Ever been to Paris?

Only been to Paris in my dreams.

But have been to: NYC, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Charleston, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Key West, Winslow, Denver, Las Vegas, San Fransisco, L. A., D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Cinncinati, Roanoke, Memphis, Oklahoma City, Manchester, Asheville, Dodge City, Key Largo, Albequerque, Anaheim, Gallup, Knoxville, Birmingham, Flagstaff, Orlando, and Amarillo.

Been to lots of smaller cities, towns that you may not know like: Bristol, Amherst, Marco Island, Marathon, Johnson City, Greely, Elizabethton, Jonesboro, Bluff City, and Goose Pimple Junction!  Sometimes traveling to a place is even better than you had imagined… sometimes worse. 

And even though I dream of the museums and wines of France, my roots in Scotland or Ireland or Germany or England, the food of Italy or the politics of the Amsterdam, I am partial to travel in the good ole USA… We like to drive and summer is coming so where should we visit next? Any ideas?

The oil painting above is a portion of a larger painting that I completed last year, appropriately title “Paris”, now owned by a dear friend and famous author that lives on a houseboat in the Keys.

self portrait

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This is my recently completed self portrait. I wonder why artists attempt self portraits? Perhaps it is easier as we have only ourselves to please.

Guitar

“Guitar” is a painting I did last year to be included in my first public showing. It was purchased by dear friends C&C.  I hope they have enjoyed owning it as much as I did painting it.  I love acoustic guitars: the way they sound, of course, but also the natural woods used in their construction. I love the grain of the wood, the sparkle of shiny buttons and pins, the smell of wood and glue when you first open the case of your new guitar… 

I think about the guitars I have known.  Some of them were built from exotic woods like brazilian rosewood, curly maple, matchbook spruces.  I know people who travel the world looking for exotic woods to use in the construction of fine instruments.  Also, there are thoughtful souls (and companies) trying to use engineered or replaceable woods with success. Wish other folks would stop using wood for foolish things and remember to save the best of it for really important things… like forests and fine guitars.

Purple Tulips

Here in East Tennessee, the daffodils are starting to bloom and the tulips are coming soon! Spring is on the way! This will be the first spring I have see in the mountains in 17 years and I am breathless with anticipation. It reminds me of this painting, Purple Tulips. From my initial showing called “First Exposure”, it is sold and in the private collection of my friend and accountant M. I’m glad M. has it. Like knowing that one of your children is being well cared for.

Penelope

Penelope

Originally uploaded by ntmorrell.

This is “Penelope from Palm Beach”. Pen sprang from my canvas as if her life depended upon it! She is an original oil painting (18″x24″ on canvas, framed) and available from anitamorrell at aol dot com. Warm wishes.

String Band

String Band

I have been around musicians and music stores all my life. My father was a musician (future blog) and my brother now heads up the family’s music equipment biz (future blog) that Dad started 46 years ago, when I was 5. 

My SW (sweetheart for 23 years) and I owned a guitar shop for 17 years on a sunny tropical island where music was carribean flavored and sultry. Mui caliente!  (future blog).

 We now live in the mountains were the music is a tradition as old as the blue hills and valleys of my birth.  The country and bluegrass music here is soulful and unique to this region (future blog). When I hear it I feel connected to something that stitches through me and backwards through many generations to the very ships that brought us from Europe. A sweet country ballad covers me with warmth, the same as my mother’s handmade quilts. (another blog)

This oil painting is 18″x24″, on canvas, framed and available from anitamorrell at aol dot com. For now I better get busy. Apparently I have many future blogs in me that need to pop out soon.  See my writing blog at anitamorrell.wordpress.com   Warm wishes til next time.  

lantanas

lantanas

Originally uploaded by ntmorrell.

At our place in South Florida, our lantanas have grown into a huge bush. One day I arranged a few of the blooms in a vase. The resulting oil painting is 18″x24″, on canvas, framed. I love this painting and am only selling it in order to replentish supplies so that I can continue responding to that little artist voice I hear each day. If it is true that each of us has an artist child inside of us, then mine is screaming today and throwing a tantrum. hehe.

Becca from Boca

Becca

Originally uploaded by ntmorrell.

“Becca from Boca” is blonde and sassy. She is one of a series of “City Girls” that I started last year during a happy time in South Florida.
I was painting daily near the great window overlooking the lantana bush and purple bougainvillea.
Becca is available for sale from anitamorrell@aol.com
Warm wishes until next time.

Gail from Ft. Lauderdale

Gail from Ft. Lauderdale

Originally uploaded by ntmorrell.

“Gail from Ft. Lauderdale” is an original oil painting that is part of the series called “City Girls”. 18″x24″ SOLD.