Hello Sunshine

Another Fifi Inspiration

Perusing a recent issue of the charming Romantic Country magazine, one particular article and a photo in it really caught my eye. That enchanting photo swirled around in my head for days and finally became the inspiration for this new painting I've just completed, "Music of the Night."

The magazine article was called "Moonstruck" and, would you believe, the photos pictured were taken in the garden of that wonderful cottage I painted years ago (see my post of September 2).  The garden belongs to none other than Fifi, my new acquaintance, who is editor of Romantic Country Magazine and now my neighbor too. Serendipity is really something!

I grew beautiful Angel Trumpet flowers when I lived in New Smyrna Beach and cars going by would stop to look and ask what they were.  We had such interest that we potted up some starts and just gave them out to those who inquired. We never realized that " their musky fragrance permeates the night garden," to quote Fifi.  I think the evening breezes off the ocean there just blew the fragrance away too quickly.

Well, now I have another new painting for my exhibit that is coming up this very Friday. My dear husband says he thinks this new creation is one of my best ever!  Wow. 

Excuse me, it's back to the drawing board - my deadlines are approaching.

 

An Exhibit!!

Several days ago (see my post on August 26th) I showed you a sunflower painting in progress.  Well, here's the finished piece, painted entirely in acrylics. I'm in a production mode, for sure!

The lights are staying on late a lot in my studio these days - and for good reason.  I have been given the wonderful opportunity to exhibit my work at the monthly Third Friday Art Walk in Towles Court, the neat historic arts community in downtown Sarasota.

My promoter, Laura Gilkey, has been giving this upcoming event amazing coverage in many ways, including on her blogspot (www.kangaroopromotions.blogspot.com).  Check out all the PR she has created for me on this site!  Also, she has arranged for a feature article about my art to appear in the Herald Tribune right before the show.

We have designed an awesome display setting for that evening using gauzy fabric, twinkle lights and lots of potted tropical plants (Laura's husband Michael is a landscape architect who heads company operations for Sarasota's leading landscape design firm, Michael A. Gilkey, Inc.). The Laughing Monkey Gallery on Links Avenue has provided me a top notch location to exhibit.

Back at the drawing board, I am tackling a series of three fern paintings.  I used a woodcut (I've had it for ages and never used it)to make a border in watercolor on the bottom of each painting and then painted in some pale background reeds. There will be three varieties of ferns - Wood, Walking and Boston.  I am taking a lot of "artistic license" here.

These are traditional watercolors on paper that I will mount onto canvas.  Think I'll do a funky colorful pattern on the border in acrylic paint. Stay tuned for the finished pieces.

A Fifi Encounter!!

Last week I enjoyed reading a great post featuring a home photo shoot for a major home decorating magazine. The post was written by Kim McCole for her charming blogspot called "deardaisycottage."  By the way, "dear daisy cottage" was the first blog I discovered and the one that piqued my desire to have a blog of my own.  The post featured great snapshots, beautifully styled, of Kim's charming 1923 cottage.

As I read along, Kim introduced Fifi , the stylist/writer/magazine editor, who was there to direct the shoot and write the piece for the magazine.  Fifi sounded and looked fascinating and I immediately linked to her blog "Chez Fifi" to learn more.

And did I ever get a surprise!  As I perused the site I came upon photos of Fifi's own charming 1920's cottage.  Under her heading, "My Nest," was a photo of a cottage I recognized.  I had painted a watercolor of it sometime ago. What an amazing coincidence!

Before I go on let me back up for a moment.......  Quite a few years ago when I was doing many outdoor juried art shows, we (myself and my sweet husband) would park our motor home in my daughter Elizabeth's driveway for a week or two while I painted and got ready for the next show.

One summer, I was captivated by a darling one-of-a-kind cottage that we drove by frequently on a street next to Elizabeth's. Each time we drove by I would slow down and, just for a second or two, "soak in" the ambiance it exuded, always noticing some unique detail I had previously missed.

Finally, I came to the conclusion that this cottage was a painting waiting to happen.  I took some snaps of it (it was too hot to even think of asking if I could sit in the yard) and  began  painting a wonderful, joyous watercolor. The finished piece was framed and subsequently sold.  I thought  that was the end of the story ....... but not so!

My painting was of Fifi's house and now I live just around the corner from it.  I e-mailed Fifi a picture of my painting and she confirmed that it was indeed her lovely cottage. The exterior is currently a different color palette(see her blog), but what else would you expect from this "cool and trendy" artist. 

Obviously, my destiny has been to meet Fifi ........for yesterday as I was shopping at Michaels Voila!! Fifi walked right in front of me.  I introduced myself and we had great conversation.

Am I not the luckiest.