I'm The Guest Curator this week for EBSQ Art Of The Day!

Growing up whenever we had family gatherings at our grandparents house we got fruit when we left. It was such a treat for me and at the time I had no idea it was good for us. I just thought they had searched high and low to give us something special. They would say to each of "now this is just for you! you don't have to share it with your parents!" We would all giggle and try to hide it. Those were the days.

So whenever I see paintings of fruit it reminds me of those days......thanks for the memories.

http://www.ebsqart.com/Art-of-the-Day/Thanks-For-The-Memories/423/Fruitbowl/588871/

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Acrylics on Wood

This is a piece I did for Artomat. If you are not familiar with artomat then you are in for a treat. These are vend ready pieces of art that are sold in refurbished cigarette machines in the US and abroad. It's another great and inexpensive way to collect art. All of the art is the size of a pack of cigarettes. They are usually done on wood blocks like mine was but they can be done on just about anything as long as the work of art will fit inside a box. There are all types of art in these machines and the most exciting part, to me anyway, is that you don't know what you're getting until it comes out of the machine. There are over 500 artists from around the world participating in this ten year old project. Take a look at their website to find a location near you and to see what you might find in one of these machines. If your city is artomatless I suggest you contact your local officials and demand a machine be installed immediately!

This project is great exposure for artists. Someone saw the pieces I did on my website and contacted me to do a commission. I'm almost done with their painting so I'll be sure and post it when I'm finished. I'll also post my next batch of artomats when I'm done.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Untitled - 2007

The original painting was done using acrylics on canvas. This image is available as a print from Imagekind.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Deal Of The Day

I will occasionally offer Special Discounts on my art and notecards to my readers. Today's deal is 10% off on orders of $10.00 or more from Noteworthy Crafts. This discount will automatically be calculated so there's no need for codes. For additional savings visit our Special Offers page.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Making Waves - Ink on Paper

This is another ATC that I did. It's available as a print on eBay.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Betty Refour - All About Town - Art Pens on Paper

Here is another ATC I did. Prints are available on eBay. I'm still busy working on my upcoming shows.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

My note cards can now be found at Authenticity Gallery! Authenticity Gallery is located at 910 Congress Ave., Ste. 100 in Austin, Texas. The gallery is open Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 6:00pm, Friday 10:00am - 8:00pm and Saturday Noon - 5:00pm. These are some photos of the gallery as well as some of my cards that can be found there. If you're in the area or will be visiting Austin soon, do stop by.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - More Faces In The Crowd - Artist Pens on Paper

Another ATC - ACEO I did. It too is available on eBay.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Betty Refour - Places - Artist pens on paper

Another ATC/ACEO I did.

Someone asked me yesterday what type of markers I use. They are actually the Faber Castell Pitt Artist Pens.

Have a great weekend everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Betty Refour - Faces In The Crowd - Markers on Paper

This is an ATC-ACEO I did. Have a great day everybody.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Untitled - Pastels on Paper

Have a great day everyone. Thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Betty Refour - Tapestry #5 - Acrylic on Canvas

This is a 4 x 5 inch painting done on gallery wrapped canvas. It's available for sale in my Etsy shop.

Have a great weekend everybody, GO CAVS!

Art for the day - Celebration Of Life And Art

© Betty Refour - Untitled #127 - Acrylic on Canvas - 16 x 20

My painting, Untitled #127 will be part of the Celebration Of Life And Art exhibit opening June 1st at the Troy and Dollie Smith Cancer Center. The Center is located at the INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center Complex, Building D, 3300 NW Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK. The exhibit is a tribute to those whose lives have been touched by cancer. The show will run through July 13th. Opening reception is June 1st from 6 - 8pm. The reception is open to the public but you must RSVP at 405-951-2277 indicating the number of attendees. There will also be a luncheon on June 3rd to be held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK. The luncheon too is free and open to the public but you must make a reservation at the above number. The luncheon will include a presentation "Medicine, Marathons and Miracles: Turning a Diagnosis of Cancer into Personal Victory" by Roger and Kathy Cawthon. Roger is a former CNN sportscaster and Kathy is an award winning author and photographer. They are co-founders of the Cancer Crusade, an organization dedicated to fighting cancer with hope and humor. They were diagnosed with cancer within six weeks of each other. Their frankly hilarious take on the world of medicine blends seamlessly with a powerful message that energizes and inspires audiences to laugh, love and live in the moment, every moment.


All artwork is available for sale with the proceeds benefiting the Art Therapy Program at the Troy and Dollie Smith Cancer Center. There is a wonderful array of art, all by artists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Please stop by.


Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Waterfall - Acrylics on 8 x 10 wrapped canvas

This is a new painting that will be available in the gallery at the Lazy Frog Company.

Have a great day everyone and have a safe weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

Pencil and Ink on Illustration Board - 1970's



Pencil and Ink on Illustration Board - 1970's

My 30 year class reunion is coming up. Yes, 30 years. But it got me to thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up. A lot of you have heard the stories about how I started drawing geometric shapes on notebook paper and then graduated to drawing fashion and how CoCo Chanel was my idol and how I transferred those geometric shapes to canvas when I started painting and how I wanted to be a Fashion Designer and how I started designing note cards after a friend asked me to design a card for her baby shower and on and on. But very few of you have actually seen any of those Fashion Illustrations.

I would cut out pictures from magazines and newpapers and draw them. I also would use the bodies as templates to draw my own designs. These drawings are from photos I cut out.

I went to a small art and design school and got an Associates Degree in Fashion Design. But then I couldn't find a job as a Designer. I was offered pattern making and sewing positions and my attitude was like "Are you kidding me, I Can Draw why would I want to sew or make patterns."

Thinking back on it, although I said I wanted to be a Fashion Designer I think what I really wanted to be was an artist. I hated sewing, and making patterns and all the other things that are part of designing, but I loved to draw. So in fact I may be doing exactly what I set out to do when I grew up and just never even realized it. How about you, are you doing what you wanted to do when you grew up?

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by. Sorry I don't have better pictures, I just scanned what I could.

Art for the day at the Lazy Frog Company in OKC

Digital Art Note Card by Betty Refour



© Betty Refour - Untitled - 12 x 12 Acrylic on Canvas

Hop on over to the Lazy Frog Company and see their newly remodeled, newly reartfilled location. There you will find art, jewelry, handcrafted bath and body products as well as hand made mosaics, mosaic tile and mosaic tile supplies plus much, much more.

Featured artists include Gina West, Vicki Smith, Sheldon Shapiro, Trent Lawson, "Stephanie," Minnie Pack and of course me. They are located in the Paseo Arts District at 2410 N. Shartel and are open Tuesday - Saturday from 3 - 9 pm. Whether you're looking for a gift or something special for yourself you're sure to find it at the Lazy Frog Company.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Untitled #129 - Acrylics on Canvas

This is one of the first paintings I did years ago. I wanted to create something with texture as well as have the colors kind of intermingle. This is what I came up with. It's available as a print from Art.com.

Have a great week everybody.

Art for the day

(c) Betty Refour - Somebody's Watching - Markers on Watercolor Paper

This is an ACEO that I did. It is available as a Limited Edition at Art Cards Wanted.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

© Betty Refour - Take A Load Off - Pastels on Paper

I started going to thrift shops years ago in the hopes that I would come across things that noone else noticed the beauty in. I usually came away with frames but then one day I found this duo. I have never found anything quite like this since but I still go just in case.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by.

Art for the day

©Rose Refour - Markers on Cardstock - Untitled

© Betty Refour - Watercolor on Paper - Winding Road

Yesterday morning we had rain for several hours and then for a short time the weather became severe with high winds, thunder and lightening. It lasted just long enough to knock the power out so Rose and I had to entertain ourselves for a time. One of the things we did were these ATC's. Artist Trading Cards or ACEO's - Art Cards Editions and Originals as they are also commonly known, are small works of art 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. They are considered an inexpensive way to collect art.

It's funny how you get into a routine and may not even notice. We were sitting outside when the gentleman from the power company came by and asked us to check to see if our lights were working. I checked and gave him a thumbs up and told Rose we had power. I headed for my easel and I could hear the sweet sound of music and finger popping coming from her room.

Have a great day everybody, thanks for stopping by. BTW for anyone who may not know, Rose is my sister and she has autism.