I'm proud of these two works of art that I produced just before leaving GA.  I have entered them into a few juried exhibitions and I have been very fortunate that they have done so well.  Heavenly Puffs and the Empty Chair (Life's Evening Sun) both pieces have made it into at least 3 Juried Exhibitions each and the Empty Chair won a 3rd in Professional Watercolor a year ago.  In the world of art, each piece is only allowed two or three years from the date of completion in most competitions.  So these two are retired and more than likely, they will remain in my home for me to enjoy (unless someone really wants them).  I love them both and they have special meaning to me.  

I will be picking up my artwork from three different venues in the next week. Friday I drive to Hopkinsville to pick up artwork form the Pennyroyal Juried Exhibit. Sat. morning I'll head back towards Clarksville to pick up two of my tree portraits done in watercolor from the Smith Trahern Mansion.  Next week end, I'll be in Hendersonville to pick up three more works. I still have work up at Bongo Java Belmont until mid Nov.  
If you are interested in any of these works, call me. I can bring the works to your home and let you try it in your space before you buy it, if you are near the show areas. Email me jfeltsart@gmail.com 

I haven't been feeling well but this morning I painted with a friend at the studio.  I enjoyed the morning eminently.  We went to lunch and then I started feeling poorly again.  I went home and rested.  I'm still coughing but with no other signs of a cold. It's been diagnosed as bronchial spasms, I can't stop coughing. It's totally wearing me out.      

I worked on my flower bed today and did some outside painting, not plein air. I painted the porch rails. Looks good, I enjoyed being outside ALL DAY.  

Above are the step by step photos of the painting for the Book" C is for Clarksville on the Cumberland".  Since I painted it in acrylics I like a colorful under-painting or blocking in.  I do love working in acrylic and I recently went back to oils for plein air because it dries slow.  Acrylic dries so fast when working outdoors that I waste so much paint.  

I didn't get to the studio except for a few minutes.  I met with a client for a commission piece. It will be a fun project and I'm looking forward to it.  I need to do a little research, riding around the country side, before I start.  

The rest of the day I was at the doctors - I HAVE A COUGH that won't go away. I didn't have a cold, fever or an infection, just this cough.  I hope that shot helps.  

Thanks for reading , stop by and visit!

The Book Signing was tonight for the book" C is for Clarksville on the Cumberland".  I Illustrated F is for Forts.  There were three forts in Clarksville during the Civil War to protect the Cumberland, Red River and the Railroad, Ft. Defiance, Ft. Terry and Ft. Clark.  There were 26 Artist there tonight to sign their illustrations.  I know I signed at least a hundred books tonight and I am thrilled to have been part of this project.  We had lots of people, lots of food, and lots of ART and Artists.  It was a great night. 

If you would like a copy of the book go to http://www.artsandheritage.us/c-is-for-clarksville-on-the-cumberland/

A book launch party will be held at 5:30pm on Tuesday, October 21, at the L&N Train Depot (10th and Commerce Streets). Original illustrations from the book will be available for purchase, and artists and authors will be on hand to sign copies of ‘C’ is for Clarksville on the Cumberland.  The Clarksville Arts and Heritage Council sponsored this project.


There are over 30 illustrations done by area Artists.  I'm proud to say I have an illustration in the Book, I had F for Forts. The illustrations are created in many media including watercolors, acrylics, drawings, photography, fabric art, tile mosaics, metal sculptures and wood carvings.  The illustrations are beautifully done and enhance the well written text..  I'm from Clarksville and I learned facts about Clarksville I never knew.

I did my homework and visited Ft. Defiance in New Providence to help with my image.  The photo here is of my thumbnails I drew to help me come up with my final idea. I had pages and pages of thumbnails.

I hope to see all my friends and met some new ones tomorrow night at 5:30pm

When I retired from teaching I kept saying I was going to start doing my art. That was July 2010, I didn't until a friend (Cathy) told me if I wanted to get serious about my art, I needed to rent a studio away from the house.  I did!  I had my first studio at Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, GA. in March 2011.  I loved my studio and the artists there.  But it wasn't in Tennessee.  We came home and the first thing I did was to rent a studio.  It was upstairs in the Sam Houston Building in Erin 2012.  By the time winter came, I knew I needed a studio on the ground level.  My studio came available and I've still so happy to have it.  I miss the Tannery and artists, I miss that big, beautiful, historic building too.  I love my wonderfully quiet, happy little place on the square in my favorite town, Erin. 

We drove to the campsite at the lake and enjoyed the view.  Then home again to work in the garden picking field  peas.  This evening shelling peas and watching TV.  It was a beautiful day to be outside and being with Mother Nature. I hope your day was wonderful!

I dropped off my painting for the reception and book signing next Tuesday at the Train Station in Clarksville.  There were artworks everywhere and I met two of the other artists today.  The authors and artists will be at the Book Signing for ‘C’ is for Clarksville on the Cumberland which highlights the history, culture, environment and geography which make up the city’s unique heritage. The book is for children aged 4 - 10,but I think anyone from Clarksville will find it very interesting. The Book is Beautiful!   I hope to see a lot of people there next Tuesday Oct 21..