SKaySpeak

FRIED GREEN CHILES

2012-01-28T17:08:00.000-07:00

Nope....this is not about painting fried green chiles, it's about cooking them! No doubt, I'll get back to painting next time, but for now, let's head to the kitchen!

Because they can be fairly expensive, I usually buy the biggest can of green chiles I can find and then wrap them in Saran in portions sizes and then store in a freezer bag. One of my 'portions' is used for chopping off chunks of chile when I want some to chop for a recipe.

To make the fried green chiles:

Drain the chiles and dry them on a paper towel. Prepare a mixture of about half flour and half corn meal to which you've added salt, cumin & cayenne pepper to taste.

Open the chiles...don't worry if they tend to come apart on you...it happens...and place the cheese. You can use whatever cheese you like. I used this today to show you the amount of cheese needed. For these 4 chiles, I only used 1 slice of cheese. If you use too much, you will have an oooey-goooey mess in your skillet.

Fry in a medium hot skillet until they look like this...or maybe even a tad browner.

Serve with any Mexican food dish, grilled meat, a pot of beans, eggs...or by themselves.

FAILURE?

2012-01-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've read on several artist's blogs of the struggles and frustrations they experience trying to gain expertise at their craft. It is quite easy to become discouraged when over and over and over again, you fail to create on the canvas the vision you have in you mind.

Stapleton Kearn's writes: " Painting should get harder for you rather than easier. The better you get at it, the harder it will be."

I have found that to be quite true.

Of course, as you increase in skills, your expectations should also increase.

That said, I must also say that for me as my frustration level has increased over time, so has my joy.

I am more excited and enthralled by the process of applying paint to a canvas now than I have ever been before.

My intent has never been to become a master. I want to get better, yes, and I work very hard to do that. But most of all, I believe I am simply addicted to the joyful bliss that I feel when I paint.

If someone else is touched in some way, by any painting I've done, that is the icing on an already yummy cake!

Recently, a friend e-mailed me a photo of her lilacs in bloom last summer. That picture stirred a wonderful memory from my childhood.

In our front yard was a magical lilac bush. It was a really big one and the trunks grew in such a way that I was able to crawl right inside that bush and sit comfortably. The scent of lilacs can to this day, send me straight into a state of happiness which I haven't words to describe.

Caren's picture set off such a strong memory that I just had to try to paint that lilac bush in front of our house in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I put in the enormous, old cottonwood trees which grew in a line across the alley in back of our home.

I put in the little Blue Spruce tree.

I put in the lilac bush, right in front.

And, I put in our house.

That part was a complete failure as I got the proportions of the house all wrong.

This was one of my 'quickie' paintings. I don't think there's any way I can fix the problem, but I am considering giving it another try...this time, with a photo of our house to guide me.

Instead of being discouraged, I was just thrilled to be able to lose myself in those childhood memories.

Thank you, Caren!

So, even if a painting is a 'failure' it can also be a 'success.'

I guess it all depends on how you look at it.

I choose to have gratitude for every moment I am blessed to be able to dance with my brush!

Dear friends, I wish for you to find whatever it is which fills you with mad, passionate, delirious JOY and I urge you to give yourself permission to do that very thing!

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

2011-12-11T10:11:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard to improve my painting using the good instructions from Stapleton Kearn's blog.

http://stapletonkearns.blogspot.com/2011_12_01_archive.html

I am grateful to him for being so generous with his knowledge! I think I have made some progress.

Another thing I did, which was because of his urging his readers to do so, was to purchase three new brushes. For the most part, mine should have been thrown away long, long ago. They'd been danced to death!

And, I bought myself a couple of spanking new canvases. Lately, I've been painting over old bad paintings.

Now....about the painting that I am sharing with you today.

There was a wonderful time when my husband wasn't a long distance trucker and he was home every weekend. We'd get in the car and just take off. Gas was cheaper then. We wore that car out traveling the back roads of Southeastern Arizona. On one such trip, obviously in Autumn, we came across this beautiful spot.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

22 x 28

I miss those days of wandering the desert with my best traveling companion. The many roads less traveled which we chose provided us with incredibly wonderful memories. And it was during those travels when my husband first began to encourage me to try my hand at painting.

I'll be grateful to him forever for that.

Art School

2011-12-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

"Well Crap!"

That is what I said to a (in my opinion) great artist in an e-mail to him.
I went on thusly:

“You have shown me just how much I do NOT know! That is a good thing, but as I just turned 67 today, it means I’d better paint....and learn....damn fast!

Thank you, for your generous and highly instructive blog. Even though it really makes me realize that I will never, EVER ‘catch up’ to those of you have studied and painted and learned for so many more years than I have.”

His reply to me:

”Thanks:
I guess. You can learn an awful lot about painting still. You can paint till you fall off your perch. Try that with basketball, or even golf. Good luck out there and I am glad I have been useful to you.”

Ever since I found his blog, I have been studiously attempting to apply things I am learning from him. Sometimes, I practice different concepts on the same canvas resulting in some pretty odd...in a completely uninteresting way...results.

In one way, it is quite disheartening to recognize how totally amateurish my paintings are.

In another way, it’s quite heartening to have gained enough knowledge and experience to realize that.

You can’t get better if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong. Right?

So...........

I’ll keep painting....and keep devouring his blog entries in my efforts to improve.

If you are an art appreciator, you might enjoy his blog, too, because he shares a lot of masterful paintings done by his favorite artists...and his own, of course. He shows and tells why those paintings are good and how the artist achieved the result. Great paintings are made by design...not by magic...and I’ve found it very interesting to read the details about the craftsmanship required to make a truly good painting.

And by the way, he’s humorous....sometimes scathingly so...and I enjoy that.

All that being said, know this. You probably won’t be seeing any paintings by me posted for a few days...or maybe a few weeks....or a few months....or maybe never again. (Not likely!)

I’m busy playing art school and am not even trying to make a painting decent enough to show anybody.

You can find his blog here.

http://stapletonkearns.blogspot.com

I am grateful to be learning new things.

WRESTLING ALLIGATORS

2011-11-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

WHEW!!!

I am tired!!!!

I can’t remember when…or if…it’s ever taken me so verylong to finish one tiny painting.

But, finally, Ithink it’s done!

And I’m worn out.

I thought it wasgoing to be an easy painting to do.

Ha!

To begin with, it’s a very special painting of and for avery special person.

You can read all about the trip to the Grand Canyon withgrandson, Michael here.

I didn’t take into account the fact that this isbasically an aerial perspective…not a viewpoint I’m familiar with.

It needs to have an enormous sense of distance.

It must ‘read’ Grand Canyon, in spite of the hazinesswhich calls for very little detail in those far off buttes.

And even though the figure out on that rock is tiny, itneeded to be the very reason for the painting.

Since there really is a very small amount of detail, whatin the heck took me so long, you might ask.

Well….’cause I forgot.

I forgot to keep things simple.

I forgot to remember that I was NOT trying to duplicate areference photo.

I forgot to sneak up on some very subtle value and colorchanges instead of going too far too fast with them.

I forgot to let my left brain lead the way and got waytoo right brained in the process.

By the time I got my head screwed on right again, I’dbeen at it for a very, VERY long time. Once I accomplished that, things sure did go a lot faster!

I am grateful for that!

STANDINGAMAZED

8 X10

NOT WHAT I INTENDED

2011-11-04T06:09:00.000-07:00

Recently, I got permission to paint from a photo posted by a friend on facebook. Yesterday, I decided I was ready to take a break from a large, difficult painting I'm working on and have a go at the wintery night time scene instead.

I got out an 8 x 10 canvas panel on which I'd already begun something long ago. It had an orange and crimson sky. I mixed a dark, velvety, purple-ish blue with which I intended to paint the new sky. Unfortunately, I made my mixture too wet and so the paint wasn't covering the old color well, at all. Being my usual impatient self, I kept trying to put on more paint which just resulted in lifting off the just applied blue paint. Good grief!!! Will I ever learn?

Suddenly, I saw how absolutely gorgeous those oranges and crimsons were peeking through the deep purple sky and I laughed.

And I changed directions. Instead of fighting my paints, I jumped right into the flow and let them take me merrily down the creative stream.

This is the result.

Maybe some day I will learn to use those complimentary colors deliberately in an underpainting 'cause they create something magical.

I'm grateful for the fun I had doing this little painting.

MY BOX OF TOOLS

2011-10-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Before I start painting, I need to make sure all my necessary tools are at hand. I need a canvas, brushes and/or knives, water, a rag, a palate and of course, paint.

Without the proper tools, I wouldn’t get far,would I?

A painting doesn’t just ‘happen’ because I want it to even if I have a clear vision of how I want it to be. And if I wait until something goes wrong in the painting process to acquire a necessary tool....I just might find myself in some deep doo-doo.

Creating a good day requires the proper ‘tools’, too and a good day won’t just ‘happen’ either.

A clear vision of what we want is a good thing, indeed, but all the vision in the world won’t create anything all by itself.

So, it would seem that if I want to create myself a good day, perhaps the first thing I should do....before any other action is taken...(except maybe putting the coffee water on) is to check my tool box and make sure it’s got everything I need to create this good day.

I have learned that THE most necessary tool I have is an attitude of gratitude. Without that, I won’t get very far into making a good day.

I need, also, an expectation of good.

I need an open heart-free of resentment.

I need the ability to calm myself (learned from practicing meditation) whenever life throws a curve my way.

Every persons tool box won’t contain the same tools, but every person needs their own specific ways to ensure they face each day properly prepared.

And checking to make sure all our tools are ready, right at hand, first thing each day, just might eliminate some unwanted piles of deep doo-doo.

And that’s a good thing.

I am grateful for my box of tools.

NESTLED IN

2011-10-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

There's a place called Texas Canyon which I wrote about here. Just as you enter the canyon from the West, a brief glimpse can be had of an old ranch house and some barns. I've always thought I'd love to live there...except that I think all those rock outcroppings are just too attractive to snakes! They look like one gigantic snake condo to me.

But, if I could banish the snakes....ah....I'd be there in a heart beat.

As I was re-doing a painting of an old barn, I kept imagining it being safely nestled in amongst the rocks and the hills...sans creepy crawly critters!

And as I painted, I felt as though I were nestled inside many precious memories I have of Texas Canyon.

I doubt I'll ever do too much more climbing around in those boulders, but I can always go there in my mind.

NESTLED IN
16 X 20

I am so grateful for so many good memories!

And I intend to make more. I hope you do, too.

MELANCHOLY

2011-10-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I did another 'do-over.' The texture and the tones from the previous painting show through here and there giving it some more interest, I think.l

It does have a melancholy look about it. I'm not sure I meant for it to, but, I guess I'm still in a bit of a blue mood after the death of my friend.

It's also possible that it was inspired by my friend announcing that there was new snow on Mt. Hood! Doesn't it seem way to early for snow? Then another friend, from Idaho, made a similar weather observation. It was snowing there, too!

I don't know exactly what inspired this...but for now, I'm enjoying looking at it. And I've given it a name.

I think I'll let it hang around a while. But maybe, one day, it'll get done over, too.

Who knows?

EARLY SNOW

24 x 36

The Journey

2011-10-05T07:30:00.000-07:00

On Monday,my friend died. She had been fightingthe good fight for many months, but now, she can rest easy and fly free.

I will missher, so very much!

I have toldbefore about an on-line book study group that began over eleven years ago. The book was THE ARTIST’S WAY. She and I were both in that group along withmany others. From that very large groupa smaller group was born. Theoriginator called it The Cup of Kindness Café. Our café membership dwindled until eventually there were only eight ofus left as active members. We have beenthrough all the stages of life together now, from the birth of one members’daughter to the death of our dear friend…..and everything in between.

Then,several years ago, I found my way to Oprah’s on-line study of the book, A NEWEARTH, by Eckhart Tolle. Eventually,lots of us made our way onto Facebook where we all still gather together today. We support each other. We tease each other. We cry with each other. Sometimes, we disagree with each other. But always we are aware that we are ‘together’for a reason.

Many of thesepeople, mostly women, have become as dear to me as any friends I’ve ever beenblessed to have. I know you willunderstand that.

Thisinternet thing is such a marvel. Somehow, we can bond so completely that it doesn’t matter one whit thatwe usually never meet in person. Manytimes, we don’t even have a clue what a ‘friend’ looks like. But, our heart knows their heart. Our Spirits know theirs.

I wascontemplating all this in the last week of Darlene’s life…the ways in which weall share each other’s journey. I wasmoved to begin this painting. I don’tknow if it is yet finished. But for now,I am done.

The morningafter she passed, I put a few more touches of light, here and there andwondered if it needs more ‘something.’ Idon’t know what kind of ‘something’ but it seems almost too simple….

But maybe itall really is ‘simple.’

Our journeysare supposed to be taken together with other souls. That’s what makes the journey sweet.

I amgrateful, from the bottom of my heart, for each soul, each beautiful Spirittraveling with me on my journey.

Thank you.

HOW THIS

2011-09-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

Became this.........

As I've previously mentioned, I have been sorting through some old paintings and found them less than stellar,to say the least. So, I'm painting over them.

I think that most artists who do this first give the old painting a good coat of Gesso before they start a new effort. I don't. Because............

a. I'm lazy.

b. I'm out of Gesso

and.....more importantly

c. I really like what often happens when the old painting shines through in some places.

Like so.........

Using the colors I already had out on my palette, I just started slapping paint around with my biggest brush.

Slap. Slap. Slap.

But, see that one bright spot in what is turning into a sky?

See those mountains that seem to be forming on the right?

See that tree which seems to want to live in the left foreground?

I thought you did.

I did, too.

And after a little more paint slapping....it turned into this.

RIVER OF GOLD

24 X 36

I'm not sure I'll even buy any more Gesso.

I am grateful for these happy surprises!

This painting is available for purchase through my website.

www.skayart.com

BLESSED RAIN

2011-09-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

After a long, very dry summer, we finally got rain....buckets and buckets of rain!

After the first good one, I drove to our usually bone dry Rillito River to see what I could see.

And then, of course, I had to paint what I had seen. So, I did this little study on a canvas panel.

RILLITO FILLING
9 X 12 ON CANVAS PANEL

I have to be honest. The water really didn't look like that. It looked like this.

But who would want a painting of such a muddy mess?

People around here don't care if the water is muddy though. They are just happy to see water running in our rivers. Muddy or not, it's still a grand opportunity for boys...big and small....to practice their rock skipping skills.

That little study I did told me it wanted to be bigger. So, I did another take on the river scene.

MONSOON SHADOWS
16 X 20 ON CANVAS

I've been re-working some old canvases that I'd done bad paintings on. This one had been a poor attempt at capturing all the luscious green grass in nearby ranch country after last year's good rains. Green is hard, as any landscape painter will testify. I think I made it better.

TALL GRASS TIME

18 X 24 GALLERY WRAP CANVAS

I'll get these added to my website soon....and then.....I get to paint some more!

my website

Have I ever mentioned that I'm grateful for the joy of painting?

Oh...and I am also very,very grateful for all that blessed rain!

My love poem to rain.

Palo Verde and Ocotillo

Oleander and Bougainvillea

Writhe in ecstatic love dancewith the wind.

Semi-sheltered ‘neath the corrugatedtin roof of my patio

Watching rain pour off likestrands of liquid silver

Face kissed by windblown mist

Outstretched feet bathed inliquid love.

2011-09-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

When I first began painting, all I wanted to do waslandscapes of my Sonoran Desert and the surrounding mountains. I was…and still am….so enthralled by thespecial beauty of this desert…

the colors, sometimes subtle, sometimes surreal

the shapes…soft and feathery…. hard and jagged….

It was all those paintings which made me truly at homeand comfortable with paints and brushes.

I still love to do landscapes, although I have seen areal change in my approach to them. Now,I’m more after the ‘feel’ of the place than a true representation of it.

And, I have become much more interested in trying toeither tell a story with my painting…or invite the viewer to create their ownfrom it.

That has led to new subject matter. I’m doing lots more still-lifes, especiallythose featuring old things…things which prompt long-forgotten memories…or everpresent ones…

.things which have meaning for me....things which I haveloved for many years…..

….things which I never used in my life-time, but I canimagine my mother or my grandmother utilizing in their daily life.

Connections to the past enrich and shape our ‘present’,don’t they?

Painting, for all these years, has led to fun andfrustration.

… sadness and celebration….

But always, ALWAYS a source of great and abiding joy!

It is a gift for which I am truly and deeply grateful!

A FRESH START

2011-09-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

CORN MOTHER

I’m so excited! The‘new and improved’ SKay Art website is almost completed!

I am so grateful formy good sister/friend Tammy from

http://www.designerandhosting.com/portfolio.html

whocreated it for me. Thanks, Tammy!

I’m going to make a real effort to keep both the websiteand SKaySpeak updated on a regular basis now. And one more cool thing….I’m creating a Facebook page for SKay Art whichwill be public. That means, anyone cansee it, not just my Facebook friends. I’ll be counting on all you wonderful people to share the page with yourfriends….and hopefully; they’ll share with their friends, too. I'll let you know, via facebook, when it's up and running.

I know I don’t even have to ask all of you to wish meluck. I know each of you already doesthat all the time.

I’m grateful for all of you and for our ability toconnect through the internet.

Love you all!

SMALL THINGS

2011-06-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Summertime is here, for sure.
It's hot.

Standing to paint seems to requre entirely too much physical exertion...especially as I stand directly beneath a heat-producing light to do so. Ugh.

Sitting to paint is the solution. I don't ordinarily like to do that because it seems to restrict my imagination along with my ability to move back and forth....as I do when my brush and I dance.

Nevertheless, I must paint, so I've been working on some small things.

I mean really small.

Recently, as I was searching my favorite thrift store for good frames, I found a tiny red one. It is only two inches square!

I used to do landscapes on two inch ceramic tiles, so I figured I could handle surely handle this tiny format.

I used to have better eyes than I have now.

I didn't used to have to use reading glasses to magnify my work.

Ha!

Here's what my brush and my glasses helped me concoct for this cute little frame.

I did two more paintings, somewhat on the small side. These are 5" by 7". They seemed downright big after the teeny-tiny one!

"DAYS GONE BY"

"FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS"

Maybe sitting to paint will be my modus operandi until it cools off a little.

That'll be next October.

Maybe.

If we're lucky.

Meanwhile, we've started praying for a good monsoon season this year.

Bring on the rain!!!!!!!!!!

I am grateful for small things.

MY FAVORITE DANCING PARTNER

2011-05-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

I feel as though I should mark this date on my calendar.

My favorite dancing partner just died.

However, before you get too sad, I guess I should tell you that my favorite dancing partner is a paint brush!

Many of you know that I was dubbed 'Dances with a Brush' by a wonderful friend, Louise, who is now roaming the Universe in spirit form.

Back when I first started on my artistic adventure, I did a lot....A LOT...of paintings on things like tiles and clay pots and old wooden cabinet doors. My husband used to say that if it didn't move in 5 minutes, I'd paint it. And he was pretty much right. Nothing was safe from me and my bestest brush!

That brush has been used and abused. I've left it sitting in water for too long. I've used it to apply lots of things, besides paint, that I probably shouldn't have.

This morning, after probably a good 15 years of faithful service, he gave up the ghost. And, truly, I am feeling a bit weepy.

OK...I admit it. There's actual tears.

There's no way I can just toss him in the trash. I'm even thinking of putting him in a shadow box frame and keeping him with me always, as I continue along without his help.

I will miss his smooth moves, his grace, his confidence and his maneuverability.

R.I.P., dear Brush!

I am grateful for all the lovely dances we shared.

BONEY FINGERS

2011-05-20T06:28:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago, I ‘discovered’ an antique store in my neighborhood. It hasn’t been there too long and that particular block isn’t on my usual route to and from my house. Still, I was rather surprised that I had been unaware of its presence.

My first visit, I found a wooden sign which says ‘ANTIQUES.’ I didn’t buy it that day, but decided to go back after it several days later.

That sign inspired several paintings-this one in particular.

The day I got it, the store’s owner, Sarah, was there and naturally, we struck up a conversation.

One thing led to another and I wound up showing her my blog on her computer. When she saw my paintings, she asked if I would be interested in bringing in some paintings to sell on consignment.

Would I?

Do frogs hop?

That night, instead of sleeping, I was contemplating which of my paintings I would take. Nothing seemed appropriate. That store is huge! Everything I considered seemed way too small for that setting. Finally, I remembered my monster canvas….4 feet by 5 ½ feet big!

The size seemed perfect. But the painting I had done on it didn’t. I was never really satisfied with it. In a flash, an idea came to me and I mulled it over in my mind until I finally gave up, got out of bed, went into the studio and did a quick painted ‘sketch’ of my idea.

Next morning I went at it.
This is the painting.

I took it in. Sarah loves it. We put a pretty darned high price tag on it.

It IS big, you know!

Even before I took the painting, she and I had begun discussing an idea for using a separate large room in her store as an art gallery.

Later, toward fall, (business in summertime in Tucson pretty much dies), we will invite other artists to show their work there. We want it to be for artists, like me, who have never had any gallery exposure. We want it to be a completely unintimidating process…and very affordable…for people who work really hard at their craft but just haven’t made ‘gallery’ status yet or can’t afford the wall space rent most galleries charge.

Until that time, I am going to have what is in effect, a one-woman show of my paintings.

I am over the moon!

It has been my heart’s longing for a long time to stand in a room and see many of my paintings, nicely framed and displayed.

Besides, I am running out of room in my studio to store my ever-growing stash of finished canvases! You know, if you know me at all, that I am nothing if not prolific!

So……..

I have been working my fingers to the bone preparing all these paintings to be shown. First, I had to choose which ones I would be proud to show. Lots of them did NOT make the cut!

Then, each one has to be prepared for hanging…frames, hanging wires, mats and glass…. An inventory spread sheet is needed. Information cards for titles, price, size, etc., must be made for each painting. There’s lots and lots of work to do!

There is more to tell, but my boney fingers are tired of typing and they must be saved for this days’ work.

I am so very, very GRATEFUL for this turn of events. And I am so very, very GRATEFUL to each of you who has encouraged and supported my artistic endeavors…some of you for many years now.

From the bottom of my heart, I give you thanks!

FLORAL #4

2011-04-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is my least favorite of the 4 knife florals I've done so far. But, it is what it is.

1. I don't like the color of the background.
2. I don't like the color of the surface.
3. Or maybe I just don't like the two of them together.
4. I don't like the leaves...any of them!

Leaves and stems are the hardest parts of these paintings for me. I have never been able to paint believable leaves with a brush, either. Maybe after 6 more tries, I can get them closer to right. If anybody reading this has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Now....on to #5 which has a distinct flavor of Mejico! Ole!

I am grateful for all my gorgeous, luscious tubes of paint!

THICK PAINT

2011-04-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm working on my floral #4 this morning, but I have the paint so thick that even my acrylics are taking some time to dry. So, I put my new try at a landscape back on my easel to attempt to correct some of what was very wrong with it.

It still isn't good. But I don't know what else to do to fix it, so I'm going to show it to you, anyway.

This is another good example of how NOT to do a painting! I should have...should have...SHOULD HAVE done a more complete sketch before I began applying all this paint! I have wound up with 'book-ends.' See those two trees...one on the left and one on the right.

Same shape.
Same size.
Same colors.
Same values.

BAD! BAD!! BAD!!!

Do NOT do this anymore, Sharon!

I do hope I listen to that admonition.

Here it is, such as it is.

I like my water, though. :)

I am grateful for your interest in my painting adventures. Thank you.

THIRD TRY

2011-04-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

I'm still lovin' this whole knife painting thing! The only downside is that you go through an enormous amount of paint in the process.

But, as I have, with great intelligience and foresight, signed up for a Michael's reward card, I get fabuloso coupons by e-mail. If you don't have one yet, get thee to your nearest Michael's store and do something about that! ;)

Or, you can probably sign up on line. Here's their website.

http://www.michaels.com/

I had gone through a big tube of white paint in a week (ohmygawd!) and so I had to get some more if I wanted to paint anything else. Guess what? I had a 40% off coupon for ALL paint!!! So, I pigged out! Why wouldn't I? This time, I got two tubes of white and lots of other luscious colors!

I have begun another landscape but I'm not ready to show that to you just yet. And when I felt I needed to set that one aside for a bit, of course, I started another painting...another floral. This one has a whole different look than those first two and I did it on a larger canvas.

One of my good artist friends has taught me that if I want to get a grasp on something new, I will have to repeat the process at least 10 times. That means after 7 more floral paintings, done with a knife, I will only just begin to 'get' it. In the meantime, I will do the best I can on each piece and unless it's truly horrendously awful and embarrassing, I'll share it with you.

I am delighted that I found the 'noive' to attempt these and if you are a painter and have any inclination at all, I want to encourage you to try it, too. It's another tool for your painter's toolbox...and we all need all the good tools we can get, don't we?

I have often thought my paintings woud be much improved by the addition of more texture, but I didn't quite know how to achieve that. After this experiment, I won't have that issue any more. So, I'm believing that my 'regular' paintings, done with a brush, will be better because of this.

I hope so, anyway.

I'm calling this 16 x 20 painting SUNFLOWERS AND DAISIES.

I am grateful to be able to share my excitement with you all and I hope that I encourage you to find something creatively exciting to do in your own life!

MANY THINGS WRONG

2011-04-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

Having so many things wrong in this painting has given me a great opportunity to learn. After all, if by some magic, I could suddenly do anything I wanted with no struggle, there would be no growth, would there? So, I am grateful for the many things wrong with this painting because each of them is helping me learn and grow and expand as an artist.

Painting with a knife..how can I describe it? For me, it's a lot like trying to dig a hole with a stick instead of a spade. It can be highly frustrating! And it's hard to actually get the dirt out of the hole. Just so, it seems that the application of one knife-full of paint just manages to completely cover up a previous effort. Two steps forward and one step back.

So why am I doing this? Because I love the expressive look of so many knife paintings I have seen. I love the thick, impasto texture of it. I love the way the paint seems to dance on the surface of the canvas...instead of just lounging on it. LOL

I have done knife paintings in the past. Like this one.

....and this one

But I have never before tried to do anything as detailed as the florals I posted yesterday or this landscape that I'm working on now.

My guess is that my fascination with this type of painting is going to continue for a long while.

So, now, I think I'll call myself 'Playing With Knives" instead of "Dances With a Brush."

I think Louise would say I can have both names...and she'd be a'smilin!

I know that not everyone will understand that last sentence, but many of my friends surely will. And they'll be a'smilin', too.

I nearly forgot to show you my 'many things wrong' painting.

Here ya go!

I am grateful for all my mistakes. Each one is a life lesson.

WHAT'S NEW?

2011-04-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

Well, lots!

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted a new blog entry.

Why is that?

I've been busy....busy painting, mostly.

Also, I've had cataract surgery which kept me from painting for about 18 and 1/2 hours, but that's all.

Spring arrived in Tucson, so I've done some yard work.

Between hubby and me, there's been an unusual number of doctor's appointments...don't like those. :(

Taxes had to get done.

Stuff. I don't remember everything...just 'stuff.'

But, mostly, I've been 'cloistered' in my studio...just me and my paints.

A couple of days ago, I got inspired by an incredible artist to have another go at painting with a knife. So, yesterday and today, that's all I've done.

I will share the link to her site and I really hope you all go have a look at her incredible work!

http://dreamatolleperry.com/

In my dreams, I could paint like she does. But, I probably should just stick to painting like I do...even if I am trying out something new.

So, here's what I came up with.

The first one, I am calling Roses and Daisies. It's on a 9 x 11 canvas....done almost ecxlusively with a knife. Sometimes, I just had to dance with my brush. That's a partner I'm used to.

I enjoyed doing that one so much, I had to give it another try. This one is also an 11" x 14" canvas and, as yet, has no name.

I might need to do a tad more work on this one, but, it's pretty close to finished, I think.

As always, I am so grateful for the gift of painting. It has enriched my life beyond belief!

HOW THIS.....

2011-02-23T06:17:00.000-07:00

....became this.

I had been doing a lot of paintings with specific visions in mind from the beginning.

That's a good thing to do, but sometimes I just need to let the colors and the brushes 'lead' me to a vision.

So, after days of using the same colors to create similar paintings, I got out a blank canvas and squirted paint directly onto the surface.

Then, I chose another color and dibbed it and dabbed it here and there.....

I smeared and smudged and schmooshed!

I squirted water on the whole thing and let runs happen.

I turned it this way and that way until.....

....I saw the ghost of that palm tree.....and

That was That!

"PALM TREE LAGOON"

16 X 20

I am grateful to be able to play with my paints....just like a child!

A DAY OF BLESSINGS

2011-01-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

I had some errands to run today. I needed to take my comforter to a Laundromat. I needed to get a haircut. I needed to try to find a pair of jeans that fit my ever enlarging belly.

But first, I had to go to the memorial outside Gabrielle Giffords’ office again.

I was just there, day before yesterday, but that didn’t seem to be enough. I needed more. More of what, I wasn’t quite sure.

But more of something.

It was immediately apparent that the mass of flowers and candles and posters and cards and teddy bears had grown substantially in the two days since my last visit. There were, perhaps, a dozen people there at the time.

I was taking in all the new additions to the memorial, when suddenly, a nearby woman looked straight at me, indicated the woman standing next to her and exclaimed, “This is Gabby’s mother!”

A lovely, diminutive, gray haired woman smiled broadly at me and affirmed, “Yes! I am Gabby’s mom!”

Her smile, nearly bigger than she is, loudly and proudly proclaimed her joy in that fact!

I stood there, for a split second, wondering what on earth I might find to say to this woman who is going through something I cannot even begin to fathom.

And then, I burst into tears.

I was immediately enveloped in a hug that seemed way too big to come from that little body. She hugged me and hugged me and patted my back and murmured soft words of comfort to ME!

I should have been comforting her but it was the other way around.

She insisted that Gabby’s family doesn’t want us to feel sorrow for them. They want us to feel no anger. Instead, they want us to rejoice and be grateful and happy and spread peace.

Before I left the house this morning, I chose a photograph of a collage I made and usually present as a card. This time, I just used the picture itself. The collage is bright and happy colors and has the words LOVE, PEACE and JOY on it.

When I showed her what I had brought, Gabby’s mom’s smile got even brighter. We visited for a few more minutes before that gracious lady left.

I felt as though I had been touched by an angel.

It’s possible that I was.

There’s more to this story, although, none of it better than those few moments I spent with Gabby’s mom.

I had noticed a young woman talking with people and writing in a notebook. I figured she was either a local reporter or a college student working on notes for a paper. Turns out, Ashley Powers is a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

She interviewed me for a good while and though I doubt she got much worth using in a story, it was interesting to be pushed to answer questions fully. She wasn’t satisfied with my initial, off-hand responses to her questions. She kept following up until I got to the bottom line of what I was really feeling and thinking..

It was a good experience for me to get the answers to some of those questions, which I otherwise might never have asked of myself. She’s good!

Eventually, I returned to my car and my list of errands.

A favorite thrift store is in the same shopping center as my hairdresser. So, I went in to see what treasures I might find, especially looking for some larger, more comfy jeans!

I must digress here for a moment.

My beloved Lazy Boy recliner should have, long ago, been relegated to either a dump or a squatter’s camp! Replacing it has not been high on my list of ‘possibles.’ Firstly, a new one is not in the budget! Secondly, I want the same color as my old one. That color is no longer in ‘vogue’ so I didn’t think my chances of finding one I liked as well were very good.

Are you ahead of me yet? I bet you are.

Yep! A Lazy Boy recliner, which looks brand new and is the exact same color and smaller, ladies’ size as my old one, is now gracing my living room! The price? $29.00!!!!

I was so excited I almost forgot to look for jeans. However, I found three pair that looked like they might work. Hoping at least one pair would fit, I tried them on and each and every pair was just right!

The purchase of all those items set me back a huge $34.53! I am NOT lying to you! On top of already ridiculously low prices, today was Senior Discount Day!!!

I got my haircut. I got my comforter washed.

I got a lottery ticket!

I figure today is, most assuredly, my day for special blessings!

Am I gratful?

You bet!

And I'm hoping each of you have a day of special blessings, just when you need it the most.

IT'S A WOMAN'S PEROGATIVE.....

2010-11-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

....to change her mind.

Especially when she sees that a good idea is quickly going bad.

I know winter has hit lots of the country already, but I'm just not ready for even thinking about it. I want Autumn to last a little longer. So, I figured I'd just create me some on a canvas.

Last year, when I did the fall art fair at Holy Trinity Monastery, I took lots of pictures of the gloriously golden trees on the grounds there. I chose one of them to use as my reference. I really wanted to paint this gigantic cottonwood soaring high above the little adobe cottage.

I had no intention of doing an exact copy of the photo....just wanted to capture that huge tree and the little cottage. I thought I wanted the tree behind the house. I thought wrong. No matter what I did, that tree just looked wrong in relation to the size of the cottage...and everything else!

I'm not going to show you all the changes I made in an attempt to make it look right....to capture the 'it' that I was after.
I didn't capture 'it.'

'It' got clean away!

I finally gave up.
I changed my mind.
And, I changed the painting....completely.

SAN PEDRO AUTUMN

16 X 20

Just in case you aren't ready for winter either, here's one more autumn painting for ya.

AUTUMN WALK

11 X 14

A woman can change her mind....and she can dream, too.

I am grateful for every warm and sunny day....even if it's only in my imagination.

SNOW REMEMBERED

2010-11-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

A friend recently e-mailed about the new snow which had just fallen on her mountains. Hers are the Cascades and the Siskiyous. She lives, of course, in the beautiful state of Oregon. And her mountains are uniquely breathtaking. But, then, so are the ranges near where I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I loved snow....back then. I still do, but I prefer to see it from a far distance....or even just in a photo.

Later that day, I pulled out a new canvas with no clue what I was going to paint on it. As I often do, I asked my paints........

"Who wants to come out and play?"

Alizaron Crimson was the first to put up her hand.

As you can see, 'something' tall wanted to live on the right side of this canvas. But what?

I asked for the next volunteer and ultramarine blue responded and suddenly, I knew what wanted to become a painting. I was remembering snow.....but seeing it from a comfortable distance.

Greens came out next and together, we made a spot, which still feels warm, from which to get a perfect view of those cold, cold mountain tops.

This is:

SNOW REMEMBERED

22 X 28

I am so grateful that I don't have to deal with snow and ice covered roads where I live.

I am so grateful that I can create snow where I want it....in a painting.

I am so grateful, already, for the good food we will have tomorrow.

I am so grateful for PEACE, JOY and LOVE in my life.

I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends which the internet has allowed me to know....

One of whom, inspired this painting.

ALMOST HOME

14 x 18

Where ever you are this Thanksgiving, I hope your heart feels at home.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

HOW TO BE GRATEFUL WHEN LIFE SUCKS.

2010-11-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

We've all been there, down in that dark valley where it seems that everything about life just sucks.....

when all we seem to be able to think about or talk about is our troubles, trials and tribulations.....

....when all we want to do is hide....and cry..........

We can choose to stay in that dark valley......

or we can decide to climb out of it, into the light.

Here's how.

Finish this sentence.

I am grateful for ________________.

Repeat.

Repeat.

Repeat.

And repeat some more....on a daily basis.

If you can't find something to be grateful for, let me make some suggestions.

You are breathing.

The earth is still spinning on its' axis.

The sun is still shining...whether or not you can see its' light at the moment.

You can taste your morning coffee and it is good.

You have food to eat and the ability to chew and swallow it.

You have a bed to sleep in at night.

Get the idea?

The truth is that even if it is only such simple things as these that you manage to be grateful for, IF you will write the words....begin with five times.....every day.....the strangest and most glorious thing happens. You will begin, very soon, to find even more things to be grateful for. Do this, faithfully, for a month or two and it will become a habit. Continue doing it and one day you will realize that your life has changed. You have come up out of that dark valley and you are standly firmly in the light!

I began this practice a couple of years ago. Since then, I've had some times which would have, in the past, put me fully into that 'life sucks' mode. Once in a while, I almost go there again....but my gratitude muscle is so strong now that I don't have to think about it....I just use it. It's almost as automatic as taking my next breath.

It was my experience which led me to write that little bit which appears ALWAYS on the home page of this blog. If I could give but one gift to anyone it would be that they learn to BE GRATEFUL!

I double dog dare you to try it!

You WILL be blessed.

MI NUEVO AMIGA

2010-11-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have no idea if that is the correct way to say that sentence. I hope it means, "My new friend."

*************************

Several weeks ago, my long-time friend, Lori and I were in a Michael's store which is many miles from the one I usually frequent here in Tucson. We happened to be nearby on another errand and I needed some paint so it seemed like a good idea to just stop by that location.

As we were leaving, I noticed a large display of baskets. In one of the baskets was a book which caught my eye. What I paid no attention to was a lady kneeling on the floor beside the display. It did not, for a moment, occur to me that the book couldn't possibly have been part of the display. As if directed by a source outside myself, I reached for the book. I picked it up. I saw the title. I saw the cover illustration. I flipped it open. I fell in love. I said something clever like, "This is wonderful."

The kneeling lady said, "Thank you. I wrote it."

Can I just say we talked? And talked. And talked. And talked some more.

We exchanged e-mail addresses and website addresses and promised to get together soon.

"Soon" finally came.

May I present mi nuevo amiga, Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford.

That name is a mouthful, isn't it?

It should be. She is the child of Eastern European Jews who immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Nogales, Arizona...of all places. She was raised with all the influences of a Jewish Nana...and Mexican housekeeper/Nanny, too. She learned to talk in both English and Spanish. Eventually, she married a man of Mexican descent. A Jewish/Mexican/American...at least by heart and soul, if not by blood.

She will henceforth be referred to simply as Roni. (Like Ronnie)

Roni and I got together this afternoon, finally, and had a royal gab-fest! We talked, as fast as we could, for a measly hour and a half. It could have gone on much, MUCH longer...but both of us had other things to do.

I want you to go to her web-site and read all about her and her delightful bi-lingual children's books. Would you, please?

http://www.butterflyheartbooks.com/

Just in case you don't read every word on her site, I have to tell you this.

She had given a reading and talk to a fourth grade class. Of course, they wrote thank you letters to her which she has posted on her site. One of the letters had this question for her.

"How many books do you think you will write before you perish?"

Perish!!!!

That, from a 4th grader! Cracked me up!

A postscript presented one more question...."How old are you?

Kids do, indeed, say the darndest things!

I do believe I will have more to say about Roni and her books in the future. But for now, I just wanted to introduce my newest friend to some of my older friends.

Not that kind of older, ok?

Get over it!

Let's be grateful for how old we've gotten to be.

Think of the alternative!

PLAYING CATCH UP

2010-11-17T08:02:00.000-07:00

Considering the fact that I usually do two or three paintings each week, you can imagine that I have lots and LOTS of showing and telling to catch up on.

Which I will proceed to do, forthwith!

I am no longer going to ask myself 'What am I going to write about?" because I have decided that I am going to write about my painting...unabashedly and unashamedly. If I want to write about something else, I will, but be forewarned that this blog will definitely concentrate on my adventures in the joyful, painful, exciting, frustrating world of painting.

That said............

Nearly ever since I moved to Tucson, over 20 years ago, I have passed by a seasonal business. Every fall, at the same location, up would go a huge tent structure which would soon be filled with all the colorful produce of fall...especially pumpkins! I never stopped....until this year.

This is Brian and Kelly at their Pumpkin & Tree Patch
(On Broadway between Swan and Rosemont in Tucson, Arizona!)

Aren't they cute?

I took a gazillion pictures of this bright and happy place!

And then, I went home and started painting.

First I did this.............

And I took it to Brian and Kelly and gave it to them.

They gave me some apples and some chiles and some pears.......THOSE WERE THE BEST PEARS I EVER ATE IN MY WHOLE LIFE!!!!!!!

Yes, I meant to yell!

Of course, I was inspired to paint.
This one features my vintage, spatterware berry pail.

This one shows off hubby's vintage blue Ball canning jars.

And this one is a display of chile ristras on a gnarly tree branch. Brian and Kelly are so creative with their displays. It's like one gigantic work of art!

I have an old Mexican clay basket which I used in this painting of chiles. I have recently started using these square canvases. They just seem to 'work' perfectly for some compostions.

More apples found their way into this painting that I call 'Mama's Kitchen.' I have rolled out many a pie crust with that rolling pin. The recipe box was my Mom's. The yellow tile backsplash is imprinted on my memory...but I can't for the life of me figure out why. I don't really remember growing up in such a kitchen...but still....it FEELS like a 'mama's kitchen' doesn't it?

I got in the mood to make spaghetti...........

I tried my hand at some peaches in a blue dish.

And then, I was tired of painting food.

I never painted the pears 'cause...........well, I ate 'em!

I will forever be grateful for the memory of the taste of those pears. Sigh.

Soon, Brian & Kelly's Pumpkin & Tree Patch will be filled with the scent of freshly cut trees for the Christmas season. I wonder what I'll be inspired to paint then?

IT'S BEEN TWO MONTHS!

2010-11-15T08:26:00.001-07:00

It's been two whole months since I posted my last blog entry. I can't believe that! But, it's true.

I am going to try to be more diligent about keeping my blog current. But I doubt I will go back to daily entries. That turned into a job...and I'm retired....don't want no stinkin' job! LOL

I have realized though that I miss these 'visits' with my friends, so I'm going to try to get back on track.

What have I been doing?

No surprises here. I've been painting.

And here's the proof!

That blob is my waste paint. I've been collecting it in an ice cream container for about the last 4 months. I do this so I can properly dispose of it...eventually. Someone, however, suggested a call it a paper weight and try to sell it.

Somehow, I don't think anyone would shell out any cash for this. Besides, it's not really very heavy because there's lots of air space in it, so it wouldn't make much of a paperweight. I do find it interesting...and, for some reason, a little comical looking.

It has taken a whole lot of paintings to produce this much leftover paint.

I will try to show you what I've done since our last visit here on these pages.

I spent some time trying to learn to do portraits. That was great fun but probably the most difficult paintings I've ever attempted.

This is the way-too-cute son of one of my family members.

And this is the gorgeous daughter of a very dear friend of mine.

I've also done portraits of a couple of beautiful women.

This is my cousin.

And this is a very special internet friend.

Naturally, I'm still doing my favorite thing to paint....landscapes of this beautiful desert along with some 'different for me' still-lifes.

Maybe I'll show you those next time.

I know many of you have already seen these as I've posted them on my facebook page, so this hasn't been much of anything new. Sorry about that.

I'll try to do better next time. ;)

I remain eternally grateful for the wondrous joy that painting has brought into my life!

2010-09-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have not blogged in so long that there is way too much to try to catch up on.

First....my friend, Louise, who sometimes commented here, passed into her next Great Adventure not too long ago. But before she left us, she blessed me in a mighty way...and continues to do so.

On Monday, July 26th, 2010, she wrote this in my comments:

"This is the dawning of your life..You're ready to start the heart & soul mosaic of "Dances with Brush".... I hear Pianos, guitars,castinets....they're playing your song..its the never-ending story of the brush that could bring so much joy ."

'...ready to start the heart & soul mosaic....'

When I read those words, they indeed felt like a blessing and somehow, I recognized that she spoke a truth.

A few weeks later, her many facebook friends gathered in our special cyber-space around her and her family and held vigil for her as she passed.

During the several days this took, I joyfully...and often tearfully....worked on a special painting. One that I hoped she could feel in her soul as she made her transition. I certainly felt her Spirit with me as I painted. I kept hearing her repeat my own words back to me, which I had written in my blog of August 27, 2010....TAKE MORE CHANCES!!!!.....I did and this is the result.

ASCENSION

36 X 48

Still, I knew that I wasn't going the distance. I knew I was holding back.....staying safe.

Fast forward to yesterday.

But first, I have to lay some groundwork.

A week or so ago, I happened to catch a PBS program about painters of New Mexico. One of them was of special interest to me. I was in awe of her freedom of expression! She literally dances with her brush and canvas...only she doesn't use a brush...she uses knives and trowels! I mean the kind of trowels used by plasterers!

So....yesterday, I took myself to a high-end gallery here in Tucson. I haven't been there in over ten years. Guess who's paintings were being shown????

If you guessed the lady from the PBS program, you're a winner!

Often, I come home from visiting art galleries wondering why I don't just give all my art supplies to someone more worthy of using them. LOL Yesterday, I came home inspired by that one artist, to actually paint like no one would ever see it and to TAKE MORE CHANCES.

I have occasionally painted with a palette knife....but almost always with fear and trepidation. Yesterday, I threw all caution to the four winds and let my soul soar!

As I danced with my canvas and knife, I could almost hear Louise laughing with joy and cheering me on.

When I was finished...which didn't take very long.....I felt like I'd just been set free. And I felt full of joy! I loved the painting!

FREEDOM

24 X 36

I wondered, as I went to sleep last night, if I could possibly repeat that same freedom of expression again.

So, first thing this morning, I tried again.

FREEDOM #2

16 X 20

What you can't see in these photos is the very thick, textured paint which seems to just breathe life into them!

I am smiling in my soul.

I am grateful beyond belief.

Guess the name of the painter lady whose work inspired me?

It's Louisa.

Do you find that interesting?

I do.

Here's a link so you can see Louisa's work.

http://www.marksublettemodern.com/content/McElwainbiography.lasso

http://skayspeak.blogspot.com/

AND THEN...........

2010-08-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

And then, I got to thinking some more.

"What if", I asked myself, "no one ever saw your paintings except you? Would you keep painting?"

Without a second's hesitation, I answered myself.

"Absolutely!"

So, I guess that pretty well settles everything. Regardless of whether I ever got another compliment...or ever had another painting sell....the only thing that would change is that I would have to figure out some place to put this ever-growing stack of paintings.

As often happens, that question led to another one.

"Self, if no one would ever see your paintings, would you paint differently? Would you paint the same subjects you do right now? Would you care if they turned out good? And who's definition of 'good' would you use to make that judgement?"

We'll get to the ansers to those questions in a minute.

But first...........l am having the idea of doing some word changes here. Let's look at these questions a little differently.

What if these were my questions?

"Self, if no one would ever see your life, would you live it differently? Would you do the same things you do right now? Would you care if it turned out good? And who's definition of 'good' would you use to make that judgement?"

Ah....Art as Life. Life as Art.

I'll have to spend some more time thinking about that little turn-around I just made.

Right now, it's back to the easy stuff.

I think, the only changes I would make regarding my painting is that I'd take more chances. I'd be willing to make more 'mistakes' in order to learn more. 'Cause it's in the correcting that I learn to do it 'right' the first time. And by 'right', I mean carrying out my vision...my intent. Also, occasionally, taking a chance leads to something splendiforously wonderful!

And, conversely, I think that sometimes I would spend more time developing a vision-allowing my intent to become more clear in my mind BEFORE I put paint on the canvas. Then, everything would be all about the process...the actual 'being' IN the 'doing'- moment, by moment.

I might have just answered some of those 'life' questions, too.

Ya think?

So, here's what I'm taking a chance on today. This is an un-named, unfinished 18 x 24 painting.

And it's calling my name.

I am grateful that now I get to go dance with my brush!

WHY DO I PAINT?

2010-08-26T07:35:00.000-07:00

This morning, I was checking out another blog by yet another fabulous artist. I'm sure I could, literally, spend days looking at one blog after another-all by artists better than me by a long shot!

Every one of those artists....and lots of the other gazillion good artists who are NOT blogging....are reaching for a sliver of art market pie. A very few actually snag a piece of said pie....and often, it is a very tiny sliver....hardly worth the effort, it would seem.

So.........the question is this:

Why do I paint when there are so many other paint pushers who are equal to-or way better than-me?

The quick, easy answer is, "Because I have to." I can no more imagine my life without painting that I can imagine surviving without my very breath.

There's lots more I could add to that. Lots of very deep psychological and spiritual influences fuel this fire in me to push paint around on a canvas.

But what I am writing about this morning is more about this question.
"Why are you, too, reaching for a slice of art market pie?

That one has a quick, easy answer, too.

"I have to sell in order to be able to buy more art supplies."

There might be some more reasons........

It could be that my depression-era parents drilled into me that it is not ok to spend so much time and money on any endeavor which doesn't have a financial return.

It could be that I need the validation from others that my art is, at least, acceptable. And that validation is provided by them handing over cold, hard cash for one of my paintings.

It could even be that something in my soul is satisfied when one of my paintings touches another so much that they just have to have it!

I know I love the compliments I often get when I show people my work. I do. I have to admit that. I also must admit that there is a little voice in my head that says, 'They're just being nice.'

But when they actually buy something....then, I believe them.

Oh...and it has to be a perfect stranger for me to get that validation I crave. When a friend pays me for my art, that little voice pipes up and says 'They wouldn't buy it if they weren't your friend.'

Deep in my heart, I feel that I should give my paintings to any friend or family member who wants it.

Oh, I'd love that!

How fun it would be to give my loved ones first pick and then just set up on the side of the road somewhere and give my stuff away to whoever wanted it! Or post it on-line with a first come-first serve give-away!

This little girl who resides inside this 65 year old body would like that. Very much!!!

SELF-PORTRAIT

8 X 10

So....I'm not sure I'm any closer to THE answer to my second question...or even if there is a 'THE ANSWER' to that question.

The only question I can answer, for sure, about this painting thing is:

"What are you going to do today?"

No matter what day it is, the answer is the same.

"I'm going to paint."

RILLITO RUNNING

18 X 24

And for that, I'm grateful!

P.S.
I'm not positive this is going to work....but here is the link to my newest painting on Kodak. Many of you have already seen these, but I did add three more this morning...just in case you want to have another peek.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?facebook=true&sourceId=984136008703

Most of these were done in the last couple of months....and even more that I don't have on here. I've been busy painting...and not blogging! ;)

A GOOD DAY

2010-07-26T06:11:00.000-07:00

It's a good day today....a glorious day, as a matter of fact!

I'm writing this on Sunday.

The neighborhood is blessedly quiet.

The temperature is quite comfortable.

The clouds are keeping the hot sun at bay.

There's a gentle, cooling breeze.

I have been in my studio all morning with the doors wide open.

Lovely!

And.............

It's a good day because I've had a couple of days of productive painting.

And one magical experience when the canvas seemed to bloom into a painting, right before my eyes!

I nearly cried in joy and gratitude.

It is for those moments I paint. It's as if the heavens open up and shower artistic blessings on me...in abundance!

....and the angels sing..........

I went to Brandon's new studio-apartment one day last week. The building is so happy looking, I just had to paint it.

Here it is.

#103

11 x 14 on canvas

I love the brightly colored buildings in Tucson. Isn't that chartreuse fabulous?

When I had finished that painting, I was left with remnants of chartreuse, blue, black and white paint on my palette. So, I thought I'd play with making some desert greys...and also to try to make a painting 'be' something recognizable with little, or no, details.

I put spots and splotches and streaks of paint on this little 5 x 7 masonite panel and I quite like how it turned out.

After I put the final touch of ochre paint on this one, I wanted to try another painting in which I would make a real effort to simplify, simplify, SIMPLIFY!

I searched through my photos and found one I thought might work.

This is when the magic happened.

RAIN ON THE CHIRACAHUAS

18 X 24 on canvas

There's one more..........

I painted this one several weeks ago. I had it 'done'....or so I thought....

Today, I saw some ways to improve upon what I had and I really like it, now.

CANYON RIVER

9 X 12 on masonite board

It has been a really good day!

And now, it's time for a nap.

I will go to sleep counting my blessings!

WORTH THE WAIT

2010-07-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

It's monsoon in Tucson.

That's when the heat-weary inhabitants can be observed, throughout the day, scanning the skies in hopes of seeing rain coming their way.

I got petulant last week about the lack of rain at our house....so, I painted this.

Paint it and it will come.

At least, that was my hope, my intention and my prayer!

WAITING

18 X 24

We finally got several decent showers at our house.

I'm taking full credit.

Of course, this probably helped.

Look what happens when it rains!

This is my Texas Ranger. Most of the year, it's a rather dull grey-green, non-descript bush.

But when it rains! Oh my!

It explodes into a cloud of lavender blossoms.

It smells like heaven!

If you look real close, up near the top, you can see a bee getting drunk on nectar!

At this time of year, lots of days I ask myself,

Why on earth do you live in this hotternhell country?

Then the magic of rain on the desert happens......

and I know why.

And I am grateful!

RENEWAL

2010-07-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

I was in a painting slump for about a week. Days went by that I didn't even consider painting. I tried to just let that be 'ok'. After all, I've been going like an out of control wild fire......hmmmm....redundant much?....for a long time, so I guess it was high time for a lull in my mania.

Yesterday morning, I looked at the monster and thought, nope...not ready for that yet.

So, I got out some pieces of unstretched canvas that Brandon gave me and decided to play with something smaller than I, instead of wrestling with a canvas which is much bigger than I am!

I'd say I'm out of my slump.

I'd even say I'm feeling renewed and reinvigorated.

Mostly, I'd say I had a lot of fun!

Here's what I painted yesterday.

5 x 7

8 x 10

This morning, I painted this little 5 x 7.

I totally love that little painting...which took me all of 10 minutes to paint.

Should I admit that?

I am beyond grateful for the joy of painting!

SPOILED ROTTEN!!!

2010-07-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

It's HOT!

It's that time of year, on the Sonoran Desert, when the heat and humidity are opressive.

We just had another go-round with a sewer back up which left us without a working toilet for two da_ _ days!

Combine those two facts and imagine what you will.

It was NOT a pretty picture!

However..............

I was watching some CNN coverage of current conditions in Haiti and my state of mind got adjusted.

I was watching tv in my 10' X 26' studio.

With an air conditioner.

With four solid walls.

With a faucet which gives me safe, fresh water whenever I want it.

With windows which let in the light.

With screens which keep the bugs out.

My studio....just those 260 square feet of space....would be pure luxury to any of the poor souls in this world who are living...every day...with none of those listed 'ammenities.'

Including a working toilet....EVER!

I am spoiled.

And

I have NOTHING to complain about!

And

I am

GRATEFUL.

THE DOLDRUMS

2010-07-10T07:52:00.000-07:00

I am in my annual pre-monsoon doldrums.

This is the one part of the year when I ask myself,

"Self, why in the hell do you live in Tucson?"

Self doesn't have enough energy to answer.

My major activity is to occasionally drag my over-heated body to the front yard to see what I can see to the south of us.

Then, to the back yard to check conditions there.

This looks promising.

Alas, it was nothing but empty promises.

Our house is 'cooled' by what is known as a 'swamp cooler.' It works beautifully, untill the humidity reaches about 20% and then it is basically nothing more than a fan for your whole house.

A not very effective fan.

So, we spend a lot of time here.

Occasionally, we will open our doors wide to catch even the smallest breeze.

Top: Miss Daisy-yes, she has grown up!
Bottom: Codi-yes, she finally accepted Miss Daisy.

The cats are demonstrating how I spend most of my time these days.
Laying around. (I know it's 'lying' around. I'm from uneducated stock. That's how we talk.)
Doing nothing.
Becoming an expert on all things HGTV.

I want rain!

A big, thunder-booming, lightening-flashing, downpour!

I want my street to be filled, curb-to-curb, by a veritable torrent of water!

I want to stop being ~~jealous~~ envious as all get out, when my friend e-mails me from Texas and says, "It's raining again...and it is so nice and cool!"

BAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The studio has a real air conditioner! I can make it darn near cold out here, if I wish. The only thing is, it never really feels cold. It is just less hot. Partly, it's because when I paint, I am standing directly beneath a four foot shop light, which, of course, gives off H.E.A.T.

So, I don't even want to paint.

'BIG' is coming along. I have made some major changes on it and have more to do, but I just can't seem to make myself do it.

Or anything else, for that matter.

Yesterday afternoon, I saw this....way off in the distance.

I am going to take that as a promise that it WILL rain....eventually!

Meanwhile, I am trying to remember what THIS felt like!

I am grateful for HGTV.

I am grateful for my recliner.

I am grateful for our ice-maker.

I am grateful for the ice cream in the freezer.

I am grateful that eventually the rains will come....

I am grateful that eventually the humidity will go....

And once again, I will feel

Grateful to live in Tucson, Arizona!

BIG!!

2010-07-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

That's what this is.

48" tall by 64" wide, to be exact.

Brandon talked me into buying it from him because he needs to make more space in his own studio. I'll admit, it was pretty easy for him to talk me into it.

I had no idea what I'd do with it but I figured it would tell me...eventually. And it did. This is my CANYON DREAM....in progress.

It is based on one of my favorite places on planet Earth, Canyon de Chelley, on the Navajo Reservation in Northeastern Arizona. I've never been down into the canyon, only up on the rim. Some day, I'd love to go on a canyon tour, but until then, my dream painting will just have to do.

What I have found amazing is that painting these big canvases is much easier, in many ways, than painting a smaller one. I am less constrained by space and therefore I am less constrained in the painting of it. It's just downright fun!

My biggest struggle with this painting has nothing to do with the size. It's all about my ineffective, incorrect and inept use of the color green! Virtually all the greens are just too 'green.' And it ain't easy being green, as Kermit the Frog so wisely told us. I am thinking that perhaps this monster painting will be the very thing to break me from my wrong thinking regarding the color green. I sure hope so!

My friend, Lori e-mailed me yesterday morning and asked if Iwanted to accompany her and her sister, Susan and sister's friend, Mary (visiting Tucson from Canada) on a little jaunt to have a Sonoran Hot Dog. I am thinking that a Mexican Hot Dog is about the only thing with enough power to entice me out of my studio and away from a. my big painting...and b. the air conditioner going at full blast.

I said 'YES!!!' with no hesitation.

And ate two of them...with no hesitation!

While we were out, we decided to do a little tourist-y sight seeing. We took a short drive through part of Barrio Viejo

click here

and then a longer drive out over Gate's Pass.

That was especially fun because my last painting, just before I started my BIG one, was of Gate's Pass.

The good food, good fun and the heat just wiped me out and I took a lovely, long nap after I got home. I awoke to...........................drum roll please!

RAIN!!!!!!!

Not much of a rain...but enough to make the air smell sweet and to cool things off a bit....and to make beautiful music on my tin-roofed patio. It's time for our rainy season, so I'm hoping we get lots more.

And, I am hoping that you find as much to be grateful for as I'm finding these days.

A B.I.G. canvas to play on
and
R.A.I.N.

AWAY

2010-06-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

I had to go 'away' for a few days.

I was working on something special and I couldn't trust myself not to blab about it, so I just had to stay away from here!

Last year, about this same time, my grandson came for a visit and as I've written about here, we took a wonderful trip up to The Grand Canyon and Monument Valley and some other special places in Northern Arizona.

At one point, he scared the daylights out of me by disappearing down a trail that seemed to lead to nowhere. Eventually, he showed up....way out in the distance....literally on a 'point.' Of course, I took his picture. Over and over I have looked at that photo and thought that I might want to paint it.

A few days ago, I realized his birthday was coming up. So, I buckled down and got to painting it.

Today is his birthday. I posted the painting on his facebook wall. I hope he likes it.

Of course, I'm not satisfied with it. But, for now, this is what it is.

That time with Michael, in those very special places, will always be one of my life experiences that I am the most grateful for.

I love you, Michael!

Happy Birthday.

G-Ma

ACT ON THE IDEA

2010-06-22T01:00:00.002-07:00

I had this weird idea.

That isn't uncommon.

But what IS uncommon is that the next morning, these words came into my psyche.

"Act on the idea."

I will NOT be ignoring that.

Last time I ignored such a 'voice', I fell and shattered my wrist immediately afterward.

So, I'm putting together something pretty different for me.

I have had, for years, a collection of vintage kitchen cabinet doors. I've done all kinds of projects with them. My 'weird' idea will use another of these old doors. And some pieces of birthday gift wrap paper. And bubble wrap. And those glass 'rocks'. I have no idea what they are called but they are available in craft stores and come in all kinds of colors and they are shaped rather like peanuts....some are circles.

My weird piece is, apparently, about circles and other rounded shapes. I wonder how this will turn out.

***********************

This is how it turned out.

There's lots of shiny stuff on here so there's lots of glare for the camera to deal with.

It sorta looks like something you'd find in a frog pond, doesn't it?

My readers who were fellow participants in Oprah's on-line A NEW EARTH study will find much meaning in that. The rest of you will possibly be left scratching your head.

Especially when I sign off thusly.

Ribbitt!

I am grateful for the beloved Frog Pond!

SATURDAY MORNING

2010-06-21T01:00:00.003-07:00

Most mornings, I am painting before I've finished my first cup of coffee. Before I'm dressed. Before I've had breakfast. Before my brain wakes up.

Some mornings, I have about as much desire to paint as I have to clean the house. Today is one of those mornings.

I am asking myself,

"Self, what do you want to do, if not paint?"

Self is not answering as of yet.

**************************************

One more cup of coffer later:

Self may be giving me a hint.

I recently made a decision that I simply do not like painting with oils. Acrylics are a much better fit for my patience factor.

But what to do with all that mess of oil paints...a LOT of oil paints! I tried to give them to Brandon, but he declared himself to be a paint snob and mine were simply not good enough for him. Harrumph!

Happily, I found someone...another plebian, like I....who gratefully accepted them. Brandon did take away my half-full container of very expensive Turpenoid. That leaves me with only a motley collection of old uncompleted oil paintings which I kept telling myself I would finish 'one day.'

Walking by my storage area this morning, I wondered just how many of such paintings I had taking up space. I started pulling out paintings. Before I knew it, I had a pile of them, which I can dispose of. I'll rip those canvases off the stretcher bars and perhaps, get paint snob Brandon to make me some new canvases for them. Unless, of course, they fall beneath his very high standards and he refuses to do so.

Which he might.

There are other things taking up space in my studio which I will probably never use again.

Instead of painting today, I just might have a clean up and clear out marathon day.

I might be left with an empty cupboard. If so, I can eliminate one piece of furniture from this overcrowded studio.

That would be a good thing as Sir Brandon has talked me into getting a really huge.....HUGE....canvas from him because he is trying to clear out his own studio space.

I am also having thoughts of making some other more drastic changes in this room.

But first, I'm going to ask Self what she thinks of my ideas.

I'll let you know what she says.

***********************

She said, "Go for it!"

So, I did.

***********************

Eight hours later:

I am tired.

And I am grateful for a cleaned up, cleared out, much more usable studio space!

MY NEW 'RELIGION'

2010-06-18T01:00:00.001-07:00

For several years, I spent a great deal of time reading spiritually enlightening books and participating in on-line discussions of them. I loved it. It was a beautiful time of awakening and expansion.

I might do that again, someday. But for now, I am slavishly following a new guru.

Me.

Yep. That's right. I said "Me."

"Me" says, "Follow your bliss."
"Me" says, "Seek out...and create...as much joy as you possibly can."
"Me" says, "Never, ever forget to BE GRATEFUL.
"Me" says, "If you listen to "Me" you will BE what and who you were created to Be."

And peace, love and joy will follow you all the days of your life."

WASTE NOT?

2010-06-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning, I got out a small masonite panel and started playing with paint again, as I love to do.

This time, I squeezed paint directly onto the board and then moved it around with a broad palette knife.

It was fun to see what color combinations developed and what effects can be achieved.

What I ended up with was not at all satisfying to look at. It's rather dark and foreboding...not in a artistic dramatic way...just

YUCKY!

Trust me when I tell you that it looks better in the photo than it real life. The blue is not so blue...it's almost black.

But....it does have potential to turn into something interesting, I think.

I am so grateful to have gotten to a place in my creative process where I don't consider it a 'bad' thing to 'waste' paint. Paint is like money....To serve the highest good...it needs to be spread around freely instead of with a miserly hand.

Like joy.

Like kindness.

Like smiles.

Like love.

I send you all my kindest thoughts of love, accompanied by a joyful smile! :)

IN SEARCH OF JOY

2010-06-16T01:00:00.001-07:00

The other day, I overheard a conversation between two people I know fairly well. It was déjà vu, all over again...as Yogi Berra said. (I think)

These two repeat the same ol', same ol' every time they talk with each other. It's always a re-hash of all the bad family memories they have. In truth, they have more than their fair share of 'bad' family memories. Most of us do have, at least, our 'fair' share of similar stories. But those two seem to 'live' in their old bad stories!

I got to thinking about why I don't indulge in the same fruitless conversations.

And I think I figured it out. It's not that I'm smarter or nicer. It's not because of all those 'self help' books I've read-although I have been tremendously helped by all of them. It's not because I don't have any bad memories. I do. And I could, I guess, spend more of my time concentrating on those memories.

It's simply because what I concentrate on is something that brings so much joy to my life that I just can't be bothered with anything that doesn't.

I haven't always been that way, I assure you.

But today, and every day now, I have INTENTION to experience those things which bring me joy. For me, most of the time, it has to do with painting. This blog also brings me joy. But when it began to feel like a responsibility...a duty...instead of a joy....I stopped blogging until I was inspired to start again.

I have come to believe that our first obligation to ourselves is to ensure that we feel as much joy as our hearts can hold....as often as possible! It isn't somebody else's obligation....it's all ours! If what you're doing isn't creating joy for you, maybe you should consider just not doing it anymore, if it's at all possible. And, I think it's possible more often than we allow.

I think, now, that I've developed a habit of joy. I didn't just wake up one day like this. It isn't something that falls on you like rain, ya know?

So......

If you find yourself dwelling on past or present 'negatives'......

......and if you are needing some more joy in your life,

make you some!

Have the INTENTION, each and every day, to consciously provide yourself with at least one joyful experience. Then do it some more!

Until one day, you have so much joy in your life that you want to talk about that...instead of those old bad memories.

I told my son the other day that I would rather be an old woman who bores people to death talking about how excited I am about painting, than to bore people to death talking about all my aches and pains and other woeful things.

I am grateful to know that true joy comes from ME. I am the creator of my joy.

HALLELEUJAH!

and

AMEN!

MAGICAL MOUNTAIN

2010-06-15T01:00:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, I did a small painting of a snowy mountain. It really appealed to me, so the other day, I decided to do a big one of it.

My friend, Donna, who often comments here, is my 'sounding board' for lots of my paintings. I e-mail her...probably too frequently....pictures of the progression of a painting as I work on it.

When I sent her a photo of what I was calling Majestic Mountain, she wrote back, all excited, asking me "Do you see that man's face on the left side of that mountain?"

Well,no, actually, I hadn't seen it. But when she pointed him out to me, it became quite obvious.

Louise is not the only one who 'Sees Things in Paint' around here! (Hi, Louise!)

Then, I saw something that Donna hadn't seen. I saw, quite distinctly, a woman on the right side of the mountain. At that moment, the name of the painting changed from "Majestic Mountain" to

MAGICAL MOUNTAIN

24" X 36"

I am very grateful for these 'magical' moments.

NOTE TO MY INNER CRITIC

2010-06-14T01:00:00.009-07:00

Stop!

Get out of my way!

I want to paint!

I want to paint all those beautiful shapes

and rainbows of color

exploding like fireworks

dancing like fairies

erupting like passionate love

coming at me from the farthest edges of the Universe!

I sit, quietly, hiding in the corner, from

that big, colorful universe called "Life."

I'm a little afraid that all that love might just crush me.

I'm still not quite sure that

Love doesn't hurt.

I make myself rise and take a few tentative steps.

Oh Look!

The Universe has asked me to dance!

Hiding safely in the shadows

I wonder.

If I come into the light,

Will my own brilliant beauty blind me?

I am grateful for The Artist's Way.

http://www.theartistsway.com/

SATURDAY MORNING

2010-06-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

So far, it's been a perfect day!

I woke up at 5.
Rolled out of bed and put on my big, ugly, paint-stained, almost worn out, comfy, long t-shirt.
Made a cup of coffee.
Read my e-mail and a little morning news.
Started dancing with my brush.
;)

A painting before breakfast. That's what I like.

It doesn't have to be a good painting, mind you. It does help if I actually like what I wind up with. This time, I do.

I got out a 9 x 12 masonite panel on which I had tried a previous experiment...maybe a before breakfast painting that I didn't like. I had gessoed over it so it was ready to try again. I asked my paint colors who wanted to come out to play. Yellow oxide and deep violet both yelled, "ME! ME!"

I squirted some of each, directly onto the board and away we went into wonderland together!

At one point, I thought I had another failed experiement. But then I tried ONE MORE THING. Often, trying ONE MORE THING will ruin a painting. This time, it worked. I think.

Here's what I got.

I've never been on the Colorado River as it courses throught the Grand Canyon, but this is what I think it might feel like.

Now, I can go have breakfast.

I am grateful to yellow oxide and deep violet.

TAKING ANOTHER STEP

2010-06-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, Brandon, healer of warped canvases and builder of wonderful ones, told me about a call to artists from a gallery in a nearby town. They are planning a special event to benefit the gulf oil mess. He encouraged me to submit some photos of my paintings for consideration.

Gulp. I've never done that before.

But, I pulled up my big-girl britches and did it!

What I sent was:

WHELK'S EYE VIEW

16 X 20

MONUMENT VALLEY

36" X 48"

EARTH, SEA, SKY

18" X 24"

And these two departures from my usual style.

DANCING WITH THE UNIVERSE

24" x 36"

OIL SPILL

24" X 36"

I also sent this one...after an e-mail exchange with the owner. This isn't even finished yet, although I've done more on it since this photo was taken. There's something very interesting going on in this painting. I think it will take another blog entry to tell it, though.

MAGICAL MOUNTAIN

24' X 36'

Yesterday, after I sent the e-mail to that gallery, I was on pins and needles waiting to hear back from them.

These are the thoughts which ran, helter-skelter, through my head.

They are going to take one look at those pictures and go...."Is she kidding?"

They are going to take one look at those pictures and go.... "The only thing to do with these submissions is ignore them!"

They are going to take one look at those pictures and go...."So what makes her think she can paint?"

A few hours later, I got an e-mail from the gallery owner. What she actually did say is "I like your work very much."
She said some more...but that was the main part! LOL

I'm here to tell you, I got so excited you would have thought I'd just been nominated for an Oscar or something!

Later, it occurred to me that considering this isn't some big well known gallery and they are putting together a benefit, they probably will accept almost anybody for this show. It also occurred to me that since I'd never gotten any details, they might very well be expecting participants to donate their work....or at least one piece of work.

Whoa Nellie!

I DO have a tendency to be 'excitable', on occasion.

However, after giving it all some more thought, I decided that it's all good. Really, it is. This small gallery could be the perfect place for me to have my first 'gallery' experience. After visiting their website, it became obvious that it's a pretty casual, laid-back, easy-going and anything goes (almost) kind of place. All of that is just right for a newbie like me. It's like being a non-swimmer in a kiddie pool. All fun and not much risk!

I'd be in way over my head in some high-dollar, hoity-toity, big name place anyway.

I'd be a fish out of water.

A bull in a china shop.

A street urchin having dinner with the uppity-ups, with no clue which fork to use for what!

I have since learned that they aren't expecting donations and they only take a 30% commission, which I think is very reasonable.

I'm still excited about it all. But now, I see it for what it is. It's just another step. It feels like a pretty big step...and one for which I am

VERY GRATEFUL!

FALLING OUT OF LOVE WITH TED DE GRAZIA

2010-06-06T01:00:00.001-07:00

This post mortem love affair I have with Tucson artist Ted De Grazia might be over.

As of right now!

I am struggling to get the crazy shapes and lines of his little chapel painted correctly. I am also having strong visions of him, laughing maniacally, from his grave.

The turkey!

I have probably done at least twenty paintings of this place. This time, however, I am determined to be a tad more accurate in my portrayal. And the perspective I chose, makes it imperative that I get it right. You see, there's this one part that is really odd. There are no straight lines...some really weird curves...and if you don't have this right, you just aren't 'getting' the chapel.

Ths is why, in the past, I've always painted something to try to hide that one really crazy looking part. I've always used a well-placed cactus or tree to disguise my inability to 'get it right.' Heck! I even think that there were times that I just invented my own shape for this particular part of the chapel! Who needs accuracy?

Also, there's these funky little 'holes' in the chapel walls. Every time I try to paint them, they wind up looking like bullet holes. Not exactly the 'mood' I'm after. So, I usually just leave them out.

Sigh.

Here's the real thing.

Here's my pitiable initial lay-in of it.

Again, I say, "Ted, You turkey!"

And again, I hear him laugh from his grave!

I don't know why this seems to be so difficult for me. I have seen many paintings of this chapel which are quite good likenesses and don't seem to have any trouble at all with that buttress on the left side of the building.

I just don't know what my problem is.

It doesn't help that my reference photo is devoid of interesting light and shadow.

It would help, if I would just drive the few miles to this place and take a picture in the more dramatic evening hours.

Why don't I do that?

I don't know.

Perhaps I have even more emotional dysfunctions than an imaginary love affair with a crazy, dead artist.

I am grateful for any vestige of sanity.

DIBS AND DABS

2010-06-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

There seems to be no end to new things to learn and isn't that wonderful?

Sometimes, life teaches you lessons in dibs and dabs.

Sometimes, in waves which completely engulf you!

The last couple of days, I've been engulfed in a wave of learning about dibs and dabs! LOL

I had an old canvas with a bad painting on it. Actually, it wasn't a bad painting, it was just an experiment in using thick textures. So, I did a completely new experiment, adding even more texture.

Know what?

I love this. I don't think this one is a 'bad' painting.

RED ROOFS

16 X 20

Neither did L & L who came by yesterday to pick up their paintings.

More importantly, they seemed very pleased with their paintings. So now, I have no more bricks to carry around. If that makes no sense to you, refer to my posts about warped canvases.

They are such an absolutely delightful couple. We have lots in common and I hope to see them again sometime. Actually, I did my best to ensure that will happen by loaning them one of my most special books which I think they'll enjoy. If they don't bring it back...well, I KNOW where they live and I'll just go get it!

After I finished RED ROOFS, I wanted to try some more 'dib and dab' painting. But, I didn't have another heavily textured canvas, so I had to start from scratch. I didn't quite achieve the same look...but it's close. I like this one, too.

COTTAGE BY THE STREAM

9 X 12

Although it sorta looks like that stream, gliding so merrily along, is going uphill. Oh well. Perfect, it ain't! But fun, it was!

I am grateful to have been given another day to play with paint.

BARN RAISIN'

2010-06-04T07:10:00.000-07:00

Wann know what I did yesterday?

I painted! What else? LOL

But, I took a break from my 'regular' painting...whatever that is...and did a couple of really different things.

First, I got out an old 'unsuccessful' painting and played with it. I decided it needed a barn. A red one. So...that's what I put in it. My first efforts just made me look at it and wonder..."What on earth was my purpose for painting that?" It had NO personality...no reason for being a painting. It was just a big red barn in a field of green. So what?

I remembered Poppy's Barn and how much character it had. That gave me an idea to take it a little further.

RED BARN AND SUNFLOWERS

16 X 20

Have I told you about Poppy's Barn?

I don't think so. I really need to do that soon!

The other 'different' thing I did was to begin an attempt to copy another painting. That's something I've never done before, I don't think. But a friend found one, on-line,of an English cottage which she fell in love with. She's been wanting to try a landscape for a good while and we thought this one might be a good choice for her. We thought painting it 'together' would be a really fun experience. I'll let you know how that goes.

Copying someone else's work is something you need to be real careful about. I have no plans for trying to sell this and will, for sure, give credit to the great artist who painted it originally. Make no mistake...I think she is really, REALLY a good artist! She has skills I cannot come close to! Attempting to copy her work will absolutely be a good exercise...a good learning experience.

The artist is Joe Anna Arnett. Here's a link to her site.

http://www.joeannaarnett.com/archivearnett_landscape.html

The painting we are trying is called THE PERFECT COTSWOLDS COTTAGE.

What am I planning to do today?

Well, I'm gonna clean up my messy studio because L & L are coming today to pick up their paintings!

And then.........

I'll paint!

What else?

I don't know what yet, but one of Joe Anna Arnett's paintings is making me think about trying to paint a rooster!

I am grateful that when I pick up a paint brush, I can create whatever I want in my world! Even if it's a rooster!

A BIT BEYOND

2010-06-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

I've had a couple of artsy conversations lately when it's come up that many paintings, such as this one of the pond, has been done....and done........and done before. As if that is a reason NOT to do it, yet again.

While I understand, somewhat, that opinion, I also believe that old saying that there IS nothing new under the sun.

No matter what we 'create', we're really only re-creating what is already done...finished...accomplished!

There are only so many notes in a musical scale. In English, there are only 26 letters of the alphabet. There are only four colors.

They've all been used...and used...and used and used.

I am so glad that after Mozart, people didn't just stop writing music!
I am so glad that after Shakespeare, people didn't just stop writing books, plays and poetry!
I am so glad that after Michelangelo people didn't just stop painting!

So, I paint. Just like I used to write music. And I write a blog. Sometimes, I write poetry. I'm not trying to invent anything new. I have no desire to be on the cutting edge of anything.

I think I do these things because I recognize...and I value...all that IS Creation! I cannot help myself. I paint a picture, that's already been painted a thousand times because I am moved...not to emulate either other paintings or the scene itself...but to appreciate what I am fortunate enough to see before me.

All that said.....

My painting of the meditation pond at Holy Trinity Monastery was an exercise with a very specific purpose. It was to use only primary colors plus white, to do a painting. In a way, it's made me wonder why we feel like we need such a vast array of tubes of paint.

I think I've come to a point where it would be futile to continue working on it. At least, for now. I have come to the end of my abilities...and a tad beyond. It's the 'beyond' that I'm after. So, I think this painting, bad as it is, is a complete success.

I'm going to put it away now. I might, or might not, come back to it later and try to make the water and the reflection look more like water and a reflection! LOL

And to make that right side tree trunk look like less of a straight up and down stick!

And to make the background greenery more varied in both value and color.

And to make that gigantic old cottonwood on the left, look more like a gigantic old cottonwood instead of the paltry thing it is now!

And yes, I still feel that this painting was a success.

I am extremely grateful that instead of beating myself up over how bad it is, I am just pleased as punch over some things I learned...and that I was able to go 'a bit beyond.'

PRIMARY COLORS

2010-06-02T01:00:00.001-07:00

I have three colors of paint, plus white, out on my palette. That's all I'm going to allow myself to use in this painting.

As far as I'm concerned, this proves the abundance of the Universe! We have everything we need to create whatever we want to create. The building blocks are here, there, everywhere! We just have to learn to recognize that truth and then to use those building blocks to create our lives. Right?

I don't care that Monet painted bridges over ponds much better than I will ever be able to. He never painted THIS one. And even if he did, he wouldn't see it the same way I see it. And none of that matters, anyway. I am painting this painting for a variety of reasons.

One is, of course, that I really love this spot at Holy Trinity Monastery. I'm not necessarily trying to recreate the exact scene...but the way I feel when I am there.......

Yes, I know, it really doesn't look like the same place. But, as I said, my intent is more to show how I feel about this place than the way it actually looks. So, that part doesn't matter to me.

Another, is that I comprehend that when I paint a place, I am imprinting it even more firmly, in my memory. That IS important to me.

Also, this seemed like a good subject for a learning opportunity to use only the three primary colors to create all the colors I might want or need to use.

On my palette are:

Cadmium yellow medium

Titanium white

Cobalt blue

Napthol crimson

Earth
Wind
Water
Fire

Yellow
White
Blue
Red

All there is and all there needs to be, to create all that is or all that might be.

I am grateful to the ALL THAT IS for abundance in all things!

If...and when...I finish this painting, I'll show it to you.

Meanwhile, let's don't forget that everything we need to create the life we want is available to us...right now!

THE STORY-Part Three

2010-06-01T01:00:00.001-07:00

Two of the canvases I bought from Brandon are big. I mean BIG! They are 3' x 4' with an inch and a half gallery wrap. While I was contemplating buying them, I told Chuck that he'd have to help me get the monsters on my easel. Brandon said, why bother....just lean them against the wall or hang them right on the wall to paint them.

That little exchange led to this new 'easel' which I have used now enough to know that I absolutely love, love, LOVE it!

It began so simply. I just leaned one of my display grids on the wall intending to use the display hooks to hold the canvas. I can raise or lower the level by simply moving the hooks up and down on the grid.

That works really well for really big, heavier canvases, but I found it was somewhat problematic for smaller, lighter-weight ones. They have a tendency to bounce and flop on me when I get to painting too enthusiastically. Which I often do!

So, hubby's great inventive mind went to work and voila! Problem solved! He took my regular easel apart and attached a portion of it to the grid. Now, I can work on even very small canvases and they stay put.

This set up gives me a couple of extra feet of work space and in my little studio, that's a lot!

This little invention motivated me to do some rearranging and reorganizing and I now have a more ergonomically correct...and infinitely more convenient space to play with paint!

A few days later, Brandon came by to pick up another warped canvas. He stayed awhile to visit and talk 'shop.' He kept looking at the painting I was working on and made a suggestion which he thought would improve it. I said, "Show me."

He did!

Unless you are shop talk starved and have had almost no one to share your passion with and no one to teach you, in person, for umpteen years, you have no idea what that simple act did for me. And to me. My eyes started leaking! Yes, they did! And they are doing it again, right now, as I write this!

When he delivered the properly mounted paintings the other day, once again, we shared some shop talk time and when he left, I asked him if he was going to bill me, eventually, for art instruction. He said he won't. Whew! That's really good to know, 'cause I intend to pick his University of Arizona art-degreed brain as much as I can!

Whether he knows it or not, he has given me a little push to be a little more daring...a little more fearless...a little more confident.

In the last month or so, I've had several incidents... and several people... which have given me those precious little 'pushes'. I am grateful for every one of them. Something is happening inside me....I almost feel as though I am shape-shifting!

I may be blogging a little more regularly...mostly about painting, of course...because each day seems to bring something new which excites me so much that I absolutely MUST share it!

It is truly a blessing to have a real person, IN person, to share with. But what on earth would I have done without the cyber-connections with you wonderful people who have, so patiently, allowed me to pour out my art and soul through the internet!

Thank you!

My gratitude is huge! Even bigger than those big canvases!

CANYON SECRETS

24 X 36

THE STORY-Part Two

2010-05-31T01:00:00.001-07:00

The whole warped canvas debacle had made me almost physically sick. I spent the better part of two days crashed on the day bed in my studio. I didn't want to paint. I didn't want to even move. All I wanted to do was crawl in a cave and stay there.

Forever.

However........

There was this Brandon made canvas calling my name.

So, very late on the afternoon that we met Brandon, I put that canvas on my easel. And something magical happened.

There is a very special place to me, which I've told you about in an older post. It's Canyon de Chelley, on Navajo land in northern Arizona. In the canyon is an incredible rock formation, known as Spider Rock.

Somehow, I knew I would try to paint Spider Rock on that canvas. So, I dug through all my photos and found one to use as my guide.

Here's the photo.

Here's the painting, as it progressed.

That took all of an hour, I think.

I was flabbergasted by what I'd done!

And terrified that I'd ruin it.

I called one of my dear friends, who is an incredibly gifted artist and spilled all my excitement and fear into her listening ear and open heart. I told you about our conversation in the post RIGHT BRAIN-LEFT BRAIN.

I set Spider Rock aside, but within arm's reach, and next day, I returned to working on Canyon Secrets. But a couple of times, I found myself putting some paint on Spider Rock, without even being conscious that I was doing so!

Spider Rock is still unfinished...and might remain so, for a while. I will return to her at the right time, I know.

Meanwhile, something is happening in me. There is a huge shift in everything I'm doing with my painting. It feels glorious!

And I am grateful!

Tomorrow, I'll tell you more about Brandon and how he has affected my painting. But for now, I've spent all the time I want to on this computer.

My easel...and a whole world of possibilities...are awaiting me!

I am grateful for possibilities!

THE STORY-Part One

2010-05-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

After the Holy Trinity Monastery art show, I was tired. I needed some rest.

How do I rest and relax?

I paint!

I actually even started a new painting early on Sunday morning, before we left for the show.

So, afterwards, I went back to painting on that one for a day or two.

And then, I began one of two paintings for L & L to choose from. L & L are the nice couple who purchased one small painting at HTM and missed out on a bigger one they liked 'cause R and L bought it.

Several days later, we were preparing to put hangers on all of them.

I got L & L's out of the box, where they had been safely stored ever since the show.

OHMIGAWD!!!!!!!!!!

They are warped! The stretcher frames are warped!!!! BADLY!

We start examining all those big canvases I'd been so excited about and almost every one of them is warped to one degree or another.

I will say, flat out, that I felt devastated!

After many, many shows with very few sales, to have my moderate 'success' at HTM, turn into this horrid state of affairs...well...I just can't find the words to describe how low I was over it all.

Somewhere in the middle of all this, I reminded myself of this.

I believe that the more things you find to be grateful for, the more things you WILL find to be grateful for.

I felt a small bit of comfort from that truth. I knew, from experience, that eventually I would be able to see the blessing in what, at the moment, felt like a curse.

So now, what to do?

The choices were:

Somehow get canvases fixed.

Re-paint all four paintings on new canvases.

Refund Ron and Lori's money and tell L & L that I'm sorry but I'm never painting again!

Option #1 seemed the best, so I got on the phone and learned that it would cost $65 to have the canvases stretched on new frames. YIKES!

For some reason, I decided to check Craig's List.

And guess what I found?

I am moving to a new studio and I have a surplus of stretcher bar supports that I need to clear out (some just frames, others stretched with canvas and gesso'd).

I can sell them individually or make me an offer for the bunch!

I can also build frames to specific sizes by request (deposit required on large supports). All of my frames are artist grade, made of kiln-dried pine, perfect for anyone from beginner to professional.

I also have other items and frames of alternate sizes available in my studio that I did not mention. Come by and take a look, I am very flexible on pricing!

EUREKA!!!!!!!!

I made contact with this young man and we planned to meet at his studio the next day.

Somehow, the minute we met him, Chuck and I felt he was going to make everything all right. Not just 'all right', but all RIGHT!

And I'll admit it, I cried a little.

I cried in relief and gratitude for the blessings of warped canvases that led me to Brandon's tiny studio where I left my sick canvases and took home four good ones, built by Brandon.

Lesson learned.

I won't be painting on cheap canvases any more.

Period.

There's lots more to this story.

Tune in tomorrow, for part two.

And meantime, don't forget to be grateful in ALL things. What feels real bad just might lead to something real good!

WILD AND CRAZY

2010-05-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

I got a big load off my shoulders yesterday. I'll be telling you all about it before too long, but I still have a couple of bricks left from the original huge load. As soon as I've been able to put them down, then I'll tell the story.

Meanwhile.........

Partly due to the influence of a young man who removed the biggest part of that load, I got out of bed this morning at 5 a.m. wanting to do something a little wild and crazy-for an old lady.

So I did this.

I'm having so much fun with it that I intend to finish it.

Am I saying I think it's good? Nope. What I'm saying is that it is pure, unadulterated, child-like fun and I'm not through playing yet.

Like most child's play, there is much learning to be had from the experience. I'm thinking this will help me grow as an applier of paint-in many ways. Most of all, it will help me continue to loosen up and be more consistantly free in my painting.

I'm diggin' it!

Thanks, Brandon!

I am grateful for you.

RIGHT BRAIN. LEFT BRAIN.

2010-05-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

I have a long story to tell you....but not today. I'll get it all together pretty soon and share it but for now, we're going to talk about how much I love to paint!

Have I mentioned that?

Something happened that seemed bad. It wasn't. I think it was probably pretty good, actually. A lot of things in life seem bad and turn out to be pretty good, have you noticed?

So now, I have a nice supply of big canvases that I can approach as though they are disposable....like paper! That sure takes a lot of pressure off. It doesn't matter, one iota, whether it tuns out well. All that matters is that I enjoy applying paint to the canvas.

I simply love the beginning stages of my paintings. I am free and unfettered and fearless! And then, I ruin it all by starting to use my left brain to 'think.' Yes. That's what I do. Over and over and over again.

So often, I love a beginning stage painting and then I fall out of love with it.

I realized, thanks to a special mentor, that I needed to let myself stay in that 'playing' stage and banish the 'thinking' stage from the whole process. Creativity is, after all, a right brain effort for the most part.

Today, I grabbed myself one of those big, blank 'disposable' canvases and went at it! I used a big brush...actually one that you would use to paint woodwork or cabinets or something. Whenever I caught myself 'thinking', I would stop and get back into 'playing' mode.

When I am in this 'playing' mode, I find the brush putting paint on the canvas in a way I don't think about at all. It seems random...chaotic even. But, I'm recognizing, it's neither. I'm thinking it's my creative right brain taking over the reins and getting the job done the way I really want it done! I just need to learn to trust my right brain!

Oh, how I want this to go well! And, you know what?

I think it will...as long as I keep my self playing instead of working! As long as I keep my left brain quiet...until I need it...maybe for details...and maybe not at all...unless it's time to pay a bill, or something.

If it doesn't go well, it will be because I let left brain me take over. And if so, I will forgive myself and try again. I'm getting there. I really feel like I AM GETTING THERE!

And I am so GRATEFUL for that!

And I am so GRATEFUL for my mentor, whose advice I completly trust!

A LONG DAY

2010-05-19T01:00:00.001-07:00

I just cannot get thus painting done to suit me and this morning, I got really frustrated and...well, I got down-right P.O'd!

So, after some good advice from artist friend, Joye, I put it aside and went to work a little in my yard.

After a bit, I felt relaxed and inspired and went back to work....on another painting.

I think I'll call this one CALLE DE COLORES.

Or maybe STREET OF DREAMS.

Which do you prefer?

I'm grateful for good advice!

And I'm grateful that I'm still in the 'excited' stage about this painting.

FOR SOME REASON........

2010-05-18T01:00:00.002-07:00

I'm really tired tonight and for some reason, blogging just feels like a nice, relaxing thing to do,.

So, I will.

Maybe blogging twice in one day will help make up for my absence here.

No...it's more about visiting with my friends. You gals and guys add so much to my life! And I thank you!

One of my newer paintings is making me crazy. It's all but finished and I just cannot seem to get a bench painted so that it looks right. ARGHHHH! Correcting the bench means re-painting the wall behind it and the flagstone floor it is sitting on. I wish there was an eraser for paints...just remove what you want gone...and voila!....start over without REALLY starting over!

But there's not. So, I am in the 'screw it up, try to fix it, screw it up again, try to fix it again' doldrums.

Maybe I'm just tired. After all, I've been up for 14 hours...and painting for lots of that time....painting...and re-painting....and re-painting again.

Starting a fresh, new painting energizes me. Trying to finish one which just doesn't seem to want to cooperate drains me. This one has a St. Francis statue in it. You'd think he'd try to help me out here, wouldn't you?

I have made a decision. A big one.

Actually, a Grand one!

Tomorrow, when my new canvases arrive, I am going to begin a painting of the Grand Canyon!

Everybody paints the Grand Canyon. But I never have tried. These wonderful new colors which have found their way to my palette seem absolutely perfect for it...and also for Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelley.

I might just bench the bench for a time.

Actually, my canvases won't arrive till pretty late in the day, so it will probably be Wednesday before I explore the big canyon idea. I'll let you know how it goes.

I also have another Tucson area landscape I want to try. I need to have two choices for my lovely people who wish to purchase one of my big paintings.

So many ideas....so little time.........

Have I mentioned I really am GRATEFUL for painting?

Oh.

I guess I have.

My wish, for each of you, is that you are enjoying something as much as I'm enjoying painting!

Love to you all.

SIZE MATTERS!

2010-05-17T07:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody!

I thought that after the show at Holy Trinity Monastery, I'd get back to blogging. However...........

I didn't.

I got back to painting.

I actually didn't even wait til the show was over to get back to painting because I woke up early on Sunday morning (the 2nd day of the show) with an idea I just had to get onto a canvas.

I'll show you the finished painting in my next blog entry.

To catch up a little, I'll tell you about how the show went.

Saturday, the weather was perfection. It was cool enough in the morning that I needed a long sleeved shirt and never got very hot. Even better, the forecasted wind didn't blow in!

My dear friends, Lori and Ron, came to the show and bought these two paintings!

CASITAS DE COLORES 24 X 36

THE VIEW 24 X 36

Before that, however, a couple had purchased this one...a 16 x 20...

and were seriously looking at this one.

They went off to another booth for a few minutes, but then returned, intending to buy the bigger one also. Unfortunately for them, it was already sold!

Those brightly colored paintings I'd done sure did get lots of attention! And they made my booth look really good, I must say.

THE ARCH 16 X 20

THE CHIMENEA 11 X 14

THE FOUNTAIN 16 X 20

THE GATEWAY 16 X 20

Sunday, the forecasted wind came with a vengence. It was not a great sales day, but Saturday's sales had made it a profitable weekend anyway.

When we got home Sunday evening, there were both a voice mail and e-mail message from the couple who had wanted the bigger painting asking if I could paint another similar one for them.

OF COURSE!!!!!!! LOL

I am loving painting on these larger canvases so much that I may never paint another small one again. At least, for a while. I feel somehow freer with more space to 'play.' I have another 6 pack of them due today or tomorrow....and the ideas to go with them.

When we were driving back from St. David on Sunday evening, Chuck asked me if I am still excited about painting. The truth is, I'm more excited than ever. It seems that I've arrived at a new and gloriously fun place in my learning process and I truly think these bigger canvases are part of the reason.

I have lots more to tell you...and show you...., so I will try to be a little better about blogging.

Meanwhile, believe me when I say.......

I am truly GRATEFUL for the joy of painting!

Me Submerged

2010-04-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

APRIL 18, 2010

Just in the nick of time……….once again…..funny how things seem to work that way…just when we need it most and not a minute before! LOL

Our income tax refund landed in our bank account yesterday. I am grateful!

Not only will it keep us afloat for another month or so, but I feel ok about re-stocking some art supplies. I’m almost completely out of thalo blue….can’t paint those skies without it!

And pickin’s are getting really slim for anything to paint on.

And Michael’s is having a big sale today!

My plan is to get enough canvases to last me till the show at Holy Trinity Monastery. Since I’m averaging about 4-5 paintings per week, I will need quite a few. I am thinking, though, of getting at least one gigantic canvas….a sofa size one. That should keep me busy for a while.

Oh…and I also plan to be continue feeling extremely grateful for that money in our bank account.

AUTOMATIC PILOT: I’ve been thinking a lot about that since reading a lesson in awareness in WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE.

How much of our life is spent that way? How many things do we do out of sheer habit? How many feelings do we have because of some reactionary emotional patterns we’ve developed and held onto?

Could our habitual, automatic pilot thinking be A cause…or THE cause of a life full of ‘sameness’ ?

I guess if we want something different, it behooves us to take our minds off of automatic pilot and be more aware of moment by moment choices in how we think, feel and act.

APRIL 22, 2010

On the way home from Michael’s, I had a glimmer of an idea for a painting. Ever since, I have been completely submerged in brilliant color! I’m loving it. I’m too busy…and happy…to spend any time writing words in a journal! LOL

April 23, 2010

I saw on tv yesterday that one of my long-time customers was killed in a car wreck, along with her 4 year old granddaughter.

I worked for a home grocery provider for about 12 years. Over those years, I developed some pretty close relationships with several of my customers.

Three of them are good friends to this day.

Lorrie Schlect was in her 50’s.

I am pretty sure that Lorrie had other plans for her day. A driver who ran a red light changed her plans…permanently.

Also in the car, was Lorrie’s pregnant daughter. She and her baby are ok….so to speak. Her child and her mother are both dead. She’ll probably never really be ok again.

I wouldn’t really think of her as a friend…more an acquaintance…nevertheless, for some reason, her death really got to me.

This morning, I got an e-mail that my cousin, Gerald, had died. We weren’t really close..hadn’t seen each other in many years. But he’s the first of our generation to go and that really brought some hard, cold facts straight home. We…my contemporaries….are getting up there in age. Death is going to be a more frequent visitor to our ranks.

About an hour later, I got a call that an old friend had lost her battle with cancer. Again, we hadn’t seen each other in many years. We had not even been in regular contact until we both wound up on facebook. But this one was a real blow. At one time, Margie was my best friend. We had so much fun together. She initiated me in the wonderful pastime of arrowhead hunting. We would trek through the Texas Panhandle fields and sand hills searching for precious treasure. We shared an interest in crafts. And one night, our families sat on our deck and watched something happening in the sky that has remained unexplained to this day. UFO’s.??? Could be.

That one did me in. I caved. I cried. It hurt.

April 26, 2010

I feel like the car-chasing dog. I caught the car. Now what do I do with it?

The car I caught is a whole series of paintings which began as a very small seed of an idea I had driving home from Michael’s just over a week ago. A week? Can that be true?

By gollies, it is true!

In one week, I have begun four paintings…all done to various stages of completion..or incompletion…all with the same theme of brilliant, saturated Mexican- flavored colors.

Since Michael’s didn’t have any of the big canvases I wanted, I took advantage of an on-line dealer’s great sale and ordered six 2’ x 3’ canvases. They should arrive tomorrow. My intent is to also get one of those painted with the same theme.

All of this needs to be done before the Holy Trinity Monastery art show which is coming up in two weeks.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!

Here’s where I am with these paintings as of this morning. I still have lots and lots to do on them. And I have to come up with another idea for the bigger canvas.

Wish me luck!!!

PS...I need a name for this series. Any ideas??????

Today, I am so grateful for lovely, luscious color!

CATCHING UP

2010-04-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

While I'm 'away', I'm keeping a journal.

Some of it is just too pitiful and whiney and depressing, so I won't be sharing that part with you. Arent' you grateful?

But..here's some that I will share.

APRIL 16, 2010

I’m painting edges. I really don’t like painting edges!

Some smart somebody started making canvases which are stapled to the wood stretchers on the back instead of the side. That means that a painting can be hung without a frame. That works well with some paintings. But, in my opinion, most paintings really look much better with a frame. In fact, almost of mine would look better in a frame.

Nevertheless, since my canvases are of the gallery wrap type, I MUST paint the edges.

Have I mentioned, I really don’t like painting the edges!

Why, you might ask, do I buy canvases with edges which must be painted? Because that’s the only ones I can find, in the size I want, on sale, at my Michael’s store.

On sale…those are the operative words.

Starving artists are all about ‘on sale.’

You might also ask, what’s so bad about painting the edges?

You might be thinking, why doesn’t she just paint the edges as she paints the canvas front?

Well…

Because.

Because I often don’t really know exactly where I’m going with a particular part of a painting until it’s nearly finished. So, if I paint the edges as I go, they might just wind up wrong.

But mostly, it’s because I forget. I’ve painted for years with no thought of having to paint the edges. Change is hard.

So, I’m painting edges…and might very well go over the edge here in a minute.

APRIL 17, 2010

I’m digging through all my unsold paintings and trying to salvage something by either completely painting over them or by making some changes and/or additions to what I’d already done.

Yesterday, sick and tired of painting edges, I grabbed one of my old canvases on which I had ‘played’ with many layers of textured paint. Something rather magical happened.

I finished the painting of a mountain waterfall in record time and I really like the results.

Then, I started one with the figure of a woman looking into a store window. Of course, I have no reference picture to go by, so it’s not going very well. Again, of course. Why do I keep doing such a thing! I love the idea and might just put this one away until I get lucky enough to run across a photo with a woman in that exact pose. Ha!

Today, I am doing a small one…an 8 x 10 with an evening sky and some yucca plants. They are a nice change from saguaros. So far, it’s looking rather good. Maybe Mom is helping me paint this one. My mother loved yucca plants!

I slept well again last night. I am grateful for what I’ve learned about stilling my mind.

In WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE, the author writes about really being in the moment…really being aware. He suggests you consider the very moment you are in as though ‘it is the best it will ever be.’ It took me a while to ‘get’ this, but what I came away with is that if you really believed that, I think you would become sharply aware of absolutely every sensation you are having and truly lose yourself in each experience. What you are feeling..inside and outside your body or the emotions you are having….What you are seeing…in minute detail…What you can smell…How the very air is moving through your nostrils or on your skin. The tiny flicker of your eyelash when you blink.

What is the result of this awareness? For one thing, it’s been a complete relaxation leading to a deep sleep, when I’ve done it at night in bed. I haven’t done it too much in the day time. Perhaps I should.

Another result is something quite profound. So profound, in fact, that I can't even begin to find words to describe it.

APRIL 17, 2010 EVENING

I am somewhat pleased with the little yucca painting….YUCCA ROAD…I’m calling it.

There were parts of it that were pretty difficult. I painted and re-painted the sky multiple times. That is what I am the most displeased about, even after all my efforts. That and the smallest yucca which is flat-dab in the middle of the canvas vertically. There is SO much to watch for and try to avoid doing if you want to do a well executed painting.

I guess that’s what separates the men from the boys.

Or the girls from the women.

Or the artists from the painters.

Sigh.

In a few days, I will probably have another post for you. I'm working on some paintings that are scary and wonderful! They're scary because they really have the potential to be wonderful even after I've finished them. My paintings often start out as 'wonderful' and end up as not so wonderful.

Once again, I sigh.

Keep your fingers crossed for these paintings that they may continue 'wonderful.'

I'm grateful for you guys...every one of you!

TAKING A BREAK

2010-04-14T01:00:00.002-07:00

My dear friends....

It is time.

I need a break from this blog, so I am taking one.
I don't intend to stop completely, but I also don't intend to continue placing the obligation of a daily entry on myself.

When I have something to say, I'll say it, just as I've been doing. Sometimes, it will be informative. Sometimes it might be inspirational. Sometimes it will be downright silliness. But I don't want to just write something anymore simply to mark another day off a calendar.

If I posted daily for another couple of weeks, I would have attained six months of daily blogging.

And what would that prove?

I feel the push to paint as prolifically as possible in preparation for the Holy Trinity Monastery art show coming up in less than a month.

There's some more of those alliterative 'P's' I seem to be so fond of!

I also feel the need to spend more time outdoors and less time in front of this computer. I bet lots of us are feeling that way after our long, hard winters. Yes?

My guess is that when I do a painting that I like...or one that is driving me nuts....I'm going to feel the need to share both with you.

My guess is that as spring progresses...and summer arrives, as it surely will....I will find myself with my camera snapping pictures left and right of the floral beauty...and of course, I'll want to share those with you, too.

I know that if and when I am struck by a particularly interesting train of thought that I will want each of you to take that train ride with me. I like hearing your reactions. Your thoughts....your comments....add much to my thinking process.

There is no telling what will inspire me to post something new. This blog has been one of the most fun things I've ever done. I cannot imagine stopping completely.

I seem to have a strong need to string words together and see what develops...whether it's drivel or drama..pointless or profound...beauty or b.s.!

The hardest part of all this is stopping in the middle of the week...in the middle of the month! I am feeling like I should do this on a Saturday...or on the 31st. What is my problem? It sounds a little obsessive/compulsive, don't you think?

Oh...one more thing.

Don't be shocked if a new blog appears tomorrow! Something might happen this afternoon that I just have to tell you about!

I will try to e-mail those for whom I have addresses when I post something new...and I will also post something on facebook. Also, you might want to check out getting SKaySpeak as a 'feed'. That way, you will always know when there's a new one.

Let's still have coffee together in the morning though...even if only in our vivid collective imaginations.

That's about it...for right now.

Except for this.........
I recently posted a picture of an unfinished and unnamed painting I'd done.
I finished it and I named it.

LAST LIGHT

16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

One more thing................

Don't forget to................

TIRED PIGGY TOES!

2010-04-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

My piggy toes are so tired.

And they hurt!

They really want a massage!

And so do these old, arthritic hands.

The ones with thalo blue paint still on them even after I washed up.

But they are really happy piggy toes.

And really happy old fingers.

Know why?

Remember a couple of months ago when I met Marilyn in Michael's? Well, FINALLY, we managed to get together to paint. And we sure did! From about 10:30 this morning until about 4:30 this afternoon.

That's why I'm tired.

And that's why I'm happy!

I have never before got to spend time painting with another artist. It was heavenly! Wonderful! Glorious!

And almost too much fun to be legal!

We both learned from each other. But I got the best end of the deal because she gave me this.

I have never had that particular yellow before but I will never do without it again! Because it helped me make the most amazing greens...just perfect for my desert landscapes.

Like this one...which I painted today...with my painting buddy, Marilyn!

Marilyn got a good start on her desert landscape. She is from Louisiana so this whole desert thing is pretty new for her. She had fun, too. She had her shoes kicked off by the middle of the day. I wonder if her piggy toes hurt too?

We're gonna do it again next Monday!

Right now, I'm heading back to my recliner from which I raised my tired old body to come to my computer and write this here blog.

Aren't you glad I did? LOL

I am grateful for Marilyn, my painting buddy!

THE SOUND OF MUSIC

2010-04-12T01:00:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I watched a PBS celebration of Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday.

What memories all those songs brought back.

And it got me to thinking about music and how much it has shaped my life…how much it has meant to me.

Then, I realized, that I have hardly mentioned music in this blog. How has that happened?

Music.

I hardly know where to start. Because I don’t remember a time in my life when music wasn’t nearly as close to a ‘constant’ as breathing.

On my mother’s side of the family, it was a given that one had musicality. Every one of us had good voices. Every one of us could harmonize as easily as we could…well, breathe.

I think my life has spanned a time when there was more diversity in music than at any other time in history.

Consider the simplicity of such songs as MOCKINGBIRD HILL. Or HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW!

Think about the complexity of SOPHISTICATED LADY or SATIN DOLL.

…the pain and agony of CRY ME A RIVER or BLACK COFFEE.

….the absolute silliness of TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS and PURPLE PEOPLE EATER…or ITSY BITSY, TEENIE-WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI.

….the raunchiness of HEARBREAK HOTEL or PROUD MARY.

…the majesty of Handel’s MESSIAH…….

…the sweetness of AMAZING GRACE…….

….the down-home feeling of COUNTRY ROADS…
…….Blues, Be-Bop, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Jazz, Country, Rock-a-Billy, Classical, Spirituals, Opera, Big Band, Folk songs and Protest songs, Soul, Rap, Heavy Metal, Punk rock…and some, I probably am oblivious to at my advanced age.

The thing is that I have loved music with a passion.

It has stirred me and soothed me.

It has molded my mind…and then changed it.

It has made me laugh and cry

………..and dance in joyous abandon.

It has given me glimpses into the mysteries of the Universe.

One night, I swear, I heard a massive choir of Heavenly Hosts singing ‘ALLELEUJIAHS’ just for me.

I can count, on one hand, the foods I dislike. I could probably do the same about music styles.

I find Willie Nelson and Pavarotti to be equally wonderful. I think that makes me one lucky woman.

And I am so very grateful for the sound of music!

NEVER ON SUNDAY-4/11/2010

2010-04-11T01:00:00.003-07:00

PEACE and BEAUTY

LIGHT AND LOVE

IT FEELS SO GOOD

2010-04-10T01:02:00.004-07:00

...to feel good again!

I still have my moments, but for the most part, I'm back to normal....or to whatever passes for 'normal' with me.

I've been painting. Anyday I feel like painting is a good day, for sure!

Wanna see?

This one is of the high desert area around Tucson featuring Century plants. Soon, they'll start putting on blooms, but not quite yet.

HIGH DESERT

16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

This is what finally happened to my little timed painting I did from the photo friend Gini shared with me.

I would love to spend the day right here!

COUNTRY CREEK

14 x 18 acrylic on canvas

And this one looks like an inviting place to take a walk. I'm not quite finished with it and I haven't come up with a name for it, but it's 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas.

Our beautiful weather is tempting me to go outdoors and try to make my back yard beautiful again. But I have to paint, too.

HAVE to!

And you know what?

I am extremely GRATEFUL for that compulsion!!!

P.S. Obviously, the automatic publishing option is not working. I'm sorry this is so late getting posted!

A COUPLE OF THINGS TO SHARE

2010-04-09T01:00:00.001-07:00

A friend recently turned me on to an artist's website and I just have to share it with you.

The guy, Roger Bansemer, is a really good landscape painter, so there's lots of great paintings to enjoy. But what I love the most is his big collection of on-site painting videos. They are the best I've found on the internet. They are nice and long. You really get to see how his paintings happen. Also, his wife does a portion of the video in which she takes viewers on a 'tour' of whatever spot they happen to be in.

I am more than a little envious of their adventures. They travel, all over the U.S., in a motorhome, searching out interesting places for him to paint.
That is my dream life.

I guess I need to keep buying those lottery tickets so hubby and I can do the same thing.

In the meantime, I'll keep watching these videos and living vicariously through them.

Each video is about 30 minutes long, so save them for when you have that much time. If you are a painter, or even a wannabe painter, I bet you will be as inspired by them as I am.

Here's the link.

http://www.bansemer.com/painting_live/demonstration.html

On another note.

I saw a very thought provoking bumpersticker yesterday.

It read:

"Who would Jesus bomb?"

I don't care what your political or religous persuasion is, that question is a good one, don't you think?

Go forth and bomb the world with LOVE today, ok?

And for heaven's sake, BE GRATEFUL!

OH HAPPY DAY!

2010-04-08T01:00:00.009-07:00

Whoops...another one that I thought I had set to publish automatically.

Wednesday, April 7th

I'm so excited!

My younger son will be here for supper in an hour or so! I haven't seen him in quite a while and I can hardly wait to hug him. And feed him.

He has a wife who feeds him quite well, but Mom gets that privelege tonight.

He's in Tucson for work, for a couple of weeks, so hopefully we will be able to get together several times while he's here.

This visit came as a surprise. But for once, I am prepared because yesterday was grocery shopping day. The menu is a pork roast cooked with potatos, onions and carrots...filling, delicious and super-easy. And................

..........strawberry shortcake for dessert!

I was cutting up the strawberries earlier today and wishing they were a tad riper. I should have known they'd be nothing like those sweet, red berries I picked and plopped straight into my mouth when I was a kid in Colorado. No sugar was needed for those sun-ripened jewels.

Strawberries.
Shrimps.
Avacados.

All the proof you need that God exists!

A neighbor dropped by a few minutes ago bearing gifts...

Cherry tomatoes!

Oh My!

I am grateful for so much on this good day!

UNDERWHELMING

2010-04-07T01:00:00.001-07:00

My back yard and patio have been a source of great pleasure for me...and many visitors...over the years. It was always pleasant and pretty. Unique and interesting. A place of refuge that I took great pride in.

"WAS" is the operative word.

It has become more shabby than chic. Paint is peeling. Fabrics have faded. Pots are disintegrating. Weeds are abundant. Grass is sparse.

It has become underwhelming.

And overwhelming.

I am feeling overwhelmed by all the work and money needed to bring it back from the state it is now in, to its' former glory. And I wonder if that will ever happen.

I don't have the resources to do it. Not the physical strength and stamina, nor the extra dollars that we used to spend on it.

And yet, I feel a strong sense of obligation to our back yard and patio. It's almost as if it's an 'entity' with a heart...not just a 'space.' It has given me immeasurable pleasure, peace and solace over the years. And memories. Oh! The memories.

When I moved into this house, the back yard consisted of a tiny 'porch', a chain link fence, a badly placed palm tree which was growing right under the foundation, one ocotillo and dirt. I wish I had a good 'before' picture. I'll dig around and see what I can find to show you.

It took years of hard work on a shoe-string budget to create what we had.

It took a much shorter time to disintegrate into what it is now.

One debilitating illness. One shattered wrist. One lost job.

Things change, don't they?

I am writing this on Easter Sunday morning.

Easter. All about resurrection. All about new life.

Perhaps I just need to change my perspective. Perhaps I need to have a new look. Perhaps I should forget about what our back yard used to be and ask it what it wants to be now-today.

Maybe, like me, it just wants to settle in to a slower pace.

Maybe, like me, it doesn't care that it shows its age.

Maybe, like me, it is ready for a season of rest.

Maybe so.

My little bit of Mother Earth has nurtured me in direct proportion to the nurturing I have given her.

WHOA NELLIE!

Where did that sentence come from?

I think that is the end of this days entry.

I have some thinkin' to do.

I will go sit on my patio to do it.

I will sit and Be....

Grateful!

YOU'D THINK I'D LEARN

2010-04-06T01:00:00.001-07:00

I've been in Tucson for nearly 20 years.

I've lived in a house with a yard for most of those years.

I've been an avid gardener the whole time.

Over the weekend, we finally got after the weed/bermuda grass jungle which appeared in our front yard after all our winter rains.

The front yard is mostly gravel. In Tucson, the cost of keeping both our front yard and back yard in grass would be prohibitive anway, but our little house has a sort of circle drive in front. The gravel mulch does help to keep unwanted flora at bay but there are definitely some problem areas.

It's not really the weeds that are the big problem. It is the dadgum Bermuda grass! The stuff is rampantly invasive! Any area which gets a bit of moisture will quickly produce a tangle of Bermuda grass which can only be controlled by regular applications of toxic chemicals. That, too, can get prohibitively expensive.

So, in the Spring, we cut down and pull out as much of it as we can and then start with the spraying.

One area in the front is 'decorated' thusly.

I wanted one Santa Rita Prickly Pear cactus because the blooms are awesome, but mostly because I love their winter color. These are in the couryard at De Grazia's Gallery.

Many years ago, I pulled a couple of pads from a plant in someone's front yard and plopped them into a pot of gravelly dirt and basically, forgot about them. This is what they have become. You can barely see the pot they are in.

This is what it looked like last year.

Anywho.....there were some stray Bermuda grass runners all around the pot and that wouldn't do. So I...with my bare hand....stupidly began pulling out the grass. I do this same stupid thing every Spring. And every Spring, I am painfully reminded that hiding in the gravel are the remains of last years Prickly Pear fruit. All withered and shriveled. And completely covered with microscopic 'thorns' called 'glochids.

Glochids are tiny, finely barbed hair-like spines. And they hurt.

I spent most of the evening hours trying to get all those little devils out of my fingertips.

OUCH!

I'm grateful they are gone now.
Mostly.

I AM ANGRY!

2010-04-05T01:00:00.002-07:00

And sick.

A fellow blogspot blogger and occasional commenter on SKaySpeak, recently posted about yet another horrific incidence of violence toward a woman done, of course, by a man who 'loved' her.

This woman, was a woman, just barely. She was 19. She was the daughter of Cindy/artandsoul's good friends. She was shot by her 19 year old boyfriend on March 27th. She died on Good Friday.

Of all the travesties and tragedies in this world we live in, this on-going danger to women and children, from male human beings is the one that is the hardest for me to comprehend!

I am grateful for loving hearts, such as Cindy's. For it is only from support of such friends, that vicitim's families could possibly take that long, hard walk to anything remotely resembling healing.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/anngrosmaire/mystory

NEVER ON SUNDAY-4/4/2010

2010-04-04T01:00:00.006-07:00

I WISH THEY KNEW

2010-04-03T01:00:00.001-07:00

Over the years, I have found a few paintings at yard sales etc., which I really like. Often, when I look at them, I wonder about the person who painted them. Who were they? Were they 'serious' artists or Sunday painters just having some fun.

Whatever their reason for painting these pictures, I'm so glad they did because they've given me joy for years.
I wish, somehow, I could tell them so. I wish they knew that someone has appreciated and treasured the work of their hands and heart.

I don't remember where I got this little painting but it's special to me because my mother loved yucca so much. Each time I look at it, it reminds me of my mom. It's signed Robinson.

I love the colors in this one. And the sweetness and serenity 'Grimes' achieved in such a simple composition.

Someone named 'Rogers' painted this large canvas which hangs in my bedroom. It is so soothing...and yet a bit mysterious. I bought it as the finishing touch for my first Tucson apartment.

I can't make out the signature on this little jewel. I bought it in a junk store sale bin for a quarter! It was painted on a piece of an old-fashioned canvas shade. I know it must be a good 50 years old...or even more. I love the subtlety of it. And the poignancy of a lovely painting done on an old window shade scrap!

I wouldn't trade any of these paintings for others which would be 'worth' more, dollar-wise.

They give me pleasure and I would be pleased to think that someday, somewhere, someone will find one of mine-perhaps in a junk store sale bin- take it home and love it, as I love these.

I send gratitude to Robinson, Grimes, Rogers and unknown.

TROUBLED WATERS

2010-04-02T01:00:00.001-07:00

Last night, just before bedtime, I got myself in a bit of a dither.

As soon as I laid down in my bed, I knew there was no way sleep was coming anytime soon.

So, I got up, got this book

and randomly opened it.

The page I opened it to was the 'lake' meditation. He described how even when the lake surface is disturbed and filled with choppy waves, beneath the surface remain calm waters -nestled in the arms of the earth.

I put down the book at set to imagining that deep stillness. I didn't fight the choppy waves...Instead, I just let them wash over and above me....and I stayed in the space which was calm. I imagined my body as the lake...settling into the earth's nooks and crannies.

Within moments, I felt a peacefulness. Those mental choppy waves gradually lessened. I saw sunlight glinting all over the gentle ripples on the surface.....like bursts of Gratitude, blessing the water. I felt myself nestled in the arms of the earth. Soon, the surface of the lake was mirror-still....reflecting only beauty.

I slept.

My first attempts at this special kind of stillness came about when I was reading A NEW EARTH. Later that same year is when I fell and all but pulverized my wrist...including a compound fracture. I was in enormous pain as my husband drove me to the hospital. While I was sitting in the car, waiting for him to get a wheelchair for me, it occurred to me that it might be a good time to do some meditating! Duh!

Within seconds, my pain level went from...let's just say a '9' to about a '4.'

Not bad.

My "reminder cards" say "When you change your mind, you can change your world."

That is truth.

Either our minds control us or we control our minds.

If we could always remember that...what a difference it would make, wouldn't it?

In A NEW EARTH, Eckhart Tolle said something to this effect.....

It is not the situation which causes our unhappiness. It's our thoughts about it...which causes our unhappiness.

I believe that.

I am no expert on meditation. I don't even do it regularly. But I am so grateful that I am, at least, aware of its' benefits. And this book...well, I can't imagine one which would be any more helpful in learning to practice meditation.

I am Grateful for the reminder I got last night.

GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS

2010-04-01T01:00:00.001-07:00

I was channel surfing the other night and ran across a program about Bhutan.

Bhutan? Where's that? I've never heard of it.

I've learned that it is a tiny country, nestled in the Himalayans.

I've learned that it is primarily Buddhist.

I've learned that it has beautiful geography.

But the most amazing thing I learned is that the new, democratic government of this little spot on the planet actually tracks what they call GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS.

Believing that it is neither military nor financial power which determines the well-being of a people or a nation, this country seems to be all about achieving a high level of happiness in its' population.

What a concept!

They actually do a census to determine the 'happiness level' of Bhutanese people.

You can read about this unique concept and see the questionnaire used in the census here.

http://www.grossnationalhappiness.com/Default.aspx

Bhutan is not a wealthy country. It isn't even very literate. And further internet research will reveal that there are numerous and very serious societal problems in the country.

Nevertheless, I am intrigued by the whole idea of Gross National Happiness and opposed to Gross National Product.

More and more, I am coming to believe that in each and every moment of our lives, we should be reaching for real wealth...and that is joy.

We should know what gives us true joy...and do it, as often as possible.

We should stop looking for happiness from another person and give it to our own selves.

My friend, Donna, recently watched a movie in which several couples were on a beautiful, tropical island. The women all wanted the men to take them to a particular waterfall. The men were interested in other pursuits and kept putting off the trip to the waterfall. Eventually, one of the women declared, "I'm taking my self to the waterfall!" Of course, then the other women went with her.

The truth is, that we all, eventually, have to take our own selves to the 'waterfall'.

Waiting for someone else to give us happiness...well....it's gonna be a really long wait, I've learned.

We must make our own.

How do we do that?

I think it might have something to do with being grateful. When we are feeling grateful, we are feeling joy. When we are consciously grateful, we are more aware of beauty around us...which, of course, gives us joy. But also, I think it's important to know ourselves well enough to identify things which generate joy within us.

What can I do today to cause joy in my soul?

Let me be aware of what that might be.

Let me pursue it.

Let me be grateful for it.

A BLESSED DAY

2010-03-31T01:00:00.002-07:00

I've slept most of the day today.

Our 'tax Angel' has taken away all those scary papers.

I ate an Almond Joy.

I haven't needed a Tylenol for my head/eye-achesince 3 a.m.

I believe my readers/friends will bear with me until I feel human again and my brain starts to work once more.

Our African Daisies are in full bloom!

I think it's been a good day.

I am grateful.

THE WEATHER

2010-03-30T01:00:00.025-07:00

I got to thinking about Spring in Tucson.

I remembered this one.

I took this picture from my living room window.

Yep. That is definitely snow!

On Easter Sunday, 1999.

]

See the blooms on the Tombstone Roses?

Or are those snowflakes?

It's 82 degrees right now, as I am writing this. But apparently, we've got another cool snap coming on Thursday. The high is supposed to be about 66 with a low of 43.

It's supposed to be 87 tomorrow.

YIKES!

I found these old pictures, too. These were taken in June, 1983, in the Chiracahua Mountains, southeast of Tucson.

Stuck in the snow in Arizona in June!!!

Pretty soon, the TV weather forecasters will start taking bets, so to speak, on when we'll hit 100 for the first time this year.

When that happens, I think I'll just sit and look at these pictures.

In the studio.

With the ac unit on 'high.'

And paint pictures of snow.

Ya' do what ya' gotta do.

I'm grateful for April.

It helps us get ready for:

May, June, July, August, September and October.

Six months of summer.

I'll take that over six months of winter.

SPRING????

2010-03-29T01:00:00.002-07:00

Spring is being such a 'tease' this year.

She suggests forthcoming delights and then turns her back and flounces away.

She is holding out.

I fully expected the Tombstone roses covering our back fence to be in full flower by now. Instead, most of the multitudinous buds remain closed up tight.

And, I fully expected my African daisies to be a solid mass of orange and yellow by now. As you can see, they're trying, but still, not quite there.

Here's my prediction about Spring.

She just stopped by for a quick visit this year and has no intention, whatsoever, of staying for a nice long while.

Instead, Summer is coming, earlier than usual.

With a vengeance, most likely.

Sigh.

Meanwhile, I am grateful for my warm winter robe.

NEVER ON SUNDAY-3/28/10

2010-03-28T01:00:00.001-07:00

The birds, singing their little hearts out urge me to wake up!

"Wake up!

It's a glorious day!"

I make this promise to my bird friends.

I will not let even one glorious moment go unnoticed!