Happy Halloween!!

This is the photo of a small (8"x10") color study done at the "Pumpkin Glow" festival near Flintstone, GA, on October 25th. The study is for a larger painting I'll do in my art studio. I didn't have my camera (forgot it) so the closest thing I could do was this oil on panel color study.
If you'd like to see more of my artwork, it's at http://beejw.blogspot.com.

fast upon us

Cool weather came fast this year. I was wearing shorts the weekend of October 11th at the Prater's Mill Country Fair. This morning there was a heavy frost. Next week is Thanksgiving and the week after that will be Christmas. Then it's 8 months until Spring...at least that's what it feels like.

This photo is of Chickamauga Creek, winding its way through Ringgold, GA. Enjoy the Fall colors while you can...

"Fall has fell"....Grandma

My Grandma had lots of 'old timey' sayings. "Fall has fell" was one of my favorites. This photo shows the orange/red maple trees located along the Southern edge of the Tunnel Hill battlefield. A few more frosty nights and the colors will blaze even more.

primary colors

As we learn in school, the primary colors are red, yellow and blue. Theoretically all other colors can be made by mixing these three colors in varying amounts. This photo was taken as I participated in a paint-out in Gainesville, GA. This scene with its blazing blue sky, red gas meter and yellow curb reminded me of the delicious colors in an 8 pack of crayons.

water wheel

At the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassi, you'll see many items of historical significance. Water wheels use flowing water to grind grains into flour and meal. Capturing nature's energy is something we need to revisit.

mountain kin folk

This cabin is part of a historical setting at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassi. In the mid 1950's, I can remember visiting some distant relatives who lived in a cabin much like this. It was somewhat larger and had a porch running completely around the house, but it was made from logs with mud and straw filling the cracks. The honest, hardworking people who lived there were loggers -- cutting and hauling timber so the rest of us had building materials for our homes. And I remember them sharing a meal with us -- meat stew and cornbread. I wonder where their families are now......

You lookin' at me???

Several months ago Sandra and I drove along Burning Bush Road outside Ringgold, GA. We parked and ventured into the pasture of a friend's farm. In setting up our easels to paint, Sandra commented that the cows would be along shortly. Sure enough, within minutes curious bovine creatures descended upon us. They came almost close enough to touch, but shied away. Sandra said that once while she was painting in her pasture, a cow wandered up and actually licked the canvas she was about to paint on.

boys and their toys

As little boys grow to manhood they become - well, just big boys. And their little toy cars become BIG toys.

first leaves of Autumn

Don't you love the first leaves of Autumn??? Everything has been so green-green all Summer. Then one morning you notice the slight chill in the air. A few days later you're walking in the back yard and a colorful flutter catches your eye. You look up and there's the first Autumn leaf. A wonderful miracle. The color has been there all the time --- just hidden by the green chlorophyll. It's like the leaves are shedding their green costumes of Summer and we're seeing their "true colors shining through".

walk across the river

This is the James River as it flows near Richmond, VA. You can literally walk across the river on the rocks at this spot.

lunch time already?

Actually I don't have any idea about how to read a sundial. This one is in Colonial Williamsburg, VA. It's so easy just to glance at my watch or Blackberry to see not only the hour and minutes - but the seconds. We have digital chronometers everywhere to give us the most accurate time available. It's hard to imagine that just several generations ago the sundial was the premier timepiece.

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Wilson

Remember the Tom Hanks movie "Castaway"? His companion on the island was Wilson, the soccer ball. Well, I'd like to introduce you to Wilson, the scarecrow who resides in Sandra's garden. He's a quiet type, but he keeps an eye open for birds, squirrels and occasionally Ellie (the dog). It's a treat to stop by Sandra's house. She's always painting in her art studio, puttering in the garden or baking cookies. And she always invites you in with a hospitable smile - and a plate of those fresh baked cookies.

beauty is where you find it

If you wait long enough in this lifetime, a beautiful butterfly will alight on your toe. Believe it.

weeds by the wayside

Yes, they are weeds. Their colors are the same as flowers in our gardens - flowers we've bought, planted, watered, cared for. But these are free to enjoy as we pass them by on our busy way to somewhere else. Enjoy nature's garden as you go from here to there.

Chickamauga Creek

This is another view looking East on Chickamauga Creek in Ringgold, GA. This was taken last year ('07) but it won't be too long before the leaves lose their costumes of green and once again glow in their Autumn finery. I need to get away and visit there again.....

fawn morning

If you look closely just to the right of center, you'll see a mother deer and her fawn. They ate leisurely for several minutes as they made their way across the meadow. This property is the location of the "Battle of Tunnel Hill" Civil War reenactment.

out of town

I will be out of town October 2nd through October 7th. Please visit earlier posts and my art blog at http://beejw.blogspot.com. Thanks! Be back soon.

Native American dancer

This is another Native American dancer who participated in the Running Water pow-wow in Rome, GA. I wish I could have gotten his name, tribe, and something about his regalia.

Running Water pow-wow

If you've never attended a pow-wow, you have missed an opportunity to learn much about Native American heritage. Google "pow-wow" and you'll be amazed at how many events are available. This photo shows Men's Southern Straight Dancers and Grass Dancers ready to enter the arena at the Running Water pow-wow in Rome, GA. Originally I had listed the dancers as "Fancy Dancers", however I've now learned that Fancy Dancers wear two bussels of feathers on their backs. And a big "Thank You!" to Father RedWolf for bringing this to my attention.