The Widow's Mite

I had the joy of participating in the Brentwood Academy Fine Art show a couple of weeks ago. The people were so wonderful. I always enjoy the conversations at art shows. Well, one person I had the pleasure of meeting posted a blog about our visit. When she emailed asking for my permission to post about it on her blog, I cried and was so touched.  I had no idea what she did for a living or would write about me. Anyway, it's with a humble heart that I share a link to her blog with you here on my own. I hope it blesses you as well.

Sleigh Bells Ring...

"Are You Listening?" Oil on Canvas

I think I finally have it. When they start playing Christmas music before Halloween on our regular radio station, you resist it.  And still, it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I've had to have Christmas on my mind. So, the Christmas spirit is coming upon me. But before it's full on, let me say "Happy Thanksgiving!". That is my real favorite holiday.

I am especially thankful for an "elf" hired to help me in the studio! Her name is Leigh and she's priceless! She helps wire paintings, run errands, and even (gasp!) washes my paint brushes. It's been a little like Santa's Toy Shop with all the chaos as we scurry to get things ready for the next big show. I'll be heading to Brentwood Academy's Fine Art Show & Sale in Nashville, December 2nd thru 4th. 

On Second Thought...

Often times when I look at a photo of one of my paintings on the computer I can see it from an entirely new perspective. I did a little more work on "Treasure" since the last post. Some changes are more subtle than others. Some difference may be from the quality and lighting of the photo. Regardless, I'm more pleased with the piece now.

"Treasure"

The title of this painting stems from the prayers of the mother who commissioned it.

By definition treasure is:

Noun: 1. Accumulated or stored wealth in the form of money, jewels, or other valuables.

2. Valuable or precious possessions of any kind.

3. One considered especially precious or valuable.

Verb: 1. To keep or regard as precious; value highly.

2. To accumulate and store away, as for future use.

I love the title. So meaningful.

I just had to STOP

The group at my studio is holding a figure show this month. I don't "do" figures. So, here is really my first attempt at a figure all on my own. It's from a photo of my Mom taken around 1965 or so. Before I was born. I love the photo. She's a young mother of 3 girls when it was taken. Anyway, I love the hat, the net, and the era. Even went to a flea market to find an appropriate 1960's style frame. (see photo of it below) Bad news though. The opening is too big! Anyway, I need to quit working on this piece. It's hard to find a stopping point, so I just had to quit. Oh, and Mom wants to see this...I hope I'm not in trouble...

Peony

Last week was a rush to get things ready for the Bluff Park Art Show. "Oh Camelia" sold a few weeks ago, so I painted this flower to replace it. Tonight, Miss Peony is going on a visit to a potential new home along with her friend Miss Azalea. I was sure to take a quick photo just in case I won't see her again.

The Sweetest Thing

"The Sweetest Thing"    12x12    (Matthew  6:25-34)

This painting is a "wink" to my friends. Recently, a group of us girls got together for a book discussion. We read Elizabeth Musser's most recent book of the same title. The story takes place during the Great Depression in my hometown of Atlanta. It's about friendship and relying on God to provide during difficult times. So relevant during today's economic difficulties. This may be one of those pieces that is hard to let go of, but it will be available at my upcoming fall art shows.

 For more on Elizabeth's book (my favorite is "The Swan House") you can visit her website here.

"Azalea" 20x20 Oil on Canvas

I have been breaking in my new studio this week. Now that school has begun I am planning to be here daily. This is one of the first pieces I've completed in my new digs. Busy gearing up for fall shows. Gotta run!

"The Gift of Hope" - 100% Proceeds go to the Alabama Tornado Relief Effort

"The Gift of Hope"  12x12  Oil on Canvas

This week's painter's challenge was to wrap a gift and paint it. I could hardly wait! Then I had an idea. I've been trying to think of a way to use my talents to raise money for the tornado relief effort. While I was working on this, I decided this could be one way to do that. Here's the deal...

Know a special someone who "has everything"? Or someone who has a heart to help others? You could "win" this painting and present this to them...telling them that by your purchasing this artwork on their behalf, you made a donation to help the Tornado victims! How do you win you may ask? Silent auction. Email your bid and contact information to me at artsycrews@charter.net. I'll reply and let you know if you've been outbid or if you have won the auction and the painting. The winner will make a check out to *"Christian Service Mission" and exchange it for this one of a kind painting! 

Bidding starts at $100. 

Auction will close June 30th at midnight. 

100% of proceeds will go to relief efforts. 

Please help spread the word and forward to your friends!

Thank You!

Amy

* To learn more about our favorite local charity who is helping those in need, visit the website of Christian Service Mission or check them out on facebook.

Nancy Chaboun Workshop

What I did today

It has been a great and challenging week! I was fortunate to have an opportunity to participate in a workshop taught by Nancy Chaboun. She traveled here to Birmingham from Scottsdale Arizona where she teaches at the Scottsdale Artists' School. Our main focus was on figure paintings. Something I have wanted to do for years. We loved to watch her paint a demo each morning and then would try it ourselves in the afternoon. Here are a few more photos from this week...

Mrs. Nancy Chaboun, our fabulous teacher

One of our lovely models holding a pose

Nancy's demo (my favorite)

For more on Nancy and her work, visit her website here.

Have You Seen This Lady?

"Self Portrait"  4x4

The painting challenge this week was a self portrait. EEK! I have not done one since college or even high school (and I'd love to have those). But, like I said, these challenges are to push me out of my comfort zone. And yeah, I took the easy road and didn't do eyes or teeth. I am happy to add that I'll be in a workshop next week and will learn how to mix a good flesh tone, among other skills I'm lacking. This was painted from a photo taken at an art show last year.Oh, and good news! I found my color wheel.

I feel like I need to "bookmark" something here on my blog. The past week has been monumental in our corner of the world. I think everyone has heard about the epic tornado disasters. While our home was not damaged, I think I'm not the same person in the photo I painted above. I have a serious mission in my own backyard. We have been eagerly seeking out opportunities to serve and help in the relief efforts and this dominates our conversations and priorities lately. Over half of our state was impacted. We don't meet many strangers these days and people greet each other with "How are you? Did you have any damage?". The love and generosity is everywhere and you can actually feel it. I'm sure it'll be a long recovery. If you know of any needs, or if you'd like to offer assistance, please let me know. We appreciate your prayers.-Amy

More Than Just a Bowl of Cherries

Jeff* and I talked over a year ago when he called to ask if I'd do some commission work for him. Time went on and I never heard back from him until he appeared at the Mountain Brook Show last month. He said it had been a crazy year. He went on to say he lost his mother last year and then told me he buried his father just last week. He said with resolve, he will work less going forward he will take time to enjoy the little things...a way to honor his parents memory. He said he wanted either an 8x10 of strawberries or cherries, whichever one I thought. Well. Clearly, he had to have a bowl of cherries don't you agree? While I painted this, I reflected on our conversation and the pain of loss. And a song came on "You are not alone in this." the chorus said. And I wept. Jeff, I pray that this little painting will remind you to do what you said you wanted to do in their memory. There are smudges on the bowl, there is a bump in the linen...reminders that life is not easy. And there is light from above. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It's a good reminder for us all.

(*name changed to protect client privacy)

Ready, Set, Go!

I did it! I completed my first "daily painting challenge". This weeks challenge was to paint something using 3 colors on the color wheel choosing from: complimentary, split-complimentary, and triadic. My first issue was, where did I put the blooming color wheel? I bought one years ago because every artist should have one, right? Never found it, so I just used an example given: green, lime green, and red. (added white for values) How'd I do?

"Not Easy Being Green"  4x4  $50

You can see this and other artist's work here.

This Past Weekend...

Matt and I attended the opening Gala at the Columbus Museum of Art. What an incredible and memorable night! I have 5 paintings there throughout this week (Well, 4 because one sold Friday night!). Here we are standing beside one of them, titled "Love Will Keep Us Together":

And on Sunday, we attended the closing reception for the Alabama Wildlife Federation Flora and Fauna Art Show. Here's a photo of my daughter and I. "Cahaba Lily" won the "Best of Flora Purchase Award". 

I almost didn't share these photos. After all, this blog is going to be about the paintings...but since I mentioned that we were attending this reception, I thought it'd make since to follow that up. More to come...

The Blank Canvas

What to post first? I'm not a journal writer. That surprises some people. After all, I am an "artistic soul" who over thinks and over analyzes as a rule. Maybe that's why I don't journal. I drive myself crazy, so why would anyone else want to read to my ramblings. See? There I go. Ha! Back to the blank canvas... Much like a blank page when you have to write a paper, it can be intimidating. The best though is when you already know what you want to do...when you feel INSPIRED. I pray for inspiration all the time. There is a lot to share right now. It's Spring and it's a busy time for us artists. So much to do, so much to paint, so much to celebrate. But for now, on my first "blog", I will make a promise. I promise I will try to keep it simple. But then again, life is not simple. There I go again....

Meanwhile, check out the 2011 Alabama Wildlife Federation Art Show they just put online here. Gorgeous work! My family and I will be attending the closing reception this Sunday.