Getting in the Springtime Mood

My recent foray into gardening has brightened the front patio quite nicely. This year I was determined to find new perennials that hopefully will last through our blazing summer sun and sometimes winter snaps.

So I picked out some purple and yellow Marguerite daisies, petunias, and lavender to put me in the planting mood. 

Had to set up my blooming angel designed by Shara Reiner and painted by me.  It seemed the perfect setting to greet anyone coming to the house.

I love how my iris and roses are blooming their heads off this year.  Must be doing something right.

Geranium design by Kim Hogue, painted by me.

Painting up a Storm

    Last week I attended the Creative Painting convention, which happens here every year about this time. The convention took place at the Tropicana Hotel, but I slept in my own bed.  After all, it's only 25 minutes away.  There are so many exciting classes going on and a tempting trade floor to stroll, that I had a hard time deciding where to go next. I had a great time taking a few classes during the convention and one the Saturday before. 

 Here are two that are works-in-progress. The butterfly basket was a class with Lynne Deptula and amaryllis box with Ginger Edwards.

 I painted this blooming iris on a textured canvas with Diane Trierweiler, whose work I really admire. The canvas surface has a rough texture that was applied with a palette knife. It was an interesting experience to work on this gritty texture. 

I did finish my Song Sparrow painting with Shirley Koenig, even though she is a quick painter and am very happy with my new little bird painting. It was such a fun week and I even managed to learn a thing or two about painting technique.

Domino kitty is enjoying her new post by the window and naps in this snuggly spot whenever most mornings. 

Remembering Santa

   I am working on several projects that I cannot reveal just yet because you know, it's Christmas and somethings have to remain a secret for a while. But here is a look back at last year and a special project I had.  
  Last Christmas I painted a gourd and turned it into a special Santa Claus. It is a fun challenge to do because you have to think beyond the front view and come up with a plan for the sides and back of the gourd.  I could have just painted it red and declare it done, but that is just not me.  And I always think it's better when the story is in the details of the project, so here's the story about this particular Santa.
    He was to be a centerpiece for a party and the theme was old time toys at Christmas. The details tell about his personality and what kind of Santa he was.  I did some research on various ideas and came up with some old fashion things that would make him look the part.

Here he is about a third of the way through. You can see how I blocked in major color shapes for my plan. I painted the face early on because it has to go behind the beard, of course and because then it helps to have him staring back at me.  You may think I'm crazy, but it's like he was talking to me and telling me what to do next.

 He's been reading his mail and working on his list, thinking about what who should receive what. That's a feather pen in his left hand.  He's got a gingerbread snack in one pocket and a watch in another so he won't be late.

Like I was saying, I couldn't leave it just red. I wanted to give the back some design too. So he's wearing a cape with blue moons and stars on the trim and a tassel hood.
    I love how he turned out and it was very hard to give him away at the party for the raffle.  But he went to a very good home of my friend. So I know he will be brought out every Christmas and enjoy the celebration.

Time for Reflection

Thanksgiving is time to reflect on things we appreciate in life.  So today as I start the baking the pumpkin and apple pies, memories of cooking with my mom and my aunts. They taught me how to cook and at the same time taught me the value of being creative. Recipes were invented, written down, and traded.  The kitchen was also the place to be creative with sewing and painting. We used the counter to spread out the materials of whatever we were working on and just set to work.

This past week I discovered some new bulbs sprouting in my garden under the studio window.  I wonder how long it will take for them to show their blooms.

 And here's a peek at some little star boxes that I painted up for Christmas presents. Love the prim designs by Donna Atkins. I'm not sure who these will be for, but it's sure nice to have them done.

       

Owls in the Moonlight

Been really busy painting and getting my gallery/studio space all spruced up.  And I have been "burning the midnight oil" too. So painting some pictures of owls seemed to be the right decision.
Here are two little pictures I painted this last week. 

I had a blast painting "Moonlight Owl" canvas with acrylics.
He seems to have  alot of personality--- flapping a wing and watching out for whatever critters might happen by in the night.

Sometimes painting more than one at a time helps move the project along.  No overworking the paint and turning it into mud. No losing track of the shapes. Just filling in the images and working out the ideas, bringing the paintings to life.  

"Owl Duet". Just two owls, hanging out.