Dogs will be Dogs!

I recently completed a new watercolor home portrait through my ETSY shop and shipped it out to it's new owner. In just a week or so, I received this message from the customer:

Carole,
I have some unbelievable news. We received the beautiful painting. I left it on our dining table to show my husband before I framed it. Our crazy dogs (Blue Lacys) decided to act up and literally devour the painting. Enraged would be an understatement. After a week of getting over it slowly, my husband and I decided we want to commission you to paint us another, but with some laughter we want to have you include the two (insane) dogs in the painting. I'll send a photo so you can include them. I'm so sorry!!      Kim

Being a dog lover myself, I completely understood:

OMG Kim! I'm so sorry! But obviously, they were upset they were not in the first painting. I'm a dog lover, so I get it! I will be happy to add them in a new painting.   Carole

So, here they are...

Emmy Lou and June Carter

...the guilty doggies!  How could anyone be mad at these faces! 

    And here is the painting process!...     

   I hope Emmy Lou and June Carter love it!

Thank you to the Donner family for letting me paint their beautiful home and their loving dogs!

Hope to see all of you back next Wednesday,

Carole                    

Fragrances of Fall

Just the mention of fall brings on thoughts of autumn stews, pumpkin pies and hot spiced beverages. Put on your sweater, and sit with me a few minutes this Wednesday. There's no doubt, a change is in the air...   Autumn has arrived!

Autumn is the mellower season, and what we loose in flowers, we more than gain in fruits."                                                                               

Samuel Butler

We have lovely pear trees at our farm in south Alabama. Throughout the months of August and September, we pick pears! There are so many creative ways to use fresh pears right off the tree. This year, I made a number of pear pies and cobblers. Here are two that were a little different from my normal pear pie. I've included both recipes here. I found both online HERE.  I guess you can't paint all the time. Sometime, you've just gotta eat!   Here are some quick pics of my preparation for Pear Blossom pie.  Enjoy!

ONLINE RECIPE

PEAR BLOSSOM PIE

4-6 ripe Kiefer pears 3/4 c. sugar 1 tbsp. flour 1 pinch salt 2 beaten eggs 1 c. milk 1/4 tsp. vanilla or rum 1 unbaked pie shell Nutmeg Peel pears; cut in halves lengthwise and remove cores. Arrange cut side up in pie shell. Mix together sugar, flour, and salt. Add milk to beaten eggs and stir in dry ingredients. Add flavoring.Pour mixture over the pear halves. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and continue baking 40-50 minutes, until custard is firm. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream if desired.

ONLINE RECIPE

PEAR AND CRANBERRY COBBLER

1/2 c. light corn syrup 1/3 c. sugar 1 tbsp. cornstarch 1 1/2 c. fresh or frozen cranberries 2 med. pears, unpeeled and sliced 3/4 c. flour 1/2 c. sugar 1/3 c. butter 1 c. uncooked oats 1 egg, slightly beaten Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 9 inch square or round baking pan. In medium sauce pan combine first 3 ingredients. Stir in cranberries. Heat to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 5 minutes or until cranberries pop open. Stir in pears. Pour into pan. Combine flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oats, mix well. Add egg, mixing until moistened. Crumble evenly over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until top is golden brown. Makes 8 servings.

Pear Cobbler on the left and Pear Blossom Pie on the right.  Just in time for dessert at our War Eagle football supper!  You can check out my hand painted tiles (pictured here)  in MY ETSY SHOP.

Sketch Book - Dogwood

If you love gardening, you know the flowering Dogwood is one of the first trees to turn red in the Fall.  But before the leaves turn, we get to enjoy the brilliance of the lovely red berries. 

That's where I found my sketchbook focus!

I just had fun with it by letting the autumn colors mix on the page, and splattering some pure color.

I like to add a little poetry or a thought for the day on my pages. To me, it just makes them more meaningful.  After all, it is a diary!  So, here's the hidden page I promised last Wednesday!

This is a great article about the autumn Dogwood tree. I learned a lot about why the berries are red, and the different species out there. Take a quick read and beef up your botanical wisdom in "Falling for Dogwoods".         

http://behnkes.com/website/gardening-articles/shrubs-trees-a-vines/333-falling-for-dogwood.html

Happy Horticulture and keep those sketchbooks busy!

Carole

Sketch Book - October Leaves!

Do you have a sketchbook? For such a long time, my artist friends had them and I didn't. They advised me to start sketching daily. Now that I have gotten into the sketchbook habit...I love it!

The best part about it is that you are recording your day, as well as improving your art skills. The sketchbook is just for you. Mistakes don't matter. It's not something you're working on to frame. It's like a diary, and there are no rules when it comes to a diary!

As I was sketching these leaves, I had an idea. Using an exacto blade, I cut out a leaf shape on the right page. Then, I completed my drawing the next day on the next page. I loved how it united the two days and was a fun little surprise.

Here's what it looks like...

and the surprise won't be revealed until next Wednesday!

Go ahead and start the sketchbook habit. You can purchase one at any store that carries art supplies. Take it with you on trips. What a great way to preserve your memories. I'm a believer!

Happy sketching!

Carole

The Beauty of Autumn!

It's October and I am still cutting the sweet Zinnias from my garden!  My husband plants them with our vegetables every year. They never disappoint. They are loved and admired by the butterflies and bees and as they turn to seed, the magnificent Gold Finches rush to enjoy the treats they offer. So, this week end, I added some colorful maple leaves to my zinnia bouquets! The colors together were yummy!  You be the judge.

And... you have my permission to paint the sweet flowers and leaves I have pictured here. Enjoy!

                                                                                                                   

 See you next Wednesday...

Paint because you love to!

Carole

Painting Autumn!

       The leaves are beginning to turn. It's hard to believe another year has come and gone. The days are shorter. I can't help but go outside and gather some of nature's treasures. Beautiful leaves, acorns, seed pods. Even broken twigs are pretty. I made an arrangement for the front foyer. Nothing really fancy, just a symbol of the season. I mixed man made elements along

with the natural ones. 

Then I decided to paint one of the leaves. Just one. Simple. Next week, I think I'll gather more leaves and add them to my sketch book. But today, just this one.
I liked it.

It just seemed the tiny leaf would look prettier in a frame. It's wonderful how much a frame can add to a piece of art. And this one was perfect !

Take the time to go on at least one nature walk this week, by yourself or with your bestie.
Gather your own Autumn treasures and make something beautiful for your home.
I promise it will make you smile.

I'll see you next Wednesday!

Carole