The Alligator Box

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

In the painting mode!

I've been in the painting mood lately. Here are a few of the works I've done in the past week. I'm gearing up for the Monthaven Art Society Fall Exhibit at Monthaven Mansion in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Autumn Fire
Acrylic on Canvas
16 x 20
(Scheduled for display at Monthaven Art Society's Fall Exhibit November 21 - December 17)

Liquid Fire
Liquid Acrylic on Yupo
11 x 14

River of Fire
(segment)
Mixed Media on Yupo
11 x 14
(currently exhibited at Hallmark Hyundai through the Art Around Town program)

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Right Brain Abstractions

Yesterday I spent the day studying under Elizabeth LaPenna, an artist who moved to our area from Chicago not long ago. The class was "Right Brain Abstractions." The concept comes from a book "Drawing on the Left Side of the Brain" - a great read for artist and non-artist alike! Here are my latest works as a result of my work with Elizabeth!

Organic Freedom 1

Organic Freedom 2

Organic Freedom 3

Organic Freedom 4

I had a great time with these. Hope you like them! Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Treasure or Old Junk?

I found this lantern in Goodwill. It was a bit rusty but seemed to be well crafted and I loved the dragonfly detail. Once I got it on I started wondering how old it may be so I did a little research on the web.

I found what appears to be a reproduction of the lantern but it's obvious it's a less detailed copy.

I found very little markings on it. There's a "2" on the base and some lettering on the inside of the side that opens. I can't read it well enough to know what it says.

I'd love to find out where it was made and what it may be worth. Maybe nothing but you never know!

Have a great week!

Lori

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Mental Health Break!

Sometime Moms need time away to get their act together. Last week was that time for me. Wednesday was a tough day and I awoke Thursday knowing I needed to get away. I spent that day and Friday in a nearby town looking for treasures. I found several - but more on those later. By Saturday, my sweet husband was ready to run away too so I got online and found a bed and breakfast in Granville, TN, a town just north of his favorite fly fishing spot and was thrilled to find that a room was available. The innkeeper, Rick Phipps, was kind enough to make us reservations for dinner.

I made my way through Watertown, TN, stopping in the historic little town square and meeting some GREAT shopkeepers. Jim, Joyce and the kind lady at Roomer Has It. Then on to my destination, Beechwood Hill Blue Bed and Breakfast in Historic Granville, TN. Rick and his wife Kay had told me to come in the side door and make myself at home. I took a look outside and found I was not alone. The sweetest little face greeted me.

Their two month old Basset Hound, Kiley, was very excited to see me!

Mike showed up from fishing at around 3:00 and toured the house. We stayed in the Victorian Room which was beautiful and had the most comfortable mattress! (Always a plus!)

Dinner Reservations were for 5:00 at Sutton General Store. We only had 1 block to walk. Granville is NOT a big town! Community volunteers serve a country cooking, all-you-care-to-eat family style dinner with meat, 3 vegetables, bread, salad, homemade desserts and drinks. After dinner, we gathered in the store for a live bluegrass concert.

After dinner and a show we walked down to the Cordell Hull River and found a porch swing, right at the shore line. As the sun set, we watch the newly hatched shad chase the bugs an top of the water and the bass jump trying to eat the shad! That makes it dinner and TWO shows for the evening!

We returned to Beech Hill Blue - our cozy retreat and curled up on the big overstuffed couch and watched a little television until the big treat of our day. The arrival of Rick and Kay! What a sweet couple!

They were recently married and bought the house and opened the bed and breakfast.

Rick was asked to be the pastor of the Historic Methodist church - the only church in Granville. We shared stories and Rick gave us some encouragement we needed and many things to think about. We left the following morning after a hearty and delicious breakfast!

If you ever need a get-away we highly recommend Granville and the Beech Hill Blue Bed and Breakfast

!! Tell Rick and Kay and that I sent you!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lori

Friday, August 20, 2010

Should I be sad or thrilled?

I love pottery!

The ability for a person to take mud and make a plate, mug, bowl or pitcher is amazing.

It is also neat to be able to use these works of art in our everyday life.

To find a beautiful piece of pottery in a thrift store or garage sale always brings mixed feelings.

I think how sad the potter would be to see his work had been donated as an unwanted item.

"Yet, O Lord, you are our father.

We are the clay, you are the potter,

we are all the work of your hand."

Isiah 64:8

How many times are people, the work of God's hand set aside and unwanted because someone can't appreciate their usefulness and unique beauty?

Just look at the careful detail of this beautiful pitcher!

Carefully crafted with special details.

I'm so thankful that the potter of my life is with me wherever I go.

He loves me even if I am an broken, chipped, or cracked!

So want to know what I paid for these priceless items?

Bowls and plate... $1.60 each.

The pitcher... $6.60

And though I don't need them...

I HAD to adopt three hand thrown mugs for 40 cents each!

Love a potter!

(I know one that loves you!)

Thanks for dropping in!

Lori

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bingo!

I love to go through Goodwill and see what treasures await me! Sometimes I leave empty handed but sometimes... SOMETIMES... I find a GREAT treasure! This week was a great week! Take a look!