Juicy Couture

One of the largest watermelons in my garden, (so far) get their portrait painted! Lots of green..maybe too much.  I can't wait to taste!
The side view shows what I'm doing to the wood panels.  I love the look of the gold leaf...kind of distressed.

Not Quite Ready

I struggled with this a little.  So much was going on in the background with all the leaves and vines.  Finding a focal point was a challenge.  I hope I was able to achieve it.  The best part is: the tomatoes were so delicious in my omelette!

Summer is Bittersweet but I'm in a "Gardening Mood"!

This Summer has been bittersweet for those of us who live on the Gulf Coast.  The oil spill still hasn't been capped and our summer fun has been dampened by this tragedy.
I just returned from Orange Beach to celebrate the 4th of July, and it's hard to realize the Gulf Coast cities have been hit hard because the traffic was just terrible!!  People were all along the beach, the pools were crowded and the Wharf was buzzing with locals and tourists! Yes, it's a good thing!
Getting back to the reason for this blog update: I've been gardening to help curb my urge to garden and to give me a painting subject!  I had no idea that would happen, but my garden has given me a plethora of painting material along with ingredients for great, healthy meals. Tomatoes, Squash, Basil and Watermelon.... Amazing!
Pumpkins are on their way, so still lifes in September and October are SET!
One more little update:  I've decided to put my paintings in the Fairhope Artist's Gallery on Section St. starting the month of August.   Great people watch over the little gallery and it's a buzzing place for tourists!  Wish me luck!

Painting of this little guy coming soon!

Grape tomatoes

Song of Songs 2:12

Song of Songs 2:12  oil on panel 4x4

This small painting was a Spring blessing! I usually do not paint this small, but I thought a field of poppies would be an enjoyable change for me. The shadows of the white poppies were very interesting and placing the details into the background made me use my tiniest brushes, but it was fun! I might do it again, but a little bigger next time.

I found a verse I thought fit perfectly with the painting:

"Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land."

Song of Songs 2:12

Too Small to Ride

Too Small to Ride  40x30 oil  sold

Junior Auxiliary of the Eastern Shore for Thomas Hospital, Fairhope AL

When the Junior Auxiliary commissioned me to paint a pasture scene for their children's waiting room in Thomas Hospital, I felt honored and excited!  I knew it had to be serene and calming, with an equestrian "feel" without actually painting a horse!  I could've taken many different routes to achieve the goal, but my heart told me to "take little Ladd and go outside".  That's exactly what I did!  In my front yard was the most beautiful view for the perfect painting.  Yes, I'm a little partial to the adorable little boy, but I couldn't have asked for a sweeter model!

The "Tack Room" should be open in April 2010.

Ready for the Play

oil on panel 30x40

I've started a new series called "Children at Play"! I'm so excited about these works! The paintings are an embodiment of my old and new styles and they also express my love for children, especially children at play!

This particular painting is of my daughter, Summerlyn, right before her debute in the play "Mulan Jr."

Juicy Oysters

Juicy Oysters

6"x6" oil on panel

$125 +s/h




It's a beautiful day when I'm painting!! Obviously, I haven't been a regular artist OR blogger, but I'm getting a little work done now. Other than my juicy oysters, I'm working on a large commission for Baldwin County's Junior Auxillary for a children's waiting room in Thomas Hospital. I'm very excited about it and the painting is coming along nicely! I can't wait to post it when I'm finished. I hope to finish by Dec. 1, but I'm not promising anything!

This painting is celebrating NOT having a ban on raw oysters in Alabama!