Morning Tea

A little cup of tea with a peony on the tray.  My morning starts with coffee and an ellipse.

Playing for Pizza

After hearing that Peyton Manning had rejected playing at Miami and Seattle, I realized I had a scoop!  I think he has fled to Italy to the Italian League.  The favorite son of New Orleans has probably read the John Grisham novel, Playing for Pizza.  This will disappoint fans in Denver, San Francisco, and Tennessee. 
After reworking my painting posted earlier, I believe I painted Peyton Manning having breakfast.  I could not get away from the idea.  I think this version is stronger than the first.  It is funny how the photograph will show the flaws, as if seeing it through the lens is truer than first-hand with the lens of the eye.

Morning in Certaldo

Reading the morning paper in Italy, this couple enjoyed the warm sunlight.  Although the painting has a central subject, I really like the composition of the lights in a pinwheel.

Poppy Season, Spring Has Sprung

Today's work is poppy red, mining all the vast tonal selections of tubed reds.  We are just about to have poppies here at the ranch.  Some bluebonnets have started to bloom.  Best time of the year!

Pharmacy at Santa Maria Novella

We visited the pharmacy at Santa Maria Novella in Florence this past September.
The Old Apothecary, now a herbalist's shop, was used for the sale and display of products between 1612 and 1848, while the historic Sales Room, restructured in 1848, was the place in which the company's customers were welcomed when the increasing fame of the pharmacy made the provision of a room for entertaining customers a must.
The Green Room was used until 1700 for serving the pharmacy's speciality: a mixture of Alkermes, China and chocolate syrup, an extremely fashionable drink at the time.
The museum is housed in the Old Laboratories and Storerooms of Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Created with the aim of giving a new lease of life to the machinery once used in the company's production processes, as well as the precious glassware, antique ceramics and historic copper and bronze utensils which the company has jealously guarded throughout the troubled events of the centuries, the museum displays many of its exhibits in the Old Laboratories, the piace in which they were designed to be used and the silent driving force of the whole company.
All traditions have a history and whenever this history is confirmed by the written word, the Museum offers the chance to examine the originai texts. Indeed, the Museum Library, housed in the Sacristy, is a treasure chest of antique texts and new specialist volumes. Finally, the aromatic herb garden is a perfect piace for peaceful reflection, an oasis which seems to have remained untouched for centuries. The aim of the museum is not only to inform those who normally use the Officina's products of the way in which they are prepared, but also to anyone wishing to view the magnificent history and superb craft of this pharmacy.
Projected towards the future, but nevertheless conscious of the past, Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella 's products are available in Florence and all other leading Italian cities.
The company also has shops in France, Spain, Switzerland and Great Britain, the United States, Japan and Taiwan.

Mia and her Cyclamen

Here is my little Mia working on a flower arrangement.  Love the shadows on her gown. 

Cup of Good Cheer

This painting could not wait.  I am going to make a few more adjustments to the light, but it is my work for today.  Love the depth of pewter...

Pewter Cup

This was painted after having observed Kathy Anderson's demonstration in San Antonio at the Greenhouse Gallery.  Kathy is one of the Putney Painters who has painted with this group for the past 12 years.  Wow!  What an exciting painter she is.  Her flowers are so light and beautiful and natural.  Kathy is no casual observer of these botanical wonders she paints.  In order to make the lovely designs, she carefully notices the anatomy of the various species.  Her work is lovely to behold, and Kathy Anderson has a very contagious presentation.  If you ever have the chance to observe her working, I highly recommend it.

Glowing Cup

This has a glow, all-over golden with a little cherry.  The cup is from my uncle's collection, Bavarian origin.

What's for Dinner?

These Italian chefs were preparing for the dinner run.  Hasta to be pasta!

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

"You Are My Sunshine" is a popular song first recorded in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana as a result of its association with former state governor and country music singer Jimmie Davis. The song is copyright 1940 Peer International Corporation, words and music by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell.

Davis emphasized his association with the song when running for governor, singing it at all his campaign rallies, while riding on a horse named "Sunshine". His authorized biography, You Are My Sunshine: The Jimmie Davis Story, was published in 1987.

Governor Davis served two terms from 1944-48 and again from 1960-64.  He died in 2000 after recording sacred and country songs until the early 1990's.

My painting reminds me of this song and the beautiful sunflowers following the warm Louisiana sun.

It will be on display in Baton Rouge tomorrow night through January 27 at the Louisiana State Archives.  Please join me from 5-8 PM.

Hey, Cupcake!

Only a few more days until the 42nd Annual River Road Art Show in Baton Rouge.  My painting 'Hey, Cupcake!' will be hanging.  I learned so much painting this little Airstream.  Reflective metal is always fun!  This popular Austin landmark is a real original.  Fabulous cupcakes, too.

Please join me Friday at the Louisiana State Archives on Friday from 5-8...Bring a friend!

Offering

Please join me if you are anywhere near Baton Rouge next Friday night, 6 January 2012, for the 42nd Annual River Road Art Show.  I have participated in this wonderful exhibit for several years.  This year I have several pieces in the show which is going to be on display until 27 January.

The Louisiana State Archives Building on Essen Lane is the site of the show.  The reception on January 6 is from 5-8 PM.  This is one of my earlier pieces which I'm reposting.  It will be on exhibit. 

Happy New Year!

LES DEUX PIVOINES

These beautiful peonies do not grow here in Central Texas, but I did see them yesterday at Central Market for $3 per stem.  They are gorgeous and one of the best-loved of blossoms.  These look a little like snow balls.  Warm in the shadows!

Blue Plate

Blue Plate Mayonnaise was one of the first commercially prepared mayonnaise products in the country and for years was one of the South's best-selling products.

This beautiful landmark in New Orleans was built in 1941 and was designed by architect, August Perez.  The art moderne style is a close cousin of art deco.  Art moderne was known for its curving forms and long horizontal lines.  The streamlined appearance of the Blue Plate Mayonnaise building is a fine example.

Production of mayonnaise at Blue Plate ceased in 2000.  Recently, the factory has been redesigned as apartments.  

Perfect Form

I have long been hoping to paint this picture of Mr. Wonderful in his perfect form on the diving board.  Of course, he is always in that state.

Sneaky

I love the reflective surface of cherries.  These three seem to me to be sneaking out.

SouthWesterly

This sweet barn in Hays County has seen quite a bit of wind lately.  No rain!

The Portal

Pixie

Log Cabin at Sunset

Sunset is so much earlier and so much cooler, for which I am eternally grateful. 

A little sunshine, a little shadow

Fresh Morning Light

Villa Fattoria Bacio

the sophisticate, #9

This looks a lot like my mother to me.  She is very sophisticated...changed her name when she was 65 years old.  Her sensitive eyes are so loving and kind.

little dumplin'

This is the baby I dreamed about last night.  He is a little diaper shirt King, funny and round.  He looks like a doll baby to me.

#7 Young and Restless

This young beauty is looking off into the future.  Wonder if the fashions will make another cycle in 30 years or so.  She looks so like my college friends in their scarves!

Strong Opinion

This man seems to have a very strong character.  I'm basing this on his square jaw, quite familiar to me after 42 years with Mr. Wonderful.  This is the reason for my title.  Oh, yeah, quite strong!

Go-Go #3, a bit skeptical

This grandmother seems more skeptical than the other two.  She was drawn in Denver also using the Sepia Conte pencil.

The Go-Go, South African Grandmother

This is my second version of the grandmother from Africa.  They do all the heavy lifting and are, therefore, dubbed the Go-Goes!  I can't figure how to make that plural!  Since there are so few men around and since a huge percentage of the population died from AIDS, all of the work is done by these courageous women who run the orphanage.  What a desperate situation!  Wonder how I would be in such a situation.

I did this one in Denver also but the drawing is a bit smaller.  Used a different color paper.  It is difficult to see next to the earlier post, but I think this lady seems more dubious.

Ryan Lochte

From the world championships in Shanghai, we hear that Ryan Lochte beat Phelps in both of their matchups.  We have a very strong team this year, winning 29 medals---16 of those gold.  Ryan set the first world record at this meet in China since the high-tech bodysuits were banned.  I am always wishing I had a suit that would help me move faster.  So much for polyurethane!
This was posted almost a year ago on August 1, 2011. Today Ryan Lochte won gold in the 400 Indevidual Medley! Congratulations! I'm going to have to do another charcoal of this man.

Go, Team USA---Michael Phelps 2012

I know, I know...he appears fearful.  This unusually talented swimmer captivated us in the past.  Here he is looking up (which I found difficult to show) as if to see the scoreboard.  Let's hope his mother does not see this.  Michael Phelps has unusual bone structure, but I do not believe he fears anything!

African Grandmother #1

Last week in Denver, I attended a class with the wonderful instructor, Rick Brogan, at the Art Students League of Denver.  We worked on charcoal portraits, wonderful practice.  Loved working with charcoal. 

I learned a great deal from Rick.  He is generous and helpful and dedicated.  

This beautiful grandmother looks out over the market place, wondering how to provide.  My daughter and a friend of ours were in South Africa on a mission trip earlier this summer.  Their tales have ignited my curiosity about these brave women who have all the responsibility for the welfare of their villages.  What courage. 

Morning Light

This landscape is an early morning scene out here in the country.  Hot and atmospheric!

Have a Seat, Cowgirl

Remember Picture Day at school---the photographer in deep West Texas called everyone 'cowgirl' or 'cowboy.'  This outdoor chair would make a nice picture-posing place.  Hot, but restful.

El Grado

Glass bottles are so pretty. This one is turquoise crystal, long-lost tequila. There is a guy in Texas who makes it a community project to re-use bottles by making them in to glasses. The community part lets anyone come learn about the cutting, sanding, etc.

Warmth

This pas de deux is a little reminder of friendship: one falls, the other provides a strong support. Warmth in the shadows is another gift of companionship. What metaphors we draw from sweet Bartletts.

Sweet Land of Liberty

These aspens seen through the shadows---poetry.

Dancing at Breakfast

We are in sweet Louisiana. Yesterday morning was spent dancing at breakfast in Breaux Bridge. We had a great time at Cafe Des Amis. Terrific zydeco band.

Summertime

More practice with my familiar. The equinox forces me inside with the heat, then calls me out for the evening light show. We have had some spectacular anvil clouds lately. Let it rain soon, dear Lord.