I'M BAAAAAAAACK!

A very nasty virus worm known as "Blaster" infected my computer two weeks ago. It essentially brings all computer operations to a dead stop and wipes out most anything that's important. So I had to wipe off the hard drive and reinstall all new software. Talk about a major pain in the behind. Did some research on "Blaster" and lucky to say that the 18 year old little twerp that invented it is in jail.

Now it is time to get back into the swing of things so I'm starting off with a new Ebay auction item.














"Stonewall Creek" 8" x 10" oil/linen

SOLD on Ebay!

This painting was done along Loop 1 outside of the Lady Bird Johnson Park near Stonewall, Texas. There's a brief two week period each Fall when the trees turn brownish red right before losing their leaves for winter. For those of us who paint Texas regularly the color shift is a signal that we can finally put away all of the green paint we have been using the last five months and start using some ochre, oranges and yellows before ending the year with a bunch of gray on our palette.

Loop 1 is one of my favorite places to paint because of the farmhouses, old churches and barns that dot the road. You can always see deer and wild turkey roaming about too. And when lunchtime hits the best BBQ in Texas is only a few minutes away. If things go South and it is obvious that painting is not going to be a good way to spend the day, a short drive into Fredericksburg means stops at Whistle Pik and Insight Galleries for some much needed inspiration.

SOUTHWEST ART CHARITY EVENT

Gallery Director, Bob Malefant presents "San Miguel Alley" to Fiona Nicholson. Gallery manager, Melissa Butler looks on.

Last weekend I had the good fortune of participating in the Southwest Gallery Summer Festival charity event and had a blast. The two-day event included several artists doing demos...me included, music and dancers. There was something happening somewhere in the gallery the whole time. It made for a very entertaining two days and has to be the most unique opportunity I have ever had to meet collectors and artists.

In front of my wall preparing for my demo.

Demo time.

(Photo courtesy of Carolyn Cobb.)

Fiona Nicholson with new painting.

(Photo courtesy of David Schultz)

"SA River Bridge" 12" x 12" oil/linen

This painting of a bridge on the San Antonio River was my Saturday demo.

"Vail Snow Day" 12" x 12" oil/linen

This snow painting was my Sunday demo. Its been a long time since I've painted a snow scene so this was fun. Thanks again to Southwest Gallery for allowing me to participate. Funds raised from the event went to the Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society.

INSPIRATIONAL PAINTING

"Ray Hubbard Revisited" 30" x 40" oil/linen

This past weekend my in-laws celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Family and friends gathered at Southfork Ranch where many of you will recognize as the location for the long running TV series "Dallas". That's right, the place where JR got shot. We got to tour the home used in the series and the museum that contains lots of props and photos from the show. The important part of the evening was spent celebrating two very special people who have achieved a marriage milestone fewer and fewer marriages are able to make these days. Alan and Mary are an inspiration to me and my family and all they come in contact with. We are very lucky to have them in our lives.

Alan and Mary built a new home in McKinney a little over a year ago. I've been looking at the spot over the fireplace as the perfect location for a large landscape and have been looking for just the right one to do. I did a landscape similar to this one for my three-man show last April and they really liked that one. Not wanting to do the same painting again I changed the time of day and the atmospheric feeling of this one. I presented the new painting to Alan and Mary at the anniversary party last Saturday night. They were very pleased and I am so happy for them.