Morning Sketch No. 1

70 lb. Strathmore Drawing paper
9x12"

Gizmo

Good Morning!

"Things that make me smile ..."

Ten years ago I doodled this drawing while my dogs napped peacefully on the floor of my studio! I remember that time with a smile ... it was a very happy morning! Today that drawing hangs on my studio wall ... it is a reminder of things that make me smile ... and one very lovely morning long ago!

"Things that make me smile ... my dogs, my family, my friends, reading...reading... reading, amaryllis, morning glories, Christmas, grasshoppers, blue and white stripes, Richard Giglio, basil, bright green lizards, tangerines, agapanthus, wild English gardens, Pierre Bonnard, nasturtiums, koi, white, Louisiana, ice cold watermelon, rainy days, Sam, kindness, zinnias, picnics, Gloria Vanderbilt, Lizzie, surprises, trees, lilacs, music, croquet, doodling, "Z...z", raspberries, fresh air, mint, Matisse, simplicity, firecrackers, laughing out loud, Rosie, blackbirds, Albert Einstein, kites, thunderstorms, courage, batik, teacups, Italian food, Carl Larson, Beatrix Potter, screened porches, starry nights, The Little White Horse and roses ...

In the studio today ....

Today was a good day! Here is a peek of the longhorn I worked on while watching the amazing rescue of 33 Chilean miners ... it was an incredible day to be alive! I love this longhorn! In a few days I will begin the final detail work on this painting ... but for today ... both in and out of the studio ... it was a very good day!

Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery

Yesterday I drove over to Odessa to deliver a painting, "Oogy", to be included in a group exhibit, Fem Fantastico at the Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery. "Oogy" is a favorite subject of mine so I am delighted that he will be a part of this exhibit. The gallery itself is fun, vibrant and a great place to showcase art. It is located on the UTPB campus in Odessa. This exhibit will highlight the strength, talent and diversity of art created by Texas women and I am truly honored to be a part of it this year. You can bet I will be back for the opening next Friday night!

Oh, happy day!

This is my favorite day of the year! I am not sure why but I look forward to it as if it were the beginning of a brand new year! So I have been celebrating this afternoon ... actually doodling ... wondering what this new year will bring into my life! Time only knows ... I have finally learned to enjoy the road! Here is a peek over my shoulder on this lovely afternoon!

BIG Blue Bear

I have just returned from a quick trip to Denver where I visited with an old friend, cooled off a bit and now am back in West Texas ready to take on the last few weeks of our summer heat! Although it has been almost 30 years since I lived in Denver and 16 years since we last saw each other, Mimi and I laughed and lunched for four days as if time had stood still for us! We spent our days driving all around Denver mourning old favorites long gone and discovering new favorites to celebrate our friendship ... it was heaven!

Denver has always been a beautiful city but I think it is even better today. Public art is everywhere. I took 100's of pictures on this trip, many of the amazing statues that fill the public parks and city streets all over Denver. BIG BLUE BEAR was one of my favorites. When we rounded a corner downtown and I got my first glimpse of this big blue fellow peering into a fourth floor window at the Colorado Convention Center I could hardly wait for Mimi to pull over so I could run back up the street for his picture. He is the perfect memory for a very FUN trip that will keep me smiling for a long, long time! Thanks Mimi!