Where did June go??

June 1
Once summer hit , ie school ended, the schedule flew out the window. I barely made it to my Tuesday paint group in Apache Shores.  I am working on entering the Georgetown Library's show that must have a "book theme"...so I had our Austin grandsons pose for me as though there is a little reading going on after lights out ( shock, shock!) hence the title, "Breaking Curfew". Keep in mind these are works in progress....

June 15

We were in McKinney for a few days and I met with Windy Gallagher, the clever and creative owner of a new shop inside the Convention and Visitors' Bureau called "Made in McKinney". All is going well for her as the word gets out. Many new items are on the shelves including adorable canvas bags in a variety of shapes and sizes that have McKinney scenes on them, some featuring my artwork....Come in for CDs,  T shirts, note cards, framed prints and so much more. The shop is now open on Saturdays until noon. Please visit. You won't be disappointed. Here is one of the scenes coming soon in the store in honor of our great Texas State Fair...."The Star" 

June 22

Terry's garden inspired me to create "Spiced Up" which is also still a work in progress. I am such a foodie and the harvest is so colorful, it really whet my appetite. Hopefully, this will be a fruit and veggie series as I would also like to capture the colorful Farmers' Markets in Austin and McKinney. Here we go. I'll post the final products.

June 24

I held my first cartooning class for 5 aspiring young artists who show some real potential. They each selected an animal and then sketched guidelines, inked in the permanent lines and voila, they really liked the results. Notebooks were started and we will meet again in July.

Stretched my color side with Rae Andrews on Sat May 18th

What a fun workshop for about 22 artists affiliated with Waterloo Watercolor Society! We had two excellent demos by Rae Andrews who is a vivacious, confident artist with a fresh color style and lots of "isms" that we all then tried to incorporate into our own work. Her first very planned painting was of a cottage surrounded by trees but her second was completely unplanned and she let the paint dictate what the scene would later be.  
Here is an example of my painting that day...it is of Lugano, Switzerland. We visited our daughter who attended an architecture program there for a semester. Lugano is a  gorgeous spot where sky, water, snow capped mountains and palm trees all exist in harmony. Kind of a Shangri-La. Enjoy!

Steiner Ranch Art Show was 1st Class

Steiner Ranch held their Art Show on Sat May 4th with beautiful weather ( some artists were outside and some inside) at the Towne Centre Community Hall. Artists displayed their oils, watercolors, acrylics, metal craft, silk scarves and jewelry and even a new Sweet Iced Tea was debuted. The sponsors, Suzette Minorini , Gladys Poorte and Janine Martens did a great job! Many thanks!

 Good attendance and people ready to buy made it a very fun show and worth all the effort. I displayed my T-shirts and tote bags with Trixie, the Armadillo. My favorite comment came from a new friend who said, " I never thought I'd say this about an armadillo but she's beautiful!" Thanks, Judy.
I also displayed my commission ....capturing faces and moments in watercolor. Lots of parents asked questions and are considering this idea.


                                                                   

Great start to May!

What an incredible week to start May! Windy Gallagher's gift shop inside the McKinney Convention and Visitors' Bureau had its soft opening with great success.  Thank yous to everyone for all their hard work include Windy, of course, husband Scott, Leo and Miguel and the entire wonderful staff at the Bureau . Special thanks to my buddies at the Ebby Halliday office and my McKinney family ( you know who you are!) for coming down to say hello while I painted.  I was delighted to see a big variety in all the items from T-shirts and tea towels to wine bags and mouse pads, note cards and much more is on the way. We celebrity sighted Ray Ricchi from the City Council, , the City attorney and many others who make the wheels turn in the right direction for our wonderful town. Look for Trixie, the stylin' Armadillo who will be "Steppin' Out on the Square soon!

Also prevmiered is a brand new watercolor of three important buildings with lots of history: the McKinney Performing Arts Center, The Cotton Mill and The Flour Mill. I titled it "McKinney's Triple Crown". Look for this image soon on items in the store. It will be available  pre-matted and ready to frame.

If you haven't been inside the shop, this week is the perfect time to go as it is Tourism Week...it is NOT your ordinary gift shop and has some affordable , high quality items to promote McKinney.

Grand opening of McKinney's Visitors & Convention Bureau

News flash: Please join me in McKinney Texas at the new location of McKinney's Visitors & Convention Bureau located on Virginia just across from Ruggieri's. If you want to obtain the latest information about what is going on in town and how you can participate , this is the place.  Starting May 1st they will also feature THE BEST gift shop where artists who have a deep love and connection to this very special place will display their wares. Music, candles, note cards, afghans, reprints of local scenes & much more will be available to all.  Come support your town and count me IN!