HOMEMADE PICKLES, 6X8, OIL SOLD

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Last month, for the fifth year in a row, my painting group went on a week long retreat together.  We spend the week painting, laughing, cooking, drinking wine and usually a little singing and dancing are thrown into the mix.

This year I invited the group to spend the week at my western North Carolina vacation home.

My friend Cindy brought along home canned treats of salsa, jam and pickles.  They tasted even better than they looked.  When I noticed the pickles sitting in the kitchen window sill with a few tomatoes, I knew they would star in my next painting.

AN APPLE A DAY, 8X8", COLLAGE, SOLD

My friend Donna, always has something new up her sleeve, so my painting group was not really surprised when she announced that we would do "collage" at one of our gatherings.  She came with tons of papers in all colors and form along with matte medium and an apple.  Half way into this, I got in the groove, came home and sacrificed two of my vintage cookbooks for recipes.

In the end, I had a great time and several ideas for my next try.  Fun, fun, fun!

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SUNFLOWERS, 5X7, OIL, SOLD

Sunflowers are everybody's favorites.   It is impossible to be in a bad mood when they are around.

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QUEEN ANN'S LACE, 5X7, OIL, SOLD

I love wildflowers.  I don't know why some people call them weeds, just because they grow where they want and not always where YOU want them.  I would much rather see a sampling of pretty little flowers scattered about instead of miles of manicured green grass.

I always try to take at least one long walk with my camera when I am in North Carolina, you never know what you will find.  Last time, I found these pretty little flowers next to the road.

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MOUNTAIN CHURCH III, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

This sweet little Blue Ridge Mt. church has a graveyard behind it, which I thinks adds to it's charm.  These little churches are scattered all over the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina.

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LES TROIS POIRES, 8x10, OIL, SOLD

La trois poires, the three pears...why does it sound so much better in French?  It reminds me of a particular day in Paris.  My apartment was warm and cozy as I sat by the window reading my book while snow softly fell.  A plate of pears sat on the table and I snuggled in my soft robe.  Of course, this never happened, but I think it should have at some point in my life!  Maybe when I return to France...........

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BRIDALVEIL FALLS, YOSEMITE, 8X6, OIL

More paintings from my recent trip to California.  Bridalveil Falls is just one of many majestic sites at Yosemite National Park.  Massive amounts of water falling almost 4,000 feet is an incredible sight, but even more incredible is that it is just one of many falls and stunning mountain scenes that you will see in every direction.  John Muir, an early pioneer, is responsibile for mapping out the park, which is around the size of Rhode Island.  He had a vision, and wanted to save this for generations to come.  Thank you , Mr. Muir for your foresite.  He made this park possible, the first time in the history of our country that land came under national protection.  Sad to say that even before this could happen, the settlers were cutting down massive Sequoia trees over 2,000 years old!

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PIER 39, 5X7, OIL

I am happy to report that the sea lions have returned to Pier 39, much to the relief of the merchants in the Wharf area as well as the entire City Of San Francisco.  This is the 20th year anniversary of their arrival and they are a big tourist attraction, so it was very shocking when one day about 5 months ago, all 1700 of them decided to leave.  Don't get me wrong, their numbers are a lot smaller today.  On the day I visited last week, there were may 50 laying around.  But, hopes are high that more will return.  It just wouldn't be the same without them!

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"MUFFINTOP" 5x7, OIL,SOLD

This may be a cupcake, but it has a real "muffintop".  Guess I got a little carried away when I was pouring batter into the pan.  Possibly it was because I always go for the largest one.  You could even say I have a slight "muffintop" myself.  Got to go, I think there is still one left in the kitchen.

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CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF ENJOYING HERSELF, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

Caught in the act of enjoying herself!  This woman was so striking with her long blond hair, enjoying the pleasures of the cool Atlantic.  I will be posting a second painting of her tomorrow.

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CHOCOLATE PUDDING, 5X7, OIL

Last week a few of my painting buddies got together for an additional paint date.  Donna Vines invited us to her beautiful studio.  She had a cupcake and this yummy bowl of homemade chocolate pudding with hand whipped cream as set ups.  Naturally we rushed through the painting portion so that we could get to the eating portion.  No "starving artists" in our group!

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REFLECTIONS,6X8, ORIGINAL OIL

Here we have a pear sitting on a glass table top with natural light shining in behind.  It gives off a triple reflection that is really quite beautiful.  I especially like the bright aqua reflection that glass sometimes gives.

Do you ever get bored with painting?  I never do.  That is the most wonderful thing about being an artist.  Some days I have trouble getting inspired, but as soon I find a subject and get started,
I get totally involved in the project.  Right now, I am rushing to get all my little projects done so I can get back in the studio and finish a portrait of my granddaughter.  I think I could be a hermit as long as I had plenty of oil paint.

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BOWL OF CHERRIES WITH BLUE SKIES, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

Everything we could want in life, a bowl of cherries and blue skies!  Well, technically it's the reflection of blue skies.  Hope you enjoy this as much as I did painting it.  If you have not been to our new website Daily Painter Originals yet, click here for a look at what's new.

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LILY, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

I don't paint a lot of flowers so I thought I would give one a try.  This is from a photo I took a couple of years ago in North Carolina.  I found this beautiful plant full of blooms in a neighbor's yard.  The plant had a least 10 blooms on it and stood waist high. 

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WATERMELON, 6x8, OIL

I have some exciting news to tell you about.  Today is the unveiling of a brand new website called "Daily Painter Originals".  Carolyn Finnell, a very fine artist and computer whiz is the author and founder of this site.  We have gathered a group of 20 plus blogger artists that you would recognize.  People like Dana Cooper and Leslie Saeta, Dreama Tolle Perry and Gwen Bell, to name just a few.  Check out the new site here.  We hope it becomes one of your favorites!

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