LIFE IS GOOD!

LUCKY ME!  LIFE IS GOOD!  I was awarded a South Carolina State Park Residency at Cheraw State Park.  In exchange, one of my paintings will be donated to the park.  Cheraw State Park is South Carolina's oldest park and largest park.  It is also home to the endangered cockcaded woodpecker.  Here are some pictures from the great trip.

Life is Good!

The Great Pee Dee River

Wisteria was everywhere.

Campbell Lake

Campbell Lake

This was my cabin for the week.

Juniper Creek

A beautiful landscape everywhere you look.

The pine forests were everywhere.

Dawn on Campbell Lake

Campbell Lake was awesome.

Fox Squirrels are everywhere.

Heaven on Earth.  (click to enlarge)

The sun also sets.

WHAT AN INSPIRING TIME AT CHERAW STATE PARK.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THE WEEK PERFECT.

Nestled

"Nestled," oil, 8x10

(click image to enlarge)

This painting is dedicated to my friend Ellen Fishburne Triplett, who always encourages me to make each painting special.  We have a comfortable friendship that is nestled with love and encouragement.

A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Challenges are posted weekly here.  Take a look at my entries for this week.

Both are 5x7 oils.

Please click image to enlarge.

Another Great Happening

Matt Matthews is the author of Mercy Creek, winner of the 2010 South Carolina First Novel Prize. The book will be released in hardcover in May 2011 from Hub City Press.  

I am honored that my work was chosen for the cover art.

Matthews will attend the SC Book Festival at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on May 14 and 15, 2011. All events are free and open to the public.  Order your copy HERE.

Another Enchanted Evening

"Another Enchanted Evening," oil, 24x36

(Click image to enlarge)

I am getting paint everywhere trying to get ready for upcoming shows.  Here's my latest finished painting.  Inventory is mounting.  Will post more shortly.

Exciting New Venue

So proud to tell you that one of my paintings is now in Governor Nikki Haley's office!

It was an honor, and we enjoyed looking around the State House.

Feeling Peachy

The weather has everyone feeling good around here.  Even the cats are enjoying naps on the deck in the sun.  Looking forward to the Summer harvest.

"Feeling Peachy," oil, 5x7

Got Cocktail Sauce?

Getting Ready for the BIG SHOW!

SAVE THE DATE to Come See My Newest Works!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition

Marion Square, Charleston, SC

Corner of King and Calhoun 

     May 27 - June 11 /  9:30am - 5:00pm

My love is like a yellow, yellow rose.....

A Rose for the Valentine challenge.  

See more here.

One of my Special Chickadees

"Jackson," oil, 8x10

This is a portrait study of a dear student.  Jackson and I have spent many a wonderful Wednesday in art class with all my other chickadees.  I take photos of them often.  This one just wanted to be painted.  He is such an artist; it is an honor to teach him. 

10 Minute Challenge

Shrimp Studies, 6x12, oil

Here are some shrimp studies I painted today in a 10 minute painting challenge.  We were to  choose one object and paint it 8 times taking only ten minutes per time.  Lots of fun.  Check out the other submissions here.

One More Time

I have been playing with this image for a couple of paintings now.  This feels right to me.  Might be able to put it to rest - then again - one in purple might be next.  You never know!

For Old Times Sake

This is an image from Beaufort, SC.  What a spectacular place.  Always vibrant and inviting.

A Favorite Place

Lake Murray, South Carolina was my home for 20 years.  I could never get tired of painting it's colors, atmosphere, and quiet.

Lines and Colors and Paint -

There is such pleasure in holding (or painting) a peacock feather.  So brilliantly colored.  The movement of each tendril is beyond compare.  Something so magnificent in such a small package.  It was delightful to paint.

Cool Crisp Marsh

Here's another one from down home on Sullivan's Island.  No place I feel more connected to the earth than on the marshes of South Carolina. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Pucker Up

Time for some more lemons.  I was thinking of a patron that likes lemons and decided to paint some.  They are so much fun.  Bright color, beautiful form, and eager to receive the light.  Okay, artist off the deep end here - but you see it don't you?

Up the Creek

(click image to enlarge)

"Up the Creek," oil, 36x24

I love this painting.  It gives the feeling that you are standing right in the middle of this beautiful place.  The light on the water makes it seem as if the water is actually flowing UP!  hee hee.  Greens, blues, rich mauves all give this painting a realistic feeling of the cool mountain creeks.

Winter Blues and Reds and Golds

 Wanderer Series

12x12 oil

Adding a little color to the winter.  Wanted to see how far I could push the color and it still be "believable."  Now we know!  heh

Late Night Songs, oil, 20x20

"Late Night Songs," oil, 20x20

(click on image to enlarge)

I have finally finished.  This is a picture of Bud on Bongos and my husband, Robert, on guitar.  I worked long and hard on this one, and it brought back so many good memories.