ART FOR GOOD CAUSES

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Over the years, I have produced paintings on request of cities, festivals, events and charities. These were commissioned works of course and there were certain scenes, many visionary that had to be included. The work was hard and my customers were justifiably demanding.

But, the experience was exhilarating. Here is one of my favorites and as you can see, the charity is dedicated to children who in this case were stricken with a rare disease. The project entailed a fund raising effort and I am so proud that my painting was an important part of this worthy effort.

Recently, I traveled to Lynchburg, Tennessee to enjoy the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Barbecue Competition, generally believed to be the best and most exclusive of them all. I strolled there for two days. Why? To sketch ideas for a painting of the marvelous event and have it ready early next year.

I made the news, too! Here is the story out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

http://www.bytheseafuture.org/Southwind_11-18-11.html

The holiday season begins this week and I wish everyone a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ON CANVASS

PRECIOUS AND PRICELESS

My Uncle Furman’s home was called Horseshoe Farm and it was a grand place in the Valley Community of Hendersonville, North Carolina where I was born and spent much of my childhood. Like most of you, recollections like these are always comforting. Who says nostalgia isn’t wonderful?



"SELLING HORSESHOE FARM"

Customs and folkways disappear a little with new generations, but art is one way of revisiting and even recapturing life as it once was. Your experiences will, of course, be different than mine. However, I’ve discovered that there are certain threads that do tie us together. When I see a paining or an old photograph that depicts days from the rural countryside, particularly from the Blue Ridge Mountains, I feel a tug at the heartstrings, a longing to return.

I cannot do that except by painting what I remember and enjoying the smile that these scenes bring to a stranger’s face.

Please share the stories and photos of my paintings with others who like folk art. Also, come on board as a follower.

Next time: some Thanksgiving memories. Can’t you smell dinner cooking?

Olivia Thomason bigoart1@yahoo.com

NEW ART FROM OLIVIA

EACH PAINTING IS A MEMORY

One of my first and best clients passed away recently. An elegant, lovely lady who made some of my paintings part of her life, Betty Schwarzschild was a delightful friend and supporter. I will miss her.



"IF FISHES WERE WISHES"

November introduces the holiday season, my favorite time of year and likely for most others as well. Thanksgiving is reunion and homecoming rolled into one. The aromas from the wonderful food blend perfectly with laughter, hugs and cheerful conversation. The season starts and I find this time filled with images that I love to place onto canvass. Children around a decorated tree opening presents, a choir in a country church, a decorated town square here close to home or a painting that recalls precious memories from childhood in North Carolina.

That’s part of the experience for me. I paint something another person wants but nearly always benefit from revisiting the images and sounds of past holidays. And as you see from one of my paintings, I love animals particularly my dear cat Monty.

Nostalgia is a good feeling. Poignancy is comforting. The holiday season is a time when for a few days, my little world is a celebration of peace, love and goodwill.

It’s time to get back to work.