Awwwww

We got up at zero dark 30 this morning and arrived at L&M Ranch in La Veta by 9:00 where we were warmly welcomed by the farm dogs and Liorah. It is lambing season and I got to take photos of all the Dorper and Royal White sheep and their little lambs until both my batteries gave up the ghost and I had to quit. It was heaven! I never felt the cold and enjoyed every minute.  Thank you, Liorah! 

Many paintings are sure to follow. Stay tuned.

The "Advil" time of year

I heard a story this year at a Christmas Eve eve service. 
     "A little boy was asked if he knew what the name was for this special time of the year.
     He quickly replied, Of course, it's called Advil." 
What he meant was Advent, but there was still some truth to his answer.

We get busy ... dare I say overwhelmed with all that needs to be done and all that we think needs to be done.  There are trees, decorations and lights to buy and put up. There are gifts to buy, wrap, and mail. Cards to write and address, and send.  Food to plan, make and serve. Then dishes to wash and more dishes to wash.  AND then we get to undo everything and put our house back to "normal."



LEFT: Adoration of the Shepherds - Lorenzo Lotto
RIGHT: Detail


I hope you had a little spare time to reflect, be still and enjoy.  Hopefully you heard from friends across the miles and enjoyed catching up. Perhaps you shared a text and picture of your Christmas with someone who cares. Maybe like me you sat quietly and enjoyed the centuries old Christmas carols played on a pipe organ and heard the telling of the Christmas story once again.


I also got to experience the beauty of the Christmas story in art this season.  My friend, Sara, shared a "new" (to me) old painting that has a very special appeal.  I'm passing it on to you.  I hope you appreciate and enjoy it too.


Stay tuned...it just might become one of my paintings next year. I have a vision for this one.

Made My Mother's Day

"Tender Moment" 20x24  $3200

Today is Mother's Day.  I am reminded that it's not always a happy day.  There are many women who have wanted to be moms, but never got the opportunity.  Some who have lost or are losing a child to any early death.  Others who are estranged or fighting with their children.  There are moms in third world countries who don't have enough food to feed their children. 

I am blessed and I know it and appreciate it! My three girls all blessed me in their own special ways.  One daughter even called to tell me that she thinks that I'm such a good mom that she wants to share me with friends that are lacking one of their own.  She's dead serious and I take that as the ultimate compliment.  Made my Mother's Day.   

Please enjoy this new painting of a mom and her cute little lamb.

Harvey's Farm

I just returned from a trip to Michigan.  It was lambing season and I spent an afternoon with Harvey and his sheep.  I took hundreds of pictures and will have many wonderful images and memories from which to paint.  Harvey had a cute little Lincoln lamb that was 3 weeks old and already posed very nicely.  There was also a set of triplets that were just 3 days old.  So cute!

So stay tuned for the paintings...



Off to a great start...

I got some exciting news that I just have to share! I have sold my first painting at Anne Neilson Fine Art in Charlotte, NC.  Even better...the gallery hasn't even opened yet. Whoohoo! 




THE very first painting sold at ANNE NEILSON FINE ART



L: Anne Neilson, gallery owner, with the collector who bought my painting

R: Elise Bainbridge, Awesome Art Director 

I'm off to Michigan tomorrow.  My trip is definitely going to include a visit to Harvey's Farm.  When I spoke with him several days ago, he reported that now is the perfect time because he has lots of little lambs.  Looks like there'll be more lamb & sheep paintings!  Stay tuned.

Be sure to check out http://anneneilsonfineart.com/

 

Monday Morning Quarterbacking

Ahhh...you thought I was gonna comment on Peyton Manning and our Broncos' play at the Super Bowl.  Nope, not going there.  But I do have something to say about the commercials. The near 50 30-second, $4million commercials included the serious, the bizarre, the movie star endorsement, the off-the-wall, the really?, the I don't get it, the cute, the artsy, and the Ahhhh commercials.  It was most interesting to review the analysis that determined what made for hits or misses.  Budweiser again won the USA TODAY'S Ad Meter for Super Bowl Commercials with "PUPPY LOVE".  Coming in second was Dorito's Kid Dressed as a Cowboy Riding a Big Dog Lassoing a Bag Of Doritos.  Generally speaking, focus groups went for a "KINDER AND GENTLER" genre.  The consensus was that winning ads "touched the depths of my soul."  Often there was no dialog, just music, and great images.

Funny how that "kinder and gentler" phrase keeps showing up.  I think there just might be something to that.  In my own world, I've noticed that those are the paintings that keep flying off my walls.  Good thing is that it feeds my soul too.

"Late Fall"  24x30" Oil on Linen ~ $4800 (w/custom frame)

So here's my latest.  "Late Fall" will be one of 5 paintings going to my new gallery in Charlotte, NC.  Anne Neilson Fine Art is a brand new gallery opening its doors in early May.  I am pleased and excited to be represented by this classy new gallery in the heart of the historic district of Charlotte.  Please check out and visit when you can:  http://anneneilsonfineart.com/

"Prozac Art"

I'm not all that original.  But I can agree with a good idea when I find one. This week's Blog from the Oil Painters of America website was a good one. One of the points that resonated with me was what Scott Jones of Legacy Gallery (Scottsdale) had to say.  When he speaks of "Prozac Art" he said, "There is enough stress in everyone's lives, people are needing and buying peaceful, pretty art that soothes their minds and souls." Check out the article in its entirety at: Dec 2, 2013 OPA BLOG: How to Prepare a Winning Portfolio

I'm on that same page.  My most recent "ARTIST BIO" states: "Deb has focused primarily on the painting of sheep and pastoral settings...In this sometimes harsh and difficult world in which we live, a kinder-and-gentler art form seems to resonate.  Engaging, uplifting, warm, nurturing, and spiritual, are all descriptors that can be applied to my paintings."

Hmmm...take a look at my latest paintings. They are GREEN (literally) & PASTORAL.

These paintings are available at either GiacobbeFritz Fine Art, the Denver Athletic Club, or The National Western Club Show (at the Denver Stock Show).  Feel free to contact me for more info.