Saturday, November 6, 2010
Longreen Foxhounds
November 6th, 2010
A crisp beautiful morning at Birdlands
Como, MS
The 53rd Annual
Blessing of the Hounds
The Reverend Sam Godfrey presiding.
Bless, O Lord, rider and horse, and the hounds that run, in their running. Bless and shield these riders from danger to life and limb.
May thy children who ride and Thy creatures that carry, come to the close of the day unharmed.
Bless those over whose lands we hunt and grant that no deed of ours may cause hurt or trouble.
Bless all the creatures who partake in this hunt and grant that they may find their true destiny in Thee
Bless these hounds to our use and their lowly part in thy Service. O God, who sanctifieth all things by Thy word, pour down Thy blessings upon these
Thy servants their horses and their hounds, to all who shall take part in this hunt, grant protection of body and soul.
Grant that the spirit of true sportmansship may prevail in all that we do this day.
May the Blessings of God almighty be upon you now and reign with you always in Jesus' name we pray.
Our beloved Trumpet
with Melissa up!
Birdlands
Home of Jake and Harriet McFadden
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Sir Alfred Munnings The $7,000,000 Artist
Sir Alfred Munnings
Immensely popular in the UK and America Sir Alfred Munnings is known world wide for his equestrian art.
Few artists have acheived the fame and fortune of Munnings in their lifetime.
Blinded in one eye from a briar while lifting a dog over a hedge, he was determined to follow his dream of painting.
And follow it he did!!
His works have found homes with some of the wealthiest patrons
The highest price to date (January 2007) of a Munnings painting was from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitney.
His greatest love was the racing scente.
His ability to capture movement is unsurpassed.
The highest price to date (January 2007) of a Munnings painting was from the collection of Mr. and Mrs. John Whitney.
"The Red Prince Mare," sold for $7,848,000, far above his previous auction record of $4,292,500 set at Christie's in December, 1999.
Munnings was elected president of the Royal Academy of Art in 1944 and was knighted in the same year.
Winston Churchill, who was also an avid painter, once said to him, "Alfred, if you met Picasso coming down the street would you join with me in kicking his... something something?" to which Munnings said he replied "Yes Sir, I would".
He died on July 17,1959. .
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wyland Marine Art
Robert Wyland has been described as the Michaelangelo of marine life.
He's his very own industry on the scale of Martha Stewart and Oprah. Sculptor, writer, painter, photograper and scuba diver, Wyalnd's work is sought after by collectors worldwide.
He has galleries in coastal states from Hawaii to S. Carolina. He even has his own brand of wine!
www.wyland.com
He's his very own industry on the scale of Martha Stewart and Oprah. Sculptor, writer, painter, photograper and scuba diver, Wyalnd's work is sought after by collectors worldwide.
He has galleries in coastal states from Hawaii to S. Carolina. He even has his own brand of wine!
www.wyland.com
Saturday, September 11, 2010
God Bless The USA
Please visit www.911freedomforfamilies.org for a list of names of all who perished at the Pentagon, Ground Zero and "that Pennsylvania field".
www.operationshoebox.com gives instructions on how to get much needed items and letters of support to our troops.
As my George starts his freshman year in Birmingham, AL safely on US soil, a fellow 2010 graduate is beginning his life as a soldier in Afghanistan.
A trip to WalMart with a supply list enabled us to gather things needed for life in the desert. to be sent to this Memphis soldier. We thought of what we would want George to have if it were him over there.
Don't forget letters and pictures. They are far from home and need to know we haven't forgotten them. They want to hear about football season and the daily happenings in our American way of life.
One Memphis group that sent a box received a thank you note from an officer who said the letters brought tears to the eyes of his men. He said it helped them to know someone cares.
We are safe because of them.
Consider asking fellow workers or friends to purchase items to ship out. If you are gathering with friends anywhere ask them to bring at least just one thing--chapstick or toothpaste-- for your own operation shoebox.
It is the least we can do.
They need dental floss, cookies, gum, Kool Aid on the Go, sun lotion, playing cards, phone cards etc We added football magazines and Halloween candy.
There is no WalMart- or a Walgreens-on-every-corner over there! We take it for granted over here.
We are deeply saddened by the fact that Liza's schoolmate has received word his brother was killed in Afghanistan a few days ago.
Freedom isn't free
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Who Dunnit?- An art caper of the highest order!
It was August 21, 1911 and "The Mona Lisa", Leonardo De Vinci's most famous painting, was stolen right off the wall of The Louvre in France.
It was not noticed to be missing until the next day. The museum officials spent that morning checking all throughout the museum to see if it was being photographed or cleaned. There was no way they could believe it could have been stolen.
It was gone alright. Sixty Paris police investigators were summoned to the Louvre to scour the museum for clues.
The museum closed for a week while the search was on. After it reopened scores of people stood in line to look at the empty space where the painting once hung.
With few clues to go on public speculation was rampant. The French blamed the Germans. The Germans blamed the French.
Months went by and still no luck.
Was the Mona Lisa lost forever?
Finally two years later in 1913 the thief resurfaced.
Months went by and still no luck.
Was the Mona Lisa lost forever?
Finally two years later in 1913 the thief resurfaced.
A well known antique dealer, Mr. Geri, placed a newspaper ad in several Italian newspapers soliciting art and antiquities. Someone named "Leonardo" sent him a letter saying he had the Mona Lisa.
He wanted to sell the painting for 500,000 lire and a promise the painting would not leave Italy. He wished to restore to Italy what had been stolen by Napolean Mr. Geri was skeptical but met with the this man after informing the authorities.
Geri watched in amazement as Leonard opened an old suitcase and removed the contents of old clothes. He then lifted the false bottom.
He wanted to sell the painting for 500,000 lire and a promise the painting would not leave Italy. He wished to restore to Italy what had been stolen by Napolean Mr. Geri was skeptical but met with the this man after informing the authorities.
Geri watched in amazement as Leonard opened an old suitcase and removed the contents of old clothes. He then lifted the false bottom.
There lay the Mona Lisa!
The official seal of the Louvre was spotted on the back of the painting.
"Leonardo", was actually Vincenzo Peruggia, who had once worked at the Louvre and new his way around.
The public went wild when the painting was found ! It went on display throughout Italy until was returned to France with great fanfare in December of 1913.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Art of William Aiken Walker 1839-1921
William Aiken Walker was born into aristocracy as the son of a prominent cotton agent in Charleston, SC.
He served in the Confederate Army under General Wade Hampton's South Carolina Brigade until he was wounded.
(Wade Hampton happens to be the name of Scarlett O'Hara's son in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind--there must be a link there but I digress!)
(Wade Hampton happens to be the name of Scarlett O'Hara's son in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With The Wind--there must be a link there but I digress!)
After the war Walker sold postcard studies and small works to tourists up and down and across the Southeast. A true genre painter of plantation life, his work was in great demand.
He charged between .50-$3.00 for works that today might bring $25,000.00
He charged between .50-$3.00 for works that today might bring $25,000.00
Extremely talented, Walker sang and played both the violin and piano.
Walker had a great personality and was invited to all the plantations throughout the south. He became friends the plantation workers and they loved to have him paint them at their daily work.
He travled from New Orleans to the Blue Ridge mountains, down to Charleston, and along the coast southwards to Florida.
Walker had a brisk business at each resort stop selling small paintings to tourists depicting scenes of rural cabins, cotton pickers, and palmetto-lined beaches.
A shrewd businessman, Walker sold to galleries and photo shops what he did nto sell on th streets.
During his time in time in New Orleans: "Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi" and "The Levee, New Orleans," both of which were probably commissioned by wealthy patrons.
During his time in time in New Orleans: "Cotton Plantation on the Mississippi" and "The Levee, New Orleans," both of which were probably commissioned by wealthy patrons.
Walker's dock scenes and his paintings of black sharecroppers and plantation life have always been the most popular.
Walker died in Charleston when he was 91,
WHAT IT'S WORTH: Walker's work has been considered collectible since the 1930s. The demand for art of the
African-American culture is increasing. Thus his work continues to rise in value each year.
The brass roundel originally estimated at $15-20,000 ended with a sale price of $44,062.50 after a spirited round of bidding at a recent auction.
African-American culture is increasing. Thus his work continues to rise in value each year.
The brass roundel originally estimated at $15-20,000 ended with a sale price of $44,062.50 after a spirited round of bidding at a recent auction.
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