Ed - 24 x 48 Original Art Acrylics on Canvas

The earliest memories I have of my maternal grandfather are from when I was about 7 or so. At the time he and my grandmother lived here in Oklahoma City and we lived in Chicago, so we came for a visit. Rose was not quite a year old. We didn't know she had autism yet. But I remember my grandfather singing to us. He had a beautiful deep voice and he would sing Christian hymns. I would look so forward to summers before we moved back so I could hear his voice and be engulfed in his kind spirit.

Later when we moved back and learned that she had autism I remember how he would sit and rock her for hours. When she would have meltdowns he was always so kind and patient.

This painting is from my 2013 solo show "Think Pink - Remembering Liza" dedicated to my maternal grandmother who lost her battle with Breast Cancer. It's titled "Ed" because my grand dads name was Ed and you can find it for sale on Daily Paintworks.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Brave, 10 x 10 Original Art

There are times when we have no other choice but to reach deep inside of ourselves and be Brave. This was done using acrylics on 10 x 10, 2 inch deep wrapped canvas. Sides are painted grey so no need to frame. You can find this for sale on Daily Paintworks.

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Enlightened

This painting was done on 6 x 6 wrapped canvas and is titled Enlightened. You can find it for sale on Daily Paintworks.

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She Forged Ahead

Another daily painting. It's titled "She Forged Ahead." Dedicated to all the women who kept going regardless of the obstacles. It was done using acrylics on 8 x 8 x 2 inch wrapped canvas. Sides are painted grey so no need for a frame. You can find it for sale on Daily Paintworks.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Think Pink - Remembering Liza

Hanging my solo show titled "Think Pink - Remembering Liza" that opened on May 10th at The Parish in the Plaza District. The show ran through May 31 and was dedicated to my maternal grandmother who lost her battle with Breast Cancer.

I've been incredibly busy the past 8 months or so. I've done a couple of shows, Rose has been in a show and a storm knocked over a tree which took part of the house with it. Luckily we were safe and the tree didn't do as much damage as it could have.

This painting is from one of the shows I did "GUMBO." GUMBO was held at the Living Arts Center in Tulsa. The painting is titled "Neighbors" and was done using acrylics on 16 x 20 canvas.

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Unexpected

My earliest memory of my uncle, moms brother, is from the summer after our parents divorced. Mom, Rose and I came to Oklahoma City to visit her parents. My uncle and his family came over to our grandparents for a cookout. There was so much food I couldn't imagine how we were ever going to eat it all. My uncle and grandfather grilled for what seemed like hours while my cousins and I played in the yard. Rose and my youngest cousin were both infants at the time and we delighted in pulling them around in a wagon. There were many such cookouts over the years once we moved here and always so much food and fun. We never thought about how at some point those days would be gone forever.

My uncle was a kind gentle man much like my grandfather. He served in the Air Force first in active duty and then in the reserves for more than twenty years. He had nine children, seven stepchildren, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren but he treated Rose and I like daughters. Then quietly, much as he had lived, he died on April 7th.

I spoke to him everyday since I moved back home four years ago, sometimes three or four times a day depending on what was going on in the world. At first our conversations were mostly about mom since she was battling cancer but after she passed away we mostly talked about sports, he was an avid sports fan just like mom was. He would also call about things he heard on the news, I don't like watching the news so he wanted to make sure I knew what was going on. The morning of April 7th we talked about the fact that he wasn't feeling well when he woke up. I asked about his blood sugar and his blood pressure. They were both high but he had taken his medication and was going to take it easy he said. The day before he had been running errands and on Monday he had worked in his garden. I didn't think much of the fact that he said he didn't feel well but asked that he call me later to let me know how he was feeling. When my phone rang at about 7:00 pm and I saw on the caller id it was him I answered the phone by saying "hey how ya feeling?" but, instead of his voice it was my aunt saying he was not breathing.

We rushed to the hospital but I knew that if paramedics had left their home with him not breathing they were unable to revive him. When I told Rose that he was in heaven with mom, grandma and grandpa, our favorite cousin Thomas and our Aunt Julia she said she wanted to go to heaven too. I didn't know how to respond at first but then I said that I hoped she would stay with me because if she left there would be no one to take care of me. She didn't respond but I hope we both live a long time, I'm not sure what I would do without her.

There are things in life that are expected but yet when they happen they are often unexpected. Death is one of those things. And even though I have lost all of the people who made me who I am and the pain of that will never go away, I am grateful for being born into the family that I was born into.

This is my first painting since my uncles death and I titled it Unexpected for all those things that I should have seen coming a mile away but never did.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Clouded In Secrecy - Artist with Autism

From the moment she entered the room all eyes were on her. No one knew who she was but they all whispered and stared. She smoked to calm her nerves but her presence was clouded in secrecy.

Rose did this drawing using ink, colored pencil and pastels. You can find reproductions for sale in my Etsy shop.

I am a member of the Etsy Twitter team and one my fellow members, Lois Stifel of FoxyGKnits wrote an article about Rose and I for Autism Awareness Month. I hope you'll stop by and take a look.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

More Gifts Yet Again!

I was trying to think of another idea we could do for stocking stuffers and found these gold frames for aceos' at Dollar Tree. We framed some for our local recipients and I think it makes them look really nice. Rose did these drawings too.

I also bought die cut cards for aceos' at Hobby Lobby. I did these drawings and some of my friends will get these instead of a traditional type of holiday card. We are almost done with everything, thank goodness.

Don't forget to tell me about the gifts you made.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Remembering Liza

Liza - Acrylics on an 8 x 10 Canvas Panel (c)Betty Refour 2009

One of the most influential people in my life was my maternal grandmother. While my mom encouraged academics she fueled my desire to be an artist. When mom bought books she bought art supplies. She taught me how to knit and sew and would encourage me to draw and paint.

One of the many things I learned from Liza, as we called her, was the idea of giving back. She encouraged me to do volunteer work and to donate money to causes I believed in whenever I could. Little did I know just how important those ideals would become in my life. In 1986 after a courageous battle with Breast Cancer we lost Liza and I became an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness.

In the years since I have had several friends diagnosed with Breast Cancer some have survived and others have not but I do whatever I can to promote awareness through art in honor of Liza and countless others.

We have come a long way but we still have a long way to go in the battle against Breast Cancer so please do all that you can to support awareness.

This painting is part of the EBSQ online show Think Pink.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Rose Has A Cafepress Shop!

We're gearing up for Autism Awareness Month in April so one of the things I've done is set up a Cafepress shop for Rose. Take a look here.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art Of The Day

Listening 2009 (C)Betty Refour

This painting was done using acrylics on an 8 x 10 canvas panel.
You can find it for sale in my Etsy shop.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art For The Day

©Aaron Kraten

I first noticed California artist Aaron Kraten's work on Myspace and became an instant fan. This painting brings to mind a female Super Hero who by day is an Indie Designer with a big heart, designing everything from textiles to fast cars. But by night she's a super hero putting villains in their place.

Aaron has been an art-o-artist since 2002. Some of his pieces can currently be found in the Michigan Art-o-mat. As a result of being an art-o-artist he has gained clients that have purchased larger pieces. To see more of his work visit his myspace page and his website.

To learn more about Art-o-mat and to find the machine nearest you click here.

Thanks Aaron for taking the time to talk to me. 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.

Art for the day

This is a painting that I did that is available on eBay. Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

This is a painting that just returned from a show at a local gallery. This would be great for a gift with the holidays fast approaching.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Rose Refour - Untitled - Ink on Paper

Rose sold her first piece of original art yesterday! It was an ATC. Whenever something of hers sells I am always so excited. Most of the time she looks at me like "what's all the excitement about?" but once she said "Let's go shopping!". Well yesterday she didn't make any comment but then a short time later she came and handed me a list. On it were the following items: royal blue headband, brown belt, fingernail polish, turkey, white short sleeve blouse. I think she wants to go shopping again:)

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by. We will probably put this drawing on a card in case anyone is interested.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Untitled #10 - Mixed Media on Canvas

This is a 3 x 4 inch painting that I did using texture gel and acrylics on canvas. It's available for sale on Artbyus. This would be great for a gift or to keep for yourself.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Wide Open Spaces - 2007 - Ink on Paper

This is another ACEO that I did. I've been doing a lot of these lately. The only other art I'm working on are three commissions. I'll be sure to show those when they're done. You can find this ACEO in my eBay store.

Be sure and stop by my note card blog and take part in our contest plus find info about contests from other bloggers. Have a great week everybody, thanks for stopping by.