More Snow…

It may look pretty, but this Texas Storm has been serious! The anticipation of experiencing below freezing temperatures in single digits was as disturbing as the actual storm. We (mostly my husband) prepped for days: ordered propane, hauled water jugs, bought packaged groceries in bulk, filled up the cars, put away potted plants, wrapped outdoor faucets…and listened to weather reports, searching weather apps to plan ahead.

It is unsettling to watch the world freeze over and know you are not in control.

As I post this, many in this community and all over Texas and beyond, (my internet has been out so I haven’t seen all the updates), are without heat and water after the seven days of storm.

Since several of you have asked about us, Yes, we are fine! We have gas logs so we won’t freeze, we have been on the rolling blackouts, which gave us enough power to zap something in the microwave, take a quick shower, or make coffee. We are dressing in layers and sitting with cozy blankets. It’s not that bad. And now, the electricity seems stable and the internet has returned!

When challenges arose, we came up with creative solutions. (And that “we” includes many of you.) We “made-do,” we used what we had, we shared with others, we invented ways to stay warm and concoct meals. We fed birds and rested a lot. We practiced gratefulness.

And we painted! My artist daughter-in-law and youngest grandson opted for the option of gas logs and joined us this week, while our son and their oldest son stayed home to take care of animals. (Don’t feel sorry for him. He doesn’t mind roughing it on a camping trip.) Nicky and I have enjoyed our artist retreat of being in our own silent worlds of painting while Papa and the 8 year old have found some adventures of their own!

The temperatures are supposed to rise above freezing tomorrow (a first for this eight day span). When all this snow melts, I am wondering what will happen. Will the water from eight inches of snow ever soak into our Blackland Prairie gumbo soil? Are there house maintenance issues, like busted pipes and cracked windows, to deal with? And more importantly, will the grocery stores have enough food for all of us to dash to town to restock our pantries?

I plan to be more aware of my use of electricity and water. We have always practiced conservation, but this experience brings up the recurring thought that many of us are just plain spoiled with luxury.

I’m reminded of the words of Paul in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned to be content with whatever state I’m in.” (even when that “state” is the frozen state of Texas!)

February 5, 2021August 21, 2023

My Art From Mart or #artfrommarttx

When we began preparing for a move to Waco, Texas a few years ago, my husband and I knew we wanted to live in the country, on the same side of the county as our son’s family, and wanted more than one acre of land. Our house hunt led us fifteen miles away from Waco, to more land than we needed, six miles from our son, and a Mart address.

Mart, with a population of about 2000, gives many subjects and opportunities for paintings. (You may have noticed I’ve been using the hashtag, #artfrommarttx, on my Instagram account.) I took a photo for this painting while parked at the Dollar General. Like so many rural places in Texas, the grain elevators dominate the skyline of the town.

Read’s Grocery, on the main street, is a convenient six miles for me when I need a quick trip to the grocery. During the days of quarantine, they remained open with stocked shelves and sanitizing protocols, for which I am grateful.

Pizza Pro is on the right side, with delicious baked spaghetti and, of course, take out pizza! They even sell empty pizza boxes to artists who need wet canvas carriers!

The friendly staff of the U.S. Post Office of Mart has been such a help to me in shipping paintings and filling orders for prints. They always have time to help me figure out the best way to do things. And our rural carrier, who brings packages to the door, has become a first name friend. Gotta love the small town life!

I was puzzled by the names of some Texas roads being FM2957 or FM939. I’ve always had trouble remembering numbers. Words like “Lake Felton Parkway” or “County Line Road” come to my mind easier. I learned that FM stands for Farm to Market and was an avenue for that in the beginning of their construction. This painting, Farm to Market, is the view I see as I enter the Mart City Limits from the County Line Road (or FM 939). And those hay bales have been there with the For Sale sign since about summer before last.

So, yes, we moved to Waco. But, we have a Mart address, and we are really closer to Hallsburg and Elk. If you decide to visit, it might be best to call for directions. The porch rockers are ready for you. But I’m probably around back, painting art from Mart!

Instagram: #artfrommarttx @melaniestokesart

December 28, 2020

Cowboy Approved

I have pondered purchasing boots for over two years. When a Georgia Girl moves to Texas, it seems necessary. So, with after-Christmas prices, and a gift card in my hand, I made the rounds of four or five stores, specializing in cowgirl boots. But, I felt like Cinderella’s sisters, as I tried on several brands that would not go over my instep! With frustration, I commented to a salesperson, “This must be a sign for me to forget about cowgirl boots and head back to the Georgia Beaches in flip-flops!” (He didn’t laugh.)

I had pretty much given up the idea of boots when I turned into Kohl’s as I walked past. They were having a shoe sale, but I didn’t see anything western looking. Then, on the top shelf of the Clearance section, I saw one box that proclaimed, “Cowboy Approved.” They were my size AND 60% off!! I thought to myself, “If these fit, I will have to buy them no matter what color they are.” Imagine my surprise to find cowgirl boots in my favorite lime green color! But the real test was when my foot slid right in – it was a Cinderella moment!

Okay, so they are gaudy green and not exactly what I had in mind. But I am a crazy artist lady, over 60, and can wear them with confidence! And, I shall.

December 26, 2020August 21, 2023

O Holy Night!

Recently, we stood outside, gazing up at the night sky, feeling the cold wind, sniffing the smells of the prairie as smoke wafted from the fire pit. We saw the brightest stars, the planet alignment, the bright lights of the city on the horizon. And we worshipped in our souls. We cried from weary places. We looked up and remembered. We bowed with humble hearts. A divine night.

O Holy Night – (a song by Placide Cappeau and Adolphe Adam)

O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!

December 15, 2020

Winter Comes

Winter blows in and the earth is enshrouded with a cloak of clouds, dropping temperatures to freezing points that hinder or stop all growth below. Colors cool, greens fade to pale, and hay grass gives in to the wind and falls softly in submission to the season.

The mighty winds are the only ones moving, as they howl and billow over the earth. Plants retreat into dormancy, creatures burrow down to hide from the cold.

And all the while, we watch and listen and wait and hope that life will be restored in the promise of spring.

December 3, 2020

With A Swish…

Caught By Surprise
16×20 oil on gallery wrapped canvas
$225

We hunt with cameras – my husband and I. (Not that we are against guns, or have not had venison in the freezer many times.) But, when we walk together, we hunt with cameras. One such adventure is the Story Behind the Painting, Caught By Surprise!

For several days we had spotted ducks in our pond, only to see them fly away before we got very close. Steve devised a plan to sneak up on them. The next morning, we left the path and swung wide to walk through high grass to the back side of the dam. Quietly making our way up the grassy hill to come out behind mesquite for camouflage, we peeked out to see, not 10 or 20, but 75 to 100 assorted types of ducks enjoying our pond! As the clicks of our cameras alerted them, they began leaving in groups, rising up over us in a swish of wind, wings and whistling sounds. It was a magical moment!

I watched them take flight. It seemed like chaos with their first lift-off, but they quickly retreated into line formations and soared in sync to the next body of water. Some small groups lingered a little longer in our waterhole, but then left together, following the path of the others. And then the pond was empty. The water stilled. The sky was open. And the moment was gone.

Photographs and Paintings — our way to hold on to the magical moment, just a little while longer!

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

On the Oil Painters of America Webpage

I was thrilled for OPA to ask me to submit a guest blog for November!

https://blog.oilpaintersofamerica.com/2020/11/at-your-age/

Have you been to a doctor lately and heard the comment, “At your age…”? I have. It left me with a rather indignant feeling. I didn’t really feel old…

October 25, 2020September 18, 2022

Higher Than Our Ways

I feel very small at times, living on this Texas Prairie. The skies, the clouds, the distant views, the ever-changing wind and even the tall windows in my home, take my line of vision upwards. In this world of big open space, I often feel small.

As I painted this skyscape, I was reminded of words from Isaiah 55:8 (I looked it up.) Basically, God tells us that his ways and thoughts are higher than ours, just like the heavens are higher than the earth. Whether or not it is figurative language, I think he means that there is no way I’m ever going to understand all His ways. And somehow that is comforting. It was always comforting in childhood to know that my parents knew things I didn’t, that they had my best interest in mind, that I didn’t have to worry about it. It’s kinda like that with God. His ways and thoughts are so beyond my finite mind.

When I think of God’s ways and thoughts compared to mine, again, I feel small. And I’m reminded that it’s not about me. But that the Heavenly Father, who loves me, has it under control.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ” Psalm 19:1

October 13, 2020August 21, 2023

Meadow or Marsh

This was painted from my photo of a meadow on our property. The last of the Snow on the Prairie wildflowers were still blooming. It’s a scene I see when I walk our trail through hay grass and assorted wild plants.

After I painted it, I showed it to my son who questioned, “Is it a meadow or a marsh?” He knows that I spent many previous years painting the marshes of Coastal Georgia. So, maybe it is. Maybe it has some “marsh influence.” Maybe it can be a meadow or a marsh…whichever the viewer’s experience brings to it.

October 5, 2020

30 Days of Daily Painting

Have you been following on Instagram?

If not, let me catch you up quickly. I entered the 30 Day Strada Easel Challenge to paint or draw each day from life and post daily. I chose to begin the month of September only using black and white. With my Copic Sketch Markers, I used only 3 values in greyscale to sketch. Some days I used pencil. I even tried black and white paint! (see September news) But, by Day 15, I was really missing color in my paintings! That’s when I broke out the red and repainted the hummingbird study (it sold) and more paintings with color followed after that!

What did I learn from this Challenge?
1. Painting is my job. I will show up every day for work.
2. Drawing in grayscale is basic to seeing the darkness or lightness of a color in life. Thumbnail sketches before painting are key!
3. Drawing from life helps me work faster because the conditions change so quickly!
4. Weather influences my art.
5. There are many artists posting on Instagram. Group challenges like this give opportunities to meet wonderful comrades in painting!

Time to pack these daily artworks, 11×14 and smaller, away! If you see one that you like, message me — I will send you a better uncropped photo of the painting so you can see it better, and make you a deal! … I am ready to move on to some BIG Canvases!