Happy New Year!!!!

May it be filled with new friendships, renewal of old, lots of painting, good spirits, love, happiness and good health. (Faith and Memphis showing we all can get along if we try.)

Shadow Crow

This was something different I tried when I saw another artists painting. I think it was Kelley MacDonald but I don't see it on her site anymore. She had done these very cool sparrows in the snow but as shadows. It made me want to see what I could do with that effect. NFS

Sorry I haven't been posting lately as we just found out my sister has pancreatic cancer. After many days of worrying we finally received some hopeful news. The doctors caught the cancer early and hopefully with surgery and chemo she will beat this! Keep us in your prayers in the coming New Year.

Happy Holidays!!!

Our view from the train on the way to Pike's Peak. Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!

Sitting Around 8"x6"

This painting had a few challenges for me but I think in the end they resolved themselves. I'm still happy to be painting my gull friends. I don't seem to be able to get enough of them and blue skies.

A Crabby Story

A couple of years ago my guy and I went to South Padre Island, Texas to attend the beach wedding of my youngest sister. Now, the first night there everyone in the wedding party met at one of the steak and seafood restaurants on the island. It was early August and SPI is always crowded at that time of year.  The restaurant was packed and the wait staff harried.  I didn't want to hold anyone up so I quickly decided on a fried seafood platter not really thinking much about what it was. After a while, my plate arrives and everything on it...is brown. Fried... brown... everything. My guy raised his eyebrows at me and I just shrugged and started in on my uniform colored selection. I was trying the crab and I guess I must have looked a little strange because my guy asked me if everything was alright. I told him I hadn't realized crab was so crunchy. He gives me this horrified look and says he didn't realize I didn't know. Huh??? Apparently, unknown to me, when they fry crab they stuff the meat back into the shell, dip it in breading, and fry it, shell and all. No wonder it was a tad on the crunchy side.

Moral of the story: Fried food is probably bad for you.

Shadow Beach 8"x10"

I actually took this picture of my guy and myself and later thought, hmmm, might make an interesting painting.  

I've been busy doing Christmas shopping and the annual Christmas baking with my sisters.  I now think I'm set for the coming holiday, I hope so anyway. Back to painting!

Places To Go 8"x8"

Rick Nilson does these amazing running birds. I think he must do it from memory because when I try to get photos of these birds running, I end up with little running blurs. They are so fast! So, I had a blurry bird picture with a great shadow to work from. It was interesting to say the least.

Oil on canvas panel. $65 plus $8 s&h

Blue Sky Gull 8"x8"

I was trying to think up a name for this painting when I laughingly told my guy maybe I should just call it blue sky bird head. He tilted his head and said, yeah I like that. So.... then I thought maybe not.

Chillin' 6"x8"

I like the idea of a gull just chillin' at the beach. Maybe he has friends he's waiting for. Maybe he should spring for some french fries! I like the vastness of the beach with the one gull enjoying it.

Stepping 8"x8" (Revised)

I had a lot of fun with this painting. I liked the idea of the gull stepping along the beach with the sky and ocean as a back drop, the wind ruffling the feathers.

Going Home 6"x8"

I don't know why but, when I look at this, it makes me a little sad. I cannot explain why. I had fun with the sky though.

How You Doin? 7"x5" SOLD

We saw this guy from the window of a restaurant situated on the bay in Port Isabel, Tx. He had so much personality in his stance I couldn't help but paint him. By the way, if you ever get to Port Isabel, Tx, try to go to Pelican station. The food is incredible and the view wonderful. This painting is sold!

Bird's Eye View 5"x7"

My niece had such fun taking close up photos of the gulls, I can't help but use them. It was also a lot of fun.

Not Talking To You 6"x8"

This little guy was sitting in the shop when his owner brought back lunch. After a while, when it became obvious to him she was not going to share, he turned his back on all of us. I think he was very disappointed. Poor little guy.