JOLIE BLANC

8x10 oil on canvas sold

Before I begin this story, let me explain that this memorial portrait is for a family that lives in SW Louisiana where many people speak French.

Many years ago a puppy was needed for the perfect Christmas surprise for my client's daughter. A visit was made to an older gentleman's home and my client sat with all the puppies trying to make a difficult decision. Can you imagine them climbing on top of her, playing with each other, and giving her sweet puppy kisses, you can only have one, but you want them all! One puppy in particular caught her eye, this puppy stayed close to her mother and was very, very calm. She asked about that puppy, and the gentleman responded, "Oh, that's my Jolie Blanc". He went on to explain that she was the only blonde puppy in the litter full of darker colored puppies. He named her Jolie Blanc, which is french for Beautiful Blonde. She was the perfect Christmas present and her name would remain Jolie, because she was the most beautiful dog this family would ever know.

Jolie remained a very calm dog her entire life, she was easy to train and brought her family years of love and enjoyment. One of Jolie's favorite things to do was fetch the morning paper and deliver it to her Dad each morning while he remained in bed. I don't think I've ever met anyone who keeps a bag of dog treats right beside their bed, but there they were kept and every morning Jolie enjoyed her Beggin' Strip while Dad enjoyed his morning paper.

I received a blog award!

I received two art blog awards (is it ok to combine) from the very kind and generous artist, Edward Burton and from the ever so positive and sunny, Sheila Tajima. Well, still being new to this internet blogging thing, I'm actually afraid to write stuff about myself and share, but I will try. 

You probably already know how this works, as I understand it I am to list several things about myself and then tag others to do the same. So here are some things about me:

1. I have the best job in the whole wide world. I teach 1st-8th 

grade in the inner city in Dallas, an area that is known as one of the 8 poorest areas in the U.S.  I love to go to work everyday.

2. I have 1 husband of 24 years, 1 daughter of almost 19 years,and 1 dog of 14 years. I am incredibly blessed to call them my family.

3. I'm originally from SW Louisiana and am known for visiting with an ice chest to bring back fresh seafood, cajun sausage, and lots and lots of cayenne pepper and Mello Joy coffee.

4. I collect old/interesting bottles to hang on my bottle tree that was designed and built by my 2 very talented brothers. And yes, the occasional great bottle of wine is placed on the tree, front and center.

5. I love cows of all kinds and wish I could have one, but that's not going to happen in the city, besides my husband says NO. A few weeks ago I got to climb up onto a longhorn and pose for some pictures...yes, the picture is on the refrigerator and above.

6. There are several great masters of long ago whose work I admire immensely, they are: Bougereau, Cezanne, Sargent, William S. Johnson, Augusta Savage, & the amazing quilts from the artists of Gee's Bend.

My job here is done and now I am to tag some of my favorite and incredibly talented artists:

1. Nathalie S. Davis - inspiring portraits.

2. Sally Tharp - an amazing painter of bottles and glass.

3. Helen Parkhill - wonderful artist, hasn't posted in awhile, but I hope this encourages her to post some new animal portraits!