red tulips

I love tulips.

I especially love red tulips.

I've even had a show where every single painting was a painting of red tulips.

(this painting was part of that show,"red tulips", oil on panel, 24" X24")

I never get tired of them.

I can't wait for them to bloom again this year.

Getting excited for spring

I am getting so excited for the spring, for the tulips to bloom, for the tulip festival, for the new life and hope the spring brings.

I got this painting out that I had been painting last spring in the Children's Garden... I think I want to put a rainbow in on the left side.

This year, The Thanksgiving Point Tulip Festival is April 15-30th. I really believe the best way to enjoy the Tulip Festival is to get a membership and come a few times. Many people do not realize there are early, middle and late tulips, so the gardens are constantly changing. Many people also do not realize that they can come before and after the Tulip Festival and still enjoy the tulips. The gardens open on March 26th, and there are always many of the late tulips that do not get seen by many visitors and they are so beautiful- many of the late tulips grow so tall- up to your waist and the colors are really quite elegant. The late ones also have some sophisticated colors. The very earliest ones are so pretty too, they are typically very bright orange-red and yellow. And the darling crocus make early visits so pleasant.

Mother Nature is definitely in charge, there will be rainy days, probably even some snow, but if you have a membership you can bundle up and enjoy these beautifully serene days as well. The colors seem more intense, and it is so quiet, you can almost hear the tulips growing.

Anyway, I am excited.

painting at the Deseret Book Flagship Store

I had a great time painting at the Deseret Book Flagship Store downtown. It was so fun to get to visit with friends who came to see me, and to meet new friends too. I loved how happy people were to think that spring is on it's way, the weather doesn't feel like it, but my paintings seemed to get people excited to think about it.

I'll be painting there again on Friday, March 11th.

By the way, do you see that big stack of books behind me? President Monson signed each and every one, each signature is unique, and they are only available at the Flagship location.

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.

I haven't blogged for a long time...

... because I have been focusing on this little one.

I have gotten a few paintings done during my pregnancy, including the painting below entitled, "Eve, Mother of All Living". It is currently hanging in the Springville Museum of Art 25th annual religious show.

I'm excited to go back and post some of the other things I have been working on, so please check back!

Finally! The blog giveaway winner announcement

Purple & White Tulips in a black frame

All in a Row in black or white

Tulips at Dusk in a black frame

Manti Temple in white

Red Tulips in a Vase in black, white or red

Jana Keen you won! (pick your favorite)

Lithograph prints, mounted, sealed and framed (no glass necessary)

(most of these are about 12 x 16 -including the frames)

If you didn't win and still want one, you can buy one for $25.00, plus tax and or shipping

sneak peek

Here is a little sneak peek at some of the paintings you will see at my show this Friday and Saturday, 6-8 each evening. I look forward to seeing you there!

(these are all small details from larger images)

Invitation & Blog Give Away

I am so excited about this show. I hope to see many of you there.

To celebrate my excitement, I am having a give away.

There are many ways to enter:

1. post this invitation into your blog or facebook

2. add a link to your sidebar

3. become a follower of this blog

Enter as many times you would like, just make sure to leave a comment each time you do.

The contest closes midnight August 28th.

The winner will receive a framed lithograph.

Poppies for Rachie

I think the bond between sisters is special and always evolving. I love watching my own daughters as they play and interact. I think of growing up with my sister, waiting at the bus stop, sharing clothes, being room mates, the ebbs and flows of time. Now we are both moms with our own daughters and I feel a closeness with my sister as we talk about our roles now. I love telling her my ideas and getting her advice and feedback.

I love being friends with Rachel.

When my sister got married, I painted these poppies for her. She just sent me pictures so I could see the frame her husband made. I love the way it all turned out great and I couldn't wait to share it here.

Red Poppies, 24" X24" oil on panel.

Three Trees

I wanted to paint something bright green.

St. George Utah Temple

This is what I painted this week.

A few weeks ago we drove through St George, and I have been wanting to paint this ever since.

I used a palette knife, I love this little knife, I think I'll be using it a lot more because it was so fun.

I love the St. George Temple, the white against the red rock, the architecture, the memories I have there.

The first time I went inside was with my dad right before my mission, we made a goal to go to each Temple in Utah before I left.

Years later, my husband and I got to be Temple Workers in the beautiful St. George Utah Temple.

Flowers for Margot

Margot commissioned this painting. When we were talking about it, she told me what colors she wanted, then I asked her what kind of flowers she wanted she said it didn't matter. I suggested tulips, or poppies or ranaculas, she said, maybe all of them combined into one kind of flower.

It is about color.

It is about a feeling.

I loved painting it, Margot loves having it.

Irises

I like irises. I like they way the greens last all summer long. I think it is amazing to watch them unfold and bloom.

In fact, one of my most prized possessions is an original painting of irises painted by one of my most favorite artists Douglas Fryer.