Tag, You're It!

Tag is a game we played as kids, and usually involved chasing and poking. Well, you know what they say, "the more things change, the more they stay the same"? Enter blogtag.

Last week, my blog friend Barbara Muir from Toronto tagged me. In this version of tag, it's a huge honor to be "tagged" because it comes with a sort of "blessing" from the sender. It's affirmation, it's good wishes, it's blog-love. SO, thank-you dear Barbara M.!

Here are the rules if you are "IT":
1. Put a link in your posting to the person who tagged you.
2. List 7 unusual things about yourself.
3. Tag 7 other bloggers at the end of your post and comment on their blogs to let them know.

The Person Who Tagged Me: Again, Barbara Muir - please pay her a visit and let her know you were there with a nice comment.

7 Things About Me:
1 - I have lived North, South, East and West. In chronological order: N - Racine, WI during childhood, E - Lexington, MA after college (for only 1 yr.), W - Redwood City, CA for 19 years as young adult and raising kids, S - Austin, TX for the last 9 1/2 years and I love Austin!
2 - I met my husband when I was 12 and am still crazy about him.
3 - My two incredible children are grown up now... a huge bit of my heart will always be with them. My son, Rawson, lives in San Diego and my daughter, Emily, lives in Atlanta.
4 - My career life has always been in some area of art: studied fine art in college; taught art in private upper school; did graphic design for almost 20 years; now - full circle - back to painting.
5 - I teach painting at the Austin Museum of Art one day week during the fall and spring semesters.
6 - On the Meyers-Briggs temperment scale, I am an ENFP.
7 - Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday... a time to celebrate our many blessings and the important people in our lives; and to give thanks to our Creator for every good and perfect gift. Happy Thanksgiving all.

7 Bloggers I will tag:
William Wray - see his paintings of blight, places "worth remembering" - love them all.
Tom Brown - see a great demo and other fine paintings.
Mike Clark - see his brand new blog and watch for good things to come.
Rene - see plein air paintings from Holland, the Netherlands.
Ali Cavanaugh - see sensitive portrayals of body and soul.
Joan Breckwoldt - see her incredible Santa Claus painting.
And another kind of painting:
Erin Kleider - see my creative, talented sister and maker of beautiful dolls.

Enjoy!

Sunset Countdown

November Sunset 1, 6 x 8

November Sunset 2, 6 x 8
November Sunset 3, 6 x 8

Wednesday night, our plein air group met to paint the sun setting over Lake Travis. It all happened fast and I wanted to paint the sun at different stages, so I was painting like a fiend! When it was too dark to paint, the sky turned completely orange and the water was deep blue - perfect complements. That would have been number 4 if I could have managed one more.

The Great Paint Out

The Road Less Traveled, 12 x 16

This past Saturday I attended one of the "Great Paint Out" events sponsored by the Oil Painters of America at a private ranch outside of Fredericksburg. It was a cold and windy morning but the paintout was well attended by lots of wonderful and hearty painters. "The Road Less Traveled" (so named by the ranch owners) offered downhill shelter from the wind; as well as a great angle on the bluest blue sky.

Party on the Lake

Quiet Cove, 12 x 16

This is "party cove" on Lake Austin in the summers. Young boaters tie their boats together here to make one giant, floating unit and party for hours. On this quiet morning, no one was on the lake at all. It was as still as can be with great reflections and stunning fall color sparkling on the distant shore. A totally different kind of party... but we, too, stayed for hours.

Visiting

Hidden House, 12 x 12

Jennifer's Blue Door, 12 x 12

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I am always looking for different, wonderful places to paint. My friend Jennifer Staub Myers is one of those people who says, "come any time" and really means it. Her fabulous garden (that always seems to be blooming) and beautiful blue front door welcome all who come visiting.

Day After the Elections

Hope on the Horizon, 30 x 40

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Hope on the Horizon Study, 6 x 8

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What did you do on Election Day? My good friend Lynn Cohagan and I got up early and painted the sunrise. I decided to just keep painting the sunrise, and the hope, all day - hence, the larger version. Whoever you voted for, it's a brand new day in this great country. New beginnings are always exciting... Arise and shine!