Hello to Fairhope, Alabama!  I believe this is the last week the AWS exhibition will be in Fairhope.  If you would like some insight into this painting, check out these dates in my blog:  June 5th, May 30th, May 24th, and March 22nd.   A small reward for making it all the way to my blog as you won't find this information anywhere else.  That's right - you're special.  Would love to hear from you, so post a comment.  

Today we are celebrating a milestone with my eldest.  

"If we could be twice young and twice old we could correct all our mistakes."  - Euripedes

I delivered my painting for the MSW annual show in LR and stayed for the lecture by the juror Sue Archer.  Looks like it will be a great show, so be sure and go see it at the Terry Mansion in Little Rock starting August 3rd.  

George Wittenberg directed me to a great little area I hadn't been to before on South Main called "The Green Corner".  The BEST ICE CREAM I have ever tasted.  I would highly recommend the salted caramel flavor and the whiskey sour.  Also a great place to go for gifts, books, jewelry, local crafts.  Pick up George's latest book while you are there.  (I will treasure mine forever.)   While you are there check out Boulevard Bread.  Easy parking and a nice place for lunch.  Thanks George!  Will definitely visit there again next time I'm in town.  

"Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets."  - Arthur Miller

Haven't quite finished this commissioned piece, but close.  Spent last night putting guidelines on this latest work.  It should be a lot of fun.  But still have preliminary work to do on it before I start.  So I have two paintings at the starting line.  The light isn't great today.  Have a late lunch date.  My plan is to paint all day tomorrow.  

So here is a funny tidbit from the Democrat Gazette today in the "Other Days" column:  The recent "Jack the Shooter" crimes have scared the citizens of Little Rock to the extent that nearly every home is a fort, and the city at large greatly resembles an armed camp.  This fact was deeply impressed upon the mind of R. W. Keith of 309 Broadway early yesterday morning, when Mr. Keith paid a call at 2:30 a.m. to the home of W. W. Dunn, 322 Broadway, to remonstrate about the barking of Mr. Dunn's dog "Babe," which he said kept him awake.  The ultimate result of Mr. Keith's visit was a din of musketry, the like of which has not been heard in Little Rock since the Civil War.  Amid a hail of bullets, Mr. Keith retreated to his home - one  might almost say precipitately - and last night "Babe" was perfectly free to bark his head off so far as any remonstrances from Mr. Keith were concerned.  100 years ago, June 15, 1912.  

Whatever happened to beautiful language?  And copy editors?

"Life has meaning only if one barters it day by day for something other than itself."  - Antoine De Saint Exupery

Hello to Fairhope, Alabama.  I have several posts about this painting in my blog for those interested.  Check the following dates: June 5th, May 30th, May 24th, and March 22nd.  Enjoy the exhibition.   

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." - John Quincy Adams

I'm about to wrap up this commissioned work.  My paper came and I have two paintings ready to start.  I can hardly wait to begin.  

"Nature composes some of her loveliest poems for the microscope and the telescope." - Theodore Roszak

So I didn't get to finish the painting I was working on because life intruded again.  I did keep my computer running long enough to move some of my photos to the new computer.  I'm hopeful that more will be able to be moved, but not counting on it.  But, the plan is to paint today.  Supposed to have my paper delivered this afternoon, so I can continue with the series I'm working on.  I am losing faith that my entry in the NWS show was even delivered as it has been three weeks and my check has not come through.  But, you never know, it may have arrived with a big stack and be at the bottom somewhere.  I've still got my fingers crossed, but am aware that USPS may have let me down again.  

Did watch the Tony's last night with my youngest.  What do I remember most....the gentleman who got the award and all he could say was "I'm so sweaty" and "Um".  Although the gentleman with him gave a very studied and probably wonderful speech, I couldn't tell you a smidgen of what he said.  We were laughing and identifying with the sweaty man and replaying it over and over.  Also we hooted when they showed "somebody" in the audience, but the female sitting at the end of the isle could barely raise her hands to clap she was so underwhelmed.  We weren't sure, but she may have rolled her eyes.  Classic.  We played that one over and over again too.  But, I will grant that it is the only award show worth watching.  We truly enjoyed the "Once" song where they each danced and played an instrument.  It was noted that playing the clarinet and walking in the marching band was too hard for somebody in the room.  Anyway, that is my synopsis from the armchair.  Thank you, it is hot in here.  

"I love mirrors, they let one pass through the surface of things." - Claude Chabrol

Hello to those seeing my work in Fairhope, Alabama.  I know you are enjoying the show.  I've been trying to share something about this piece to those who actually make it to my blog.  Funny enough, when watching reactions to this painting I found that men study it longer.  Analytical or emotional?  If it hits one I believe it triggers the other.  Funny observation though.  

My paper has been shipped, so am looking forward to continuing this series of paintings soon.  I should have looked to see if I had more paper, but life distracted me.  It really is a lot of fun to paint this subject matter.  In fact, it is so much fun, I can hardly wait to start a new one.  But, while I wait for my paper I am working on a commissioned piece.  

"Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture." - Lydia M. Child

Have started a commissioned work, which I intend to complete this week.  I am waiting on paper to be delivered to continue with my latest series of paintings. 

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." - Abraham Lincoln

You could definitely call my new pieces pop art.  

"The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom." - H. L. Mencken