You may have noticed I haven't posted for a bit. I have just completed my last week of teaching at Mt. Carmel Retreat Center in Alexandria, MN. What a wonderful group of students I have had during my weeks there. It is such a joy to introduce people to oils and pastels and see the excitement they feel when they have accomplished their first painting. It is quite a rush. I am never sure who has the better time, them or me.
Below is a poem written for me by one of my students this last week and thought I would share it with you all.
J is for jolly- she'll put a smile on your face,
E is for energetic - she keeps up the pace,
A is for artistic, is that a surprise?
N is for nature, a feast for her eyes.
   Put them all together they spell JEAN- she is Mt.  Carmel's Pastel Supreme!
Thank you Janis for this delightful poem.

A Ribbon Runs Through It

                                               A Ribbon Runs Through It  14 x 18  oil on canvas
One of my favorite subjects and colors as well. some years ago I needed a touch of color in a stilllife and added a ribbon, it is now a favorite touch to add especially to florals.  The movement  of the ribbon draws your eye around and back again. Hope this sparks your day.

July Storm Approaching

                                                                    July Storm Approaching
                                                                 5 x 7 inches oil on linen panel
Tired of weeding and frustrated with not having painted for a week or so, I looked at the sky and thought, perfect painting.  Dropped my hoe, ran into the studio and got my easel and paints out, in about 45 min. I had the painting done, storm passed over and more or less dissolved, and unfortunately I went back to weeding, feeling much better  having had a chance to push some paint around. Every once in awhile, these spur of the moments depict something elusive from a photo.

Precious Little Hen

                                                          

                                   Precious Little Hen 6 x 7 1/8 oil on panel
This little hen has been in several of my many chicken paintings. There is something beautiful and seemingly self confident about her. Perhaps only noticed by us chicken lovers.

Lipton- Eyes Only for You

Lipton- Eyes Only for You  6 x 8 in oil on canvas panel
I met Lipton at Mt. Carmel last week. He is the eyes for an elderly woman with a fantastic, sweet spirit. One evening as we sat at a service I looked over and Lipton had his head on her lap with the most adoring look I have ever seen. That look said I have eyes only for you and I love you more than you will ever know. This will be a gift to her even if she is unable to see it, she will know that someone was thinking  of  her and her Eyes.

                                                        Join Me oil on linen panel 5 x7 in.
These beautiful chairs are all over the grounds at Mt. Carmel Ministries Retreat Center at Alexandria, MN. You can sit and relax, take a nap, read or join a friend for conversation and time together. I always feel they are an invitation to take time for myself and enjoy the surroundings.

Rooms for Rent

Rooms for Rent
8x6 oil on panel
This is from a photo taken many years ago when my business partner and I were at a painters gathering for several days. We took a walk  in the alleys of the small town and this popped out so much we took photos. In my head I think about what happened to the business, what people stayed there and how did it end up in rack and ruin.
The fun of this was doing it in two colors plus white which turned out to be a close match to the original colors.  Transparent red oxide, ultramarine blue .
Perhaps this will bring some interesting scenerios to mind or even conjure up a story.