New Watercolors... Finally!

I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact that it's already mid-summer!  What a busy one it's been!  Between the garden and the chickens and music and bands and gigs and a solo art show in a mountain town and generally just enjoying the sunshine and warmth, I have found ways to avoid my paintbrushes.  But sometimes it's good for me to take a break and step away from the studio.  When I come back to it, I'm inspired and ready to get to work.

Here are some of the new watercolors I've been working on.  If there's a link attached, it means, of course, that they've been listed for sale.

Season of the Butterflies, a 9 x 12.

Crow Over Banner Elk, 9 x 12.



Music of the Sun, 9 x 12.

Banner Elk Morning, 6 x 10.

Stormy Sea, 8 x 10.



Dream, 6 x 6.

Wren at Morning, 5 x 7.

Chickens in the Corn, on 6 x 6 paper with white edges.

Says Who? 4  x 6 in frame.

Sunrise Over the Lake, 4 x 6.

There's no doubt about it... the summertime colors have inspired me!  Until next time, keep on the sunny side and live in the sunshine.





Look What Came in the Mail!!

My husband had some chores to do this morning, one of which was a trip to the post office, and when he returned home, he came in bearing a much-awaited package, dressed in a very pretty aqua blue! I couldn't wait to get it opened.  It was even better than I imagined, and I can't express how glad I am that I made this purchase.  I love shopping on Etsy, but I am also selective with what I buy, especially now when my sales have been slow.  But when I saw this lovely screen-printed tee in a treasury, I knew I had to have it.It came from the shop of angeldamico on Etsy, and it is so, so soft and lightweight.  The color is a rich teal green, and the V-neck style and longish, hip length is often what I look for.  But the original design with birds in flight...well, what more can I say? 

But wait... look closely....

 Not only are there birds in flight, but there are constellations, and they are named!  This shirt's design is called Night Birds, so of course... the night sky and birds.  A combination that speaks to me since out here in the rural woods, I see millions and zillions of stars on a clear night and so many different kinds of birds throughout the day.

I like how angeldamico's shop is set up as well.  It is sectioned with sizes, so you can go immediately to the size you would wear and view the various designs and styles.  She's got great selections.  I love the Evergreen Trees and the Deer and Trees designs.

I'll be wearing this shirt next time I leave the house.  Those who know me know that I am rather a hermit who stays busy at my home in the woods with songwriting, music, painting, gardening, chickens, dogs, and such, but I'll make a point to get out in my new shirt soon!

Color All Around

Bright blue sky, yellow green leaves, grass green, 

creamy white dogwood blossoms,

purple-pink redbuds, yellow kerria... 

so many colors surrounding us and it's all so joyful!

Here's a shot of one of many dogwoods from this morning.

New works full of color:

The Journey, 11 x 14 oil on canvas

After the Rain, 8 x 10 watercolor

Garden Song, 4 x 6 watercolor

Spirit Rising, 4 x 6 watercolor

Male Grosbeak in Spring, 8 x 10 watercolor

Song Sparrow, 4 x 6 watercolor

Joyful, 6 x 10 watercolor

Three cheers for springtime and all its many colors!  

New for April

Can you believe it?  April is here!  Warm weather will soon stay around for good!  And I'm so ready for it.

But before I go any further, let me announce the winner of my Springtime Giveaway... Monica!  Congrats to her.  Her new watercolor is on its way.  Thanks to all those who entered... and stay tuned.  There will be more giveaways as the year rolls along.

I've been busy lately with lots of music.  Our band has a gig this evening, another at the end of the month, and also on Mother's Day weekend.  And I've got a solo gig in mid-May too.  But I've been working on new paintings, and I've even added a new section to the Etsy shop... photography.  Here's what I've been up to in the visual arts arena.

Oriole Dreams of Sunlit Trees....

Waxwing in the Forest Light...

 

Shy Summer Grosbeak...

Afternoon Shadows... a fine art photograph... quiet mystery.

 The Journey... a fine art photograph ... soul travels



Okra Blossom... a fine art photograph... a true beauty from our 2010 veggie garden

Sharing the Garden... a fine art photograph... a surprise in my summer flower garden in 2010

There will be more photos to come, and of course more paintings.  Until then, enjoy the month of April, love the one you're with, and share a smile with a stranger.

Finding Fine Art in Spring

This year on Etsy, I was accepted into a new team... Finding Fine Art. It's a terrific group of fine artists who sell original work and who work together in a variety of ways to support each other.

Here is what this team is all about: The Finding Fine Art team was created to provide a unique shopping experience for fine art collectors seeking original art on Etsy. Members of the team are visual artists with outstanding, gallery quality original artwork, a high level of professionalism and presentation, and a positive standing in the Etsy community. Buyers are encouraged to look through our members list to discover new artists or search the tag “findingfineart” on Etsy for a dazzling, virtual gallery experience.

I spent some time looking through the amazing art this team has created and decided to feature some work here... with a theme of spring, of course, in honor of the first day of spring. I considered subject, color, and title, and came up with this mix of abstract and realism, watercolors, oils, and acrylics. Follow the link to see the work up close in the artist's Etsy shop.

Wild Garden by JessicaTorrant
Renovation by heronkate

Ladies in Spring Rain by karensfineart

Spring Fantasy by watermediaworks

Happily Ever After by aliherrmann

Spring Scene by PrankePaintings

Signs of Spring by MDaisleyMoffitt

Little Chick by WaterInMyPaint
Stay tuned for more fine art... and until then, enjoy the new life growing all around us, and kiss the ones you love.

The Birds of the March Thaw

The days are getting warmer, the trees are budding, the daffodils and forsythia are blooming, filling my garden and everywhere you look with bright bursts of yellow, and each morning there is much bird song in celebration of it! I am rejoicing after a very long and cold winter, and my color palette is filled with spring shades. Here are a few new birdies in springtime colors that have been brought to life in watercolor. Most of these have already been listed in my Etsy shop, and some of them are framed. Some will be listed today.







While you're here, don't forget to check out my Springtime Giveaway of a 4 x 6 watercolor. Just click here for easy access. Good luck, and Happy Spring!

What Goes On

Around here, what's been going on is wonderful weather. We've had many days of sunny skies and temps in the mid to upper 60s, even reaching 71 one day! You know I have been loving it, as have the daffodil shoots, and last night, I even saw some new irises springing up through the February ground. I found these lovely flowers and plants while I walked with my daughter in Old Salem yesterday!

I've been working on new paintings and new songs. I have a solo gig on March 5th in downtown Winston-Salem, so I'm seriously thinking about my set list and getting my new songs tightened up. When I'm not doing that, I'm either walking around the mountain or painting.

Here are some of my newer pieces. Most have been listed in my Etsy shop, so you can easily check them out by clicking on the link.

Several itty bitty miniatures... each of these has been framed in a mini bone or mother-of-pearl frame, averaging around a mere 2.5 inches in size. They are perfect for a little spot on a windowsill or bookshelf or bedside table.





A mixed media with oils, photography, and text, measuring 24 x 30 and also listed, as of today.... A Morning Song.

This white-throated sparrow is one of my favorite watercolors. It measures 5 x 7 and has been framed in a beautiful cobalt blue Italian made frame.

And lest you think that I only paint birds, here are a couple other newer watercolors to prove you wrong (though it is quite true that birds are my favorite subject of late!).



Until next time, enjoy the world of nature, listen for the birdsong, and hug the one you love!