Updated Website

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 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!

June 25, 2017June 25, 2017

New Website Look!

Same domain name – different hosting – learning curve for me!

How do you like it? Click around and give me your feedback on the new website construction. Anything missing? Something you wonder about? Help me trouble-shoot by trying it out. Check out the Portfolio of current work, too.

You will notice I don’t have the Archives of Sold Paintings. Maybe I will add those later, as I know several of you have shared your purchases with friends that way. And, the old blog posts are gone! (I saved them, but don’t plan to post them all again.) So, this is the first of many new blog posts to come.

Recent Highlights:

May – Solo show at Averitt Center for the Arts, Statesboro, GA
– spent a week of fun learning at Plein Air South, Apalachicola, FL

June – teaching adult painting classes at MAC on Main Art Gallery, Thomson,
– working on commissions and daily paintings
– preparing for the next solo show in November! (stay tuned)