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.

Day Twenty-Seven

Day twenty-seven of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Fall Drive". As you leave the Boone area and head towards Deep Gap there are lots of beautiful scenes.

Day Twenty-Six

Day twenty-six of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Gully Creek Trail", which is at Cumberland Knob around Milepost 217 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cumberland Knob was the site where the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway began.

Day Twenty-five

Day twenty-four of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Waterrock Knob", which is near Milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day Twenty-four

Day twenty-four of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Moonlight and Moonshine". Tucked away at Mabry Mill are several vignettes including this still.

Day Twenty-three

Day twenty-three of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Snowy Swim at Mabry Mill". I think this one might be one of my favorites!

Day Twenty-two

Day twenty-two of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Price Lake", which is part of the Julian Price Park at Milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Remember half the sales from this series goes to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. All the paintings can be viewed together at yessy.com/stonemarstudio/

Day Twenty-one

Day twenty-one of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Dark-eyed Junco", which are being seen more and more in this region.

Day Twenty

Day twenty of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Fancy Gap". This crossover is near Milepost 199.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Day Nineteen

Day nineteen of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Spinning Wheel". This is a scene from the grounds at Mabry Mill.

Day Eighteen

Day eighteen of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Wild Turkey". You can see all the paintings in the challenge at yessy.com/stonemarstudio/

Day Seventeen

Day seventeen of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "Blowing Rock View". My family and I went to hike the area on an extremely foggy day. Just as we got to a viewing area, the sun came out and the fog began to lift. It was amazing to see. There's lots to see in the Blowing Rick area (off Mileposts 292-298).

Day Sixteen

Day sixteen of the #30paintingsin30days challenge is "June Rhododendron". This is a 9" x 12" watercolor.

Day Fifteen

Day fifteen of the #30paintingsin30days is "Grandfather Mountain".