Happy 2010

SOLD  The color in this painting is so cheery, it had to be a part of my New Year's greeting. It is an 11x14 painting of a dinghy docked in the river in Exeter. I took the photo in the summertime, turned it into black and white, and then painted using color combinations that really intrigued me. The painting is now "docked" in a home of full of thoughtfulness.

As for 2009 and 2010, I can hardly describe the kind of wonderful holiday season and New Year my family has had. As I get older, I love and appreciate things so much more...  honest sincere growth encourages me to weed out the insignificant.  I was lucky enough to spend wonderful moments with my children and husband and take goofy pictures on which we will always look back and laugh, ... Incredible friends and a wonderful neighborhood enrich my life everyday, and I have two nephews who are planning weddings in VA and NC. "Skype" allowed me to visit with long-distance family over the holidays. Art adventures opened new doors. Little things like sharing a cup of tea with a friend in front of a tiny woodstove made chilly days perfect. My family also had some sadder moments this year, as all families have, but those events tend to decrease the miles and draw loved ones closer.

Thank you all for being a part of this year and for allowing me to share my color and thoughts with you. I wish you a warm 2010 and hope you all have many wonderful journeys ahead in happy blue waters.

Marsh near the Trees

SOLD One of my favorite things to paint is a loose landscape... the possibilities of composition and color are endless. And what I really love about the process is how the human eye will complete a thought. Sometimes all the details aren't exactly as they would appear in life or the colors are vastly different from reality, but your eye wants to create a perfect place or feeling. And really ...all that matters is how you feel about what you are seeing in the moment. This painting is a 30x40 acrylic on canvas that was on exhibit at The Willow in downtown Exeter. It has now found a warm home for the holidays. Ten of my paintings are currently on exhibit there.
Be sure and get to Exeter this Thursday for huge dose of charming New England holiday celebrations.... the tree lighting, the downtown shops filled with gifts, the Festival of Trees, the Holiday Art Show on the second floor of the old town hall, Santa, hayrides and much more.
Then on Saturday and Sunday, join the 75 artists at the Button Factory on Islington Street in Portsmouth. It is packed ...and ...fun.
Kind warm wishes to you and your family this holiday season.
Rose

Thank you for coming...

Thank you to everyone who stopped in at our open house this past weekend. It was great to see and chat with all of you. A friend who dropped by sent this note... so sweet. That's one of the great things about art... when you share a color, an image or an art conversation, you make a connection that stays in your heart. Thank you also to Deb McLarnon, Lisa Cochran, Dale Atkins, Lori Martone, and Terry Braun for sharing your creativity.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...
Rose

Pink Poppies at our Open House this Friday and Saturday

SOLD A good friend of mine and I swapped perennials about five years ago at a yard sale. When she gave them to me, I literally just opened up the earth and plopped in the dense chunk of growth. Every year I think of her (actually, I think of her more often than that) as I see these wonders of nature explode. The poppies have been the topic of conversation with several neighbors... good gardening tips have been shared...tea has been sipped in anticipation while waiting for the sun and wind to force another pod open.... All these things happen because of this gift of color that sits spectacularly in my front garden. Amazing. This painting is from a photo I took this past spring. It is 16x20 and will be on exhibit this weekend at our open house... along with my 500 TINY PAINTINGS. Please, invite a friend and join us...

Looks like gift wrap!

Four of my newest paintings now hang at Divine Cafe and Grille on Lincoln Street in Exeter. They all have a similar pattern and when grouped together look like wrapping paper.... hmmmm maybe someday? Each panel is 24x36 inches so the entire piece is 4x6 feet. They fill the wall up to the second floor mezzanine in the cafe. All it needs is a big red bow! Hope you can stop in sometime to take a look. Divine is open Wednesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

My fellow open house artists (Deb, Terry, Lisa, Lori, and Dale) are getting ready for the big days November 20 and 21... We will have new art, lots of fun, and "Maurice" welcoming all at 8 Union with beverages and treats. Click on the flier for the specifics. See you soon! Have a great day and many warm cups of tea.

Rose