Twilight Festival in Versailles, KY

 

shown, (art by gg) 9x12 acrylic on canvas, beside photo

I have been working on few new pieces of art for an upcoming art event sponsored by Solaris Art. The Twilight Festival will be held in Versailles, KY on mainstreet in front of the Woodford Co. Library.

July 30th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

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Was a beautiful evening, good food, friends, art and perfect weather.

 

Hot Weekend in Louisville

My hubby spent a hot weekend in Louisville KY ... and Art Festival at Fourth-Street-Live, Greek Festival on the Water front ... and we even took time to visit Churchill Downs race track on Sunday. This little get away was suppose to be restful ... wonder why I'm still so tired? Hope you enjoy a few photos I took with my digital camera ... of course, I had to altered ... could not leave them plain!

When life gives me lemons ... "ditch lily photo editing"

When life gives me lemons instead of making lemonade ... I play with Adobe Photoshop!

Editing photos is as therapeutic to me as growing flowers in my garden. Don't ask me the explain the techniques I used to achieve these results ... I think it's more like a click here and a click there ... or as a chef would say, "a little of this and that".  

I hope to either have these images printed on canvas or greeting cards. This photo was taken on the side of the road in Woodford County ... it is a native plant called a ("ditch") daylily.  

They are very common in Kentucky as well as other southern states.  

I really have never seen a green lily ...  perhaps this is why I find this image so interesting.

(click on images to increase size.)

 
There are times when something in the environment forces us to take a double-take. And for those on the lookout for the effective novelty of being creative ... the unexpected certainly makes life more interesting. I will name this "art happens" ... until I think of a better name.

... a summer day in Woodford County

I had wonderful time today galloping around the country side with my friend Theresa. We attended "A Day in the Country" sponsored by the Pisgah Community Historic Association.

Susan Smith-Durisek - Contributing Garden Writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader writes:

If summer in the city is getting too hot to handle, you can find relief just 12 miles west of downtown Lexington, where the Pisgah community has a long and remarkable 225-year history. Pisgah began in 1784, when a group of families, originally from the area known as Calf Pastures near Staunton, Va., left the protection of McConnell's Station, near Lexington, and settled in Pisgah. The settlement was named for the biblical Mount Pisgah, from which Moses viewed the promised land.

Unlike many early settlements that later developed into urban areas, Pisgah has retained its agricultural character. Since 1987, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places under a rare designation as a rural, agricultural district.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2009/05/30/812134/rural-heritage-lives-in-pisgah.html#ixzz0q1ifNAnF

 
Woodford County is the home of what must be the best scenic roads in Kentucky. As you travel alone these country roads, your eyes will fall upon some of the most impressive landscapes in the world .... hundreds of acres of paddocks, stately stables and barns,"built for kings ... we call thoroughbreds " ... intertwined with miles upon miles of historic stone and wooden fences.  It's what lies behind these fences I find most remarkable ... hundreds of horses.  Frankly, just riding alone this roads, it's easy to see why Kentucky holds the titled of being the "horse capital of the world". 

I hope you enjoy some of the photos I took today ~

 

Chestnut Tree Gallery and Still Waters Studio

Last week, I finally made the trip a few miles south from Lexington to Richmond to retrieve a prize I had won from the Chestnut Tree Gallery and Still Waters Studio. I had been interested in visiting the gallery for sometime ... since following them on Facebook.  While there, I was honored to have met the entire Rollins family.

The Chestnut Tree Gallery has a great selection featuring artisans from around the area. My first impression after entering the gallery was the feeling of peace and tranquility.  Perhaps it was the gentle nature of my conversation and guide Jonathan Rollins, (who is also an art instructor in the Still Waters Studio) ... or perhaps it was the way the art was displayed. Often local art stores and galleries have so much, that it is completely overwhelming.  I felt the Chestnut Tree Gallery was designed in such a way that one could easily allow their eyes to slowly take in each painting, sculpture, carving, jewelry, etc., without the next piece fighting for your attention. 

Speaking of jewelry, they have a marvelous collection. This is the piece I selected as my prize.  I love it and will treasure it always.

Since I knew I was to meet the owners during my visit I brought alone a few of my Functional Art pieces. 

Amazingly, seventeen pieces now are on display in the CTG. I am honored to have my art exhibited among some of the finest artist in Kentucky. 

If you visit you will find a collection of dried leaves, abstract paintings of the American flag, one of my cardinal bird coasters, a real butterfly encased in resin ... all on coasters that you can use.  The CTG also has several larger pieces that can be used as trivets, hot plate, candle holder or even a mouse pad. I've painted many animals over the years and one of my best sellers is my wild colored, hand-painted roosters ~ see below.  I've already met some new friends on Facebook after my visit to the Chestnut Tree Gallery since Ginny, (the owner) has already been advertising my my Functional Art.  I am feeling good about this new partnership.  

For more info you can follow them on Facebook at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richmond-KY/Chestnut-Tree-Gallery-and-Still-Waters-Studio/.

Mother's Day Show art completed

Just mailed out a huge email blast to promote a weekend art/craft show. It takes so much time to market my events.  

	Providence Christian Church Annual Mother's Day Quilt and Craft Show

** 24 quilting and craft vendors, plus home cooked lunch **

These are a few of my latest creations:

 

inspired by a KY derby winner

DMAG Magazine has been released

The first DMAG magazine has been released! Recently, I was honored to be featured in a local Design Publication published by DMAG. To download the entire edition of all 61 fabulous pages, click here:http://d-mag.org/content/news/dmagazine-spring-2010

Thanks to Brittany, Joe, Lynne and others for a great mag!!!

Just for fun ~ Our Backyard Kitty & The Money Plant

I took time to watch Cisco enjoy his time with my Catmint yesterday. It's interesting to view your world behind the view finder of a camera.  Especially watching a cat lick and attack a plant!  After he licks on it for a while... he purrs and rolls over on his back with his eyes rolled back, like he's in kitty heaven.  

Purchase this print here:http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/backyard-kitty-in-the-spring-gg-burns.html

 

Scientific Name: Lunaria annua
Common Name:  Honesty
Other Common Names: Honesty, Honesty Plant, Money Flower, Money Plant, Moonwort, Satin Flower, Silver Dollar Plant, Silver Plate, Tuinjudaspenning, White Satin Flower
Plant Type: Biennial

EASY TO GROW!!!!!

  Additional images of the Money Plant, growing wildly in our back yard.

Purchase similar prints here: http://gg-burns.artistwebsites.com/featured/money-plants-in-the-garden-gg-burns.html

 

Veronica , also called Speedwell, is a carefree and easy-to-grow perennial with long spikes of small petals in purple, blue, pink, or white. This attractive plant grows in clusters from 1 to 3 feet tall, and blooms from spring to autumn.