Labor Day 2016. Friends, painting is not labor. The fun and enjoyment derived from the hours I have in my studio can’t be measured in time or money. Truly, we all know the phrase ‘starving artist’ – well…yes. But I am full in many other ways – and one of those blessings is being able to share my work with you. Let me know what you think of this new style I am working on…it is from my Foxy Lady line.
Some good-byes in life are easier than others are. When my husband threw away his cigarettes twenty plus years ago I did a dance of joy at the farewell party. Other partings are much more difficult. Like saying goodbye to my friend, Jan Plasterer, when for seven months in 1996, we were aware that breast cancer had written her exit scene. What amazes me the most is that as we hurtle toward fall 2016, we will not just be bidding adieu to another summer but one that was an awesome gift from God. As summer passes most people send it off with a super duper farewell scene called “The Last Rites Of Summer”, which happens over the Labor Day weekend. Whatever you do over 2016 Labor Day, enjoy the weekend and be safe. Sharing with you some of the doodles I did over the summer. I tend to doodle with brush, paint and pen and ink…enjoy!
Some memories are happy; some memories are sad. Some are good and some are bad. When it comes to memories of our canine friends all of these remembrances are tossed into one wonderful bundle of fur. Memories are why I love to paint my friends dogs; especially the happy memory it creates for me, knowing the person smiled when they viewed my “interpretation” of their furry friend. Over the last few months I have painted 12 pooch portraits which I am sharing with you today. Please take a moment and VOTE for your favorite. Scroll down to see all 12. How to choose? Maybe one makes you smile, perhaps you like the colors I used or maybe there is a resemblance to a doggie friend …….just make a choice. The winner will be featured on a greeting card which will raise funds for animal shelters in three states. Texas, Montana and Florida. How to vote? Two ways: Leave a comment here on the blog site or email sweeneyartcenter2@yahoo.com and type in the name printed below …
My mother passed away when I was eleven leaving her grieving family to raise a 5 year old boy. It was a collective effort but when I remember back it seems I was the “motherly” one. However, not sure about that, because knowing that Dad would never, ever go to a Cub Scout meeting; I too, wouldn’t consider interrupting my girlie life for such a thing. But I do remember one very touching day when my brother, then 10 years old, was walking home from school and spotted a cat sitting in the middle of Hiway 72, which ran through our little Montana town. He brought the kitten into our house and excitedly said “She was asleep on the Hiway. I could barely see her – she looks just like the pavement! Can we keep her? She could have been hit by a car.” It was my assignment to talk to Dad for permission and winning that battle made me somewhat of a hero in my brother’s eyes. We named her Amy. She was a …
When my husband and I purchased our home of 27 years in the bay area of Northern California we noticed a hole at the very bottom of the fence in the back yard. We then noticed another small hole in the front lawn fencing. Subsequently, we learned that the neighborhood wild animals, such as skunks, raccoons, possums and the like, were using the holes to get from a distant field to an even more fertile area near a park in our neighborhood. Late at night we would watch the animals make the trek and use our yard as the major though fare. They actually wore a path in the soil and lawn. We appropriately named the path “The Chisholm Trail”. We never shut it down, it was there before we were. Years later, here we are in Texas, right on the real Chisholm Trail route. Who knew? Please enjoy my interpretation of “The Old Chisholm Trail” – Americana, the good old days.
This weekend’s rain did not keep us from our gardening duties. The tomatoes are heavy with fruit and needed more support; a backbreaking event of tying string to the support poles and then lifting the heavy, wet branches onto them. Looks like we were not the only ones wearing a hat to keep the wonderful spring rain from our eyes…..enjoy Molly Mouse in her new spring bonnet. Watercolor and Colored Pencil Click To Enlarge
Christmas 2014 found 4 friends receiving my original art work of their beloved pets and in one case their beloved country lane. All were painted with great joy and love. Enjoy! “Charlie”. Colored Pencil and Watercolor. Click photo to enlarge. ——————————————————————————————————————– “Georgia In The Bluebonnets”. Water color and ink. Click to enlarge. ———————————————————————————————————————- “Blakeslee Lane”. Idaho. Autumn Scene. Watercolor and ink. Click to enlarge photo. “Under The Fig Tree”. Kaity’s Georgie. Watercolor and Ink. Click photo to enlarge.
The Sweeney Art Center is open to the public. As you walk with us you will learn new ways to see our great world, through the eye of an artist. Please share your art work or creation stories here at any time. We love company! Come on in…the dance has begun !
Sweeney Art Center 