Dear friends, I will be away and 'off-line' until Tuesday evening.
Be well, and be happy.

Christmas Cards - Do You Create Your Own?

How do things stand with you via Christmas cards? If you create your own and have a link to share, please do in the comment option of this post! The painting shown here is one of my late father's. It evokes so much emotion. I was reminded today that I need to create this year's image for Christmas cards. I usually do a painting or drawing and use the image for Christmas cards. I haven't decided a theme but it will most definitely be a faith based one. The economy being as it is may reduce the sales and sending of Christmas cards this year, so due that fact we will consider any cards we receive at our home this year a double blessing! Please leave comment about your plans for holiday cards if you think you will be sending this year. Store bought or orginal, it's all good!

Thank You Art Core - Donald Kolberg

I wish to give a public special thanks to Donald Kolberg (his sculpture on the left) for the honor of being selected as the November's featured artist in Art Core . Donald is a gifted artist and writer, and his wonderful Art Core is a fabulous site devoted to open dialog and exhibition of emerging and established artists.
You may view my interview and Donald's work by clicking here. There is an option to subscribe, you will be glad you did. Again, thanks Donald!

Laura Mercurio Ebohon

Not long ago I received an email from Italian poet and writer Laura Mercurio Ebohon. It was gracious in every sense relating to her thoughts on my art. To my surprise yesterday I received an email that she had written a poem to one of my abstract paintings from July, Just Before Dawn. I am deeply touched and sharing it here. Laura has collaborated with Italian publisher Gruppo Albatros Il filo and has a new book of poems this month, If I Look Inside. Thank you Laura for your kindnesses, and for taking time out of your wonderful life in such a way, I am honored.

Just Before Dawn ~

by Laura Mercurio Ebohon

Copyright 2009

These hours
are constant needles

piercing through

thin paper walls.

Just before dawn

Standing still

waiting

for the sunshine

to come through

fighting

thick clouds

smoky words

heavy moods

wrapped up

in this warm mantle

of light rays

closed eyes to push back tears

and visions

seeing even deeper

closer...

details and shadings

screaming truth

tracing time

loosing space

taking life

to a new dimension

of shining ideas

like falling stars

in this tender blue sky

no borders no limits

only shadows

in slow motion

pouring glitters of joy ~

Hope Eternal

One painting, several ways to hang / view. Since seeing the different views here I am encouraged to perhaps at some point do several versions of this painting. Have a lot going on right now, to be frank. That reminds me of my late maternal grandfather's favorite little saying, "I'll be Frank, you be Ernest." Hope Floats soundtrack was playing while working on this piece. Good movie. 30x24

Morning Song

When fall is here I dream of spring, when spring is here, I do not think to fall. I was listening to Grieg "Peer Gynt" Suite - Morning Song, so if familiar with that piece you will know how this painting came about. D.H. Lawrence - The gush of spring is strong enough to play with the globe of earth like a ball on a fountain; At the same time it opens the tiny hands of the hazel with such infinite patience. 30 X24

Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer auction in Las Vegas, NV.
Addendum 10/26/09 - This painting is now in private collection in Las Vegas, NV.

The Antiques Diva - Thank You

A very special thanks to Toma (Toma Clark Haines) who from her wonderful world in Berlin posted on her blog The Antiques Diva about my sketches for charity. Toma is a gifted and gracious individual with a delightful story of how the dreams and desires of a little girl in Oklahoma took her to Europe to live years in Paris and Amsterdam and now beautiful Berlin with her husband (also from the States.) Toma's blog on lifestyle, decorating and entertaining is a favorite of mine, and will be to you, too! Simply click the title to this post!

Toma, thank you!

Just Show Up

"An artist friend of mine, an incredibly gifted photographer, painter and collagist, has dreams where she is in a room full of incredible art after she dies. God comes to her and asks her what she thinks. She says they are wonderful and asks what they are. God says, 'These are all the works you never produced. The photographs you could have taken had you not slept in. The paintings you never got around to doing.' I wonder if we all cross over to be met with a vision of all that we could have done, had we shown up and tried."
This is a comment was left by Cindy Chadwick, a reader of Rick DiBiasio's blog The Affluent Artist

Sketch for Charity

JuJu B.
On occasion I will be offering small original sketches with proceeds going to one of these good organizations: Doctors Without Borders, CARE, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. I know this is a tough economic climate, so all I ask is a minimum of $50.00, you are certainly welcome to donate more if you like, it's your choice either way. Your donation will go to a very worthy cause. The individual who notifies me first via EMAIL will be the recipient of the sketch. Should payment not be received I will proceed to the next person who contacted me. If I can figure out an easier way I will certainly make that happen.
Wayfaring Stranger by Jack White was my accompaniment.


10/25/09 Thank you! This sketch has been purchased for a donation and is no longer available!

Morning Rain

Atlanta metro experienced the worst flooding anyone can remember, 20 inches of rain! Many neighborhoods, interstates, schools, businesses underwater, schools closed for days, and loss for many. Our neighborhood is hilly, thankfully, our only inconvenience was no running water for a few days. Posting small cheery abstract to brighten the day. 18X14 oil on canvas. Mozart Andante - Piano Concerto D minor. unavailable

Before the Cotillion

20 x 16 - oil on canvas Mozart Larghetto - Violin Sonata E flat

Back and Forth

Acrylic and oil, 48X32 Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang - A Wonderful World

Solace

Coastal landscape abstraction. 36X48 SOLD Mozart Andante - Eline Kleine Nachtmusik

Just Before Dawn

This 48 X 32 painting in oil was painted as I listened to Chopin's Nocturnes, 12-21 specifically.

Good Mike - Thingfo.com

This charcoal study is of Mike Grishaver of California. Mike is an enormously gifted individual, the founder and CEO of Thingfo, Inc., a content management system for the web, and definitely one good guy. I took the above photo prior to completion and due a mishap in the kitchen was unable to finish it. I shall sum this up nicely, Mike is brilliant, I am not. Don't take your work into the kitchen. You can get to Thingfo by clicking the title of this post!

The Face of Homelessness

It could be your sister, your daughter, your neighbor, your co-worker, your friend. Homelessness is no discerner of goodness or ability, it can happen to anyone. Please lend no judgement, only a hand. Charcoal on paper 11X14.

Distraction

This abstract has a deep red, rich wood tone when viewed in person. 36X24 on canvas. The weather has been mild and rainy here, everything clean and fresh, my hope your world is beautiful.

Frenchy

This French inspired painting was commissioned for a women's dressing room in Raleigh, NC. It was installed in a mauve painted room with cream upholstered furniture and dark mahogany tables. My inspiration was a combination of carved antique French beds I slept in when growing up AND how a love note left in a pocket appears after having been washed along with the clothing. SOLD 3ftX5ft

One - Series D - Enigma - and Note to Charlene

24 X 36 on canvas. Color variations in photos due to lighting in the room during different times of the day when the photos were taken.

Part Two: Thank you Charlene, for the blessing in my life.

Red Number 5

This experimental piece is heavily glazed and at times, depending on lighting, the upper portion can have an encaustic look about it. Warmth was my inspiration. 30 x 24 canvas - SOLD

The Pond

I see greens darker than most people, and for that reason I don't do many landscapes that are heavy in green. Oil on 16X20 canvas - SOLD

Fun with Hugh Laurie

I couldn't resist doing Laurie, a favorite. 14X11 charcoal Hugh Laurie has a memorable face. House is on constantly in my home, and I've poured over his face so many times it is emblazoned in my memory. I decided to fussy him up with the idea of 1800's garb.

Mary Did You Know?

White chalk on 9 X 12 black paper.

Whimsical Study

"A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?" ~ Albert Einstein
How many times have I asked myself that question. Loose charcoal study.

Hemingway Study

A loose charcoal study after a wonderful famous Hemingway photo. If anyone knows who the photographer was, please let me know so I might give credit here; this study done only for practice.

Ernest Hemingway wrote All my life I've looked at words as though I were seeing them for the first time. That is how I feel after I've painted or drawn. Once a piece is completed and set aside, next time I look at it it is as if I've seen it for the first time. This perplexes me. I have no answers. Anyone else experience this?

Starbucks 1, 2, 3

Never go to Starbucks without a drawing pad.

Happiness - Private Collection

Portrait in Oil SOLD - this photo cropped a little irregularly.

Raleigh

Two 8' X 4' and One 8' X 6' - Lofty and open spaces require their larges sizes, however simply viewing the paintings in the spaces in which they hang one would have difficulty discerning just how large they really are. ALL SOLD

Destin - Diptych

Commission for a coastal area. My focus while painting was liquidity, sand and warmth. SOLD

Raleigh Excellence

This particular piece was commissioned for an environment with emphasis on strength and excellence. I duplicated the pattern in the flooring in this piece. Made a nice statement when installed. SOLD - Raleigh

Mardi Gras

SOLD

I Dream of the Sea

31 X 48 on Plexiglas - clear edges show wall color behind. Growing up on coastal areas most of my childhood, ocean, marshes and bays were my playground. This particular piece I have kept.

Oconee 2

Abstract on Metal - SOLD

Raleigh

SOLD

Atlanta

SOLD - Interior space and design planners.

Jacksonville FL

Triptych - Abstract - SOLD

Novella Characters

Atlanta

SOLD - Interior Design Group

Dallas

Just take the ties off and have some fun!
SOLD

Oconee 1

Abstract on Metal - SOLD

One great guy, my brother, Tim.

Pastel on Paper

I loved doing this pastel of the wonderful late artist, Casey Jones. Adored by all who knew him. Click on image to view enlargement.

In Private Collections

These family members are just that, family members. The first is Sophie, a member of the Lindsey household. The top is Lucy, the best friend of a Charleston gallery owner, and the cat (whose name completely eludes me at this moment) is the companion of Sonia, a wonderful individual who cares for animals in Georgia. If you wish to view photos in greater detail, simply click on each image. SOLD

Nephew and niece of Charleston art gallery owner. I just think these children are so precious and charming. For some reason in my mind I always refer to them as cherubs. SOLD

Apple - White Pencil on Paper

Sunflower

Oil on canvas, 20X16

2007 - ST. Simon's

I'd forgotten about this painting I painted in 2007. Came across it while organizing yesterday. This little guy cracks me up. Painted via a photo from a St. Simon's Island photographer who gave me permission to do so. Click image for enlargement.

Oil on Canvas 14 X 11

There is just something incredibly awesome about the ability to thrive under extreme conditions. Having grown up on the southern coasts of the US, I simply cannot fathom what it is like to live daily in a northern climate. The whole time I painted this scene I was reminded of why I love down comforters.