Melanie Stokes Art

Tag: georgia artist

  • Thinking About Geraniums

    9×12 Oil

    If my Mama could come back as a flower, I think it would be a geranium!   (Now before you think I’ve finally gone off the deep end, hear me out.)

    This morning, after seeing the inevitable Mothers’ Day posts on Facebook, I went out to the studio to work.  I meant to finish up some things and clean up some things and pack some things for an upcoming trip.  But the geraniums were beckoning me – calling out to me – luring me into the yard to paint them!  So I did.

    As I painted, I began to think about how like a geranium my own mother was:  bright and cheerful, even in rain or hot sun; strong enough to stand, yet flexible enough to bend when necessary;  commanding my attention when it needed to be focused; growing best in groups, she brought joy to those around! (Being from a really large family may have added to her gregarious nature.)

    The shape, or non-shape, of a geranium bloom reminds me of Sarah Miller’s creative, spur of the moment, non-conformist spirit.  The organic, curved lines are almost musical as they show up “here, there and yonder” like the songs that would erupt from Mama throughout the day.  Just like a geranium, ready to burst with blooms, Mama was always ready to share a song!

    Yes, I can see my Mama in the bright colors and fun shapes of a geranium.  Oh, and the red is obvious to anyone who knew her – the red hair of the Fallin Family!

    Happy Mothers’ Day!

     

  • One of Those Days…

    Today was one of those days… you know, when you have a “to do” list that needs doing, you are supposed to be somewhere to meet someone, the weather is finally looking springy and you want to be outside, and then you realize you can’t decide where to begin.  SO you just go in the studio and get lost in paint.

    As I was sorting through projects, I came upon a canvas I had painted over  already. There were hydrangeas on the first layer, an abstract I had started on top of that, and today I just picked a few  colors and pulled paint over the already bumpy texture.  As I was doing this, mindlessly, and waiting for inspiration to hit, I noticed a landscape hanging in my line of vision that had the same dimensions as this canvas.  What if I followed the lines of the landscape, but made this one more abstract and used these cool blues and greens instead of the yellows and oranges in the first one?

    melaniestokesart.com
    Another Day 11×14 acrylic $125

    Hours later, a painting emerged that I like.  And my mind began to draw conclusions. There are days when it feels like things don’t fall into place.  There are days when life overwhelms us.  There are days when we just have to give God the tired self that we are and see what He can do with it.  We might just come out “repurposed,” “recycled,” and “renewed!”   And ready to tackle more of the “to do” list tomorrow.  I’m hoping so.

  • Is it Spring Yet?

    I’m so glad I live in the South!  Though it’s unseasonably cold this April, I don’t think I could stand it any further north.  And one reason I want springtime weather is that means it’s time to enjoy painting en plein air!

    melaniestokesart.com

    I recently enjoyed a few days painting on the waterfront of Saint Mary’s, Georgia.  The breeze was enough to keep the sand gnats at bay and the light was wonderful.  It’s always interesting to meet the people who happen by and want to watch.   Thank you to the “random photographer” who happened by and sent me this photo.  I didn’t get her name but maybe she is reading this.

    melaniestokesart.com
    Gilman Park 9×12
    Oil
    $80

    Here is an updated 16×20 version, painted in the studio.

    melaniestokesart.com
    Day in the Park
    16×20 oil
    $225

    And one more, painted from my photo taken the same week.  Springtime in St. Mary’s is gorgeous, but remember to take bug spray!

    melaniestokesart.com
    Christ Episcopal Church, St. Mary’s GA
    12×12 Oil
    $110

    Looking forward to Plein Air South in May!!

     

     

     

  • Strength in Times of Darkness

    melaniestokesart.com
    Strength in Darkness 11×14 Oil

    I showed this to my husband and asked,  “Who does this look like?”

    He answered with a question, “Us?”

    (Good answer, but not who I thought he would recognize.)  The models are his brother and sister-in-law.  But it could well be “us” with the sentiment behind it.   We are strong together, even in dark times.

    As I painted, I was impacted by the play of light against dark, the blinding strength of the sun, and the deepest cold darkness of the side away from the light.  I could feel the wind of that fall morning on the beach and the warm comfort of an arm around my shoulders.

    My Protector, My Strength, My Constant… all words that I use when I think about God and his relationship with his people.  But these words also come to mind when I describe my husband! (yes, really)

    It does not offend my worth as a woman for him to be the strongest, for him to be the bravest, for him to even be the tallest.  I know he loves me and is my best friend.  Almost forty years of marriage hold many stories of facing darkness and many blessings in the light.  The faith and principles we base our marriage on have held us together.   And in times of darkness the light always seems the brightest!  (ok, not immediately, but in hindsight…)

    This brother and sister-in-law have seen some recent dark times with health.  They have come through on the other side, ready for the morning walk, ready to soak up the warmth of the sun, ready to see light and all that it will illuminate day by day.

    Celebrating love, life and light!

     

  • November/December Show at Sacred Heart Cultural Center

    Video Player

    Last night was a wonderful evening with so many friends and new friends coming out for the show, despite the rain.  Be sure to visit the Gift Shop for the small nativity paintings and postcards.  The red dots on six paintings denote sales!  The paintings will be at Sacred Heart Cultural Center in Augusta, GA until December 22.

    The Artist Statement from the show, “Back Roads…Back Yards…Back Home” is copied below.

    Back Roads —-
    I’ve traveled many dirt roads to outdoor adventures with my husband. There is something peaceful about breaking the sound barrier from a paved road to a dirt one. The higher pitched hum of the tires as they swish through sand, accompanied by crickets and frogs and birds singing through open windows, calling us to step back into nature’s more original state, away from today’s rushing society. There is something about the possibility of seeing just around a curve that brings hope.  You don’t know what is ahead, but you can always hope.  I like the idea of hope in my paintings.

    Back Yards —-
    I grew up when children could play in the back yard without the supervision of adults or fear or intruders. It was a safe place where our imagination took us to all kinds of fun. Back yards can often be the sanctuaries of beauty needed to encourage us after a day on the job.
    Back yards supply southern flowers to give to friends, trees for shade, swings for comfort. In the front yard, one needs to be ready to meet others. In the back yard, one can be alone, unless they host the party.

    Back Home —-
    I grew up in Georgia, not exactly in the setting you would imagine from my paintings. (I was in a subdivision about a mile from the GSU campus in Statesboro.) Yet, in my adulthood, I have come to appreciate rural settings more than ever. The beauty of landscapes beckon me. The scenes and old houses I am attracted to in my paintings are from my parents’ era. And maybe that is the connection – for “home” conjures good memories and stories of the ones who provided home for me.

    I pray my paintings speak peace, hope, beauty and worship of the God who created all. As you view the paintings, look with your own life experiences, let the paintings lead you to realizations about your own journey. You may travel a memorable road back home, and on roads toward the future ahead.

  • Around the Curve

    melaniestokesart.com
    Around the Curve
    18×24 Oil
    $275

    My husband loves to walk in unknown territory.  Take a walk in a park with him and he is sure to leave the path.  Land uncharted, thick woods without paths, hills to climb and overlooks to view… now, that is his type of hiking!  Even when we have a path, he is the one to say, “let’s see just around that curve!” and the hike continues a little longer.  Are you getting the picture?

    There is something about the possibility of seeing just around a curve that brings hope.  You don’t know what is ahead, but you can always hope.  Maybe the view will be better.  Maybe there is light around the corner. Maybe there is a clean restroom!

    In this life, we are reminded to hold on to hope.  “I hope you get well.”   “I hope things work out for you.”  ” I hope the world doesn’t fall apart.”   Hopes and dreams can be shallow.  Yet, hope is what causes us to push ahead,  to get out of bed and see the sun rise, to keep living on this earth, until we have our hope of heaven with God.

    Just Around the Curve — keep hoping!  and praying, and serving, and loving.

  • Updated Website

    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)