This is what happen when your in a cast and  can't get out of the truck without the help of the driver. 

We were driving beside a creek and I noticed the ice and told David to stop.  I wanted to get a photo from out my window of the ice and clear water.  He stopped and the truck was casting a shadow over my beautiful shot.  Notice Please:  Who got out to get the photo I wanted to get.  Oh well, he did take me out today for a ride.  I can't complain too much. 

I finished this painting a year ago today.  It has been sold for a while now and I miss it but I do have note cards.  The weather has been so cold and dry that the colors outside just aren't like they were last year.  It was a very nice winter last year and I took a lot of photos to work from and the colors were gorgeous.  

A church friend stopped by the studio today and we were talking about watercolor painting.  I was talking about the beautiful colors last year and that why I decided to share those thoughts with you tonight. 

Spring will be here soon, it's almost February and it only has 28 days.  Stay warm everyone. 

I started uploading some of my Erin photographs on Fine Art America.  Erin is beautiful and that's about all my photos have going for them. I am not a professional photographer.   Fine Art America suggest you upload a lot of images to increase your chance with the search engines.  It's easy to upload photos if your a photographer.  Paintings and drawings are a different story. First with a painting, I have to paint them before I can photograph them. But wait, I just went out and photographed images so I could paint from them. Paintings can be photographed inside or outside. Inside I  have to clean off a wall and surrounding area, get the lights out, get the old tripod, and figure out a way to stick the paintings to the wall while they are being photographed.  Outside I wait for a calm, slightly overcast day and carry all the paintings outside at either 10:00 or 2:00 (no direct light) don't forget the tripod and a way to prop up the paintings.  Both of these processes work much better with two or more people.  I've had a few painting blow away.

45 years ago today. on a Sunday at 2:00 in the snow we got married.  David had leave for 30 days and he was off to Germany.  I joined him 30 days later.   I caught a plane for New York.  Once I got to NY, I wanted to turn around and go back home.  I was 18 and so scared. at the airport in NY no one spoke English.  Somehow, I got on that plane to Germany.  Two years in a place where you can't call home or go home to your Mother makes or breaks a relationship.  It was the best situation for us , it made us dependent on each other and no one else.   I have had to best life with this man ( and two beautiful sons).  

Our water was frozen yesterday and it was awful doing without water in the house.   Today the temperatures came on up to the forties  and we have water.

I went to the studio and worked about 5 hours again.  I tried to keep my leg up so it wouldn't swell.  It starting hurting so I got home and put it up, it was swollen badly.  

I wasn't open today but I had a father and daughter who stopped by.  I enjoyed talking to them.  The young lady is  an artist herself.  I do love my studio.  

My husband and I will be married 45 years  Sunday.  If it hadn't been for him and his admiration for my drawing skills, I wouldn't  have pursued my career in Art.   When we married he didn't even know that I could draw.   He encouraged me to go to college even with two small children at home.  I became a Graphic Artist and then an art teacher.  When I retired it was David (and my dear friend Katina)  who encouraged me to rent a studio and return to my ART, to follow my dream to be an ARTIST. 

It hasn't always been easy for David.  I have so many sketches of him sleeping and watching TV.  See below!  Thanks to my best friend and husband for 45 years of love and support.  He is the BEST!!!!!

It was so cold outside today and I just didn't feel well.  I've taken pain medications at night for the last two nights and the meds just do my stomach in.  So I stayed at home and did some work on the computer and watched a little TV.

I'm working on a project at the studio and that I can't share right now but I was working out the typography for it today.

I am also working on a web site and facebook page for the Clarksville Train Station Painters.  Tomorrow I need to deliver an Artwork to the Tennessee Art League in Nashville.  

The painting is of the Drug Store across the alley from my Studio.  This painting is hanging in the store.  

I worked at the studio for about 4 hours today before my leg started bothering me.  I came home to a wonderful supper my husband had prepared.  Life is good, even with a broken leg and ankle.  

My husband did some framing for me  and replaced some empty spots on the wall.  These two got framed but not hung up.  Today when I came into the studio, I noticed a lot of stuff and artwork on the floor because I can't reach anything  in the studio.  So I took a few pictures to show you what I mean.   NOTE: all the stuff just sitting on the floor.   I will get things back to normal in four weeks  when I can stand on both feet.

I went to paint with my Train Station friends today.  I haven't been there since before I broke my leg and ankle (Dec. 15).  Everyone was there and I was so happy and excited to be there after such a long absence.  

Someone was there doing a video for the local television channel on the Train Station and us, the Train Station Painters.   I hope it turns out alright.  I don't do "speaking" very well.  

I should be in the studio for half a day tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it.

You can get prints of the "Railroad Crossing"  Painting at Fine Art America  

I like to do a small color pencil drawings  before doing a large painting to make sure I like the composition.  The Empty Chair was done as a 5" x 7"  color pencil and then I did it in watercolor,   18" x  24". I found this image in my kitchen, the sun was setting and the shadows from the tree leaves were on the wall behind the empty chair.  The image took me to the song "There's a Ghost in this House" as performed by Alison Krauss.  The image to me symbolizes so much we have to endure in life.  Most of us have lost someone dear to us at some time in some way.