"A Soldier's Goodbye"

"A Soldier's Goodbye"

When I received many pictures from Charles's wife, I knew that this one had to be painted. I couldn't do it for the Military Museum because it was to be only of the serviceman.

Carol had told me that this was his last outing with Jackson, and the look on his face, and the whole way they sadly connected, hands and heart, was something I had to try to capture. The one I did for the family was in oil and I had entered it in the Portrait Society of Atlanta, where it was awarded an honorable mention. The family picked it up when the exhibit was over, and it now belongs to them.

I could not get that scene out of my mind so I did it in pastel, which is the one above. There was so much quiet emotion, that it had to be painted again! A father in turmoil, and a little innocent boy, just so trusting and safe in his daddy's lap.

As it has turned out the painting resides forever in our new and beautiful library, having been purchased and donated by Dr. Jon and Cathy Simpson.

I am so glad that Charles and Jackson will have that moment in time, forever.

Meet Charles

This is Charles

This is a painting of Charles Warren that I did for "Art From the Heart" in Atlanta Ga. Many portrait artists donated these paintings to the families of these fallen heroes. It was an effort made possible by Atlanta Fine Arts League.

Charles was a nurse in Pediatric Intensive Care at a Children's Hospital in Atlanta, before going to Iraq. His wife Carol was expecting another baby when he left. That little girl was born just before he was k.i.a. The button on his shirt was one he wore on his uniform, and was the new born picture from the hospital. I added the button to this painting because someday it will belong to Maddie.

Carol wrote me a letter telling me about Charles and his love of life and family. I would be laughing or crying, but I would be touched by this brief meeting of him. I gave it my all!

The offering of the portraits to the family was at the Museum of Patriotism. That evening I finally got to meet his family, and when Jackson got to see the painting he said,"that is my daddy". I told him to touch it whenever he wanted, because it was theirs.

Just think- some paint, brushes, lot's of hours of working, and love- and I was able to give that family something that will be with them forever. How lucky am I?????

The next post I will do is the painting that will eventually go to Jackson, of him and his Daddy on their very last outing.

Robin Hood

I named this painting after the book that my grandson,Elrod was reading, all curled up in that chair- many years ago.I loved the way his body created all those angles, as only a kid can do. He was in another world that day.

These are the kind of things I love to paint. People doing what they love to do. I wish I had pictures of my Mom cooking in her kitchen, because that is how I would paint her portrait. In "Mom's Pitcher", it is the only portrait of her that I could do. These were the objects that made my memories of her when she was younger.

The painting above now hangs in our new beautiful public library, purchased and given as a gift, to hang there-forever!

Joan of Art: The four chairs

Joan of Art: The four chairs: "A strand of pearls 'dropped' onto the chair The evening bag andgloves that all the 'ladies' wore in those days. The one below is a lace han..."

The four chairs

A strand of pearls "dropped" onto the chair

The evening bag andgloves that all the "ladies" wore in those days.

The one below is a lace hanky-

This is one of the chairs with a book, my father's pocket watch and a ribbon marker.

this is a picture of the table top- ready for the party- but someone has already been there!

ice cream table

This is an antique ice cream table that my client had, and she wanted me to paint whatever I wanted . That was not an easy decision but the choice was to do things that related to the time it was actually being used. I will post pictures of each piece. This was a fun project for me and she was surprised and very happy.

Mom's Pitcher

This pastel painting is part of my past. The old Philco radio is the one I grew up with. My Mom, Dad and sister and myself, sat around that radio every evening after supper, listening to the "world". Does anyone reading this remember "the Shadow Knows" Amos and Andy" , "George Burns and Gracie Allen"
"Red Skelton" and how many others? This radio means family all connected in a wonderful way. We had to use our imaginations and listen. Things were not being fired at us in the visual way we live today.
The orange pitcher was the one in which Mom made iced tea and lemonade for years. The doily was tatted by my grandmother, and back in those days, Mom had to sew and repair most things by hand.
Did your Mom wear an apron? Mine would walk through a room and take the corner to dust any spots on the furniture.
For me -"The good old days".

When I don't paint portraits-this is what I paint!

This is the top of a coffee table I painted for the Crossville Arts Painted furniture auction. There are pennies scattered about on the painted marble. Everything you see is painted. I love doing Trompe L'oeil (fool the eye) amd I will be showing you more of these.

Question for you

I would love to hear what photo you have that "says it all" and will always remind you of that one special time.
We all have-that One that takes you back.

Multi Tasking"

Imagine me coming out of my studio and into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. My mind finally realizes that the TV is changing channels and I know he is asleep!

After I grabbed my camera and snapped some pics of this feat- I had a painting of a moment in time-I chuckle everytime I see it. This is a portrait of the real thing!