Dot Courson Fine Art Blog

When people talk to you about your art, you learn so much.  I learn as much about the viewer as I do myself. And it is almost like a shared past or bond with those who relate to my work!  This past Thursday I was honored at the reception of my first hometown "solo" show in Tupelo. Caron|Prince Gallery in Tupelo did an amazing show and worked so hard to make this happen. Tupelo is so lucky to have Caron|Prince Gallery! They have an amazing collection of many of the state's best artists represented! And they work so hard to support the arts in Mississippi.  During the evening I began asking some of the people there to tell me about their favorite works hanging in this show. I was truly surprised with the feedback...and delighted with the very nice and kind critiques these folks gave... Landscapes:  One collector was an artist's dream!  I'd spotted him looking at one wall of paintings and introduced myself. It was so much fun to...

My Daddy could draw. Everyone used to be amazed at his skill. He was deaf and tongue-tied and his unique talent was amazing to many folks. Since he couldn't speak very well he communicated by drawing. Sometimes I'd draw to communicate with him too since I couldn't get my point across otherwise. We communicated like this and through an expressive and animated "homemade" sign language. But he taught me perspective on buildings and how to make an object have mass and bulk by shading. We were extremely poor (note the too tight and too short dress I'm wearing in the photo below) and had no tv. We usually drew on paper sacks form the grocery store. Remember those? These days I would call that, "recycled, toned and textured paper"! :) Anyway- Great lessons! I was always happy when told that I got my artistic abilities from this sweet man.... The Castleberry Family in 1962:  Daddy (James Albert), Patsy, me and Momma (Willie Mae). Older brother Jerry not s...

"All Creatures Great and Small..." 24x36 Oil - ©Dot Courson Here was today at Dot Courson Fine Art:  I'm in the middle of working on two events that I'm organizing: #1 An upcoming painting workshop with John Pototschnik #2 A traveling show I'm co- chairing and organizing for the Mississippi Oil Painters Association (MOPA). ** I also have a "real" life!  My husband helps me to host workshops for artists.  The instructors are artists and are wonderful teachers- and usually American Master Artists, and people that I want to work/study with myself.  I have Texas artist John Pototschnik here teaching to a sold-out group in less than a week. He and his wife Marcia will be here on Tuesday and will stay with us in our home - and I'm looking forward to that visit! Today I spent time "readying" ...aka: "cleaning" ... my home for over 20 of the artists to who we will host here for a dinner/cookout here at our home one evening...