Portrait for Mr. Jim Justice

I was honored last week with a request to paint a pastel portrait of Mr. Jim Justice's beloved champion hunting dog. Mr. Justice is the owner of The Greenbrier Resort located in White Sulphur Springs, WV. It is a beautiful historic hotel also known for the Bunker which was built during the 50's as a atomic bomb shelter for the government officials in Washington DC. The hotel is a great place to visit and a luxurious place to stay.

Charlie

Isn't he beautiful? A friend from Florida contacted me a couple of weeks ago to have the painting done for her friend. Such a sweet little dog. Thank you Frances for giving me the opportunity to paint Charlie.

Weekend at Tamarack

This beautiful Airedale is owned by a family that I met while participating at Festival.
I loved the possibility to use some wonderful colors to bring this guy to life.

"Predators Gaze", pastel on sanded paper, 16 x 20 $450.00

"Taking a Gander", pastel on sanded paper, 22 x 28 $700.

Once more I had the priviledge to spend 3 days at Tamarack and demonstrate my art. I completed 5 paintings during that time and I am attaching a few for you to see.

Show for Tamarack Gallery

"I Look Like My Mom" SOLD
"Curious George's"
I am doing some paintings in preparation for a show at Tamarack. Tamarack got very creative last year and decided to do a show featuring paintings viewed with 3D glasses. After conversations with my fellow artisan, Pamela Gatens, decided I should use some colorful pastels to creat some works around domestic farm animals. The donkeys were a photo taken in Texas during my trip for a workshop in Kingsville. They were in a pasture outside of Columbus, Texas as became very curious when we stopped to take photos. The pretty calf was from a visit to a local pasture.

Laura

My granddaughter has been staying we us for a few days. She asks everyday for me to paint with her. The painting of Laura is from a picture I took some time back.

Morning at Carnegie

Spent Friday at Carnegie with some friends and fellow artisans. Trying some new things with my pastels and like how things are turning our. Want to pass on what I am doing differently with my friends. Using the pastel blending tools and getting the background techniques with Nupastels and not the soft pastels. Really like the effect and the appearance of an oil background.

Greenbrier Valley Theatre 16th Annual Art Auction

Attended and demoed at the art auction last night. Really enjoyed the auction this year. One of my students donated 2 paintings. What a pleasure to see Ty Hylton experience the auction. I spent the evening working on a rooster for the event. It sold towards the end of the auction. Was please with the results and plan to do some more roosters for the December Tamarack show.

Shows Lined Up for the Summer

This is looking like a really busy summer. Hope that folks have an opportunity to stop by at one of the shows to say hello.

Festivall, Charleston, WV, June 26th and 27th - Pamela and I will be in Tamarack's "C" tent.

Moutain State Arts and Craft Fair, Ripley, WV, July 1st-3rd. Look for us at tent 270.

Tamarack August 13-15

Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery,Beckley, WV, August 28th, Event benefiting the Humane Society


I had hoped to secure a spot at Jubilee this year, but due to a family health issue, I will be traveling out of state during Sept.

"End of Day"

"End of Day" 18 x 24 pastel on sanded paper. $700.00

I was at the Greenbrier Resort this weekend demonstrating in front of the Colonial Galley. Had a lot of fun and met some great people. One of their favorite paintings that I worked on was the sunlit horse. It was very dramatic. It looks great framed and made some great cards. Enjoy!

Greenbrier County

This picture was taken from my deck of my view. I just loved the fog in the morning on the mountains. I had purchased some pan pastels and thought I would like to try them out on this picture. I am hooked.

"Dolly"

I recently received a request from a client in NC that I had done a painting for last year. Her Aunt and Uncle's dog had become suddenly very ill and had to be put to sleep. The picture that she sent was one of their favorites of Dolly. I hope they like the painting.

Cats from the Kentucky Crafted

"Mezmerizing" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper $350. Prints and cards available.



"Here Kitty, Here Kitty" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper $300. Prints and cards available.



"Glamour Puss" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper. $275. Prints and cards available.


"Puddin Puss "16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper. $300. Prints and cards available.

My Precious Dali-Den

I was recently at the Kentucky Crafted Arts and Craft Show. While there I spent 4 days demoing to the consumers and vendors that passed through the show. I was quite productive and you will see all the painting from the show. But I must say the one that was the hardest for me to paint was Dali-Den. Dali had been my precious little dog for almost 11 years. In February I had to have Dali put to sleep after a long battle with kidney failure. During the last 5 months she was so patient with me as I had to give her IV fluids nightly to help flush her system. Dali was by far the dog with the personality that most favored a human. Dali loved her toys and loved her masters. At night my husband would get up and ask her if she was ready for bed. She would pick up one of her toys and head for the bedroom. I miss her terribly.

"Halter What?"

"Halter What?" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper.

I was looking for a horse with an attitude and I think I found him. This one looked as though he was ready to run for the hills. Another good specimen for the horse calendar.

"Lacy"

Just 3 weeks to Kentucky Crafted and things are moving right along. This weekend I was at the Greenbrier for a artist demonstration, loads of fun. Meet quite a few people including 2 families that I had completed commissions for last year. During the day I had loads of kids come to watch me as this painting developed. One little girl wanted to name it "Lacy" so be it. Lacy is the number 12 image that I have created and will be featured in a horse calendar for 2011.

"Lacy" 16 x 20 pastel on sanded paper

"He Who Hesitates"

This was lots of fun. 16 x 20 pastel on Kitty Wallis

Art Show at the Dog Show

I submitted 4 images to a national art show and one of the images was accepted. I am thrilled to be in the show. The competition looks pretty tough but wish me luck. Madam Butterfly will be on display at the show. Information and images of the show can be seen at www.artshowatthedogshow.com

Kentucky Crafted

It's that time of year again. Once more I will be at the Kentucky Crafted along with 5 other Tamarack artisans. This year my focus will be on horses. Hope some of you that might be in the area, stop by to see me.

"The Jumper"

This piece is another potential for 2011 calendar. The photo is of a friends daughter and her horse.

"The Jumper" w/c on 140 cp arches.

Gracie

"Gracie" 11 x 14 pastel on sanded paper

I met Gracie's owner at a show in Huntington early in December. Gracie is a beautiful Cocker Spaniel.

Family Tree

"Family Tree" 16 x 20 watercolor on Arches 140 lb cp $300.00

This is another piece that will be shown at the Kentucky Crafted the first weekend in March. I have been focusing my efforts on horses the past few weeks. The "Family Tree" is a watercolor and not my typical pastel, but the composition seemed to lend well to a watercolor.