Pineapple and Friends, 10x8 Oil on Canvas Board

Pineapples are a real challenge to paint. This one was so little and cute, and needed some companions, so I added strawberries.

On another subject: just when you decide all politicians are, shall we say, character-challenged, you see someone like Gabby Giffords. She has a light from within. They should all take a lesson from her. That's my soapbox message for the day.

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Little Teapot, 6x8 Oil on Canvas Board

The Pieces of 8 group did a still life last week, all painting the same setup. I tried to be impressionistic, but wasn't sure how to handle the stripes. I hope I got it right. The temptation to nitpick is strong.

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Blue Frog, 12x9 Collage

This little dude is the Blue Poison Dart Frog. The toxin from these frogs was used by South American Indians to poison tips of blowgun darts. Needless to say, these little guys have few predators in the jungle. In the wild, its diet of ants, termites and beetles causes its skin toxins. In captivity, a more bland diet renders the frogs non-poisonous.

My frog is made of ripped magazines and is perfectly harmless.

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The Roofer, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Board

I intended to paint a scene from my beach walk yesterday, but I looked out the window and saw this roofer on my neighbor's roof. The scene begged to be painted, so I obliged. He apparently had his shirt tied around his head.

The Junior League invited me to speak last week. I showed my art and talked about it, with a big plug to the Daily Painting movement. They were so gracious, and I had a wonderful time with them.

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Featured in International Artist Magazine

My paintings of the Everglades are featured in the current issue of International Artist Magazine with an article about me titled, "Big, Bizarre and Bountiful--Painting the Everglades." Now, they are not calling me big, bizarre and bountiful, they are referring to the Everglades. I think.

I'm so excited about this I can hardly stand it! Whoo-hoo! Even though they put the wrong captions on some of the paintings. Still excited! They got my name right. Except in one place where they spelled it "Carman." But still excited!!! Eight pages' worth of Excited!

Gull on Gold, 5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

One of my sea birds on gold gesso. I love the feel of the metallic background, but it takes some caution when painting oil paint over it. I just think it suggests the hot sunshine of a Florida day.

BID

Red Shoe, 8x10 Collage on Canvas

I just realized my last three posts have had a musical theme. I guess it's time for a change. This kind of shoe is meant to be admired for its beauty, but I still maintain it's not meant to be walked in. Ouch.

I was doing my Wii Yoga the other day, feet far apart in the "Warrior" pose, and my Roomba passed between my legs as it vacuumed the rug. Now, that's technology at its finest. What a great time to be alive.

 NFS

"Anything Goes," Decoupage on Violin

This violin was a major bone of contention in my family for generations. My Aunt Bea wanted one of us children to play it, and she managed to be mad at three generations because no one was interested. The instrument's shape is so beautiful, I decided to make it into a piece of art. I used old sheet music. and some of it had turned a wonderful sepia color. The music book covers were even better. Decoupage is as much fun as collage, and a lot easier! Turns out it wasn't a great violin, and would have tortured any poor child trying learn on it. This is a much better use.

Closeup

Guitar Wine Holder

This is an original design, and is my husband's handiwork. When his broken foot healed, he got up and started creating art from wood. Today he opened an Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/beecherwood, and he is working hard to build his inventory. The ideas are bubbling up...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89829012/guitar-wine-holder

Jazzman, 6x8 Oil on Canvas Board

Just as I was beginning to think that the only music we would hear in New Orleans was country or rock and roll, we came upon this guy. He was New Orleans to the core, so we finally had an authentic experience. 

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