Artists' Retreat

Here are more pictures from our annual retreat. The colors were magnificent. We are so fortunate to be able to commune with nature and each other every year. From left to right, Carol, Cindy, Donna, Phillis (behind Denette), Denette, Mary, and Kathy.

Some of the trees looked neon-bright--they glowed!

Posted by Carmen

Mast General Store, 6x8 by Carmen Beecher

This was the scene in front of the original Mast General Store built in 1882 in North Carolina.  W. W. Mast and his family tried to carry all of the items their neighbors might need - from plows to cloth and "Cradles to Caskets," which led to the popular saying, "If you can't buy it here, you don't need it." In contrast with the quaint scene here, the man is on his cell phone.

I am honored to be on the DailyPaintworks.com website now, and I am still on the DailyPainterOriginals.com site also. There are some fabulous artists on those sites, Carol Schiff being one of them, so I'm proud to be included.

My First Pieces Of Eight Vacation

Hello Pieces of Eight fans. I am the newest piece and my name is Phillis Holland. I was lucky enough to join this wonderful group of eight creative women just weeks before the annual Pieces of Eight retreat. We headed for the mountains of North Carolina for a week of fun, food, and comradery with a bit of painting thrown in for good measure. It is such a great joy in my life to have made friends with this extremely talented group of women. They are all so nurturing and encouraging that one cannot help but grow as an artist. With the gracious help of Kathy Garvey, one of our pieces, I am finally creating my first post to our blog. I have included several pictures that I painted on our retreat. Now that I have learned the new skill, I will try to keep posting as the paintings accumulate.

Freezing Cold and Oh So Happy

My first painting from the Pieces of 8 retreat in North Carolina was of Denette, sitting there in the wind, just as cold as I was, painting away. In the background is Grandfather Mountain, the beautiful view from Cindy's place. Speaking of Cindy, I cannot thank her enough for her hospitality and generosity. This annual week of recharging our batteries is always fun, always productive, and the camaraderie is the best part. My face hurts from laughing!
Posted by Carmen

I lift up mine eyes....

I'm a mountain gal, that's where I find beauty, solace, inspiration and refueling of strength.  And while I love the Appalachian Mountains, some westerners argue that they are merely hills.  So, for the sake of  Psalm 121 I will concede that point.  This is a simple illustration but strength from the hills doesn't need much explanation, either you get it or you don't.  Anyone who spends much time contemplating the mountains and their changing beauty will know that "He who watches over you will neither slumber nor sleep...."  This piece is not framed....yet, email me for prices.  This 9 x 12 piece is horizontal as the verse was divided between two pages of the ancient text.

Cindy
cmichaud53@yahoo.com