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Sunday, May 19, 2013

CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--GUEST AUTHOR AND PAINTER JERRIE ALEXANDER


Jerrie Alexander writes alpha males and kick-ass women with a hit of humor. Her latest romantic suspense is The Last ExecutionBut there’s another side of Jerrie, and today she’s here to tell us about it. Learn more about her and her books at her website. – AP 

Most people wouldn't guess I'm  a crafter, but they'd be wrong. I have my own work room where I sew, paint, make stuffed animals, and share my love of making things with my granddaughter. Shoot, back when they were popular, I made beautiful cigar box purses.

Writing romantic suspense and researching profiles of past killers has given me nightmares more than once. When I need a break, mainly for mental health, I either bake or paint. Out of respect for my ever expanding waistline, I decided to tell you about my painting. Lord knows, if I get to swapping recipes, I'll be testing them out shortly.

Does anybody remember Bob Ross? A lovely soul whose program on PBS always captivated me. Sadly, no matter how hard I tried, my talent paled in comparison.


Undaunted, I signed up for painting lessons. My first assignment was a butterfly. It wasn't bad. Not good but passable. Then came the sunflower. I looked for it but I must have hidden that horrible thing or perhaps thrown it away. The one thing I learned during that time was I love to paint flowers.

The instructor taught the "One Stroke" method, and soon I could actually recognize what I was painting on a canvas. Are they good enough to sell? My stars and garters...never. But that's okay, I couldn't part with them anyway.

When I'm working on an arrangement, my self-imposed pressures and worries fade into the background.

A bonus? My granddaughter will pull up a chair and join me. In fact, she's bought her own paint brushes. They live in a jar next to mine in the craft room.

I've included a couple of examples. A few are first drafts and the framed final picture. One is a yellow rose that I have practiced until the world looks level! I haven't mastered that particular bloom yet.

Whether I'm sewing, painting, or decorating a cake, I enjoy taking a break. Regardless of the finished product, it's rewarding. Then I'm ready to tackle my imaginary psycho who is lurking inside the pages of my next book.

I love hearing about other people's craft addictions. So I hope people will share their favorite hobby or pastime with me today.

The Last Execution
To survive, she must put the past behind her. To love, she must learn to trust.

Homicide detective Leigh McBride's first assignment with the FBI brings her face-to-face with a past she's tried hard to forget. And when her temporary partner, a cynical ex-marine, lights a fire in her she thought long-extinguished, her darkest secret is threatened.

Scarred both physically and emotionally, Special Agent J. T. Noble is a man of few words. He prefers to keep people at a distance—until he meets Leigh. He's attracted to her strength and drawn in by her secrecy. But in their line of work, secrets can be deadly.

When the killer they are hunting aims his vigilante justice at Leigh's past assailant, the fine line between right and wrong blurs. To heal the past—and find their future together—Leigh and J. T. must learn that only through trust and forgiveness can love grow.

21 comments:

Jerrie Alexander said...

Good morning! Thank you again for having me as your guest.

Nancy C. Weeks said...

Very nice, Jerrie! How long have you been painting? The Last Execution is going on my to-read list!

Jerrie Alexander said...

Nancy! Thank you. I've been painting for around five years. It's a wonderful break from writing yet still creative.

I hope you enjoy The Last Execution as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Ellis Vidler said...

Jerrie! I had no idea you painted too--a multitalented lady! They're lovely. And your books are terrific. Can't wait for the next one. :-)

Barb Han said...

I'd be proud to hang those paintings in my house! Gorgeous!! I have a hidden craft talent. I crochet scarves. I don't do them very often, but it makes me happy that the people I've given them to cherish them. I made one for my oldest son's closest friends in high school their senior year and they wore them all winter. :-)

Anonymous said...

Good on yah Jerrie. A doubly talented lady

Jerrie Alexander said...

Ellis, thank you. Not sure about the talent. :) But it's great fun and my granddaughter loves to paint with me.

Jerrie Alexander said...

Barb! I didn't know you crocheted. I do too. Not a lot, but Lex and I have made a few things. My mother made me a bedspread many years ago. It was beautiful.

Jerrie Alexander said...

Shehanne! My Scottish friend! Thank you for coming by.

AJ Nuest said...

My stars and garters? LOL Jerrie, I haven't heard that one in a while. And hey, I think your paintings are lovely! Yes they ARE good enough to sell. Absolutely! In fact, I was looking at them thinking...wouldn't that make pretty stationery...or perhaps a pattern for a couch. LOL Seriously, I think they're beautiful. Always fun learning more about our talented group of roses!

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

Seriously?!! You are awesome at painting. I took a group class last year and had a blast. My talent is needlework.

Jerrie Alexander said...

AJ, that "My stars & garters" is a phrase one of my dearest friends use. I had never heard it until she came out with it. Now she's got me saying it!

Thank you for coming by and for the nice compliments.

Jerrie Alexander said...

Vicki, thank you! Needlework is amazing. I'm not sure I'm patient enough. :)

Jackie P said...

Jerrie can do all sorts of things..when her granddaughter was younger, she used to wear almost nothing but clothing made by her grandmother...yes, Mrs. Jerrie Alexander! She sews quite well. She just hasn't in awhile. The two of them would sit side by side and sew on their own sewing machines together...then other times, sit side by side and paint. Now her granddaughter writes...wonder where she gets it? Hmmmm...

Jerrie Alexander said...

Thank you darling!! See folks, my best work just posted here on the blog!

Marsha said...

Hey, Jerrie. Yes, you are multitalented for sure. I love your pictures. I'm thinking you might include one when you do a basket for a drawing. Signed of course. Your readers would love this. I'm so impressed you're able to paint. I can hardly draw pics for my grands. Back in the day, I did some needle work-gosh can't think of the term. I decoupaged. Mostly, I guess I talk! LOL
Lovely answer to Jackie, btw.

Jerrie Alexander said...

Thank you, Marsha! Your talented on the stage. And I know for a fact you can sing...remember you Jeannie, and I sang all the way home from the NOLA conference!

What a great idea to add a painting to a basket. Thanks.

Erin said...

Your creative mind must lend itself to many great directions - the paintings are beautiful!

Unknown said...

I really, really love your pictures Jerrie - just my type of thing!

Ally Shields said...

Wow, I'm impressed with your paintings, Jerrie! Multi-talented indeed!

Linda Hope Lee said...

Jerrie, Your paintings are beautiful! I paint, too, in watercolor, watercolor pencil, and pen and ink. Yes, I remember Bob Ross. I watched his show sometimes, but never tried his style. I find it difficult, sometimes, to divide my time between art and writing. I want to do a lot of both!