Sketches

I never thought about the beauty in rough drawings, sketches and initial ideas that go into creating the first steps of a new painting. However, once one of my sketches was chosen for an art exhibit this summer, I decided to take another look at these pieces and their own worth and beauty as stand alone pieces of art. Here's the piece that was chosen for the show:

Wander

Right now, the world can be a scary, uncertain place full of danger. It's easy to feel small, insignificant and helpless in times like these. People seem to be drifting further apart and losing faith in each other. It may feel like we are just wandering aimlessly. 

Chris Stapleton's song, "Traveller" sums it up best:

I'm just a traveller on this earth

Sure as my heart's behind the pocket of my shirt

I'll just keep rolling 'till I hit the dirt 

Cause I'm a traveller 

I believe we have a choice. Yes, our time here is limited. We can choose whether we take the journey by ourselves, or we choose to let others go with us. We can choose love or hate.  Parts of journey will be wonderful, others depressing, but if we're traveling together, it will make the bumps a little easier to bear.

So, when you're walking in the middle of nowhere, feeling alone and not sure where the sky ends and ground begins, I hope you realize you aren't alone, and there is something bigger and more wonderful than you are that will help guide you. I wish you faith, hope and love as you seek the grace and direction to put one foot in front of the other.  

To remind us all of this part of our travels, I give you "Wander". 

Retirement Painting

I was honored to be commissioned to paint this painting. It was a teacher's retirement present. It has special meaning because the painting is of the view from her window at school every day. It's wonderful to help capture special memories.

Disappearing Frog Project

My latest painting will go the Museum of Life and Science in Durham as part of the Disappearing Frog Project, which raises awareness about the decline of frogs and other amphibians around the world.  Hope you like "Red Eyed Tree Frog"!

Day Thirty

I made it! Day 30 of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Flat Top Manor", which is part of the Moses Cone Memorial Park at Milepost 294 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day Twenty-nine

Day twenty-nine of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Deer in the Mist", which is a common site along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day Twenty-Eight

Day twenty-eight of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Hofauger House", which is part of Explore Park off Milepost 115.