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Southern Charm by Abraham Hunter

I’ve kicked around the ideas in my mind for years, debating with myself how to paint the grand homes and mansions of the south. It’s hard to paint buildings because so often they lose all emotion and become 2 dimensional unless they’re placed and lit just right in the painting. To express how much I love those humid evenings in the low country, swamps and bayous; I decided to make the painting about the wildlife, plant life, gardening and romantic culture of the south as well as the magnificent architecture. The riverboat chugs it’s way along with its decks full of passengers taking in the glowing sunset. The lightning bugs and bunnies emerge for the night just as the herons and egrets are retreating to the safety of the giant cypresses draped in a lazy blanket of Spanish moss. There seems to be a hot date in progress. The horse is hitched for an evening carriage ride and the boat with a bouquet of flowers is awaiting under the light of the waterside gazebo for a row under the moonlight when they return. The palmettos, azaleas, irises, and lilies seem to reach out and hug the viewer, hold them and walk them up the steps. As you venture up the steps of the great mansion, you can imagine going inside and walking up the giant staircase to find a place to sit on the balcony, complete with mosquito resistant shutters! Sometimes a paintings greatest moments come at the very last brushstrokes when small details get to tell hidden side-stories. A bunny is curiously chasing a giant bullfrog, and a fox squirrel is sneaking up on a grey squirrel to steal his tasty snack. This painting took me a long time and is one of my most heavily textured oil paintings! I wanted to really challenge myself and up my game. I think it is one of my best! I hope y’all enjoy it!  Southern Charm 24x36 oil on stretched canvas 

~ Abraham Hunter
Down From Above by Mark Keathley
I can almost hear the thunder of the falls in the distance as I am finishing up a new piece I’m calling “Down from above”.  The early Americans contemplate the source of life and the endless resources with which they were blessed. 

The first inhabitants of America were surrounded by beauty and adventure, both early native Americans and we today can enjoy the timelessness and awesome power this beautiful waterfall.  I hope that "Down From Above", becomes a spot for you to reflect.  When it is hanging in your home you can take a quiet moment and admire the handiwork of our Creator.  Let yourself just "be" in the moment here.
 
-- Mark Keathley
Welcome Spring by Mark Keathley

The "Welcome" series is straight from my heart.  I love life in the country.   The first day we moved from the city to the country we finished moving in and then stepped out onto the back porch that evening  and  felt totally different - like we were our own people - we weren't following others any more.   It took some adjustments for sure, the conveniences of town were missed for the first couple of months.   I think we went into town at least once every day, but soon we learned how to manage that part of this new life and we set out to build our dream.   Now don't get me wrong, life in the country isn't a dream, it was just our dream.   The work load of the demands of animals and land weighs a bit, but it offered me something to do with my boys that we needed and it served us well.  We found out, though, that all our friends (who had come by our city home daily) didn't want to make the trip out to our new place in the country and we missed the folks that would often drop by to visit.  So much so, did I miss it, that I invited the UPS guy in for coffee on occasion.   So with this idealic setting in the Smokey Mountains, I did a "no no" and left the gate open so you would feel the longing of your presence and the invitation for your company.   I hope this open gate expresses your hearts desire for others to "enter in".    The company of accepting friends and neighbors is the richest of blessings, Hope - I sincerely hope you have this wealth.

Welcome Spring - A time for Renewal
The seasons of life ebb and flow in a way that teaches us to be patient and wait.  Sometimes we have lean - dry times and other times we have vibrant growing times.   It doesn't mean that something is wrong or that we have been forgotten, or that we are doing it all right and are the "blessed" ones.   For the Lord rains down on the just and the unjust alike.   He cares for everyone alike and he longs to see them find fullness and renewal in their lives.   In Welcome Spring, I've depicted the exciting time of life when the fragrance of life is wonderful, too much to contain, and the beauty spills over for all to see.  The excitement of new birth and buds awaken the senses and make us feel alive, and give us the promise that the cold winters of our lives will not always be.  There is such hope and expectation in the spring and I hope this painting stirs up that longing in your heart to see things grow and blossom.   Go ahead and plant the seeds of acceptance with your estranged son, or wayward daughter; dig up the weeds of resentment and jealousy with someone you have grown to dislike and replace them with the fragrant flowers of forgiveness and love.   It is a time for renewal.

~ Mark Keathley  

Mystic Falls IV by Mark Keathley Grotto Falls is one of the most scenic waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains.  It is absolutely breathtaking to view in the springtime.  The earth and water are warming up from their harsh winter’s nap, while the dogwood trees blossom with their majestic blooms, and the birds flutter about while the sunlight peaks through the newly sprouted greenery.  And If you listen carefully, you can hear the nearby beaver scurrying about for his morning swim.  

Spring is a fantastic time of year, it reminds us of hope, and new life as God masterfully paints the earth with HIS palette.  The birds sing HIS praises and fill the air with songs of thankfulness to the ONE who has never failed to meet their needs.  The dogwood blooms bring with them a greater reminder of God’s love.  As the legend is told, the leaves bear the reminder of God’s greatest gift and show us his majesty and wonder in a simple bloom. Breathe in the spring air and enjoy this representation of God’s masterful artistry.

~Mark Keathley
Prairie Thunder by Mark Keathley New Page 2

It always surprises me when I see horses calmly grazing in a field, and then all of a sudden they take off running full speed!   It just doesn't seem possible that they can carry all that weight on such little legs. Their design is amazing - their grace is unsurpassed - their power is awesome!   They can even do this with a rider, or into battle, and even in extreme conditions! Mostly, though, they take off just for the joy of running!  It is what they were designed to do!   I wanted to capture their spirit and beauty in my new release - Prairie Thunder!

~ Mark Keathley