Jody Jody Jody

My new Etsy project and very first ON LINE art sale has really taken off into cyber space. It started out as a "prove you wrong" to a friend of mine who challenged me to market my art on the net and sell it the same time. The only challenge has been to get the art posted daily. You can learn more about my daily heart series on Leoma Lovegrove Art Store on Facebook  or if you are not a big fan of face book I have you covered on my Etsy Store, Lovegrove Etsy Store

June 24

I want to blog about Jody instead of explaining the whole project is why I posted the links.
I have known Jody for over 20 years and enjoyed watching her two girls grow up when we lived in Corpus Christi. Her youngest daughter looks just like me and we have enjoyed that little scenerio. We met Jody in church and she was the one that reached out to Mike and I and welcomed us to the church and her life. We've been life time friends ever since.
She has the singing voice of  an angel and a heart that wears a halo too. We have even recorded duets together when cam-corders were new to the mainstream and one of these days I am going to YouTube them! Jody and I enjoyed all the arts together. Music, painting, writing, singing, dance, etc etc. Her specialty was interior design and I was always intrigued when she would start to redecorate her home or her neighbors home. Seemed like she was always decorating someones living room.  I laughed so hard when she shared how she would rearrange the furniture in the middle of the night and when her husband got up to sit in HIS chair he fell flat on his butt. Love her creative energy.

Thank God for face book. We can now follow each others lives through the News Feed and occasionally interact with one another.  Love seeing the photos of her two girls and grandchildren and their extended families. Jody likes my online art project and requested the June 24th for her birthday. I thought about what I would paint that day for her and I decided I would paint a little tiny red heart instead of the large major heart I have been painting. Jody taught me that when you decorate a room, no matter what your color scheme is you must have a little red somewhere. A bookend, a simple red ball, lampshade, throw, pillow.....Anything, but it must be red. So, I have taken her suggestion with me through my life. I always have a little red in the house not because I am suppose to but because it represents the fond fond memories I have of  my dear friend Jody. She is currently a Realtor in Texas so I feel free to share her business page with you. Take a peak. She is one gorgeous 60 year old.
http://www.facebook.com/johneen.b.cawyer

Happy Birthday Jody!

"PRIVATE" phone call from Laura Bush

Main Dining Room  in White House

Laura Bush's Patriotic Christmas

"Remember 9-11 art needs new home

You know when you see the word "PRIVATE caller" in your cell phone's window as it rings that it's someone important. At least that is what I have experienced. And, this afternoon's phone call proved no different. It was former first lady, Laura Bush's office. Anne, Laura's scheduler called to share that Mrs. Bush would not be able to attend my artist reception next week at the airport. She also shared that my art, "Remember 9-11" could not be accepted into the Presidential Bush Center in Dallas. The reason? They can only accept items that were presented to the Bushs' while they were in office. Luckily for me, I had given them art while they were  so I will have to check on that later to get the cataloged numbers of the two items. The first item we hand delivered to Porter Goss's office in Washington D.C. He accepted it on behalf of President George W. Bush.

Leoma & Mike give 9-11 art  to Pres. Bush in 2003

I have fond memories of attending an artists reception at the White House with Mike during the Bush administration. A Christmas party to honor 250 artists that created an ornament that year. I even painted up an outfit to wear.  (See Linked Youtube video) .

"Hi, I'm at the White House"

Got lots of press when I returned home. I remember calling the Ft. Myers New-Press Newspaper front desk and sharing, "Hey, I'm at the White House". They interviewed me the next day while I was at the airport awaiting my flight back home. Such exciting times. I remember it as if it were yesterday.

Some of my painted shoes.

I had promised Laura Bush a pair of my clever painted shoes. Could never get her shoe size, but today I received her size and her mailing address in Dallas. I'm charged!!!! Don't be asking me to share either answer even if you are a "PRIVATE Caller". Off to buy some shoes for Laura and start a new art adventure!

Leoma Goes to Washington Video

Leoma created this video for Public Art Submission
More photos of "Remember 9-11" public art

Royal Wedding Horse

Royal Wedding Horse

This Royal Wedding Horse is part of the Royal Wedding Collection I created last April 21st. I was all caught up in royal wedding of Will and Kate. I think anyone my age feels like it was their son getting married because of our love for his mother, the late Princess Diana, our Queen of Hearts. I found the huge plastic horse at the Goodwill on Sanibel and carried it under my arm for 20 minutes. The horses tail had been cut off by some adoring child so I was hesitant to purchase it, but I did. After getting it back to my studio I started painting the Union Jack so it could be included in my Royal Wedding Collection 2011. Took forever to paint and I still add more paint to it whenever I have out the red, white and blue. And, these days I have the "wet" RED WHITE AND BLUE tubes of paint ready to use.  I will add more photos to this blog as the horse changes hues. The horse is made of heavy heavy plastic. Must have cost a pretty penny new. Could not find the maker anywhere on the horse, but since I painted it, I will be the maker. Royal Horse comes complete with my signature.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75420003/royal-wedding-horse

Facebook photos of Royal Wedding Celebration at Franklin Shops

Painting Live during ArtWalk on the river

The audience watches me paint at the Franklin Shops

Painting "Live" is difficult. I make it look easy, but it is the hardest thing for me to do. To be "On" in front of the public all my  inhibitions, insecurities all surface in my brain as I feel eyes watching every brush stroke. In my mind I am only aware of the brush strokes and how they are touching the canvas. Remembering to make no parallels no straight lines, but then a member of my audience interrupts me with a question. Then there goes the concentration. I try to acknowledge them but most of the time I don't give in that I hear them and keep trying to paint. Last night was no exception. Got started way to late, but then again how much time do I really need? Most my paintings are thought out days in advance and sometimes months. I am actually painting in my brain at all times. Even when I am chatting with someone I am painting on their face, clothes, hair. etc etc and if they could see inside my brain they would probably grab my shoulders, give me shake tell me to "SNAP OUT OF IT". Ha.


Had a nice chat with Examiner writer Thomas Hall and met his lovely fiance. Following his writings for the examiner has inspired my very first blog. This ONE! Also injoyed the company of Kirsten and her sweet daughter Emma. Emma brought me a painting and I was surprised. I invited her to sit on the floor and watch me paint. She sat in my prime retail location which would not let customers shop but I did not care. You have to give in to the human factor and I did not want to miss out on any part of Emma's presence. It helped me to paint.

Emma Watches me paint

Had a short visit with charismatic Eric Raddatz. I am still holding his portrait hostage. He can get away with anything with that grin of his.  

Eric Raddatz

Left a little early to meet Mike and friends for a late dinner and as I walked the brick laden street of downtown I felt good. Being a downtown girl is

Leoma and Andy Howl

more exciting than being and island girl. Popped in the Howl gallery to get a much wanted photo with Andy. I don't even know him but I like what he has done for the downtown art scene.He is certainly the ART GLUE.

As I strolled down  the night lit street to my car I passed happy couple and groups. Then I realized how safe I felt. Not long ago, Downtown Ft Myers was scarey and undesireable. WOW....a safe downtown that has all the charm of a small city with a metropolis feel. I was actually looking up in the sky for superman to fly overhead. Guess I will have to paint than one in my head.