Winner of August Giveaway

Only 9 people were entered this month for my giveaway. I still chose the winner by google random checker. Number 4 came up and that person is Yvette from the blog "In so Many Words" . Congratulations Yvette! Thanks for taking an interest in my blog and my paintings. Catherine

Borrowed and Blue

I am really loving this blue lately. Here is another piece 11x14 done with acrylics on stretched canvas. The sides have been painted so no frame is needed but I feel my work looks so lovely when you frame it right. I actually enjoy framing. The story here is that his gal in the mirror is getting married in Manhattan. She is trying on her gown and her mother has left her something borrowed, pearls, and the room is of course blue.

The Botanical Queen

I adore art from the Renaissance period. I love the rich colors, beautiful clothing and landscapes. This is where my inspiration came for "The Botanical Queen. " She isn't based on anyone I know but she is contemplative yet peaceful. Although she is Queen, she chooses to pick her own flowers from the royal garden.

This new painting is 16x20 painted on linen and cotton. The sides have been painted so no frame is needed. For sale in my Etsy shop soon. Long Live The Queen.

Sister's Harbor

This Thursday I am participating in The Ogunquit Art Show in downtown Ogunquit ME. Sister number 3, Susan, lives in York which is right down the street and will be helping me for the day. I 've never done this show so I am not sure what to expect but Ogunquit is beautiful and a very hip little town. Susan, sister number 3 , (out of the five I have), owns a wonderful Italian restaurant called "Pece Kitchen" close by in Portsmouth N. H. Portsmouth is another great seaside town. This painting is called "Sister's Harbor." The quaint little harbor in the background is actually in Portsmouth. ( but my five sisters don't really look like that!)

Don't forget about my fine art giveaway. Saturday the 28th is the drawing. To participate simply leave a comment about your favorite flower and and a way to be contacted on this blog. I will be posting two new paintings early this week. I am really excited about them. They are taking me a bit longer than I planned~ as usual.

Villa August

I confess I am a magazine junkie. I think I must have every house and garden magazine ever published starting from about 2000 on. Thumbing through any of them jump starts my inspiration instantly. I especially loved and miss "House and Garden." I saw this Villa in one of them from 2003.

This little number is 8x10 done on stretched cotton and linen. I am feeling more yellow and gray these days. Really. Sides have been painted so no frame is needed. For sale soon in my Etsy shop.

August Giveaway

I meant to post this last night. I have decided to stick with another framed fine art print for August. This reproduction is from my original painting, "Sweet William," which I believe has found a nice home in Texas. Speaking of Sweet William, I noticed mine coming back again in my overgrown but good intentioned garden. Looks more like Grey Gardens if you know what I mean! I have become a huge fan of Chinoiserie items over the past few years and love to incorporate them into my work.

All you have to do to be entered into my Giveaway is to leave a comment here about your favorite flower. That's it. I will pick the winner on Saturday August 28th.

I am getting ready for an art show in Ogunquit ME for anyone who is in the area on Thursday August 26th. Please stop by and say hello!

New Painting and New Giveaway!

Well, my trusty computer of the last three years finally froze up on me for the last time. It served me well during that time. I actually feel a little sad about it. I was so comfortable using it even with all its issues. For now, I am using my husbands and another crazy laptop until I have time to get the right new one.

Here is my latest painting. No title yet but it's 11x14 done on stretched cotton and linen. For sale in my Etsy shop as soon as I come up with a suitable title for it. Any ideas let me know!

I will be posting my Giveaway later tonight. Time to make dinner first. I hate the thought of putting on the oven in this heat but home made pizza it is.

Reflections In The Key Of Gray

Here's is my latest love. Sorry Scott. It took me a bit longer than I thought but well worth it. You would not believe all the things that have gone on these past couple of weeks since I started this painting. If those gray walls could talk. I learned something about the word gray or grey. Gray is the American spelling of the color and grey is the English.

Reflections In The Key Of Gray is 16x20 painted on cotton and linen gallery wrapped so no need for framing but I think this one deserves a gorgeous bronzey /gold chunky frame. For sale in my Etsy shop.

Driving home from Willowbrae.

I do a lot of thinking driving home from Willowbrae. That's the street where my 16 year old son lives. I haven't mentioned him much because this is a blog about my art. But he is so much about my art. He is why I paint. every Sunday night I am in such deep thought driving back from dropping him off totally wasted from the weekend. I would describe my life as a bittersweet roller coater ride. I am sure many people can relate. It will be two years ago this August that SAM went into a residential placement. It all became too much to handle. I couldn't hold it together anymore very well. He had a good opportunity to get the services he needed. I am thankful he is close by and I am very involved in every aspect of his life. (maybe more than the school would like.)

The bitter part is that he has many physical issues which cause pain and stress to his body and he has no real way to communicate when something is wrong. Instead, he resorts to self injurious behavior that is truly heart breaking. To not know what he is feeling is the worst part as a parent because you don't know what to do. All you can do is guess and hope you figure it out.

There is a SWEET part though. I don't think I would be here writing this blog if it hadn't been for raising a child like Sam. It has given me strengthen I never new I was capable of and a perspective on life I am grateful for. I never take one glance or smile from him for granted. Unknowingly of course, he has influenced my family and friends brought people together and has kept my mother going, giving her purpose into her 80's. As difficult as it was for my two other sons growing up along side a younger brother with severe autism , it has given them insight and

a sense of compassion at such a young age.

When Sam moved to his residential school it was as if a switch was turned off and everything stopped. It was so overwhelming and even two years later it still feels strange. After time passed I felt I should go out to "work" but my husband encouraged me to just paint. Even though we were struggling financial about that same time, he kept telling me, " Keep painting. " So I did and opened an online shop, started exhibiting in art festivals and here I am. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love.

In the midst of it all I feel truly blessed and know as one door closes another window opens.

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