Snowmen Do Everything

 

 

 

Jacksonville Florida Here I come.

I am excited to say the San Marco's Art Festival is finally here.  I will be heading to Jacksonville for this weekend's show.  I have been looking forward to this event all year.  If you are in the area please drop in and see me.  The show is Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 - 5:00.  Best of all, it has FREE admission.  Just look for me on San Marco's Boulevard. 

3x6 Mini Canvas

Navigational Address
1971 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL 32207

I have a few new pieces since the Destin exhibit.  Some are Christmas and some are not.  I think you will like them. 

Thank you Destin Festival Art Fans





Goldfish



Thank You to everyone who came out to the Destin Art Festival and braved the windy conditions to help support me! It was a great experience and I look forward to doing it again next year. Special Thanks to Mike and Chris for being my muscle to build and tear down my exhibit. The Goldfish painting here was by far the crowd favorite in my booth.  I agree the vibrant colors make it one of my favorites too.

Please keep checking your mailboxes for future flyers!

Goldfish Painting

24x24 Acrylic Canvas, Framed $440.00 USD 10x10 Giclee Archival Watercolor Print, with white mat $20.00 USD 6x6 Giclee Archival Watercolor Print, with white mat $15.00 USD

Festival of the Arts this Weekend



Yellow Rose
11x14 Watercolor



You are invited to the Destin Festival of the Arts at Henderson Beach State Park, Destin, Florida this Saturday & Sunday, October 27 & 28th. I have been told that the weather is going to be perfect.  0% chance of rain and 80 degrees.  We will see if the weather man is right as I plan to get more beach photographs for new projects for 2013.

If you have never been to the Festival of the Arts be prepared to have ALL your senses tantalized.  There will be live music, bistro-style food court, a Kid's ArtShop, and over a100 artists representing their works from all over the United States, as well as local artists and students. 

Don't worry about parking as there is shuttle service from several locations around the city.  Check out their web site for additional information and directions at http://mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/destinFestival.htm

Festival hours and admission

Saturday, October 27:  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 28: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

$3 Donation, children under 12 free.

Come see how I measure up.



Measuring Spoons
8x10 Oil on Canvas



Happy Halloween



3 Candy Corn
6x6 Gallery Wrapped Canvas



I love this time of year.  The cooler weather and of course Halloween.  This year it got here before I was ready.  I have not even had time to make my normal "bone" cookies (The merange cookie that melts in your mouth).  That is one of my favorite Halloween treats, well that along with candy corn.  Now I am not your normal Halloween fan, as I do not like the goary or scarry but I do like dressing up the house with some of my humorous and light hearted things.  Like the candy corn you see here.  Or maybe the skinny necked Dracula.. What do you like most about Halloween?  For me it is the time with friends and family when we can laugh and get away from all the seriousness of life.

Frankie & His Bride
6x6 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Dracula
6x6 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

 



Boo Ghost
5x7



Reminder...

For all you art lovers, it is almost time for the Destin's Festival of Arts in Destin, Florida, sponsored by Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation.  I hope you are able come see me and the other participants.  I will be in Booth 87.

"Destin Waters"
16x20

Join me at the Destin Festival of the Arts. 

Saturday, October 27 – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, October 28 – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
$3 Donation/Adult and children under 12 free

@ Henderson Beach State Park, Highway 98, Destin, FL.

There is Shuttle service available from several locations around Destin.  For information and directions check out their Web-site http://www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/destinFestival.htm

Summer Paintings



Goldfish 24x24 Oil



     I do not know where this Summer went, but it just flew for me.  I am posting this entry as Summer Paintings.  While some are things you might see each Summer, this is just my way of showing you the latest paintings I did Summer 2012.

    I never know what inspiration will strike and as you will see from the photographs of the art it was a little whimsy and a little serious. I hope you enjoy them.  I am preparing them for frames and will be available in my fall shows. 

     Speaking of Fall Shows, I have also been accepted in the San Marcos Art Festival in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday and Sunday, November 17 & 18th.  Please come see me if you are in the area.





Sunflower 12x16 Oil





Tabasco 12x12







Old Glory 8x16 Oil



Cherries 16x20



Dog Pull Toy 8x10



Watermellon Slice 12x12



 

Waterlily 16x20



Save the Date



3 Carrots
12x24 Acrylic on Canvas



I am very happy to report being accepted into the 17th Annual Destin Festival of the Art's on October 27 & 28, 2012.  Hosted by Mattie Kelly Art Foundation.  I hope you will be able to come to the Festival.  It is at beautiful Henderson Beach State Park on the Gulf in Destin, Florida.  I am busy working on new projects for this event.  Here are a couple of examples of the paintings I will have available.  I will try to keep you updated with new pieces from time to time.  So check back to see what new art has been created. You never know what inspiration will hit me.  These two pieces were due to a trip to one of my favorite stops in Destin, The Fresh Market.  The Fresh Market always 

2 Eggplants
8x8 Oil on Panel

has something I want.  I went looking for Sunflowers.  I guess it is too early yet for those. However, these fresh vegetables caught my eye.  Next trip I am getting flowers.  I promise.

Ants on a Log



Ants on a Log
16 x 20 Oil on Canvas



Peanut Butter was my inspiration to this piece.   I have been reflecting alot lately and I guess I am getting nastalgic.  As Peanut Butter is one of my  favorite childhood memories.  Did your Mom ever make you Ants on a Log for your afternoon snack?  These were some of my favorite after school snacks.  Although most of the time we just had the Log.  Ants were a big treat.  We also enjoyed making Peanut Butter mixed with syrup that we spread on saltine crackers.  The salty sweet was awesome.   Back then I did not even know that I was mixing a gourmet treat.  If we had added some cayenne pepper we would have had what"Trader Vicks" is famos for.

I am working towards a fall show where I am suppose to exhibit the unusual "one offs".  I hope I am not the only one that likes Peanut Butter.

I have copies of this, if the 16x20 is too large for your space.  I have archival watercolor prints today in either 5x7 or 11x14. 

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Well if you are an artist you take those lemons and turn it into a painting.  This is the first of a series I plan to create.  My dear Husband has been grocery shopping and surprised me with a bag full. 

I hope you will have the same feelings that my daughter in law had when she saw it for the first time.  Her comment was so well put that I will share it with you.  She said "You know how when you get a taste of a lemon and your saliva comes from underneath your tongue and it feels hot.....Yeah, just got that." 



Lemons in Mexican Pottery Bowl
16x20 Oil

 Those of you that have known me for years know I have always been a big fan of Yellow.  Lemons are the yellow that I like in my kitchen.  They remind me of a bright Sunshiny Day.  In fact, I believe my Mom has a photograph that my Dad took of me when I was very young with a cut lemon that I was eating.  Even thought it was in Black& White it still make me think of Sunshine and Happiness.  That is what Lemons mean to me.  Let me know if you have a favorite lemon story or photograph.  Sorry the cute photo of the babies with the "Lemon face" is out of my artistic repertoire. However, if you have others please share them with me at mdtucker1975@embarqmail.com.

Bunny Trail



Bunny
8x8 Acrylic Canvas Art Board

 Today I am in the Easter "spirit". I love spring and am trying my hands at subjects that I have never tried before.  I was inspired to paint the bunny due to the way the light hit the bunnies eye lashes.  I may go back and add a few final touches, I want to try to capture that moment of warm sunshine on his fur.  However,I thought I would share with you now, to help get your Easter week started with come color. 



Easter Basket
8x8 Oil Canvas Art Board

 Sorry about the white specks.  It is due to the oil paint still being wet.  The camera does not like capturing the true view.  I guess it is so dark it see an "absence" of color thus making it white.  The photo really does not capture the luminosity the piece has.  Happy Easter!  My the Easter bunny find you where ever you are.

And the Winner is....

Dragonfly
6x6 Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Congratulations to Leslie August!  She has won my free 6x6 original painting that she signed up for at the Milton Riverwalk Festival.  Leslie has chosen the Dragon Fly painting (left) and it will be shipped to her this week.  Thank you everyone for participating.  If this was one of your favorites too and would like me to paint one for you just let me know.

Art Award

Milton Riverwalk Festival
March 24 & 25, 2012
Award of Merit

As most of you know I went to the Milton Riverwalk Festival on Saturday & Sunday, March 24&25th.  Much to my surprise I was one of the award winners.  I received "An Award of Merit" for my acrylic painting "Colorful Bell Peppers".  I was a great weekend and I met a lot of art lovers.  It was great to hear their comments and critiques. I look forward to doing this again. 

I must thank my dear husband, Mike, for all the help.  Without him I would not have been able to get things together in time.  It was truly a joint venture.  I'm sorry I could not get a photo of him...he is really camera shy. 

I would also like to thank all the visitors to my booth without you my day would have been awful.  In my next post I will announce the winner of my 6x6 painting.  So until next time...

Riverwalk Art Festival...Here I come!

Just a quick reminder this weekend is the Riverwalk Art Festival in Milton, FL.  The times are 10:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  If you are using your map it is Highway 90 and South Willing Street.  I think I will be on the south side of Highway 90, maybe along the riverbank.

Come sign up for a FREE original 6x6 painting. 

I have quite a few Archival Art Prints of some of my favorite paintings in addition to original art for sale.  Prices range from $15 up.  I will have something you have not seen before, so come check it out.  I look forward to visiting with you.

Your Invited!

You are cordially invited to join me at the Milton, Florida "Riverwalk Art Festival" next weekend.  Stop in and register for a FREE 6x6 original painting.   It is gong to be in the downtown Milton Historical District located on the banks of the Blackwater River.  The photos today are part of the inventory.  They are 3x3 or 2x3 mini canvas' with there own easel for $20.

Saturday & Sunday

March 24 & 25, 2012

10:00 am to 5:00 p.m.

Art Show News

I am thrilled to report that I have passed the jury stage and have been invited to participate in the Riverwalk Art Festival in Milton, Florida on March 24 & 25th.  I plan to hold a drawing from the folks that come to see me for one of my 6x6 Gallery Wrapped Paintings.  I have not decided if it will be a landscape, floral, still life or other subject matter.  You may want to leave me a comment today if you have a suggestion or preference.  I have lots to get done between today and that weekend.  So if you don't see or hear from me it is not that I am avoiding you, it is just that I am busy doing all those things that have to be done that are non-painting things.  I have found out that there is a lot more "stuff" to being an active artist than the actual painting time.  It is really amazing how much away from the canvas there is.  I have lots and lots of ideas for paintings but I'm not sure how much will get done before March 24th.

In the mean time...for your viewing pleasure I am inserting for your viewing pleasure one of my first paintings.  This is the painting that opened my eyes to the possibility that I could paint.  I took a class from a talented Acrylic painter,  Brenda Harris.  Some of you may have seen her on PBS stations.  She is such a joy to paint with and so willing to share her knowledge.  I also want to thank another sharing artist, Sandra Childs.  Sandra was the first teacher that exposed me to so many wonderful techniques.  She introduced me to Brenda and I often hear her voice in my head as I am painting.  Her encouragement and spirit have helped me get to where I am today.  I am so blessed to have her as my friend.

The painting is called "Slipping Away", it is sold, but I hope to have archival quality art prints available in the near future.  If possible I will have them with me at the Riverwalk Art Festival.  So please come see me and all the new things I am painting.

"Slipping Away"

11x14

Childhood Memories

 

"Buttons"

24x36, Acrylic on canvas, can be hung with or with out a frame

$650

Today's art is of my great-niece's stuffed animal.  She is a talented photographer.  I believe this shot was taken last year during her Junior year of high school and is of her favorite stuffed animal "Buttons".  When I saw her photograph it reminded me of great times when I played Hide-N-Go-Seek.  It looked as though "Buttons" had found the perfect hiding place. The sunshine streaming through the window just barely keeping enough light under the bed to keep him from being afraid of the dark but hidden never to be found and tagged out of the game.

I have had several folks tell me that it reminds them of the story of The Velveteen Rabbit.  I was not intending this piece to feel lost.  I had hoped it would bring the viewer happy memories of their own childhood.

Anna, thanks for letting me use your photograph for my artwork.  I hope you keep that shutter finding new subjects that inspire you.

First Blog ever!

Welcome to my first blog.  This is a new experience for me and I will probably make lots of revisions along the way. I will begin this blog with my 2012 New Year's resolution.  It was to be more active and professional in my art this year.  This blog is one of the first steps towards becoming the artist I want to be.  I will be sharing my art from this location so stop in from time to time to see my newest paintings.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting and painting along with two very talented artists and 35 fellow painters in Atlanta, GA,  Dreama  Tolle Perry and Leslie Saeta have inspired me to begin this blogging journey and share it with you.  I must give both of them my sincere gratitude for all there shared knowledge and talents.  You must check out there work when you have an opportunity.  I absolutely love their since of color.  I will show my paintings from that week in a few days, they are still drying so getting photographs at this time is difficult.  I need to photograph them when the sun is shinning and they are dry to the touch so that I can handle them.  As you may or may not know oil paint take months to dry completely depending on the thickness of the application.

I feel I learned allot about working with oil paints last week and cannot wait to create new painting with this new technique.  An maybe I will try it in Acrylics too.

Today's painting (above) is a 20x24 canvas painted in acrylic.  This was done before my trip.  As you can see my love of flowers has not changed.  I was told that when you paint things that you are passionate about that it shows in your art.  I may not be able to grow flowers (no green thumb) but maybe I can paint one or two that will bring a little sunshine in to your day and maybe a smile too.

I hope you will follow along with me on this painting journey.....