It was A Dark and Creepy Night….

Go Away!

We love it when we spot an owl. Seeing two was a special treat late one  afternoon, trail riding in a wooded area of the ranch. We always carry our cameras with us on our saddles, but these two were long gone before we had a chance to capture them. This is a big painting  in oil that I have started that reminds me of that day. If we had been lucky enough to get that shot, the depth of field would have been shallow and the image pretty much out of focus and underexposed. I will never forget the eyes, though.

Renegade Handmade

T-shirt by ClothMoth

Etsy is just too much fun and I can thank MY ETSY for all the fun and letting me know what I missed!!!!! In Chicago recently Renegade Handmade had a craft show and I think I will have to be there next year. In the meantime I am following them on their blog, on twitter and where ever I can !!!!

Crowded House Poster

Paint By Number

moo

I must have a million brushes. Some are almost worn out, but I never throw ANYTHING away. You can look in my closet (if you are brave enough) and see my collection of never once worn items. Then there is my collection of pencils which include charcoal, graphite, mechanical, every shade of pastel and watercolor. My favorite is a Staedler super fine point. My collection of erasers is in a drawer by itself. Peyton is taking an art class this semester and I offered him his pick of these prize possessions. He declined my offer. He has one wooden pencil with an eraser that went through the washing machine.

credit goes to fotosearch.com

I had to google” pencil” to get a photo of this relic. My son is a no frills artist……..What he has done so far with his pencil rivals Van Gogh, Pollock and Picasso…..I am SO bad about my stuff that I almost forgot what were the primary colors. I have every shade of any color that you could imagine and feel the need to duplicate each hue in acrylic,egg tempera, goache, watercolor, pencils (see above),  oil (hmmm…..expensive, but SO YUMMY)and maybe encaustic wax in the future. Am I inspired? Yes, but I still can’t throw ANYTHING away!

It will be fine until I get into life size sculptures of all our animals, then we may have a problem…..

Debajo de Mismo Luna

I never fully understood what the true meaning of this sentence in Spanish was until I was separated from my family for too long of a period to be able to cope with it. We lost our precious brother, Russell  and are grieving still….but we are all under the same moon and that gives me peace. I painted this little tribute dedicated to that thought today…..

Bunny and Poppies

Here is the finished painting……..What do you think?

Little Bunny

I love bunnies!!!! The cottontails and jackrabbits run around the fields and are so much fun to see, but I worry about all the predators that they face. I just started this sketch of a bunny with pencils, ink and pastels. I may add some flowers before I frame it and hang it safely on my wall to enjoy forever in my home….

Painted Bunting

 

acrylic painting 8X10 inches

Painted Bunting finally finished!!!!!!

2nd Annual Wine & Art Fest to benefit Sacred Heart School

 

Bruce and Dana with female Barn Owl

The first Wine & Art Fest was held in 2006 at the Sacred Heart Church Hall and due to the large participation it was moved to the Wilson County Show barn on HWY 97 in Floresville. It was a huge success raising over $25,000.00 in funds. The guests were treated to an excellent dinner and  appetizers  including a variety of cheeses. A wonderful selection of wine and desserts topped off the night. The awesome music by “Small Town Habit” entertained us featuring local talents Charlie Franklin and his wife Crystal. One of the highlights for me was a demonstration by John Karger of Last Chance Forever bird sanctuary. He and his assistant Kelley brought a Lanner Falcon from Africa and a Barn Owl that had been orphaned at birth. Our dear friends Bruce and Betty Dueley donated art and photography which brought in several hundred dollars in the live auction. The Dueley’s joined us at the ranch for Karaoke after the event which made the night even more fun!!!!!

2008 Sacred Heart Wine Cheese & Art Festival

BJ Sonia and Dana

In January of 2008 the 3rd annual Wine Cheese and Art Festival was held at the Wilson County Show Barn in Floresville. Tom and I made some new friends  and it was great to talk to the people who bid on the artwork that we donated to the auction and see that they will really cherish their paintings especially because the proceeds are going to such a great cause. One darling Priest bought my “Golden Eagle” giclee to hang in the halls of the parochial school where he teaches in honor of their  team “The Eagles”. I was honored to sign it for him as well as other paintings bought by super nice people that probably will not just cram their paintings into a closet……One of the greatest compliments I received was from a really cool young gentleman named Sammy who told me not to ever worry about anyone else’s opinion about the value of my art because some people do not recognize a Rolex when they see it. Our friend Sandy who owns Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard made reference to Andrew Wyeth in the same sentence as her  admiration of my art. This beautiful woman is an incredibly artist  and I can only dream of being able to take lessons from her at some point in our lives…..The truth is, actually…….that, Tom and my precious Mamacita Reet LOVE my art and for that reason, I am at peace with it all.

 

Baby Peyton Pawlik

Sacred Heart Wine & Art Festival

The 4th annual benefit for Floresville’s only Catholic school was held Saturday, January 17th. The  event features a live auction, silent auction and guests are treated to appetizers, a roast beef dinner and a chocolate fountain. This year various wines were offered from the Woodrose Winery in Stonewall, Fredericksburg Winery and Grape Creek Vineyards in Fredericksburg.  Mimosas were served in beautiful hand painted glasses. Tom and I have donated art and photography the last three years. It is always a treat to see some of the precious children from the school. The proceeds exceeded $25,000.00 this year!!!!

Lou Rosenberg

Live Auction Art

 

Co-Madres painting by Dana Parish

 

Longhorn & Cactus Giclee donated by Dana Parish