A Christmas train story

While visiting a local train amusement park I noticed the engineer shining the brass bell.I took a photo and did an oil painting of this scene.I almost changed the red hair color of the engineer but decided to leave it red.Once completed,I placed the image on my art website and after a few weeks I recieved an email.It was from a lady who wanted to purchase the original and three prints.She said the engineer in my painting is her son and that it would be a Christmas gift for him.That December my wife and I delivered the art in person and we were introduced to the red haired train engineer in my painting called "Reflecting on Tweetsie".

Worthy of Art

I'm considering ideas for a series of paintings that are relevant to our time in history.Instead of painting a simple landscape I'm contemplating subject matter that deserves to be painted and may raise awareness.
Any ideas are welcome.

150,000 people die every day.

I haven't blogged for several months because I didn't have anything of significance to talk about until now. I have to share this website with everyone that I can. It belongs to Kirk Cameron from the Television show "Growing Pains". He has a passion to tell us that every day 150,000 people on earth die. Then where do they go? Where will you go? Watch him interview gang members on the street and more at his website...
http://wayofthemaster.com/

Veteran's Day Mural

Tomorrow morning the mural will be unveiled. All the work during those cold and windy days will soon be allowed to receive sunlight. I had painted inside a tent covering that was about 10 feet tall to keep the mural a secret. After about seven days of priming, drawing, painting and sealing, the mural is finally ready. I heard there will be a military flyover so that will be interesting too.Painting is always fun but this was a special project because my wife's grandfather and step mom's dad passed away recently. They used to share WWII stories with us such as parachuting into Normandy with freezing weather. Had her granfather not survived... I would not have met my wife.

Pisgah Forest hike

We recently hiked a trail in Pisgah Forest that was awesome. It was the middle of October and time for our annual hiking trip in the Blueridge mountains of North Carolina. Our good friends met us there and we began our 1 and 1/2 hour hike up a trail called "John's rock". The fall leaves had not peaked yet but some yellows and reds were beginning to shine in the sun as we climbed higher.We were beginning to wonder if we would ever find this rock when all of a sudden we came out of the forest trail into an unbelievable view. This was one of the most scenic views in Pisgah forest.We walked onto the rock surface and were careful not to get too close to the edge! We sat down and enjoyed the view of "Looking Glass Rock" across from our location.The beautiful scenery reminded me of the movie "The Last of the Mohicans" which was filmed around this area in 1992. It was amazing to watch eagles fly by us at a lower altitude.
I'm waiting to see the photos from our friends who remembered to bring their camera!

CARS world premier movie

Our family attended the World premier movie of CARS Friday night under the stars and along with the "Stars". I must say our family loved it. The new Disney movie was shown under the stars at Lowes Motor Speedway near Charlotte, North Carolina. Disney erected about four Gigantic screens for people to watch from their seats around the speedway. Each time I see a new Disney/Pixar movie, I'm always amazed at the increasing technology in animation. While the technology continues to improve, Disney/Pixar still manage to tell a wonderful story too. Our family highly recommends this movie as one to definitely see this summer. The animation is awesome, but the lessons learned by the main character can help us consider how we treat others as we journey through life.
-Stacy Bottoms

Hickory Museum of Art

Saturday May 20th is "meet the artists" Day at The Hickory Museum of Art. I will be there from 10 am until 2pm to discuss the inspiration for my art along with other artists from across the U.S. and England.
The group exhibition will show from April 29th through September 17th.
Hope to see old friends and make new ones as well.