Up And Running

Well, the bad news is that I had to buy a new computer a few weeks ago.  The good news is that I discovered that much of the software problems I was dealing with must have been the start of my computer dying.  With the new computer I can actually blog without much difficulty!

This year has been a very busy one for our family.  I am now represented by three galleries that are keeping me pretty busy.  As a result I didn't have time to enter any mini shows this year.  Hopefully, next year I will be able to do so.  In addition, I spent considerable time this year planting a perennial garden.  I planted may of the old favorites such as hollyhocks, zinnias, delphiniums and of course lilac trees.  I have been wanting to spend some time painting victorian inspired still life pieces and thought it would be fun to incorporate my own flowers.  I can never do anything the easy way!

Just today I mailed my last commission for Christmas presents.  As a result I cannot show my latest works for fear of messing up someones surprise.  I can however, show you my favorite work of art, my 3-1/2 week old grandson.  Isn't he beautiful?  Not that I am a proud grandmother.  No, not me.  I may have to do a miniature portrait of him.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful joy filled Christmas and safe prosperous New Year.  I can't really believe it will be 2013 in a couple of weeks.  Where does time go?

Till next time,
Gail

September? Really?


Photos listed are two new galleries where my work can be purchased.  Mackinac's Little Gallery and Crooked Tree Art Center in Petoskey, Michigan.  Please excuse this short note, but I have been unable to get my e-blogger to work correctly with the addition of Chrome needed to support it!!!






Downtown Delivery

Crooked Tree Art Center Petoskey, Michigan



Mackinac's Little Gallery

Grand Phone Call

Well, I don't ever post the same painting twice, but I have good reason. I received a phone call yesterday telling me that my painting Grand Arrival had been juried into the 2012 Mackinac Island Art Exhibit that will take place this summer at the Manoogian Museum on the island. The theme for this exhibit is the Grand Hotel in honor of its 125th birthday. I was completely blown away to learn that their were 80 entries and only 15 were chosen for the exhibit, mine being one of them!!! The best part is that their are six cash prizes to be announced in June. Wish me luck!

Artists Of Mackinac Island

I am pleased to announce that I have been invited to participate in an exhibition at the Crooked Tree Art Center in Petoskey, Michigan, entitled Artists of Mackinac Island. The Crooked Tree Center is the premiere gallery in Northern Michigan for visual and performing arts as well as educational programs. This exhibition will encompass both main galleries and run from June 2nd through September 2nd. More details as they become available.

Beginning in May, I will also have a new gallery representing my work. I am very excited about this opportunity! I will be sharing the details of this gallery in a later blog.

Till next time,

Thanksgiving Time

Time is flying by as usual. I have been keeping very busy with several commissions for Christmas presents. Since they are presents, I don't feel I can post them at this time. I would hate to spoil someone's surprise.

I was very honored to learn that my painting Eastern Market Morn won honorable mention at the Scarab Club Gold Medal show this past week. Competition includes some of Detroit's finest artists. It is always heartwarming to have a miniature stand up to the big boys!

Thanksgiving at our house this year was very quiet. My husband had some extensive surgery a week before Thanksgiving and wasn't up to much of anything. That was OK. In Michigan we have a bavarian town about 45 minutes from our home that is noted for great chicken dinners. We we fortunate to have our son pick up a carry out of chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing-the whole works! All we had to do was heat and serve. We spent the day in front of the fireplace eating and watching old movies. Quite relaxing.

This year I am thankful for many things, especially that my husband is on the mend. Yesterday we starting putting up Christmas decorations. I love the extra lights this time of year. The weather here has been quite dreary with pouring rain the last couple of days.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday week and able to spend quality time with relatives.

Till next time,

Where Do I Begin?

My backyard, wow, most leaves are down!

Wow, where to begin after not updating in so long? I am not even going to try to describe all that we have done since June. Well, we did finish the front lawn, actually just last week as every time we put sod down, it would burn up before it finally knitted to the soil. So, we gave up until a couple of weeks ago. Glad it is over.

My husband and I made several trips to both Mackinac Island and Elk Rapids to paint in front of my galleries. We met many wonderful friends along the way. We still have one more trip to Mackinac Island and will be staying on the island for two days due to a gift certificate from an artist friend.

Below are just some of the paintings I have completed over the summer. Till next time,

Hollyhock Heaven 3-1/2" x 4-3/4"

Carriage House 3-1/2" x 4-3/4"

Grand Fountain 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"

So What Have You Been Doing For Fun?

It has been quite a while since my last post and we have been busy. Already this year we have spent time on Mackinac Island. My dear husband bought me a new bike ,on the island for mothers day. I love it! It is called a Biria, very unique design that reminds me a lot of the bike I had when I was a girl. We were having so much fun riding around on the island I did not take any pictures-go figure.
Weather the last few weeks has been strange. Lots of 50 degree days with buckets of rain. Finally, we got some warm weather and sun. With it came a ton of work around our house. Last fall we had an issue with one of the walls of our home and basically I had more bulldozers on my lawn than on the road. Bottom line-I lost most of my lawn and flower garden-uh!!! Three weeks ago we guilted our two grown children into helping us and we stripped off the old lawn/weeds and laid down new sod on about half the lawn. My back has been killing me ever since. Hopefully, in the next week or so we will have the job done. I can't wait.

In between all the yard work we spent a day in Elk Rapids and I painted for my gallery there, Twisted Fish. It was their Art Beat gallery hopping day. The weather was wonderful and I met many wonderful people. I always enjoy talking the Bob and "Charlie", the owners who have become friends over the years.

I will be camping this coming weekend in Mackinaw City and painting on the island at Victorian Summer Gallery ,Saturday and Sunday, as part of the Lilac Festival Celebration. I am looking forward to seeing the many friends I have made on the island as well as meeting new friends. The kids will get watering duty back home! I will be delivering Rain On Main, one of my latest pieces of Main Street, taken from a photo of a very rainy fall day. I was inspired to paint this scene because of the reflections on the pavement. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Till next time,

Gail