Bike Paintings

A few years back I started painting what I have dubbed, "The American Still Life". Basically these paintings are of objects that have some sort of fond memory for myself from childhood up until adulthood. And most of them have wheels.

Bikes, trucks and campers are some of my favorite to paint. I find that having this type of genre in my art booth really moves people, some to the point of tears. You see, I think we as humans gather and hold onto memories in funny ways. I can vividly remember being piled up in the back of our olive green station wagon surrounded by Barbies as we drove the 8 hours to Sarasota, Florida every year. I can feel the scratchy carpet on my skin. I can smell the plether seats. This vehicle brings back magic memories of our time as a family unit. We ALL cried when we sold the wagon and bought a brown Peugeot.

I can also remember my first real bike, down to the detailed race number on the front. How the rubber handlebar grips always blistered my hands. I remember riding all over town on this girlie dirt bike, making wooden ramps with the boys on the school basketball court every weekend. I remember when my little sisters brown cameo themed banana seat bike was stolen from our yard and how the police brought it back we were so scared. Why would someone steal her bike?

A friend of mine told me when she was a teenager her parents rented an RV and took off for the summer. Her memories of this adventure will forever be embedded in her mind. So you see, you don't necessarily have to be a bike rider, own a truck or camp in a camper to want to own one of these simple paintings. I find my art tends to find homes with people who embrace the story that accompanies the art or reminds them of their own story.

 Maybe by purchasing and hanging one of my American Still Life paintings you can open a conversation up with your family about, "remember that time we...." And then that story can be handed down to the next generation. What a lovely way to share your life, through art. Don't you agree? These are available to purchase at my Birmingham gallery, The Naked Art Gallery. Check Vero out, she has an awesome selection of artists.

Little Bikes and the Season of Giving

The season of giving. We are right upon it aren't we? I know I've already ordered several very special personal gifts to give and have stowed away several fun things for my children. The older I get the more I find myself drawn to gifts with meaning. The empty gifts are no longer as important. I get so giddy when I find that "perfect" gift for my friends and family members. In fact, truth be told I don't like receiving at Christmas. Rather love to give. Weirdo right?

So when a facebook friend emailed me about a gift exchange idea and could I possibly help her fill the idea, I got really excited! Knowing that when her friends unwrap these, something she loves, makes me super warm and fuzzy inside. I am sure the joy will resonate down to my little Georgia town.

Each little bike is on an 8x8 cradled wood canvas. I made the backgrounds all the same, but then made each bike a tad different style and color scheme. I hope the gift exchange reveals squeals of delight. I wish I could be a fly on the wall.

Have a lovely weekend friends. We are hosting William's girlfriend's family for the Auburn game at our home. I am so excited. We've known Toni and her family since the kids were 2 and in pre-school together. I love watching him be a boyfriend to her. He's seems genuinely smitten. Oh, the high school lovey days. Right? There is nothing like that feeling. And the best part is they re-aquainted at church. We hope to get our bonfire area cleaned up for post game smores. I'll share our area next week here. It truly is magical when all lit up with lights and a fire. And with all the love in the air, I'm sure it'll be even more magical.

Beach BIke

Just another in the series for the licensing contract. I love the way this one turned out. Although the tiny gingham was not an easy thing to paint! Now that this job is complete I have to figure out what to do with myself. I am thinking the pile of leather cuffs is in order for Naked Art Gallery Christmas inventory. Yeah!!

Another Bike?

That'd be YES. Another bike painting. I know. And they just keep getting better. (Of course that's just my personal biased opinion.)

Bikes and More Bikes

I have a rather large project up my sleeve. On Friday I'll share exactly what....just know that me and last minutes don't get along. Totally my fault for waiting so long to start. Not my shiney best moment. hehehehe.... Let's just say my art studio saw more of me than my family did this weekend. And this little guy didn't like it. He kept coming down and getting in my lap and giving me the Mommy stop working eyeballs. Geesh he's got Billy and I wrapped around his furry finger!

So today I teach, and tonight I paint some more! Stay tuned....

Around Here Lately

My Paint Something e-course is now in week 3. It is going better than I ever imagined. The student work is blowing me away! It is very time consuming teaching this way because I keep thinking of things to add, say and video. Thus why I've been very quiet here. Sorry. But I have been painting. Not much. But enough to keep me excited about the medium.

Look at this sweet bike above! Why haven't I thought to do rainbow spokes before? right??

I hope your summer is going smoothly. We are having the best summer in the Horne house. This is our last week at home with next at the beach and the next SCHOOL STARTS. What? I know. It's gone way too quickly.  But I have rested, taught, and played the perfect amount. So I feel ready to go back and embrace the new year. With one entering High School more than ever I am learning to slow down and enjoy these kids of ours. They are pretty cool to be around.

See ya hopefully later in the week with a few more paintings I have in the works!