Tennessee River Fine Arts League

I take a lot of photos ... and sometimes I forget to download them all.  So I actually took these photos in April.

Went by Lee School Academy of the Arts to see what was going on with the artists at the Tennessee River Fine Arts League (TRFAL). 

Ken Alexander was working on this mountain landscape.  I love the colors.

By David Carrico.  I'm speechless.

Another by David Carrico.   David's artwork is also available at Merison's. 

This is "Night Storm" by Harry Burton.  I'm impressed.

This is Harry working on another painting.   Can't wait to see this one finished.

Earth Day



The Well House at Paris Winery

I had a hard time picking just the right photo for Earth Day.  This one is several years old but I've always loved the clouds in contrast to the green of earth.  It seems that every time I go to the Paris Winery ... the clouds are like this. 

And then of course ...

The Lake

.. there's this one also.  There's just something about blue skies, white fluffy clouds and Earth Day.

Happy Earth Day!

New Release

Black Cat On A Blue Floor

Our Cat, Murphy, continues to be the subject of many of my photographs.  He hasn't always been quite so willing  to have his photo made.   Maybe as he's gotten older, he's gotten slower.  Murphy is about 18 years old.  Let's see.  In Cat years that would be .....

State Park Art Display

I went to Paris Landing State Park this morning to put up a display of my artwork.

I think it's wonderful that they let local artist display their talent like this.

As I was leaving I couldn't help but notice ...

 ... the beautiful Pansies just outside the front door.

And then because it was such a beautiful morning

I drove on over and went through the picnic area.

I love the lake when it looks like this.

Have a beautiful day!

Wisteria

Photographed on the property of Terry & Cindy Rice at Paris Landing

Blue Birds, Photography and a Dog Named George

The Friends of Tennessee Wildlife Refuge are hosting a Refuge Discovery Series program dedicated to Blue Birds. You can get the details here.

I want to say a special thank you to Kate Young for loaning us this beautiful photo of a Blue Bird.

A few months ago I saw a link to a photograph of a beautiful Border Collie name George.  I clicked on the link to Chronicles of a Country Girl and I've been hooked ever since.  It's about a lady named Kate who lives on a hill in Maryland with her husband, their dog - George and a cat.  Kate says she's an "amateur" photographer.  I think she doesn't give herself enough credit.  Kate doesn't just take photographs of birds ... she creates fine art.  You can visit her website above or her gift shop  and judge for yourselves.

Stained Glass Lamp

Years ago, (1980's) I used to work in stained glass and made this lamp.

It is my own interpretation of a Tiffany style Trumpetvine lamp.  It's 27" tall including the base. The shade: 17" tall, 18" diameter.  It's large and also quite heavy.  And ... it's for sale  ... probably to some one who can come by and pick it up as shipping would require a specially built crate.  The price is $1,800.00.  If you are seriously interested, you should contact me.

A Trip to Paris

Went to Paris today just to spend a few hours.

The weather was gorgeous!!!

First stop - Merison's.

Checking up on my artwork when I noticed a piece by one of my favorite artist.

I think this is called "The Year of Our Ford" and it's by Eleanor Baker.  She does these large watercolors that are really unique.

Also found these nesting bowls by a local artist.  (My intention was to photograph their business card, but as you can see my camera flash just blew it out.)  I'm sure the folks at Merisons could tell you the name of the artist.

After Merison's I headed to the library.  As I was leaving I spotted these gorgeous

Nandina's next door at L.I. Smith's & Associates.  Just had to get a photo.

Then over to Lee School Academy of the Arts to check on some of my artist friends.

Took a quick trip to the Riverwalk at San Antonio ...

 .. via this colorful Ann Stapp painting.  (Visit her blog.)

Then ...

off to Italy for this unique architectural view by Ken Alexander.

Donna Revelee was busy on a new painting.

There's Gene McWherter just painting away.

Ken Alexander digging through his box of ideas.

Ann Stapp

Ann Stapp's paint brushes.  Look how clean they are!

And - saving the best for last.

Gene Snowden's portraits always blow me away.

Love Is All You Need

Square prints and canvases are in.  Typography is in.  And Love is always in!

Available on canvas, or ...

As a print ready for you to frame, or ...

Framed, matted and ready to hang.

Sizes from 8" x 8" to 60" x 60"  (That's really big!)

Available in three different color schemes.  Choose your color scheme first, then your format.

White on Black

Black on White

White & Black on Red

My personal favorite??

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Playing Catch Up

Since my last post … first of all it takes me a few days to get over an art show. I have to put everything back where it was, or at least place it with a vendor. It has to be for sale somewhere. Just having artwork and jewelry sitting around my house doesn’t do me a bit of good. But before I can put it back on display I have to clean everything. You’d be surprised how much dust you collect in an outdoor show and how many finger prints you get when food is for sale and you have lots of kids who want to touch everything. I’m not complaining - it’s just a fact of life.

So - got the prints and print rack all cleaned up and took in back to Homestead Gardens & Gifts. Took some photos while I was there … and haven’t posted them yet, but I will.  Maybe in November.






Talked with Treva Tayloe over at Paris On The Square. She agreed to carry my jewelry and letter art.

Click here for more information.

And then of course, in the middle of all this I was trying to get the maps published for the Paris Landing Area - which I accomplished, but then I had to hand them all out to my wonderful advertisers which you can see here on my blog about Paris Landing.  And of course, I have also been taking photos for the Paris Landing blog … which … I need to post.  Maybe in November.

I also dog sat for 3 weeks for  my sister, Anne, who took a wonderful trip to Ireland. Murphy tried hard to ignore a sweet little dog name Lady. (Earlier this summer I dog sat for my little brother Art. Maybe I’ve found a new career in dog sitting.) Anne has photos, lots of photos of Ireland which I want to see and play with. Maybe in November.

Then on one of several trips over to the Fishtale Lodge, my looney friend Sharon tried to convince me to create jewelry for your boots.

Sharon multi-tasking - modeling, answering the phone, making reservations.

I think the boot jewelry is wonderful idea.  Maybe in November.

While I was there I woke up Jewels just to catch a quick snap shot.

Murphy wasn't as cooperative.  He said he's just not quick anymore.

Did I mention I also hooked up with this California Girl?

Her name is Alysia Sofias and she is here because Google sent her here to write a book about Paris.  Yeh - that's right, Paris Tennessee.  You can read about her on the Simon & Schuster website.   The above photo was taken at the Paris Winery.  I also gave her a tour of downtown Paris and lots of other places.

Don't you just love the new signs they have in downtown Paris?  And of course, on this grand tour I took more photos that I might get posted by November.

More to come .....

The Dinghy, Image C

Had a question the other day about “The Dinghy, Image C.”  They had seen it on one of my websites and wanted to know, “Why the C?”   Well, it’s a little complicated. Let me start at the beginning.

Here is the original photo.  It’s the dinghy for the marina down at Paris Landing State Park. It’s just a metal boat without a motor they would use to paddle around when they needed to get between the docks. This was just a quick snapshot and later, when I opened it on my computer, I realized I really got lucky with the composition. I think the original  looks pretty good as it is, but you know me … I just have to play with it.

 

 

 

 

So the first one I came up with looked like this.

 

"The Dinghy, Image A"

This later became known as “Image A.”  I really liked it, but I really wanted the blue to be just a little different shade. So while I was experimenting I came up with a completely different color …

Brown.

"The Dinghy, Image B"

Which I also really loved and had to save it also for my permanent collection as “Image B.” Then of course, I was still looking for just the right blue and finally came up with

"The Dinghy, Image C"

Buy a print.

Image C which has just the right shade of blue and a little golden brown also. So, in the end, I liked Image C the best, but I also really loved Image A & B, and kept them all.

Here is a little detail of one of the things I like so much.

It’s all those little squiggles of texture.

Hope you like it too!

Typography

I've been doing a little typing lately.

This was a custom piece I did for a wedding anniversary.  It uses letters from my Paris, Tennessee Letter Art and was printed on a large canvas.  I have always done custom art for folks -using their photos, their words.  Sometimes they give me their ideas.  Sometimes they just tell me to see what I can come up with.  If this is something that interest you send me an email.

25 Ways To Say I Love You

Buy A Print

All You Need Is ...

Buy A Print

Both of these Typography art pieces are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors

 from my online art gallery.    These would make great anniversary presents.

What Have I Been Doing????

What have I been up to lately you ask???

Watching it snow.  Took this about 3 weeks ago right after it snowed.

Doing a lot of letter art.  This one was for Jack Jones Flowers & Gifts.

Feeding the fat little birds over at Mother's house.

Making pendant jewelry.  This one is over at Jack Jones Flowers & Gifts.

Watching it snow!

Yipes!  Exploring "Snake Jewelry" at Paris On The Square

Watching it snow!  I think this was last week.

Making more jewelry.  This one is at Schemes & Themes.

Wondering what kind of critter left these tracks in the snow in my back yard.

  Making More jewelry!!!  I think I'm addicted.

And of course ... watching it snow.
I am so ready for spring!!!!!