Vintage Couch Gets a New Friend

My vintage couch in my bedroom (purchased for $50 from my former boss) has a new pillow created especially for me by my dear friend Margarette Mills...it looks great and feels nice and expensive too ...especially since the fabric is $50 a yard! Margarette is working on more pillows for me all out of the goodness of her Big Heart...I got to spoil her some by taking care of her house and yard while she was out of town this past weekend. While doing so, I left some nice surprises for her including a painting to hang in her studio, trimming some shrubs, hanging a bird feeder, and some other little things. Giving is such a wonderful gift, and I had so much fun planning her little surprises! She sure is a special lady and I am glad God has been bringing us together in a wonderful friendship. I will post more pillows as they are complete. OK...I am now going to start cleaning up my studio so that I can start working in there again!

44 Today

Great birthday so far! Last night I thought I was having dinner with one friend but ended up having dinner with eight friends from Christ Church. We all gathered at Miyo's on Forest Drive ...and, at the end they brought out a large coconut cake that my friend had made. That Margarette Mills sure did pull one over on me....it was a very nice evening. Today is my second day of two days off from work. I am having lunch with my friend Pastor Frank Legare, and then I plan to pretty much relax for the rest of the day and evening! I was a cute baby, huh?!

A Little More of Charleston

St. Phillips Church

The Battery

Angel Oak

Some Charleston Color

Bold and Beautiful. And, like many of my paintings, there is an element of three to represent the Trinity.

Not My View

I had a great room at the Francis Marion, but I didn't have a great view like this one from a friend's room on the 11th floor. And, this is just part of the view...it was very nice!

State Fund Administrators on a Beach

Last night's networking event at the Isle of Palms Beach was a big success, and everyone enjoyed the beach. We actually had to teach some people how to peel shrimp after the swimming was done and the food was all cooked! It was quite a diverse group, and it was nice talking to people from all over the United States.

Circa 1854

The Charleston conference was great fun, and all the hard work paid off. It was great to spend several nights in the Holy City after being away for so long...a lot has changed since I lived there over 20 years ago. The photo is of the Farmers Exchange Building. This building is the only example of Moorish Revival architecture in Charleston. It is located at 141 East Bay Street. It was actually hard coming back to Columbia today, but my legs will now recover from all of the walking I did when the conference was not in session! I will post more on Charleston over the next few days.

Charleston Bound

I will be attending the 17th annual State Fund Administrators National Meeting in Charleston this Sunday through Wednesday. Close to 150 people will be attending this meeting that is being held at the historic Francis Marion Hotel. I have a lot of sweat equity in this meeting - this past week has been a busy one getting everything prepared. Tuesday night we will be at the Citadel Beach House on the Isle of Palms for a Low Country Boil dinner and networking social. I haven't been to the beach in forever, so I am looking forward to this event. The photo above is one that I took back in August while strolling along Rainbow Row. Hopefully I will get some great photos during this trip.

Pillow Talk

I am the proud owner of three new pillows made especially for me by the wonderful Margarette Mills. Many of you have the pleasure of knowing this lovely lady. I met Margarette at a Bus Stop Gallery Show many years ago. About two years ago, one of my friends from church, Dr. Cindy Snell, came to another Bus Stop Gallery show and told me she wanted me to meet her mother...it turned out to be Margarette! We have really started building a lovely friendship lately...she is crazy and we make each other laugh. We had a really enjoyable breakfast together this morning. So, if you need any pillows, this is the person you want to make them! She is also a watercolor painter, and we are planning to do some art together soon!

Revised Painting

"Coming Forward"

24" x 32"

Acrylic on Linen

OK, I think I am done. Some of the detail of the linen and dry brush is lost in the photo. Better? Worse?

NO MORE POST

Notice I said post...singular! I just obliterated the brown post in the last painting I posted. I added a lot more cream in that area which is more fitting for the abstract nature of the painting...I also "umphed" up the tree line a bit. I think I like the painting now and I didn't mess up my signature. I will post a final picture hopefully tomorrow! Now that I have changed the painting, I will need a new title..."Steadfast" just doesn't work anymore!

40 Lists Project

To my delight, and hopefully to God's glory, someone submitted my name on one of the lists published by the SC Arts Commission. I am on the "Rising Star" list...with some pretty prominent names like Brian Rutenberg, Christian Thee and Jim Arendt! Here is the link http://www.southcarolinaarts.com/40/results_17.shtml

Complete?

"Steadfast"

24" x 32"

Acrylic on Linen

Well, I have signed it but I think there might be a little tweak here and there. Is an artist ever really satisfied with the end product? There is a little red dot by the post that does not translate well in the photo. I could use some prayers in breaking free of the typical straight horizon tree line!

In Progress

Started working on this tonight...feeling a little "loose" and painterly. We'll see where it goes...bottom left surely needs more work!