Sold

I really haven't been keeping up well with my blog. I seem to have gotten myself too busy these days with work and work and well ..yes...more WORK! So here is a little catch up on paintings. These are two that sold this week at 16 Main Gallery.

The first is the Red Bicycle. My friend Deb has a great story started for this one. I can't wait to read it when she is done!!!

The second is Moonlight Swim. I love how the goldfish came out in this one. The have a metallic glow about them. I was a little sad to see these go. But...it makes room for more fish! I am really loving the fish theme that is happening in my art right now. They are slow and colorful and quiet....all that I wish to be :)

Enjoy!

First Painting in the new space!

The Marriage
By Michele Lee
30"x40" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas
Copyright 2010
Well, I completed my first painting in the new space today! It feels so good to be painting again. And I am in love with the new studio. It is nice to be around such creative people. There is still a lot to do for the grand opening is on June 4th. I am sure once we get the gallery and shop done, there will be even more time to create. But for now I have to take it when I can get it.

The Marriage

He comes to her bearing a gift of eternal love

A golden band that will bind them together

until death do they part

before God and their family and friends

they commit to one another

to love

to honor

to respect

to cherish

A promise to always lift the other up.

This is not a contract of love but a covenant to one another and to God

He slips the ring on her finger and they kiss

knowing that from this day forward they are one

they are a team in this journey of life.

"Eva"

I have been asked by many of you, "how to purchase my art?" I have had contact info to the right if anyone was interested in purchasing. I also am at art shows and festivals around the area. It seems that when a piece comes out, people want to purchase it then...so...let's do that.

I will be setting up a pay pal account soon so that you can purchase directly. But for now, you may either contact me via e-mail or go to my Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/listing/44904766/eva

The first painting that will be offered is:

"Eva"

(She is one of my favorites)

Acrylic on Canvas Framed

She measures: 27"x33"

$475.00

(Free shipping within the US)

Ascribing Artist Show April 1-30th

The Cross

By Michele Lee

11x14, Acrylic on Canvas

Copyright 2010

The Poet,

By Michele Lee

24x48 Acrylic on Canvas

Copyright 2010

The Ascribing Artists Art show April 1st -30th

at Reflectives Frame and Art,

220 Old Hwy 431,

Owens Cross Roads, Al

http://www.reflectivesframe.com/

(this is the old Artisan's Cove)

(Across from Hampton Cove Elementary school)

Beautiful artwork from many different artists will be on sale throughout the show.

There will be a reception and art talk

April 11th from 2-4pm

Red

Red

Red is a color that conjures up all kinds of emotions. From passion to fire and blood to rage.

In Feng Shui, red is used to bring energy from fire into your home. A well balanced fire energy in your home (balanced with water and earth) will bring joy, excitement and strong sexual desire.

Red also enhances metabolism, increases respiration and raises blood pressure. It is a good color to use in a dining room or area where you eat. But be careful...it will also make you want to get up from the table quickly and could cause the conversation to get a little out of control.

Red is a highly visible color. Some of its meanings are courage and leadership. This is why it is used in many different countries flags.

Red also brings words to attention and is used in stop signs and lights. Being the color of energy it is also used in signs for high voltage, promoting cars and energy drinks and sports activities.

The contrasting color, on the color wheel, for red is Green.

In China Red is the color of luck and happiness.

In India it is the color of marriage.

In the west, red is the color of love, romance, courage and passion.

Red is a warm color.

Use red sparingly in paintings to warm them up and give life to them. Too much red can lead to your viewer being overwhelmed and driven on to the next painting.

Enjoy you red today!

Working on a new Pouring

Seemed to have changed into another Koi. This one will be titled "We Are One"

I am feeling the need to do a series of these fish abstracts. They feed my soul.

Here is a small portion of the pouring so far
A little more added


First Layer of pouring



Had to take a break for a bit today. I have been working on a large 4ftx6ft painting. (you can see part of it in the upper right corner) And also trying to get the painting ready for class. Plus working at the day job. My soul NEEDS an abstract break! So I thought I would take a moment and get another Pouring started. This one will be a 20" x 60". I can't wait to see how it turns out. It has been merinating in my soul for a while now.



Do you have any idea what it will be? I can always use others thoughts and eyes ;)



Enjoy!

Drift

^knife work^

^Sketch out and color block^

One of my facebook friends always has the most beautiful pictures of where he lives. So I decided to paint one. It will be part of the new paintings for the art shows this year. I still have a little way to go with it. Here is the progress so far.
It is 12"x24" called simply.... "Drift"
Enjoy!

Painting

I spend a lot of my time painting these days. I am either at a client's home painting walls, cabinets, etc. or I am in the studio painting. I have to say that I am grateful for what God allows me to do for a living each and every day. I cannot imagine a life without painting. It gives me a time to solve problems, answer questions or just get lost and meditate. Here is a picture that my husband snapped the other day while I was finishing up a commission. (that will be delivered on Saturday)

Enjoy!

The Quarry

The Quarry

By Michele Lee

Acrylic on Canvas

Copyright 2010

I was having fun tonight with the knife and some earthy colors. It reminds me of a memory I have from my teens. A big group of us used to go swimming in a quarry just outside of town. The day would be sweltering hot and the sight of that cool aqua green water would almost make your body cool, just by looking at it. The day was spent swimming and floating in that cool water surrounded by rock. Almost like a dream now, I can still see it. A small piece of heaven on earth, so secluded it was....magical.

Here is a painting that doesn't quite capture everything about those days.....but it tries. It is nice to have those memories now. I may not be able to run and jump into that cool water anymore....but at least I still see it.

Enjoy!

Her Legacy

Her Legacy

By Michele Lee

38"x48" Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Copyright 2010

I have been working on a commission for a beautiful woman named Daphne. It has taken lots of prayers, but it is almost done. I didn't want to post it until she had a chance to see it. Well, she saw it the other day, was very pleased, and I can now share it with you all. It is titled "Her Legacy". It is a representation of her as an older woman getting ready to leave this world. She is passing her key onto the ones she loves. The key is engraved with African symbols that represent the meanings of her journey here on earth. The fabric and colors represent her heritage. And the circular shaped stones hanging from her waist, represent wealth and good fortune.

I have to say, this painting has been so inspiring. Whenever I get stuck on a painting, I like to ask God to help and guide me. All I kept hearing was, "You hold the brush and let me give her....her" And so I did. The next day I found a wonderful photo to reference the pose and away we went. Pouring the paint onto the canvas, I knew it was right. You know when you just feel that gut feeling in the pit of your soul that something is flowing and going in the right direction? That's it.

I still have a little more tweeking to do.

Enjoy!

The Koi are now free to swim away

Finally finished the Koi painting. YEA! I did this one on a a 3' x 4' gallery wrapped canvas. It is so hard to get a picture of because of all the glazes and metallics. But I gave it a go....hope you all enjoy! This one is up for purchase until I decide what shop to put it in....hmmmmmm where will the Koi swim away to?

A New Pouring-What do you see?

And just a little more color poured

A little more color poured into the canvas

Well, I had so much fun with the last pouring...I thought you guys might like to do it again. (The fish are done!- you can see the whole transformation in one of the posts below)
So let's here it.....What do you see?

Remember to look at it from different angles and let that imagination go wild!
I can't wait to hear what you all see.
Enjoy!

What do you see?

Well...I think I'm done with the Koi. The finished result has different metallics, silver mica powder and blues buried in a very thick coat of of clear glaze. Hope you all have enjoyed the ride.

The fish are starting to become more refined

Thanks to everyone here and on Facebook for your visions....It has been fun to see what you see...in the end,I think I see fish beginning to appear!

Pouring above has been flooded with clear acrylic gloss gel and the woven with a large trowel

I did a very large pouring this morning. A pouring is a technique I learned a while back from a wonderful artist named Anne Hamilton. She runs an art retreat near Mentone, AL. You can visit her website here: http://www.artforartlovers.net/ And if you have never gone to an art retreat before...I suggest doing it at least once in your life! I spent a week there doing nothing at all but painting, reading, sitting, eating and just being! It changed my life!
So a pouring is just that. Laying your canvas down on a flat surface, you mix colors (thick or thin) and actually pour them onto the canvas. Let them flow and move where they will. You can help them along by tilting the canvas. After the colors are in place and dry...you begin to romance the canvas. (like we talked about in one of the last posts) Put it in a very visible spot, turn it to different angles and see what vision comes out of the pouring. It will suprise you what comes out of your imagination. And it is so nice to use your imagination...something we tend to loose as we get older.
Have fun with it!
I am curious to know...what do you see in this pouring?

Andy for Fasha

Here is a painting I did a while back but never got a picture of it. This one was done for my father in law, whom I call "Fasha", of his dog Andy. This dog is not just any dog...he is Fasha's pride and joy. His eyes carry an almost human like quality. He seems to know what you are talking about and has feelings. And smart! This dog is really intelligent. He is the kind of dog that people dream of having. You know the one that doesn't pee in the house or get out of control. The one who follows you on long walks and just loves to be in your presence....that's Andy.

So this one is for Fasha, who I love dearly :)

Enjoy!

The Poet

I was at the Lowe Mill yesterday. Standing in line to get some hot chocolate, I noticed this beautiful woman. Her skin was glowing and her head wrap and jewelry just popped under the yummy cloudiness of the day. I knew right then that I had to paint her. So I asked if I could take her photo and paint her. She accepted graciously, and introduced herself. The is a poet...and I thought"how perfect".

So here is the beginning of "The Poet". It is nice to be painting again. The fun part is that we never know what will inspire us....but when it does.....it is a flood of color and emotion! The Poet has also helped to get me going on a large commission piece for another very spiritual woman. So I have them both on canvases, music going, and am painting from one to another in a cocoon of art today!

Thank you God for giving me the inspiration today...

I love you,

M

Finished The Lake and starting a new

Well the Lake is finally done. And I have now started a new commission piece. It is nice to jump into an abstract. I love the flow of color that they bring...YUM!

Progress NOT perfection

We strive to progress in this life...NOT to perfect it. When I find myself disappointed about the outcome it is usually because I had expectations of how it should have gone. But when I realize that this life is not my own, but yet an adventure in learning and growing.....THAT is when I can see the beauty in this world I call....... "Paradise".

Enjoy!

Michele

Finally I have started again!

Finally I started painting again. Granted it is just a little landscape. But hopefully it will get me back in the mood and the groove. Work has been so busy that I literally do not have any energy when I get home to do much more than drop onto the couch and fall asleep. Now, I am not complaining, mind you, but I do miss the painting time. My soul aches for the quiet, relaxing time that comes with painting.

I guess this would be a good time for a little serenity prayer.....

Enjoy!

Artist of a different kind

It's a gloomy overcast day. But the bright light this morning is coming from within. I get on my comfy dress,throw on a fluffy sweater, slip my feet into a worn pair of flip flops and head out to the car. I have found a wonderfully gifted massage therapist recently and visit her every other Saturday morning. As I pull into the parking lot I can feel myself start to relax. By now I know what is coming and I just can't wait. I walk in through the front door and Sherrie greets me with her bright soft smile. I slip onto the warmed table as the soft sounds of meditation come from the speakers in the room. Sherrie enters with a quiet walk and begins this morning's hot stone massage. As my body starts to relax even more, my thoughts turn to pictures in my head. Drifting in and out of scenes I begin to doze. Not a deep sleep but a gentle meditational sleep. The feel of the hot stones and the scent of flavored oils is always enough for me to loose the world. At this moment there are no worries or cares....no aches or pains....just a rhythmic rest. I am always anticipating the end of the massage. That is the time that she holds my head gently in her hands and the glows of different colors wash through my mind. Soft pink...a hint of chartreuse...and a glow of purple this morning. Ahhhhhh another massage comes to an end and I think to myself.....God must love me so much....he has brought me to a place where my mind body and soul can heal. A place where there are no cares for one hour. A place to be gently cared for, so that I can go on ......

Thank you Sherrie for being a part of my healing. And thank you for jumping into this line of work so passionately....You are definitely in the right place.

Life is not about the money and the race, the doctors and the fears.....it's about another kind of connection that heals all.

What is your connection?

Where do you find that Mind ,Body and Soul healing?

Here is a picture of a little table in Sherrie's room. I gave her a painting a while back and she has kept it in there....I think it suits her well. It's called "The Path"

If you want to visit, you can go to

Natural Elements http://naturalelementsllc.com/

(ask for Sherrie Breckon)

She is an "Artist of a Different Kind"

What a day it was!

Yesterday was the Madison Street Festival. It was an absolutely perfect day! Sunshine, not too hot, and lots of art sold. I had an easel set up with a canvas for kids to add to as they went by. This is always fun because they get a mini art lesson and the parents can actually stop and enjoy without little feet running around them:) My friend Angie was right next to me. We had lots of our friends stop by throughout the day and really enjoyed ourselves. I forgot to take pictures of everyone who bought a painting but I did get one. This couple was so sweet. You know when you see someone get a painting and they just look like it was meant to be? That is what happened her. When they held the painting up to take the picture...my heart just knew they were going to have perfect home for it. Sometimes I get attached to my art. But I try to put on that brave face at shows and know that I am doing this for others and not to keep :) This painting was done at my good friend Ann's house. A while ago I went with Angie for a week long retreat. This painting I started on the first day of painting. The studio looked out over the mountains and had large tree branches hanging in front of the windows. It felt so right to paint....and now I know why. It was meant to go home with this great couple.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by yesterday. I enjoyed sharing with you what has been so freely given to me. I hope you all enjoy!

Hey kids, I will post the completed painting you all did in the next post:)

Here are some pictures from the day.