I’d Rather Be a Crooked Tree

Why I’d rather be a crooked tree! Ready to find out why? OK! But first, I’d like to welcome you here. Where’s “here?” Here’s the quick back story.

I love to paint. For several months each year, we tow a small teardrop camper (and my mobile painting studio). I bring my paints and sketch and paint as we travel and trek. This year, we made it as far north as Newfoundland. Now we are back in Raleigh, North Carolina.

No matter where we are, each week I share a painting, sketch or study. My hope is that what I draw or paint might delight and inspire you. Sign up here to receive these colorful painting posts in your inbox.

This Week’s Setting

As I mention above, we are back in Raleigh these days. And so this painting is, you guessed it, right outside our house. It’s not a particularly “pretty” view right now. Why? Because the house next door got demolished and there’s an empty lot.

But the bright side is that I get to see things that I couldn’t see next door! So this week’s painting is of a wonderful twisted and gnarled (and probably pretty old?) red bud tree. I started painting it outdoors a week or so ago. Then I put the painting in time out. Then what? I can’t wait to share what happened next.

This Week’s Inspiration

We were lucky enough to score tickets to see Molly Tuttle perform live at the Cat’s Cradle last weekend. And, even though I didn’t know a lot about her, I was so excited to see live music by a gifted (Grammy award winning) guitarist and musician. That is something we had not done since seeing Sarah Jarosz last year.

And, as we stood with the crowd and she sang old songs and new, I heard one that clinched it for this week’s painting. That song? “Crooked Tree!” Even the lyrics of the song resonate with me. Take a listen to see if they work for you (at link above)?

Here’s a fun crowd shot from the concert! Yes we had to stand on concrete floors for three hours to do this. But, look how close we are to the musicians!!! Amazing experience and totally worth tender feet.

I’d Rather Be A Crooked Tree Painting

Here’s this week’s painting. It’s 8×10 inches, painted in gouache on panel. It’s for sale for $100 + NC Sales Tax (7.25%) + Free Shipping = $107.25. Simply click this link to pay.

Mark Your Calendars

If you live nearby, mark your calendars for this year’s Forest Park Art Walk. Come on by, say hi and visit my studio along with several other neighbors and friends as follows:

Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM

On Saturday, my studio and 5 other artists in the neighborhood will offer a sneak peak of Sunday’s larger show. So, if you want a quieter visit, come on by on Saturday. Then, Sunday afternoon, November 16th, 20+ artists ranging in age from 10 to 92 (including me) will open their studio doors and/or front porches.

We are all within walking distance of each other and will have artwork for sale. But mostly, I would love it if you stop on by, say “hi” and see my latest work. And, yes, there will be homemade brownies here again this year!

New Work

Recognizing that we all (all of us!!!) are feeling the pinch of these challenging times, I am offering something special, new, affordable and different at my studio sale.

Here are two examples of Cloud Studies I have been doing in the studio of late. This week’s studies are in gouache and 5×5 inches on cold press paper. They’ll be mounted in an 11×14 mat ready for “adoption.” I’m excited to price these studies at $40 each at my studio sale. Here’s hoping you can come by and take a peak. After all, viewing art is good for your brain, right?

How About You

How are you gentle reader? Have you been inspired by music or viewing art in person lately? If so, I would love to hear all about it. Please share in the comments below.