Funky, Little Giveaway!

Last week Kevin and I had a much needed evening out together in Greenville, SC.  My fabulous parents came to watch the kids and off we went.  Well, off Kevin went.  Part of his sales territory is in Greenville so I followed later.  I wasn't going to go until the evening but decided to hit the road early, checked into the hotel (got lost in the parking garage twice), grabbed some coffee and headed down to walk by the river.

Wow.  My walk was gorgeous.  The river was beautiful and sparkling and not even the 'WARNING!  OVERGROWN BACTERIA.  SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!',  sign detracted from my enjoyment of this peaceful scene.  It was a breath of fresh air.....bacteria and all.

As I walked further, I noticed some artists studios.  I politely nodded at most of the working artists and kept walking.  But there was one......one spectacular artist that took my breath away.  His name is Guy Stevens and I felt like I was looking at the work of a modern day Van Gogh.  I was in heaven.

Guys Stevens.  My new,  favorite artist.

Wow!  He is AMAZING!!!

I sheepishly snuck into his studio to which he swung around with an enormous grin and said, 'Come on in!  Look around!  Make yourself at home!'.  Then he got up and gave me a tour.  Not just any tour.  He told me the long story about every painting I picked up.....and I picked up a lot.  I stayed in his magical studio and chit chatted with him over an hour.  Then I called Kevin and told him to come.  And even Kevin.....my all testosterone, sports husband......loved Guys work, too.  

I'll never forget hanging out with Mr. Stevens.  His work gave me such inspiration and such a needed surge of energy.  He talked about how he never draws anything in (I draw everything in), and he never plans his paintings, (I plan every detail) and he listens to his paintings (I listen to Lady GaGa when I paint).  He says his paintings talk to him, telling him what to paint next, which direction to go into and when the piece is complete.  He told me it took him years and years to get out of the paintings way and let them be free and go where they wanted.  And it took years to finally begin to trust his paintings.  He said he trusted them completely.

And just like that, I felt like lightening had struck me.

I've always been way too afraid to give my paintings a voice.  I didn't even know my paintings had a voice!  Wow!

So, of course, I couldn't wait to get home and see if my paintings would start to talk to me.  I started to listen.  And wait.  And wait.   And.......wait.

And then!!!!!     I started to paint.  I was very free and open and I had a great time!

It wasn't exactly the kind of painting I'm used to doing but I loved the outcome and enjoyed the process so much that I wanted to share it.  REALLY share it.

So.......I'm giving it away.

Here is my little, 8"x10" wood painting totally inspired by the magic of Guy Stevens.  All one must do to enter into the drawing is to either leave a comment here on my blog or leave one on my facebook page.  The winner will be drawn one week from today...... Monday, August 27th.

What could be more freeing than free art??

Oh.....and here is a sneaky peaky at what I'm working on now.  Still listening.  It's still quiet.  But still fun.

Moo.