And God Set a Bow in the Sky, 20x20 Oil on Canvas

A few weeks ago I posted the photo of this scene. I was so excited when the rainbow made an appearance, although it's risky to paint rainbows. They can look fake; sunrises are the same way. Some sunrises are so spectacular here that no one would find a painting of them believable. I tried to faithfully reproduce the rainbow in an understated way. The photo is below; you can see that I made a few changes in my painting.

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Sea Change, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

The more I paint water, the more I enjoy painting water. Maybe it's because I grew up in a town where there was one form of entertainment only, a nice clear lake for swimming. Sure, it had alligators in it, but the locals were not stupid enough to feed them and they were not overpopulated, so we never had gator attacks. Wonder how it is around Lake Marie nowadays?

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Morning Sunrise, 10x10 Oil on Canvas

I never know what I'll see when I step on the crossover to the beach. There's always that moment of anticipation as I take the steps, and I am seldom disappointed. Weather phenomena combined with sunrise was a real delight.

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Tree Frog, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

Tree frogs are the cutest reptiles ever. One got in our bathroom once and enjoyed leaping about and sticking to the tiles in the shower. Those toes were just adorable.

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The Everglades, 8x10 Oil on Canvas Panel

The Everglades is a wild and wonderful place, constantly threatened by damage caused by human greed or carelessness. The latest problem is pythons, and they are consuming huge amounts of small game, which leaves large game without food. A recent python hunt got rid of some of them, but they reproduce in large numbers, so this is an ongoing battle. I try to look at the beauty and hope for the best for this important ecosystem.

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Zentangle 2, 8x10 Abstract Pen and Ink

Carol Marine is to blame for my latest distraction. Her challenge on DailyPaintworks.com introduced me to this art form called Zentangle. It is highly addictive, I warn you. Do try it at home. This one reminds me of something; I think it would be an illustration for a French children's book.

Basically, you just draw a shape that pleases you, then go from there. Draw more designs, fill them with patterns, and keep going. It's my moment of Zen.

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Zentangle, 3/12 x 4 Watercolor

I haven't done a Dailypaintworks.com Challenge in a long time, but since I was stuck on the couch with a sinus infection, I thought it was a good time to respond to the one called The Something New Challenge, to do something I'd never done before. I did a zentangle, which is a kind of freeform doodle. Very relaxing.

He Feedeth Among the Lilies, 8x8 Oil on Canvas

This was done from a photo shot by Uncle Emmett, who is not my uncle, but the uncle of a friend. That makes him my Fruncle.

The artist Robert Genn has many made-up words like that in his blog, The Painter's Keys, today. They are all about art and they are very funny. I was inspired to make up a few of my own:

Liarkinding: Complimenting an artist on a painting you hate because you don't want to hurt their feelings.

Clownvisagia: Going out in public unaware you have paint on your face.

Saddergaller: Depression because you didn't sell well at your show.

And my favorites of Robert's: 

Snooler: A person who gushes over your work but who you suspect privately thinks he can do better but actually can't. 

Superalphabetted: A person whose name is followed by a lot of letters. 

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At the Winery, 6x6

Trying to get back in the post-holiday painting routine. Why I picked such a complicated subject I don't know. I love painting grapes, especially in beautiful light, and this color scheme especially appeals to me. My great-grandfather came from northern Italy, and though I barely remember him, I do remember his grape arbor, which I found fascinating. I wish I had grapes growing in my yard instead of a plethora of papayas.

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Natchez Trace, 6x6

My husband and I drove down the Natchez Trace from Nashville to Tupelo. What a wonderful journey that was. This is a road with very little traffic, beautiful scenery, and it is part of the National Park System. It has 10,000 years of history and extends 444 miles from Nashville to Natchez.


We visited the burial place of Meriweather Lewis (of Lewis and Clark fame), who died mysteriously on the Trace. Murder? Suicide? Don't know.

When you are tired of interstate traffic, try this peaceful journey.                       PURCHASE