Bi-State Art Competition

Shine
5"x7"
Oil on Brass

I am excited to announce that two of my paintings, Bright Idea and Shine have been accepted to the 39th annual Bi-State Art Competition at the Meridian Museum of Art.

Bright Idea
12"x12"
Oil on Copper

Currently they are on their way to Meridian. Please join me in wishing them good luck, God speed, and safe travels!

You may remember Bright Idea from my series of "work-in-progress" posts. You were a part of its birth and development! Now don't you feel proud of our little painting going out on its own? ;-)

Rock Garden?

My latest painting. I'm still working on a title, but I'm thinking "Rock Garden." 

What do you think?

I was reminded with this painting how much I really love realism. I love looking at something like a brown rock and seeing not just brown, but all the myriad of colors that make it appear brown. If you look closely, nothing is ever just the color it immediately seems. I'm not sure I'm ever more content than when I'm gazing at something beautiful and teasing out the unexpected colors that make up its highlights, shadows, and contours.

The capacity for delight

Sometimes the most random things catch my eye...like a canister of cheerios (always handy to have close by for a snacky 9-month-old).

Ooh, sparkly and shiny. Plus that turquoise makes me happy!

 "The quality of life is in proportion, always, to the capacity for delight. The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention."  Julia Cameron

Life's much more fun when you can notice the little things.

I like how the edge of the platter echoes the weave of  basket

Now you try! Anything "silly" inspire you lately?

Lovely

My parents were visiting and look what my dad found in the yard- a perfect, tiny little egg. Isn't it lovely? I don't use that word often, but it just seems like the best word for it. Who knows, maybe you'll see it in a painting by yours truly sometime soon...

Shiny things

Here's a quick study of the little nesting metal canisters I unearthed in my messy studio

Something borrowed

As I was attempting to organize my studio the other day (is this an ongoing battle for anyone else?) I ran across this super cool... thing (not sure what to call it) that I borrowed a year ago from my dear friend (and awesome artist) Mary Liz Ingram with the intention of painting it.

Sorry Mary Liz! I will return it as soon as possible. But first, doesn't this just HAVE to be immortalized in a work of art? Look at those reflections! Here for your viewing pleasure (and because I couldn't help myself) are a few more shots of that delicious shine. 

Emerging talent

My eight-month-old Fiona's first masterpiece. She kept wanting to eat the crayon, but who can question the eccentricities of an artistic genius? *wink*

Everyday Beauty: Cup of tea

What caught my eye today:

 And my quick study interpretation of it (from a slightly different angle).

I especially love the reflections in the spoon, of course. You know me!