Deseret Book "Lunch and Learn"/Tulips to match some of my favorite earrings

Here is a little glimpse of a painting I just started. I never get tired of painting tulips. My inspiration this time is a pair of earrings that I love. The earrings are turquoise and red swarovski crystal with a green patina on the gold (Liz Palacios). I love the color combination.

I will be working on this painting this Friday, January 28th at the Deseret Book Flagship store across from Temple Square as part of the "Lunch and Learn" series. I will be there from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. painting, signing prints and answering any questions. I am excited.

Pleasantly surprised

When we went to the opening of the children's exhibit, we were pleasantly surprised to find the art of 2 more nieces and a nephew were also in the show. (not that they didn't deserve to be, just that none of us had been notified beforehand) I am so proud of my nieces and nephew to have their artwork in this great exhibit. Great job!

To see the whole exhibit online, click here.

Avery, age 5

Talmage, age 7

London, age 6

A wonderful interactive children's exhibit opened the same night. It has fun activities that kept us all entertained, from dolls to life-size building blocks, to dancing costumes and video of dancers to follow, it was all really fun and well done. I highly recommend it, it is great for all ages, we can't wait to go back!

"Noah's Ark" by Eliza

Eliza, age 7

I am so excited for my niece Eliza, she had this painting of hers selected as part of an international art exhibit. When she found out she made it, and that it would be hanging until July, she said, " Why can't they just keep mine hanging up all the time?" I told her that is actually quite a long time for an exhibit to hang, and they will have other art to exhibit. She said, "Well, why can't they just find a different place to hang the other stuff and keep mine there?" I sure love Eliza. I love her painting too.

"The Gospel Blesses My Life" is an exhibit featuring art by children, ages 5-12, from 42 countries around the world. Using the theme "How the Gospel of Jesus Christ has Blessed My Life," the young artists used various media to create artwork about different gospel subjects.

Of more than 1,700 entries submitted from around the world, 250 were selected for display. Most of the remaining entries can be viewed on digital screens in rotation as part of the exhibit. This artwork will also be featured on the Friend magazine's website at www.friend.lds.org and in the "Our Creative Friends" section of the March 2011 issue of the Friend.

"The Gospel Blesses My Life" will continue through July 4.