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.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Yellow Teapot 8x10

I have always had a "thing" for dishes. Serving bowls, platters, and yes, teapots have always caught my eye. Perhaps the shape or the color speaks to me saying, "Take me home." Due to my recent committment to simplify my home and life, I am learning to ignore their pleas. Presently, I am learning to enjoy them, appreciate them, without buying them. This particular teapot was found at a fleamarket. I not only loved the color but the shape. I have kept it because it is particularly dear to me; hence, I have captured in on canvas.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Blue Enamelware 8x10

In an effort to simplify my life, I recently eliminated a lot of "things" from my house that I no longer use. One of which was a set of blue enamelware dishes that I bought years ago. I spied them in a hardware store, and I thought they would be lovely to use for my decor. I have long since changed my ideas about how much clutter I need around me. The blue enamelware was discarded. I still like the dishes; in fact, a friend of mine wanted the set and I gave them to her, glad that the dishes would have a good home. In tribute to the dishes that cheered up my home for a few years, I thought I would capture some pieces on canvas.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Trouble 16x20

My neighbor has donkeys scattered among his cows. Daily in my walk, I pass and watch the latest antics of these guys.  If I could afford to simply buy an animal for viewing purposes, I would have myself some donkeys. Come to think of it, there would be no point in such a purchase as long as my neighbor has his. I think he enjoys them as much as I.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Kymulga 8x10

Recently opened to the public as  historic landmarks, Kymulga Mill and Covered Bridge provide a nice afternoon of serene pleasure. We spent an entire day painting on location in this peaceful place. As a result, I thought I would post this image of a day "gone with the wind."

Monday, October 10, 2011

Blue Vase with Lemon 8x10

Blue must be my favorite color, especially paired with yellow. I'm trying to paint without giving all the details to the viewer. --Easier than it sounds. 

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Crockery 5x7

Pottery of any kind has always had an appeal to me. I remember passing pottery places in the Smokey Mountains and wanting to stop. OK, maybe they are a rip-off, but the stuff is fun to look at with the myriad of colors and shapes. Naturally, I had to paint this arrangement.