Susan Neese McKinney Ramblings

Here are two paintings I did on location last week.   I'm showing two versions.   The first of each one was done on site.   The second photo shows the paintings after I've touched them up in the studio .  Sometimes I like the freshness of the first version better.   It's always hard to get the emotion of the scene when I'm not there feeling and smelling the beauty of the site.    "Morning Dip", 8"x 10", Oil on canvas  "Morning Turnaround", 8"x 10", Oil on canvas

When you have a child it's a very special day.    Be it your first baby or your fifth.    This is my sweet daughter Julie and our first granddaughter Abby, 19 years ago next month.    Here's to all you Mom's out there.   "Motherhood". "Motherhood", 12"x 12", Oil on canvas

I put on my first "Art Talk" last week in front of an Art club of strangers,( except for Bill Woods).    When Bill first asked me a couple months ago.....my first inclination was to say......uh, sorry I'm too busy, or some such baloney.    But like a lot of things, deep down I knew it would be good for me to confront my fears, bite the bullet and say, "okay I'll be there."    After conferring with a friend and Bill, it was decided I would tell about my decision to paint a series to honor, Bob, and other Vietnam Vets who have died or were dying from causes of Agent Orange.    In other words, how it was basically grief therapy for my soul and also a wake-up call for other Vietnam vets.     One worry for the evening was for me to break down while speaking on such an emotional subject.   I didn't want to be a downer.    I decided to not show the paintings until I had told about myself and had told them a couple stories about myself, that happened to be a l