ben folds five plays loud.

often times it's the same rythm for me in the studio... i get down to the wire--- often times im so tired my mind won't create any thing new. but then there are days when i'm so inspired i feel like i'm dreaming. if you knocked on the door to my studio today, i would not answer. i am settled in with my inspirations, and i'm not moving. music... can i paint without music?...I found out the other day one of my paintings sold to a person that hung it beside a Joan Miro piece in their private home. It humbled me because Joan Miro was one of the modern master painters I studied when I was giving in to becoming a painter.

on my website i have a quote from him---"consider the silence of a painting. But in its silence, there is a choreographed pantomime, a ballet, voice and form." (Joan Miro).

Im reminded today that my inspirations are great and many- within the silence of my paintings there is hours of music that backs my work... some days it does feel very choreographed.

Long day today--

15 paintings in the studio...there's hardly enough room for me anymore.

studio bound with a bag full of books...

well i've got a few new and old books that have beckoned me back to the studio today-- totally inspired by the "Deep South" by Sally Mann--- an amazing book that captures the landscape photographs of Sally Mann produced through Collodion process. Her painterly images are yes of the south, but speak on such a broad level of viewing.

and secondly-- Christian Liagre's book requires my countless attention-- as it illustrates Liagre's purposeful attention to detail with the utmost intentional approach to interior design...I am always left with a new set of paintings lingering in my head-

free.

i'm extremely inspired today- the subject matter i'm working with is very emotional for me. a lot of it addresses- the passing of time over a land to which i am constantly intrigued by. it's an act of preservation. the land is changing, the people are changing, and somewhere in the imagery of my work--- i see a sort-of historical preservation. Im not a historian just a painter.

sometimes i think in these images i can hear the laughter of my sisters as we run through the gate at our local pool. my uncle was a shriner and we got into the pool every day in the summer for almost free.

i am working day and night on these new works... they are so pleasant to paint. and im learning that some of the best things are still free.

a good day done.

Today was a very good day. I was inspired and humbled all together. I think so many times as artists or - accountants or c.e.os or mom's or sons or daughters or mechanics or you name it...we find ourselves striving to feel successful- -before we know it years have passed and we are still searching for that thresh hold of claimed accomplishment. today, in a humbled moment i felt a great sense of success-- not because of my actions or what all i did right or meeting some great goal for the year and executing perfectly...but simply because I love what i do. i have passion in being a painter.

no news is sometimes really good news...

Well yet again, I am clearly not a super-serious blogger. Im really trying to change this predicament... and I can see me being somewhat successful at it this time.

As in the words of my sweet Momma, "no news is good news". And I have to admit this definitley applies to my lack of blogging ability. I am so busy and have been working with some really wonderful new pieces. The Hilton Head showing this past May was a great success. I released a series of 10 large works called "On Land and Water". Of course you can review the series on the website.

Currently... 2 new series are being hammered out--- showing in Birmingham, AL at the end of September. Interestingly, enough its my first home bound solo show. Im looking forward to it.

Well I have yet again moved studios from a busy warehouse on the weststide of the city to a quaint old abandoned church building-- in a little urban pocket beside downtown. Well its not totally abandoned because clearly I am there=)...along with a few other interesting people. It's a really beautiful building built in the 20's. It's perfect for now.

Well alot is going on outside the studio as well...

the coastal Living Showhouse opened last week... and i'm looking forward to the publication release.

My Husband's novel is shelf bound and he and the editors have finalized some of the last details. The first book signing and opening party will be in Atlanta. I'll most certainly blog the event details and give the exact location as soon as the printing process is completed.

As a painter it has been so interesting to watch his process with the publishers and designers and such. So enlightening and encouraging for some one covered in paint 60% of the time to watch someone be really thrive in their passion.

Rufus is doing really well- he is fully mended with an almost perfect heart. We were able to adopt a new dog named Oliver and he is adapting to studio life pretty well. Of course no one is a better sleeper than Rufus ...of course=)

warm and happy thoughts to you all=) sorry if some of my blogging seemed repetitive --- it's been so long since an update=)

an artist recognition long over due...

Art...so many people so many forms.  I always like to plug someone that I feel could be on the verge of some new thought or creative venture that people really need to know about.  So today it was only fitting to write about my new friend... artist- Eric Underwood.  

Some few weeks ago I found myself having the opportunity to stroll through Eric's Home studio...needless to say I found him with such a sincere passion for creating and recreating some really precious images... when I finally did leave I can promise I was inspired-

"Original, personal pieces of art created through a mixed media process. Eric takes the first most memorable photo of a couples' child and creates and original piece of art base on the desires of his commissioning patron. " 

Truly Eric and his gifting impressed me.  If you are a Mother...grandmother....father...aunt or uncle, or even just curious about this new up-and-coming artist please contact Eric at the email link attached.  You really don't want to miss Eric and his truly innovative works.

Also, if some of my coastal friends are reading... such as the Harris family... Eric and his work would make a wonderful story for any of your publications!

email Eric Underwood@:  tlrivard@yahoo.com

Or feel free to contact me and I'll get in touch with Eric!