As any of you who follow my art know, I do not have one specific subject that I continually paint - like florals or portraits.  I paint what ever grabs me at the moment.  But when it's time to get serious - meaning, I don't have a commission to finish and I have an opportunity to enter an art contest - then I have to really think about what makes a really great painting (not just something I would enjoy painting!).  Something that has good composition, that 'speaks' to me, that has some interesting colors, and hopefully, tells a story of some kind.

Now, just because the painting tells a story for me doesn't mean it tells you the same story.  I hope that when you look at my painting it brings up some kind of memory that gives you a story.  Let's take a look at my latest painting that I have done specifically for a curated show for the Associated Women in the Arts Fall Show at the Louisiana Archives.  Crossing my fingers that it gets accepted into the show.  

This painting is from Afton Villa Gardens in St Francisville, LA.  This is the entrance to the property.  It's springtime and the azaleas are in full bloom.  Beautiful scene.  But to me, it's a place I loved to take my mom every year.  She moved here from Arkansas for the last 8 years of her life and she loved flowers.  Her homes in Arkansas always had the most beautiful flowers year round.  So, when we thought the flowers would be blooming, off we would head for an outing to see what was happening at Afton Villa.  She loved it.  I even painted a scene with her in it.   So, there's my story of this beautiful place.  I'll bet other people, who also go there every year, have another story that is also all their own.  So, whatever the story, enjoy the painting.  

What's next on my list to paint......hmmmm........still thinking about that one!  Stay Tuned!