December Commissioned Paintings

During December I completed two commissioned paintings. I alway love to paint sunflowers, so when I was asked to create a smaller version of another sunflower painting, I couldn't wait to get started.

Sunflower #6
8” x 16”
acrylic on canvas

Although you can't see it here, the painting is very textured. Palette knife and scrumbling techniques are used to enhance the texture of the petals and leaves.

Autumn in Pennsylvania
16" x 20"
acrylic on canvas

This painting is from a photo taken by the client at Lackawanna State Park in Waverly, Pennsylvania. It reminded me of the views of landscapes from my own childhood growing up in Tennessee.

O Come, Let Us Adore Him

This painting is a combination of two scenes from the nativity: the shepherds and wise men coming to adore and worship the baby Jesus.

11 x 14 acrylic on canvas

I'm Back At the Easel

It has been awhile since I updated my blog. I took a short time off from my painting to be more active with the kids since they were graduating from high school. And now they are off at college and I have lots of time to paint.

I did finish some of the paintings I had started in previous posts. Here is the "Journey to Bethlehem" painting completed.

This painting is 24 x 36, acrylic on canvas

For the last two days, I have been listing paintings on ArtByUs, Ebay and Etsy. I am definitely making up for lost time.

Journey to Bethlehem--WIP

Saturday, I worked on the Journey to Bethlehem painting and here is the next stage. I have completed the sky, and am working on the details of Mary, Joseph, and the travelers.

I think I am going to change the name of the painting to "Beautiful Star of Bethlehem". I just keep hearing the song, "O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem" in my head as I paint.

Obedience Unto Death

Obedience Unto Death

Journey to the Cross and Beyond Series
24" x 30"
Acrylic on canvas
$720.00

Inspired by Philippians 2:8
He humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

Obedience has never been one of my strong characteristics. I have always struggled with the word and its true meaning, especially when applying it to my life. Human nature rears its ugly head early in life when one of the first words a child learns to speak is, “No”. I was no different.

In my teenage years, obedience was not a word I used often in my vocabulary. I wanted to do what my parents said, but I wanted to do other things more. I had a strong Christian upbringing, but I did not comprehend the true meaning of obedience. I would pick and chose the rules I wanted to follow.

Recently, a lesson by our minister motivated me to do some in-depth thinking about obedience. The true meaning of obedience and its relationship to Our Heavenly Father and his Son was something I wanted to study and explore. This painting is inspired by my study and the emotions I felt.

It was a very emotional journey. Working on the painting drained all my creativity and I could not paint for several days after I had finished it.

Christ’s faithful love for his father and his obedience unto death is an example for all of us to follow in our Journey to the Cross and Beyond.

Journey to Bethlehem-Work In Progress

Today I decided I want to start another "Journey to Bethlehem" painting in a larger size, 24" x 36", with a different orientation.

Mary and Joseph are still coming into the city, but I have added several other travelers and a closer perspective of the City of David.

This is the initial washed for the dark areas and I will be using blues, purples, browns and greens in the background.

New Series—Journey to the Cross and Beyond

My Ladies Bible Study Group is using Beth Moore’s “Breaking Free” as the basis for study this quarter. I realize, after just a few of the lessons, I want to know Christ as the Son of God and know him better. This series is an articulation of my journey to find Christ as the Son of God, to know him and believe him. Journey to the Cross and Beyond, is an expression of my love and faith illustrated on canvas.

Journey to Bethlehem, 2006

18” x 24”
Acrylic on Canvas

The inspiration for this painting comes from Gospel of Luke (2:4-7):

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child."

The journey to Bethlehem must have been grueling experience for Mary and a constant worry for Joseph. The 100-mile journey would have taken from eight to ten days by camel or donkey.

Availability: If you are interested in a painting from this series, they will be available exclusively through my website.

Tribute to Mom

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday. I owe much of my artistic ability to her. She was the first person I ever knew who painted pictures. She was also my first art teacher. She taught me from those "how to draw" books (the ones that teach you to draw boxes, circles, cones and then make them dimensional with shading) when I was only seven or eight years old.

My first acrylic paint was leftover house paint that my mom had saved for me to use. She allowed me to paint with the house paint on newsprint utilizing our bathroom counter as a surface to hold my painting. There I could paint to my heart's content. One of the first paintings I remember creating was of a hen and her chicks. She taught me to see the heart shape of the hen's body and the circle shapes of the baby chicks around her.

I love the smell of oil paint and turpentine. My first experience with oils was the paint-by-number set I received one Christmas. I guess you can see from my painting style that I still like to stay within the lines.

I attribute my love of gardening, flowers and small creatures to my mother. She and my brother built a goldfish pond when I was small. My brother, sister and I spent many hours watching the goldfish and playing with the small creatures that came to the pond.

The Water Garden Series is a visual tribute to those precious memories from my childhood.


Water Garden Friends
11" x 14"
acrylic on canvas



Thanks mom for all these wonderful memories!

My Web Site is Finally Published!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that my website has finally been completed. I has taken me several months to put all the graphics together, learn html, front page, etc. Brushworks by RFord is now official.

Now that it is up, I plan to keep my blog updated with my newest paintings and happenings in my life. I decided to leave my old posts available for viewing, the two three that are available anyway.