Happy Thanksgiving

I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! It was a gorgeous day, and I was blessed to be with my family! I think it was one of our best Thanksgivings yet.
Sorry that I have been absent from this blog for the last month. I had a couple of shows I was getting ready for, and I just did not make the time to write. I am working on some commissions from my show, and am learning about photography. I will let you know what "develops"! (pun intended)

One of my inspirations

As I mentioned in my previous post, I was in Jacksonville, Florida attending a workshop. Before I went, I had a friend come visit me at my family's vacation home on the Georgia coast. I find so much inspiration when I am in that beautiful place. This particular morning, the sky was an ever changing canvas and I will be painting this soon!

Workin' at the Workshop

I have just returned from a fabulous workshop taught by artist Dreama Tolle Perry, I must say, so far,it has been the highlight of 2012! Dreama paints with a passion for joy and color, and is inspiring on so many levels. I have studied with her before, and I learned so many new things this time around! We were in Jacksonville, Florida at the Eileen Corse Gallery (a wonderful place and Eileen is a fabulous hostess and artist herself). We painted for 3 days, and at the end, I was exhausted and happy!

Day 1 - Waiting for the demo to begin.

My Day 1 results... I am still learning, but I fell in love with the pink flowers and the blue window shutter and curtain.

Cool Pink Hydrangea

I thought I would switch gears and try painting a hydrangea. When I saw this, it just called out "paint me!" I couldn't resist. I am working on a larger panel than usual with this one. I enjoyed working larger. I hope you like it!

Cool Pink Hydrangea 1

Oil - 12 x 12

$300

Yellow Orchid at Sunset

Continuing to paint orchids. Their many shapes, patterns and colors continue to inspire me. I enjoyed painting this one. I love the bright yellow of the orchid against the last glow of the sunset.

Yellow Orchid at Sunset

Oil - 6 x 8

$100

Peach Orchid

After I painted the white orchid, I decided to paint another orchid, but with a more whimsical and colorful feeling. I am experimenting now with my flower paintings. I am experimenting with different size panels and backgrounds and moods.  Let me know what you think. I always welcome your  feedback!

  Peach Orchid

Oil  6 x 8

$100

The White Orchid 1

Today's painting had a little story behind it. When I was attending Georgia State University, working toward my BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts). I began doing fabric designs using images of orchids. I have always been enchanted with orchids... the variety, the shapes, the colors. Growing up, my Aunt Charlotte lived next door, and she raised orchids in a special greenhouse. As a child, I felt like I was entering a magic, exotic world when I went into her greenhouse with her. She grew the most extraordinary things I had ever seen! She was also very generous about sharing her orchids with others.

 White Orchid 1

Oil - 6 x 8

$100