A Rooster Morning...

It was definitely a "Rooster Morning" with this one. I couldn't sleep last night. All I could do was think of painting..so up I went back to my studio. I had so much fun. I had the TV on playing old movies as I brush mixed my night away. He is a cocky little rooster I have to say. . . strutting his stuff through out the night into the wee morning hours. We floated a little color here and floated a little color there, then we dry brushed our way through the blueberries and highlights! It was a delight. Finally the sun's smiling face bloomed into view!. . .Figuratively as well as literally. At that point the feisty rooster got a little attitude, as you can see because he was ready to crow! And crow he did!
That was my cue to wrap it up and off to bed I went...only 6:00am ..not bad for the wee morning hours!

Tomptes, Nissan's or Gnomes

Here is lesson 8 of my Traditions Education classes. These little people are called Tomptes and are of Scandinavian Folklore as well as decorative painting. The Norwegians called them Nissans and in Sweden they were called Gnomes. They were a favorite subject in traditional folklore and painting and can bring good luck or bad luck.
For example, if you lose your car keys...you can blame the Tomptes for losing them... or if you were suppose to do the dishes the night before and they were done when you got up...the good tomptes finished them for you.
I'm not sure if these tomptes are good or bad, but I hope you enjoy them on this festive tray. Thanks for looking!

Just Paint It! ......

Hi guys!
Here is another little "ditty". I've join another painting list, but it is related to the Tradidions group. It's Art Apprentice Online! (AAO)... It is run by the oringinal teachers who helped develope the Traditions Education Program.
They are sooooooo much fun! Last week, they have started a activity called "Just Paint It"... They give us a subject ( ie: raspberry, blueberry, orange,...) and we "just paint it".. In any shape, paint, color, or form. they suggest a small surface (3 x 5, 4 x 6, 5 x 7, etc)...nothing very big. The idea is that "small" is not intimidating! It's just PAINT!.. no problem... Well it took me until this week to get mine done. LOL
It was fun and didn't take too long...I probably did it in under an hour. This weeks subject is the Bludberry. Not sure I'll get to this one...but it is a GREAT concept!
I hope you enjoy it!

McNaughton Roses

Hi everyone!
It is 4am and I'm off to bed..but I wanted to share with you what I've been working on ( and why I'm still up LOL )
I just completed a wooden placemat with a design my Maureen McNaughton. She is a "Big Brush"...she is a wel know decorative artish from Canada. I hope some day to take a class with her in person...but I was able to take this class online through the SDP (Society of Decorative Painters) website. I had had 60 days to complete the course, but as usualy I took it down to the wire...the last day to be able to review the class on the site is July 15th...so that's why I'm burning the midnight oil.. LOL
I hope you enjoy it! Maureen's folkart style is one of my favorite!

A Cottage Down the Lane

This is Lesson 7 of Module A of the Traditions Education Program. I have three more to go to complete the first course. We are due to start Mod. B on July 12, so I had better hurry. I hope you enjoy this one as well!


Happy 4th of July everyone! Please keep our service men and women in your prayers as they continue to fight for our freedom and independence both here and abroad.

My teach critiqued my painting and she noticed my fence rail had a bulge..so I fixed it and here is a picture of that LOl
She also said it was "heirloom" quality! ! ! I'm sooooo excited.. And the other girls brought tears to my eyes...in their generous praise...Thanks my dear friends