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.

Spring????

I am still having technical difficulties.  Well ... not exactly.  I know what the problem is.  I just haven't had the time to reload all the photos that are missing form my website.
But ... in the meantime ... I think Spring may have sprung!   At least for the time being.  And here's the proof.

"Cotton in March????" you say.  No.  It's a Bradford Pear Tree.  I love, love, love these trees.
They are one of the first things to bloom around here and we have lots of them in Paris Landing.

Kind of takes your breath away doesn't it.

Winter may be back next week, but in the meantime ...

Happy Spring!!

Sitting Rocks

Way down there at the bottom of the hill are some sandstone rocks.

They've been there as long as I can remember, but perhaps they used to be a little larger.  We always called them the "Sitting Rocks" for obvious reasons.  They were a perfect place to sit.

This is my Grandma Ruby Hailey Heavrin sitting on one of the rocks

around 1965. I took this photo of her and then she took one of me.

Here's another one she took of me standing on more of the rocks closer to the bank.

Everytime I see these rocks I think of my Grandma and the beautiful fall day we took these photos.  The rocks have become a sort of special place for my family.  

A place we continue to sit at and ponder and take photos.

Who would have thought a few Kentucky Lake rocks could evoke such nostalgia.

Technical Difficulties

Okay!  So I was remodeling my website and managed to delete a couple of hundred images from the other pages in this website.  Sorry for the inconvenience.  If you scroll down the right side of this page you will see a directory to some of the pages in my art galleries.  In the mean time - if you need me I can be reached by email at leeowenby39@gmail.com

Thanks for being a fan!

The Big Fish

 Mr. Cook at Sinclair's Fishmarket, holds a 60lb blue cat he caught today.

Bull Durham

Remember Bull Durham's Restaurant??

Snapped this photo of an old Bull Durham menu the other day over at T.F. Rice & Co. (which will open soon). 

Look close and you will see  ...   All the Fish You Can Eat  (for just) $2.25!  It included a salad, onion rings, french fries, Cole slaw, northern beans and hush puppies. What a bargain!

I started eating here when I was just a little girl coming to the Lake to visit my grandparents.  Years later I embarrassed my fiance and myself by demonstrating exactly how much I could eat when the menu said "All You Can Eat."  It was always an amazing meal.  It wasn't unusual for folks from Memphis to drive up for the day just to eat at Bull Durham's.  It was a Paris Landing landmark.

I don't remember what year it closed.  The restaurant burned and never re-opened.  It's one of my favorite Lake memories.

Why Can't I Get Any Work Done?????

It's Murphy.  Since we got Maggie, our new puppy - Murphy has been very demanding.  And since the dog can't get up on my desk, Murphy thinks when I'm sitting at it - he deserves my undivided attention.  If I put him down on the floor, he gets right back up here.  Then he wants to sit in the desk chair with me.  He crawls up behind me and wedges himself between my back and the back of the chair.  And when I get up, he just takes over the whole chair.  Urrghhhhh!!!!!

About This Weather

Today has been a very confusing weather day.  It started cold.  Then it got sunny, with no wind, and so warm I actually had to put on shorts while doing yard work.  Before I got through with the yard work, the wind picked up --  a really cold wind - followed by some scary black clouds and a few drops of rain.  Then it cleared off again but it never got quite so warm again.  Somewhere in the middle of all these changes, I ran down to the beach and got this photo.

Take a closer look.

I think the photo pretty much says it all ... dark clouds, rain, sunshine, wind ... it's all there.

Prints in Black & White & Sepia

Did you know all of my artwork can be ordred in black and  white or sepia? It's a special order which you can order on-line or through my vendors in and around Paris. (Look under "Where To Find Lee") When ordering, please note that you want the print in b&w or sepia under the note to seller or you may email me.

Here are a couple of examples just to give you an idea of how they look.

Henry County Courthouse in black and white

Henry County Courthouse in sepia

Jack's Wall in sepia
From series on Jack's Pool Room

Jack's Wall in black and white
From series on Jack's Pool Room

Let The Fishing Begin

I was awakened this morning from my peaceful slumber by the sound of .... what I thought was thunder but turned out to be fishing boats going down the road to the boat launch ramp.  The temperature today is supposed to be in the 60's, 70's tomorrow.  It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood. 

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.

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button?

Dangly earrings made from tiny recycled
black buttons and red glass beads.

Each piece of my jewelry is a one-of-a-kind creation. Materials may include recycled paper, beads, repurposed vintage buttons, cloth, metal findings, and other doo dads. Designs on paper are hand-drawn or painted by me and sealed to make them moisture resistant.

Buttons are recycled vintage buttons, many from my Grandmother’s sewing basket. Some do show wear but I think it adds to the character of the jewelry.

You would never know these faux Emerald Green leaves were made from water color paper. Sealed to be water resistant and light as a feather.

Midnight Blue & Brass - These are actually made from heavy weight art paper,
sealed to be water resistant.   And feather light!

 These vintage red buttons with clear glass beads would make a great Valentine present.

There are necklaces too with matching dangly earrings.
These are jade green with tiny little brass beads. Eye catching and fun to wear.

Fun, unique, one-of-a-kind.

You really need to see this jewelry in person to appreciate it. 

Rice's Store

When I was a little girl and we started coming to “The Lake” - Rice’s Store was sort of the end of civilization as we knew it. It was the last place to stop and get groceries. And to a little kid from the big city of Memphis it really was a fascinating place. It wasn’t like the Big Star Store or Kroger’s. In addition to the few staple type groceries they sold, they also had some fishing paraphernalia, straw hats (the original sun screen) and I think they even sold minnows.

But I think the thing I found most fascinating was that they would actually make you a sandwich right there on the spot from groceries they had in the store. Bologna with lots of mayo was my favorite. 

Rice's Store - a Paris Landing Landmark

The store has been closed for quite a while now but if you’ve been down the Lake Highway lately you are bound to have noticed some interesting activity. Rumors are rampant all over Paris Landing.

Yes! Rice’s Store is going to re-open under the management of the Rice family. It will have a new name and a different type of merchandise. Watch for a grand opening in April. More info later.

Just Around the Corner

It's pouring down rain as I write.  But yesterday was a beautiful day in Paris Landing.  The temperature was in the high 50's, the sun was out and there was no wind.  I think the wind blew itself out the night before.  Days like yesterday are one of the things I like so much about living here.  They're kind of like little spring vacations.  We'll have a week of cold, wet, windy weather, then a day like yesterday that makes you want to get out and play.

So play I did.  And while I was out playing I discovered these -

The daffodils are starting to bud!!!  I really get excited when I see these.  I know Winter isn't over, but can Spring be far behind?

And if you look close ....

The Bradford Pear's fuzzy little velvet buds are starting to turn green.  It won't be long til they bloom.  We have a lot of these around Paris Landing and they put on quite a show.

So ... hang in there.  Spring is just around the corner.

Distractions

I've been distracted  a little lately.  

She's pretty much taken over the living room couch where no one else sits

and her favorite toy has turned out to be a ball of red yarn

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.

New Family Member

For a year or so now Eric and I have talked about getting a small dog to add some excitement to our lives and to keep Murphy entertained.    Right after Christmas, opportunity struck - so - now we've added a new member to our new family.

Meet Maggie.  She's only about 3 months old, a Boston Terrier.  My nephew and his wife raise these sweet little dogs in Ripley, Tennessee.    So far, Maggie has been a real bundle of joy.

It doesn't take much to keep her occupied.

As for Murphy ....

He's still here and just as ornery as ever.