Christmas Jubilee

I have a display at this year's Christmas Jubilee Art Walk, as I have in several years past.  This year, the difference is that I have shared half of my display area with my friend and fellow artist, Morgan McGehee.  Morgan has had (God given) artistic talent from an early age.  When she heard about the fact that over 5,000 children perish EVERY DAY from lack of clean water, she decided to use her artistic talent to do something about it.  She started the Hope Project to raise money for a well in Africa.  What's incredible, though, is that she is only 10 years old!  I worked with her parents to get ready for this, her first art "show".  Here is her display after I set it up on Wednesday of this week:

Doesn't it look great?  Most of these works employ a several step process.  Morgan applies a textured medium to the canvas to give the subject depth.  Then, she paints her design.  If needed, fabric and beads are applied (like the "sprinkles" on the cupcakes).  Lastly, with her parents help, a thick, glossy resin is applied over the whole canvas.

When I checked in with the Art Walk chair late this afternoon, after only ONE day of the three day market, ALL but TWO paintings had sold!!!  Of course, Morgan is thrilled.  Since she doesn't have any more paintings to sell at the moment, she will ask those that want to offer support for her Hope Project to do one or more of the following:

* Commission an original painting - choose your design and colors
* Place an order for notecards or prints
* Donate art supplies or money to The Hope Project
* Join her Facebook Page and Share with others
* Pray for her ministry
Visit her Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheHopeProjectMobile for more information on purchasing or donating.

We are all just thrilled with the incredible response to her artwork and her project!  If you are at Christmas Jubilee this weekend, stop by her display to see if there are any paintings left, to read more about her mission and get a business card.  She also has beautiful necklaces displayed for sale that benefit Sonrise Baby Home in Uganda. If you missed her at Christmas Jubilee, she will have a display table at my studio during Christmas on the Hill, Sunday, December 4th from 1-5pm.  Come support this wonderful cause!  Any purchase from The Hope Project during the Christmas on the Hill Open House, will receive 20% off any purchase from Rabbit Creek Studios.  See you there!!!

Sacred Heart Chapel Commission

I got a call from the "always entertaining" Mike Lyons over at Lyons Share Gallery in Fairhope, AL.  He had a customer that wanted to commission a mixed media painting of Sacred Heart Chapel, located right on Mobile Bay off Scenic Hwy 98 right outside of Fairhope.  But, the customer couldn't decide if she wanted the chapel painting mounted on an antique tin ceiling tile or antique wood.  So, I gave her a call and told her I'd make both and send them over to the gallery where she could then choose her favorite.  She was delighted with the idea and I am more than happy to do whatever it takes to make my art patrons completely satisfied with their artwork.

Here is the chapel on wood:

12x20" Oil on hand-cut metal, mounted to Antique Wood salvaged from Atmore, AL farmhouse 1907.

Here it is on tin:

12x12" Oil on hand-cut metal, mounted to antique tin ceiling tile, over 100 years old.

Anyone want to take a guess on which one she chooses?  I have my guess already....

Laissez les bons temps rouler

A friend of mine was the recent president of a local Mardi Gras organization.  After all the festivities were over, she wanted to present gifts to all the officers that helped make their year so successful.  She showed me some snapshots of all the ladies, dressed in various bright costumes, holding flags, and coming out to get on their floats. 

For their gifts, she wanted some small abstract paintings that conveyed "the busyness" and revelry of that day.  So, instead of stretched canvas, I chose some gallery wrapped 4x4 hardboard panels to give it a modern feel.  After several attempts (abstracts are NOT always easy), I finally captured the look and feel of what she wanted.  I really love these and my friend does too!  And, these ladies will have a nice piece of artwork to help them remember a fabulous day.  Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Casual Family Portrait

I just finished up a wonderful casual family portrait this week.  This is a client's three adult daughters and her two dogs sitting in her own back yard.  It's especially sweet since the Bassett, "Scarlet", has since passed away.  The reference photo we used was a snapshot taken recently but we also supplemented with other photographs of the girls.  This is a huge portrait - approximately 4x6 feet - and was accurately measured to fit perfectly over a mantle in her living room.  It's a gallery wrapped canvas, and the painting continues over and onto the sides.

When the portrait was finished to the client's exact specifications, I transported it down to Ashland Gallery where they will do a "floater" frame in which the canvas recesses into a box-type frame, with the sides still showing.  A very nice choice!

Speaking of Ashland Gallery, they will be having a great portrait workshop coming up October 20-21 given by Karen Stastny, an artist and teacher from New Orleans.  The fee is only $250, so if you have ever had an inkling to try portrait painting, this might be your opportunity.  For more information, just call Ashland Gallery at 479-3548.

"Come Get the Skinny" - Silent Auction, Loud Party

Last night I attended the Mobile Arts Council's Fall Fundraiser, "Come Get the Skinny" - Silent Auction, Loud Party.  It was very well attended and there was so many great pieces of art to bid on - a testament to the local artist's support of the Mobile Arts Council.  A big crowd, live music, fun decor and The Smoking Gringos taco truck all contributed to the "Loud Party" atmosphere.  The bidding was hot on a lot of pieces - I had my eye on artwork by Kate Seawell, Jennifer Grehan, Amber Lane, Anita Westerberg, Kathy Whitinger and Amer'ica Jones.  There was even some artwork by Jo Bonner - I didn't know our Congressman was a painter!  Also, spotted: Mobile City Councilwoman Gina Gregory.

Here are some "party pics":

Me with my "Mud Bug" mixed media piece.

My mom's friend and fellow artist Joanne Brandt took this photo of us.

Inside in the "Skinny Gallery".

AMAZING food from the "Smoking Gringos" truck!  I am going to have to find out their daily routes so I can get some more!

The party spilled out onto the sidewalk and street, with live music.

Also, if you've never been to downtown LODA for artwalk (2nd Friday of each month), October's is supposed to be great!

Local Pottery

I am working to transition my working studio into a shared space for art gallery/retail.  I will offer my original oils on canvas, fine art prints, my mixed media oil artwork and my hand-cut tin pieces (angels, crosses, etc).  I also have a few home decor items I've picked up here and there - candlesticks made from old porch spindles, mirrors made from antique wood moulding, antique dough bowls, lamps made from antique ballusters, antique tin and wood picture frames and anything else that I find that's made from antique wood and tin! 

I will also be offering a few pieces from other local artists.  Today, I'd like you to introduce you to my mother, Suzanne Fox.  She started creating pottery when I was just a little girl (I won't bother to tell you how long ago THAT was!!!) and would take me along to local outdoor art shows.  She now lives in Fairhope and creates beautiful pottery at the Eastern Shore Art Center.  We normally share booths at art exhibitions, since her pottery compliments my artwork perfectly.  I selected several of her pieces to put in my shop.  Here are a few, pictured below.

Blue Crab Trivet, Wheel Thrown with Hand-Painted Design, $20.

Tiny Soap Dish, with Local Honey Soap, $8.

Small Pitcher, Blue over Black Glaze on Tan Clay, $20.

Small cups (tea or sake'?), Blue over Black Glaze, $8 each or $15 for both.

Wood fired vase, Summer 2011 Fairhope Anagama Kiln Firing, $20.



6" Soap Dish, Molded and Stamped Design, Coffee Cream Glaze, $10.


To see the rest, come by and see me.  My studio hours will be 10:00-2:00  Tuesday through Friday.

Impressionistic Portrait

"Lane Children", 30x40 oil on gallery wrapped canvas, Private Commission.

Here is my latest commissioned oil portrait.  This sweet mom wanted me to paint with very thick oil paint in an impressionistic style.  I just love it!!!  It's so much fun to move paint around with a palette knife.  This portrait is truly best appreciated when seen in person as the waves and the clothing is very textured and the oil paint in the water gives it wonderful depth.

I used a snapshot she took of the children at the beach and took it from there.  It's painted on a 30x40 "gallery wrapped" canvas (meaning the sides of the canvas are a couple of inches thick and the painting extends onto the sides).  She said her walls in her den are white and this painting will really pop in her home.  I truly can't wait to see.

If you have a photograph from the summer you think would make a lovely oil portrait, I'd love to take a look.  Sizes range from 8x10 to 30x40 and larger.  I have VERY limited openings for Christmas gifts, so if you think you MIGHT be interested in commissioning something, please let me know NOW.  I'd be happy to meet with you in my studio to discuss your artistic vision.