Hippity-Hoppity

6x6 inch

Oil on raymar canvas panel
Available in my Etsy Shop

My sister-in-law made yummy decorated cupcakes for my son's birthday, so I told her I would paint a bunny for her. She wanted one I painted previously and it sold, so she requested a bunny with attitude. 

This one seemed to be lying down on the his Easter job. Enjoyed painting him and might paint another for her to chose from. 

( A little of the wonderful childhood song we all remember. )

(Hippity hoppity, hippity hoppity, hippity hoppity) Here comes Peter Cottontail Hoppin' down the bunny trail Hippity hoppin', Easter's on its way

Charleston Charm

5x7 inch

Oil on linen panel

Available in my Etsy Shop.

My family visited Charleston last summer for one day, which was not long enough. I fell in love with this beautiful and historical town. My favorite part was the carriage ride around the town. I was able to take lots of reference photos of carriages and the beautiful architecture. Don't know why it has taken me so long to paint some of my memories of the beautiful charm of Charleston.

Little Known Facts about Charleston, SC

1.) Charleston boasts the first public college, museum and playhouse in the United States.

2.) George Gershwin composed his well known opera Porgy and Bess while living on Folly Beach, South Carolina.  Porgy and Bess are buried in the James Island Presbyterian Church graveyard.

3.) The first game of golf played in the United States took place in Charleston, South Carolina.

4.) North America's longest cable-stayed bridge spans the Charleston Harbor.  The Arthur J. Ravenel Jr.
Bridge connects historic Charleston and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

5.) The first shot to be fired in the Civil War was fired by Citadel Cadets stationed on Morris Island

Do you know a fun fact about Charleston that you would like to share? 

Fun facts from:www.locountry.com

Catch a Wave

 5x7 inch oil on linen

6x6 inch oil on cradled canvas

SOLD

As I have said before, I love painting dogs in water. Just finished the one on top and I am trying to decide which one to give to a local church for a silent auction for youth missions. Two different dogs, top I believe a golden retriever and the bottom a brown lab. If interested in either let me know by tomorrow.
I am ready for a spring break vacation back to the beach for more reference. :)

I am joining the Paint Party Friday today! I hope you will visit and enjoy all the beautiful work by such creative artists.

Be sure and check out my Etsy cleaning out studio sale at the top of page.

Beautiful Elba

5x7 inch 

Available in my Etsy Shop

SOLD

Love the Virtual Paintout painting challenge and I have not entered in quite a while, I was in desperate  need of a virtual vacation via Google Streetview. This months destination was the Mediterranean island of beautiful Elba.  Bill Guffey—  "This month we travel to the Mediterranean island of Elba, the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago. Famously known as the destination of Napoleon Bonaparte's first exile. The island has incredible architecture, with a great variety of landscapes to choose from."  I had a great time touring the island, and did not even get sunburned. :)

I love Ewe!

5x7 inch oil on linen canvas

Available in my Etsy Shop

Maybe we should trade in our lawnmower for some of these cuties. 

White House woolies
President Woodrow Wilson grazed sheep on the White House South Lawn. The wool obtained from the sheep was sold to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I. The flock included "Old Ike," a tobacco-chewing ram. (http://www.sheep101.info/interestingfacts.html)

Paris Treat

6x6 inch oil on board

Available in My Etsy Shop

Painted for the newest daily paintworks challenge—"paint it before you eat it challenge".
Well, I guess I did not completely abide by those guidelines. Might go back and darken shadows a little to add more depth. Found this cool plate at TJ Maxx with landmarks of Paris on it. It was calling my name to paint in a still life. LOVE unique plates! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Ivory Surf and Sand

5x7 inch

oil on linen canvas

SOLD

Prints Available in my Fine Art America Shop. 

The latest DPW challenge is to paint white subjects on white backgrounds. I found this photo I took on our summer vacation. I believe it is either a Samoyed or American Eskimo puppy — loving as all of us do the beautiful ocean. The ivory puppy, sand and foamy surf made a beautiful photo. Loved the temperature change in colors and once again I found myself so drawn to the colors that shine in white. 

Loved this quote from writer, G. K. Chesterton

"White...is not a mere absence of colour; it is a shining and affirmative thing, as fierce as red, as definite as black...God paints in many colours; but He never paints so gorgeously, I had almost said so gaudily, as when He paints in white." --G. K. Chesterton

Pastel Pearl

5x7 inch oil on linen
Available in Etsy shop

Found another great photo of a Charolais cow with lots of color. I have been asked to paint a series of cow paintings for Laurel Leaf Gallery, so these colorful girls will probably be part of the spring series. I need a colorful series name. Suggestions?

Drew another name for the "Harry"print and Shelley Montanaro from Massachusetts is the winner!!
Congratulations, Shelley!! 

Easter Egg Ethel

5x7 inch

oil on linen canvas

Available at Laurel Leaf Gallery, Leiper's Fork 

This holstein was bathed in light and I loved the Easter Egg colors the sun and shadows were bringing out as I painted her. Holstein and Guernsey cows were the breeds of cows I would show at the county and state fair. I have found some photos of me showing, and I hope to be brave enough to post soon. 

Bailey

6x8 inches oil on raymar panel

Commissioned Painting—Sold

This is Bailey, oh how I want to rub his sweet ears. I had dachshunds when I was a little girl and loved their sweet velvety ears. I think my dogs would run from me thinking I was coming after their ears. As usual a few touch ups here and there I see after I photograph, and then Bailey will be in the mail off to be a sweet valentine's gift for his dad. Bailey's mom says he is a little obsessed with his tennis ball, he won't even eat without it by him. So sweet!! Thanks Rebecca and Bailey!!