Artist's Statement

A quote from Grant Wood describes a condition from which he and many of us suffer: taking too much for granted. Wood said, "...To my great joy, I discovered that in the very commonplace, in my native surroundings, were decorative adventures and that my only difficulty had been in taking them too much for granted." Woods' words ring with truth. My goal as an artist is to capture the wonder of the often overlooked ordinary, the commonplace beauty around us, those little details that make all the difference in our daily lives. The rough hue of rocks, lush blue woodlands, weathered wood grains, and distant meandering dirt roads never cease to appeal to me. I attempt to share the beauty from which routine blinds us. My work can be purchased on ebay or by contacting me personally.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Fruit and Bottle 8x10 50.00

Fruit and Bottle or Bottle and Fruit, take your pick, was done as a study. Sometimes these studies appeal to me enough that I plan on doing a larger one at some point. This is one. I enjoy the color. The appeal that different paintings have on individuals is an interesting thing. I have learned that most enjoy paintings that remind them of a place or person. Sometimes, however, there is a quality that draws one to the painting that is more than that. For me, the appeal quality with this painting is the color, the reflection of the light on the forms. I like the old green bottle; it reminds me of no person or place; I simply like it. -enough said.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

PEI Lighthouse SOLD

I'm actually not sure if this painting sold; I simply lost track of it. There are so many paintings in my past that I have forgotten many I have painted. There was a time when I didn't attempt to keep a record of my work, so I sometimes see paintings that I can't recall painting nor what happened to them. There were two of these, and I can't account for either, something of which I am not proud  I either gave them away or sold them. Hopefully, this will never happen again.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Front Yard View 16x20 APC

Houses have been built on the street, so the yard view looks different now. --so glad I painted it then, so I would have the view "captured," at least on canvas. Time changes everything, so slowly that we seldom notice at the time. I like this painting because of the story behind it.  A lot has changed since this was painted.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Castle of Renown 16x20 Sold

Castles-I love them. While traveling in Ireland, I fell in love with rock fences and castles. I never cease to be awe of a country old enough to have structues as ancient as standing castles. What stories they could tell. This painting however was inspired by a postcard displaying a picture of a castle. I have painted many castles, yet this was one of my favorites.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Blackeyes and Blouder SOLD

My sister-in-law bought this from me several years ago. She was buried yesterday, and I will truly miss her. Phyllis loved art, music, and the Crimson Tide. The Tide would be first on the list. She was a pretty good art customer, but she preferred buying game tickets over art. That's OK. The sister piece to this was Blackeyes and Butterflies. Guess what that painting had in it? I'll try to post it next.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Geraniums in the Breeze

This is a huge piece that I did for my daughter. She and her family had moved into a home with a split foyer, and this painting was perfect in the entrance. When they moved to new home a few years afterward, they returned the painting, for their new home (a termporary apartment) had no room. I kept it for safekeeping, eventually selling it. A man bought it for his wife's Christmas present. It was to hang in their new home which also had a split foyer, thus Geraniums in the Breeze has gone full circle.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Morning Mist 16x20 SOLD

I have always enjoyed early morning, considered the best part of the day by many, including myself. On some mornings the fog is heavy in my front yard and for some reason I find it pretty in a melancholy way. I suppose that is why I enjoyed painting this scene. Misty Morning has been sold for some time, and at times I regret letting it go. Hey, but it's only a painting, right?

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Parrot, GA SOLD

Parrot, GA is just a stop in the road in the midst of Jimmy Carter peannt country. Years ago, my family and I would pass through here on our way to AL from FL. I always wanted to stop and get out and look at one antique store, but the driver had his mind on "making good time." Why is making good time so important? Is there a record that must be set that I don't know about. This little place always looked so interesting to me, like a western town lost in time. I kept looking for Matt Dillon to walk down the street.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Ashland City Park 11x14 quote me a price

The city of Ashland is not a metropolis with all the bells and whistles; we know that. However, our little park is hard to beat. Great for family gatherings, quiet walks, or just a peaceful place to chill, the city park is a retreat from the daily grind. I love it, so I painted a view of it.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Cheaha View 12x16 60.00

I never get tired of Cheaha scenes. I suppose landscapes are my subject of choice, explaining why I enjoy plein air painting so much. Painting on the scene is truly a joy. This was one which I painted on sight.