Diana and Friend

(310) Diana and friend
This sculpture of Diana, goddess of the hunt, is the latest challenge from Karin Jurick's DSFDF. Karin suggested that drawing be the focus for this one, and I can see that I elongated the figure a bit, making her taller than the statue, but it was quite an enjoyable exercise just the same. To see other entries, please click on the link above.
“It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past"...George Steiner

earth day gratitude

I would like to acknowledge the receipt of a couple of blog-awards. The first from Becky Joy, a very inspirational "almost" daily painter from Arizona. "A Lemonade Award is given to bloggers who show a positive attitude and gratitude. It also exemplifies people who have a willingness to share their ideas, support and online friendship."
Thanks, Becky! Please check out her blog.

Also, Washington DC/Baltimore area artist Liz Holm, who inspires me both with her paintings and her big heart, has given me a "passion for painting"award. Check out her beautiful portraits, both human and doggy. "A Passion for Painting" is an award celebrating "bloggers who exhibit great attitude and/or gratitude."

Because the awards are similar in meaning, I am passing both along to the following recipients. Take a little "earth day world tour" with me as you visit these bloggers who inspire me:
Rob Ijema, from Wales love his brushstrokes and masterful use of color; his "diary of Wales" is just the most soothing and inspirational and meditative part of my day. I. am. there...
Carolyn Finnell, from Louisiana, a daily painter, working from "dawn to unconscious" inspires me with her work ethic, paintings, and humor
Terry Rafferty from New Mexico , love her compositions and ability to see the ordinary with a unique eye (check our her "things you can stack" painting, an exquisite study in subtle value shifts)
Kentucky artist Bill Guffey, a kind and generous artist who offers insight, information and humor along with his wonderful paintings
Vern Schwarz from Canada; his figure paintings are wonderful, and I love, love, love how he captures the heart and soul of the dogs he paints
California artist Edward Burton, check out his gorgeous mural; his spirit and enthusiasm for his work and life is contagious
R.Garriott from Colorado, an artist with a wonderful sense of humor; I enjoy his writing as much as his lovely work; he also offers advice about photoshop, roses, recipes; there just aren't enough hours in the day to learn all he has to share.
Theresa Rankin, an artist from Missouri who calls herself "just another daily painter" ...definitely not ordinary at all, check out her exquisite work and see for yourself
No pressure to participate, but if you choose to do so, here are the rules:
1. Post the logo on your blog

2. Nominate at least 7 blogs that show great gratitude and/or attitude

3. List and link your nominator in your post

4. List and link your nominees in your post, and let them know they're recipients
And, as we reflect on GRATITUDE for what the earth offers us today, I felt this quote says it best:

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us"...Albert Schweitzer

a slice of sky

(309 dogwood photo 4)
"The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard"...Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day. To see ways to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow, click here.

a sliver of spring

"He knew a path that wanted walking;

He knew a spring that wanted drinking;

A thought that wanted further thinking"...

Robert Frost


(308) dogwood photo 3
LOVE that quote...and I find that my "further thinking" today involves experimenting with design, color and composition for this series of photos.
Like Robert Frost, I find that spring challenges me to try out new things,
see the old with new eyes,
search for new paths,
and mix and match
in fresh new ways...

after the rain

(307)
“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want,
but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”...Mark Twain

dogwood winter

(306)
"Twas Easter-Sunday
The full-blossomed trees
Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy." ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Wasculwy Wabbit

(305) Bunny
5 x 7
This little guy loves to rustle through my roses and play hide and seek with me. I usually just see his (her?) tail sproinging through the air, but yesterday he just sat and sat, no doubt pondering about the coming of spring.
"You don't take yourself too seriously if you can wear your bunny slippers and laugh at yourself a little bit"...Bunny Warner

duo exhibits!

The painting on the left was accepted into the Central South Art Exhibition/National. It is the first national level show I've been juried into, so I am pretty excited. Actually, if I am truthful, I've done a little screaming (but my dog's pained expression convinced me to take it down a notch...)
The show opens on May 1st and runs through the end of June at the Tennessee Art League in Nashville, Tennessee.

Also, I am honored that the painting on the right received a merit award last week at the "Women in the Arts" show, and is currently at the Capitol until the end of this month.

Actor Jimmy Stewart was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award five times, but won only once. Explaining how supportive his family and friends were, he said “After the awards, my father called me up and told me that the man from Johnstown had put all kinds of signs in the theatre saying, 'This year's Academy Award winner...(because my father had said I was going to win.) And I didn't. But this guy asked if it would be alright if he took the Oscar and put it in the lobby with a sign saying, 'This is what it would look like if he had won'...(another reason to love Jimmy Stewart)

surf 'n turf

(304) 6x8, oil
This is my entry for Karin Jurick's Diff'rent Strokes fro Diff'rent Folks. Since she chose a beach scene this week, how could I resist? Click here to see all the entries.
"Look at light and admire its beauty. Close your eyes, and then look again; what you saw is no longer there; and what you will see later is not yet"...Leonardo da Vinci