Spring is finally here–I think! It seems that we had the April showers last week, and now the winds are in full blast. I sat at two softball games this week, freezing to death in a strong north wind! You would have thought that a major snow storm would have followed it in. It has now settled to a brisk breeze, but I don’t think I’ve really warmed up yet! I am warming up to some garden art though. I haven’t quite got ready to plant flowers outside–I think we could still get a freeze, maybe a snow! but it’s not too early to plant art in the garden to brighten any spot.
This is a picture of one of the rooster windows that features a black copper maran cock.
I’ve also been painting old wooden windows with flowers and roosters to hang indoors or out. The shabby chic windows are beautiful hanging on your wooden fence or brick garden wall. They are a great way to brighten your garden while waiting for those annuals to fill the garden with beautiful blooms. So far I’ve painted a rooster, poppies, hollyhocks, and sunflowers. These paintings and bells are available in my gallery–Sentosa–#102 in East Wing of the Galleries at Sunset (3701 Plains Blvd, Amarillo, TX). I’m there most days, but you can call 806 676-1733 just to be sure–sometimes I am out working on a project or painting outdoors or at a ballgame–our grand-daughter Bailey’s softball team is in the playoffs. All of the galleries will be open Friday, May 7th for the First Friday Art Walk from 5-9 pm.
Studio Sentosa is really something to crow about. I don’t know when I’ve been so excited. Even though I’ve shared a studio/gallery with two artists at Sunset Center for about 3 years, I am so excited to have Studio Sentosa at #102 on the east wing of The Galleries at Sunset. I recently painted a series of roosters and chickens. I started with the big fiberglass rooster I saw at a flea market in Sedona. My friends thought I was crazy for painting it, but it was just for fun–and for the memories. As a child growing up in Amarillo, Myer’s Fried Chicken was a favorite restaurant for our family. When they moved to the big restaurant on Georgia, they had a rooster almost like this one–I took a little artistic license and this rooster is really crowing! As we drove into that flea market, I could smell the chicken, taste that yellow gravy they served, and remembered the flags we rose when we needed a refill from the waitress. It was a treat for us to go out to eat after church–I’m not sure our grandchildren see going out to eat as such a special occasion, but it was for us and this special rooster reminded me of those special family times.
This week I’m painting in a workshop with Jack Sorenson. I went to elementary school with Jack and his brother Mike was my first boyfriend back in 1st grade. He grew up on the rim of Palo Duro Canyon at Six Gun City, a tourist attraction that showed the wild west as it was years ago. Jack had a natural talent for drawing and is vying for the top of the field among those cowboy and western artists. His sense of humor often comes out in his paintings and they tell a story through the landscape, people, and animals that find their way onto his canvas. Jack is a true storyteller, but he uses his paints and brushes where authors use words. In this case–a picture is really worth a thousand words. Every person who sees the painting is able to write their own story. In every workshop, I learn something. But a truly great teacher gives you much more. Jack does so much to build the knowledge of his students and help us to know the elements of form that will make our paintings please others. But what he does best as a teacher is to instill confidence in his students. He makes you feel so good about what you are doing. He makes you a better artist because he gives you the encouragement you need to go to the next level as an artist. If you ever get a chance to meet Jack Sorenson –don’t let it pass you by. He’s a great artist–but even more, he’s a great guy, and I so appreciate him giving us his time and expertise during this week. I’m attaching the work I finished today. This study is a young man, Jake with his horse. He found some sweet feed to treat him with and put it in his hat! What a treat after a long, hot ride. It’s another moment in time I’m trying to capture! Let me know how I did!
