February 2, 2011

Started a new mural this week at a couple of friends home.  It was a picture they found online and another of their friends suggested it would look nice on a wall in their home.  So there goes the neighborhood and another mural is underway.  I have been working on it 3 days and here is a preliminary picture of the wall.

The darkened trees are appearing slowly.  The white lines are what I drew on free hand.  I tried to use a grid, but it just didn't work for me.  When it is finished there will be gray clouds behind the trees that will enhance the face of the Forest Lady.

These friends are some of my best clients.  They have given me some challenges, but I have only failed to produce one picture for them, and that was a greyhound.  They rescue hounds and are friends to all animals, so you know they are the best kinds of people.  Thanks you guys for giving me another opportunity to grow as an artist.

I have been working on some new barn quilts and will up load those next Monday.  We have about 10 barn quilts and barn art now up in the local area, so keep looking for those out of the way places that produce a bright spot of art in Jones County.

Tomorrow Tony and I will meet with some people in Richlands to talk about a new mural proposed for this summer.  I have been asked to do the Mill Pond on Luke's new business by Trenton Beautification, and finish Gwen's barn,  so three major projects and that takes me to about July or early August.  So this year is really beginning to fly already.  I have some special requests for new barn quilts from Stewart, and I can't wait to start that one.  Luke continues to give me opportunities to work on some doors and I have another Angel in the works for Danny and Jeannie Blackwell.  So I will continue to get practice.  Thanks Trenton. and now Richlands.

There are some new art pieces at Red Willows.  Dean Remington just brought in some new pieces which are delightful and colorful, great beach inspirations.  I have been working on wood, and have two new pieces there also.  Someone brought in some unusual flowerpots which are exceptionally wonderful.  So art abounds all over. 

It's open mike night at Gypsy's Friday night, hope to see alot of you there.....these are precious moments with musical artists. 

Thanks Willow and Gypsy for being where you are supposed to be.....helping, working and creating in Trenton. 

 k

January 22, 2011 Review of the first few weeks

Even though it has been cold, a bit warm and/or sometimes beautiful outside painting opportunities abound.  I finished the mini mural at Willows and two more barn quilts, and now have moved two door down from Willow's to work on Luke's "The Rag Bag" building.  Luke is working so hard at cleaning and visioning how his shop will look..  Each day I see lots of progress, lots of visionary work and lots of people coming in and out to bring things for his shop.  Ellen is a friend of his and she has already rented a booth for her exhibition of antiques. She has, beautiful furniture and glassware.  Gwen brought in some books yesterday, because he is going to have a library once again for people to peruse the wonderful books (some old, some used, but plenty of fun.) 

When Luke took me to look at the walls, it was a dark yellow, with black trim, now you will see a white top half, a brownish red chair rail and a slate colored bottom which has colors of blue, gray, brown, and white sponged to represent slate.  Luke's wife came in last night, Eileen and she were just awestruck at the work he had completed in just 5 days.

I invite you to come in and see what is happening on Jones Street in Trenton.  Again, this place amazes me and how it transitions quickly, people work so hard and we know God's energy is the best energy.  I am happy to be a small part of this transition, and believe again our little town is changing again.  I tell people all the time we are part of the community, so invite yourself to join, all the new comers, all the people who have been here for years will welcome you into the community in which we are all enjoying.

Luke gave me a small piece of old barn wood, which held within it's wood grain, an old barn which came out as I tried to used watercolor on it.  Then I put the bright barn quilt right in the middle of the picture.  It is one of the most fun pieces I have done in a long time.  I have another piece of board which hold horses, can't wait to start on that next week.  Again I am going to use watercolor to see if this phenom can happen again, and the horses will look ghostly like the barn, yet the water may be a little more concrete as they stomp through the shallows of Shackleford Island.

This week a fellow artist "Dean Remmington" sold a painting  "Going Fishing" it was a remarkable painting, which was on the wall for about 6 months, but everyday I was in there I was drawn to that painting, because it looked as if you could stand in front of it and be there.  Congratulation Dean, your work is wonderful.

I got to work for Willow for three days this week and see how hard these people work everyday.  Cudos to Gypsy, Willow, Brenda, Marie, Jessie, Luke, Gwen and all who make this wonderful oasis a place of God.  Gypsy and Ina Ray Weeks taught us some wonderful lessons this week (meaning me and Brenda) and because of that we walked on Holy Ground as God revealed His hand is on Trenton, me individually, thank you God for a wonderfully strengthening week, closer to learning we are all special, in His eyes.

Next week, more work at Luke's, private painting and some work on the March exhibit of windows, so try to make it to Willows by March 1st, there will be all new window paintings for you to see.

Keep warm, love each other....nothing more wonderful than the love of God.  k

The last two weeks - 1/15/11

It has been a busy two weeks, painting, painting, painting.

Red Willows asked me to do a mini mural for her and I have posted one picture, but here is the non finished project.  Now the mural is growing to wrap around the cafe at Gypsy's.

Last year I was asked to paint part of the room for the opening of Gypsy's Cafe.  I did, and they loved it, so when we were skirting around New Bern one day, Willow said she wanted to add another piece to the existing mural and this is it.  It is Willow reading a Jones Post which was part of the 2010 mural and now the other Tuscany view of an outside table and buildings with flowers.  That part is finished, but as I said more is to come as the year continues.

I am starting a new mini mural under the willow tree in the corner of a woman in a chair remembering God's blessings in her life, you guessed it, it will be Willow again, but not a face just a moment in a foggy mist along with prayers she has prayed for each of us.

Come and see it materialize this week!

We have also embarked on a Barn Quilt Tour materializing also.  This week there are two new barn quilts to be offered to the public in Trenton.  One is an original and the other is a replica of a quilt pattern used in the past by actual quilters. 

The first one is a replica of an actual quilt, and the second is a design I came up with and Tony, my husband, drew it out.  He draws all the quilts, I just paint them.  These stars now have small white stars inside them.  It looks neat.  I hope to get Ann Waller to host this quilt on one of her barns. 

I am so wanting it to be Spring, but until I can taste that warm air, I will be painting at my studio in my house and where I can in homes and businesses.  Keep watching and know God has a plan for all of us, look inward to view your gift......this is the year for your gifts to be used for others.

Take care, God bless 2011, and take time to seek God as he wants to talk to us all.

Love k

Saturday 1-09-11

Last week I started a minii mural in Red Willows.  Willow is envisioning changes and they re appearing on the walls.  The weather has been too cold to get back on Gwen's barn, but we are looking for better weather in February.

Keep watching the roads in Jones County, more barn quilts will be appearing.

Keep warm, stay safe....and think Spring!

k

January 4th and 5th 2011 "Happy Painting This Year"

On January 4th the weather was so good I was able to spend some time on Gwen and Tim's barn.  I put on some more pecan leaves on the trees and put in the tobacco barn and the beginnings of the tobacco field.  I erased a tree by the garage and will replace it with a Dogwood that Gwen loves, and darkened two tree trunks and worked on the swing a bit.

After putting in the tobacco barn which is on a hill far far in behind Gwen and Ms. Emma.  The perspective is starting to be really exciting. 

I looked at the weather at noon on the 5th and found rain in the forecast for the next few days.  But I keep hoping it will not be a rainy season, I have a barn to finish.  I usually get to talk to Gwen while I am painting but the 4th was a bit chilly, and Goldie and the kitties were the only ones there to cheer me on.  Thanks to Goldie and the kitties, they were quite amusing.

So today started with grocery shopping, putting up groceries, starting dinner which was the norm.  But today I have to say I want to do a commercial for Walmart.  I usually don't buy paint there I usually buy it from Lowe's.  So today me and Gram were shopping and we passed by the paint area, I saw no one, but I picked up the perfect shade of gold.  I looked up there was a Walmart person coming down the aisle, I asked if he could help and he said yes.  So I showed him the paint color and asked for a sample size to make sure this was the color my client would like to use.  He said we do not do samples.  Ok, well I am going to take this color chip to Lowe's and see if they can match it.  I walked away and didn't notice the person standing waiting to talk to said worker.  It must have been his boss, because I looked back and thought just ask what a quart would cost because I could always use it in my other areas like murals or barn quilts.  He gave me the price, I thought it was good, so I said give me a satin in this color.  He looked and they did not have a quart in satin to be used with this color.  Well I said then how much is a gallon, he told me, I said ok, and he quickly mixed it and I was happy.  Later we had to go back to that area to look for light bulbs and I saw him.  He said back so soon, I just smiled.  Then he said and I shall put this in quotes "if you get to your client and she doesn't like that color, or it looks funny in the light on those walls, please bring it back to us for a full refund."  They made an impression on me, and I will shop from now on at Walmart for paint.  This was an act of kindness......thank you Walmart.

So I quickly put up groceries, left home, went into to Red Willow's and started to paint a mini mural on a wall that has come available for me.  It will house a hallway, outside dining area and an awning.  Today the color went on the walls and it looks sharp and warm, can't wait to get back there tomorrow to put in some of the structure.  This is a painting I would not normally do, but as I explained to Willow today, we should do the things we are not comfortable with in order to continue to grow.

So stop in see whats new in her shop and check out the beginnings of change in Gypsy's Cafe.  Today was a good day, as all the days in this year have been wonderful.

I didn't make any new year's resolutions, but I did truly begin to understand what is most important in my life and that is my God.  He says the first commandment is to "love Him" and today I got to be with some people I care deeply about and they wear Jesus in their eyes and in their hearts......they are Glenn and Linda Hart.  You are special people to me.  Thank you for being there today.....and carrying His Spirit with you.

Wonderful people today, thanks for being yourselves and knowing that Red Willow's is a very safe place to be yourself ...thanks Willow.

Be on the lookout for change in this year.......welcome your future.  Love k

Winter Catch Up

Catching up is great, being focused is hard.  When I started Gwen's barn she showed me a picture of Mr. Green.  When I finished painting Mr. Green's extension of his house, he showed me the same  picture but with a hat on.  So when I see something twice and see the flash of what could be on a canvas I imprint that picture and some day do it.  I finished Mr. Green's picture and here it is:

This was a black and white picture, but I saw a shadow behind him, and I have to believe it was his mother...all those prayers for someone so far away from home.  He was stationed in Germany, but he never forgot Jones County......he is one of those smiling faces that appears at Gypsy's for breakfast.  He always has a smile and a gleam in his eyes.....a true hero here among us.

The other painting is a barn quilt for a neighbor.  They have lots of pine trees around them and a uniquely designed home, which I love so I thought a pine tree with lots of sky would depict what I remember when I think of them.

I love these quilt squares, I added some yellow to the tree some purple, white and blue in the sky to represent "blue sky pine" they are the most populated tree here and they give us green all year, with yellow dust in the Spring that lets us know it is almost time to plant.  I love nature and there is a lot of nature in Jones County.  You can drive to New Bern and Kinston, but it does not have the feel of Jones County.  We are a blessed lot who live here.....come on out and see what is for sale, lots of land and beautiful trees.

Today it is raining or icing maybe both....but the sky is giving the trees their due today.  They look so green, and offer us hope that winter won't last too long so we can reap the beautiful flowers to come in Spring.

Be careful, take care and have a wonderful winter day full of hot tea and warm thoughts.  k

Cold Weather Diversion

I haven't painted on Gwen's barn in over a week.  I drive by it when I leave our house and see it so wants to be finished.  I see the tobacco barn, and the field of tobacco in my head.  I also am practicing the horses to go on the other side of the barn.  I hope I don't have to wait until Spring to get this done.  Meanwhile the Blackwells are ready for their Angel, and again I hope I don't have to wait until Spring.  My goal is to paint at 50 degrees, if the sun is out it would be a pleasure compared to today.

Meanwhile back at the house and in the studio, which is my second favorite place, I have finished Surfer Girl for Shelly and Malydia (our neighbors)  picture below:

Shellie was a bit surprised at the size 20 x 30,  I am glad they liked it.

This morning Gram and I did our yoga, had biscuits and sausage gravy, hot coffee and then off to the elliptical.  While I was gliding away I saw a tree transform three painting I had done last year.  So I hopped of, brushed in the scene and came away with the Mosley Family Tree (Jay, Kristine, Cole and Sam), see below:

as you can see Sam is the first painting,  going up you see Jay and Kristine and then Cole.  The tree travels through all the pictures and helps me enjoy my family. 

I finished Mr. Green's picture today, in his uniform.  Claudia is going to work on a matte for me on Thursday.  I also want to get Regina's horse matted also.  I will bring my drawing of Jesus to Claudia also, to see if she can make a canvas drawing for me.  She has all kinds of goodies to make my stuff wonderfully beautiful. I picked out two charcoal drawings for Angie's mom and dad, they are wonderful, and since these drawing are of their grandchildren I thought they might like them.  Then I have a special flower pencil drawing for Meg.  She likes odd things, and this is odd.  I will put these pictures in the blog tomorrow.  It is 1:56 in the morning and I can't sleep.  So I decided to catch up on the blog.

I am working on a portrait of Ina Ray also, it is being done in oil, so I am waiting to work on the eyes because the paint is too wet, and that is a problem for a messy painter like me.  It has been nice to be home with Gram and Tony.  Tony sang a beautiful solo at Church on Sunday night, it was called "Joseph."  The song portrayed how Joseph felt when Mary was chosen to have Jesus.  A perspective I had not thought of, until Tony sang it with such emotion, he truly portrayed God's love, because Joseph had that for Mary.  Unconditional reasoning, unconditional love.....such a wonderful blessing for God to have bestowed on both of them.  This is a wonderful Christmas.  I miss Meg and Jay and their lives, but we talk often and get to see Jay and Kristine more than Meg and Trevor.  But Meg calls and we talk for hours, about things, about nothing, and feel as if we live next door to each other, it is about 3000 miles away.  But hearts know no distance, they just remember love.

Tomorrow Tony and I will work in the kitchen, the upstairs room is coming along, the art room and library are also becoming a very used part of the house.  So we are about to enter the morning of our third year in Trenton, we have met some wonderful people, and you know who you are (Willow, Gwen, Gypsy, Regina, Darlene, Jessie, April, Wendy, Stewart, Luke, Mr. Green, Tim, Ricky, Brandon, Ina Ray, Max, Linda, Glen, Glenn Spivey, Cliff, PJ, Sarah, Emma, Erin, Pam,  and on and on....

I really enjoyed Trenton's Downtown Christmas, Willow and Darlene and team (beautification committee) did a wonderful job.  I can actually say I have not put up Christmas lights in any of my home towns until this one.

Also a special thanks goes to Ms. Ava for allowing me to post a barn quilt on her tenant house on Wyse Fork Road.  It looks lovely and every time I pass it I say a little prayer for Ms. Ava.  She is a wonderful person, again another wonder person who lives in Trenton.

I will post the most recent barn quilt purchase by someone else soon.  I will be finishing another barn quilt tomorrow and it will be hung by Sat.  Our goal is to have 25 of these hanging by Spring (come on warm weather) and then we can have maps provided for those of you who would like to take the tour.

All in all it has been a busy long week (about 10 days) since I have been able to get to Gwen's barn, but I know "this too shall pass" and it will be complete for all to enjoy especially me, Tim and Gwen. 

I have a list of painting to finish while the weather is coooooold....so keep reading and know there is plenty of paint in the garage waiting to be exhibited.

Take care and be safe during this wonderful time....as we say in Trenton "We still say Merry Christmas in Trenton, NC."  This is a special place, thanks for that~

k