75 Day Sketch Challenge-Day 21

 Brenda Swenson, A sketch artist does this 75 day Sketch Challenge, and I decided to join in.
I started it Oct.14th, Using ink and pen only. No pencil or erasers. That is hard for me because I love my pencil! AND eraser!  Starting with just pen is very intimidating, but I am on day 21 and have enjoyed it, after the first week!
The cotton and pens were sketched from life. The flowers and pumpkins were drawn from photos.
I did the fountain pens when I saw that it was National Fountain Pen day! What a funny thing to have.
These are not in exact order because this blog thing doesn't put them on in the order you pick them! and I haven't figured out how to move them.

Visual Language for November

 View the Holiday Magazine

This month's V.L. has an article about my Christmas Art, as well as the critique by Hall Groat Besides a lot of beautiful art, by some wonderful talented artists!
It was fun for them to feature my little Snow People. I love doing them, they are so much fun. If you are interested on prints from them, I have some of them on Fine Art America.
I also have a few on Etsy

Christmas Card Worskhop

 I thought I would have a one day Christmas Card Workshop.You can do watercolors, acrylics, collage, or whatever you want to do.It will be in Plains.  I will have my laptop, scanner, etc. to show you how to turn your work into a card. I tried to get it for Saturday the 10th but couldn't get the building. I know Friday is not always a good day for those that have jobs away from home.
If  you are interested please let me know as soon as possible because I need to know for planning , etc. I think it will be a lot of fun!
You will learn what to do after you get it painted. How to photo your art work, and How to enhance it, add it to a card.

 Supplies you need:
whatever medium you plan on working with.
I prefer 140 cp watercolor paper, and I can furnish the paper for who ever needs it.
if you want us to set up your card, you might bring a cd or flash drive. You will need print shop, which I think most have it. Or we can save your image  on the cd, and you can use it with your computer, and software, etc.
I can show you how I enhance my images with Photoshop. we can use my camera so we can just put your image onto my set up.  The Cost is $40.00, and I will furnish lunch if you don't want to go out.

Christopher Cross Christmas Album with my Art Work!

I am so excited! This has been in the making for over 3 years! I can't believe it is finally done!
Three years ago, Christoper Cross' agent called me, and told me that they were looking online for something for his Christmas album, and they found my work and he loved my red pick up! Well....I am not big into names, so I really didn't know who he was, and I called Keri (my daughter) and told her, and she was throwing fits, told me who he was and what he sang, and that I needed to ask her if that was who he was!  So, the next time we talked I ask 'nonchalantly' if he sang 'Sailing' and she said yes he was! He also wanted me to paint the mailbox that is on the back page.  He owns both paintings.
 I was so excited I told everybody, then a year later, she writes and says the company who does his albums didn't want to  use it, and I was disappointed ,but know things change, so I just forgot about it, other than being embarrassed that I announced it!
In July of this year, she called me one morning and said 'Guess What?' Christopher IS going to use your art we picked. I ask her if she was making it up! I didn't tell very many people, since I was still skeptical!
 So Monday she tells me it is available on Amazon, and sent me the photos of the cover!! I am 'supposed' to get an autographed copy from him! I better!
Of course i got online and ordered one, to keep from waiting on mine! It just got here about 4:00, and now I am really on cloud nine! It is beautiful! They used my snow for the front cover, the pick up 'Coming Home'
is on the inside of the cover. The mail box is on the back side and inside!
I hope you can go pick you up a copy! OR order one from Amazon! I haven't listened to it yet, but I do have some of his Christmas songs, and they are beautiful.
I am so blessed that he found my work...blessed God allows me to create, and blessed because I have friends who believed in my art, and set me up a website a long time ago!

Take Time to Smell the Flowers

I started this torn paper collage as a demo in my one of my mini workshops, then continued for demo's in  Brownfield, Plains, and Clovis NM.

Seems like it has taken forever to get it done. Since it has a little flower on her nose, I thought the title would fit.  I hope I take the time to smell the 'flowers' everyday. There are so many beautiful and exciting things around us each day, that I am afraid I miss a lot!

This is on a 16x20on stretched Canvas.

Hair Stuff

I have a great hair stylist...Danny, from
Lubbock, and no matter when I call, he always gets me in.  He asked me the last time I was in, if I would do him a collage for his space. He has Red, Orange and Purple...and wanted the hair dryer and scissors for sure on it.
I thought it needed the timer on it too! As always there are some hidden things in it.
It is 20x20 on stretched Canvas.

West Texas Watercolor Society Show

The West Texas Watercolor Society Show is in Lubbock Texas this month.
 These are the winners for the Fall show.
The Show is at the LHUCA building , 511 Ave K. in Lubbock
The show was judged by Jean Haines.If you get a chance go by and see all the great watercolors!

1. Carol Peterson
2. Dyan Newton
3. Cecilia Adams
4. Special Award Jonanna George
5. Special Award Suzy Powell
6. Honorable Mention Kathryn Thomas
7. Honorable Mention Annalee Schubert