Vacation this week

Sorry for the post delay. But I will be on vacation with my family from

July 23- July 31st

Hope you all have a good week!

Enjoy!

M

Happy Anniversary

I had the privilege of creating a painting for a special woman. Her husband secretly sent me a picture of her Grandmother's house and asked if I could paint it for her anniversary present. And so it began. The secret painting time and communications (I love doing secret things like this) ended with a beautiful piece.

She was ever joyed when he presented it to her. And now it hangs proudly in its new home.

Happy Anniversary Kathleen and Mark!

I wish you many many more.

Enjoy!

Feed Your Palette @ 16 Main

We had a great night last night with the Council Wives of Madison and one lucky winner! Between the painting, music, laughter and wine we found the time to finish a painting! LOL The women took home their very own masterpiece of ...THEMSELVES! This was our first of many nights to come, and a great kick off to the new "Feed You Palette" paint parties at 16 Main. I don't think we could have asked for a better group of women.

Tickets to a drawing were sold. We raised $285.00 to go toward art classes for Madison children! And also drew one lucky name to join us last night!

Rebekah from Fox 54 showed up with her camera in hand to do a segment for us. So make sure you tune in tonight at 9pm to Fox54 to see a clip from the evening:)

Thanks To:

-Rebekah...you are truely a one woman show! Great job!

-Ann P. for jumping in with both feet and making this evening even more special.

-Ladies for all that you did. You are all a blessing to me and to 16 Main!

Enjoy!

Restoring the Old to New again

I had the pleasure this week, to restore an old painting. The client had brought the painting, done in 1899, to me and asked if I could bring out the beautiful little girl. I have to say, it was a JOB!!!! But in the end, I think she turned out well. She is now being framed in the original frame and dome class.

I should be able to take her home to her owner on Friday. I can't wait til she sees the transformation!

Enjoy!

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!

Drawing for a Feed Your Palette Paint Night!

Drawing

Feed Your Palette Paint Night

with

Council Wives

Thursday,July 15th, 2010

6:30p-9p

15 Main St, Madison, AL 35758

256-325-4253

Come and enjoy an evening with the Madison City Council Wives.

16 Main will be raffling off 1 seat to this special event!

Tickets can be purchased for $5 @ 16 Main M-S 10am-7pm

The drawing will be held on July 13th @ 12 noon!

(All proceeds from this event will support art lessons for Madison Children.

The children will be selected through a drawing at the Oct. 2010 Madison Street Festival)

Instructor, Michele Lee, has created an evening full of fun for this event. Participants will enjoy a surprise painting to take home with them, Hor d'oeuvres from Main Street Cafe and lots of fun interaction with the Madison City Council Wives, including Mayor's wife, Julie Finley.

This will be the first in a series of events scheduled by the Council Wives to bring awareness to the Madison Community and it's amazing opportunities.

So let's hear it Madison!

Come on out and lets do a little giving back to our community!

What I See...

Every morning I wake up, get my coffee (in a GREAT/QUICK maker that my hubby got!)(he rocks!) and then I go out back and sit in my comfy chair on the covered porch and have my morning meditation. It helps to start the day off right for me.

Well for the past few weeks there has been a scrap board sitting outside the door of our studio. It is about 5'x5' and was used to catch the dripping concrete when we were making a tree light for 16 Main. (that is Terry Hale, of Hale Fire Glass, to the left posing with the tree) The way the splatters are situated, I keep seeing this little girl riding on a beautiful bird. She is getting ready to land in the back yard and I can hear her singing with joy. OK NOW, I know some of you are saying in your head right now..."this girl has LOST IT!" I have to clarify..I don't REALLY, physically hear the girl...I just see and hear her in my right brain or maybe my soul. Could be both, who knows. All I know is that every morning I have this overwhelming urge to get some washes of color and bring her to life.

So here she is. I don't know her name...but I do know I feel much better getting her out and into the real world.

Hope you enjoy! And remember to listen to that beautiful symphony that is all around you every day. You never know what you might be missing:)

Happy Father's Day! 2010

Long ago, I vowed never to marry again

That is when God decided differently

He opened a door to a life I could not imagine

And in stepped a man who filled my heart

With words and actions this man showed me love

but more than that, he gave his heart

to me AND my children!

Here is what "their Father" has taught them

He has taught them to stay strong, no matter what life brings

He has taught them to walk with pride, through all little things

He has taught them what love really looks like

He has taught them that everything is like riding a bike

He has taught them to craft and to enjoy

He has taught them that fun is found outside a toy

He has taught them that surprises are not always bad

He has taught them that things are not always had

He has taught them to work hard and enjoy the end

He has taught them life's lesson of love around each and every bend

Their father, my husband, has taught them a lot of these things

But the most important of all .......he has given them wings!

Thank you Greg! You have changed our lives in such a way that I can't begin to express!

3

I have gotten started on a new Koi painting. All of these paintings were sketched out about a year ago. It is nice to finally get to do each one of them. I can't remember right now how many there will be in all. But I like the fact that along with the sketches I had some sort of thought or poem. This one will be called "3". As soon as it is done I will post the blurb that goes with it. :)

I have been so busy lately with the new studio space at 16 Main. I am LOVING having a spot where I can just go to paint and then come home. But I must say, I do sort of miss my dining room too. The transition from home to another building is good though. Just today, I got to sit with one of the other artists and hash out creative thoughts. I learned so much that I could never have learned at home. So this year will be a little different. I have a feeling that this is an adventure that is going to change my art for the better!

Classes are starting up in the studio and I can feel the creative juice starting to flow. I can't wait to start my classes. Working with others and sharing with them what I have learned is such a TREAT! If you want to check out what is coming up...go to

http://16main.blogspot.com/

ok, back to the Koi. sorry for the sidetrack, but I had to share. It has been a while:)

I hope you enjoy the pictures and the progress of this next one.

Enjoy!

Exploring new waters

Having now officially moved into the new studio space, I am finding myself exploring new waters. There is something magical to me about my new Koi series. I have found that I love the whole process of these paintings. But most of all I love how they become what they want to become on their own. After the pouring stage, I start to see the fish appear. I really don't know what is driving me to create these fish...but I am creating and that is the beauty of it. I started on a few small ones the other day and these beautiful little goldfish came out. I guess they will either be the next series...or just another exploration of a new water :)

Enjoy!

June 4th-Grand Opening of 16 Main!

The artists of 16 Main cordially invite you to help us celebrate the opening of our new home in Madison's beautiful historic district.

5pm, Friday

June 4, 2010

16 Main Street, Madison, Alabama

The honorable Mayor Paul Finley will join us to cut the ribbon and officially welcome the public to our new community of artists. This will be a great opportunity to meet the artists, tour the studio, and see samples of our original work offered in our gallery.

There will be wine, hor'dourves and door prizes. Along with the Madison Belles and a guided Spirit Stroll at 7pm.

Please feel free to share this invitation with others. This is " just the beginning " of a wonderful new chapter in Madison's history and we hope that you all can be there for an evening of art and fun!

-You can keep up with the 16 Main activities by clicking on their blog link below-

http://16main.blogspot.com/

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.

Happy Mother's Day

She Is.....

She is the woman who always shines in the face of sadness.

She always holds me when I am feeling down.
She is the one who stayed up so many nights worrying about when I would be home.
But loved me and held me through it all.
She is the woman I run to with all of life's questions.
She IS the strength and the grace that holds our family together.
She is a nurse and a mother.
She is a friend and sister.
She is a woman who walks in this world with sunbeams all around her.
She is a grandmother who KNOWS what a grandmother would do..spoil em rotten is her motto)
She is a wife who stands by her love and shows us what commitment is.
She encourages all of her family and NEVER puts us down.
She was put on this earth for a very special reason by God.....
To be my Mom......
and I could not have dreamed of anyone more perfect......
She is my guide and my hero.
She is my MOM!
I know you will read this today ;) These are only words and they can never show you how much I love you...my heart is too full to ever be expressed.
I love you Mom.
xxoo, Shelly

16 Main is slowly coming together

The studio move to 16 Main is slowly coming together. We have been Hanging lights, prepping the fireplace for a cool finish and painting the walls! There are such great vibes from this old place. And the artists that are now signed on are all sooo YUMMY!

Here are a few pics of the progress.

I will let you all know when we are up and going....stay tuned!
Enjoy!

Moving!

Today is the first day of the rest of this beautiful life! I am officially jumping into a new studio space! After years of painting at home, I feel like it is time for a change. The studio that my great husband Greg built when we moved into this house, has gotten so full of work stuff from my other job. When that became a working studio for Artistic Finishes I decided to move the painting part into the house. And so I took over the dining room. Where do we have people eat when they come? Uh well, we don't really have a spot anymore. So long story short..I heard about a new opportunity in downtown Madison. The old Clay House Museum is newly owned and has been transformed into a working artists community named, "16 Main"! It is a beautiful old home and each room is now a working studio space for a range of very talented artists in the area. I am so excited to have the chance to get in on the ground floor of this new adventure. It is funny how God works. Sometimes when you are not even expecting to change...he throw one at cha! And SHA-BAM! A new adventure begins.

Here are a few before pictures of the new studio space. I will keep you all posted on the transformation and the official opening, which is scheduled for June 1st as of now:)

Enjoy!

May 15th is our next Feed Your Palette Class

"Her Garden"

By Michele Lee

Copyright 2009

Watercolor & Ink on Aqua board

Our next Feed Your Palette Painting class will be held on

May 15th from 6-8pm

at Reflectives Frame and Art Gallery.

Click on the "Feed Your Palette" link to the right for information and registration.

Space is limited, so please sign up early to ensure a spot!

Join me as we feed our palettes in the world of water color and ink.

"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)

Energen Art Show

Had a wonderful day at the Energen Art show with my friend Angie. The food, the people and the art was all AMAZING! They ended up with 203 paintings. I think about 60 sold and they raised $20,000.00 donation for their charity! I will definitely have to do this show again next year. I didn't get to meet the person who bought my painting...so you will have to settle for a picture of me with it.
Goodbye Symphony. I hope you make the new owner VERY happy!
Enjoy!

What's at The Ascribing Artist Show and Sale Today?

I was asked what paintings I would have for sale at the show today. So I thought I would just post them for you all.

Ascribing Artists Reception and Art Talk
Sunday April 11th 2-4pm

@Reflectives Frame and Art Gallery

220 Old hwy 431

Huntsville Al.

(across from Hampton Cove Elementary School. The old Artisan's Cove)

Enjoy!

Ascribing Artist Reception and Art Talk Sunday April 11th 2-4pm

"Sisters"

On Sale

By

Michele Lee

Ascribing Artists Reception and Art Talk

This Sunday, April 11th, from 2-4pm

Held at Reflectives Frame and Art Gallery

220 Old Hwy 431,

Huntsville Alabama

Space is limited so reserve your spot.

Ascribingartists@gmail.com

There will be a reception at 2pm followed by an Art Talk.

Artwork done by the Ascribing Artists will be on sale during this event

and throughout the month of April.