Prickly Pear Cactus

This is what I think is probably the true "Yellow Rose of Texas".
7x9, original, oil on canvas board

Texas Lavender Farm #1

Last year my husband and I went to the lavender festival in the Texas Hill Country. Since each lavender farm had its own unique look and personality, I didn't bother to jot down where I took which photos. Note to self: no longer trust your memory. I hope we will be able to attend again this year and will certainly make a point of taking notes! If you area an artist, a lavender lover or just wanting to take a weekend drive, check out this website for all of the wonderful things going on at the lavender festival this year! http://www.blancolavenderfest.com/
Hope to see you there!
original, 6x8, oil on board

White Gerber Daisies

Gerber daisies are among my very favorite flowers, especially the white ones. They almost seem to smile!
Original, 6x8, oil on board

Rural Texas

This is from a photo taken from Edwin and Virginia Janysek's farm, located near Helena, Texas. I took a few liberties because the photo was taken on a cloudy day. Thanks to Jay Lauver for insisting I add more light. It really helped!
Original, 6x8, oil on board

Coreopsis

The coreopsis is usually a summer bloomer. I bought these. They looked so cheerful I had to paint them.
original, 5x7, oil on board

Bluebonnet Trio

Things always seemed nicer in uneven numbers so here is my a bluebonnet trio. Did I mention that the bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas? It's not hard to see why when the fields are covered with them. Some say they don't have a fragrance but ask any Texan. We'll tell you they sure as heck do! It's the smell of spring!
Original, 5x7, oil on board

Bluebonnet Mist

It's been a long time since we've gotten a good rain so our bluebonnets are few and far between. This is one of two I painted over the weekend.
Original, 5x7, oil on board SOLD

March News

March has been a wonderful month! It started with being chosen as Artist of the Month in the New Braunfels Art Gallery, http://newbraunfelsartleague.com. A very special "thank you" to those who came to my reception. It means more to me than I could ever express.

Yesterday I received a call informing me that I have been accepted into Galleria II, which is an art gallery located in La Villita, San Antonio's Historic Arts Village, http://www.lavillita.com. I will begin exhibiting on March 31. Drop in on Friday, April 3, and say hello!

March also marks my birthday. Gene, my brother-in-law, sent the greatest card! It says, "You're not getting older....You're just beginning to bloom"! And that's exactly how it feels, too!

Happy, Happy Spring Everyone!

Gaye

La Villita #1

Another painting from a photo taken long ago. The dappled sunlight added to the charm. I attempted to capture it so I could share it with you. Do come visit La Villita. It's a San Antonio gem that shouldn't be missed!
8x10, oil on board SOLD

The Yellow Planter

This is from a photo I took a few years ago at the Antique Rose Emporium here in San Antonio. They have a deep blue outdoor "room" lined with colorful plants. This one really caught my eye with the yellow planter against the blue wall.
5x7, oil on board

Artist of the Month

I received a very wonderful phone call informing me that I was chosen Artist of the Month for March 2009 by the New Braunfels Art League, www.newsbraunfelsartleague.com. I spent much of Saturday setting up my display and visiting with the artists who were manning the gallery. There is nothing like being in the company of artists! My work will be featured throughout March.
Please come see the March Special Show entitled "Art in Bloom". Art by over 40 area artists will be on display from March 2-31, 2009. The Artist Reception and Awards Presentation will be held Friday, March 6 from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. at the New Braunfels Art League, 239 W. San Antonio Street in New Braunfels, Texas. Spring has sprung at the New Braunfels Art League!
Hope to see you there!!!

White Poppies

My second painting of the year. I love poppies no matter what color. I hope you like them.
5x7, oil on board SOLD

More Roses

One of my goals for 2009 is to be in the studio more. While I'd love to be among the "daily painters" I'm afraid I find that a bit too manic. I would be very pleased to be able to paint one a week. Here is the year's first. The photo for this painting was taken during a workshop I took in October. It is of the same arrangement I painted then, see the October 9 post entitled Still Life. I find the composition of this one more pleasing.
6x8, oil on board, SOLD

Andrea

My youngest grand-daughter, Andrea.
8x10, oil on board, private collection

Noni's Cat

This is my sister's cat, Bob. He looked like such a cutie that I had to paint him.
5x7, oil on board SOLD

Rose Bouquet

This was done in a recent workshop with Carlene Reeves. She is a wonderful teacher.
11x14, oil on canvas board, private collection

Radishes

This painting was fun from the intitial sketch to the eating of the radishes when the painting was complete! 8x10, oil on linen

Still Life

This is from a recent workshop. I was happy with the results in the workshop's lighting but not a happy camper once I got it home. It is actually much darker and much warmer than it appeared to be when I painted it. Full-spectrum light helps but how many people have that kind of lighting in their homes? I will chalk it up to a learning experience. The workshop itself was a lot of fun and I did learn a lot. Being among artists is one of my all time favorite things!
8x10, oil on linen SOLD

More Sunflowers

"More Sunflowers" is not the official title of this painting. I just haven't decided on one yet. I plan to do a little more work on it but felt it was presentable at this point.
11x14, oil on linen, SOLD

The Fountain

One of the beautiful brass fountains at the SW School of Art & Craft, formerly the old Ursuline Academy, in San Antonio, Texas.
8x10, oil on board, SOLD

Lily Pond

I have been wanting to paint this for quite some time. It is of our lily pond. After 8 years and the growth of surrounding trees, it got to be chore to keep clean so we filled it in. I have many wonderful photos that may well turn into paintings one day. Now, I get to enjoy our pond without all the work attached. For anyone interested, the water lilies are a tropical variety called "Tina". They were simply beautiful and very fragrant. A small start was given to me by a friend years ago and we have since shared our bounty with Water Garden Gems. It's a wonderful place to visit for those interested in water gardening. 6x8, oil, linen on board

Colorado Aspens

This painting was done over the weekend in Kaye Franklin's workshop. I must say it was the hardest painting I have ever attempted. I wanted to choose a subject that would stretch my abilities and this was the perfect choice! I stared at the photo trying to figure out where in the world to start and never, ever reached the point where I felt I had a good handle on it. I plan to do more of this type of subject until it is not so intimidating.
Thank you, Kaye, for the kick to get out of my comfort zone!
11x14, oil on canvas

Sunflowers

I have been wanting to paint some sunflowers for quite a while now. I think the yellow pitcher made a perfect "vase". The pitcher is enamelware from Poland. I was thrilled to come across it at a local flea market! Polish sunflowers grow much larger than they do in Texas so, here is my painting of large sunflowers in my very special Polish pitcher!
24x30, oil on canvas

Cactus at Mission San Jose

There are so many beautiful things to paint at our area missions. The photo for this painting was taken early one morning. Hardly a soul had arrived so it was very peaceful. The sunlight was perfect.

6x8, oil on linen

Texas Farm #1

This is an old farm located in our area. Wish I had been able to catch it on a sunny day. It is in line with one of the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor routes. When I saw what routes were proposed, I went out an photographed as many farms as I could in hopes of preserving them, if only in a painting. I have no idea who owns this particular farm.
The colors are not quite true. The barn is not that red and the foreground not that yellow but this is the best I was able to get. Where is my owner's manual!?

8x10, oil on board, SOLD