Crows or Raven....

 There are those who would crow, or not depending on their character. Such was a former president I admire greatly - "I have no desire to crow over anybody or to see anybody eating crow, figuratively or otherwise. We should all get together and make a country in which everybody can eat turkey whenever he pleases. "
Harry S. Truman

Here's a quote that gives one pause to think - "Method is more important than strength, when you wish to control your enemies. By dropping golden beads near a snake, a crow once managed to have a passer-by kill the snake for the beads."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In Alaska the "crows" were actually ravens, birds large enough to haul away a cat or small dog. They rivaled the eagles in size and noise.When I hear a " Caw Caw" today I still expect to see these giant shiny black birds, but most often see a much smaller version. 

 

Regardless, crows and ravens are the subject of many an artist's muse.  I've tried my hand at them as well, and would like to explore this topic more. I have prints available at Mother's Dream Artworks of these three versions. Have you used crows or ravens in your art?

Autumn is slowly wrapping us in her glow....

     As a gardener I tend to check the weather forecast regularly. I first became obsessed with the weather when we lived in North Pole, Alaska. I looked for the first day to plant, and the latest I could leave things out without losing anything to frost. By the end of August we had usually had a hard frost, so anything in the garden not covered well looked like something from an alien movie. Green slimy leaves, and wilted plants told the story all too well. I can still smell the high bush cranberries, and the Labrador tea, and see the Midas touch on the birch tree leaves, mixed with the vivid red of the Fireweed. By this time it can be so cold that snow threatens any day. I see that this year they are having an Indian Summer as they are basking in mid 60 temps until next weekend.
      Back to Utah though, although it will be 89 degrees today, by next week we are looking at mid 70's temps. The nights have been cooler; my one lonely apple on my columnar apple tree is huge and red. The light comes through the window at a different angle and everything seems to be touched by a sort of golden glow. The wild sunflowers are in full glory, and the hills are tinged with a purple hue come evening. Mornings are cool and comfortable for exercise, and the smell of baked desert soil is going away to be replaced by a sweet freshness.
     We are also getting ready for the big car and air show here in Wendover and the weather is critical for pulling off a successful event. It appears that we will have a nice sunny day for the show, not too hot, and perfect. We are keeping our fingers crossed as things can change in a week, but so far all looks good.
     I love this time of year and how it inspires me artistically. The painting above was one done back in 2006, but is timeless in it's appeal. I will be creating new paintings of a similar style this weekend and hope to post them. In the meantime I have 3 prints of this painting being offered at my etsy shop right now so if you have a moment, won't you stop by and take a look? Here's to a great and restful weekend for us all.

One World One Heart

A event that has taken on monumental proportions, One World One Heart links bloggers all over the world. Artisans everywhere have joined in and it's been so popular that folks can't wait to participate each year. Click on the banner at the top left to stop by and see what this is all about.

What's in it for you? A chance to win a wonderful piece of art from some very talented artists! What you do is leave a comment here on this post with a way for me to contact you in case you are the winner. One winner will be randomly drawn on and announced on February 15th.



Here's my offering for the giveaway part of this event. This is an 11 by 8.5 print with white border of a pastel I've done. It will come signed and dated and it's the last one of a limited series.
I am a primarily self taught artist that picked up my art tools when all my children grew up and flew the coop. I love to dabble in a variety of media, from clay and paper mache to painting on canvas and art papers. Stop by my website at Mother's Dream Artworks to see more of what I do. I also do web graphic design, and am working on cover art for a magazine. A big thanks to Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian for sponsoring this event. For more artists blogs to visit click on the banner above.
If you like what you see here, don't forget to sign up below by leaving me a post with a way to contact you. Thanks!

Crows and Pears and Pumpkins, Oh My!

September 1st is a start for me, to the Autumn season. Perhaps it was my teachers putting leaves around the bulletiere.n boards, or if you are in Alaska, the leaves outside have already turned or started. What ever it is there is a change to the sunlight and it just feels like Fall is almost here.
This print is a very popular one of mine and you can find it now on ebay. The original was created on canvas using acrylic paints. It looks wonderful framed.