Friends & Family

My dad constantly harasses my husband about hooking him up with a 'friends & family' deal at Zaxbys (aka free food). This term has taken on new meaning for me this week.

My mother-in-law, Carol, landed me a gig designing & painting a booth back drop for the Athens Home & Garden show. The goal is to show people that Cannon Residential (where she works) remodels the interior AND exterior of homes. It looks really great in my head, so we'll see if I can translate that on to the backdrop. As soon as the carpenter builds the thing I'll get started! That's the family hook up.

The friend hook-up.....Lindsay, my good friend & excellent teacher, has commissioned me for 3 nursery paintings. A group of teachers are pooling together to gift three expecting teachers with paintings.

Pink & green themed nursery

The truck isn't done yet... the red paint is taking forever to dry! This one is for a little guy that will be sharing a room with TWO older brothers. The theme here is construction.

This nursery is done in a pastel safari theme.

Thanks guys!

p.s....In addition to these tidbits, we started a second mural at church!

(judy's cute little sheep)

29 going on 65

When Trent & I joined Tuckston UMC several years ago I hoped that I would one day help paint a mural for the children's department. "One day" came about recently. Due to my early retirement from the 9-5er, I've had the opportunity to work on this project during the day. Doing this, I've realized how unique my situation is.... I might just be the only person under 60 that isn't working at regular job or raising children during the day. Last week there was a senior citizen aerobics class going on in the gym, today a Seniors valentine luncheon (there was some serious partying going on)..... you get the gist of who I'm hangin' with during the day. I must say the golden years look like good time.

I would hardly call my co-works, Judy & Andre, seniors, but I do fit right in with them. We discuss our various ailments, the types of bird feeders that squirrels can't get to, how wild the kids in the nursery program sound, etc. Today they gave me a major compliment.... they think I have a GREAT memory (I actually have a terrible memory.. just ask anyone that knows me, but it was nice to hear for once). I think I was just born old.

Anyhow, Judy is the head artist.... Andre & myself are the helpers. Judy is so talented & I am intrigued by how her mind processes the composition. She is a very analytical painter & I've learned a lot from her thus far. We'll probably finish this portion of the mural next week & we'll them move on to section two.

The water & boat have been my bag (how about that fire alarm on Jesus' boat!)

Work in Progress

I painted this jar several years ago. It's probably my favorite piece I've ever done, mostly for the meaning behind it. I am particularly fascinated with the absence of color and the transparency glass. The painting is a combination of both, but also personal evaluation of what happens in the absence of something & what can be held within transparency. That's the best I can explain it, so don't ask me any questions.

Anyhow, to my surprise, a lot of other people have liked it & expressed interest in it. This prompted me to think more about the subject & do a bit of a "study" of the mason jar. I'm beginning to work on this & aim to put this up for a show in a local restaurant eventually.

A glimpse in the studio (aka the dining room):

A favorite little trick of mine is to use old interior acrylic paint for a base. The thicker & stickier the better (no one has ever accused me of being a purist)!