Commission: Whale Shark

Look at that. I took a little break and next thing I know, an entire month has passed! 

Sometimes breaks are needed. Sometimes I spend my mornings straightening up the studio, making lists, answering emails, and not even worrying about art. Sometimes I just need to set aside a painting to let my mind rest. Sometimes that idea needs to percolate a little longer...

Because there's the idea. It's on canvas. It's alive and real and staring you in the face saying "Finish! Now!" but you've got no idea where to go.

So the painting sits there. I'm pretty sure it stayed in this state for over a week.

Then it gets picked up and you trudge through the yucky feelings. Just make some marks on the canvas, get back to painting, finish!

And then you do.
Here's a whale shark. A commissioned painting by a long-time internet friend.

Acrylic on Canvas.

It was shipped off to the land of Oregon. So happy! 

Travel: Howard Finster's Paradise Garden

My fondness for weird roadside attractions grows and grows! I'm always on the lookout for new, strange things to see. World's Biggest Doo-Dad? Folk Artist decorates his property? Show me! Show me! 

Howard Finster's Paradise Garden has been on my to-do list for a long, long time. Some of his pieces are at the High Museum, so I've been fortunate enough to see them in person. But his house? It's a bit out of the way, and never do I ever drive by or even through Summerville. I had to plan a very specific trip and what better time than my birthday!

Amber and I gassed up her car and took off for a three hour drive to Summerville. Soon the tall buildings of Atlanta faded away to the rolling hills of North Georgia. Drive drive drive...and finally Paradise!

Fun tip: Don't park in front of this sign. The official entrance is located on the other side of the property.

From ParadiseGardenFoundation.org: Reverend Howard Finster, a self proclaimed  “Man of Visions”, Finster was one of America’s most widely known and prolific self-taught artists producing over 46,991 pieces of art before his death in 2001. He saw himself as a sacred artist, tirelessly recording his visionary prophesies and providing glimpses of a celestial outer space world that God revealed to him. These visionary journeys were very real for Finster, providing a limitless variety of images for his creative endeavors.

Another Fun Tip: Don't let the high fence fool you! This is a very welcoming place.

For a moment, we were scared that I had read something wrong on the website and that we drove three hours to a closed garden.

We were greeted by a gregarious volunteer and paid a small entrance fee. Two tickets to paradise! We spent the next few hours taking photos all around the property.

Most of Finster's work is covered in Bible verses.

Howard's memorial at the Garden.

A covered rolling chair ramp was constructed to offer handicapped people a view of the Garden. The walls are covered with artwork by Finster and his artist friends. I was excited to see some work by folks I knew.


The Mirror House stands in the far corner of the Garden. Mirrors line the walls, floor, and ceiling of the house giving me a great opportunity for an awesome selfie.


I mean, c'mon...isn't that a great Facebook profile picture!?!





These photos don't even cover half of what we saw! I took an entire roll of photos with my Holga so I'll upload those whenever I get them developed. Howard Finster's Paradise Garden is definitely worth the trip, especially if you're into folk and visonary art like I am!

Painting on Walls: Another Pooch!

Remember The Southern Pooch project? Well I got the super awesome chance to paint another dog on the wall!

The Southern Pooch's owner's mama (Say that three times fast!) asked me to paint this beloved pet as a surprise for her daughter. I agreed but also wondered how I could paint something in public AND have it be a surprise too...hmmm.

Luck would have it that the owner would be out of town on Friday so I made plans to get up to the building and paint paint paint!

I had a small window of time to paint this so there would be no crying, whining, or bratty artist behavior on my part. I had to just get it done and get it done well!

Thankfully it was a beautiful day. A bit chilly so I had to take breaks to warm my hands, but still very calm and sunny.

His name is Buddy. Sadly, he crossed the rainbow bridge awhile ago so this will serve as a memorial. He was super fun to paint!

And here we go! I think there's talk of eventually adding more dogs as time goes by. One pooch at a time, right?

Oh! Let me tell you about small towns: It's hard to do anything and get away with it! So this was supposed to be a surprise for the owner while she was out of town for the day. Turns out, one of her friends saw me painting and texted her about it, spoiling the surprise! All accidental, so what can ya do? It's a small town thing!

On Display: Bare Bulb Coffee, Warner Robins

Let me tell you: Persistance pays off! I first emailed this coffee shop in September 2013. I got a response a few days later asking if I could wait a few months until they started planning their new year. So I waited and emailed again in April 2014 then set up a meeting in May 2014. The owner, Nikki, enjoyed my work and scheduled me for March/April 2015. 

TWENTY FIFTEEN!?! Why did that sound like SO FAR AWAY?

And it was...but that's okay. 

Yesterday I loaded up my Rav4 and drove the foggy back way to Kathleen, Georgia where Bare Bulb Coffee is located. I carefully dodged coffee drinkers and laptop lookers to hang my work. While I was tapping nails I was recognized by a local artist (well, he recogonized my work, not me presonally, haha). But still! So neat!

I don't think I've had the chance to blog about some of these paintings. It's next on my to-do list, promise!

One wall was perfect for the remaining suns and moons from my 50 painting challenge. 

El Sol, La Luna, Pisces, and Cygnus.

Cetus, Laika (Modern Day Canis Major), and Capricornus.

I'm super proud of the work I've created lately! If you're in the area, please go see it and let me know what you think. :)

Celestial Folk Art Series - Canis Major

Last week I felt a little "off"...just a little tired and I suspected a bit of a tickle in my throat. Next thing I know I'm exhausted and unable to do no more than cough and whine. Being sick sucks. Having a cold is kinda like running at 60% at all times. Not quite sick enough to spend all your time in bed, but still trying to do everyday things and using up your energy in no time. 

Plus, I feel immensely guilty when I try to take some time off for myself. I mean, what's up with that?  I have to figure out a way to learn that it's okay to let those messages sit in my inbox just a wee bit longer. It's okay to not want to make dinner. It's okay to just be sick. 

Oh well. I think I'm on the way out of this sickness. I've worked on some new paintings lately and here's the latest.

First progress shots. Just filling in background colors.

Then adding little bits of color here and there. 

And then:

This painting is based off the constellation Canis Major, or the Greater Dog. It's one of the newer constellations I've been able to recogize above my house. The largest star in Canis Major is Sirius, located in the dog's chest. 

Weee look at that tail!

The official title is "Laika: Modern Day Canis Major". Laika is the name of the first dog in space. It's a heart-breaking story if you're wanting to read more about her. I wanted to pay homage to her and her short life. I do believe she is a Canis Major!

24" x 36" acrylic on canvas.