Blue Ridge adventures

I love a gray horse! This beauty was a commission from the Blowing Rock, NC shows this past August.

Beautiful horse, beautiful mountains and wonderful memories of dirt road adventures. And of course, the Blue Ridge Parkway! Built in the 1930's with young men from FDR's programs, I often marvel at how little has changed on the Parkway. It is like a time capsule. Year after year we, along with thousands of Americans, stop at the overlooks and marvel at the views. For over 70 years, travelers have stopped where we have stopped, looked at what we look at, and continued their journeys down through time. I think of the Blue Ridge Parkway like an Alma Mater, a college campus where ghosts of one's past pop up here and there! Once our stops included little children, then teenagers with camping gear, now they are just the two of us trooping along in our camper and enjoying the sights still! Hey that's what memories are right? Ain't life grand?

Ridng on the Beach

Who hasn't dreamed of leaping bareback upon a horse and riding into the surf on a beautiful summer day?

This portrait is from a photo by the client where I changed her outfit into a dress, took away the saddle and changed the whole demeanor of the portrait!

Now that hurricanes and humid days are behind us (we hope) , we can look forward to fall!

A journey of 3000 miles

Yes, it was indeed a journey of 3000 miles! With gas ranging from $3.79-4.05 gallon, our little Honda Fit was packed to the gills with artwork and the usual suitcases! Why? Well we tied in a business trip with a family reunion in Branson, Missouri! Yep. Our trip took us from NC through TN, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky and onward to Missouri, Oklahoma and the journey back. In Lexington, Kentucky we appeared at the book signing at Gallery B of Vicki Moon's new book "Equestrian Style" in which Steve and I have a bit part along with cool photographs of us at work and on the road. You can locate the book at www.Amazon.com.
We also toured the Horse Park-wow what a place! We were sucked into Breyer Fest-another amazing event and were given a private tour of Cobra Farms, the birthplace of Seattle Slew.
Yes, we painted, produced out portfolios and in general had a blast! Good to be home though!

I shipped the above 18 x 24 oil of Sam and Ernie to my client in Pennsylvania right before I left and who says it best but the client?
Theresa
The portrait of Sam and Ernie is AWESOME! I absolutely love it. It arrived yesterday, and it was put in the front hall immediately. I had 7 people for dinner last night, and everyone adored it. Thank you, so much. It is one of the best things I ever thought to do.
Wendy

Working artist at a show

There is one thing that I can always say about being at a show and that is that I am productive! UNless I am at an outdoor show where temperatures have soared to over a 100 degrees, I can keep my nose to the grindstone, chat with people and in general, make it a working day!
Sitting in relative cool recently at a show in Roanoke, Va, I was able to complete several pieces for my clients.

The 28 x 32 pastel portrait to the right was created from combined photos of the client's from 2 years ago. The client has seen the digital version but unless they are out of state, I like them to see the "real thing" for any possible changes!

I will post the other artwork later but working at a show increases not only studio time but the delight that people take in seeing a "real artist" (as they say) at work. Until later!
Theresa

Pencil Portraits and Pets

People Love their animals! Pencil portraits are a very popular medium and I create hundreds of these a year!
Of course people are equally as popular, especially in groups, but there is something special about receiving a cameo portrait of a beloved pet.

The shows have been busy and I have not been able to get to the blog but with the advent of some amazingly cool weather that has drifted into NC, well, hard NOT to get motivated on all things!

I am off to teach a few students and return to work on an oil. Will post the results soon!

Jackson Pollock ART FUN!

Grab a child or enjoy this art creation game yourself!
Anytime you pop onto my site, visit the Jackson Pollock box in the lower right corner and spend a few minutes having FUN!
Just use your mouse, create and print!

The formal portrait

People are always amazed at how finished a pastel portrait can look !

This one is the second I have completed for this family and is around 24" x 30" in size. The other portrait was the family's eldest son and was created on the family's back deck. This one took into account the personality and look of the younger son balanced with the portrait ideas of Mom :-)