Giving Thanks

"Backlit Jack." Oil on Canvas, 20 x 20 inches.

Hello everyone!

I have written at least four blog posts since my last one - unfortunately, they were all written in my head, not on my key board. I guess it's hard for you to read my thoughts, huh? Yeah. So here's one you can actually read. (hopefully)

Lots of upcoming shows! In East Nashville:

In Twentynine Palms, I will be part of the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition. The opening reception is on Friday, December 5th, from 5 to 8 pm. I will also have a booth outside near the 29 Palms Inn on Saturday, December 6th from 10 to 4 and Sunday, December 7th from 10 to 3 pm. I hope you will come out to visit me if you are in the high desert! I will have new giclee reproductions for sale along with recent original paintings of desert animals. I am working on some smaller, affordable original works that would make really nice gifts for the holiday season.

The holidays can be a hectic time of year. I hope you will take a moment to list some things you are thankful for. Here is my list, in no particular order:
Things I am thankful for....
1. My husband, who tolerates my art obsession and still loves me.
2. My family, who know all of my shortcomings and still love me.
3. My friends. I really have some amazing people who call me a friend. Wow. I am lucky.
4. My dog. Pono - who drives me nuts but makes me laugh every single day.
5. Collectors of my art - you are the people who make it possible for me to keep painting, and I am so so grateful for you.
6. Appreciators of my art - even if you can't afford to buy my art, or you just don't have the space, I value your feedback and encouragement.
7. Gallery owners who show and help me sell my art. I am so thankful for your help.
8. My blog readers - you!!!
9. Desert critters. Of all sorts
10. A warm house
11. Hot tea
12. Good music.
13. Paint and brushes.
14. Warm slippers

My list could be a lot longer, but I think I got the important ones down. What is one thing you are thankful for this November? Leave a comment and let me know, because I do love to hear from you.

Happy Thanksgiving, my dears!!!

Roadrunner, snakes and art - a desert mix

Ahhhh...fall. This is a wonderful time of year to be in the desert. It's really a wonderful time of year to be just about anywhere, really, but since I am in the desert, I am saying "the desert." Cool nights, warm, sunny days. Can't beat it!!!

I have some exciting news!!! I just found out yesterday that one of my paintings was accepted into the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition!!! The opening reception is December 5th at the 29 Palms Art Gallery. The show runs until December 28th. I am joined by 53 other talented artists. You can read more about the show here: jtnparts.org. Below is the painting that was chosen:

"Predator." Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches

I am also part of a group show at the 29 Palms Gallery that opens this Sunday from noon to 3. The show was curated by Rhonda Coleman. This show will stay up during the Hwy. 62 Art Tours, if you can't make the opening this Sunday. Here is the poster for the show:

I have been seeing more snakes and evidence of snakes since the rainstorm. Yesterday, I saw a small snake, possibly a rosy boa, that had just caught a lizard. It was underneath a shrub, so I was unable to get a good photo. The lizard was still thrashing around in the snake's mouth! I wish I could have captured that moment, but I really didn't have a clear shot. (plus, there was a lot of quick movement by both snake and prey.) I do have these photos to share with you:

King Snake - maybe if I were a parselmouth, I could have convinced it to come out of the hole.

We spent the rest of the hike thinking "somewhere nearby is a very shiny snake!"

The Hwy. 62 Art Tours catalogs are back from the printers and many have been delivered to information centers in the high desert. You can also see the online version or order one online from the website. http://www.hwy62arttours.org/hwy62arttours.html

How is your fall season so far? Leave me a comment - I'd love to hear from you!