10" x 20"

Oil on Canvas

Grandfather

This is a painting of my grandfather, Sam Bishop, working in South Dakota during World War II. During World War II, many of the men working on farms in the Midwest U.S. were drafted. That left a shortage of help and few farm workers. Upon hearing that a farmer named John Houtkooper in Corsica, SD, needed help, two men (including my grandfather) from Conehatta, MS, answered the call. They took a train from Conehatta to Corsica and were hired by Houtkooper to harvest wheat and take care of the farm animals. 

There is much more to the story: these two families, the Houtkoopers and the Bishops, stayed in touch even after Sam returned home to Conehatta. Their children became pen pals. The full story was published in the Northside Sun newspaper on April 26, 2007 on page 11. Check it out if you have a subscription to the newspaper. 

Thunderhead

18" x 24"

Oil on Canvas

I love to go for walks in my neighborhood, and usually it’s around the “golden hour” time - just before the sun sets. These massive cloud beauties fill the sky. It’s almost as if they are putting on a show for us. How can one look up and not see the artistry of God? Personally, it makes me want to say, "Hallelujah, glory to you, Lord!"

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103 vs.1-5

These verses, like this painting, are a powerful reminder of who God is and how much he loves us. 

 Abstract I

48" x 60"

Mixed Media

This piece was created in 2015.

 

Unfinished portrait of FDR by Elisabeth Shoumatoff 

Abstract 2

 

Abstract 2 - Golden Streets

48 x 60

Acrylic

Liberty

 

Liberty

48 x 60

Mixed Media

 Cypress Swamp Reflections
16 x 20
Oil on Canvas

Here is a painting of Cypress Swamp during our hot and humid summertime in Mississippi. This place has always been mysterious to me. It is only a few miles from McNamara Road off the Natchez Trace Parkway in Farmhaven, Mississippi, where my family owned 100 acres. I painted Cypress Swamp before during the cooler months and many years ago. It was fun to revisit this place that is so familiar to me. I added the alligators and egret. My goal was to capture the reflections in the still water because this is where I am in my life. I reflect. 

As I continue to learn about God from reading the Bible, I realize that most of my life before Christ did not align with the good folks (and kings) of the Bible. What stands is that I did not seek God when faced with important decisions like I do now. In the Old Testament, the few good kings consulted with the prophets of the time before proceeding with their plans to ensure God was on their side. God always helped their plans succeed. 

Life is different in Christ Jesus when one has a relationship with God. Consulting the Lord happens naturally. That old self (the absence of God) is gone, and sins paid for by Christ's blood on the cross - through undeserved grace. Thank you, Jesus.

 a watercolor from my sketchbook

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:8  

(KJV)

 

Mrs. R M Finch Rose at Eudora Welty Garden

16 x 20

Oil on Canvas

A rose in the Eudora Welty garden in Jackson, Mississippi...

Mrs. R.M. Finch Rose is like a supporting actress. This rose is in the Eudora Welty garden. I imagine that Eudora must have found quiet time in her rose garden and that her garden was an inspirational environment for her work.

Who is a supporting actor or actress in your life? Is there an environment where you thrive? I think the environment and your people are important when you are a creative person. One gets energized, and it frees them to explore, work without limits, and use their talent from their heart and in ways beyond oneself.

I am grateful for my supportive friends and environment.

Praise be to God.❤️

Fun day plein air painting at Eudora Welty House & Garden in Jackson, MS

 

Eudora's Rose Garden

15" x 11"

Watercolor 

(I used a little gouache too)

An art friend, Feixue Yang, and I had fun painting plein air at Eudora Welty House & Garden in Jackson this morning. The climbing rose on the arbor is called Dr. W. Van Fleet - a beautiful pale pink rose.

#watercolorpainting #watercolorpleinairpainting #eudoraweltyhouseandgarden #drwvanfleetrose

#pleinairpainting #mississippiart #mississippiartist #mississippipleinairpainters

Watercolor Daily

These paintings were inspired using word prompts from the Sketch A Day app.

The paintings are all original - painted from life or a reference photo. 

If I have used a reference photo, credit to the photographer is shown in the description of the listing.

Please message me with questions.