Gina Brown Art

Approaching Storm

2012-01-17T16:11:00.000-08:00

"Approaching Storm"

10 x 10, oil

This is a plein air piece that I did about a week or so ago from the front of my home. The clouds were gorgeous just before a downpour that flooded the field.

Cottage Roses

2012-01-16T18:07:00.000-08:00

"Cottage Roses"

20 x 20, oil on linen

This painting makes me think of shabby chic and french country. I attempted to make the fabric behind the roses look like aged wallpaper. I did this by applying several layers of thin paint. The vase and roses are thick paint, some parts done with a palette knife.

The French Doors

2012-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

The French Doors

20 x 16, oil

This is one of my favorite places in my home.. it's the view from walking down the hall. The French doors lead to my backyard. This was a fun painting for me... I'm thinking of painting different rooms in my home.

Rain, Rain

2012-01-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

"Rain, Rain"

10 x 8, oil on linen

Since it's been raining in Alabama since last night, I thought this was an appropriate post for today. I've been wanting to try to paint some folks walking in the rain for some time now. I actually started this painting just before I got sick with whatever virus I had... then finished it up afterwards. I painted it from a picture I took of several folks walking with umbrellas... then chose a few of them to include in the composition, and changed a couple of their dark coats to red and tan. I'm not really sure what you folks will think about this painting, since it seems so different from my other work. But I personally like it. Since I went back into it after it had dried some, the texture is really thick. A personal note about rainy days... I love them. Last night my husband and I were leaving my son's basketball game, and it was raining pretty hard and our car was parked a looooong distance away. He looked at me, I looked at him... and we took off running. I got drenched but I laughed the whole way.

Tulips 4

2012-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Tulips 4

10 x 10, oil on linen panel

"Green"

2012-01-04T08:29:00.000-08:00

"Green"

10 x 10, oil on linen panel

Every year, nine of my high school friends get together for Christmas. I always leave with my stomach hurting from laughing so much. It's amazing how you can come together with old friends and it seems like you've not been apart for the whole year. My friend since before kindergarten has lived in Florida for several years, but she always makes it to the party. One friend lives about 45 minutes away in Fort Payne and wasn't able to make it. She always has a hysterical story from her life to tell. The rest of us all remained in our little town of Glencoe or next door town Hokes Bluff... one accountant, one school counselor, two school teachers, two nurses, and three stay at home moms (me being in the last category). All nine of us graduated from college, though I've never really thought about that until now.

I bought this vase for a Christmas present this year. I was planning on giving it at my girlfriend's Christmas party, secretly hoping I would get it back so that I could use it in my still life paintings. However, I saw one of my girlfriends a few days before the party and she encouraged me to bring one of my paintings instead. So I did, and thankfully it was well received. One friend even threatened to "roll in the floor" fighting for it :) So needless to say, the green vase stayed wrapped under the tree until Christmas morning... and I opened it.

This painting is a little different for me. I'm trying some new styles, having fun.

Crying Tulips

2012-01-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

"Crying Tulips"

10 x 10, oil on linen panel

Here's another painting "study" that I painted in consideration of painting larger. I love how tulips get "top heavy" and seem to droop their little heads.

I guess I title this painting "Crying Tulips" for two reasons: 1) the already stated and 2) I absolutely hate it that today is the last day of Christmas break for my children. I love having them home. I still homeschool my daughter, but my older two sons are in high school, with my oldest being a senior this year. Last night, after the Stanford / Oklahoma State game... we loaded up at almost midnight and went to a nearby Huddle House and ate a huge breakfast together. I don't know about them, but I had a blast. Time just flies by... and I try to hold on to every moment.

Thanks to everyone that sent me get well wishes here and on facebook and through private messages. I'm much, much better today!

Happy 2012!!! "Tulips 3"

2012-01-02T09:28:00.000-08:00

"Tulips 3"
10 x 10, oil on linen panel

My first post of the new year... which would've been posted yesterday had I not been sick with fever. I'm completely out of my head when I have a fever :) There's no telling what I may have typed. What a way to bring in a new year!

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and send me notes of encouragement. I do appreciate it very much.

I'm currently working on a series of paintings such as these... I'm calling them "studies" for larger paintings. I have purchased some huge (to me) canvases... 24 x 30, 30 x 30 and 30 x 40... but before I dive into painting, I want to paint smaller to see how I like the subject over a period of time.

I once read an interview of a songwriter and they asked him what was his favorite song he'd ever written. His answer was, "The last one." I get caught up in that sometimes with my paintings. But after the newness has worn off, sometimes I don't like it as much as I did right when I finished it.

This painting, however, I'm liking more and more each day... and I'm thinking I may tackle painting it larger.

Happy 2012 to all my blog readers.... blessings and best wishes for your best year yet :)

"The House That Built Me"

2011-12-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

"The House That Built Me"

20 x 24, oil on linen

This was my Christmas present to my parents. This is still my "home" from my childhood, the house where my folks still live. I moved into this house when I was eight years old. If you look closely, you can see my son's jeep and my Dad's truck under the shade tree, and also my minivan. It's a "River Day," because you can see the jet ski hooked up to the back of my Dad's truck. My mom is probably making ice cream on the back porch, and we're probably all sitting around her... except for my daughter, she is on her yellow scooter, zipping around the house. I'm posting a close-up below.

detail, "The House That Built Me"

"New Hope Baptist Church"

2011-12-26T17:40:00.000-08:00

"New Hope Baptist Church"

11x14, oil on linen panel

This is a Christmas present for my wonderful in-laws. It's a painting of the way their church building looked for many years before they tore it down and rebuilt it out of brick. The church is just down the road from my home... and when my husband passes by, he still sees the church as it was in this painting.

Christmas Eve Gift

2011-12-17T10:45:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve Gift

6 x 6, oil, $150 framed

Click here to purchase.

I've shared the story before about "Christmas Eve Gifts" with my family. On Christmas Eve, we always answer our phones "Christmas Eve Gift!" If you forget, then you have to give the person calling you a gift. Sorry about the glare... and this painting is dry and ready to ship :)

New Painting Demo - "Sweet Christmas"

2011-12-16T19:53:00.000-08:00

"Sweet Christmas"

6 x 6, oil
~Sold~

I have to be careful what I tell my Dad that I'm looking for... I told him I had not seen any of those "melt in your mouth" peppermint sticks and the next thing I know... he's walking in the back door with a box of them. My younger son wanted to make another video of me painting so here's the demo below... hope you all are enjoying the Christmas season.

Also, check out the wonderful music being performed in the video by my friend Craig Dobbins. He's awesome!!! If you're looking for some wonderful acoustic guitar music to listen to... he's the go-to guy. He's also an awesome teacher (he taught my husband and older son to play) and he puts out a quarterly "Acoustic Guitar Workshop" that my husband has subscribed to several times.

Missy, the Westie

2011-12-06T09:52:00.001-08:00

"Missy the Westie"

11 x 14, oil on linen
~Sold~

Missy is a commission I just finished. My friend Carol called me and said she wanted me to paint her friend's dog for her as a gift. (I painted Carol's dogs for her as well a couple of years ago). I love painting dogs. Their little eyes show so much of their personality. Sorry for the horrible glare at the top of the painting. It's a rainy day here in Alabama and it's near impossible to get a good photo outside.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season... and I hope my artist friends are enjoying painting special Christmas presents for their loved ones.

A Gift from Susan, A Gift for Susan

2011-11-30T16:42:00.001-08:00

She opened the package slowly, her eyes filled with delight and excitement. "Oh, look Mama, at the beautiful ribbon!" "Yes, Blaire, she even made the wrapping special."

She took her time to open it, because she was enjoying the expectation of what was to come. Slowly unknotting each tie of each pink ribbon. And then she found the layers of pink tissue paper... and revealed the treasure inside.

"Oh!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, Mama! I love it!"

Now isn't that why we all paint? Deep down inside, don't we all remember when we were a child, and we would create something... give it to Mama, or Daddy, or a grandparent, or even a school teacher... and hope for that show of enthusiasm and appreciation?

Ask me why I paint.

I paint because I love to see the joy that I saw when my daughter opened her present from my artist friend Susan Smolensky. Susan knows that my daughter loves horses and wanted to give her one of her horse paintings, for nothing in return.

My daughter wanted to do something for Susan though... because Susan touched my daughter's heart with her gift... and Blaire wanted to show her appreciation. So she painted a horse painting for Susan...

She took her time with it and kept asking, "Do you think she'll like it, Mama?"

"Oh yes, Blaire, she's going to love it."

Roll Tide and War Eagle - Paintings of Trent Richardson and Philip Lutzenkirchen

2011-11-27T21:00:00.001-08:00

Trent Richardson, 8 x 8, oil

Philip Lutzenkirchen, 6 x 6, oil

I had a lot of fun over the Thanksgiving holidays with these two paintings. I decided it would be fun to have a painting give away for the Alabama vs. Auburn game. So on my facebook page, I asked my friends to predict the half-time score for the Auburn painting, and the final score for the Alabama painting. I had over 150 guesses!!! The funny outcome is that an Auburn fan won the Alabama painting and an Alabama fan won the Auburn painting.

For fun, check out my friend Lisa Daria's latest painting of her dog... it's precious!!!! Click here.
Also, check out my friend John Guernsey's latest painting of the circus tents... it's awesome!!!!! Click here.

Painting Demo "Thankful"

2011-11-25T16:57:00.001-08:00

"Thankful"

6x6, oil

~Sold~

I'm so excited about this new painting demo. My younger son, Mason, was so nice to offer to video me painting and post it to youtube. I think it would've taken me forever to figure out how to do it! He also recorded my older son, Austin, playing one of his original songs on guitar for the background music. Hopefully we can do more of these soon...

"Before The Storm"

2011-11-24T20:18:00.001-08:00

"Before The Storm"

6 x 6, oil

$150

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day today.

Peonies

2011-11-23T20:15:00.001-08:00

Peonies

6x6, oil

I've got a cool little contest going on my facebook page (not my art page, but my personal profile page). I've painted a picture of Trent Richardson, Alabama's running back... and I'm asking all of my facebook friends to predict the final score of the upcoming Alabama versus Auburn game. The winning guess wins the painting and I've gotten 70 guesses so far! So if you're my facebook friend, feel free to go over and take a look, I'm really enjoying myself :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone... thanks for making my blog worth while to me.

Thankful Poppies

2011-11-22T12:35:00.001-08:00

"Thankful Poppies"

7x5, oil

$150, click here to purchase

So many things to be thankful for... tis the season to focus on faith, family and friends (and in Alabama, football). My oldest son's senior football season has sadly ended, but I know that there are much more happy, wonderful events in his future. It was almost too much for me to see him looking out at the field after the last game, taking a deep breath, and seeing the realization on his face that he'd just played his last game. I once told him, "There's more to life than football." And he wisely replied, "But there's a lot of life in football." I loved seeing his passion and dedication in something that he loved. I know that this same passion and dedication will spill over into other areas in his life in the future. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching him play football over the years... I will miss it dearly. Here's a picture of him below running one of his final touchdowns... Go Jackets! and Go Austin Brown!

An Honor from the Navy Operational Support Center in Charleston, SC

2011-11-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

Arthur Ravenel Bridge, Charleston, SC

6 x 6, oil, sold

I recently was contacted by Mr. Donnie Distler from the Navy Operational Support Center in Charleston, SC. He told me he was designing a "challenge coin" for the First Class Petty Officers Association, and wanted to know if he could use my painting of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge on their coin. My response, "Absolutely!"

What an honor! I was not familiar with the command coins, and he sent me this link to help me understand. It is a military tradition to trade and collect these coins. The FCPOA for the Navy Operational Support Center in Charleston supports 28 reserve units comprised of over 400 Navy Reservists. Over 50% of their Reserve population is currently serving overseas. I'm so honored that they wanted to use my painting to help represent them! Below is a copy of the coin design, along with a t-shirt that they had made showing the coin.

Rose

2011-11-04T10:34:00.000-07:00

"Rose"

7 x 5, oil

$150

One of my daughter's favorite horses.

The Promise

2011-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

"The Promise"

5 x 7, oil

$150, click on contact bar to the right of this page if interested in purchasing.

A small painting from a photo that my younger son took the other day after the rain, on a nearby road from our home, North College. He's taken several photos on this road which has a huge field with the sun setting behind it. We'll be on our way home in the evening and he'll say, "Stop Mom!" And I'll let him out to take some pics.

The Stone Market - Gadsden, Alabama - plein air

2011-11-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Stone Market

10 x 10, oil on linen panel

~Sold~

I painted this painting in plein air (outdoors on location) during a recent Alabama Plein Air Artists weekend in downtown Gadsden, Alabama. This is The Stone Market, a beautiful store on Chestnut Street. If you've never visited this store, I highly recommend it. Sylvia Smith, the owner, has a variety of unique gifts. Check out her website here. I definitely plan to shop at this store in the future!

"Yes in Paris" - Eiffel Tower Painting

2011-10-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Yes in Paris"

20 x 20, oil on gallery wrapped linen

I guess I'm a hopeless romantic. I love this time of year...

contact me if interested in purchasing.

Cadmium Yellow

2011-10-12T15:42:00.000-07:00

Cadmium Yellow

9 x 12, oil

I recently attended my very first workshop. The instructor was Colley Whisson from Australia. I've admired his work for some time, and when I saw that he was going to be in Alabama (at the Alabama Art Colony) I immediately signed up. This was last November and the workshop was eleven months away, and they already had a waiting list. Fortunately, they had some cancellations and I was able to fill a space.

If you ever get a chance to take from Colley Whisson, I highly recommend it. I told him since he was my first workshop, he was definitely at the top of my list :). But seriously, all the participants raved about what a wonderful, patient, hardworking teacher he is. I learned a lot from him and hopefully I can incorporate what I learned into future paintings.

This is a painting that I completed on the last day. It wouldn't be near the painting without Colley's input. To see more of Colley's work, click here.

"Charleston Alley" Charleston, SC

2011-10-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

Charleston Alley, a Charleston Memory painting

6x6, oil

$150

Another painting from my stroll through historic downtown Charleston with my Dad. He and my mom love all of the little alleys that lead to the courtyards behind the homes. I must add that my dear mom was swimming with my daughter back at the hotel while we were taking reference photos.

"Carriage Ride Down Rainbow Row" Charleston, SC

2011-10-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

"Carriage Ride Down Rainbow Row"

8x8, oil

~sold, Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston

Painted from a reference photo that I took while walking around downtown Historic Charleston with my Dad.

ITYBIDY - Alabama Plein Air Painters

2011-09-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

"ITYBIDY"

18 x 6, oil

~Sold~

The Alabama Plein Air Painters painted in downtown Gadsden a couple of weekends ago. This was my "Quick Draw" painting of Kay Moore's little bitty smartcar, which she calls "ITYBIDY" and even has it on her personalized license plate. Kay is the Director of Downtown Gadsden, Inc. and does soooo much for Gadsden. She never meets a stranger and has a gift for encouraging and motivating. Thanks again, Kay!

The Machinist

2011-09-22T15:28:00.000-07:00

"The Machinist"

9 x 12, oil on linen

I fell in love with him when I was fourteen. I remember dancing with him on the gym floor, and he sang to me... and I knew. This is the boy. He left me roses in my locker with no note. He knew that I would know, they were from him. He treated me like a princess. He was never jealous, because he knew that I loved him. We grew up together. He put up with me, and I put up with him. Folks ask, "Do y'all ever fight???" Of course we do. But we forgive easily. Now we've been married twenty years, and I love him more now than I ever have.

This is a picture of Vann and me when we were fifteen.

Rose and Lily

2011-09-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

"Rose and Lily"

6x6, oil, a gift for my daughter

I've been experimenting a little with my painting style. My daughter has been begging me to paint two of her favorite horses... Rose and her little Lily. They belong to some of our close friends that let Blaire come ride whenever she can talk her Dad into taking her. This painting is for Blaire. She already has a spot for it picked out in her bedroom.

Friendly

2011-09-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Friendly

6x6, oil

Gerber daisies are friendly flowers. I remember in the movie, "You've Got Mail," Meg Ryan tells Tom Hanks, "Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flowers?"

I was having a hard time deciding on a title for this painting, and I thought about a young lady that was kind to me at the store earlier. She didn't have to be, she just chose to take a minute and be "friendly."

Upcoming event: I'll be painting with the Alabama Plein Air Painters this Friday and Saturday in downtown Gadsden. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello :)

This Little Piggy

2011-09-11T15:47:00.000-07:00

This Little Piggy

6x6, oil

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

I had such fun painting the last piggy painting, I decided to try another one.

Happy

2011-09-08T19:40:00.000-07:00

"Happy"

6x6, oil

Folks tell me I paint happy little paintings. Works for me.

This Little Piggy had a Flower - SOLD

2011-09-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

"This Little Piggy had a Flower"

6x6, oil

~Sold~

As part of the Daily Paintworks Challenge "Paint a Pig" this week, I painted Carol Marine's ceramic pig and added a daisy. Once again, my sweet mom helped me with the title. I loved painting this little painting and the study of whites. Praying for the Marine family... Carol and her family have lost their home to a forest fire in Texas this week. I can't imagine.

Here's the link to a fundraiser to help the Marine family. Click here.

Brighter Days

2011-09-06T17:02:00.000-07:00

Brighter Days

10x8, oil on linen

Sold, Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

Thanks to everyone that sent notes and emails about my son and his knee injury. It's been rough, but he's doing much better.

Sunflowers in Green Vase

2011-09-05T09:42:00.000-07:00

"Sunflowers in Green Vase"

6x6, oil

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

I found this green vase in Nashville this summer... just getting around to painting it. The home-grown pears are from my in-laws.

Gerber and Pears

2011-09-04T22:21:00.000-07:00

Gerber and Pears

6x6, oil

I've painted this vase several times, and it always comes out a different color :) This was also an orange gerber daisy, but I thought it looked better red.

Cumulus

2011-09-01T05:49:00.000-07:00

"Cumulus"

6 x 6, oil

To be auctioned in February at Montgomery Museum of Fine Art

I always notice the clouds in the sky. I had lunch with a high school friend recently, and when we were walking out of the restaurant, I said to her, "Aren't the clouds just beautiful today??" She looked up and said, "Well, I hate to say this, but I probably wouldn't have noticed had you not said something."

Here Comes The Sun

2011-08-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Here Comes The Sun"

6 x 6

If you've never heard the story behind this famous Beatles song, I'd like to share it with you. It was written the year I was born :), by George Harrison... who said the winters in England seemed to go on forever, so when spring came around, he was more than ready for it. He was escaping the business side of being a Beatle, and visited Eric Clapton. While at Clapton's house, he grabbed one of Eric's acoustic guitars and walked around the garden while writing this song.

I thought this was an appropriate title for this painting for two reasons... one being the obvious... the sunflower seems to be coming right at you, the other, because I seem to be exiting my winter of a slump with my painting, and I'm more than ready for it.

Morning Tea

2011-08-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

"Morning Tea"

6 x 6, oil
Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

Sometimes God wants me to slow down, smell the flowers, and drink some tea.

Piper

2011-08-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Piper

6 x 6, oil

~sold~

Piper belongs to a special friend of mine and her husband... Christie and Mike. Christie commissioned me to paint this for her husband's birthday which is September 2nd... but she sent me a message last night telling me that Piper couldn't wait and went ahead and gave it to Mike yesterday. Thanks again, Christie!!!

Joy Again

2011-08-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Joy Again

6 x 6, oil

$150 framed

I've painted some ugly paintings the past couple of months... and was getting so discouraged about my work. I went several days without even painting. I'm not sure what happened. I started asking myself questions like, "What am I doing?" and "Why am I investing so much time in money into this?"

Folks would ask me, "What are you painting?" and my answer was, "I'm in a slump."

But I feel myself coming out of it, and the desire is coming back, and I feel joy again.

Artist's Block

2011-08-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have it. I had heard of it, maybe experienced it mildly last summer. It's scary. Suggestions welcomed and appreciated.

Gifts from Dad

2011-08-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

Gifts from Dad

6 x 6, oil

This is a painting that I did a while back but wasn't happy with it.. so I got it out and re-worked it. I'm much happier with it now.

Maters

2011-08-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Maters

6 x 8, oil on linen

Good tomatoes burn your mouth when you eat them.

Appalachian Lullaby (Craig Dobbins)

2011-08-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

Appalachian Lullaby (Craig Dobbins)

18 x 6, oil

When my 17 year old son, Austin, was only ten years old... I took him to my husband's guitar teacher, Craig Dobbins. Craig didn't know if Austin would be old enough for lessons, so he took him in for one lesson to try him out. Upon returning home, Austin made it to the living room with his guitar case, opening it immediately to start practicing. He was hooked from the beginning. The next Wednesday, Craig came walking out the car after Austin's second practice with his hands in his pockets. I didn't know if he "passed" or not... but Craig smiled and said, "I can teach him."

Craig is a super talented guitarist and was a wonderful teacher. He also introduced us to the yearly Chet Atkins convention in Nashville that we attend every year as a family.

I named this painting after one of Craig's songs that he wrote, Appalachian Lullaby. You can listen to part of his song here.

CGP (Certified Guitar Player)

2011-07-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

"CGP"

18 x 6, oil

Last week we attended the Chet Atkins convention in Nashville, TN. This is a painting of one of my boys' favorite performers, Tommy Emmanuel. We've gone to the convention since before my 9 year old daughter was born... and every year my boys (now 14 and 17) go down front and sit on the floor at Tommy's feet to watch him play. This is "their view" of Tommy playing. Once when they were little, Tommy got on the elevator with us, and my boys were completely starstruck. The convention is a wonderful tribute to Chet Atkins. The title "CGP," meaning Certified Guitar Player, is one that Chet lightheartedly gave to himself and just a few others: Steve Wariner, Jerry Reed, John Knowles and Tommy Emmanuel.

$425.
Click here to purchase through Paypal, or email me.

Martha

2011-07-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

"Martha"

10 x 8, oil on linen

This is a painting of my cousin's sweet grandmother. Kevin and Michele want to give this to my aunt as a special gift in his Nana's memory.

Barbara Flowers - a visit with an artist that I truly admire

2011-07-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

"Watchful" 30 x 15, oil by BARBARA FLOWERS

Last week was a great visit to the beach but within that trip I also had another awesome visit with an artist that I've admired since I started painting... Barbara Flowers. Barbara invited me to her studio and gave me so much wonderful advice. I was truly blessed to get to spend the afternoon with her and her husband, Jerry. They are such nice folks. The best advice that she gave me is for me to do my work with my art, and leave everything else up to God. So whether I succeed or whether I fail, I know that God is in control. I believe that knowledge shines through in her work.

Barbara at work in her studio

Click here to see Barbara's blog and here to visit her website. Thanks again, Barbara. May God continue to bless your work :)

I'll see you at the beach

2011-07-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

I'll see you at the beach

6 x 6, oil

Rob is a good friend of mine. He's one of those guys that when you bring up his name in a conversation, you usually hear someone say, "Rob's a great guy."

Recently Rob shared a story with me about his grandmother. Rob was very close to his Granny growing up and when he moved away from home in his early 20's, he talked to her on the phone every night. She expressed to him how she wanted "a visual" of where he lived when she talked to him, so he picked her up one day and drove her to his new apartment. On the journey, they traveled over a huge lake in Alabama, and she leaned forward and asked him, "Is this the ocean???" Rob explained how his grandmother had never been anywhere her whole life, so he said his wheels started turning and he decided that he was going to take her to the beach, because she needed to see the ocean.

He told me how he walked her out on the 8th floor balcony and she stumbled when she saw the ocean for the first time in her life. She said that this was her new "visual" for Heaven, and they spent two days together talking on the balcony and walking hand in hand on the beach.

A few years later, Rob's grandmother was passing from this life into her new eternal one, and Rob leaned down and whispered to her, "I'll see you at the beach."

I found this little photo of Rob and his grandmother on his facebook page, and decided that I would paint it after hearing the beautiful story.

Thanks Rob, for all that you do.

Rob Goodwin has a blog that's worth reading, titled "Emotional Victory."

Beach Blaire

2011-07-03T18:36:00.000-07:00

"Beach Blaire"

6 x 6, oil

My family just got back from a wonderful week at the beach. This is a painting of my daughter, Blaire. She loves to catch waves, make sand castles, and look for crabs. This was taken late one afternoon when just she and I were on the beach together. My two sons both had friends that they were with at the time, so it gave us some time together. She caught me taking her picture and she said, "Are you going to paint me?" Now how could I resist?

"One of My Best Days Ever"

2011-06-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

"One of My Best Days Ever"

11 x 14, oil on linen

My daughter, Blaire, loves horses. She doesn't have one of her own, but we have a friend that lets her come over and ride his horses. She's happy to just stop by and see them. Recently I was given the name of a lady that gives riding lessons and contacted her. I didn't realize at the time that she lives almost two hours away. So we went one time and Blaire just loved her, so I decided it was worth the drive to go back.

You know, as a parent, I sometimes struggle to know the right decision. There is so much to balance. I want to do all that I can for my children, but in no way do I want to "spoil" them in a negative way. I'd love to give and buy them everything, but that is not the right thing to do (nor is it affordable!).

However, horses make my daughter's heart sing. She's always loved animals. I remember when she could barely walk, she'd walk in the back door carrying a little green anole lizard by the tail to show me... smiling ear to ear at her little prize.

So I scheduled another riding lesson with "Mrs. Joanne," as Blaire calls her. Blaire's love language is gifts, so she made Mrs. Joanne a large painting of horseshoes and also took her a rubber band ring shaped like a horseshoe "because she is so nice to me," Blaire said.

Mrs. Joanne and her horse, Callie, spent about two hours with Blaire that day. Blaire never quit smiling. I knew she was having fun, but I didn't realize how much until we got in the van afterwards and she said as we were driving away, "That was one of my best days ever." I almost started crying, considering the fact that I almost didn't take the trip back. I looked in my rearview mirror at her and said, "Mine too."

Summertime

2011-06-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

"Summertime"

4 x 4, oil

This is my attempt at this week's Daily Paintworks challenge. Carol Marine posted a wonderful photo and asked that we paint the subject upside down. It was quite a challenge, but a good one because the brain doesn't see things sometimes when everything is right side up. It was really cool when I turned the painting right side up and saw the finished painting. To see the challenge and the other entries, click here.

My Father

2011-06-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

"Daddy"

12 x 12, oil

He's always said to me, "You're my favorite 5 year old!" or "You're my favorite 19 year old!" (However old I am, I'm his favorite of that age).

Now he tells my daughter, his only granddaughter, "You're my favorite granddaughter!"

And there's a major highway that I pull out onto from his neighborhood, where I grew up... nearly every time I'd leave our house he'd say, "Be careful pulling out onto the highway." It got to be a joke with us and I'd ask, "Which road is that, Dad?"

He used to tuck my sister and me in at night into our twin beds, and every night he'd say prayers with us and then ask us Bible questions. He'd give me the easier ones, since I was the littlest. He'd make it fun turning back and forth in between my sister and me pointing to us. "Who built the ark?" "Who was the father of many nations?" "Who had the coat of many colors?"

He's serious, he's hilarious, he's generous and he's kind. He loves Christmas and river days. He loves going to flea markets and trade days. He always treated my mom like a queen, and my sister and me like princesses.

I love this man. Thanks for being my Daddy. I love you, big as the sky.

His Father

2011-06-20T12:12:00.000-07:00

"Planting a Garden"

~A gift for his father~

12 x 12, oil

There's so much to say about this man, the father of my husband. I took some photos of him on his "ol' farmall tractor that's still runnin' like a dream"... knowing that I would one day paint the scene.

He's a good man, a great man. Happy Father's Day, Mr. Brown. I love you. Thanks for loving me and for always being there for us. And thanks for raising such a wonderful man.

"Home" - Lessons with John Guernsey

2011-06-16T16:55:00.001-07:00

"Home"

12 x 12, oil on linen

Painted under John Guernsey's instruction

This week I took some private lessons from artist friend John Guernsey. If you've never seen his work before, you have truly missed out on an awesome artist. He just recently created a blog for himself... and in my opinion, he's one of the best artists out there. He's originally from California but presently lives in Georgia. He has participated in the Southeastern Plein Air festival with me for the past three years, and that's where I met him. The past two years, he's won "Best of Show" for his paintings. He very humbly told me during the festival that he thought he might could teach me some things to help me improve my work. I found out that he teaches ongoing classes each week and also gives private lessons. So I asked if he could come to my home to teach me when he came back to Gadsden, which he agreed to do. John is a very self-less teacher, and looked at some of my paintings and told me how I could improve them. He also completed two 9 x 12 demos for me... one architecture and one landscape. On the second day, he sat beside me and instructed me as I completed the above painting of my home. Even down to the composition, he instructed me... so when the painting was complete, I asked if he would co-sign it with me. He told me that wasn't necessary... but I truly wanted him to because it would've turned out totally different had he not been here. I know this painting looks like a "John Guernsey" painting... but I hope to incorporate some of the valuable information he shared with me into my own work, and make it my own. So to my artist friends... if you're looking to improve your work, I highly recommend you contact John. His email address is johnbguernsey@bellsouth.net (Click here to see his new blog)

John next to our painting. Thanks again, John!!!

Pear

2011-06-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

Pear

4 x 4, oil

I just got through with a very challenging painting... hopefully I will post it soon but waiting on approval first. I needed to paint "comfort food" again...

For The Birds

2011-06-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

For The Birds

6 x 6, oil

My mother bought these two cute little birds for me to paint. She also wrapped the package for me because this weeks Daily Paintworks challenge is "The Gift" challenge, where you're suppose to paint a wrapped gift. You like the title?

Recent Shows - Charleston, SC & Northport, AL

2011-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of my show from last night at the Renaissance Gallery in Northport, AL and also my show from May 6th at Shelby Lee Gallery in Charleston, SC. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Anne, Kathy and Lori Ann at the Renaissance Gallery and Shelby Parbel at Shelby Lee Gallery!!!

Shelby, J. Michael Kennedy, and me outside of the gallery on Church Street
Show at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC
Show at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC
Show at Renaissance Gallery in Northport, AL
Show at Renaissance Gallery in Northport, AL

Kathy, me, Anne and Lori Ann at the Renaissance Gallery

River Day

2011-05-31T15:42:00.000-07:00

River Day

6 x 6, oil

I painted this yesterday while at my parents' home for Memorial Day. We always call days in the summer time at my parents "River Days." I was set up on the back porch and this was my view. There were actually wave runners in the water but I didn't include them.

Clouds - SOLD

2011-05-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

Clouds

6 x 6, oil

Look up today and see God's glorious brushwork! No one can paint a sky like Him :)

This is my entry for this week's Daily Paintworks challenge... the "Outside Your Window Challenge." This is my view out of my front door window. To see other entries, click here.

Tulips

2011-05-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

Tulips

10 x 10, oil

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

School is out for summer, so this is indeed a happy painting :)

Sunset on the Coosa

2011-05-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Sunset on the Coosa

6 x 6, oil

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

A small study for a larger painting. I used a photo that my son took while fishing one evening on the Coosa River.

Cat - SOLD

2011-05-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Cat

6 x 6, oil

Sold, Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

Another Daily Paintworks Challenge... to see the other posts, click here.

Orchid - SOLD

2011-05-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Orchid, 5 x 20

~Sold~

I painted this painting on Day 2 of the Southeastern Plein Air Festival at the Owen's farm. I wasn't feeling well that morning, but Karen Owen got me all set up on her front porch and I sat and painted her orchid while listening to some beautiful music that she had playing for me. I usually stand while painting, but needed to sit that day. My van had quit on the way home the night before, and then I scratched my father-in-law's nice truck that morning while pulling out of my driveway... so I was wound up and pretty upset by the time I got to the farm. Karen, I appreciate you helping me to unwind :)

Roses in My Chair

2011-05-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

Roses in My Chair

24 x 12, oil on linen

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

The wild roses are beautiful this year... I wanted to try to capture all of the beautiful colors in them.

Before the Kentucky Derby

2011-05-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

Before the Kentucky Derby

14 x 11, oil on linen

I met some very cool people before the Kentucky Derby a couple of Saturdays ago. Mr. Lantz was one of them. He was magnetic in a room of people having afternoon tea in Summerville, South Carolina. They were all dressed in Kentucky Derby attire.. so I started taking photos for future paintings. I finally fessed up and told him that I was planning on painting him... so he generously posed for me for several shots.

Harbor Point - SOLD

2011-05-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

Harbor Point

5 x 20, oil

~Sold~

This painting was painted the day after the tornadoes came through Alabama. The sky was the prettiest shade of blue that day. I painted this a few feet away from an awesome artist, Becky Joy. There were some loud squawking blue herons nearby that kept us entertained, and Mike, Becky's friend kept us company. I thought he had taken some of the fallen tree limbs and made a smiley face behind me, but he promised he didn't. The sweet couple that I met that live in the green house that I painted bought this painting. This is their view from the side of their home.

Gadsden's Railroad Bridge - Something Old, Something New

2011-05-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Something Old, Something New (Gadsden's Railroad Bridge)

11 x 14, oil on linen

Recently, our local train bridge was given a fine paint job so I decided to paint it during the Southeastern Plein Air Invitational. Here's an article about painting the bridge. I painted this the morning of the tornadoes. Incredibly, the day started out with a horrible wind storm that converted to a beautiful sunny morning. I was beginning to think that maybe the worst part of the storms was over. However, I developed a horrible headache just after I finished and barely made it home. Steve at the museum announced that the Red Cross said the storms would hit our area around 3:00 PM. I tend to get migraines when a storm is coming... and this one was a nauseating one. I only painted this one painting that day. The destruction the tornadoes made just four miles from my home is indescribable.

Limelight - SOLD

2011-05-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

Limelight

6 x 6, oil

~Sold~

On day four of the Southeastern Plein Air Festival, I went down to the colorful homes on the water in Southside, in a subdivision called "Harbor Point." This place makes you feel like you're at the beach. I painted a view of the water first but the whole time I was painting, I kept turning around to walk away from my painting and this lime green house was hollering at me, "Paint ME! Paint ME!!!" So when I finished, I was loading up my things to move when the owner drove up. I told her that I was going to paint her home but that she was under no obligation to buy the painting... I just wanted to paint it. All the little homes have names, and this one is appropriately named "Limelight." I think I could paint every home in that subdivision. One funny story... my mom and daughter came down to visit me and they didn't know where I was painting... when my daughter saw this green house she told my mother, "I bet Mom is painting that green house!" She knows me well :)

The Cousins - SOLD

2011-05-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

The Cousins

10 x 10, oil on linen, SOLD

Recently while painting with the Alabama Plein Air Artists at the Selma Pilgrimage, I painted a painting of three friends (Brandon, Maddie, and Malachi) and posted on my blog... you can see the first painting here. The next week I received a phone call from the grandmother of Brandon and Maddie, and she said she'd seen my painting on my blog and wanted a painting of the three friends as well. I had told her that they told me they were cousins, and she laughed and said they tell that to folks... Anyway, I was tickled to get to paint them again. I phoned the purchaser of my original painting to make sure it was okay that I painted a similar painting (thanks Debe!) I sent Lisa, the grandmother, some different photos that I had taken of them so we could make this painting original and different from the first. I hope you like it, Lisa, and thanks again!

Duck in My Cup

2011-05-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

6 x 6, oil

I decided it'd be fun to ask my facebook and blogging friends to help me name this painting. I come up with a couple, but the subject is so different... I'd like to hear your ideas. Thanks in advance for your help. I found this little rubber duckie in my bathroom and thought he was so cute that I'd try painting him. I decided to sit him floating inside one of my favorite tea cups.

Woodlands Inn Brunch - Summerville, South Carolina

2011-05-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

Woodlands Inn Brunch

9 x 12, oil on linen

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

Here is the painting that I completed while at the Woodlands Inn Mother's Day Brunch. They had fixed me up a special little tray to paint. If you want a special treat while close to Charleston, then I highly recommend the Woodlands Inn. Below are some pictures of where I painted before the guests began to arrive. Again, thanks to the Woodlands Inn for allowing me to paint at the brunch, and thank you Rick Reinert for the invitation!

Two is Better than One

2011-05-09T15:17:00.000-07:00

‎Two is Better than One

6 x 6, oil

Available at Renaissance Gallery, Northport, AL

This is one of the paintings that I completed while visiting the Woodlands Inn in Summerville, South Carolina. Special thanks to Rick Reinert for the invitation, and to Woodlands Inn for allowing me to paint during their Mother's Day luncheon.

Rainbow Row in Charleston

2011-05-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Rainbow Row in Charleston

oil, 6 x 18

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC
or contact me to purchase.

A sight you don't want to miss in historical Charleston. I'm heading that way tomorrow for a show at Shelby Lee Gallery on Friday night, and then painting Sunday at Woodlands Inn for their Mother's Day brunch.

Just a Dream and the Wind

2011-05-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Just a Dream and the Wind

10 x 10, oil on linen

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

My title comes from lyrics in the song "Sailing" performed by Christopher Cross...

I will soon be seeing the beautiful sailboats in the Charleston Harbor. If you're in Charleston this weekend, I hope you'll make plans to stop by and see me this Friday night at Shelby Lee Gallery on Church Street. I'm taking several new paintings with me. Also, thanks to my wonderful artist friend Rick Reinert, I've been invited to be the guest artist this Sunday at the Woodlands Inn for their Mother's Day Brunch.

Me

2011-05-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Me, 4" x 4"

oil on panel

If you wondered what happened to me last week, the tornados came through pretty close to where I live and my power was out from Wednesday on... and I just got internet yesterday... but I will post pictures of the rest of the Southeastern Plein Air Invitational soon. Seeing all the damage from the storm is horrific.

This is my entry to this week's Daily Paintworks challenge, to paint a self-portrait... which is something I've never done before... and let me just say, it was indeed a challenge. To sell all of this week's entries, click here.

Southeastern Plein Air Festival - Day 2

2011-04-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

4 paintings today... Hopefully better photos to come!

Southeastern Plein Air Invitational - Day 1

2011-04-25T19:52:00.001-07:00

Today we painted at the Gadsden Country Club Golf Course. I'm exhausted so I'm only going to post pictures for now.. but I will say it was a great day and the Gadsden Art Association volunteers are the bomb.

Southeastern Plein Air Invitational

2011-04-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow evening I will be meeting all the other artists invited to the Southeastern Plein Air Invitational in Gadsden, Alabama. Artists participating are Jill Berry, Beverly Ford Evans, Donna Chieves, Dot Courson, Millie Gosch, John Guernsey, Becky Joy, Greg Little, Ralph Parker, Jan Polk, Dmitry Proshkin, Craig Reynolds, Robin Roberts and Katrina Weber. We'll be painting in different locations in the Gadsden area Monday through Friday, with a silent auction on Friday evening.

Hydrangeas

2011-04-23T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hydrangeas

6 x 6, oil

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

A little something different again today. One of those paintings that looks better from across the room while squinting :) I'm likin' it though!!!

Silver

2011-04-20T15:13:00.001-07:00

Silver

6 x 6, oil

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

My sweet man went to a flea market recently and came back with an awesome silver pitcher for me to use in my still lifes. I had finished up another painting yesterday and was pretty tired but had a lot of paint left on my pallette. The pitcher was hollering out to me... "PAINT ME! PAINT ME!" so I decided to have some fun with it. I actually love the way this turned out. It's a little abstract for me... could have something to do with the fact it was midnight and I was pretty weary... but I painted the way I wanted to paint... like a little girl let loose with some paint and brushes.

Mother's Day Gift - Sold

2011-04-19T08:16:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day Gift

6 x 6, oil

~Sold~

Why not buy Mom a flower that will last forever? This little 6 x 6 painting is $150 framed in a beautiful 3" dark frame. Other framing options available. Contact me at ginab@internetpro.net if interested :) I can paint whatever flower you'd like using whatever colors, but I need your order no later than this Saturday the 23rd in order for it to be ready for Mother's Day. I can ship it anywhere :)

Chillaxin'

2011-04-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Chillaxin'

6 x 6, oil

It's a combination between "Chilling" and "Relaxing" and that's what my daughter was doing. She pulled out a beach chair and got her sunglasses and decided to enjoy the sunshine. I was painting indoors, but when I saw what she was doing... I had to shift gears. This was done very quickly in plein air in about an hour. She loved being a model for me.

Love in a Pepsi Cup

2011-04-17T13:36:00.000-07:00

Love in a Pepsi Cup

6 x 6, oil

~NFS~

It's the little things that matter, isn't it? My husband stopped by the side of the road and picked these jonquils for me. He had a styrofoam pepsi cup in his truck, so that's the way he brought them home. I loved them.... no fancy vase necessary. The Pepsi cup reminds me that they were from him. It's those little things, those little moments that say so well, "I love you." I wanted to always remember them, so I decided to paint them the way they were given to me.

Welcome to Pine Mountain - SOLD

2011-04-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pine Mountain

20 x 5, oil

~Sold~

Today Craig Reynolds and I left at 5:00 AM to head to Pine Mountain, Georgia for the Callaway Gardens Quick Draw Event. The event began at 10:00 AM and concluded at 12:00 Noon. Afterwards, the paintings were set along the sidewalk for sale. I got to meet a lot of new artist friends and I avoided being attacked by a pit bull that had jumped his fence. (whew).

Thanks to Tania for the purchase!!!

Cock-A-Doodle-Deux

2011-04-14T05:06:00.001-07:00

Cock-A-Doodle-Deux

6 x 6

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

This is my entry this week for Daily Paintworks "Chicken" challenge. I used a photo reference that my Dad had taken last weekend at Collinsville Trade Day. My parents took my younger son and daughter to trade day and my son spent over $100 of his money and my daughter came home with two baby chickens. Thanks to my sister for helping me with the title. To see more of the challenges, click here.

Summer Fun

2011-04-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun, 6 x 6
This is where I spend a lot of my time in the spring and summer. It's my parents' back yard, on the Coosa River. Actually, behind their home is what is called "Cove Creek." It's a beautiful quiet place. I moved into this home when I was eight, and I spent many days sitting, suntanning, or fishing on this pier. I painted this over the weekend while my kids were playing in the beautiful Alabama sunshine :)

News:

Last Week to Register!!! (Register by April 15)

Gadsden Museum of Art is hosting a 3 day painting workshop:

"Everyday Painting with Lisa Daria and Gina Brown"

at the Gadsden Museum of Art, Gadsden, AL, May 31 - June 2, 10 - 4

Explore the discipline of painting every day and discover how these two artists' practice of daily painting produces artistic growth. Lisa and Gina agree that continuous painting is by far the most effect way to improve creativity and image-making skills. This is an opportunity to explore both acrylic and oil painting mediums.

$200pp, click here to register (through Paypal)

You may also contact Gina Brown if you prefer to pay with personal check. Gina's email address: ginab@internetpro.net

Ol' Home Place - Sold

2011-04-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ol' Home Place - Selma, Alabama

8 x 10, oil

This is one of the commissions from my Selma Pilgrimage trip. I met Pam at the end of the paint out and she saw some of my paintings and asked if I could paint a home in Selma that she used to own. I went and took some pics of the beautiful home. She then emailed me and asked if I had started the painting yet, because she found an old photo of the azaleas in front of the home, with the house a different color, and she wanted to know if I could paint the house this green color instead. The home is yellow now. This was a little bit of a challenge for me to paint it differently than my reference photos, but I enjoyed it very much.

He Loves Me - SOLD

2011-04-09T16:38:00.001-07:00

"He Loves Me"

6 x 6, oil

Sold by Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

This gerber daisy painting reminds me of when I used to pick little dandelions when I was little and pull a petal at a time saying, "He loves me, he loves me not." I think it always ended with "He loves me." I may have cheated and pulled a couple of petals at the end sometimes :)

The Bluebird Cafe - Nashville, TN

2011-04-08T19:49:00.001-07:00

Bluebird Cafe

10 x 10, oil

$500 framed, email me if interested.

I love the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN. At the Bluebird Cafe, about 100 folks sit very closely at small tables all centered around the middle of the room. In the center of the room, they have "In the Round" shows where the hit songwriters sit in a circle and perform their songs and tell the stories behind them. There's something special about hearing the songwriter perform the song. If you love live music, I highly recommend you going!!! I think if I lived in Nashville, I would try to go every week.

Other news: Below is a picture of my oldest son, Austin. Tonight is his prom. I thought he looked soooooo handsome :)

In Memory of Carl

2011-04-06T09:37:00.000-07:00

"In Memory of Carl"

6 x 6, oil

I painted this Easter Lily for a dear friend.

U.T. the Chinese Crested Dog

2011-04-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

"U.T. the Chinese Crested Dog"

6 x 6, oil

On a recent trip to Nashville, we met some great folks that invited us to their home. My son played guitars with their son, Chet, while their daughter, Hannah, beautifully played the piano. When I saw one of their "other children" I had to take some pics... knowing that one day I'd want to paint this little fella. His name is "U.T."

Headed to Nashville

2011-04-04T10:14:00.001-07:00

Headed to Nashville

6 x 6, oil

My husband loves this train bridge that we go under on our way to Nashville. It's on I-24 close to Nickajack Lake.

Another Country Road

2011-04-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

"Another Country Road"

6 x 6, oil

This is from a photo reference from artist Carol Marine's trip to Germany. I almost titled this painting, "Another Country's Road." You can see the other entries here.

Alabama

2011-04-02T11:32:00.000-07:00

"Alabama"

10 x 10, oil, Sold

Just completed this commission for a friend. She's wanting to give this as a "baby" gift but wanted something that didn't look baby-ish. She requested that I use a chest of drawers and an Alabama pennant above it.

Daffodils

2011-03-31T08:58:00.000-07:00

Daffodils

6 x 6, oil

$150 framed, email me if interested

Tulip

2011-03-29T08:37:00.001-07:00

Tulip

12 x 12, oil

Available at Shelby Lee Gallery, Charleston, SC

Sunrise

2011-03-24T06:19:00.000-07:00

Sunrise, 6 x 6

I painted this quick painting of the sun rising in front of my home in plein air. I'm still seeing sun spots from it. I loved the calmness of the sky and wanted to try to paint it. Good Morning, God!

More Tiger Lilies

2011-03-23T08:26:00.001-07:00

More Tiger Lilies, 40 x 30

oil on linen

I painted a much larger version of the Tiger Lilies with a slightly different composition.