WHERE to begin???

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted, but...there's been gardening, camping, riding in the mountains, keeping the grandbaby, camping, riding in the mountains, keeping the grandbaby...oh, I think I've repeated myself, well...you know I have turned 54 since I last posted, and you can see by the sequence of events, what my priorities are!! :-) 

Is it hot where you are??  I know the last few days it's been in the high 90's here and we're in the mountains.  Humidity, heat, sweat (that, I hate) has kept us in the house for the most part.  We go out and do our chores early in the morning, but we're back in the house ASAP.  We went camping for a week at Cades Cove about 2 weeks ago and had to have cover at night...saw 11 bears - 3 momas with babies and a big male.  Met up with a mule buddy (Lynda Carr) and she brought her mules over from Sevierville and we rode the Cove trail one day.  Ten miles, 5 hours in the saddle with my stirrups too short...knees hurt that evening, but was fine the next day.  Went riding again with her this last Friday, took my saddle, rode 12 miles, 6 hours in the saddle and went up 5000' elevation...Rich Mountain trail out of Cades Cove...BEAUTIFUL overlooks and views of the Cove and Tuckaleechee Valley, cool but humid AND NOT sore a bit (guess this ol' gal's still got it!)!!  Wonderful memories with a great friend!  All's great here at AWESOME ASS ACRES...the hens are laying, the rooster's crowing, the peahen's settin' (YEA!!), the peacock's struttin', (in fact, I think he's in love with me...he fans his tail feathers every time I'm around), the mules are braying, horses neighing, the goat and sheep are bleatin' and we're all healthy!!  We're having fresh tomatoes, squash, beans, cucumbers from the garden, so we're eating good AND I forgot to mention that we have a new lamb.  He was born while we were camping, but he's healthy and cute as a button...black and white, just like Ray, our ram.  BTW, we're calling him FAA, to add to the others -- Doe, Ray, Mee! 

I've also been painting "in my spare time"...several ACEO's, a couple of guineas on old roofing slates, and I'm trying my hand at a "Paint Your Own Painted Pony".  I should have it finished and listed on Ebay by the end of the week. 

Last, but definitely not least, we've had Alayna (our 2 1/2 yr. old grandbaby) visit twice in the last month!  Her mom and dad (our son and his wife) are expecting another little one in December.  Mom's doing great now, but had a few days of needing a little extra rest, so.....we were the chosen ones to entertain that sweet little girl and entertain we did!!  Barbies, coloring books, story books, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, building blocks, painting, playing in the wading pool, cuddling in the rocking chair, taking naps, telling tales, a whole lot of laughing and of course, the BIG thing...riding in the golf cart around the farm, was our daily routine while she was here!  Too much fun AND soooo looking forward to her next visit!!  Take care, God bless and happy trails from AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  I'll be posting pictures soon!!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY...Fun for ALL!!

I can't believe that it's been a year, but the time has come for another "ONE WORLD ONE HEART" giveaway!  This wonderful event is promoted to help fellow bloggers connect and it's a FUN way to meet friends and associates that share the same hobbies, ideas and interests!! 
You can see that my blog reflects life here at our farm, "AWESOME ASS ACRES".  The namesake of our farm and my studio (MagicalMuleFolkArt) is our sweet, smart, spotted Appaloosa mule, King Solomon.  We've raised him from birth and show him throughout the southeast.  My art is inspired by Solomon, along with the many other farm animals (chickens, guineas, peafowl, horses, mules, sheep, goats, dogs and cats) here AND by frequent visits by wildlife...deer, fox, raccoon, oppossum, coyote, skunk... 

My giveaway item is a handpainted wooden sign, with a sheep on the front.  It will come ready to hang with a piece of latigo on back!

The creator of this idea is, Lisa Swifka, of "A Whimsical Bohemian"...she started the event in 2007 and now, the participation is global!  My first year to participate was 2009 and I've met some wonderful on-line friends through the process!  To join our "Magic Carpet" ride, just follow the easy steps below...

Rules for One World - One Heart Giveaway:


1. The giveaway starts today, 1/25/2010 and ends at 11:59 PM on 2/15/2010...I will use "Random Generator" to choose the winner, then announce the name on my blogsite on 2/16/2010.


2. EASY to enter...just leave a comment here on my blog and you will be in the drawing!


3. EVERYONE is invited to participate! If you don't "blog", just leave your email address, so I can let you know if you win.


4. Be sure and check out the list of participants at:  http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/
and visit all the other artists that are involved...SOOO MUCH TALENT, SOOO LITTLE TIME!

**BE SURE TO "FOLLOW" MY BLOG!!  I will be offering other giveaways in the future!!
Take care and GOOD LUCK!!
Sharon Anderson ~~~ Magical Mule Folk Art Studio

CHRISTMAS SALE!!

I've decided to make use of my blog site, other than the goings on, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  Of course, everyone knows that I paint and sell items on Ebay...now, I've decided to "franchise" my blog!!  The following pieces are favorites of my Christmas buyers and I paint several throughout the season. 
The first one is a mailbox topper, made out of solid wood, about 17" tall and 9" wide.  It will attach to any mailbox, from standard to the oversized ones.  It's finished with several coats of varnish to protect it from the elements and the ribbon and floral pieces are for outdoor use.  These are really cute on your mailbox and are always "attention getters"!!  The price for Rudolph -- $28.00 + $8.00 shipping.

The second picture is of my "Garden Santas".  These are okra pods, dried, painted and varnished for years of use.  They're ready to hang with a red satin ribbon.  The price for one (1) -- $7.00 + $1.50 shipping. 

I'll be glad to offer a discount if you order several.  These are perfect for the folks that you want to remember with something a little different...teachers, mailman, beautician, coach, vet, sitter, co-workers...
You can email me with your order or if you have any questions.  I'll be glad to take checks, money orders or PayPal.
sharonssmule@yahoo.com

I also paint pendants of all types...horses, mules, dogs...Those are $18.00 + $1.50 shipping.
Hope to hear from you in time to get these to you for the holidays!!  Thanks so much!!

It's a Corgi Christmas!!

As an artist, you sometimes get caught up with repetition and you find yourself in the proverbial "rut"!  I've painted for over 20 years, met many friends through instructing classes, made a living traveling the craft show circuit and now, I've settled into selling on Ebay.  It's such a world wide market and it's definitely not as strenuous as preparing for a show, with the inventory that you have to paint and have on hand.  I've just recently began painting on canvas and I love it...also, I'm experimenting with different breeds of dogs!  Corgi's are a fun, smart, really cute breed and although I don't currently own one, several of my friends do.  That's the breed I'm having the most fun with right now, so I wanted to post the last 2 paintings that I've completed.  The Christmas living room scene is sold and the snow scene is currently on Ebay.  Let me know what you think...I take criticism well and suggestions are welcome!!  Thanks to all!!

HAPPY 3RD DAY OF THE NEW YEAR!!

Well, if you're like me, you're trying to catch up on some rest after the hectic holidays...we've celebrated with family and friends, but now, we're back to the everyday stuff! BIG NEWS for 2009 here at AWESOME ASS ACRES...we've finished my added on studio and extra bedroom!!! YEAAAAA!!! My sweet brother-in-law drove up from GA on New Year's Day and stayed until today. He, along with my husband and 2 of our boys, finished ALL of the construction, electrical, heating/air...We're putting down our flooring and we're THROUGH!! When I get my never ending inventory of painting supplies + computer and all components moved in and situated, I'll post pictures...hopefully, that'll be within the next couple weeks. I plan to start teaching some classes in the spring, so I've got to get going with it all!! I've been painting some things during the holidays...a few pendants and a wall sconce that's cute for the cat lover. I've posted some pictures and will be listing them on Ebay tonight.

It won't be long 'till we're packing up again for Mule Day in Columbia, TN and I hope to get some mule things painted for that...I always sell a bunch during the week there! Keep checking back with me for the never ending saga of farm life here...animal drama, fence building, garden planting, mule riding and oh yeah, some painting here and there!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

**PS... Don't forget to leave a comment, idea or suggestion...I'd love to hear from you!