Bumper Crop - Texas prickly pear cactus painting

11X14 Oil on stretched canvas
Check with artist for availability

We may still be in the middle of a drought here in Texas, but the prickly pear fruit crop is no indication - unless they know something we don't know, and they've made so much fruit because this is the last chance they'll get for a long time! Our pecan trees are also loaded with nuts - so many, in fact, that we have had some branches break from the load. We have also had some trees suddenly just die - one peach and my fig. One day green, next day no leaves at all. I suspect it is the extreme heat that did in my fruit tees - sometimes I imagine I can actually hear the sap boiling in them!

Despite the heat we have still prepared the big garden for a winter crop, but I haven't put out seed yet - not while it's still 100+. I am also holding on to several paintings I need to mail - I am afraid they'll melt in the delivery trucks right now! The key to survival is adaptation, and we are certainly trying to rise to the challenges we have faced weather-wise! And we are praying for the rest of the world facing floods and drought. We are all in this together.

Ecclesiastes 11:4
Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

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Be Careful Where You Put Your Nose

8 X 6 Oil on Masonite $115
Includes Shipping and Insurance

The title of this little painting is good advice for all of us - don't you think?
I welcomed some out-of-town guests today. My studio door is almost always open, and today one of my collectors from Florida dropped in - with her Mom. Beth and Barbara are visiting relatives in Texas and thought while they were in the neighborhood, they'd drop in. Of course, within 200 miles means "in the neighborhood" if you are in Texas! I knew they were coming and warned them to get here early to try and beat the heat.
Beth had never been on a horse, so of course we had to do a riding lesson. She did great and took instruction well. Naturally Mom Barbara had to have a go, as well, and I was equally impressed with her daring! Happy 72nd Birthday, Barbara!
After filing them up with peach pie and homemade ice cream, I directed them to Granbury where Barbara was hoping she's find herself some cowboy boots.
These 2 were a delight to meet and I am hoping more of you stop by for a visit!
Matthew 25:36
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

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Prickly Pear by the Rio Grande

16 X 20 Oil on Canvas SOLD

A recent trip to Del Rio resulted in many, many photos of prickly pear cactus. In my opinion the plant is quite attractive in a sculptural sort of way. I really like the twists and turns the "leaves" take in an effort to get the most from sunlight. I know several ladies in my community who make jelly from the fruit, too, but it takes more effort than I care to muster. And the thorns are the devil to deal with!


Matthew 13:39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels..

Studio is progressing nicely. By the end of yesterday, most of the lower framing had been completed. Two ceiling beams are required because the span is quite long (38 feet) and a decision was made regarding their placement. How the bathroom and closet tie in to the ceiling was another decision. AND what to do with the vent in the brick wall. It looks like we'll need another 500 bricks, too. I need to start thinking about cabintry and countertops and fixtures. As soon as the windows are installed and off the front porch, I'll probably hit Home Depot or Lowes.
The addition's roof line is the same in front as the existing house, but we are going to bite the bullet and reroof the entire house with metal - so we don't have to be concerned with matching the existing composition shingles. The house is nearly 12 years old - this ought to be the last roof for us.

Where are the Thorns?

6 X 8 Oil on Masonite $50 includes shipping SOLD

Where I live there is an endless supply of cactus as models! This particular variety is thornless, though, and those are rare. I have a friend who makes jelly from the prickly pear fruit every summer. She harvests from the variety that has thorns, though, and must use very heavy leather gloves to keep from getting stuck. I let her do the work and buy the jelly - no sore fingers for me!

2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.