I pray that each visitor to my web site has a very Merry Christmas and that 2007 will bring much prosperity and success. 

"If we are growing serious, then we are in great danger of becoming

dull." I'm not sure where I ran across that quote, but it is a reminder

to not take life too seriously, instead we should enjoy it. 


I visited the Knoxville Museum of Art today where the Arts &

Culture Alliance Annual Meeting luncheon was held.  The KMA had a

delightful exhibit entitled "SubUrban" by Seonna Hong.  Her unique

style, which combines animation and painting, told the story of her

childhood.  While she is much younger than me, her look reminded

me of cartoons from my youth.  Stories of conflict, friendship,

and self help are woven into the seemingly simplistic images, but she

shows us that children are resilent and their  experiences pave

the transition into adulthood.


I am reminded to embrace my inner child and to live, learn and grow and

not be so darned serious all of the time.   It might even

help lower my cholesterol. The image shown is of my grandson and my loveable dog Ginger, who has since gone on to doggie heaven.


I came home and worked on a painting of red tulips.  While it is not cartoons, it is bright and cheery.



No photo yet available of the tulips but I'll show one of my favoite
paintings.  It is of my grandson and my dog, Ginger, who has since gone
to doggie heaven. This reminds me to appreciate every moment.

This past weekend was really delightful.  My show went well, which is always a plus, but more importantly, I got to visit with family, friends and meet new friends.

I have been reading The Purpose Driven Life which really puts our own being in perspective.  I also know that things happen for a reason.  God put a person in my path on Friday that blessed me and I know she benefited as well.  This was not a coincidence. We were there for a purpose. 

This show was the 3rd annual for our ARTS group.  Thirteen artists exhibited in the lovely Arts & Heritage Center in Rutledge, TN, also known as the Nance House.  It is a lovely federal style home that was saved from the wrecking ball thanks to grants and the efforts of several concerned citizens. 
One of the paintings that I sold was a plein aire study of an old tree in the garden. 

We traveled to my uncle's in Greeneville, TN on Sunday to celebrate Christmas with the Kirkpatrick family. What a wonderful time!!  The food was delicious, but the fellowship was even better!  That is the best part of the holidays.
Plus, I got to show off the book, "The Legend and Legacy of Lee", by David Chaltas that has my painting, "Hour of Decision" on the cover.   How's that for shameless self promotion.

To blog or not to blog...that is the question.  My appologies to


Shakespeare, but I'm sure if he were alive today, he would be


blogging. 



This Friday and Saturday our Grainger County ARTS group will have the


2nd annual "Old Time Christmas" festival.  Last year's event was


well received and while we don't have the same feature publicity the


news media graciously gave us then, I expect it to be well attended.



Oil paintings of birds have been good for me and one of my feature


paintings for the holiday season is Winter Blues, a sweet little blue


bird, caught in an early snow storm.  I think it is rather


appropriate for this first post, as there is a chance for snow in the


forecast.