American Artist Appreciation Month

I did not realize that August was American Artist Appreciation month until I learned from the folks at Patience Brewster (where they make these beautiful handcrafted gifts and ornaments) encouraging me to post about American Artists (past or present) that inspire my work.

There are so many that inspire me that it's hard to name just one.  But I'll start with Karin Jurick, a current artist whose work I admire.

"Retirement Benefits" by Karin Jurick

 I love the vibrant colors she uses and her wide variety of subject matter.  It was her practice of painting small and often that inspired me to post paintings on  Daily Paintworks and to start a blog. She is a prolific painter and I love getting a message in my e-mail when she's posted a new painting on her blog A Painting Today.  They always inspire me to paint.

"Rosemary's Turkey Delight"

"Rosemary's Turkey Delight"

16" x 24"

Oil on Canvas

This painting will be a part of the Tomato Art Show this weekend in East Nashville at the Art and Invention Gallery. 

"Show Off"

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

"Little Sparrow"

"Little Sparrow"

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

Thanks to Rodney Campbell for his photo reference on the Paint My Photo website.

"Resting Easy"

"Resting Easy"

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

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This pup was looking so peaceful and serene resting at the dog park, quietly enjoying the Spring day as the other dogs were running about.

"Bottoms Up"

"Bottoms Up"

5" x 7"

Oil on Panel
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Another bird from Radnor Lake.  I don't know what kind of bird this is because I never saw the front or top.  Someone suggested it's a Tennessee warbler.  I caught him just when he was about to take off.

"Dippity Do"

"Dippity Do"

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

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Another in my series for Radnor Lake.  A few mornings ago I was thoroughly delighted to see a family of Canadian Geese - 2 adults and 6 goslings.  The goslings were just little yellow puff balls and so adorable barely keeping their balance as they drank from the lake.  I'll be painting more of this Canadian family in the near future.

"Winter Blues"

"Winter Blues"

6" x 6"

Oil on Panel

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This little bird is all fattened up for the winter.  He is one of the many beautiful birds found at Radnor Lake.  Since Radnor Lake is one of my favorite places to commune with nature, I am doing a series of paintings of the park and the creatures that inhabit it.

Warner Park Show

"The House that Francis Built"

8 x 10

Oil on Panel
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This is the Hodge House in Percy Warner Park.

 

"Old Forest Hotel"

6 x 8

Oil on Panel
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This is a dead tree found in the Warner Park Hill Property, an old growth forest that has never been cut for timber.  Allowed to decay naturally, the dead tree becomes a home for many living things in the forest.

These two paintings will be a part the art show and sale benefiting the Warner Parks this weekend.  The event, called "A Heart for the Parks",  features paintings by the members of the The Chestnut Group.  For more information, click here to visit The Chestnut Group website.

"Red Onion"

"Red Onion"

6 x 6

Oil on Panel
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"Rustic Oversight"

"Rustic Oversight "

8 x 10

Oil on Panel

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"The Barn"

"The Barn"

5 x 7

Oil on Panel

This painting was done for the owners of this fabulous vacation home in the mountains of North Carolina.  The home and setting were exquisite and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay. I loved painting it.  I thought the floating frame really enhanced the painting so I wanted to share.

"Morning Deer"

"Morning Deer"

5 x 7

Oil on Panel

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This is one of the deer found in Radnor Lake, a beautiful state park in Nashville, TN.  It's one of my favorite places to go.  It's a great place to see wildlife and you totally forget you are in the middle of a city.  Enjoy!

2014 Belle Meade Plantation Art Show

"Gentleness Portrayed"

Awarded Notable Equestrian Work

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"Wine with Food and Music"

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"Profile of a Horse"

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These paintings were accepted in the 2014 juried art show at Belle Meade Plantation.  The show runs from November 6 to December 31, 2014.  Information about the show can be found here. 

"Home Grown Eggplant"

5 x 7

Oil on Panel

"Home Grown Eggplant"

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It is so cool to eat the food you've grown.  This eggplant was grown in our backyard.  After posing for this painting, it was quite tasty marinated and grilled.

"Basket of Gold"

"Basket of Gold"

6 x 6

Oil on Panel

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I recently received this beautiful basket full of my favorite apples - Jonagolds.  They came from a farmers market in North Carolina.  I feel certain they were recently picked because the flavor was amazing.  The kind of flavor that comes from ripening on the tree.  And they make the best apple pie. I love apple season!

"Happy Birthday Cupcake"

"Happy Birthday Cupcake"

6 x 6

Oil on panel

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"With a Cherry on Top"

"With a Cherry on Top"

6" x 6"

Oil on panel

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"The Works"

"The Works"

6 x 6

Oil on Panel

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I had the song "Cheeseburger in Paradise" stuck in my head the whole time I was painting this painting.  It has all of the ingredients named in the song except for Heinz 57.  We'll just assume it's on the bun.  I decided to experiment with impasto painting - a thick application of paint.  I like seeing the brush strokes.

"Spot On"

"Spot On"

6 x 8

Oil on Panel

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I couldn't resist the polka dot pants.  Polka dots are fun and playful and evoke happy thoughts.  She's definitely dressed for play.