"Garden Party", oil on board, 6 x 8 inches

I call this piece "Garden Party" because it looks like a these flowers are at a party talking amongst one another and having a jolly good time. I painted this en plein air in one sitting with quick, loose brushwork. I was so captured by the breeze fluttering the sweet lavender petals.

Thanks for a Wonderful Evening!

Thank you to everyone who attended the grand re-opening of Art & Soul Gallery last night! It was a wonderful evening and a great turnout! And thank you to the artists who brought extra food - no one left hungry. I received so many compliments on the beautiful and accomplished artwork exhibited at the gallery. There truly is outstanding talent represented in our Central Pennsylvania artists. I look forward to a bright future introducing more work to our community. Gotta run to the gallery now. Thank you again everyone!

GRAND RE-OPENING CELEBRATION!

This Friday, December 4, from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. is the Grand Re-Opening Celebration at Art & Soul Gallery in Lemoyne, PA. I invite everyone to join the celebration, meet the artists and view the current exhibit of outstanding artwork by local area artists currently on display. Light refreshments will be served.
I was so thrilled to become the new owner of the Gallery and keep it's presence alive and thriving at the West Shore Farmer's Market. It is a wonderfully active place to be, with many unique shoppes on the second level in addition to the local farmer's market downstairs.
I am taking this opportunity to reveal the Gallery's new logo, seen above. My personal mission for the Gallery can best be stated by Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." The artwork I select to represent at the gallery will align with this mission.
The gallery address is 900 Market St., Lemoyne, PA 17043. Call 717-761-1270, or email artandsoul@pa.net for more information.

"Just for Arden", oil

We joke with my sister that special things in life were created just for her. This sunset at Clearwater Beach in Florida was one of those things. It was an overcast day, but there was still a wonderful moment to capture as Arden splashes along the beach during the setting of the sun. The purples and blues were so strong I had to make it a painting! Just for Arden.

A Father's Covering, oil, 20 x 16

There is alot of symbolism in this painting. Scripture tells us that the father is the covering over his household, just as God is the covering over His children. As the father in this painting lifts and carries his child upon his strong shoulders, he walks underneath the tree covering, representing his covering by God as he covers his child. He walks toward the covering and against the path of the world. The only way God can cover his children is if we don't follow the ways of the world, but the ways of God. There's no safer place to be.

November Tree, oil on panel, 8 x 10 inches

Today we painted at Big Springs in Newville. It was breezy and cool but I found a protected nook by the stream and captured this last vestage of Autumn with the orange leaves hanging on before winter. It was great to be out painting again. Amongst all us painters was a fly fisherman casting in the stream. Once this little painting dries, it will be available for purchase at the Art & Soul Gallery in Lemoyne, PA. Call 717-761-1270 if you're interested.

Hay Bales

I love hay bales! I captured these beauties freshly baled along my road. Perspective is always my inspiration and the line of trees, driveway and receding haybales were just the right recipe.

It's always a sad day when the farmer comes and takes them away. I am blessed to enjoy seeing them out my window for a brief time. The cows are in for a bountiful feast!

Cherry Blossoms, oil, 24x30

This is my horse, Jayde, grazing on the fresh Spring grass during the short two-week blossoming of the cherry trees. I was drawn to the perspective of the tree and fence lines and sunlit colors of the horse, the pink and white blossoms, and the spring grasses. What a pallette!

Kreative Blogger Award

Thank you to Claire Beadon Carnell for including me as a new blogger for this award. If it wasn't for Claire I wouldn't know how to do this blog, so I return this award back to you as thanks. Please check out Claire's blog and her other favorite bloggers.

I pass this award along to seven other artists whose blogs I enjoy.

Before I send you off to their wonderful sites, here are 7 things about me you might like to know:

1. I love and serve my savior, Jesus Christ, because, Praise God!, He took my sins away!
2. Along with a love of art, I love to write!
3. I love my cutest four nephews as if they were my own kids!
4. I enjoy quiet, peace and praying.
5. I honor the elder generations for their wisdom and experience.
6. My family and church are my best friends.
7. I have the best dog in the whole world!

NOW, those seven great bloggers...

Debbie Becks-Cooper - for her beautiful texture work

Mary Beth Brath - for starting her blog yesterday

Edward Burton - for taking us to the museum

Diane Morgan - and her lovely watercolors

Pat Koscienski - for those great landscape abstracts

Jennifer Lawson - for great storytelling

Diana Marshall - and her challenging subject matter

List 7 things about you and pass it along to 7 Kreative Bloggers. Go visit these artist's supreme blogs!

Cupcake, 5x7

This is my first painting from the Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog Challenge, where artists paint their own interpretations of the same photograph. I chose to focus on a single cupcake and it's shadow. The curves of the icing, the tonal changes in the shadows and the reflection of the yellow cake on the grey tabletop. Cupcakes make a beautiful work of art.

View from Kings Gap, oil, 8x10

I just finished this little painting of a portion of the vast landscape view from the top of Kings Gap. It reminds me of something my grandmother once said. She was a country farming girl from the South, and my father drove her from North Carolina up through Maryland to visit us in Pennsylvania. She made him pull over along the highway when she saw the outstanding scenic views of the farmland along the Maryland highway. She got out of the car and stood there taking it all in for a long time and finally made the comment..."The Lord do decorate this earth beautiful." And do I agree.

Summer Bales, oil, 6x8

The hay is freshly baled and waiting for the farmer to pick up. This is my favorite thing to watch in the summer. It rained so much this year, I didn't think the farmer would ever be able to cut and bale the hay. But, he knows just the right time to get the job done. This small sketch reminds me of all those beautiful summer mornings in the country.

Our Intercessor

About 15 years ago, while praying, I saw a vision of Jesus interceding in prayer. Hebrews 7:25 says, "He always lives to interecede for them." It so struck me that why should we worry and fret when we have one who lives to intercede on our behalf to the Father. First He died in our place to reconcile us to God, and now He lives to interecede on our behalf.

Recently I sculpted my vision into a bust, which is shown. It is an open edition - Jesus is available to all - I didn't feel right limiting the edition.

If you are interested in this work, please contact the artist. Each piece is cast resin mounted on finished solid maple wood, with a brass plaque which quotes the scripture cited above.