August 2017 – Melanie Stokes Art

August 31, 2017

#30paintingsin30days

Tomorrow is the day I begin Leslie Saeta’s 30 Day Painting Challenge to paint 30 paintings in 30 days! Now, this is not really as difficult as it seems to someone who is normally in her studio at least once a day. But to have 30 paintings ready to post daily … that may be another matter.

So, if you follow me through this, please be kind! Realize some may not be gallery-ready! Some will only be studies. Some may be unfinished pieces of studies. But I plan to paint and post something every day. Look for it. Hold me accountable. Help me grow.

Here is a link to the 30 in 30 Challenge, if you would like to join in! Look at the map of artists from all over the world. And there I am listed in Thomson, GA!!

http://www.saetastudio.com/30-in-30.html

August 18, 2017September 20, 2017

Somebody’s Grandma Lived Here

melaniestokesart.com — This Old House
16×20 oil – SOLD

When I ride past an old house like this, I’m drawn to the image. The architectural lines, the crumbling exterior, the welcoming porches, the trees framing and softening the landscape… And then my mind begins to imagine, “who lived here in days past? how many children played in the yard? did the family survive the hard times? did someone remember to go back and visit?”

This old house is in Cadley, Georgia. I don’t know anything about it, except the location. I stopped to take a photo one morning simply because it was there in its worn, aged beauty. Yet, to someone, somewhere, this house has meaning. Someone’s Grandma probably lived here!

I have noticed, in recent days, some activity around this house that suggests renovation. Oh, that we could look on all places and all people as something that has meaning to someone — something to respect and restore, to cherish, to ponder and to share.

August 12, 2017

Rise and Shine!

“Rise and Shine!” (I remember my mama’s voice melodically calling me to wake up.) “Rise and Shine” was the last thing I wanted to hear as a teenager. But, it was a very positive call to alertness. Mama said it with joy and happiness for the beginning of a new day!

I chose to paint this scene because of the light– “the heavenly sunlight flooding my soul with glory divine…” I took the photo in the morning, while out early to enjoy the day. I’m not the same sleepyhead that Mama had trouble waking up. Now I enjoy seeing the sun rise, seeing the light creep around corners of trees and cling to the edges of leaves, seeing sunlight blanket the earth with a yellow-white glow.

Rise and Shine! It’s another day to appreciate, and to be a light!

August 5, 2017August 6, 2017

Building Castles

Have I mentioned that I’m a grandmother? I have four grandchildren – two in my home state of Georgia, and two in Texas. Recently, my Texan son and his family visited for a week. What a joy to be able to spend time with them! And part of that time was spent at the beach!

As I looked back through photos of the days, this one seemed like a good one to paint – father, mother, and both brothers, making memories as they built a MEGA sand castle. No doubt, Luke was remembering the many sand castles his father and brother helped him build. (I could identify with my daughter-in-law’s stance as the one who was content to observe.)

As I painted, I thought about how they are not only building a castle, but building a family, building a home, building men, building memories, building life. They are building a castle that lasts longer and is worth so much more than any castle they could ever build with sand — or bricks and mortar for that matter. Parents are builders – it takes hard work and lots of time, but so worth it!