Last month, I said I was behind...well, I am "catching up!"

Colors of the Rainbow 15x22

This one is pretty wild...OK OK...too many puns for a Monday morning.  This is  the fourth in the series of trout paintings.  This colorful rainbow comes from a friend of mine in Eastern Tennessee, Dr. Guy Wilson.  If you have ever reeled in a big one, the closer it gets to the net, the more splashing and crashing river ripples pick up the refracting sunlight bouncing off of the rocks and moss, the beautiful sparkles of the shiny skin...it is awesome to catch and see.  Oncorhynchus my-kiss...the scientists who named them must have loved them.  I can see how fly fishers get "hooked" on them...ok, I'll stop.  Enjoy!

@artcellargallery #artcellargallery

 It is January 3 and I am already behind.  I was going to do this last week, but I finished my 17th painting of 2018 on New Year's Eve.  Last year was a good one and 2019 is already off to a good start!
I entered two competitions last year and received recognition in both--second place (Benediction) in the Art Council of Southwest Florida 2D competition and the Pat Cathey and Dot Porter Memorial Cash Award (Happy Trails) in the Tennessee Watercolor Society Biennial event.  Now, a new year, and I have already entered two more...The Winner's Circle of ACSWF will see Benediction again and the North Carolina Artists Exhibition in Raleigh will get a look at Foggy Morning on South Holston, below.

I have entered a lot of competitions over the 40+ years I have painted.  I have kept all of the "turn down" notices just to remind me.  But after 40 years, I am enjoying painting more and I think it shows.  I am excited about 2019 and I plan to enjoy the ride!  Happy New Year, y'all!
​#artcellargallery

Sunday mornings at the Wee Kirk in Linville, you can always count on a couple of things...impressive, intellectual sermons by outstanding ministers, and the most beautiful flower arrangements done by members who are true artists.
This beauty was created by Ms. Anne Robinson.  It was full of summer colors and housed in a gently worn copper pot.  I had to put this out today for all those who are suffering from Michael and his wrath...and whatever else has got you feeling the blues...just add some yellows, oranges, violet-blue and rose madder...Anne, I hope I did you justice and that it brings some joy to all!

Yes, time to pack it up and make the move that I have made since 2011...follow the sun.
I'll miss the colors of Fall this year, but I won't miss the rain we've had this Summer.  It seems to take me a month to re-settle.  From the time I pack my "studio" up until I reopen down South, several weeks will pass.  This year, however, I am ready.  I have a half-dozen pieces drawn and ready to start...that's new.  
Speaking of new, I just posted three new pieces: Shades of Gray, RFD, and Shade Tree, all at The Art Cellar. These three will help me remember this beautiful, friendly place when the winter winds begin to blow. 

RFD, 15x22 watercolor on 300lb. paper

"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently?  And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again."
​Lewis Carroll

It is Graduation Day at Mayland CC in Newland, NC!
These brave souls (and two others who had commitments today) took classes on consecutive Tuesdays to expand their artsy ways with watercolor.  

Watercolor is challenging.  It is always good to have "friends" to share your ideas, creative dreams, and, yes, frustrations with this medium.  I had much more fun than they did, but several of them just needed to hear someone else say, "WOW!"  And, I do that very well, I think.
When I first got serious about painting with watercolor, I didn't have that.  You need it.  Someone who does it regularly...who has had some success and many failures...and wants to help you win.  For me, it was Fred Rawlinson.  My super talented mentor, hero, and corn-ball jokester.  I spent 10 years with him on Saturdays.  I have the spiral notebooks and the colored ribbons to prove it. 
So, when asked, I try to give back what Fred gave me.  And today, I watched three graduates march down the aisle.  One gave me a sunset with beautiful reflections on a lake; one gave me a fond memory of a giant sunflower, a pet bull, and a self-portrait; and another gave me a sweet, lonesome dog in a window longing for a companion...oh, and lemon-blueberry cake with decaf coffee and cream.  
Summer school can be fun...

"Happy Trails...Love Dale and Roy"
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This old rusty gate caught my attention on the road between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis in North Carolina. I thought the pink (Dale/Buttermilk) and white (Roy/Trigger) oat buckets just made the scene and caught the juror's eye for the TnWS (Tennessee Watercolor Society) "Pat and Dot Porter Memorial Award" donated by Anne and Rich Bagby!  2018 has been a painter's dream...entered two competitions (Art Council of Southwest Florida) and won an award in both.  TnWS is especially satisfying since my mentor, Fred Rawlinson also won.  He encouraged me to join back in the early 2000s and after being accepted in three shows, I earned Signature Artist status.  Now, a winner!

"Benediction"
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This beauty won second place in the 2-D division of the competition.  I was attending an event at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club.  I was looking out the windows when...WOW...an incredible sunset caught my attention.  I went outside on the back patios and took a half dozen photos with my phone.  Satisfied that I had something, I tried to go back inside and I had locked myself out!  Thank goodness the waiters inside did not feel threatened by me and let me back inside...you never know when you might find a WINNER!

So, I got started and just couldn't stop!!!  This month has been a winner.  I finished two oil paintings (see below) and a third one will be signed this week.
I got notices from two of the three juror exhibitions that I was IN (TnWS and ACSWF), and that ACSWF had honored my painting, "Benediction," with a finalist prize and I will pick that up Tuesday at the Marco Island Art Museum...what else? I plan teach beginning and intermediate watercolor classes at Mayland Community College again this summer, but on the Newland (NC) campus.  Oh, and one last thing...in a few weeks, I will be part of an exhibition at the Moorings Presbyterian Church "Expressions of Faith" show staged by the Moorings Art Guild.  I am particularly happy about one of those paintings, "Crossroad to Valle Crucis."  Later this week, I will show you why...
Now, enjoy "Green Tangerine" and "Sweet and Sour."
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January is over, well, my calendar watch is about to role over to "1" so I guess February is near.  I finished five paintings this month!  Five, all watercolors and two of them got the blessing of my mentor, Fred Rawlinson!  Garsh, Bubba, thanks.  It is a blessing to have Fred to look at what I am doing and tell me when my "baby is ugly."  Well, if you know Fred, you know he would never do that, but his approval means more to me than a "participation trophy."
Sticking with the water theme, I just uploaded three of the five:  Sunset, Rainbow and Brown.  Enjoy!

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The first week of 2018 isn't quite done...and for a change...I have finished my first painting of the year!  Yoohoo!
"December Drifter" features a stream below Grandfather Mountain where I hiked several years ago.  The meandering stream with boulders and leafless trees is home to some of the native species of trout and a "sneaky" fly fisher, who looks curiously like our son Chad.  He has never fished this stream (which is on park land) but what the heck, I used a little imagination.
I hope everyone has a great year, healthy and happy.  Oh, and take the time this year to stop when you see something like this that catches your eye...it may turn into a painting!

The last time I posted was the beginning of October!
Well...I've been busy.  Attended my 50th Reunion in Memphis; packed and traveled to Florida; unpacked and settled in Florida; got the studio set up and began to paint.  Only working on five at a time!
Here is the first one, just in time for Christmas, "Riffles and Pools."

I found this river hiking in NC two years ago...the fisherman was actually fishing on another river (but he looks better on this one).  Standing on a stream, you can see the current moving along, the riffles are the "white" water and those riffles empty into pools, the calmer water.  Trout can be found in both, looking for their next meal. It reminds me of a trip our son Chad and I took to Montana a few years ago.  We had fished one day and the next was rainy and cold.  We told our young guide and college student we thought we would just stay in that day or see Bozeman.He looked at us with a big question mark on his face and said..."Trout gotta eat!?"  We went fishing...of course.
Feeling great and looking forward to finishing the other four!
​Merry Christmas, Y'all!