outing, was accepted into the Winter Invitational Art Show sponsored by the Auburn Arts Association ongoing at the Jan Dempsey Arts Center until February 25.  It is a treat to be in the talented company of these 18 women artists.  I hope you will come by and join us for an opening reception Friday, February 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

I enjoyed painting this beautiful boy with his big blue eyes and gorgeous curls!