"The Orange Sugar Bowl"

“The Orange Sugar Bowl” is a painting that won 2^nd place in an annual juried art show in Hamilton County in November called “Community Creates.”  I love orange.  I know it is very trendy these days.  The geranium was my last flower of the season.  I cut back my geraniums and brought them the house and now they are blooming again.   The painting is 16 ½ x 11 and was painted especially for an antique style goldish frame which is 3 inches wide.  All paintings are available with or without frames. 

“Espresso Yourself” Ahhh…java!  I love it!  In April I am scheduled to do an art show at our local coffee shop.  Already I am building an inventory of paintings about “my drug of choice."  I set up this still life outside in the sun.  I love the natural lighting of the sun, although I do have a fantastic “light box” (patterned after Carol Marine’s design) that my husband built for me.  I use it inside my studio when the weather doesn’t permit me to paint outside.

I once took a workshop from a fantastic painter, Qiang-Huang, and he said, “the subject matter of every painting is the same…it is LIGHT”

Oranges Concentrate

Happy December!  It feels like months since I have made an entry in my blog.  Here is a painting that won an “honorable mention” in the annual juried art show in Madison country.  It seems that I have been too busy to post it.  I also have several others I am ready to post…so stay tuned.  This is an 8 x 10 oil and contains the sweetest little antique crock I found at a thrift store in Chicago.  It is framed in a black plein aire JFM frame with a silver lip.  Please contact me by email for prices.

I vowed to pace myself this December so that I can enjoy the richness of this month.

Thank you for taking time to look at my art.  I see it as my “voice” in this world. 

"My Favorite Neighbor," Part II

I was thrilled to learn that my painting, “My Favorite Neighbor”, won

“Best of Show” in the South Madison Visual Art Show. Now I am wondering if I should just stick to painting my furry friends..:o)  The painting lives next door and I can visit the real thing when I need a dog fix, which is often!

Speaking of dogs, I am so touched by an account of Van Gogh I read recently in the book,  Van Gogh, a Self-Portrait.  This paragraph was contained in a  letter written by one of his friends:

   “One Saturday afternoon we went out for a walk: suddenly Vincent saw an emaciated, miserable, deserted street dog, a poor hungry beggar of a dog.  He searched his purse and in it found a ‘dubbeltje’ (twopence)---it was all the money he had, for it was the last days of the month.  Then he bought two rolls for a penny to give to the dog, and stood looking at the animal full of complacency as it devoured the bread in a few swallows.  Going back to his companions, Van Gogh said, “What do you think this animal told me just now?   That he would like to have another couple of rolls like that,” and following his impulse, he bought two more rolls and gave them to the yearning dog.  Now he didn’t even have the money to buy a pack of tobacco, the only luxury he permitted himself.” p.39 

Vincent Van Gogh’s sensitivity makes him one of my heroes.  

Blue Ribbon Winner!

Just so you know…“Adopt Fred” just won 1^st Place in the Annual juried show held at The Anderson Center for the Arts. The show is sponsored by the Art Association of Madison County.  Make your check payable to the Animal Protection League of Anderson, Indiana.  (And, hey…you might want to purchase one of the other cat paintings before the prices increase… :O)

The proceeds from the sale of these paintings will be used to feed and house some of the many orphaned/abandoned animals in our county.

Here's Fred up close. 

Click here and you can read more about Fred.

"Getting Sauced"

“Getting Sauced”

It’s September!  

It’s that time of year to pick apples and make sauce.

Or maybe…I’ll just paint them. :o)

"My Favorite Neighbor"

"Stella" is pure LOVE and she has a tail that is spring loaded.  I wish you could meet her.

Mia

Adopt “Mia”

Did someone say “red carpet?”  I’m ready.  I’m cute and I’m fluffy. And…I love to cuddle. If you'll pick me up, I'll ride on your shoulders. Adopt me you will get this FREE portrait of me painted by my friend, Jane.  To read all about fabulous me, click here.

Adopt “Tink”

Look at me…this is my impression of a “couch potato.”  I love affection, too. You know that I am a girl because only girls can be Calicos.  If you adopt me you get this FREE portrait of me painted by my friend, Jane.  http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/14385252  Make sure you watch the video so you can see just how sweet I am. 

"Adopt Fred"

Honestly…I look like I just came from the “Red Carpet.”  My hair is perfect. I like to sit near the entrance of the cat sanctuary because I am so fantastically handsome that I make a great first impression.  If you adopt me you get a FREE portrait of me, by my friend, Jane.

Fred is at the Indiana Animal Protection League in Anderson. 

Click here and you can read more about Fred.

"Three Apples"

I did this little painting of three apples this week.  I thought I would post it on my blog anyway so that my subscribers know that I haven’t stop painting.  My face is red because I call myself a “daily painter”:o).  However, life just keeps happening.  I am working on painting every day, though.  Honest!

"Adopt Me #1"

“Adopt Me #1”
(First in a series of adoptable cats)

8” x 10” oil portrait

Please meet “Darby,” a handsome four year old domestic male short hair who is so lovable.

  

This painting is for sale for $75 and all the proceeds will be used for food, shelter, and medical care at the Animal Protection League (Anderson, Indiana).  Your purchase is completely tax deductable.

I will be painting more adoptable cats as time goes by.

If you adopt “Darby” before the painting is sold, you will receive his portrait as a gift.  

Click to read more about Darby

Anderson Protection League

On April 21st, 2012, my husband, Unity Minister, Rev.Brad Langdon dedicated a new cat sanctuary at the Anderson Protection League, a local animal shelter.

This no cage facility is a festival of lovable, furry, felines.  Last week Brad and I went to visit the cats.  Although there were all manner of couches, stuffed chairs, a daybed, and climbing attractions, just about all the cats preferred our laps. :o)

I am painting a portrait of one of the cats now.  I'll post it in the next day or two (after it's completed and dries).

"Lean On Me"

Last week I was visiting my mother. She had just come back from Dorothy Lane Market with a bag full of beautiful produce. I sat on her back porch and painted this.

Vincent Van Dominogh

 Here is Starry Night portrayed with over 7,000 dominoes!

"Gogh-ing to the Niwot Art Walk"

“Gogh-ing to the Niwot Art Walk” is a painting I did this past month for a contest advertizing the “Art Walk” in my favorite small Colorado town. There is something magical and very friendly about this little town and I delighted in portraying it in the style of one of my favorite painters. If you are ever in Boulder County definitely visit Niwot. 

If you are wondering how Niwot got its name, check my painting “Left-Handed Spoon” posted below.

Colorado has been on my mind and I pray that they get some rain SOON!

"Speaking of rummage…."

 A 30 mile long rummage sale!!  And it goes right through our town!!  Honest…I didn’t know about this when we moved here.  A treasure huntress like me thrives on this event.  This year I found a prize…a robin’s egg blue tea-pot for $2.  I am crazy about it…it is always whistling… “paint me.” :o) 

Not Exactly A Masterpiece

The only thing I have had time to paint the past two weeks is this sign.  

The Unity Church rummage sale was a big success and oodles of work!  

"Fantasy and Reality"
 

Last night I was watching “Midnight in Paris” which depicts ‘fantasy vs. reality.’

Here is mine…:o) 
 

8' x 6" Oil on Panel

Photograph

"Left-handed Spoon"

I spent 4 decades of my life in Colorado, and the last 12 of those years were spent in Niwot, Colorado. This little historical town is named after “Chief Niwot” who was a peaceful, left-handed, Southern Arapahoe Indian Chief. “Niwot” literally means “left-handed” in the Southern Arapahoe language.

In honor of Chief Niwot we had “Left Hand Canyon,” “Left Hand Creek,” “Lefty’s Pizza,” and even “Left Hand Brewery” up the road, makers of “Sawtooth Ale.” I am left-handed so it seemed only natural that I would name my blog and website, “Left Hand Gallery.”

Thank you magnificent subscribers for your title input. I will admit that I liked having some action on my new blog. :o)  I am a little embarrassed to say that I have chosen my own title,
"So Near and Yet So Far."

And while we are on the subject of our "Cellular Society"... I read on the Internet that about 25% of the cell towers in the U.S. are cleverly disguised church steeples, water towers, clock faces, Sequoia Cactus, Royal Palms, flag poles, and who knows what else. Now there's an art!

"Right-handed Spoon"

"Right-handed Spoon"
 6" x 8" oil on panel

To my magnificent subscribers, thank you for stopping by my blog.  I hope you have a happy Memorial Day Weekend.

Here's my latest painting which I am calling "Left-handed Spoon."  It's a companion painting to "Right-handed Spoon" which I painted last week.  It's always nice to have a companion.

"Ms. Smith's Portrait" 

8" x 10" oil on panel

Today is the day that I "go public" and shamelessly advertize my blog on Facebook. Yikes!  I am extremely excited that I have joined the "daily painting movement" and I feel inspired and motivated.  Thank you for taking a look at today's painting.

"Mr. Fuji's Portrait"
8" x 8" oil on panel

Today is May 1, 2012 and I have procrastinated long enough. It is time to jump into the “daily painters movement” and get my feet wet. Here is today’s painting. Until I build up some momentum, I will be “an almost daily painter.” Thank you for visiting me today.

Welcome to my blog. I live and have my studio in the small, friendly, historic town of Pendleton, Indiana. Whether it is capturing an idyllic street scene, the way sunlight kisses my cat, or an amusing peek into some aspect of our human nature, I love to communicate what is in my heart with my paintbrush.

"I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people."

Vincent Van Gogh