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/

NEW YEARS TIDBITS & TREASURES

 

I've been waiting for this NEW YEARS DAY.   Back in March of 2013, I found an article in the Sunday PARADE MAGAZINE by Connie Schultz.  In her story, she details the 5 material items that she deemed worth saving should her house catch on fire.  Number 3 on her list was a really ugly old cookie jar (one of those scary clown faces) which was a wedding gift to her parents back in 1957.  She named it Charlie in honor of her dad. Connie repurposed it to hold notes that she regularly tossed in about the good things that happened in her own family.  On New Year's Eve it is their family tradition to read all these collected notes of small wonder. 

Since that day in March, I have been tossing "tidbits" and "treasures" into my own little blue box.  Every time I get a surprise email or something noteworthy happens, it gets tossed in the blue box.  This morning the house was quiet. I made a cup of hot cocoa in my favorite French mug and sat down in front of the lighted Christmas tree and opened up my blue box.  I cried while I read all the wonderful stories, surprises, and notes sent by friends and strangers alike.  I read quotes and meaningful excerpts from favorite books.  I read scraps of paper on which I had printed other artist's blogs that resonated with me.  I read a fortune from a fortune cookie.  Treasures all! It was a great reminder of the blessings of 2013.  If you took the time to send me a special email, it was undoubtedly in my blue box.  Thank you!

Perhaps you will join me in this tradition for 2014. Perhaps you can share a tradition that is meaningful to you. Most of all, I encourage you to look for the blessings!

Click on:  Connie's Original Article

A Favorite Painting for this Season

Madonna of the Chair ~ Raphael 1514-15

This is to wish all who read this blog a very Merry Christmas and/or a happy holiday.  Appropriately for this season, I am sharing with you one of my very favorite paintings. I was fortunate enough to get to see it up-close-and-personal at the Pitti Palace in Florence some years ago.  Though smaller than I had imagined it was nevertheless breathtaking.  Regardless of your beliefs, I hope you find the painting moving and the subject appealing.  I hope its beauty and message moves you as it does me.  I have always loved the playful and endearing pose as well as the protective look in the Madonna's (mother's) eyes.

Legend says that Raphael happened upon a charming family group such as this.  Grabbing whatever material was available, which apparently was the head of a cask, he quickly sketched out the scene.  And thus, the circular form of the painting came to be.  Whether or not the story is true, no one can say.  But it's fun to imagine it so.

Whatever your reason for celebration at this time of year, I hope that you are blessed with love, family and friends, and make some happy memories.

Especially for Me

   

 

 

"Earth's crammed with Heaven,

and every common bush afire with God;

but only he who sees takes off his shoes.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

 

 

Last evening was not so good.  Last night wasn't either...I woke up at 3:00a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep.  A lot on my mind.  But on my way to the kitchen this morning, I just happened to look back over my shoulder and noticed this beautiful light and shadow picture.  It seems that the early morning sun was shining through our back windows and deposited the silhouetted image of trees in our backyard, and the star on the top of our Christmas tree, and little wisps of light peeking through the shutters all on my wall.  I noticed it, snapped a picture, enjoyed it, and then it was gone.

 

Then over breakfast and my personal quiet time, I happened upon the quote by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  Guess you could say God shared some beauty with me this morning.  I am appreciative and grateful! (And my shoes are off).



"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. 

 

 

 

A Walk on the Wild Side

  

 

   

 



 

Sunday was an absolutely gorgeous day in Denver.  Though way past the time for prime fall colors, I took my camera and went for a Walk on the Wild Side.  Well maybe not so WILD, but along one of the urban trails that I'm lucky enough to have by my house.  I was not disappointed!  

 

The warm sun felt wonderful on my body. The air smelled of dry grass with whiffs of brackish water.  Thoroughly enjoying myself, I snapped away as I walked.  When I got home I had many wonderful pictures as a bonus for a lovely couple of hours spent outdoors. No brightly screaming colors, but rather the subdued ones that speak of quieter, less busy season of life. 

 

Enjoy!

 

 



This Too Shall Pass

Today is Tuesday and I took a short break from painting.  Every Tuesday I pick up bakery donations from my local King Soopers and deliver them to Christ's Body homeless shelter in Denver.  Besides the bread, I picked up pumpkin, carrot, and angel food cakes, lots of cookies, and a whole bunch of caramel apples.

The back story is that it wasn't always that simple.  When I first started six months ago, I got minimal & poor instructions and did everything wrong.  The warehouse foreman was twice my size, scowled a lot, and was fairly intimidating especially when he yelled at me.  So for a couple of months, I pretty much dreaded the whole experience.

Today I must say that we've come a long way.  The foreman (who shall be nameless) and I have nice conversations.  He offers to help. But I try NOT to be a pest. He is pleasant and courteous and even jokes and smiles now.  Today he thanked me and said, "Have a nice rest of the day!"  WOW!  AND the piece de resistance was that when I unloaded my delivery at Christ's Body, the lady who was doing the cooking came running out to hug me.  She only had 2 little cakes for dessert and my delivery was a timely answer to her prayer.

So what has this to do with anything, you ask?  In the art world or with life in general, the road is often bumpy at first.  Giving the situation some time, being patient, and toughing it out are often necessary components of success.   And this is just a little nudge to remind you that "This too shall pass."

For more information about CHRIST'S BODY MINISTRY or what you can do to support or volunteer, check out:  http://www.christsbody.org/