Renaissance Fair, 12 x 12 Original Oil Painting

 

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This is a scene from the colorful Renaissance Fair in Brevard County, Florida. I love seeing the costumes, and two standout events were a rock 'n roll bagpiper and a dance around the Maypole. Not just a traditional dance; you haven't lived until you've seen Renaissance characters in costume do the Chicken Dance.

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"Gamble," 11x14 Original Oil Cat Painting

My daughter's cat Gamble was guarding the garden hose when I took her picture, and the light falling on her was the inspiration for this painting.

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Audrey Hepburn, Collage on Canvas

 

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This was a commission that I did a while back. I used pictures and articles from Audrey Hepburn's movies and it was a pleasant walk down Memory Lane. I still remember when "Sabrina" came out and we all went out and bought slacks like Audrey was wearing:

And from Roman Holiday, the way she tied her scarf became the way everyone tied their scarf:

When Audrey grew old, she didn't bother with a facelift, just faced the world with wrinkles and all 

and she was still beautiful. Here are some of her quotes:

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; 

and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

I can testify to what UNICEF means to children because I was among those who received food

and medical relief right after World War II.

Paris is always a good idea. 

Hurricane Gift, 10x8 Original Oil Painting, Florida Beach

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I call this "Hurricane Gift" because even a terrible storm can yield something beautiful. This driftwood was on North Captiva Island, Florida, and was the result of a hurricane years ago. Now the island is recovering from Hurricane Ian and debris is everywhere after that hard hit. Their lush growth will return, just as it always does.

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Camp Holly, 11x14 Original Florida Oil Painting

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I took this photo from an airboat as we were returning from an excursion on the St. Johns River. It is an attraction for people hoping to see alligators, but this is not the season. We saw only one. Camp Holly is a popular spot, and has been since 1923! Can you imagine how wild it was around here back then? 

Painting this was like putting a puzzle together, and by the time I was done I felt I had been back there for a long stay.

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Portrait of Hap, 1980s Graphite Drawing

 

One thing I am most thankful for at Thanksgiving is my husband Hap, the best husband a woman could have. This drawing was done in the 80s, while listening to What's Love Got to Do With It, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and Billy Jean. 

Those were the days. (sigh)

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Portrait of Leigh

What with being out of town and then dealing with results of the hurricane, I haven't had time to finish my recent painting, so I am pulling this from the archives. It's a graphite portrait I did years ago, and one of my favorites. 

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Mother Teresa and Other Tender Things, Graphite Drawing

 

I drew this years ago when I was taught this technique by the late Louise Cherwak. In the center is my son at age three, all happy because a butterfly landed on his chest. Unfortunately, this drawing was stolen from an exhibit at Brevard Community College. Thank goodness I had already made a print, or it would have been even more devastating. 

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Birdie, 8x10 Original Oil Wildlife Painting

$155

I am told this is a Chickadee. I thought he was irresistibly cute, and he is the first thing I have painted since my bout with Covid. I started another painting a couple weeks ago, but wasn't feeling that well yet. Before I got very far into it I realized it was a "scraper," a painting so disappointing that I scraped it off the canvas. I am very happy with this one.

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The Other Florida, 12x12 Original Landscape Oil Painting

 

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I had plenty of time to study the landscape as we  recently traversed Florida on Hwy 70. This is the Florida of my childhood; pastures like this and orange groves. Sadly, there aren't very many orange groves these days.

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