My home office

If I have to work in an office this is my go to place. I’m far from the best at keeping myself organized. A couple of years ago I removed the bed and placed a desk in this room. It has been awesome to help me keep up with paperwork that I’d just as soon never even existed. What doesn’t show is a whole wall in this room dedicated to my boots and purses. My home is a hundred years old and closets we’re definitely not a priority then. How do you keep up with your paperwork? I’m always open to new ideas.

Be careful what you ask for

Shelton and I had been married a short time when I came home one day to find our living room full of flowers. Not one arrangement but several.  We were living in an apartment while looking for a home to purchase.  He knew how much I loved flowers ...maybe because I had told him he would have a hard time finding someone who loved them more.  Did he ever surprise me!!! 

The first thing we did when we moved where I still live today was to begin planting in the vacant yard we came to call our “Secret Garden”. 

This morning as I looked out the window of my former bedroom turned office I am reminded that Shelton isn’t the only one who sees to it that I have flowers.  I’ve never considered myself to have a “green thumb” but I know someone who does and boy does He love to show off.  His gardening palette is simply amazing.  I’m a lucky woman to be given such beauty to share.  Looking back I am so glad I expressed (loudly) my love of flowers. 

Living life with passion!!!

Several years ago I was at a festival in Bellbuckle Tennessee when I spotted a beautiful travel bag through the window of a shop. I'm so glad I had to have it since I've enjoyed it for many years.  I knew nothing of the designer until I researched her later.  This precious lady has since passed away from a rare bone disease.  I dare you not to be challenged to live your life with more passion as you watch this video as she describes the excitement she brought to her life.  Please join me as we allow ourselves to be more creative and follow what we dream of doing.  

Purple Hydrangeas 12' x 12' LainesRiversideArt.com

Recently Crystal Green from Pulaski, Tennessee asked me to paint an example of purple hydrangeas for a group of court reporters to paint while at a conference in Montgomery Bell Park near Dickson Tennessee.  In their free time the men golf while the women paint.
I've painted with these women the last two years and look forward to seeing all of them again.  They are crazy talented and a ton of fun~!

"I Washin' Daddy's Car" 36" x 20' LainesRiversideArt.com

Chris when he first saw himself in the painting shown below.  He immediately told us it was him washing his Daddy's car.  Precious~!

  Once in a while a moment stops the clock.  For me this was just such a moment.  My little grandson Chris had grabbed the soapy rag from his Dad's bucket and declared "I wash it".  He was barely a year old and his dad Rick said it was the first time he had volunteered to do something other than eat, play, laugh, dance or whatever else little men in the making do.  When Rick showed me the picture it reminded me of the many times he and his brother Rodney had helped wash the family vehicles when they were little.

  Today only a year later Chris is tall enough to almost touch the mirror on the side of the car. How did he grow so much in only a year?  I love the way he is leaning into the car and giving it all his little arms could give.

"I Washin' Daddy's Car"
LainesRiversideArt.com

Prints will be available shortly.

"Riding High With Daddy" 48" x 24" in a private collection

Often artists are asked "why do you paint?"  While I can't answer for them, for me it often happens when I see something that I long to capture so I never forget how much I loved the moment.  The above painting was such a time.  My youngest son was walking through the woods with his one year old little boy (my youngest grandchild).   The baby got tired and needed a ride.  Rick picked him up and gave him the highest view.  My daughter in law Brandy began to snap photos so I wouldn't have to rely totally from memory.  You can see above the three stages that brought the completed work.  I call it "Riding High With Daddy".

If you have a photo you would love to see painted, enlarged and hanging in your home, please contact me.  

The photo below shows a close up of the completed painting. I had posted it around Christmas when I first thought it was finished.  It always felt incomplete. After seeing it now, I now know why~!

"I've Got My Red Dress On" 70" x 20" painted on paneled wood with 2.750" sides $1500. Laines Riverside Art

It's been a really fun day in my studio.  Everyone normally in my Tuesday class called in sick or were needed elsewhere...except Carolyn.  And boy did we have fun!  She's working on a beautiful Victorian painting that I'll post when she finishes it.  I had intended to demo part of the heavy texture techniques in this painting today for everyone.  When it was just the two of us I was able to finish it. ... Just in time for Valentine's gifting!  It's one of those pieces you really have to see in person to appreciate the many textured layers.  

"Early Fog" 36" x 12" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

I've admired techniques used in the Grisaille manor for a long time.  As I researched how to spell it I found what I had actually painted is called Brunaille.  The main difference between the two is Grisaille is using mostly grey tones and  http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunaille is mostly brown.  I may have to try the grey shades next.  When my daughter in law Brandy sent me a photo of Tina riding in the early morning I knew I had to try this method.  I cranked the music up and had a blast.  I have no doubt Brandy will be able to convince me with her big brown eyes why it needs to hang in their home. (it usually works on Rodney....wink) I really need to paint two paintings when painting my children and grandchildren....then just maybe I could enjoy them in my own home.  

The truth is I love that I can remind them of precious moments since those moments are where most of my favorite paintings come.

If you have a photo you would like to see in paint please contact me. 

"Good Morning" 30" x 30" Gallery Wrapped 1 1/2" $900.00 Laines Riverside Art Sold

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One of my favorite moments is when I get up in time to make the first foot prints through the sand at the water's edge.  Frequently I wade into the water so I can fully face the rising sun.  I often wonder if I would ever tire of this as a way to begin my day.

"Hope" 61" x 43" SOLD

I always wish the camera could show the texture more clearly. 

 Often I get to meet collectors who I really enjoy working with as we design a special painting for their home or office.

 Shortly after Thanksgiving I got to meet again and work with a woman who stole my heart.  When the phone rang I was thrilled to hear from her'  I remembered her being so nice as she had purchased two large paintings from me about a year ago.  She told me the story of her husband hanging them that evening when he got home. That same night he suffered a debilitating stroke that has changed both of their lives drastically.  She still works in her career by day and tends to his needs in the evenings.

 This woman's external beauty is only out shined by her kind and loving heart.  She said as she remembered that my husband had died suddenly (now almost four years ago) she felt a bond and asked if I would work with her to create a special painting to go over her garden tub. Unlike me she is very tall (I can only dream) so she sepecially wanted something with height. I went to her home to get a better feel of the style she enjoys.  As we looked through photos of paintings I had sold in the past she fell in love with one I called "Dreams" and asked if I could paint it much larger and reflect her color scheme.

What I wouldn't give if I had a video of her reaction when she first saw the finished painting.  When she said "that could be me" I knew I had accomplished my intentions.  I wanted her to be reminded how beautiful she is every time she looks at it.

 Mike Damico of "Damico Frame & Art Gallery" in Franklin not only did a beautiful frame, he also installed it for her.  Thanks Mike for a fabulous experience. He even reminded me how really short I must be when he asked me to reach a spot where one side would be hooked onto the wall.  I couldn't even reach it standing on my tiptoes.  I looked at the owner and she immediately stepped in with absolutely no effort to reach even beyond the hook. "I hope it makes God smile when I ask if in my next life could I be just a wee bit taller"? wink

This is the earlier paintings she had acquired.  They hang in the same area as her new painting. Her entire home reflects her love of art and all things beautiful. 

"Riding High' 48" x 24"

Last October Rick and Christopher were visiting Rodney and Brandy at their farm in Joelton, Tennessee. Our little man had chased chickens, goats and a pot belly pig until he wore his "Nami" out.  As we walked thru the woods Rick lifted him onto his shoulder giving tired little legs a rest.  I think the baby now has a new favorite place to ride. Thanks Brandy for capturing the moment that inspired this painting. I love surprising my family and friends with moments frozen on canvas.

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Painting with Michelle Conques this weekend in her home studio

I had a wonderful time painting with Michelle Conques and her daughter Autumn Bethea this weekend in Denham Springs, Louisiana.  It's about 45 minutes from New Orleans. You gotta know I ate good~! I even had fried grits thanks to Michelle's culinary skills and her husband Tony's rush to the store to return with real maple syrup.....yummmmm
Michelle has more talents than should be allowed in one woman.  Not only does she have a precious husband, she can teach art, garden, cook, and she paints unbelievable~!  Oh and did I mention she makes everyone feel like you're family in her home.  It was a wonderful weekend~!  She is one of the most encouraging artists I've ever met.  Look at her website and I'm sure you'll agree with me on her talent~!  It's MichelleConques.com
Here is a photo of her having fun in her studio....and yep those are some of her many paintings~!  I told ya, the lady's got it~!

"Tuesday's Rain" 11" x 15" unframed $300 LainesRiversideArt.com

I'm enjoying working with monochromatic color.

"Wilhelmina's Wish" 16" x 20" $2000 unframed LainesRiversideArt.com

Sometimes I get to paint something that I really really love.  This is one of those. I love her expression.

"Remember When" 12" x 12"

This week I have been remembering how it used to snow here.  It could be my memories as a child in West Virginia that I'm confusing with being here in Tennessee.  I decided to paint my own home as if it happened yesterday.  Do you think anyone would believe me if I had posted this as being snow in Columbia?  Not lately~!  I do love the snow but only if I don't have to go to work on those days.  What I love is the memories of my sons and their friends coming in for a bowl of chili, warming themselves around the fire while their clothes, wet from snow, were in the dryer getting ready for round two of a neighborhood snowball fight or racing down the hill on their sleds.  aaaahhhhhh ... good memories

If you'd like to have a painting of your home with your own memories; I'd love to paint it for you.  A custom painting would make a great Christmas card or gift.  I can paint it and have cards designed using the painting as the front cover customizing the words inside. Contact me for more info.

I knew when I painted this I made the sidewalk more narrow at the bottom (the closest to me) of the painting.  I knew that went against everything correct in the world of painting guidelines.  I still thought I preferred it this way to bring more focus on the house.  Well, I decided I was wrong after living with it a couple of days. So I made the sidewalk a bit wider in appearance as it gets closer to the viewer.  I guess the old masters as well as new masters actually did know what they were talking about.  ;-)  Here is the newest and finished painting with it's corrected sidewalk.

This is the photo taken yesterday

The leaves all blew away~!

Angel 12" x 36" on 1 & 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas $300. Sold

This heavily textured angel would look great on a narrow wall or over/behind a lamp.

This one like so many is hard to part with.

And yet I love when they go to a good home.

It is always my hope that you too will be reminded of God's covering of our families.

I've lost count how many have been placed in good homes in my series I call:

"I've Got You Covered"

Please contact me if you wish to hang her in your home or give as a gift.

Painting in Montgomery Bell State Park with the very best from the court houses of Tennessee

Today I got to spend the afternoon with Crystal Green from Pulaski, TN and several of her court house friends at this beautiful park painting our hearts out~!  These women come from all over Tennessee once a year for a conference.  Last year Crystal invited me to come paint with the women while the men went golfing.  They decided to repeat the party again this afternoon.  Often you hear me comment on how surprised I am when first time painters are so creative.  This group did just that~!  They surprised me~!  And they were so much fun.  Everything from Symphony Brownies to an amazing new Barefoot Wine.  They even wore a fabulous tee shirt they had designed themselves that I meant to get a photo of but somehow forgot.  
Here is a photo of what our view was while painting. I KNOW~!  who couldn't paint looking out this window~? Anybody else want to paint in our beautiful state park?

And here is their fabulous work~!

A Walk Along the River 12' x 12"

Palette Knives and Brushes~! A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Giles County Library We Furnish Everything! This will be a fun way to learn more about painting landscapes. 12" x 12" suitable for framing or displaying on an easel.   Quality Acrylic Paints that Clean Up with Water You Will Leave With A Beautiful Painting! The Class is 3 Hours At A Cost of $35.   Class Time:  Tuesday July 29, 2014 6-9 pm Location:  Cardin Dist. Co. 1219 West College St. Pulaski, TN  Additional Class Dates: (all times are 6-9 pm on a Tuesday night at the same location) August 19, 2014 September 23, 2014 October 14, 2014 November 18, 2014   Don't forget to call or e-mail me to reserve your easel and supplies. Laine:  931-637-3858 LainesRiversideArt@gmail.com

Come Paint at Bud and Brushes May 20, 2014 6-9pm

Reserve your spot now to paint "Mother's Love" 8" x 10" with us at Cardin Dist. Company at 1219 W. College St. in Pulaski next Tuesday night!  This is a smaller painting that is a bit more challenging than some we've done in the past.  It will look great either on an easel or framed.  As always you are welcome to choose your own colors.  Recently after a class in Brentwood, a young girl presented it to her Mom who immediately burst into tears. Just sayin' ..... it's a special painting that I know you will enjoy for years to come. :-)

March 20, 2014 Come paint with Lisa Savage!

Location: 

Lisa Savage Floral Shop

100 S. Horton Pkwy. 

Chapel Hill, TN 37074

Time: March 20, 2014  6:00-9:00 PM

We furnish everything.

Quality Acrylic Paints that clean up with water

You will leave with a beautiful painting. 

The class is 3 hours at a cost of $35.00

To register contact me (Laine. Barley) by:

e-mail:  LainesRiversideArt@gmail.com

or phone:  931-637-3758