New Hand Cut Stamps

I've been busy busy cutting some new stamps to use in backgrounds or for collages. Trying all sorts of surfaces to see what works the best. So far that's Mastercarve. It's easy to cut and it prints well.

And remember my mermaid? Well, she is now a lump of clay because I was making  her too big for what I needed. More on that soon.

See the above Chinese characters? I was so careful about drawing them and then cutting them perfectly. After I printed them, I realized they are backwards! I never even thought about reversing them while drawing them. So much for my Masters degree!

Behind the Scenes

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

12x12

I've been working on a few things that are all halfway finished, so there really hasn't been anything to post. But, above, is one of two panels that I've had so much fun preparing, but now I'm stuck and can't figure out what to do next. I think it was a big mistake to use stamps, and I'll never do that again, in this way. Live and learn.

Another project has been three Ampersand Claybord boxes that I've painted and prepared for finishing. This is the rough beginning of a mermaid which will go on the top of one box. Actually, her tail might wrap around the side. This has been fun.....something out of the ordinary. About ten years ago I played around with polymer clay, made some jewelry, but was too busy teaching to put much time in it.

 As I was sitting there working I noticed the cup holding my brushes, right in front of my face, has a mermaid on it. 

Have any of you ever worked with polymer clay? Did you make anything you can post on your blog? I'd love to see what other artists are doing with it. 

Row Your Boat

This is my entry for Different Strokes From Different Folks. When I saw the photograph, I thought it would be easy, but noooooo. It was very challenging and I am not satisfied with my effort, but that's all the time I could allow for it. And sometimes it's just easier to call it quits when you only half way get there.

Moderating, Schmoderating

I have to be honest. I've posted a few times in the past three weeks; not as much as I should have, I'll give you that. But every time I checked, there were no comments. Zero. Zilch. I was wounded. I was feeling like the worst artist ever. And today a friend and I went to see the drawings and prints show we are in. Well, it was awful! My piece was placed on a small wall in a dark corner. So all afternoon I've been licking my wounds. I've been thinking that I should probably just give up the whole art thing. Maybe run off to Tiki Tiki instead. 

Well, now I checked my Dashboard here on Blogger, and saw that I had changed my settings to moderate all comments. So, of course no comments had been posted, and there were a ton of them cheering me on, giving me a pat on the back for my work. Whew!! I'm so relieved. Thank you, all of my friends. I need you. I guess we all need each other.

Spring Evening

Mixed Media on Birch Panel

18x18

EEEEEKK!!! Is Someone At the Door?

You know those days when you don't plan to go out, you don't plan on seeing anybody, you just plan to paint? Well, that was today. Of course I didn't put any make up on and I left my hair in a sort of bed head style. So naturally my good looking neighbor came over to help me put out the trash. I could have died. No, I take that back. I was just embarrassed, you know?

These are two of the four little paintings I worked on today and when I finished them, it occurred to me that a better idea would have been to paint them as one large painting that could be hung together or separately.

8x8

Gallery Wrap Canvas

8x8 Gallery Wrap Canvas

 I started two 12x12s and I'm almost finished with an 18x18 piece. I bought some birch cradled panels to experiment with. These are the first I've tried and I might get them posted tomorrow.

New Acrylic Paintings

Botanical Mysteries

18x18

Acrylic

I've been really busy, and I've been here, lurking around other artists blogs, but I haven't taken time to post anything.   

The painting above is one I've been experimenting with, using Patti Brady's book, Rethinking Acrylics. The book is chock full of ways to use acrylics and mediums to make a big impact. In my painting there are about ten ( I lost count) layers of paint and glazes, pours, and drawings. It doesn't photograph well, but in person you can see the faint hint of gold and other subtle color changes. It was an energizing work for me to get lost in. Next time I will not be so restrained, I promise.

Garden Fresh

10x8

Acrylic

This little painting is my entry for Different Strokes From Different Folks. The painting just flowed until I hit that #%&*$ onion! I kept painting and repainting, trying to get the lost edge just right until I was so tired that I called it quits. 

Thanks for hanging in there with me, all of my friends. I think this was the longest I've ever gone without a post, and I'll try to not let that happen again. 

Different Strokes

Finally!! I have another submission for Karin Jurick's blog, Different Strokes From Different Folks. The focus of her photo was the barn, but I decided to paint to the right of that, and leave the barn out. I hope she okays it for her blog. I don't usually paint landscapes, so it was a good exercise for me.

Wait til you see what I've been working on!

A Confession

OK. I have to tell the truth. I find flowers to be the most boring things to paint in the world. I love looking at them, but really, I prefer faces.

Poppies, Days One and Two

Here are some of the little poppy studies I've been working on. This is totally for practice, an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. After using acrylics, I also went over them with some pens, oil pastels, and markers. They are so unlike my style, but that's good. I always want to have a detailed drawing to work over, but this time I didn't. Tomorrow.....more poppies. But more close up.

Poppies

Last weekend my son Adam and I spent time with my sister and her family at her little farm in northern Virginia. I took loads of photos of the gorgeous flowers she had growing all along one of the picket fences that surround the backyard area. I have given myself an assignment, because I feel so unfocused and can't decide what to work on next. My assignment is to only work on the poppies all week, and I can paint or draw or whatever I feel like. Today I started on some small studies in paint, and I also prepared some papers to use during the week. So check back on Tuesday ( I'm working at school tomorrow) to see what I've done. 

Baby Smiles

Sorry, no art to post today, although I'm working on several things. 

I didn't get to see my daughter for Mother's Day, but I did get to enjoy it with one of my sons. We had a great time at a cookout to welcome my new nephew. 

I just had to post a few cute pictures. This is my little granddaughter last week. Notice the dimple on the left cheek.

This is how my daughter spent her first Mothers' Day. Isn't my granddaughter adorable? And they even have matching bathing suits. 

Baby Paintings

Every moment I've had to spare this week has been spent painting some work to hang in babies' rooms. This weekend I'm going to visit my sister and her new grandchildren and my nieces who have come home from Iraq and Nicaragua. The babies are cousins, they are really my great niece and great nephew, but I just call them my niece and nephew. They were born a day apart and they aren't even a month old yet. I can't wait to snuggle them. These are the paintings I made for them, and the monkey has a partner piece. These were a struggle for me because I have no imagination for things like this.

Williamsburg and Hampton Roads

I have nothing to show for artwork today, but I'm posting some shots from a trip my friend Ilse and I took to Williamsburg a few weeks ago. We went to get reference material for more paintings, and I'm not sure what I'm going to use, but we got so many great shots its hard to choose. If you've never been there, try to plan a trip. In fact, if you plan a week or more in the Hampton Roads area, you'll fill up every day with trips to Jamestown, Yorktown, Williamsburg ( I think you need at least two days there to see it all), Busch Gardens, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. 

Lots of families rent or make costumes for their children to wear, which must make the children feel like they are really there in 1780. It's such an educational place for everyone. I learn something every time I go. And the best part for me, a Virginia resident who lives only a half hour away, is that I can go and browse around all of the outdoor areas for free! 

It's really fun to interact with all of the costumed Revolutionary characters. Also, there's a moving outdoor drama which takes place on the main street area each afternoon.

Carriages, carts, and market wagons drive all around the streets. No cars, though!

A New Painting

What could be more interesting than some squirrel watching? These guys sit here a lot and watch the show in the backyard. 

Shout 1

24x18

I've been working with my acrylics, I've painted over a number of things, and I feel like I can't possibly turn out paintings like I do drawings. They are always going to look like they came from two different people. Here's my new one, and tomorrow I'll get back to my self portrait in colored pencils. Acrylics lend themselves to experimentation, and I've been observing what effects I get by glazing different color combinations. This looks luminous in person. I'd love to hear what you think about this piece. Please leave a comment. Thanks.

Self Portrait Progress

Last week I mentioned that I had begun a new blog, Artists Paint Themselves,  to showcase artists' self portraits. I've had a lot of great responses and they are there for you to view. Today Katherine Tyrrell has mentioned it on her well known art blog Making a Mark. Please take a look at Artists Paint Themselves, and if you have a self portrait, just email me and we'll get it posted. Thanks!

As you can see, hardly anything has been done this past week. I just couldn't get focused. Today seems better, and I've begun two paintings. I'll tackle this later this week.

Announcement!!

I'm so excited!! I have started another blog and I hope all of my friends out there will take a look and then jump in and email me your work. The title is Artists Paint Themselves. The purpose is to share self portraits, not just ones done as mature artists, but some showing how we got to where we are. Please check it out. 

11x14

And speaking of......I've begun another self portrait. This is how far I've gotten. It seems like I'm jumping all over the place on this one. This is all colored pencils. I'd love some feedback.

Advice From My Father

My Dad has been gone almost two years now, but every once in a while I can hear his voice giving some advice I have already heard but chosen to ignore.  So I guess he hasn't given up on me and he has decided to keep after me until I listen. I'm making a point here, so hang on.

I've fortunately been able to stock my little studio with everything I want. Not that I have lots of money, I don't. It's just where I like to spend it. I have all kinds of professional grade materials ( except oils, bad experience in college).  I have polymer clay, linoleum blocks, and other types of printing blocks, five brands of colored pencils, probably over 100 art books, all kinds of collage materials, loads of acrylics and mediums, three table easels, jewelry findings, and anything else Dick or Jerry sell.

 I get so enthused about using all of my materials and I start and stop all kinds of projects at one time. When I start a project I quickly lose interest if it isn't up to my standard right away. (I've read this is a first child trait.)

 This is where my Dad comes in. This morning his voice said 'Find one thing you're good at and you enjoy doing and keep doing it until you are the best in your field. Then other people will come to you.'

Well, he's right. I can't do everything and do it all really well. So I think I'll concentrate on the colored pencils and acrylics and not think about all the other fun goodies I have. This is just for today, or maybe this month.

Oh, wait! Those little girls at the top? They're here because I've always wanted to write a childrens' book. See? I need to narrow my focus. ;-)

More Scratchboard

Kitchen Orchid

7x5

This morning I was so eager to finish this.....it was a learning experience. I did find some beautiful scratchboard art at these sites. Greg Murray, Sally Maxwell, Bob Goudreau, Norman Gadinni, Denise Des Lauriers, and Jeanine Nahra. Take a look. 

Now I'm off to my studio to probably get paint or glue on another piece of clothing. I can't remember what famous artist said this, but it so applies to all of us. "I only have two kinds of pants, ones that have paint on them, and ones that will have paint on them."

Scritch, Scratch

I've had some new scratchboard tools and scratchboard just sitting here, obviously unused. The reason they haven't been used is......... guess why? Yeah, you guessed it. I don't know how to use them and I hate to not do well at things.

 
So today, after I had finished those pesky taxes ( no, I haven't paid them yet, but they're not as bad as last year), I got the tools out and dug in. And I think it's looking ok, so far. I also have some inks which I plan to use, so I've scratched off more than I would if it would be just black and white. Does anyone know of an artist who has this type of work posted on a blog?

These Taxes Are For The Birds

If you wonder where I am, like millions of other Americans, I'm scrambling to get my taxes ready to send next week. So, between that and paying bills, I've been busy. I just hate it when I don't get to paint or draw.

So, while I've been working away at my computer, I have a perfect view of my birdfeeder. It's interesting to notice all the different birds that show up. What is this little guy? A blackbird? He was much smaller than a huge black bird that cruised in, so I'm not sure.

Well, I'll be back soon....with much less money, I'm afraid.

A Commission

Just saw my latest commission leave with a very happy customer. It was more difficult than I thought, because he wanted a black and white pencil drawing but he gave me color photos. And the hardest part was that most of the subject is a statue, I guess it's brass, but very dark. If you email me with the location of this statue, I'll send you a small painting. I think the only one of my readers who might know this is the Divine Miss M. Not Bette. The other one.

Butterfly, Details

Hi. I hope you all had a super day, because I did. And unlike a lot of people, I don't have to have other people around to have a great day. Not that I don't like to socialize, I do. But when I paint, I like to be alone. So this is one of the things I worked on today. In person it's so much more vibrant, and you can see the tiny details that are not so evident in the photo. Any suggestions?

New Acrylic Paintings

Here I am. I'm back. Last week I had a few days of incapacitating pain. I hate to be a whiner. Wah wah wah. But it really did have me upping the meds and sleeping alot. And when it hits, I cannot even hold a brush or a thought long enough to create something. I'm going to a pain doctor who has ordered a CTscan , I go tomorrow, and a TENS machine, which might relieve pain by interrupting nerve pathways. We'll see. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, please. My mind and spirit are full of energy, but my poor body is lagging behind.

So. Here are some new paintings I've been working on. I've used lots of interference paints in thin glazes.The seagull only needs a few details. The painting below has collaged flower parts and I'm going to add a butterfly, so check back to see how that works.

 I have to plug Patti Brady's new book, Rethinking Acrylics. She gives so many short lessons on how to use various acrylic mediums that this book is going to be a staple for me. I don't think I'll ever run out of ideas if I just apply and combine various techniques. You really should get it. Even if you don't paint in acrylics, you might want to when you read this book.

These are all unfinished but only have a short way to go. Oh! I don't want to forget to tell you  about the International Collage Exchange. Over 100 artists from all over the world participated, and you can see the exhibit online ( and even have a chance to buy one if you want) at the site where Dale Copelands has put in hours, no, I'm sure days, of work to organize everything.

Self Portrait; a Wee Bit More To Do

I cannot wait to be finished with this! There are so many things in my studio and head that are calling me, but this is a priority. I'd say about four more hours on the hands, and...voila!! Yesterday I spent thirteen hours in my chair without lying down for awhile, I think that's a record for me. All of that time was in the studio, and then when I got in bed I couldn't sleep and I sat there sketching some new ideas for paintings, and I woke up at 4am and almost got up to start painting....I had to tell myself to slow down and get more sleep. Now I've been working all day and I hate to even stop to fix dinner, but I'm hungry. Has this ever happened to any of you? Have you been in the zone for days on end, and nights, too? Tell me what you did about it. Thanks :-)

Self Portrait, Almost Complete

My dad used to tell us, ' You can't get through the door unless you are smarter than the doorknob.'  Well, I don't want to spell it out for you, but I'll just say there is nothing wrong with my camera.

 Here is my progress today. Honestly, it looks so much better than this in real life.  

Self Portrait, Again....

Not much work done on this, but I've also been preparing canvases for three more 6x6s. I also have to start another colored pencil piece to submit to the CPSA show. I could use one I've already done, but of course I never think they're good enough.

More Self Portrait Progress

I'm about to fall asleep on the keyboard, but I want to post this tonight because some friends have asked about it and I don't want them to think I'm a lazy artist who doesn't slave away every day. Thank you to all my friends who take the time to check in on my blog or who just ask me about it over the phone. You are all important to me. 

Progress on the Self Portrait

Well, geez, finally some progress on the self portrait that has to be finished in two weeks, not to mention the other piece I haven't even started yet. It's in my head, just not on paper. This self portrait is the most honest piece I've ever done. If you know me, you have seen me use the butterfly image since I was shot. My daughter gave me a magnet that says, "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." In those dark, early days I had a window ornament, a plant ornament and a banner, that all used the butterfly theme. I've used a robin because we usually see them and associate them with spring. So, now, almost six years after I was paralyzed, I feel like the spring of my new life is beginning. And art is central to that. Oh, keep your fingers crossed that I can execute the hands sufficiently. Hands are my weak point. When I start to draw hands, of course I think of Holly Bedrosian, a master at realistically painting, drawing, fingers and hands doing all sorts of things. You should check out the work on her blog. It will amaze you.

Had to Try This

Art Museum by dumpr.net

Ride, Ride

This past weekend all I did was ride. But, I won't bore you with the details, just the good stuff. My daughter and granddaughter were here so that we could all go to my niece's baby shower. So here are a couple of pictures instead of paintings, which I'll get back to tomorrow. Oh, the plans I have! Just floating around in my head......

This is my adorable niece, Bridget, with my sweet sister, Ellen.

Another sister, generous Julie, holding my scrumptious little granddaughter, with my amazing daughter looking on.

I was having so much fun in my studio today that I didn't want to come out. If the body could keep going, the mind and spirit sure can. However.....anyway, I want to show you what I've been up to the past few days. I decided to spend a little time seeing if I could come up with some stamps to use in my backgrounds. I really like that look, especially the way Uta Mooney, of Australia, does it. She manages to still have a whisper of her background show through her paintings. Really beautiful.  So here are my new stamps, which were fun and fast to do. I'm sure I could improve, but they look good for now. What do you  think?

 

I finished all of the collages I will send to Dale Copeland in New Zealand for the International Collage Exchange. I don't know how she does it. We all send a dozen collages and she shuffles them so that we all get eleven back from all different people. And one collage is put up for sale in a show. So how great is that? So, these are two of the collages. What do you think? I have alot of fun making them.

More Cats

I'm exhausted. Yesterday I did a marathon day in my studio and today I worked at the gallery so tonight I can hardly keep my eyes open, but I want to show you my two other cats. All of the cats are painted around the sides and some of the bugs, etc. are, too. And now they are all hanging in the gallery, so I hope someone wants them and needs to take them home. My cats aren't cutesy, are they? No,my cats have character, verve, and confidence!

Cats, Self Portrait, and Reflecting on Reflections

Almost every day I glance at my computer ( and look who is always there, waiting for a scratch under the chin) and remember that I should post but I always want to wait until I have something bordering on  perfect to show you. You know how that is with us, our own worst critics. So today, here I am. And I'm here with my far from perfect work, but at least I've been real busy and I have a lot of things half finished.

These are two of the four cat paintings I hope to have finished by tomorrow so I can hang them in the gallery.  The one on the left still needs the butterfly to be done, but that's just a fifteen minute job.  They are both on deep gallery wrap 6x6 canvases. The one I'm working on now will have a dragonfly above the cat's head. These are just fun for me. We'll see if they sell.

 Now, to me, this one is important! This is one of the two I'll submit to the CPSA show, and I hope I get in this year. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. This  is a self portrait and I can't tell you much about it, you'll have to hang in there with me and keep checking. I will say those are my hands in front of me. Sorry it's so blurry, it was on my mantle and I couldn't get a steady shot. 

So, speaking of reflecting.....if you read my last post you'll know that I was advised to never use the reflection idea again. Well, here is another one that is hanging in my dining room, and I like it. Yes, I like it! My dining room table has a black granite top and the reflections in it are beautiful, so I just had to paint some. 

Thanks for coming back to see what I'm doing. Believe me, I spend way too much time looking at my favorite blogs. I don't always comment, but I'm there. Don't we have a great little world here, being able to enjoy each others' work and having the ability to communicate about art?

Collages And Acrylics

I'm happy. Here I am experimenting with collage and acrylics and it just makes me feel as if I'm on the right track for now. I love using the glazes and iridescent colors on the backgrounds. There are so many possibilities! I also began working on my self portrait which I  plan on submitting to the CPSA show. We'll see where that leads. By the way, neither of these is quite finished.

Collages and Thinking About Colored Pencils

Yesterday I had a painting (below)  of mine critiqued by a very estimable artist who I admire very much. Well, he ripped it apart. No, not literally. He really gave me a detailed critique and it wasn't as hard to take as it would have been in my 20's or 30's. Isn't age wonderful? So, now I have no doubt about how he feels. It turns out it was one of the reflections paintings I did last year and was so proud of. He even said that if I had ideas about doing more along that line to forget it. Well...he he......I already did several. And they are hanging in the gallery, right out there in public.

 

While I was working on two new collages today, I thought about where I need to go now. What direction should I take? Tomorrow, besides finishing the two collages, I have to start one of my entries for the CPSA show. This will be a self portrait, a first for me. So, wish me well. My confidence is just a little teensy bit shaken today.

Prismacolors, Derwent Coloursofts, and Cretacolor Karminas

Those are the pencils I had out today, rolling all over my desk and I worked on this little portrait of my youngest nephew, Gabe. It really looks rough in this scan. In person you can't really see all the tiny empty spaces. It looks smoother in person. And I don't have a clue about where my head was when I started the background!

Collages From My Studio

Wow. I bet you thought I had disappeared. No, I've been lurking around, admiring everyone else's work and then going into my studio and fiddling around and not coming up with much. But tonight I feel a new excitement about working in there tomorrow. 

These are two of the  little collages I've been working on. They go to New Zealand soon, to be a part of a world wide collage exchange.

Acrylics and Mud

I've been in my studio trying to tame acrylics and paint these two paintings, my nephew and the airport. It seems that lots of my colors turn to mud. Last night I was reading advice from Robert Burridge who said that colors are the clearest straight from the tube, to get in there, lay the color, get out. Like impressionists. And I thought about that. It's true. I try to use my brush like a pencil, and that's not going to get the look I want. So today I'm busy taking his advice.

Meanwhile, I thought I'd show you some of my art collection. I wish I could buy from all of you! I have to watch my budget, but every once in awhile, I see something special. So thank you to all the artists I've bought from. Thank you Alex Tebb, Jacqueline Gnott, Angela Hardy, Kellie Marian Hill, and Andrea Pratt, whose work is not in the picture, but on a shelf nearby. And also, that adorable tiny painting of the cat's eyes and the mice, Robin Leath. I can't find any trace of Robin on the internet, if you have information, please let me know. 

All of these little paintings will be displayed in a more formal way when I can afford to frame them the way they deserve. For now, they are inspiring me in my studio.

President Obama, Now Doesn't That Sound Good?

I couldn't tear myself away from the tv until about two o'clock, long after President Obama was inaugurated. It was so great to see so many people, braving the cold, waving American flags, wearing Obama knit hats, and chanting, "Yes, we can! Yes, we can!" Well, now it's a reality, and I pray for President Obama to have the strength to accomplish what we all want him to. I pray for him to be safe.

 

In my in and out time of the studio today, I worked on some more collages ( the one above has obviously not been trimmed yet) and then started a painting of my cute little nephew, Gabriel. I'm listening to my friends now, because so many have said they like my other work but my portraits are the best. I love to do portraits! The only ones I've done have been in colored pencil, so I thought I'd challenge myself to do one in acrylics. We'll see how that goes tomorrow. After that, a self portrait. Ooooooohh...scary. I've had to put my airport picture up to look at it for awhile before I start on it again. I got bogged down in details and knew I had to stop.

 I hope that our leaders will be creative as they examine new ways to deal with old problems.

More on the Acrylic Painting

The above work is another collage I tried today, not finished. I was liking it until I added too much white to a glaze, so I 'll have to try something different with it. Just an experiment, anyway.

I had the best surprise today! When I looked at my blog, I noticed I had several new followers. Well, that made me happy, because it's kind of like making new friends. They are people who are saying they like my work, they like reading my blog. Well...one of the new people was my son, Adam. So that made my day. :-)

It doesn't look like it , but I spent hours on the airport painting. It's bigger than I'm used to, about 13x18. Even though portraits are my favorite to do, I'm having a terrible time with the man's face, the man with his leg crossed, I guess you could say the main man. In addition to acrylics, I'm using gel pens. I tried some colored pencil, but the watercolor paper is not a friendly surface. But the gel pens work well, even on top of the paint. It's hard to tell, but the girl's jeans are crosshatched with a white gel pen.

A few weeks ago I started looking at pictures of seeds and pods and I made some sketches from them. Then I started this, which is 16x20. The background is gold acrylic, and I'm using some copper, too. I'm kind of stalled on it, but I'm certain I'll stick with the metallics and some oranges and turquoise, which is departing from the actual seed and pod appearances. They were just a jumping off point.

 
So, all in all, I feel pleased that I've been able to branch out and try new things. I can always go back to strictly colored pencil if I need to. Of course, I'm about to begin an entry for the CPSA annual juried exhibit, which is in Atlanta, where my sons live. I hope my work will make it in. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

A Collage Try

I've been accumulating books about collage, which has really been interesting me. So, today, after working, I went in my studio and flung paint around and had a great time. Now, I think the result is strictly amateur, but at least I gave it a try. I' m not giving up! In between my other projects, I am going to hone my collage skills. I think it's a great avenue for expression. In case you can't read the embossed letters, they say, 'into the night'.

Hours Off the Job

Happy Saturday. I guess I was celebrating something today, acting as if I had time off from my job or something. I mean, being an artist is my job, and that's an everyday, whenever the creativity strikes you, or not, job. It has to be fulltime or nothing gets done. That's how it is with me anyway. I don't wake up like when I was a teacher, and know it is or isn't a work day. My art job is everyday.  And believe me, I'm joyous about being an artist fulltime. I'm thankful to have the time to paint everyday.

 Well, my point. My point is....all I can call myself today is lazy. I woke up at 7:30, sat on the bed brushing my cats for an hour, fixed a big breakfast, and got sucked into to internet for three hours! And that's not the worst part, oh, no. The worst part is that my eyes were so tired from looking at the computer screen, that I had to take a two hour nap! So, added up, I wasted six hours today. Six hours when I could have been finishing up my airport painting.

 If I were not paralyzed I'd kick myself in the butt.

Chugging Along, Like the Little Engine

Chug, chug, phew! Working is a lot harder when you  don't feel well. But I've gotten out in my studio and finished organizing, and I've taken stock of what I have going on. Too much, is what. I have three canvases started, a new cp piece I decided I didn't like, and now this acrylic on water color paper, and who knows why I chose to do that? I've never ever used paper for an acrylic. 

This is from a series of pictures I took in the airport in Atlanta. The light is what I like in this, and that will be evident after I get more paint on. I might use colored pencils or markers, I'm not sure.

And then, as if I don't have enough going on, I got a box full of polymer clay and clay tools in the mail today. Fun! I have some vague idea of combining the clay with my paintings, or in the paintings. 

Here It Is The Fourth, Already!

Yikes...this year is already going fast. I hope I can keep up. One of my goals for this year is to post to the blog at least four times a week, or more. I have Alison Stanfield's book, I'd Rather Be In The Studio, but I can't find it. And the plan was, and is, that I follow her plan to a t. As soon as I find it, I'll get started.

Here is my painting for Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks. 

It has been sitting here waiting for me to finish it while I organized my studio, which I did. Yeah! Now I have lots of bins and baskets with various stuff in them. I hope I remember where I put everything.

Out With the Old......

There has been no work posted because I've been trying to straighten out my studio. Yesterday and today I spent hours in there, and I can tell you.....my cats have been seriously offended that I moved their scratching box. Well, hmmmpf!!

 It's very frustrating to try to do the things that would be so easy if I could stand up and walk. Several times I've just about fallen out of my chair when I was reaching for things, but because of past experiences, I know how far I can reach. I think, with the help of my cleaning ladies tomorrow, I'll have everything in a more user friendly place. 

While I've been doing nothing, I've been lurking around some cool art sites. Geesh. Hours can pass before I realize what has happened. It's just so riveting to read about other artists and see their work. I've discovered two very creative and different artists, well, actually, they are kind of like each other in their drawings. But you just have to see them!

 The first is Jen Stark, and she has done some mind boggling things with construction paper, and look at her drawings, too. I just love them. Watch the video at the top of her page.

The other artist is named Yellena. Her drawings are almost other worldly. Her shapes are sometimes  organic, sometimes just unbelievable! Evidently she has gotten lots of attention. I think she is an fulltime illustrator.

I'm still working on my portrait for Different Strokes From Different Folks. It needs some minor adjustments and then I think I'll be pretty happy with it.

Peace and Love

Peace and love, what else can we wish for each other and ourselves? Whether you are Christian or not, no one can dispute the importance of Jesus's message....love one another. If we do that, all problems would be solved, and we would all live together in harmony.

Thank you to all of my blogging friends, from all over the world. Your presence here on  my blog means a lot to me, and every comment is so appreciated. Merry Christmas.

Another Portrait

Yeah, another portrait! My favorite. I need to stick to portraits, I don't know why I wander away to different subjects. This is what I'm working on for the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. It should be really interesting to see what everyone comes up with, and to be matched up with our subjects. 

More work on the shirt tomorrow, and also some tweaking to the face. It's funny how you can see mistakes so much more clearly after posting on the blog, isn't it? I see I need more shading around the eyes and some more shadow on the right.

If I Could Only Be Speedy Again

I've been trying to get some art done, but I still have a suitcase to put away, so you can see how slow I am about things. I didn't use to be, I'm just slowed down more now than I can help. And today was a day of struggling ( with pain). This is all I accomplished, but I have big plans for tomorrow.

Thanks for the comments about how personal a blog should be. I think you are right. A blog is for art and about the person who created it. It's much more interesting to follow someone's art if you know something about their personal life. 

Life With Eliana In It

It seems as if I've been gone forever! Florida was fun and meeting my new granddaughter was wonderful, as well as spending time with my favorite girl, her mommy. Life will be a little different now because I'm looking forward to the happiness I know being a grandmother will bring me. I'm going to miss them alot, but I'm so ready to get back to my artwork. 

Eliana with her uncle Nathaniel.

Uncle Adam taking charge of burping.

 

Right before I left for my visit to Florida, I had ordered some gel pens online and  was so eager to try using them in Florida, but someone stole them from my art bag, which was mistakenly left in the hotel lobby overnight. Can you believe it? Goodbye, thirty two dollars. 

I wish I could remember who brought this up on her blog about two weeks ago, but she discussed the purpose of an art blog. She questioned the value of a blog ( for artists who want to make a business of their art) which contains information that doesn't pertain to the artwork. I thought about this a lot, because I like to share some personal information. I feel like I've made lots of blogging friends, and I find it interesting to read about their families, etc. In the next two weeks I'll be setting time aside each day to make notes about what I want to achieve in 2009. Recently it has really hit home that this is it, I don't get to live this life again. I have to do it right now or never.  By January first, I plan to have my goals, short and long term, ready to act upon. I hope you, my blogging friends, will give me stern criticism if I wander too far off my path. I plan to stick to colored pencil and portraits, but to branch out into some mixed media and collage. And I will try to keep my blog more of a show place for finished work that can be purchased through PayPal.

Next year should be exciting with  new leadership in the White House.  I can't wait to see what 2009 holds for all of us.

Art in Florida

I'll be gone for the next week or so, I'm going to Florida to visit my new granddaughter. Of course, I'm taking my camera and a bag full of sketchbooks, colored pencils and markers. I'll try to post some work, and maybe a picture or two of little Elli. 

So, while I'm gone, these two attack cats will be guarding the house.