This painting is part of a triptych created for a fun family in Statesville, North Carolina, titled "The Family that Plays Together Stays Together." This painting process started with a large still life of items that represented something about their family. The bricks in this painting tells of the family business.  Games, dice, butterflies, cards, books, world globe, golf ball, flowers, bird's nest and collectibles were all used in the still life. Thinking about what to include and how to arrange these items to make a colorful/fun triptych for this client was the challenge.  The three paintings were painted at the same time.  Two horizontal and one vertical in the middle worked with the composition. I signed the paintings on the back of the frames to each of their three children.  The bird's nest with three eggs represent their children.  The paintings are now hanging together, but will one day be separated and given to each child.  To see the other two look at the website....this was a great challenge and lots of fun!  The client did not know what the subject matter would be....she only knew that I had taken lots of pictures of her rooms for color ideas and that I asked a lot of questions about her family's hobbies, favorite vacations, their honeymoon, favorite sports, family business, etc.  She told me that she could not imagine what I could be painting!  I think she was nervous to see the unveiling!  Luckily for me, she loved it.  It was a great experience for me as an artist. 

This sunset was painted from one of my favorite places to visit, Mt. Pleasant, SC.  It is available through Heart of Living Home Gallery in Greensboro, NC. 

These were a bantam "couple" who allowed me to hold them before their photo shoot! They had just had a bath from their North Carolina owner. Beautiful rooster and hen who did not mind posing for the camera.  They have many friends who are just as photographic.  I am now working on their feathery portraits.  All of these bantam roosters and hens were amazing to see and hold!