The Art Walk last night was great! It’s the first time since we started over a year ago that I have actually been able to get away from the shop (Delilah’s) and see what the other artists and shops are doing. And boy was it fun.
The Blue Ridge Arts Council Gallery had a good turn out of people looking at the Member Show when I stopped by there. That show runs till the first part of August and is my favorite each year. I love seeing what everyone has been working on. www.blueridgearts.org
And I love how people really get into describing what they like about paintings to their friends.
Some artists were set up on the street even though it was a very HOT evening…
And some really smart artists, like Michelle, were set up inside in an air conditioned shop painting beautiful works of art. (You know I am especially fond of dogs so I loved this one!)
And we even had a group of ladies from Winchester who were making one of a kind greeting cards that were just lovely.
I didn’t get photos of all the artists that were working last night at the art walk. There were many more so you will need to mark your calendar for the 3rd Thursday in August (August 20th) and come downtown and see for yourself.
It is so nice to have an ongoing art event like this in Front Royal. Good job everybody!
Today’s painting is one I did a few months ago during a 3rd Thursday Art Walk. I started it that night and completed it over the next few days. It is called “Weeping Cherry Tree at the Train Station” and it is on display at the Blue Ridge Arts Council as part of the Member Show.
Jeffie, who was the sweeting little guy that ever lived, jumped the back fence at our yard at the house and caught a skunk in his mouth.
Here’s the start. I covered the entire paddle with acrylic paint making it look like a scene from the river with the sky above.
Next I sketched in the details that I wanted to paint on the paddle and started painting them in.
This is the finished detail of the paddle with the “Boys” on the front and Canoe Capital on the back.
The completed paddle and, of course, everyone’s a critic!
Jed came to live with us on January 5th of this year. He was found as a stray in St. Clairsville, OH and was at the shelter there. We found him on Petfinder, a wonderful website that helps thousands of pets find homes each year. 
The vet estimated that he was about 1 1/2 years old when I got him so we decided that his birthday would be in July. Since I was also born in July and to make the celebration especially fun for both of us, it came to be that Jed has the same birthday that I do. 
One of the things I love about going over to the cabin in West Virginia is the beautiful views that we have on that gorgeous old apple orchard. This weekend I took the “boys” up to the top of the mountain and we walked each morning by the apple trees. On the first morning though, this was the view….a blanket of fog hanging in the valley with a bright sun ready to burn it off.
There wasn’t one bad vista…everywhere I looked there was beauty. The mountains peeking up on the far mountain range; the heavy fog like marshmellow creme; and the green, lush trees heavy with apples were all there for us to take in.
But this is mostly what I see when I walk. Jed leading the way out in front….
A friend of mine plants the most beautiful vegetable garden every year down by the river. And his generosity is enjoyed by so many of his friends. Often in the summer I will find a bucket of delicious veggies on my front stoop. Today it was yellow crookneck squash (Joe knows this is my favorite) and cucumbers. What a treat!
Strawberries in a Bowl is one of the entries that I have in the Blue Ridge Arts Council’s Member Show that opens tonight. The reception is from 5:30 – 7 p.m. This is the largest member show that BRAC has ever had with 80 entries and 25 artists represented. Please come this evening and enjoy the art and artists!
Today’s painting is Olives on Teal I measuring 8″x10″. It is an oil on canvas and is available for $145 (unframed). Contact 
The Studio 