One of my favorite quotes is “It’s okay if people look at you like you’re a little crazy. Tell them you’re a painter.” Things have been a little topsy turvy over here lately. I’ve been preparing for a big show in Cashiers, North Carolina. I’m honored to show with a wonderful group of artists at the Designer Show House.

SNEAK PEAK

Have I mentioned that I am not a fast painter? I take my time. I work on composition and values before I put the brush to canvas. Sometimes I’ll even make a value study in one color to make sure I have it right. Needless to say, preparing enough paintings for a 10 day show has been a challenge for me.

My goal was 40 and I’m so happy to say I hit my number! You are the first to get a sneak peek.

UPSIDE DOWN

The funny thing is, even though I achieved my goal, I still feel I need to do more. I wake at 3 am wondering if I painted the right things. That’s when I decided I needed to turn things upside down. This is a “not so” secret trick in painting. When you are doubting and struggling with a piece, just turn it and your source photo over. (This does not work if painting with a live model of a live cow!) It forces you to look for shapes instead of what you think it should look like. All this to say, I turned my thinking upside down. I started focusing on all I had accomplished instead of what I thought was lacking.

MEET ME ON THE VILLAGE GREEN

This is an adventure, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out! I hope you’ll join me. The show starts Friday, August 25th and runs through September 4th.

You don’t need a ticket to visit the Vendors at the Village Green.