Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Merry Christmas


The brushes are flying and paint is swirling in my little corner studio! I have several commissions (thanks to you and this blog) to complete during the Holiday Season. I will take a few weeks off from "painting a week" to work on commissions and to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. It is my sincere hope that you will have a glorious Christmas and a bright and Happy New Year. I will be back in 2009 with some new artwork, in the meantime check out my new web site at www.artcardinal.com
Have a very Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008


Tea happens to be one of my favorite things. I can just sit and contemplate my "to do" list when I'm holding my tea cup. My interest in tea emerged a few years ago when I started collecting tea cups because I thought they were pretty. As I shopped and went antiquing, my goal was to buy a little something on each little antique escapade, that something usually was a tea cup. The handle, lip, base, and saucer are so different on each one, each having their own special form and color, not to mention the decoration of motifs, textures and patterns. This particular tea cup is an old Fire King peach lustre cup and saucer. It's rich golden peach-like color inspired me to paint it. I remember these cups when I was a little girl and that brings back special memories.
As my love for tea cups and antiques grew, I carried my new love over to my teaching. I bought enough tea cups and saucers from flea markets for an entire class so my students could experience the wonderful feeling of holding a porcelain tea cup instead of their usual styrofoam cup. I made sure that I could translate my love of tea to their palette as well. I started teaching lessons in which I could demonstrate and share my love of tea. I even developed a little power point on tea and it's history and the healthful benefits of drinking tea. Well, I think I did make a few tea lovers, in the past few years I had parents call and ask "where did you get that tea my daughter had in your class?" I remember one parent telling me that she had to go to the grocery store the very day I introduced tea to her daughter and purchase tea so her daughter could have some at home. Just this year I saw a student kind of wandering around my tea pot and cups kind of like she was looking for something, when I asked her what she needed, her reply was "Mrs. Bunn, could I have some of that tea we had the other day, my mother likes it and she thinks it will help?" I didn't ask her any other questions, I just handed her a few bags. I have often thought about starting a "Tea Club" with my students, but time does not permit.
Here's one for all the tea lovers out there!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Thursday, December 4, 2008

When asked to design a Christmas card for Habitat for Humanity, I was honored. This wonderful organization helps families in need of housing, and I love it because it's not a handout. Here is how it works - with volunteer labor, donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner. The houses are sold to the partner family with no profit, then financed with affordable loans. What's so neat is the monthly mortgage payments are used to build more Habitat houses.
A few years ago my son's Boy Scout troop volunteered to help clean up the construction site of a Habitat house. When we went to the official Habitat for Humanity presentation to the family, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that one of my students and her mom were the recipients of that particular Habitat house. She was thrilled at her new home!
What a wonderful organization to be involved in!
It is better to give than receive, isn't it?

Monday, November 24, 2008

Monday, November 24, 2008























Poinsettias are very sensitive to light, in fact, to get them to bloom year after year, they have to be kept in the dark from 5 pm to 8 am from October to Thanksgiving. I have never kept a poinsettia alive for a year and I usually buy one each year because I can't resist their beautiful colors. They even have orange ones for Thanksgiving now! Did you know that 80% of poinsettias are bought by people over 40? That's me! I do think they are quite beautiful and have always wanted to paint them. As I was doing a bit of research I found that they are not poisonous after all and they were once used as fever medicine.
There are several myths or legends about the poinsettia, one involves a little Mexican child who had no money to buy a gift to take to the church. The child was told that a gift given in love would be acceptable in God's eyes. On the way the sweet child gathered branches and leaves to take to the nativity. The sweet child laid them at the foot of the altar and the leaves burst into a beautiful red, the congregation thought they had witnessed a miracle.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, I hope we all we remember and be thankful for all of our blessings and miracles that God has given to us.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Monday, November 17, 2008






















Fifteen months ago my oldest son left our little nest to attend Nascar Technical Institute. His absence tugged heavily on my heart. I missed him so much, the separation was something that I had never encountered before, I grieved over his leaving and I learned that this grieving was called empty nest syndrome. This emptiness did get better over the year, but to make things worse, this past year was pretty devastating for our family, we lost a brother, another brother battled cancer, and dear sweet friend unexpectedly past away.
Our little nest also held three other eggs, two dogs and a cat. This year we lost one dog and a cat, both to cancer. The dog that died was my youngest son's companion dog, Becky was the sun and the moon to him. Tick-tock was my oldest son's cat and had been with him since kindergarten. We have one pet remaining, Honey, my oldest son's dog. She will have surgery today to remove a tumor, we pray that her biopsy will deliver good news.
Someone once told me that we gain nothing and learn nothing if everything in our life has no complications and is easy all of the time, it is through complications, pain and struggle that we become who we are and that our lives are richer and full of meaning. If that is the case, then my life and the nest I live in has become painfully rich and beautiful.
Last week, we celebrated when my oldest son graduated from Nascar and returned to our little nest. The five eggs in the painting represent my two sons, my husband, Honey, and myself. Upon the return of my son, our little eggs are nestled safely in the nest....and it's a good feeling.
Oh, but I can't get too comfortable, my oldest leaves the nest again after Christmas!

Monday, November 10, 2008

Monday, November 10, 2008

Grouper is a popular saltwater fish, so popular in fact, there is a Grouper Festival in Madeira Beach, Florida. I didn't know there were so many kinds of grouper: calico, barrell, spotted, strawberry, yellowfin, black - just to name a few! I was inspired to paint this fish by the "sad" look on this grouper's face. I'm the type of person that usually pulls for the "underdog" in different situations, and this grouper looks to me like he is the "under-dog". After a bit of research, I don't feel sorry for him one bit because he's just waiting for his supper..they eat other fish, octopus, crab, lobster, and other yummy seafood, they "wait" for it to come to them-smart fish! Maybe that's why they grow to be so big! Their powerful tooth plate crushes their tasteful prey! I think of what my parents taught me and the old saying, don't let looks fool you, "looks can be deceiving"!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Monday, November 3, 2008























The pear symbolizes Christ's love for mankind. Pears are members of the rose family and related to the apple and the quince.
This is the second painting of pears that I have done. I love the fruit, the color and the taste of pears.
The French painter, Paul Cezanne was influenced by Cubism, a style of art based on spheres, cubes, cones and cylinders. Cezanne was famous for working with conical and spherical forms in fruit. He used basic shapes and laid thick, structured and chiseled brushstrokes on canvas. Cezanne created several painting which included this marvelous fruit.
I'm sure this will not be my last painting of pears.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Monday, October 27, 2008























Our North Carolina state bird, the Cardinal is known as the Winter Redbird because it is most noticeable during the winter when it is the only redbird "present". It is one of the most common birds in our gardens, meadows and woodlands.
My sweet Aunt Nell and my dear mother, Hazel loved redbirds so much. I do not look at a cardinal without thinking of the sister pair. They shopped together many times and I witnessed their flair for red fashions. Alas! I do believe I have turned into my mother, I have inherited her love of red and for cardinal birds! Surely as I painted these cardinals together, I know that my sweet dear aunt and mother are in heaven together. I painted these cardinals in their memory, and I'll love them forever!
This painting will be auctioned at our Wesley's Chapel Bazaar in Elizabethtown on November 1, 2008 to raise money for missions. If you would like to bid by phone, email me. Thank you and may God bless you.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008


The Wandering Jew houseplant has leaves in a variety of colors, often variegated purples. This creeping plant belongs to the spiderwort family. Legend has it that the plant is named after a Jew who mocked Jesus and was condemned to wander on earth til Judgement day.
Currently, my art students are painting fall leaves using a variety of rhythmic compositions. I was inspired to paint the vivid purple and green hues of the leaves. Surrounding the leaves are vibrant orange and red flowing lines that add a sense of energy.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Monday, October 13, 2008



















Italy captured my heart the first day I put my foot on it's soil. I painted "Tuscan Dream" on my recent trip to Tuscany. The villages and hill towns were charming and I dream of returning again with paints and easel in tow.
I met fellow painters and friends in Florence and drove to our painting site. We painted all morning long in the hills of Chianti, then dined at a nice restaurant for lunch. A different painting location was found in the afternoon, followed by a visit to a winery for relaxation and a bit of wine tasting.
Maybe one day this lovely dream will come true!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wednesday, October 8, 2008






















We lost an angel on earth, but heaven gained an angel. This week our little community lost a great teacher, friend and mother. Staci was only 53. I was compelled and inspired by her heartwarming and great legacy to paint her portrait.
She was my sons' youth leader at church for years, she greatly influenced their Christian journey. Staci was a witness to those she came in contact with, especially youth. There was a special place in her heart for the youth of our community, whether it was at school, in the neighborhood, at the lake or at church, she made you feel that you were her best friend and that she genuinely cared about you.
We are deeply grieving over the loss of our dear friend. Thanks to Preacher Wade for sharing this thought at Staci's funeral Monday, it helps a bit. He said that God has been busy for years getting Staci's place in heaven just right for her. When he finished preparing her place in heaven, her work here was finished. Our beautiful Staci entered heaven with a smile on her face.
Some of her friends and family, including me are quite selfish, we miss her so, and want our Staci back! Still we are glad that she is in a peaceful place with no pain or conflict.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Monday, September 29, 2008


Sometimes we have people that come into our lives and make a difference. Luckily, I was blessed with this art student for the last four years, she made a difference in my life. Meredith is now in college and I miss her so. The last day she was in my class -it was misting with rain outside and with her free spirit, a rose in her hair, minus her latest fashion shoes, she ran outside and danced in the rain!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Monday, September 22, 2008

I cut this rose from my rose garden a few weeks ago after seeing a friend's photograph of a rose she had taken. Inspiration also came from my favorite artist-Georgia O'Keeffe. Her art speaks about color and its effects. As I painted I started reading Roxana Robinson's book, Georgia O'Keeffe, A Life.
"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else. Most people in the city rush around so, they have no time to look at a flower. I want them to see it whether they want to or not. "-Georgia O'Keeffe

Monday, September 15, 2008

Monday, September 15, 2008


Autumn is upon us, how do I know? Not because of the weather, but because of this tiny white clematis "terniflora" that welcomes me home each day. It is sweetly scented and the array of tiny blooms are intoxicating as I walk up the ramp that leads to my porch and home.

I've been rather busy painting this week, been working on three different pieces with a new water mixable oil paint, it's versatile, easily blends and I can still use my acrylic paint with it.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Monday, September 8, 2008


This painting was done as a
watercolor demonstration in
my art class. I painted this cardinal
in memory of my mother, Hazel. She
loved birds, especially our state bird,
the cardinal. Tomorrow is her birthday,
she would have been 79 years old.
Happy birthday mom!



Friday, September 5, 2008

Friday, September 4, 2008


I painted "Wine a Little" in my dining room/studio. My antique tea cart is covered with paint tubes, drawings, and brushes. This wine glass is special because I bought it when I was with friends in New Bern. When I sip wine out of this glass I think of Betty and Kathryn. Cheers to Kathryn and Betty!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Technology problems have caused a delay in uploading picture of my painting for this week. Hopefully, problem will be resolved soon.
The vet called today and told us that our sweet cat, "Tick-Tock" has cancer, we lost our beloved black labrador "Becky" to cancer 2 months ago. I've been searching through my photographs of Becky, looking for inspiration for a new painting.
Getting ready for hurricane Hanna to come through this weekend, I may have to paint by candlelight! Oh, that sounds nice!

Monday, August 25, 2008

August 25, 2008


This painting expresses the unity my family has experienced during the last year. One of my brothers was diagnosed with cancer and we buried my other brother last week. Through the pain and heartache our family has dealt with, somehow, we have become closer and more peaceful, like the lily. We now stand closer together as one!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Coming Soon

Inspiration for this acrylic painting comes from a peace lilly given to my family at my brother's memorial service. Will be uploaded soon. Check back!

Monday, August 11, 2008


Acrylic 11" x 14"
SOLD