"Missed Stream" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer of Lake Jackson,TX

"Missed Stream" is a quick study done on paper with acrylics. It was a painting challenge, based on the famous artist,James McNeill Whistler; limiting my palette to a single blue, a single yellow, and a white.

Whistler "labored with pigments so thin as to be merely tinted turpentine". -- Writer John Updike (in "Whistler in the Dark", from Still Looking: Essays on American Art, p.95).


I actually made a very wet glaze of white to make it a little more "misty" since I kept making the values a little too dark in a few areas. I have been told to never paint a white glaze on anything, so I broke the "rule" and did what I thought was best! Everything we paint can't be a master piece, but it can be a part of who we are. Just like life, we try, we win, we lose, we fall,we run on the mountain tops, we sit in the valleys, we learn, we stumble. But these are all pieces in our life "puzzle". God is in control,all right, you just have to take the time to pray- talk to him, and listen. Ah,listening. That is a gift these days!

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance"- Proverbs 1:5, NIV

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com

"A Moment in Paris" by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Paris was everything you've ever hear about if you haven't yet seen it for yourself. It was truly the country of romance and art. With history bursting at the seams, and the smells of fresh bread and coffee on every corner, who wouldn’t be happy in Paris! It was breathtaking each and every morning, and more so every night. Paris is a place that begs you to come back soon when you say your hurried goodbyes. I dream of going back and staying for a month or two. I am not really a landscape artist, but I would love to paint the people! Ah, the people. I will tell you that any stories that you might have heard questioning their kindness, or their hospitality, toward Americans can be put to rest. We were treated like family at every place we went. With so much to see; my feet would beg me to stop and rest, but there were only so many hours in our short week to see this magnificent city!

There are so many great memories about that trip! I especially enjoyed one night, as my son and I looked out over our balcony window; the rain was hitting the leaves on the tree that grew against the hotel wall, bringing in such a peaceful sound and earthy aroma. We were looking out through the rain, watching the colored lights change on the Eiffel Tower when I happened to look down and catch glimpses of the ladies rushing from their evening shopping. The street lamps threw out their beacons of light, ushering them home to prepare their evening meal.

8x16 acrylics and oils -SOLD!

On the Lookout by Artist Sandra Reeves Cutrer

With its brilliant orange and black plumage, the Baltimore Oriole's arrival is eagerly awaited by birders each spring migration. Its preference for open areas and tall trees makes them a common inhabitant of parks and suburban areas. They are found in central Texas, and I have heard they especially love grape jelly. They are one of my favorite species of birds.

Many thanks to Larry Ditto for his written permission to use one of his many bird photos for this painting I have named, "On the Lookout". Larry has been a nature photographer for over 3 decades…full time for 7 years. He is a member of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) and the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers Association (RMOWP).His focus is on South Texas and Northeast Mexico, with photos appearing in National Geographic books, Field and Stream, Natural History, Sports Afield and other magazines for many years. Audubon calendars, Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, National Wildlife, and Texas Highways regularly feature his work. In 2000, he won The Valley Land Fund Wildlife Photo Contest. If you've read the book, Texas Wildlife Portfolio, you may recall seeing a lot of his photos there.Thanks again Larry!
Painted in oils on a 16"x 20"x 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas (sides painted,no need to frame) .  For shipping  (contact me at sandrasart777@aol.com) or at Etsy.com. Shipping prices include ins. and signature confirmation.

A portion of my profits go to Saint Jude and The Penn Cancer Research Center, for ovarian cancer research in memory of my daughter,Michelle.

Here's hoping that we will have an early spring!

Look at the birds! They don't worry about what to eat- they don't sow or reap or store up food- for your heavenly Father feeds them...Matthew 6:26-27,TLB


Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
sandrasart777@aol.com
Artist of Texas

When the Wind Blows

This is a little miniature that I painted in oils on a 5"x4" stretched canvas.It is a reminder of the many times I spent on the Pass Christian beach which is down the road from Biloxi,MS. So many times hurricanes have blown in, destroying so many of the beautiful homes and businesses; but the people are strong and dedicated to their beautiful beach property, always rebuilding with much faith and determination.

Philippians 4:13 ESV
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Something New

I am not sure if I will just leave this one alone or add a little something. I am enjoying the colors and textures. Very soothing. I don't do a lot of abstracts, but when I do I usually create one after working on a very detailed realistic painting.It allows me to be lose and free;whatever happens happens! Painted in acrylics on an 8"x8" stretched linen canvas, sides painted so it can be framed or left unframed. No price yet,as I am not sure what or if I will add to this!
Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer

Lion Around

This is a photo that I recently took at the Houston Zoo. I must be on a cat kick, since I have painted several cat paintings lately. I do love cats,always have. I could not even begin to tell you how many cats we had on and off while growing up. My mother,bless her soul, was a pushover for any and all strays. We kids could go without another pair of shoes or a new winter coat, but that poor animal had to go to the vet and have us as their foster family until someone else decided they wanted to adopt it (and we lived in a subdivision in town). After us kids all grew up and moved out, my parents moved to the country, purchasing over 8 acres. They had cows,ducks,a donkey once, and Lord knows what. They also possessed the most popular drop-off-driveway for stray dogs and cats. Many generations of kittens were born on their property. I like to think my mom is in heaven, in charge of those who never found their way to her and my dad's little humble place, where no animal was ever turned away or abused.

Proverbs 12:10


"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."

Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
Lake Jackson,TX

Fruit of the Vine- oils- by Sandra Reeves Cutrer

This painting was born from different ideas in my head. The leaves came from a photo I had seen in a magazine, although I changed the colors and some shapes. The grapes came from other photos here and there, and the wine glass placed under the cluster of grapes was born in my mind. I love the flow of this piece, but especially the spiritual meaning that I got from painting it. In my heart I think of the leaves, their colors turning as the fall grabs at what remains of each life.The grapes, ripe and begging to be chosen. The wine glass, standing empty, but waiting to hold the "gift" from the labor of the vine. Like the grapes and leaves, our bodies age and gear toward the fall of our lives, with winter coming soon enough. We want to know that we have done something useful,hoping we have made a difference toward good the world. We want to be able to pour out our gifts of knowledge,wisdom, love and lessons from mistakes we have learned before the end of our harvest.We want to share and know there was some real purpose for us.

We are all here for the greatest purpose; to love and be loved by God, by family,friends, and to love ourselves.
Today is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!

24"x30"x1.5"
Blessings,
Sandra Reeves Cutrer
srcartavenue@blogspot.com
Sandra's Art Avenue
sandrasart777@aol.com