Lighthouse Trip

I thought I'd share with you a fun trip that my husband, Paul and I took back in 2003. We went on a long weekend with the main goal of taking pictures of as many lighthouses as possible, we had a blast. Many times we would grab a hotdog for lunch and drive while we ate. I know it wasn't the healthiest thing to do, but boy did we have fun. My dad would have hated a trip like that!


Our first stop was Menominee North Pier Light in Michigan, located at the north side of the entrance to the Menominee River from Green Bay.

Our second stop was at the Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse, located in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan on Lake Michigan.

Next was Suel Choix Point Lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula in Gulliver, Michigan, on Lake Michigan. This lighthouse was one of my favorites. I love the Tall white structure with the dark railings and redish roof.

They had a bird feeder in its likeness, what a cute idea.



I thought this was a cool snapshot I took with the sun peeking behind the lighthouse.
Seul Choix Point Lighthouse is apparently believed to be haunted.

This is the painting that I did of it. It is from the other side of the lighthouse looking towards the lake. As you can see, I took some artistic license and added the flower beds and walking path.

Suel Choix Light
16 x 20 Oil on Stretched canvas

http://brendathour.com/Lighthouses.html

More on our lighthouse trip coming soon.

Time to Create

It's funny, but it seems like I spend all my time on the computer and very little time painting. So my goal is, when it's time to create, I will just walk away from what I am doing and paint.

I've been wanting to do a bird aceo for a quest for my DAWG group (Designing Artists Women Group). So Finally, I went downstiars to look through my reference photos, got out the watercolor pencils and colored pencils and this is what I came up with.

I call it Blue Parakeet aceo.

When I was little we had a green parakeet like this, his name was Chippers, and I swear he taught me to whistle. I was probably about 5 and was trying to learn to whistle. So I sat infront of Chippers cage, he whistled all the time, and I practiced and tried until I finally did whistle. So my parakeet taught me to whistle, and no one will convince me otherwise.

He also was a little escape artist. I remember coming home from church and finding him flying around the house. We had to put a twist tie on his cage door so he couldn't do that anymore. He loved my mom. We had a huge mirror hanging over the stiars, and he liked to sit on that. He also loved cheetos, ya, I know it probably wasn't good for him, but this was in the early 70's, who knew?

Twitter Training

If you use Twitter, here are 3 great videos on Twitter Training, how to make the most of Twitter to connect with people and marketing. Awesome videos. I am on the third video and have bookmarked the site so I can easily watch them again. Here's the link http://renegadeproblog.com/twitter-training/ the videos are by Mark Klingler
I found out about these twittering videos from Chika at http://twitter.com/TShirtMarketing

Check it out to learn something new.

Featured Artist - Jean Levert Hood

Jean Levert Hood is an artist that I greatly admire. Her paintings are full of color, vibrancy, and are just beautiful to view. She works in both oil and watercolor and her style is all Jean.She is a Proud member of the Design Style Guide , and WWAO (World Wide Women Artists Online)

This is what she has to say

"I paint with bold, clean strokes, thick with rich, sometimes surprising, colors that express what I see and feel when painting. My hope is that in the end I have engaged the emotions of those who view my work.
I begin long before I pick up my brushes using design and composition principles to outline the work. I then paint with abandon and joy. The resulting work shows my personal application of impressionism with a minimalist quality. "

Oak Creek Fall

"After a visit in beautiful Sedona, Arizona, I drove north along Oak Creek. The fall colors were stunning. This is one painting created from many photos taken that day. Oak Creek Fall is a 12" x 9" oil on canvas."

Heron - Original Watercolor

"Inspiration came because the game camera finally caught a heron at Lake Jean! I often see them flying towards the lake and around it, but this is a first. I was so excited to see."

Chicken Strut

"This is from a photo of one of our chickens. We have chickens because we just love fresh eggs, and the chickens and roosters are often part of my blog and art. I love painting animals!"

Moon Bunny Number 6 ACEO

"This Tiny Bit of Fine Art is sized to ACEO, 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. This is from my Bunny Moon Series."

Rio Frio Series - Twilight Landscape

"This original oil painting is of the Frio River in the beautiful Texas Hill Country. It is a popular spot for summer "tubing" and play. This painting is from an area just before the entrance to Garner State Park."

More from her bio:

"Often inspiration comes from what I see walking on my ranch on the historically rich, brushy edge of the Texas Hill Country. Here daily, I encounter constant contrasts and variety in texture and color - the dichotomy of harmony and discord; lushness and barrenness; serenity and energy.
My challenge is to show the complexity of creation by painting intimate, personal portraits of nature. Whether choosing a landscape or still life, close observation reveals the ordinary as extraordinary."

Jean Levert Hood's paintings would spruce up anyones Home Decor.

Make sure you check out her blog, it is amazing!

http://www.jeanleverthood.blogspot.com

and her Etsy shop: http://www.JeanHood.etsy.com

Don't forget to check out her Website:

http://www.JeanLevertHood.com

CafePress face lift

I have been spending this week working very hard on my cafepress shop, giving it a new look, complete with a new cool banner. Adding section teasers and descriptions (for search engines), and many more products. I also finally figured out how to send out a newsletter since they changed things around. I now have 11 more subscribers than the last time I looked. Thank you so much, whoever you are.

I have this t-shirt but with my Hiding image on it and I just love it. Wears and washes well.

http://www.cafepress.com/brendathour

My Very First Blog Award!

This bright and colorful award was awarded to me by Donna Ridgway. This award is given to bloggers from fellow bloggers who enjoy reading your blog. Thank you so much Donna. This means I get to share with you all, 7 things that I love, and then pass it on to seven fellow bloggers who's blog I enjoy.

Ok, for the seven random things I love...

1. carmel and white chocolate

2. white chocolate or toffee cuppachino from SuperAmerica, minus the coffee

3. animals

4. relaxing at night in front of the tv with a blanket while crocheting

5. Survivor (ya, I actually do)

6. anything cute

7. riding our tandem bike with my husband

*

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Here are seven bloggers I want to pass the award along to in no particular order:

Torrie Smiley

Sharon K. Shubert

Lynda Lehmann

Cathy O Lewis

Diana Bracy

Ruth palmer

Barbara Haviland

BIG 4 DAY DAWG SALE AT ETSY.COM! THIS Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, Feb 13 to 16

Many members of the dawg team are participating. To search for more sales search 'dawg team' when searching for handmade items.

I am offering,

BUY 2 GET 1 FREE of equal or lesser value

Buy 2 magnets, get one free

Buy 2 pendants, get one free

Buy 2 aceos, get one free

Buy 2 prints, get one free

Just convo me and let me know which free item you want, or put it in note to seller.

Plus FREE SHIPPING on all magnets, pendants, aceos, and prints, no matter how many or few you buy.

THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS! 20% OFF ALL PAINTINGS! Please select items and contact me to change the price for you. I will also include your choice of one of my magnets, pendants, or aceo prints with your your 20% off purchase.

http://www.luvs2paint.etsy.com/

I am really excited about this sale, I am posting many more items every day1

Look At That Face

Pets are a big part of many of our lives. They bring us joy, unconditional love, companionship, and their antics can be hilarious. This is a little aceo oil painting of my brothers puppy, Etah.
I did this for a love quest, it's just a fun little challenge that my DAWG team (Designing Artists Women Group) at Etsy does.
etsy.com is a wonderful site where you can find beautiful and unique homemade items such as jewlery, home decor, pottery, stained glass, furniture ...the list is endless. Just do a search for interiordesignteam on etsy, and you will be blown away by the talent these artists have.

African Wildlife Paintings by Brenda Thour

If you like African Wildlife for your Home Decor, here is a slide of my oil paintings featuring african wildlife. It's amazing what a difference it makes when you add a beautiful piece of Wall Art to your Home Decorating.