Oxford: Little Town Big Arts

I should have remembered when Ben and I sat down at Ajax's for lunch and were surrounded by folk art that Oxford is an artsy place.
I mean, William Faulkner surveys the scene on the Square for goodness sakes! Southside Gallery was showing Blair Hobbs, a mixed media collage artist...
and Oxford Floral had a new Mississippi potter, Erich Emmenegger.
The little town of Taylor nearby is practically an artist colony. I've been looking for something to inspire me to get out my easel and paints! Oxford did it!

A New Artist in Town

I love creativity at any age!

A week or so ago Ben and I attended the first art exhibition of a young new Huntsville artist. We were thrilled to be invited! Greeted at the door by the artist, we were ushered in and given a bio and a refreshing mocktail. His most recent works were on view as well as a few older works. He received accolades for his colorful palette and interesting subject matter. Mocktails were followed by munchies - the menu planned by the artist... mandarin oranges, apple slices, fresh fruit with cream cheese dip, Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets, pimento cheese with crackers and chocolatey nutty brownies.

Let me introduce to you my new favorite artist, John Randall Howard.

A showing of his current works...

Mocktails & munchies...

Father of the artist....

Grandmother and baby sister of the artist...

Blessings in brushstrokes!

Heaven on Earth

I thank my God every time I remember you.
Philippians 1: 3

I've mentioned Monteagle, Tennessee more than once. It has to be in my top ten favorite places on earth - right up there with the Splendido in Portofino, Italy. Why? Because it totally captures my sense of place. It is like stepping back in time. Nothing but good memories of easy fun-filled days!

Here's a recap of the art class I attended a few weeks back.

college roomies 38 years later - we both took up oil painting 5 years ago

where we call home while we're there, Edgeworth Inn in the Assembly...



Our fabulous teacher and portrait artist is Angela Kuprion from Kentucky - pictures of her demonstration...





Some shots of Nancy at work...

And a look at what I was working on... but nowhere near finished!

Painting Notes

I'm anxious to get to Monteagle next week and paint for two days! I'm meeting my college roommate there... we discovered a few years ago that we both had taken up oil painting as a favorite hobby. We had a wonderful time painting together last summer and we have been able to squeeze in a few days again. I will for sure take the camera - I want to show you around The Assembly, as well as picture Nancy's work.

Until then, enjoy summer!

Lambs and Bunnies

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive

the kingdom of God

like a little child will never enter it.

Luke 18: 17

I've had so much fun working all spring on a series of bunnies and lambs for nurseries.

Finished up today. After they dry they are off to Judy's shop.

Here's a sampling....

Moved to Monteagle

For those of you who know me well, your hearts probably just skipped a beat! No, I have not moved to Monteagle (although I would love it) but four of my paintings have! Lethia Watson, owner of The Gallery in the Assembly, has my current angel paintings and stacks of notecards. If you are in the area, her Gallery is a must-see and she is a must-know. Just driving through the Assembly is a must-do. It is a slice of heaven! Call Lethia for her hours since The Gallery is in her home. She has lots of artists and fabulous McCarty pottery.
The Gallery - 931-924-2103
I highly recommend a day trip! You'll be in for a blessing!

Notecards!

Are you a note writer? I am. I am a note lover, paper lover, pen lover and should have owned a paper store! Even as easy as it is to call or text, I still find that when I want to get my words just right I go find pen and paper. I love notes that come to me and save most of them to reread months later, sometimes even years later. If that's you too, I have notecards for sale. There are four to a package - two of The Green Cup and two of A Season for Seckels. My sincere thanks to Belinda and Elaine for giving me permission to use images from my paintings they now own. The notecards are fold-overs, approx 5 1/2 x 4 1/4, packaged ready to give as gifts; 4 notecards for $10.
Just email me and we'll find a way to get them to you.
Bless your words!

Art with a Twist at the Museum

Thursday night I taught an art class at the Museum to 24 potential artists! We were all painting Leslie Lockhart's angels while enjoying lively chatter about art do's and dont's, great snacks and the evening view of Big Spring Park. Being creative is so much fun!

This was our demo painting and thanks to O.R. for purchasing it. It is titled Waiting for Instructions and is based on Psalm 27: 14... wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Now take a look at the wonderful creations from the class...











This was mine and was auctioned off to aid the Museum - thanks again to O.R.!

The Museum will be offering a new schedule of Art with a Twist classes soon - so sign up with your friends! It could be a great birthday gift and loads of fun!

Be blessed!