Mississippi Gold

This is a tree I saw on a scout trip down in Camp Currier. I always love stark contrasts of sunlit leaves against shadows. Here in the south, you have to be careful. Ivy on a tree in the woods is often the poison variety.

Beech Snag

Here is a little tree terminology for you. A snag is a standing dead tree. Birds and other animals use them as shelter. A widowmaker is a large dead limb that may fall at any time. When I was a kid I used to go into the woods looking for skinny dead trees to try and push over. The problem was - as I was pushing, the top of the tree would start to wiggle and often it would snap off and come crashing down. I had to watch it and jump out of the way. Looking back, it was pretty dangerous. Anyway, this is a scene from Shelby Forest in West Tennessee. I love the contrasts between the tree limbs and the greenery.

Streambed Treasure

These are streambed rocks and pebbles found near a waterfall in east Tennessee. I am always on the lookout for hidden treasures as I walk along a creek or stream…can you find the treasure in this painting?

Path To The River

This is designed from reference gathered on a family trip to the Bankhead forest in Alabama last summer. I was interested by the contrasts in the leaves and tree trunks and the various shapes and textures.

Tennessee Pecans

A typical scene on my brother's land in Greenfield, Tennessee. I love the orange color of these winter afternoons and the deep blue shadows.

Tennessee Catalpa

I sat near a window in my brother's old farmhouse in Greenfield, Tennessee and painted this. Catalpa trees are plentiful in west Tennessee. I love their twisted drooping branches.

My 99 cent Ebay Auction

As I was placing my Red Grapes painting on Ebay, a little notice popped up and suggested I give it a starting bid of .99 cents to "draw more bidders". I was feeling reckless, so I did it…and added free shipping. Now with just three days left, I have one bid at 99 cents. This means that unless I get some more bids I stand to lose at least five dollars shipping it to someone. So maybe I am learning a lesson or maybe the painting is not as good as I think it is or maybe something else. So, if you are interested…here is the link. Watch it and see what happens…

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Grapes-Original-Watercolor-5-x-7-inches-/261365009020?