"Donkey Thoughts", sculpture

I haven't posted any of my sculptures for a while, so I thought I'd share this piece. I call it "Donkey Thoughts" as I imagine what has gone through the mind of this creature that has been a witness of so many biblical and historical events throughout time. This sculpture won a Judge's Choice Award at a show at the Art Center in Mechanicsburg in 2007. This sculpture, along with other artist's works, will be on display at an exhibit entitled "Palm Sunday through Resurrection" opening March 27, 2010 at the Art & Soul Gallery in Lemoyne and running through April 24, 2010.

Sunshine Award

My artist friends and fellow bloggers Diana Marshall and Claire Beadon Carnell have sent me a "Sunshine Award" for brightening their day with images and blurbs from this blog.

The rules for accepting this award are:

-Put the logo on your blog with your post.

-Pass the award on to 12 other bloggers

-Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

-Link to the person from whom you received this award.

This took a little time, but you know what...I haven't stopped lately to tell these fellow artists how much I learn and am inspired by their blogs, so I thought now was a good time to do it. They do bring me sunshine.

Thank you to Diana and Claire, it means a lot coming from you both as I love your work. If you hadn't already won this award, you would be the people I'd pass it on to.

Here are 12 of my favorite artists:

Bertie Brown

Charlotte Yealey

Ron Donoughe

Tatiana Myers

Linda Young

Andy Smith

Nora Mackin

Edward Burton

Gwen Bell

James F. Smith

Jude Bates

Sheila Wedegis

After Vermeer's "Christ in the House of Martha and Mary", c.1655

Painted using old master classical painting methods, I narrowed this subject and painted just "Mary" from Vermeer's 1655 painting. I was so taken not only by the mastery of Vermeer but by the sweet devotion he gives in Mary's attention to Christ from the biblical story of Martha, the consummate servant and Mary, the devotee hanging on every word. This style of painting, with it's thin glazes and weeks of drying time between layers, allows the artist to contemplate the meaning within the subject over a long period which translates to a definate emotion with the choice of brushstroke and pallette. Glorious! I learned so much from this study.

An Artist's Inspiration

Today's snowstorm has painted the earth with such glorious beauty. An artist needs to look no further than their own backyard to find inspiration. God's creation lays the scene and the artist takes notice! This is the view that I woke up to this morning - as my horse finds refuge in her stall, herself enjoying the beauty of the falling snow. So the busy-ness slows down if but for a few hours - isn't it grand? It's a sabbath for the soul. Even the crisp, cool air is refreshing! I'm so inspired I'm ready to paint!

"Bridled Spirit", 9 x 12, oil

This painting was a study of the the nuances of the horse's color and bone structure. Making all those transitions with softness. Horses are my favorite subject - there's a sweetness in their soul that just captivates the canvas.

"In the Garden", oil, 6 x 8 inches

This quick little plein air sketch was painted last summer in the garden at Kings Gap. It was a very hot day and the bumble bees were out and about. I took refuge under a shade tree and captured the sundial in the center of the abundant flower garden. Success is being able to complete a study in a couple of hours before the light and shadows change and to capture that first impression of the scene without the worry over details. Now this piece is enough information to try a larger, more finished work.

"Christ Chapel, Gettysburg College", oil, 9" x 12"

This is a plein air piece that I painted during the 2009 Gettysburg Festival. It is Christ Chapel on the campus of Gettysburg College. I was drawn by the sunlight shining from behind the church, sparkling on the steeple, and dancing on the tree tips. Painting outside, directly from observation, and racing against the changing light is like no other feeling.