More Biltmore

Autumn Stroll

8 x 10, pastel

Click to Bid

Here is the original painting that I took Strolling at the Biltmore from (split participle there, I believe!) Really like this painting, too, but Rita was correct about the other being more intimate. I am so blessed to be able to have Rita Kirkman as a friend. I have learned so much from her.

This Saturday is Market Days at the CRRC on Mabel Dr. just below Canyon Dam. The other times I have participated I have felt like I did not have enough paintings to hang----not so this time!!  There will be live music, food and numerous booths to explore. Hope you can drop by and visit with me.

Strolling at the Biltmore

Strolling at the Biltmore

9 x 12, pastel

Click to Bid

Really thought I had posted this painting. (It is heck to get old!) There are two versions. The first has 2 couples on this path as the original photo showed. The photo was taken last November at the Biltmore Winery on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

One of my very talented artist friends, Rita Kirkman, was over and said it would have more intimacy if I reduced it to one couple. I immediately decided to paint it again, something I would never do years ago. Of course she was right, much more intimate, plus I simplified the foliage and increased the size of the painting.
Still pleased with the original and will post it another time.

Carolina Barn

Carolina Barn

9 x 12, pastel

WooHoo!! I finally completed a painting! It was a study in procrastination avoidance!! Ever have that problem--finding all sorts of things to do to avoid doing what you really want to do, because you are afraid you will fail??? I really haven't tackled any painting of substance over the holidays, mainly the Variations. Now, the Variations have afforded me an opportunity to explore color, technique, strokes, but also, an opportunity to avoid really trying to create that 'good' painting. So my confidence has been suffering. Like Rita Kirkman says, "Just do the work", the rest will work itself out.

We passed this barn flying along the interstate to Asheville in October. I took note of the surroundings and decided we would stop on the way back to take pictures. Well, we were late getting the rental car back to the airport, so no stopping. When I recognized the surroundings, I rolled the window down, wrapped the camera strap around my arm and started snapping pictures at 70 mph!!! It's a wonder the camera didn't fly out of my hand. 

       Curley #2       

9 x 12, pastel

Can you tell I like to paint animals? This is my second version of Curley, the first lives in Pennylvania with a couple who had a Curley who looked just like him. This Curley needs a good home, too.

Attended the TPS show opening/reception last night. There is some beautiful art there by artists from across the nation. Hope you can get by to see it.

Also, New Braunfels' own, Rita Kirkman, has a two woman show opening next Friday at Cactus Jack's in Gruene. Her partner in art is Jeannette Cuevas. The reception starts at 6 pm on the 26th. There are rumors that door prizes of their art will be given away that night!!!!! This coincides with the Texas Clay Festival in Gruene.

Lost Maples Dog

Lost Maples Dog

7 x 5, Pastel  SOLD



This is the painting that started it all. It is the first painting I completed in Rita Kirkman's Miniature workshop last March. I enjoyed painting it in a stressful sort of way--if you know what I mean.

But----do you know how hard it is to get a good picture of a dog??? I snapped this photo at Lost Maples so easily---but I spent over an hour last March in Landa Park trying to get one good picture of all the dogs there that day. The only one I got was taken with the advantage of a long lens--I will post him tomorrow.

The Very First!!!

Bountiful Harvest     (10 x 8, pastel)

I was notified today that this painting has been accepted to The Appalachian Pastel Society's 2012 Juried National Exhibition!!!! This painting was one of 74 paintings out of 230 submitted that was selected by the juror, Richard McKinley, PSA, PSWC-DP, NPS. It will be displayed October 18 - December 14, 2012 at The Asheville School Gallery in Asheville, North Carolina.

This is my first ever acceptance into a juried show!!! I have to thank Rita Kirkman (check out her blog, Rita Kirkman's Daily Paintings) for the workshop that ignited my desire/ability to work in pastel and for encouraging me to enter shows outside of our local gallery. I also have to thank Angie Banta Brown (check out her web site) for years of instruction, encouragement and friendship, helping me to get to this point in my art experience!!!