I almost forgot this one...

This painting was on of my early projects, and I actually thought I had posted it to either the web page or the blog, but apparently I didn't. Here it is. It is called Peony.

This painting and one other are on display at Sadie's of Stokesdale(formerly Sadie Scarecrow's Herbal Garden). Stop by and take a peek at the 'all new' Sadie's!



This was so much fun to paint. It was pure joy, and I hope you can see that in the painting. I find complete relaxation when I paint....

This may not make sense, but....

This is my 'Echinacea Butterfly' halfway done...



This is my completed 'Echinacea Butterfly' finished...Yes, the canvas is an oval, and that shows in the completed photograph. I have painted the edges so that a frame is not necessary.

Suze Orman says, quite accurately, that women are more relational than men. A woman cannot do well with anything in her life, unless she has a relationship with it. While Suze is talking about women and money, I think this idea is important. How many things do you have in your life, and how many of these things do you see in terms of relationship?

For me, one of these things is my artwork. I have never considered that I have a relationship with it, nor have I felt that having a relationship with my art is important. I have always considered my art to be an extension of myself, the "self" within. When I post my work online I often feel vulnerable, as though I have exposed something that should be kept covered up and private. It feels as though I am baring my soul for the world to see. Perhaps that is true, but there are other forces at work here too.

If you were to ask me if I had a relationship with my art, I'd have thought for a moment and felt, in a vague way, that it was a relationship of sorts, but a contentious one.

Sometimes unexpectedly when working in my attic on a painting I experience something unexplanable when working on a painting-this happened with my current piece of work. I realized, quite suddenly, that this is more than an extension of the self. I suddenly understood that I have to build a relationship with this activity. I have to love it unconditionally, appreciate it, build on it, trust it, believe in it, nurture it, as I would any important relationship in my life. Then, and only then, am going to be able to relate to it as intimately.

The brass tacks of painting will never be the same for me. I have a profoundly intimate relationship with something of beauty and delicate substance, if I chose to honor it with my love. And I do.

Would you rather hear the good news first, or the bad news?

Okay, I choose the good news first.
Sadie's is officially open for business.
All new paint, inside and out, a whole new look, a young energetic new owner, her name is Crystal, and hour by hour, step by step, and day by day she is making it better.

The bad news is that this is going to be a long process.
I was there for two days this week, and the previous owner, whose name I won't mention, not only took thousands of dollars of inventory home, but she kept many of my original formulas for the best selling products that I developed over a period of 10 years. The Bankruptcy court ordered her to return the binders and all of the formulas, but she took out most of the best selling products.

She also took necessary equipment, but that can be repurchased. The Bankruptcy court has been notified, and hopefully we will get these priceless formulas back.  All of the vendors and suppliers paperwork were taken too, so there are many challenges ahead.

But, in the meantime, be sure to visit Sadie's.
FROM WINSTON-SALEM
Leaving WS, heading east on Business 40, take Highway 158 (Reidsville Cutoff). Go through Walkertown intersection at light, and proceed on 158 approximately 10 miles. At stop light (intersection of Hwy 158 and 65) turn right at Bi-Rite Grocery, and proceed into Stokesdale. Sadie’s is located on the left about 1/2 a mile, directly across the street from the Stokesdale Fire Department. Off street parking is provided directly behind Sadie’s-turn left on Shilling Street before Brooks Funeral Home, then immediately left again into the parking lot. Feel free to enter through our back door entrance.

FROM GREENSBORO:
Take Hwy 68 past Piedmont Triad Airport. Go through stop light at Hwy 150 at Oak Ridge, then proceed past Dawn Acres Golf Course on the right. At the next stop light (intersection of Hwys 68 and 158) turn left. Sadie’s is on the right, immediately after Brooks Funeral Home. Off street parking is provided behind Sadie’s. Simply turn right on Shilling Street-immediately after passing Brooks.

If you are closer to Battleground, head north on Battleground, and you will see the signs indicating that you are on Hwy 220. Stay on 220 until you see the Hwy 158 cutoff to Stokesdale. You will drive several miles before coming to a stop light at Stokesdale. Go through the light, and Sadie’s will be on the right, immediately after Brooks Funeral Home. Off street parking is provided behind Sadie’s. Simply turn right on Shilling Street, immediately after passing Brooks.

FROM WALNUT COVE:
Take Hwy 65 into Stokesdale. At the intersections of Hwy 65 and 158 at the stoplight you will see Bi-Rite Grocery on the left. Proceed straight past the grocery, and Sadie’s is on your left, directly across the street from the Stokesdale Fire Department. Convenient off street parking is available directly behind Sadie’s, simply turn left on Shilling Street, immediately after passing Sadie’s, and feel free to enter through our back door entrance.

UPDATE: The shop has sold again to new ladies, and they are working very hard to keep Sadie's alive. Same location, many of the old products, several new products, new phone number and a new look, be sure to contact them.

Call (336)643-5123 for more information.

 A photo I took in 2007 of our handmade lotion bars.

 

A letter from a satisfied customer-

I was privileged to take a trip to one of North Carolina’s little gems – Sadie’s Herbal Garden – after hearing rave reviews from my in-laws. This little shop is tucked on Main Street in Stokesdale, North Carolina but don’t let its size fool you; it’s full of handmade soaps, herbal teas, essential oils, shampoos, lotions, and so much more!

Sadie’s handmade soaps come in a variety of fragrances and mixtures. At $4 per bar, you can’t beat the quality. Of the bars purchased, I love the Goat’s Milk the best. It has moisturizing properties, a subtle smell, it lathers really well and it leaves you feeling clean and refreshed. Some other favorites: Calendula, Kitchen soap – made with coffee grounds and a hint of peppermint, and cotton blossom. There are so many choices, it was hard to choose.

I also purchased both the Liquid Shampoo for adults and for babies. Sadie’s shampoos come unscented, and the staff can fragrance them with the scent of your choice for FREE! When added to the bath water, the aloe shampoo for babies was not a largely sudsy soap. I chose the calming scent of Lavender for each of my purchases and the scent was subtle in the bath water. When used on my little one, it suds nicely! He felt squeaky clean and smelled wonderful after his bath!

 

The adult liquid shampoo was likewise scented with Lavender but suds even greater than the children’s castile soap. A little bit went a long way in getting my hair squeaky clean and the smell lasted for hours after the wash.

I also purchased the handmade eye pillow that can be cooled or heated for comfort. Cool it to relieve morning eye puffiness or warm it up for the calming scent of lavender before bedtime. I found that it worked great on my neck for sore muscles and even my lower back as well. This was the best $5 purchase I’ve made in a long time! It has so many uses and slides easily into a handbag or suitcase for on the go.

Other favorites: Sadie’s baby laundry detergent, the wooden soap saver, and their homemade blend of Mother’s Milk tea.

 

 

 

 

I love to paint nature...

The trees, the hills, the birds, the butterflies, the delicate flower, the sunsets, the sunrise, the fleeting moments. The mere idea of capturing that beauty on canvas will always be a thrill to me.

"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty." John Ruskin