Sweetwater Country Home

 My husband (Mr. B) and I moved to Virginia in 2005 and opened a store which sold classic country furniture. We named it Sweetwater Country Home. Our wooden furniture was handmade in Pennsylvannia; upholstery was handmade in North Carolina. The store was a lot of work but we enjoyed it. Nothing was more fun than re-arranging all the furniture! Well, maybe going shopping for accessories was as much fun. We would fill several carts full of baskets, silk flowers, lamps, lanterns and more. I wrote the email newsletter and took photos for the newsletter and our print ads, while Mr. B greeted customers and handled the business part. It was a great partnership. 

                This is a photo of our furniture and a lovely table setting of April Cornell dishes.

 

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Poster Art

 I love creating Poster Art. There are so many wonderful quotes to use. Sometimes I use my own quotes. Many ideas and the background possibilities are endless!

 

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Flowers in the Market in Montreal

 My son, Ken and I drove from Boston to Montreal where we met my daughter and her husband. The highlights of the trip were the Montreal Botanical Garden and the Market. Cut flowers were present in abundance at the market and I went crazy with my camera. The is one of the bouquets I especially liked.

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My Best Friend and an Art Work Named for Her!

 

This photo is named for my dear friend, Carla. We met at an art event in Willimantic CT about nine years  ago. We had our first visit and did not stop talking for two hours! When we shared information about our roots in Georgia, it cemented our friendship. She is the best friend a person could have!

 

 

 

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Always Creating

 

A Hint of Trees

The Finished Art files on my computer are loaded! At least several hundred finished works. Yet I keep creating. Ideas come and I must act on them. 

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Inspiration in Stained Glass

The sun coming through the trees was captured in my back yard in Virginia after a steamy summer rain. The stained glass was layered on top.

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Another Look at a Favorite

This is a favorite which I have printed on canvas. It hangs in my house so I can enjoy it every day!

Of course I added to the original but just enough to bring out the colors which were hiding in

plain sight.

 

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Warm Violets

What I love about this photo is the golden late afternoon sunshine.  It adds warmth.

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It is such a treat to have blooms in January. This hibiscus tree requires lots of water and sunshine. Mr. B loved this plant so I keep it going for him.

                                                             Hibiscus in the Sun

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Long time, no see

Yes, it has been a long time since I posted. Losing Mr. B has shaken my world. In January I moved and am living alone for the first time ever!

I now have a lovely studio. Cabinets, a walk-in art supply closet,  an 11 foot counter and an Ikea unit for my fabric add up to convenience. There is no excuse for me not to turn out lots of inspired work.

While this might not be labeled Inspired, it is definitely Experimental. This was my first time painting on Tyvek.

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HAPPY Sunflower

It is no secret I love sunflowers. Just look at my header. They are so cheerful and just make me feel good! They are often the flower I choose for my enhanced photo art. This one is  rather different.

HAPPY Sunflower

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Fun Filter

 

This is a photo I took in May at the Hoh Rain Forest in the Olympic National Park. The huge trees were amazing. There was so much moss everywhere - LOVED IT! 

Thanks to my son Ken for treating me to this trip and accompanying me. 

Learn more about the Hoh Rain Forest.

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Enjoying Spring

Spring Blooms are everywhere and I am loving being in the garden. In spite of many warm days,

some nights are still dipping into the thirties. It is difficult to do the wise thing and hold back on

planting annuals. All of us gardeners want to get a jump on blooms for the summer. For now we

must be content with tending our perennials. 

LAST SUMMER'S PINK HYDRANGEA

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Inspiring Studio

I love having my supplies on open shelves where I can enjoy them - piles of fabric, stacks of ribbon spools, colored paper, markers, brushes, printed photos taped to the walls.

Even if I am not working, I enjoy being surrounded by it all. Sometimes the materials spark the idea for a project. Maybe it is not very neat but I do try to keep it reasonable and put things in their designated place. It is an Inspiring Studio.

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