Dreams III 20 x 16" x 1/2" Acrylic on canvas

I painted this for a class to be next week in Pulaski, TN. You can go to my calendar for details. Or send me a note requesting the flyer for it which I will gladly e-mail to you.

The treasures hidden inside all of us

I think it takes courage to apply paint on the canvas and then put it out there for the world to view; and even more to invite our friends and other artists to critique. The really neat thing is that sometimes we get it right. We'll never know those moments if we don't drum up the courage to try. What hidden treasures are we bringing to the canvas today?
"Do you have the courage to bring forth this work? The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say YES." by the poet Jack Gilbert

Star of Bethlehem Floral 18"x24" on 1&1/2" gallery wrapped canvas $300

I picked up a pot of flowers at Publix about 6 weeks ago that I don't recall having seen before. It's a bulb called Star of Bethlehem and it bloomed for weeks. It still looka really good even though it has now dried in the pot. I sent a photo to several painters and asked them to paint it for fun. Several of you did and wow are you guys good~! I first painted it in colors that were too similar in value and the urn got lost in the back ground. It doesn't really matter that they were different colors, if they are close to the same on the value scale something gets lost in the delivery. So this afternoon I repainted the back ground and I like it so much better. Hope you enjoy.

Happy Easter

This is painted on an 18" x 24" x 3/4" board. On the left is a rabbit that would look great year round but especially in the spring. The right side of the board is covered in chalk paint so you can write a personal note and change it daily if you like. You can place it on an easel or hang it from a hook that can be placed on the back. I've had a chalk board in my home for years and love the notes left behind especially when little angels have graced my home. A couple of years ago I even painted a door in my kitchen with chalk board paint and love writing motivating notes to myself. This is not for sale but I'd love to help you paint your own in several upcoming classes. I'll post them on the calendar as soon as their scheduled. The first class that is already scheduled is at Grace Pointe Church on Feb. 24th. You can let me know if you'd like to reserve a spot.

Being Creative

So many times in an art class I hear women say: "I'm just not creative".  Today I found a quote by Wolf Kahn  a well respected artist who paints mostly with pastels.  "To be creative....may mean nothing more than the refusal to be habit-ridden".
Many of you know that I am feeling drawn more and more to what I call "impressionistic abstract" work.  I was in a gallery recently when the owner related this story.  She said a gentleman was viewing an abstract painting (one that had not "moved" her).  She said he had tears in his eyes as he told her of the place the painting took his thoughts as he revisited memories.
I think this is what we as artists hope to accomplish everytime we pick up our paints.  That we can help someone re-visit a memory or a place that is special to them.  It's not all about what I see when I paint but what you see when you view what I painted.

Paintings not coming through.......yet

Do you ever have a week when it seems like everything you paint is just not quite like you thought it would turn out? This has been one of those weeks. I have several that I plan to work on improving tomorrow. If they step up I'll post them later. I have to tell myself what I tell students all the time. It's a process of improving. It's not really wasted time if you learn something. I also did a copy of an artist whose use of colors I love. It is probably the best work I did this week. His name is Elio Camacho. I had planned to take a workshop from him next month until I learned yesterday that he is conducting it inside instead of en plein air. I just can't imagine traveling to Tampa, Florida in the middle of winter and remaining inside~! I decided to wait and watch for his outdoor workshops. And no...I'm not posting that painting as it really is a copy of his work. I prefer to paint original inspirations which is what I hope you aspire to as you are learning to paint. Well it's after 9pm and I hear a really good book calling my name. Good night all

"An Angel In My Kitchen" 12" x 24" on 1-1/2" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This is the second painting in a series I'm calling "Earth Angels". She may be hard for me to part with as she looks wonderful in my kitchen.

"Three Brothers" 30" x 30" Canvas

I actually have four brothers, but one lives in Charleston, SC so I rarely get to see him. The other three live here in the Nashville area. This past year I learned what towers of strength and generousity they are in my life. I've been wanting something new to go over my mantle in the living room. As I began to paint I thought of how much these three trees represent how I feel about my brothers. Strong, protective and always there when I need a shelter from my life especially this past year. I love you guys so much. Glad to be one of your sisters.
I especially love when a painting takes on a personal meaning. Slowly my home is becoming full of paintings I don't want to part with....how could I when they've become a part of my "story". What you can't see in the photo is how much texture is on this canvas.....much like my life~

"Victoria" 48" x 24" on 1&1/2" gallery wrapped canvas that needs no frame

I painted this a few months ago while in Destin, but was never completely happy with it. I left it in my studio where I had to see it everytime I entered the room. Today I placed it on the easel and the magic behind the brushes just came through. It made me think of my oldest grand daughter who is so angelic herself, so I named it after her. I can see her in a young girl's room. I'd love to hear

what you think of her. Click on the image to enlarge it.

Looking for inspiration to paint

I got up really early this morning. Didn't mean to but just couldn't sleep. I looked around my home for inspiration to get me painting. I spotted this beautiful pot of Star of Bethlehem blooming in my living room. I bought it about a week ago and I've watched it slowly open. If I had been smarter I would have removed the red paper, surrounded it with moss, and you just might have thought I grew it from bulbs myself. Too late~! The old concrete urn has a drain hole so I left it in it's original wrapping to prevent water on my table. Those of you who paint....I challenge you to paint your impression of this plant(yep~! you can use my photo) and send me your own photo.

Laurie Pace, Texas Artist

Tonight I entered a small contest by posting what it means to create art to me. A couple of hours later I opened an e-mail by Texas artist Laurie Pace. I wanted to share her writing with you because she wrote so well what I feel. She explains why I encourage artist to use their own color choices and to add their own ideas when they are painting with me. In other words, they have my permission to use my painting as a guide to learn, but it is my hope that they will reach inside and pull out their own expression. I hope you'll check out Laurie's web site and enjoy her work and writing as much as I do. I also hope you will be inspired to paint, to tap into your Creator and share with others what He has inspired through you. Laine

Co-creator?


Thoughts of God's touch creating so much beauty in our world, puts me in awe of His artistry. As an artist, I feel so much responsibility to use my gift wisely and to allow Him to work through me as I am only a poor imitator of His dimensionally work.



Ladies at my summer workshop.

Painting in my own style, expressing what is important to me using line, color, palette knife and movement, is primary to the success of the work. Success that He was apart of the making. I can do nothing with out Him.


Encouraging other artists to paint from the inside out is often hard. 'Copying' a photo or image from the internet is hard to pass up at times, and I cannot say I have never done it because in the early years of the internet it seemed easy to use it as reference. Not fully copying it, but copying it where I should not have done it. You begin to realize it is not your work. It is not His work. It was something co-created by Him and another artist or photographer. For me to be a co-creator with Him, it is something that is inspired by my work, my photographs, or if I have a photograph for a commission... it is with permission to be a co-creator. Paintings completed without Him may be technically correct but they are not filled with any light or energy.


Feel prosperous in this new year and joyful that He is there with you as you do what your direction is in life. Do it with His spirit there fulltime. It is God-power, or God-filled energy. Abundance is there for the asking, and He will provide what we each need in life.


Words of my Heart,
Laurie


Read more: http://lauriepace.blogspot.com/#ixzz1iufVONdj

"Angel Gets Her Boots" 12" x 24" on gallery wrapped canvas

I've started a new series of angel paintings I'm calling "Earth Angels". I think "angels" come in many forms and I want to paint them in their earthly clothing. My grand daughters wear boots often as do I. These happen to be a pair I bought for Tori but she wanted a different color for which I'm now greatful as I love them. They have lovely little turquise stones insterted around the top of them. I love the way this young angel is lifting her skirt so she can get a good view of her new boots.

3 paintings sold~!~! wooo hoooo~!

Just got a text that 3 of my paintings have sold~! yea~! Great way to start the day~!

A Heart For My Valentine~! Classes in Pulaski, TN

Location:
Cardin Distributing Company
1219 West College St.
Pulaski, TN

Class Times:
Jan. 24,2012 6:pm to 9:pm
Jan. 24,2012 1:pm to 4:pm
Jan, 31,2010 6:pm to 9:pm

Don't forget to call or e-mail me if you haven't already reserved a spot.
All three classes are filling quickly.

You are welcome to come a few minutes early to register.
You'll have three different paintings to choose from. This is to be a night oftapping into your creative juices. We won't be competing for a Monet award...just having fun~!

It's a new year and going to be a great one`!

It's also a new beginning for me. Most of you know that my precious husband suffered a fatal heart attack 7 months ago as he was leaving a local golf driving range. I'll always be greatful his brother he loved so much was with him. I don't know how I would have entered this new year without your prayer, love, phone calls, notes and concern...oh, did I leave out great food? definately good food`! Please forgive me if I haven't thanked each of you personally. Many weeks all I could do was soak up your love and feel so lifted by your attention to me. If you look back and see the void in my posting the last year I hope you'll understand why I couldn't. Actually, I've done very little creating in any form. Last month I heard a speaker (who was about to turn 80) say she knew that her 8th decade was going to be her best`! Well, I turned 60 about a month ago and have joined her in deciding that this will be my best decade ever~! Since making that decision a couple of weeks ago, my attitude has taken a huge up swing. I'm painting again and for the pure joy of it, not just because I have a dead line. Big difference~! I'm also creating vintage jewelry with my sista' Mona and loving that also. What I'm not doing is keeping a super clean home. Notice I didn't say I've quit worrying about a clean home.. hopefully that will come next. winky I'm also learning to say no to things and places that aren't a priority to me thanks to Karen Moran (an amazing therapist) who was a co-worker and friend to me for several years.
My Brandy (daugher in law married to my son Rodney) took me to Destin Fl the week after Shelton went to heaven. I still don't know how she got me to go up in a para-sail. It was something I've always wanted to do but was too afraid. Well move over~! I'm now ready to try lots of new things drawing the line at jumping from a plane`! woa~! nope~! not even with a shute~!
I recieved a call this weekend from An Apartment In Paris telling me the t-shirt I painted the graphics for is a huge success. WOW~! won't my sons be proud that I have a t-shirt on the market...which is all they wore as teenagers. (no...not mine with an angel painted on it~! ha) Sylvia (owner of the shop) told me that so many people are buying these to give to people who are struggling with something in their life, be it illness or life changes that are painful. You can see the shirt under my blog "I've Got You Covered" and I'll have them available shortly for you to purchase here. If you're in a hurry, you can go to Sylvia's website and she will mail you one immediately. http://www.anapartmentinparis.net/
I also want to thank Karen Spivey who has been an angel in my life with her relentless energy for bringing art to Pulaski, TN. WOW~! Karen, your amazing~! She does this not only to bring women together and in touch with their creativity, but also to raise funds for the upgrading of the Pulaski Library. By the way, I went to a tea there last month`! If you haven't been, you absolutley need never miss one of these teas! Awesome~!

I've been so slack in scheduling classes these few months but am now back in full swing. If you're a past student watch for upcoming classes as I'll be scheduling them soon. And yes~! I am going to be doing some plein air classes again~! If you go to my site you can sign up to receive those schedules when they are available by "following" me.
Sorry for the lengthy post..I have been quiet for such a long time and I guess I'm trying to make up for it~! Love for all of you, Laine

"Rufus The Snowman" 16 x 20 NFS

Brought back by demand again this year~!  This is a precious little snowman we'll be painting at classes starting right after Thanksgiving~!
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Still Holding Hands 16" x 20"

My Mom and Dad were walking in the woods when my sister in law Charlotte sneaked a photo of them holding hands.  I started this for their 60th Wedding Anniversary but wasn't able to finish it in time.  When I thought I was through with it, my Mother told me I didn't have my Dad "chubby" enough so I had to go back and work on it a bit.  He was so thin most of my life I guess I still see him that way.  I'm posting the photo and then then painting I took from it.  Thanks so much Charlotte for capturing what you saw through the lens of your camera.

'Angel Running Free on the Water" 8" x 8" with 1 & 1/2" Gallery Wrapped sides $150

I Love the freedom of running in the water this little angel shows.

"I'd Rather Be Wading" 16" x 12" gallery wrapped canvas unframed $150.

I can just see my grand daughters sneaking out of a party to go wading in the water. While they love to dress up, they thought nothing of getting their dress wet ....after all they can think about laundry when they have their own little ones.  Childhood is meant to be lived in the moment.

This Lil' Art of Mine "A Walk Through Time" 8"x10" oil on canvas $95 includes U.S. shipping SOLD

Recently I painted with Susan (one of my painting buddies) at the Carnton Plantation in Franklin Tennessee.  The arbors are beautiful in the formal garden.  I could only imagine the comfort it must have brought to the wounded Confederate soldiers who were brought there for aide.  Today it feels like a place of peace.  If you haven't been there, it's well worth the short drive into Franklin.