Art for the day

(c) Rose Refour - Please Watch Where You're Going! 2007 Ink on Paper

For as long as I can remember the streets in the downtown area of our City have alternated directions. So instead of 6th Street going East and West it only goes West and 7th only goes East. The same with the North and South Streets.

This city gets a lot of tourists. On any given day you can go into the downtown area and see dozens of people visiting the Oklahoma City Memorial, taking photos, leaving gifts and so on.

So because of complaints from tourists the City decided to change the streets so that instead of going only East or West, North or South, they will soon all go both directions. Recently Rose and I went downtown and turned onto one of the streets that had been only a northbound street. I saw no signage and the stripes had not been changed so seemingly out of nowhere we were headed head on into another vehicle. Thank goodness we were all ok.

I usually take a note book with us where ever we go. That way if Rose wants to tell me something she can write it down since she doesn't always speak. Well soon after this incident she got her note book, drew this photo and handed it to me......I think I scared her really bad as indicated by her big eyes and lack of hair.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Rose Refour - Roses - Acrylics on Paper

Rose started an Adult Day Program this week. I thought it might be a good idea for both of us to get out and be more social. I grew up here but had not lived here for about 28 years until our mother was diagnosed with cancer. I know very few people here and so my plan was to get Rose into a program where she could make friends and I would work part time or do volunteer work and make friends as well. The Director of the program learned that I am an artist and asked me to teach an art class. This is what we painted and of course I didn't think to bring a camera so that I could take photos of everyones work. Rose and I both made new friends this week.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Do You Accept Art Money?

(c) Betty Refour for Art Money

Imagine a world where you can go to the store and purchase whatever you'd like and present Art Money to pay for or receive a discount on your item.

Well that is exactly what artist Lars Kraemmer had in mind when he developed the Art Money concept ten years ago. Struggling as an artist and having a difficult time making ends meet he decided that he would create "money" and take it to local shops in Copenhagen, Denmark. Some shopkeepers embraced the idea where others did not but nonetheless an idea had taken root.

Today there is a Bank Of International Art Money and over 1000 artists from around the world participate in this project. There are also shops around the world that accept it and hosts that will put you up for the night while traveling in exchange for Art Money.

I am happy to be a part of this project as well as the 10 Year Anniversary Show for Art Money on September 15, 2007. It will be held at Pressen in Copenhagen, Denmark from 1-6 pm with an after party to follow starting at 8pm.

Hmmm....I wonder if I could get an airline to accept Art Money.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

Here are some of my paintings available on eBay. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to various charities through eBay Giving Works. To visit an auction click on the photo of the auction you would like to visit.



Have a great day everybody,thanks for stopping by.

International Online Art Exhibit

I am proud to announce the participation of Worldwide Women Artists Online in an International Online Exhibit. Thirty-four member artists will be featured.

World Wide Women's Artists Online is an international collective of women artists showing and selling their original art on the worldwide web.

Texas artist, Sharon K. Shubert is the first WWAO member to host this new series of international group exhibits on her website.

The Countries represented are Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, The United Kingdom, and The United States.

The 34 exhibiting artists will be showcasing a variety of mediums and styles. Sharon has put together a creative and interesting show. The exhibit can be viewed September 1-30, 2007.

All works are available for sale. Contact information for each artist is available on Sharon's web site.

Be sure to see this wonderful international showing of creative women artists and vote for your favorite piece of art.

Have a grear Labor Day weekend everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

©Duane Kirby Jensen - Sisters - 2007 Ink on Paper - Intended for the private collection of Horace Augustine but will probably end up in the private collection of Betty Refour

When I first started messing around with Photoshop my mom sent me this black and white photo of her and her sister. My aunt had died years earlier and the only photo she could find of the two of them together other than when they were children was this. The photo was tattered, faded and scratched and she wanted me to restore it. I was like "sure no problem"....as I looked in the phone book under "Photo Restoration". I took it somewhere and had it done, it was way too important for me to tackle myself.

Not long ago one of my cousins asked me to paint the photo as a present for his Dad, their brother, but I already had someone in mind that I wanted to paint it. I showed my cousin Duane's work on Myspace and we agreed that we would ask Duane to paint it in his unique style. Duane agreed and this is what he came up with.

Ladies, we will forever miss your beauty, charm and grace along with your words of wisdom and encouragement. We were lucky to have had you in our lives.

Thanks Duane for giving us another memento to cherish. My mom's favorite color was blue.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

©Rose Refour - The Swan - ink and colored pencil

My sister Rose loves swans. She has a collection of them including two plastic ones that she puts out on the lawn during the summer. They have to be in a precise location and if anyone moves them she races outside and gives the culprit a look that says "How dare you touch my swans!" as she snatches them and puts them back in their place. There are plants in them and if anyone tries to water them she becomes upset. When you come to visit make sure you stay away from the swans.

We will probably add this image to our line of cards.

Have a great week everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

©Betty Refour - Water - Acrylic on 16 x 20 canvas

This is a commission that I did. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Have a great weekend everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art of the day

This is a painting I did using acrylics on gallery wrapped canvas. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.