Lemon Zest

"Lemon Zest"
4 x 4" oil on panel
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A victory! I actually painted all on my own today. I haven't been able to paint without having my studio mate, JunieB, urging me on.  But today I put my big girl pants on and actually got paint on the board.

It's so tempting to lay around and nurse my hurts, but life goes on and so must the painting.

Roses - Then and Now

"Roses"
12 x 12" oil on panel

"Roses" is the final outcome of a painting started waaaay last year or maybe even 2013. I got so far and realized I had no idea where to go with it. After starting to paint again last month, especially my "come down off the ledge" paintings, I've been able to loosen up and just think about "impressions". The brush strokes are much looser, edges are softer, and colors are more intermingled. While there still some things I can do to the above painting, I might just let it sit for a bit and see what more I might want to do with it.

First Iteration of Roses
Tight and muted color.....

Apple-A-Day

"Apple-A-Day"
"Come Down Off the Ledge Series"
5 x 5" oil on panel
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Painting days with JunieB are better than therapy. I'm slowly talking to myself and saying it's OK to "come down off the ledge." Life is going to be good again.

There is such freedom in not "copying" exactly what you see, but trying to express what you feel when you see the object.

Cherry Pop

"Cherry Pop"
4 x 4" oil on panel
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Painted last week and needed to clean up just a few things.  It was the second painting of the day of painting with JunieB.

Winter Pear

"Winter Pear"
5 x 5" oil on panel
SOLD

Today was painting day for JunieB and me in my dining room. It felt wonderful to play with the paint and to be messy and to be free.

She really pushed me to be more expressive.  I have decided to call this my "come down off the ledge" period.

I will sleep good tonight knowing that I accomplished something today I haven't done for many months.

It's Time to Paint

"Red Onions and Green Pepper"
8 x 10 Colored Pencil
Sold

My life took a huge diversion from painting back in February 2014. My sweet husband was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. He was strong and optimistic into the fall, but he grew tired from the fight after Christmas. He passed away on January 6th. He did everything he could to support my dreams of painting and living the life of an artist. I hope to do him proud.

I met with my ex-studio mate, JunieB, yesterday for lunch and a long coffee chat after. We've both had a rough go the last couple of years. We've decided painting is the best therapy, and I promise to have paintings to show in the upcoming days as I adjust to a "new normal."

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love and support of family and friends during the last year. You have given me hope that I can build a new life...which includes my art, of course.  I love you all.

To be Published!

"Peaches and Green Ribbon"
Colored Pencil on Sanded Paper
7 x 10"

Ann Kullberg has a series of books of exceptional colored pencil work.  I'm thrilled to say that my colored pencil drawing "Peaches and Green Ribbon" has been selected as one of the 90 works to be included in her CP Treasures III in print soon.  It has made my day!

Peach and Purple Ribbon in Mixed Media

"Peach and Purple Ribbon"
5 x 7" Colored Pencil and Washes
on Un-primed Cotton Canvas

I recently became aware of the work of Robert Kogge. He is teaching an online class in mixed media on Craftsy.com. Robert's technique involves colored pencil along with ink washes on unprimed canvas.

I was so excited to try out the technique (yes, I signed up for the class) that I fudged on the materials.  I didn't have the #8 cotton duck so I cut up a tote bag - same material. I didn't have the waterproof inks so I used some Neocolor II wax pastel crayons that I've had forever. There were a few other things that were on the list of materials that I didn't want to purchase until I tried the basic technique.

Always being a sucker for texture in paintings/drawings, I loved working with the cotton duck. In person the drawing almost looks like it is done in needlepoint. As soon as I finished this small experiment I ordered all the official products and now will sit by the mailbox waiting for my new toys to arrive - #8 cotton duck, Higgins waterproof inks (red, yellow, blue and black) and pumice. Stay tuned.

Big Old Apple

"Big Old Apple"
5 x 5" Oil on Panel
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Painting shown in a suggested virtual frame

I tricked myself into painting today. I told myself I would just block in the apple...then I told myself I would just paint the background...OK, then just the shadow....until the painting was done.  It felt SOOO good when I finally put the brush down. I have to remind myself that it's a building process and I can take small steps.

Pear and Shadow

"Pear and Shadow"
5 x 7" Oil on Panel
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Framing idea in a virtual frame

It's been a challenge to find painting time in the last few months. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my husband was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in March.  He just finished what the doctor called the "standard treatment" and has fared very well by not suffering from the myriad of side effects.  A little hair loss and fatigue.

Folks have been urging me to carve out some time to paint, but as my fellow artists know time is one component. State of mind can affect the process. Some days I almost felt like I forgot how to paint. I think this is my third painting since Mark's diagnosis.  I didn't forget how - it just felt like I did - until I picked up the brush and pushed the paint around.  Thank goodness!