JEAN TOWNSEND 2 - ANOTHER TEXAS MUG! by Linda Popple

8x8 oil on Ampersand Cradled Panel

This is another painting of Jean Townsend.  I wanted to paint her again and decided to use a larger support.  It was a bit of a struggle, but I am satisfied with the result.  

To view Jean's blog click HERE.

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VINTAGE CHRISTMAS by Linda Popple

4x4 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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Do you remember bubble lights?  These were my favorite a very long time ago, many years before the white, twinkling lights became so popular.  Along with the bubble lights were the large bulbs in lots of different colors.  They made for a delightful Christmas tree for children.  I painted this for the December challenge - Vintage Christmas .   Although, these decorations are vintage and I remember them, I am NOT, and I repeat NOT vintage!!

Old Kachina Doll

5 x 7
oil on canvas

Here is another of my Hopi kachinas for the tool theme. As I said in my last post, kachina dolls are tools the Hopi Indians use to teach their children about the Hopi religion, This is an old doll that I received as a birthday present.

Ogre Woman Kachina

Ogre Woman Kachina
8 x 10
oil on canvas

For this month's challenge I'm submitting this painting of a Hopi kachina. The word kachina has many meanings,  the dolls that were originally given to their children,  the masked dancers and the spirits that the dolls and dancers represent. The dolls were played with, of course, but they were a tool to teach the children about their religion. This is a painting I did of a fairly old Ogre Woman kachina, that I bought in a gallery in Albuquerque many years ago. The Ogre Woman comes to the Hopi mesas with other ogres bringing  corn for the girls to grind and traps for the boys to catch mice.  The children are told that the girls must grind the corn well, and the boys catch the mice that eat the Hopi's grain, by the time the Ogres return, or they will take the children away, to eat (hence the scary eyes and sharp teeth.) The purpose of this is to teach the children the roles they will have as adults, the boys as hunters and the girls as grinders of corn who can prepare food for their famalies.

IRIS by Linda Popple

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Central Market had these beautiful irises and of course I bought them. It's a reminder that spring is just around the corner - at least officially! With this weather we are having and seeing some of the trees beginning to leaf spring is already here in Texas!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END!

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CABBAGE ROSETTES by Linda Popple

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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I bought these flowers at Central Market. These white ones were beautiful and there were also purple ones. They have long strong stems. They are very unusual and fun to paint.

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Surfin' Rodeo by Mitzi Easley

Surfin' Rodeo by Mitzi Easley

11x14, oil on panel, nfs

Texas cowboys don't just ride horses. I spied these last summer on the Port Aransas beach and knew immediately I would love painting their gesture, reflections, and yes, those hats.

COWBOY UP ... HAT by Linda Popple

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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The January challenge for Some Texas Artists Like To Paint is Cowboy Up. This term originated in the rodeo. When a cowboy was ready to leave the stall it was yelled, "Cowboy Up!" From there it has come to mean that when life is tough, you don't complain and whine, but you pick yourself up and keep going.

This hat reminds me of my grandfather (we called him Dad) who was a rancher in Gustine, Texas. Dad wore a white Stetson (this hat is not a Stetson). He had difficult times in his life. Work was hard and he took his responsibilities seriously. Dad was a respected and loved person. "Cowboy Up" was not in his venacular, but believe me he did "Cowboy Up" every time a problem crossed his path.

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PINK by Linda Popple

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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I have not been productive at the easel this past week. I can't even remember how many times I took a rag and wiped out a support and those that I didn't wipe out are now in the trash pile. I would like to say I learned something. I suppose I did reinforce my feelings for painting, because I would have surely given up entirely if I didn't love it so much!

The challenge for this month's Some Texas Artists Like to Paint is pink. I found this little pink take out box and finally I was able to paint something and it remained on the canvas. :-) Because the package is all one color it was a good exercise for values, which I always seem to need.

Next Monday Carol Marine's workshop in Jacksonville, Florida begins. I am very excited about attending again! Is there anyone out there who also will be going? If so, I would love to hear from you.