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Showing posts from May, 2007
Dad's Red Flowers 24 X 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day SOLD OFF THIS BLOG!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!! On it's way to Oregon! I am seriously NOT in the blog mood. I am sorry. I spent five hours cleaning house and have just made it into the studio which could be trashed pretty quickly into the trash cans outside. This painting was done on Monday before all the trips into Dallas. Red is my dad's favorite color and always when I paint red I think of him! This is part of my COLORS OF SUMMER GALLERY SERIES! Tomorrow I promise to try and catch up. Meanwhile...have a great evening. I am fixing a huge salad and will have a glass of wine with it! Grace, Laurie “You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor.”—Hebrews 2:7
Greetings! I am not at home...can you tell??? I will be arriving this evening and will post a painting and try and catch up. I was in Dallas all day yesterday and back again today. Yesterday we were helping Terry's dad out with stuff around his house, he is 82. Today I am in to do doctor stuff with my mom....but home later and back to work by tomorrow! Hope all is going well...check the blog later for a painting. I did two on Sundayand Monday and will be posting those. God Bless, Laurie
ARABIAN IN BLUE 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting A Day Painted on Thursday! Well, Back to work today. I am working on my book for the New York show as we speak. I took a break to do my blog! This is a white Arabian that I painted when Trina was here painting with me on Thursday. The colors reflected the depth of my mood that day as I am searching for changes still and not finding them...but after yesterday and our anniversary I have a slight nod of direction and we will see what passes through the next few months. Nothing happens over night. I think it was our deep conversations, but the Italian Margarita from Olive Garden did not hurt. We also watched a great movie last night...THE GUARDIAN.... highly recommend it for the charged emotional depth of the message. It was so encouraging again to see my red dahlia inspiring another artist to immediately paint a red dahlia...paint on and enjoy the Lord's glory...there is enough for all of us. The objective of being in the s
ANNIVERSARY Taking a Break from painting Day Today is our anniversary....I have known Terry since I was eleven! NO PAINTING TODAY!! HUG SOMEONE YOU LOVE and tell them....I LOVE YOU! (MOM...I love you! XXX hug hug hug) I delight in the giving and receiving of the joy of the spirit! Grace, Laurie “For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 14:17
Dahlia RED Flower Art 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Well, I barely have my eyes open...pretty bad sinus headache this morning...bad enough I won't eat or sit at this screen very long! This dahlia was painted yesterday and is painted with a thick brush and even thicker paint! Layers of red, orange, coral and some pinks complimented with a deep sap green, yellow green and black creeping in on the edges. Definitely something to brighten a room with blooms! Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary.... I have known Terry since I was eleven. We have quite a history! Have to figure that one out today too in between painting and hot water packs on my face!~ Harmony in relationships is the Daily Word thought for today....hits at the right time for sure...but God's timing is NEVER off! Grace, Laurie “Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”—Philippians 2:2
NEWFOUNDLAND PUPPY for Niki Oil on Canvas 16 X 20 inches A Painting a Day Wednesday is a serious day working. I have been up since three this morning...leg cramps and noisy trains! I gave up going back to sleep and got up to work. I finished up this puppy for Niki for a summer trip and auction items for the gathering of the Newfies and their folks. I enjoy these freestyle commission pieces that allow you to feel and work the paint as you see it! I had started a brown newfie..you can turn the canvas sideways and see it...but scraped the canvas. Had a talky repair man that kept me off task and totally ruined my approach on the canvas. SOOO I started over on Monday and finished it off...I turned the canvas and serious GOT TO WORK! But it was fun! This morning Sunflowers at twilight are on the canvas with deep violets and blues...contrasting the soft yellows...will post it as soon as I finish it! Enfold someone you love that lives far away in your love today. Pray for them especially
IRIS BUDS 18 X 36 inches Oil/Acrylic on Canvas A Painting A Day CLICK HERE TO BUY! Good morning! Yesterday was a delight as I unwrapped a gifted painting from Charlene. It is a beautiful 30 x 40 impressionistic piece of an artist painting in a garden! WOW... can't wait to frame it and hang it. Other than that I painted the Iris Buds above and one small one of a Tuscan Morning. The one above has a bottom layer of acrylic in purple, everything else piled on top is Oil! Refreshing and strong in color...this is part of my BACKYARD BLOOMS Gallery Series 2007. Today we are waiting for ULINE to deliver the cardboard Terry fashions the custom made boxes out of. We ran out and I forgot to order it! Meanwhile.... I will finish cleaning up this morning and hopefully when we go to FEDEX we will grocery shop. We have to watch the gas usage! Doesn't everyone? Relax today and breathe! Grace, Laurie “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils th
WITH THE WIND 22 x 28 Oil on Canvas $749 SOLD A Painting a Day Well this one made my eBay store, not auction, and went pretty fast. I had not even blogged it, so I decided to put this pretty baby up. It is a smoother approach to canvas than my palette knife attack...I have been selling more out of my store on eBay and may build that trade up over the auctions. Sunday was grand! I started my morning with Conni's fabulous soft boiled eggs (yes, she taught me a short cut and the eggs are awesome!) and a chunk of pumpernickel bread and hot earl grey tea. I spent about an hour reading a book Charlene sent entitled "How to Pray" from Unity and then read in the bible for a bit before picking up my harp and playing it. I then took the dogs for a long walk. This new routine left me peaceful as I came in to the studio to work on some commission pieces, which is what I will be doing today as well. I will be at the Post office at 8 to pick up two packages...my mail person appeare
WILD VIBRATIONS 24 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day CLICK here to bid. Sunday morning. Short note today. Painted this pretty girl yesterday, determined and a bit wild! There is an underlay of blue acrylic which cannot be seen peaking through anywhere because of the four layers of oil paint on top of it! A play of contrast with orange and blue, purple and yellow....follow the flow of the mane....oh I forgot there is impasto mixed into the edges over the blue acrylic layer but before the oil layers...hence there is a deep ridge carved out for the horse. Last night was spent in prayer for several hours before falling asleep. It does not surprise me this morning to take in hand my daily word and read the words AWAKEN at the top of the page. At Bible study on Friday night we shared talk over praying for direction to serve God as he needs us, not as we think we should serve, and to allow Him control, and not to control. Being quiet to listen to him is always the hardest thin
POT OF ORANGE POPPIES 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Sometimes things are whimsical and appear and this was one of them. I began washing the canvas with a rag and Golden Acrylic Ultramarine Blue. Then I used a palette knife and began layering two others blues on top with white. Allowing that to dry, I automatically flipped the canvas and began to paint. I had seen on Good Morning America yesterday some flowers behind Robin Roberts...orange against the dark blue. That had burned itself into my brain, the two colors, so I loaded my palette with Scarlett, Red, yellow, marigold, white, sap green, leaf green and yellow green, oh yes blue violet, violet red, horizon blue, marine blue, white, black and orange... and to work I went. I began just placing blobs of orange in different areas on the surface and then sweeping the colors of yellow and red through the blobs....I stopped and studied the surface and immediately saw the low rounded ceramic vase popping out at me. I
PINK HYDRANGEA 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting A Day HAPPY FRIDAY MORNING. It is in the high fifties and I am already missing my sunrise and cup of tea! I have to hurry through this one! Georgia sent me pictures of her blooming hydrangea in her backyard...that was my simple inspiration for this huge freestyle painting of pink beauties! The paint is thick and fresh and full of movement and life...just like spring and summer! We had Joe Doughtery out last night to look at plumbing...he arrived right after the repair man for my oven...I was trying to paint and was definitely tied up in knots. BUT turns out Joe plays guitar ...and boy does he. He picked up and strummed both my Taylor and my Larrivee. I felt pretty darn good with in just a few minutes~ but then Terry decided it was still light enough outside to try and trim Paddy dog. NOT GOOD...too much dog hair flying. I am off to enjoy the day. Wait for that divine wisdom today with patience! Grace, Laurie “It is you who lig
FULL PAINT 30 x 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Not sure where I woke up this morning, but it decisively does NOT feel like Texas. It is in the low fifties outside....I am going to blog and then go sit by the open window and watch the sun rise and play my harp. I anticipate sipping hot peppermint tea with a touch of honey and watching the glory of the Lord wake the earth. THEN I will be back to paint! So this is short and sweet today! FOR YOU, I suggest the same. Find something to focus on that is part of God's creation...his gift for you. Don't ignore gifts given so freely. Stop wasting time on the stress and the worry, put it down for a few moments and give HIM your attention! Grace, Laurie “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?”—1 Corinthians 6:19
HORIZON MORNING RUN 24 x 36 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Bid here. It is cool and clear outside! I will enjoy walking later! Yesterday was busy, I was working in the studio preparing five paintings for their trip to Rockwall to the new store over there that has invited my work in! Horses of course! I pulled the APPY Three from Auction because it was decided I would do a continual series just for that store of those style paintings! From that we will do a book and a calendar and proceeds can benefit horse rescue! Texas Tach Exchange is the name of the store and the owner Kiki Teague is incredible, as is her store. The Spirit fills and spills out from every direction and there is a peace with in that is undeniable. www.TexasTackExchange.com I really look forward to working with Kiki. I fell in love with Rockwall, and Terry felt the warmth of the bustling growing town as well. I look forward to visiting again. I met up with another buyer at my mom's home to delive
PINTO PONY EVOLUTION 22 x 28 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day RAIN and more rain. Still have to varnish. We did not get to pack paintings yesterday...we had to cut the grass...it was thigh high and we have an acre of it! Terry spent six hours in the sun doing the yard and I spent the time scrubbing and cleaning the house. We will pack the paintings this morning IF I am able to spray the varnish sealer. This painting was a pinto pony on a grey blue background....I came into the studio on Saturday and saw something else on the canvas and it evolved! Thick paint and contrasting pulls....very startling in person. I am up early this morning for one of those I HAVE TO PAINT IT images floating in my head. The household is quiet because we were with out power last night when I fell asleep....I think I slept 8 or 9 hours. Terry is still sound asleep so I am hoping the phone does not ring to wake him. It is only 5:30 a.m. here right now....and I am itching to paint! Faith and Patience
IN STRIDE 30 X 40 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Sometimes life is raw...sometimes painting is too. Raw can be filled with hurt, pain, or confusion. Raw might even give you power and if you let go, eventually give you grace. I don't think I can truly explain this painting other than that. Mother's Day was duly celebrated yesterday. Church with my youngest and lunch at my daughter's home. It was lovely. I miss the days of cheerios on a tray at six a.m. That was Morgan's favorite to fix me. The kids would get the old Coca cola tray and on it would be a colorful napkin and a flower Stacey picked ( mother's day is not mother's day with out flowers...ya know, I didn't even get one this year) a bowl of cheerios floating in milk, a glass of orange juice and toast that Justin had made, slightly untoasted, with gobs of strawberry jelly. The best memory is the Parakeet they bought me one year. Their dad had kept it at his office and the bird had gotten l
OUTWARD BOUND 24 X 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all of you out there! I woke early this morning at four and have been continuous praying for the Tögel family. Conni's mom and dad had just landed in Germany for a visit and her dad was rushed to the hospital. I am not totally clear on exactly what, but think it was a blood vessel issue in the head. PLEASE keep them in prayer so far from home...altho Germany was their home until a year ago. I have been in Dallas the past few days, so not here painting or listing or doing my blog...but spending time with my mom and dad. Wish there was a manual for getting old and guidance for all the decisions we face. Our society has changed so much with families moving so far from each other and everyone working to keep up with our hunger to buy more and have better. I would love to have my parents living with us. My household is not quite as tight and neat as my mom's but I run it very close to how she runs
FLOWERS FOR THE RED ROOM 24 x 24 inches Oil on canvas A Painting a Day Thursday....teaching and the final spring art show. I have kept under wraps the winners that were chosen! Today will only do one painting and that will be AFTER cleaning the entire house and preparing food for tonight! RAIN has kept us muddy, floors muddy from the dogs, rugs wiped out wiht mud...I have much to do today. Am praying it does not rain later....will have to put the dogs in the garage during the show...like to keep the back patio/porch open for eating ability....with NO DOGS! On my blog tomorrow ...oops...don't know if I can blog tomorrow. Tomorrow is Dallas, DAD, errands for paint, painting deliveries, and a Mother/Daughter banquet at church....busy busy day/night. Enjoy your day, enjoy the moment and give thanks. Remember the painting I posted of Annie this week? It is on eBay now and is on auction to raise money for the MICHAEL BOLTON Charities (abused children and women) CLICK here to see it and b
APPY THREE Horses Southwest Art 30 x 30 inches Acrylic on Canvas A Painting a Day Wednesday is painting day in the studio. It was good sleeping last night with rolls of storms blowing through and rumbling and raining all night! We expect the same today. Yesterday I experimented in the studio blocking with acrylic as a thicker underlay and doing some fun things. I worked on this one yesterday and it is more commercial looking I think. Working with Impasto and paint is always like playing with clay! Gonna roast a chicken today ....a huge one we can eat off of for a few days. Tomorrow is my student art show...and I have to prepare foods for that as well...will do some today and some tomorrow! Thoughts today....hummm, my brain is on letting go and moving on, forgiving to the core of your heart when you feel you have been stomped upon. Daily Word is on another subject. I think as an artist we are often more vulnerable than most folks. What's coming up? More horses, flowers and
Looking into Grace 24 X 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day by Two International Artists! WOW, what energy from Conni's stay this week! Yesterday we finished up the painting we started on Sunday night. Sunday Night we worked until after Midnight...then grabbed a few hours of sleep and drove north to St Jo Texas to visit Donna Howell Sickles in her church/gallery/studio. After two hours of soaking in the gentle beauty there and visiting, we drove back through HUGE Texas Storms. There we were on some back country road that Donna sent us site seeing on, LOST. Found some highway workers and found our direction and about that time the heavens opened and the winds from the storm tossed my little Passat here and there! We found a home to pull up next to because the rain was so heavy we could not see. We were happy to arrive home an hour later and begin painting! This was a blast. Two artists, Two styles, Two matching palettes for color balance and hours of fun! Can't even b
Mountain Pony 30 X 30 inches Oil/Acrylic on Canvas A Painting a Day Sunday early with thoughts of the day ahead. This is a painting I did Friday as Conni watched it evolve. It went through several phases as I was in and out of the studio that day. Bottom layering of about three layers of impasto and Acrylic with blended scraped colors and then the etching of the horse in oils. The eye of the horse in oils as well. Definitely raw and wild. Today we will head up to Krum to a short church service and then I believe home to work, paint that is. Annie, Conni's seven year old has been a trooper. I taught her how to play Chinese Checkers last night and she beat me several times! She has sorted out coins for me ( I told her she could keep the quarters) and continues to mop the floor. I believe she likes my spray gun. We all attended the wedding of my close friends Deborah and Bill yesterday and then ran to my moms to visit her and dad. That found us around more food at ST cafe in Dall
WEEDA and EDDIE Commission Oil 30 X 40 inches A Painting a Day Saturday. WOW, one of my oldest friends is getting married today! Conni and I will head in to Dallas for the wedding and expect lots of good food and friends! YUMMMMM! This is the second in the commission pieces for Eddie's mom. This horse is Weeda...and Eddie was not suppose to be in the painting, but he sneaked in at Weeda's feet. IT may be another week before I can ship these...the paint is thickly applied with a palette knife. Yesterday we visited Southlake Town Square and attempted to visit a gallery on the square but it was locked tight. Wonder how that artist wants to sell work. But we did the James Avery thing and found a pretty charm bracelet for Annie. I put a Texas charm on it and she picked out a bunny for it! A wreck on the freeway delayed our lunch and arrival home. We stopped by the CAULDREN of Death and tried to get some fried chick (Chicken Express) but they were out of real chicken, like dr
AFTERNOON SUNFLOWERS 10 X 30 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Whew, Thursday is behind me! The day started early as I finished up some painting... Annie Mae (she is seven) and I took about a mile walk and gathered wild flowers. We arrived back and had worked up a good appetite on our walk and decided on Waffles....and fresh fruit. Conni was showered and functioning when we got back and we all jumped into the kitchen. The results were breakfast on the back deck/porch with wildflowers in a vase in the center of the table and piles of waffles and hot syrup to consume! After breakfast it was time to work some more and Conni joined me in the studio watching me do some palette knife work. She said husband Peter would have a heart attack if he saw HOW MUCH Paint I use on a painting! She jumped on a canvas with a knife and a HUGE mound of paint and impasto...and it is a work in progress and what fun to paint together with music weaving in behind us. Annie sat in the chair with a ske
AIREDALE Attention 6 x 6 inch Oil on Panel A Painting a Day The storms were interesting yesterday. Conni Togel and daughter Annie Mae were flying in from Greensboro South Carolina in the late afternoon early evening hours. Storms gather southwest of us with tornadoes, 70 mile an hour straight line winds, hail etc and we determined the storm was to hit DFW International Airport at 6:35 pm. I scampered into the computer. Conni's flight was due at 6:35. As I pulled up the screen it was delayed to 6:43...as it departed Greensboro late. Not the best scenario. We left for the airport at five fifteen hoping to beat the weather to the garage parking outside the terminal. My daughter kept us abreast of the storm and we prayed that Conni's flight would somehow make it in before the storm and not be diverted. 30 min later as the rain began to lightly fall and the black/green clouds began gathering to the south of the airport, I called the info line to find her flight was due in at
Pink Magnolia Blooms 16 x 20 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day Simplicity in design and color! Sort of Fresh in the mind...as I painted this. Not as free as most of my work, but holding it's own in colors and contrast. Our weather continues to be a blessed gift of cool evening temps and nice warm day temps. We have showers yesterday and the tomato plants are growing....as are the new trees and flower beds! I am hitting the canvas hard today. Conni Togel is flying in from Greenville SC with daughter Annie. I am excited and want to get some of my work knocked out.I have no idea what it will be like trying to paint with a super artist in the house...could be intimidating! Conni's older two daughters came and stayed with Terry and I last summer and we had a blast! So it was Conni's turn to come with the youngest! Yesterday was filled with packing and shipping and sending off two huge packages to a designer in Hong Kong...horses of course. She has one more I need to
Arabain 20 x 20 inches Oil on Canvas A Painting a Day It is Tuesday. Today we will be sending off 10 paintings and gathering groceries for the week. I can barely move after planting our front flower beds with my husband. My hat is off to him as the stronger person in our marriage. MY LEGS hurt! BUT the beds look great! The above painting I worked on yesterday and finished late last night after our neighborhood meeting. Leaning more toward realism, it was a romantic feel at the canvas as I worked. Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Remember to honor the Lord first and then get on your way to a positive day. I can't stress enough sharing a warm smile with everyone, especially here where it is cloudy and dreary again. Not sure how any of my paintings are drying! Grace, Laurie “God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”—Genesis 1:5