Since May?

Really? I haven't posted since May? That is just wrong.

I think it is time to make a checklist and go by it each day...

     School Kids..... check

     Paint Picture.... check check

     UPDATE BLOG... triple check!!!

Since May I have done several paintings. Nowhere near enough, mind you; I would be quite content to sit at my easel and paint all day all of the time! But I have painted some and I had the pleasure of attending a workshop given by my mentor, Kay Witt (Check out her latest work at her website: http://wildwolfportraits.com )

Here is a rundown of some of the work I've done this summer:

I did a portrait of my friend's late brother. She wanted it to give to her remaining brother since they were so close:

"Buttercup"
This is my daughter, Lydia, learning how buttercups make your chin yellow if you love butter. I took the reference photo at Chancellorsville Battlefield in Fredericksburg.

"Landlocked"
A family member, Derek, was diagnosed with cancer this summer. We participated in a benefit to help him and his new bride pay for his treatment. I painted these landlocked boats for the auction. The reference photo for the boats was taken by Rob McEwen.

Mrs. Rogers had wanted a portrait of her sons and their best friends for the longest time. I wish I had a better photo of this painting. It is now beautifully framed and hung over their fireplace. Kudos to Sun Studio Framing in Front Royal for a beautiful job!

"Coreopsis"
I saw these lovely yellow flowers during a walk along the Miami River in Cincinnati. They were so lovely I had to paint them!

"Mr. Joe"

His widow was missing him so badly, so I painted this portrait of Mr. Joe to help bring her some comfort and help him stay near to her.

"Sunrise at the Outer Banks"
I love fiery sunrise pictures. I take so many of them any time I am near the beach. The reference photo was taken several years ago at Kill Devil Hills, NC.

"Stephen"
This is my son, Stephen. I took the reference photo for this picture about 4 years ago. He is now a tall teenager! When I painted this, I was so afraid to do the freckles for fear of making it look like he had chickenpox! I think it turned out very well, though. I cannot wait to get it framed!

"Sunset Over the Blue Ridge"
These mountains are probably my favorite landscape subject of all. Living here in the Shenandoah Valley, they are always within sight. I love the amazing sunsets we can capture over them!

"Julia"
My precious sister-in-law, Julia. I took the reference photo for this portrait the same day as the one for Stephen. Something was bugging me about this painting, though, and I realized as I was getting ready to frame it that I had cut off a small part of her chin, and it was making the whole painting look wrong!  I fixed it before giving it to them (after this photo was taken, unfortunately.)

"Horse and Foal"
This is a workshop piece I completed in a class taught by my sweet friend and mentor, Kay Witt. Every time I take a class from her I learn more and more and more. May I never stop learning!

So I will do my best to come and say "HI!" a whole lot more often. Be Blessed!