I finished this 5 x7 drawing while I worked at the gallery Saturday. Believe it or not, the colors are more intense in the original than in this scan. I love that this just screams JOY! and FUN! It makes me happy when I look at it. That's what I want to express in my art - JOY, HAPPINESS, PEACE. All good feelings - Philippians 4:8.

Cafe with Books

Happy President's Day Morning! I'm off work on HOLIDAY today! I'm framing up some artwork to take to the Gallery this afternoon and eating oatmeal and sipping tea. What a glorious start to a marvelous day!

Deer at Grayson Highlands

This sketch is from a photo I took at Grayson Highlands State Park last summer.

We stood silently under the apple trees, and watched as this little deer came closer and closer - almost close enough to touch! A beautiful memory with my daughter Grace.

Morning Tea

I painted this at lunch yesterday - the remains of my morning tea. As I was finishing this sketch, my friends came in with a gift for me - a huge teacup planter. More on that to follow!

Red with Turquoise 4

I suppose this is a continuation in the series of red with turquoise. I went to a Southern Living Show yesterday afternoon and was so inspired by all the shapes of the glasses and the pitchers and vases. Their pottery colors are red and turquoise - not as bright as my artwork - more subdued colors. I just can't bring myself to "subdue" a color. I know the rules - that grays make colors pop and you should have neutrals in a painting - but I just can't do it. My art is not really meant to be realistic, but to make you smile and say "wow - this is bright!" So here it is, # 4 in my red/turquoise phase...

Red Flowers 3

This is # 3 in the series I began this weekend. I cannot get enough of this RED!!!!

Tulip Craze

I did this yesterday, and I'm not sure if I like it - it's a bit busy. Would love to have your comments.

Red Flowers 2 1_21_07

Created this morning, this is the second in what I suppose is a sort of series of these red flowers with turquoise. This subject and the shape of the flowers came about very spontaneously and unplanned, but I love the color and the combination of all the colors, the dots on the vase, and the contrast. So "Red Flower 2," and on to the next in the series...

Radishes 1-14-07

I went grocery shopping and the produce display was incredible! This bunch of radishes was simply gorgeous. I couldn't wait to get home and paint it. My sister, neice, and other family members said I was really "out there!" They just don't know what they're missing! Art is about finding and capturing the tremendous beauty in the everyday things that most folks overlook. God is so good to give us so much to enjoy! The red in these radishes contrasted against the green leaves is phenomenal!

Turquoise Vase with Red Flowers

Finally, a post. My resolution to post every day has not worked out very well. Life has a way of getting in the way of our best intentions. But I love this very happy piece of art. It was spontaneous and fun and was more like play than work. Isn't that what art is supposed to be? Play. Fun.

I've struggled with this new style of mine ever since it evolved. It just came out of my hand and heart naturally, but it was so effortless and fun, I wasn't sure if it was "real art." So I called them "Doodles." An artist friend of mine told me that I was cheapening my art by calling them doodles. So I'm changing my blog name and I'm changing my attitude toward this new style of ART I've birthed. Looking at my art makes me smile. I hope it makes others smile too. Art is very personal and thank goodness there is no right or wrong, just honest self-expression.