Blog
5/29/2014 3:21:11 PM
In search of black-eyed peas the past January, we happened upon Cafe' Amelie in New Orleans. "Nestled in the historic 150-year-old Princess of Monaco Courtyard and Carriage House on Royal Street in the French Quarter, Cafe' Amelie is a rare combination of superb Louisiana fare served in a lush, enchanting New Orleans courtyard setting."*
It was truly too cold to sit outside, but that did not stop us or four other families from requesting a courtyard table. The art gallery next door to the kitchen proper had placed a painting on an easel outside the door hoping to attract art patrons. The huge olive jars filled with various plants completed the feel of Europe.
Like so many meals we have enjoyed over the years in New Orleans, the one at Cafe' Amelie was exquisite, and yes, they had, to my delight, black-eyed pea soup as the soup du jour!
*Cafe' Amelie website
5/21/2014 8:27:50 PM
Today the art class in which I paint every Wednesday met at a venue outside our classroom. We traveled to the home of Sharon Gates and amid the flowers, birds, fish, statuary and artists we painted. More conversation than strokes took place at certain intervals but Barbara Evans kept us focused and entertained!
This group I paint with on Wednesdays is the most interesting collection of women I have encountered. Possessed of varying backgrounds, talents and interests, they are truly amazing and I treasure each meeting with them.
Sharon Gates' Flowers is a small oil on paper I painted while in Sharon's garden. It is a magical place and I am grateful for the opportunity to paint with her.
5/19/2014 12:18:26 PM
Social Media advances connections between artists and folks with common loves. An example of that thought is my friendship with Stephanie Peppard. Stephanie is a member of the Slow Bicycle Movement, as am I. Stephanie owns and rides an incredibly bright yellow bicycle which is what originally caught my eye. I follow Stephanie on Facebook as she traverses across the country on her yellow bike; she always takes the most creative photographs of her bike. One such photograph, with her permission, became the subject of my painting Stephanie Peppard's Yellow Bike. The voyeuristic angle of her photograph beckons a viewer; it is intriguing. It is why I paint bicycles.
