Bird Herd

"Last Year on the Farm...Early Spring Bird Herd"___oil___ V....Vaughan
When the cows were here, one of the most interesting things to see was the HUGE flocks of black birds that would blanket the pasture. These flocks would come in as a wave. When the leaders would land the whole flock would fall in behind them. The flock would then move through the field when the group in the back would "peel up and over" to get at the front. (To have first crack at the bugs, I guess). Then the next batch of birds would "peel up and over"...and the whole flock can cover many acres by this little system of blanketing the field.
This painting was done early on in my series...see a difference??
"Last Year on the Farm" paintings will be offered for sale in a few months, when our last year is up. Watch here for a link to the story. If you see one you like, PLEASE CONTACT V....Vaughan to have first shot at it. A list is underway....my kids get first pick! ;)

Practice DownTIme

"Baseball Practice DownTime"___ pen___ v....vaughan

To those of you who have had ball players from the age of 13 - 16 this will look familiar. I love watching them grow and play...these wre my BEST days :)

Someone Else's Place

"Last Year on the Farm 04-28-2007"__________6 x 8 oil__________V....Vaughan

Today I painted somebody else's place...we signed the papers on Thursday...will not move for a while...a number of months....What a beautiful soft sunrise it was....This place, like ALL creation, belongs to the One who created it.."The earth is the Lord's , and all it's fullness..." This particular little spot of land has certainly helped to "fill me up" all these years!

"Last Year on the Farm" paintings will be offered for sale in a few months, when our last year is up. Watch here for a link to the story. If you see one you like, PLEASE CONTACT V....Vaughan to have first shot at it. A list is underway....my kids get first pick! ;)

Bird Herd

"Last Year on the Farm...Early Spring Bird Herd"___oil___ V....Vaughan

When the cows were here, one of the most interesting things to see was the HUGE flocks of black birds that would blanket the pasture. These flocks would come in as a wave. When the leaders would land the whole flock would fall in behind them. The flock would then move through the field when the group in the back would "peel up and over" to get at the front. (To have first crack at the bugs, I guess). Then the next batch of birds would "peel up and over"...and the whole flock can cover many acres by this little system of blanketing the field.

This painting was done early on in my series...see a difference??

"Last Year on the Farm" paintings will be offered for sale in a few months, when our last year is up. Watch here for a link to the story. If you see one you like, PLEASE CONTACT V....Vaughan to have first shot at it. A list is underway....my kids get first pick! ;)

Spring Light_____6x8 oil_____V....Vaughan

"Spring Light"_______6 x 6 oil_____$200

The other day, I had a bunch of left-over greens and "mud" on my palette. I call these "palette droppings", and I like to scrape them wilth a palette knife and smear onto a panel till it resembles something!.. There is a new foal on the farm...I have spent a lot of time shooting pictures from my studio deck. What a happy foal, too...ALWAYS darting around and teasing "mom", who I painted here. I missed seeing the baby who was laying almost flat beneath the mare, and got up just as I finished...

Long Last Light_________V....Vaughan

"Long Last Light"______6 x 8 oil ______for sale soon

This is literally a long last light...the last evening we can call it "our place". TODAY my husband and I will sign the papers on the sale of our piece of the farm. ...tomorrow I will STILL be painting, but I will be painting someone else's land, and I will be TOTALLY thankfull that the Lord has given it!...looking forward with a smile!

"Last Year on the Farm" paintings will be offered for sale in a few months, when our last year is up. Watch here for a link to the story. If you see one you like, PLEASE CONTACT V....Vaughan to have first shot at it. A list is underway....my kids get first pick! ;)

Spring Storm Past

"Last Year on the Farm 04-25-2007" oil 6 x 8 for sale soon

Tomorrow is our last day to "own" our home and little part of this farm. We sign the papers on Thursday. ...Before you feel sorry, please know that we will be here many more months, living as we have and planning our next move! I will continue to paint!

This morning was God's gift...a beautiful sunrise and MORE! The day broke as a reminder and a PICTURE of hope! We had big storms last night...they were NOT as big as predicted! And after the storm, the promise of a new day was illustrated in the rising sun breaking through the threatening, passing stormclouds! And SPRING! the promise of new life! How could I be sorrowful (for long) knowing I am in the care of the ONE who created this new morning that I copied, here....pigment is no match for LIGHT!!!

"Last Year..." paintings will be offered for sale in a few months, when our last year is up. Watch here for a link to the story. If you see one you like, PLEASE CONTACT V....Vaughan to have first shot at it. A list is underway....

Last Year___April 23_

"Last Year on the Farm__04-23-2007"

Less than a week, now, until we close on the sale of our farm. April 30 will be the day we sign it over...we will still live here for a while, but it will not be our home. Soon there will be 600 houses, PLUS, dotting the landscape. It will be hard to even see that there is a slope to the land. The water will drain into culverts rather than ponds...

If you want to know more about my "Last Year on the Farm" please email me and I will send the little story I have. ...and I will keep painting the last season of the farm, looking forward to new pastures...

The Girls

"The Girls"__________8x10_________Sold

Candi and Cristel are a couple of lovely ladies in the family of my good friend Julie. Julie used to share a room with me at Round Rock Christian Academy. She taught math and I, of course, ART.

The Academy is having their annual Auction THIS SATURDAY, April 28, and I donated the painting "Luz de Espada". This is NOT a small one, but measures 16 x 20 and has a BEAUTIFUL frame, donated by Carol Woolf Gallery...There will be lots of VERY good things to bid on (trips, tickets, STUFF), but I hope this painting will break a record! Please scroll down to April 10 to see the painting and read the story. If you'd like to bid, call 512.255.4491 and mention the painting by V.... Vaughan....I think it will sell for less than the "retail" price...

Lost Egrets

"LAst Year on the Farm - 04-22-2006"

What I have missed since the cows were taken away, is the constant movement of life added to the changing seasons. Cattle egrets often accompany the herds, keeping company with the cows as they graze along. I guess the bird eat the bugs that are stirred up. They don't come by anymore...

This paining has been "deeded" to my friend, fellow artist Michael Ome Untiedt from Denver. http://www.michaelomeuntiedt.com/ He just recently started a little series of his own! Go see! His name is first on the list to get it when I begin to sell the series. If you want to be in line for any of the farm paintings, just let me know...

The Villa

"The Villa " 12 x 16 sold

Villa Antonia is off of 1431 near the lakes and Austin, TX. Our friends Sarah and Charlie married off their son, Brad yesterday, and this is their wedding gift to the newlyweds! Long LONG ago when Sarah and Charlie got married (she will like that:), Sara's mom thought that presenting an original painting would be a special gift....to this day Sarah keeps the painting in a prominent place in their home...So with that in mind they commissioned me to paint the villa...what a pretty place that I will paint again from my photos and other angles!

Sunrise after 24

"Last Year on the Farm - 04-16-2007"

There are no two sunrises that are alike. First, the sun moves across the horizon as seasons change, coming up in a (slightly) different place each day. Sometimes I line up a few sunrise paintings from this "Last Year..." series and marvel at the location of the sun! I can look at a farm sunrise painting and tell you what month it was painted in, just by that!

On april 16, there were patches of fog on the tanks (ponds)...as soon as the sun broke the horizon, the fog lifted a little and caught the reflection... I could "copy" God's sunrises every day and never paint two alike!

Here's your homework...this week go watch a sunrise and marvel at the REAL THING.

24 Paintings in 24 Hours

"Spring Day Last Year on the Farm - 7:30 am"

This one is my favorite from the last batch of 6....

I now look forward to painting 24 Paintings in 24 Hours for a "Summer Day Last Year on the Farm"..Summer will likely be my last season here in this place that has captured my heart (and most of my life)...We are looking for another place...any ideas?

If you want to see all of the Spring 24, please let me know!...If you'd like to see the "Fall Day 24" and the "Winter Day 24", I am considering putting them into small books...any ideas?

24 Paintings in 24 hours

"Spring Day Last Year on the Farm - 7:15 pm - 24 Paintings in 24 Hours"

If you want to see all 24 please sign up to get the daily painting by e-mail. Or leave your address at right...and click "JOIN". Be sure to let me know that you want to see all 24! This one above is my favorite from the 3rd batch of 6 paintings I sent to the group today...

If you are interested in any of these, let me know...I will sell them when the series is done and you can be first in line to buy it when ready :)

Spring 24 Paintings in 24 Hours

"Spring Day Last Year on the Farm - 24 paintings in 24 Hours, 6 pm"

Spring Day 24 hours of painting! On Jan 29 all the cows I’ve painted for years were taken away, so when these showed up I was delighted! Saturday as I was painting, this little group of calves strolled briskly all over the pasture in front of me! I had not planned the day, so they took over my interest. They moved around for hours, probably because it was windy and cold and they are “teenagers” …always on the go….until they crash and rest for a few minutes (6 pm)…then it’s EATING TIME! Like teens, it’s “move, move, sleep, eat, repeat”.
This and the 5 pm one are my favorites from this batch.. sign up to see them ALL!

upcoming events...THIS WEEK...24 paintings in 24 Hours
April 28. Benefit Auction of "Luz de Espada"...see blog post on April 10 for image
May 4-6. Fallbrook , CA show "Reflections in Nature"
May 12. "Sunrise Saturday Workshop" , Rockport, TX

Spring Day...24 paintings, 24 Hours

"Spring Day Last Year on the Farm - 9 am" oil

Twice I tried to get started on the Spring Day 24 hours of painting! Saturday morning it FINALLY felt right, so I was able to roll along and paint one after another. This time I did NOT plan by watching the weather forecast and moon phases, as I had done in the Fall and Winter. That's good news for all you "spontaneous types!" The painting above is the first one, painted at 9 am....If you want to see ALL 24 HOURS of painting, please put your e-mail address in the space at right and click "JOIN"...for the next 4 days I will send you an e-mail with 6 images from the 24.

You might not get the first batch of 6 unless you email me to ask.

Tomorrow I will post my favorite from the second batch of 6....

upcoming events...
THIS WEEK...24 paintings in 24 Hours...see this blog M-Th for my favorite 4

April 28. Benefit Auction of "Luz de Espada"...see blog post on April 10 for image

May 4-6. Fallbrook , CA show "Reflections in Nature"

May 12. "Sunrise Saturday Workshop" , Rockport, TX

Sit, Maria

"Sit, Maria" 6 x 8 $250 to the first to ask!

Maria! The best dog, ever. Every week I scrape the "droppings" off my palette and smear them onto a panel till it looks like something...I call these my "Palette Dropping" paintings...I actually sell them, mostly through Snowfire Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. I will take this one to them next week unless someone wants it. Once framed and in the gallery the price will be $450...

TOMORROW I begin to post "Spring Day Last Year on the Farm"...my latest 24 paintings in 24 hours. To see them ALL you need to be in my Google Group. Sign up at right and click "JOIN". I will post my favorite 4 this week...

upcoming events...

THIS WEEK...24 paintings in 24 Hours...see this blog M-Th for my favorite 4
April 28. Benefit Auction of "Luz de Espada"...see blog post on April 10
May 4-6. Fallbrook , CA show "Reflections in Nature"
May 12. "Sunrise Saturday Workshop" , Rockport, TX

Green That Hurts

"Last Year...04-12-2007" 6 x 6 oil

The greens are at their peak this week...soon the grasses will seed out and the fields will be "white for harvest"....ever heard that phrase before??? Really, these green fields actually hurt the eye, and are hard to capture in paint...

upcoming events...

April 28. Benefit Auction of "Luz de Espada"...see blog post on April 10

May 4-6. Fallbrook , CA show "Reflections in Nature"

May 12. "Sunrise Saturday Workshop" , Rockport, TX

Later at Caro's

"Later at Caro's" .... 6 x 6 oil ....$100

Immediately after finishing my birthday painting (see yesterday) I took up another canvas and painted this one as more storms rolled in. There is a real thrill about painting to the sounds of approaching thunder...and having an escape door for shelter nearby!

vvaughan8@yahoo.com if you want to purchase

Easter Birthday at Caro's

"Easter Birthday..." 6 x 6 oil My birthday present to me :)

Easter Sunday, April 8 was my birthday...I was geared up for a warm sunrise service on the beach to commemorate the resurrection of Christ, but the service was moved indoors...it snowed a few miles north of Rockport, TX and was bitter cold on the beach...not our usual April weather...well...SOMETIMES!

A couple of Roseate Spoonbills made my day as I painted this one...they flew by as I was painting the now green marsh grasses by Caro's place, and provided a spot of "complementary color" for my birthday present!!!

ALMOST 24 Hours

"Last Year, Spring - Almost 24 Hours" 6 x 8 oil

Last week I started my spring series...24 paintings in 24 hours "Spring Day Last Year on the Farm"....I got about 4 paintings into it and after this one decided to quit...I had picked the wrong type of day, I guess...The early forecast had called for weather that SHOULD have given me interesting skies to paint, along with the BRILLIANT spring greens we get here on the farm...Part of the interest predicted was an approaching line of famous Texas Spring thunderstorms...I was disappointed when the storms fizzled and we only got "flat light" and soupy skies that never changed...The storms passed in the distance and this was the only interesting painting I did...duds happen!

Tomorrow I will try for 24 in 24 again...depending on the weather, and if I get on a roll!!! Stay tuned!!

Luz de Espada___Auction April 28

"Luz de Espada" 16 x 2o original oil
This big painting will be auctioned on April 28 in Round Rock, TX, to benefit Round Rock Christian Academy.
I have taught art here for 17 years and my children have all attended this great school. The auction is a big annual event, but sometimes my donated paintings sell for WAY under the usual price.
"Luz de Espada" means "Light of Espada"...Espada is the name of the mission in San Antonio, TX. There are 4 missions in the area, and it is a National Monument...something you MUST see if you can. I imagined this scene...a lonely traveler being greeted by the warm glow of light, something these missions provided long ago to a poor weary place!
I encourage you to call the school and put in a bid if you are interested in great art and a great cause: superior education! You might be the high bidder and still win this at a great price! Please e-mail me if you would like to see a higher resolution image vvaughan8@yahoo.com

Farm Early Study

"Last Year on the Farm 03-05-2004" sold

Before I decided to paint our "Last Year on the Farm" I was already painting the farm I love so much! This little study was painted a few years ago in March....I had forgotten all about it until last Friday when I stayed in my friend Earlayne guest room while traveling in Kerrville. Earlayne Chance is a great artist whose work I have admired a long time...It made me proud to see this little painting on display, so I photographed it! Notice that it is a rough one, painted on torn linen that I had mounted myself...

Best Art EVER

To see this best art EVER, Here's what you do....go to the window RIGHT NOW! No matter what time of day it is, no matter WHERE you are or whatever the weather conditions (snowing here, by the way...in CENTRAL TEXAS...ON EASTER!!!) and whatever you can see from God's created master works, is the BEST ART in the universe...NOTHING compares with His great handiwork...and He has provided eternal enjoyment of all His creation, for all who believe in His Son...
Happy Easter

Robin

"Robin" 8 x 10 V....Vaughan

OOPS! Yesterday I said that I would post the "Girls" painting...Today I am traveling and did not bring the girls' picture to put up, so...here is one from the beach, where I am for Ester, with my family...
Last time in Rockport, my friend Robin came to be our "beach figure". Tomorrow our workshop will begin at 7 am and we will have a "Sunrise Saturday"...finishing our day early at Cove Harbor. Join us if you can! The next Workhop will be in mid May...see my website for updates under Galleries and Schedule

The Girls____Sketch

"The Girls" a sketch
These are Julie's Famly's Girls...The sketch was compiled from a combo of various family album photoos...I'll post the painting tomorrow!
Happy Easter!

Patton's at Dusk - Marble Falls

"Patton's at Dusk" _____________________6x6 oil

I meant for this to be a sketch/study for a bigger one for the contest in Marble Falls. Thunder changed my mind so I finished it fast and decided to try again the next day…as it was, I entered it and received Honorable Mention…the painting I posted yesterday (“…Cecil’s”) took the place of my idea for this painting…if you missed yesterday’s painting, it is on the BLOG.
“Spring Day Last Year on the Farm”, 24 paintings in 24 hours is THIS WEEK!!!
“Sunrise Saturday “ in Rockport, TX is EARLY Saturday morning…please come!

Early at Cecil's

“Early at Cecil’s” 12 x 12 oil SOLD
Here is the one which was awarded first place at the Bluebonnet Blues Arts Festival in Marble Falls, TX yesterday. I barely got out of the car and was lugging my gear up the street to find a scenic spot to paint, but never got past this courtyard…the light was perfect…the models stayed only long enough to get a quick pencil sketch and a few color notes…more “models” took their place, so I borrowed their skin tone to finish this painting…..

About 40 artists painted for the competition, and three were awarded cash and medals specially designed by noted Texas sculptor Dan Pogue . (I am most honored to now own THREE of his sculptures!!)...The awards judge was Gordon Fowler, an artist whose work is amazing impressionism...to watch him paint is pure art...HE's SO FAST!!!

My favorite painting in the show was a small, loose oil painting of a pale blue Harley motorcycle...I couldn't take my eyes off it...I looked for it at the end of the day, and found out it ws Gordon's! It might have looked bad to award first to himself, but I wouldn't have blamed him :)

Famous John - Marble Falls

"Famous John - Marble Falls" 12 x 16 oil $600

At the Bluebonnet Blues Arts Festival this weekend I painted with nearly 40 artists in a little competition where we scattered and painted the town. On Main Street in Marble Falls, Texas there's a courtyard with this big Old Oak. This gentleman seemed to enjoy all the music as he sat here, so I pulled out a canvas to paint one more quickie at 20 minutes till deadline to turn in art...this is the fastest I have ever painted one this size!...when his friends saw me painting him, they came and gave me his name...I made him "Famous" :)

There is amazing food...crawfish, BBQ...and the art is all hanging at the gallery across from Patton's....I painted Patton's at dusk on Friday, with thunderstorms in the area(it won Honorable Mention)...I also painted Cecil's cafe, which took first place! The festival lasts through today, and if you can GET THERE! It costs $15 to get in, but just the MUSIC is worth it....please go by and see the art!!!