My Special Angel

The Holidays are almost over. 2012 will be here in a couple of days. I woke up early this morning, I treasure the moments of calm and peace before the day takes over.

This little snowman angel is a gift from my very special son. Lots of changes coming this New Year. Life passes at the speed of light. It is truly the simple things that warm my heart on this bitter, cold morning.

My New Years resolution, not self improvement but improve the way I spend time with the rest of the world.

Changes

Last fall I visited my son in the small town of Ware, MA. He has a student apartment in this quaint village of homes built in the 1800's. Across the street were these two magnificent Hydrangea Trees. I have always been fond of hydrangea bushes, I have a lovely blue one in my front yard. Did not know they could come in tree form. They were breath taking, and could not wait to get them on canvas.

I went back to Ware after Thanksgiving, and thanks to the freak Halloween snow storm in New England, the tree on the right was snapped in half. The damage to New England was incredible. I will miss this view, and hope it looks better in the Spring. It was sad to see.

Reflections

Another DPW challenge. Reflections on water. I took this photo last September at Minute Man National Park, in Concord, MA. It was a drizzly, dark day, but I still love going for the walk about here is always beautiful. Just after crossing the bridge is a lovely little nook, the reflections seem to overpower the photo, but I remember the mood of this spot, enchanting! That was what I was hoping to capture in this painting.

Morning Sunrise

The other morning, before the hustle and bustle of the day, I looked out the window and this is what I saw. Mother Nature reminding me that she has the most vibrant color pallet. If I were to attempt to paint this, it wouldn't look real. My compliments to such a talented artist.

Irish Mist on the Cliffs of Moher

My daughter took this photo in Ireland this year. I was drawn in by the compelling mood of this photo. The fog rolling in and surrounding the cliffs making the atmosphere magical. I can only imagine the stories these cliffs could tell.

Kevin and Murphy

I have had this photo of Kevin and Murphy for awhile. I was a little intimidated painting this, animals and people are not my usual muse. The weekly challenge was to paint your pet. So I thought I would give this a shot. Kevin is very fond of my daughter's dog. Murphy is a chi weenie with a little terrier thrown in the mix. The feeling is mutual.

Iris

The Thanksgiving week challenge was to paint in the style of your favorite Artist. Vincent is always the first to come to mind. I love the richness of his color palette and the brush work. I have had this photo from my garden for years. I never attempted it because the flowers always seemed difficult to render.

iPad Art

What to do when the creativity rut grabs you. Sketch book Pro on the iPad. My son gave me a new paint brush stylus to try with the iPad. It has a fun effect and this was my first digital painting using the brush. Moody sky with the sun trying to break up the gray.

Shoe Challenge

Oil painting on an 8 x 8 canvas panel. The Shoe Challenge for this week.
I really enjoyed painting this one on a mild, sunny, windy day in November.

Irish Pub

It's five O'Clock somewhere! This is an 8 x 10 gallery wrap canvas, oil painting. The sides are 1 3/8 inches. The painting is continued on the sides. This original oil painting was inspired by a photograph taken by my daughter on her recent trip to Ireland. I would love to stop in and set a spell.

Veterans Day

A very heart felt thank you to everyone in our Military today, past and present.

This is a peanut butter cake. The blonde beauty behind it is banana Cream pie.
If anyone is fortunate enough to live in Western/Central Massachusetts - you are familiar with these. Route 9 diner, in Amherst, I miss you!

Crowd challenge

I decided to paint this area of the photograph because the body language was so fascinating. The young woman seated at the left with an older woman. She is leaning back, the older person leaning forward. The girl smoking on the right and her companion, they have a story to tell. The girl in the middle... It would be interesting to write a fictional story about these characters.

I could never ignore a window box with geraniums. So they had to included.

Painted on an 8x10 canvas panel in oil.

Almost there...

Here is another unsuccessful attempt, luckily the waterfall will send him back to the other guys waiting their turn. They don't catch on. Reminds me of someone who never remembers to take the trash out....

Fish watching the fisherman

Down stream from the hatchery, the fish gather to watch the fisherman. See the prior post on this wonderful spot and these amazing steelhead traut.

Steelhead Alley

I hope you can identify what is happening in this photo. If you look close you can see a steelhead traut trying to fly over the waterfall. I was out with my sister-in-law and she wanted to revisit a place where she had special childhood memories. The friends cottage is long gone, but a fish hatchery is in it's place.

Apparently, the steelhead are an invasive species and cannot be allowed to swim upstream, don't tell them that....it was an amazing scene on a gorgeous autumn day.

Sweet

Oh yes, another cupcake. Seriously, I took this lovely outside to photograph. Good thing I had more than one as the first slid off the plate and landed on the carpet, up side down. My daughter was born on Halloween and we celebrated with cupcakes, and trick or treaters.

My intention was to photograph and paint, when I looked at the paintings from one of my painting sites, there was the identical cupcake painted by another artist....a good excuse to eat this one!

Cupcakes

Tempting, delightful, mood enhancer. Bite size. Sheer genius. Inspirational. I think I could go on forever about cupcakes.

Gone Fishing

I have never been fishing. I live in an area of the country where it is a very popular pastime. When I see the fishermen out and about, Otis Reddings, Sitting on the Dock of the Bay, gets into that area of the brain and stays. I like the idea of sitting with a good friend, companion, or young person by the water, no phones, Internet or distractions. Coffee in a thermos and good conversation, no one can find me. Later!

Sweet Memories

I really don't want to mention how many years ago I received this artwork. It has been a few...
It was given to my first child by his Godmother, Teri. The needlework in this piece still amazes me to this day! Fiber Artists are a dedicated, patient, group. I can only dream of such craftsmanship. I kept this and it eventually hung in all my children's nurseries. Can you imagine the feeling it evokes.

The next generation is about to have this passed along. I don't like to think of how many years have passed since I first saw this and the bemusement that comes with trying to wrap my head around where the years went and the memories of those years. I can only say it was a flash!

I hope this is well loved for years and generations to come.

Chicken Time

Yes, the sun is out today. Remarkable how one's mood improves on a sunny day after six grey days.

I am glad the DPW challenge this week is the 10 minute challenge. This was the first challenge I did, but never submitted. I did apples and oranges before, they were easy and fun. For this one I did my chicken timer. I like him, don't like the cooking thing, but I like my timer friend. Painting this chicken in 10 minutes for each view, not as easy as apples and oranges.

A fun paint!

Every Mother Counts

A fascinating challenge this week for the DPW site. A painting for a charity that targets the maternal care in other countries. See the link to the site in this blog to learn more about this charitable organization. A very worthwhile endeavor.

This challenge was difficult creatively. Paint something of motherhood, it could be a favorite item of your Mother, her favorite flower, perfume, dessert, etc. Very difficult, when your Mom is gone.

I picked this after an entire week of thought...

Fields of Gold

One of my favorite artists, Sting, just celebrated his 60th birthday. This painting reminded me of one of his best songs, the sun bright and warm, the leaves changing, everything seemed a warm gold hue. I think there is a parallel in our lives, when we are in the Autumn of our years. The change is warm, beautiful and I'll leave (no pun intended) the thoughts on this to you.

Volant Mills, Pennsylvania

Autumn is the Season to take a road trip to destinations unknown. Last week I went with my Sister-in-laws to photograph, eat and shop. We found this quaint town near the famous outlet mall on the interstate. What a treasure finding this tiny community. This is the view from the parking lot. Behind us, was a collection of colorful railroad cars and the Red Caboose. I hope this painting captured the warm glow of that sunny day. I have several paintings to share from our October road trip, this is the first. I titled this Volant Mills Barn in October.

Composition Challenge

Painted on a 8 x 10 canvas panel. This oil painting was done for the weekly challenge. Shadows, lights and darks, trying to make the best composition from a photograph.

I Love You

We use a lot of sign language in my home. This is my favorite sign. Came in very handy, at Graduations, school plays and events. Very personal and private message to someone, expressed visually when speaking was not possible at that moment. So when the DPW challenge of the week was announced, Paint Your Hand, I thought of all that the hand and fingers can do. Hands can indicate affection, anxiety, anger, security and love. A nice thought for the day. Hope you have someone special to "touch" today.

This is a watercolor, approximately 6.5 x 4.5.

Shades Beach

Warm breezes, comfortable temperatures, deserted beaches...Autumn is delightful. Unless you are a Red Sox fan. September has not been kind to my sox. September is almost over. Hard to imagine what winter here will bring, I know what winter on the Great Lakes looks like, not pretty. Like the Red Sox this past month.

Fall in New England

I lived in New England for almost seven years. I miss the magical color show in Autumn. Last week I went back to visit family, and although the rain was a pain, the beauty is always present. One of my favorite places is Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA. It is not a showy place and there is a lot of walking. After crossing Old North Bridge, you wind uphill through trees, fields, ponds, river, stone walkways and various odd shrubbery. A great place to reflect, be still, and just enjoy.

Concord, MA

I had an opportunity to visit Minute Man National Park in Concord, MA, last weekend. Is there anything better than New England in the Fall. The leaves are just starting their turn to vivid in patches.

Clementines, Bananas and Freedom

Added 5 more strokes to complete, I am a nit picker.

Clementines, Banana and Freedom

I did the DPW challenge this week with an open mind. One of the obstacles I constantly need to overcome is my stingy nature. I need to free myself and not think about how much paint I am using. The weeks challenge hit that nail right on the head. Use lots of paint, a number 8 brush, limit the times you lift the brush off the canvas...very difficult for a miser like myself. I did it, and by far, this was the most enjoyable painting I have done. Like this abstract quality that loading up the brush and limiting the strokes accomplishes.

30 strokes.

Hey There Lonely Rose

Ever have a flower you just couldn't throw away? This is mine.... I did the paint works challenge in blacks, greys and whites last week, and wanted to do another with a hint of color. Maybe a hint of love gone wrong?

Value challenge

The challenge of the week. Paint value without color. This was a photo of the Grand Canyon of Australia. My son and daughter visited this magnificent place a few years ago.

A difficult task to keep your mind off the beautiful colors and focus on shapes and four values. It has been a long time since I last tried a black , white, and grey value painting. I was taking a college course and did another students jacket, I forgot how delightful this exercise is to do. Something different.

September Blues

Today is Labor Day. Living in a beach town, this signifies the end of Summer. Always makes me a little melancholy. I love the beauty and color splendor of Autumn, it's just too short here in beach town. Winter, well, I don't even like the word. In the meantime, life slows down at the beach, the tourists are gone, the place becomes magical with moments of solitude, wildlife come out of hiding, I couldn't imagine a life without this refuge in my backyard.

This painting is a little more on the abstract side. Used the rectangles concept from the DPW challenge last week. It offers a freedom of color and movement, and most important, I really enjoyed this painting.

Paint Your Pig

Challenge for this week, this was a tough one.... I painted light yellow and deep blues for the background, finished the background with white using a pallet knife. I thought it would add interest next to the smooth piggies. Pigs are smooth characters.

Seasons

When the rain, beats upon my windowpane, I'll think of summer days again.... Lyrics from one of my favorite songs a long time ago.

The seasons are gently changing now. You can feel it in the air, the clouds start to look different. September, one of my favorite months.

Rectangles

A very fun challenge this week, painting only rectangles and using a different color for each rectangle. Available in my gallery on Daily Paintworks and My Etsy shop. This is an OOAK oil painting on a 5 x 7 canvas panel.

Nevermore

"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore" 

This 8 inch by 8 inch oil painting was based on Manet's uncopyrighted drawing. The story behind the painting, "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe, starts with a sad man on a dreary night. He is reading books to distract himself from his depression, when he hears a knock on his door. He opens his door and there sits a raven, who says "Nevermore" at him ominously. The man soon loses his wits as he asks the raven many questions, only to get the answer "Nevermore". The raven then settles in on the top of his door, and he is tormented by the raven, who he believes knows about his beloved Lenore who has passed. 

"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil – prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore –
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore –
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven "Nevermore."

-Edgar Allan Poe

Superstitious Daily Painting Challenge

This uncopyrighted drawing by Manet was the inspiration for a new painting. Daily Paintworks asked for us to paint a scene of superstition. I chose to base mine on Ravens. As you may have noticed, this drawing is based on the superstitious poem, "The Raven" by the great Edgar Allan Poe. I think Manet did an excellent job with shading to create a moody feel. My version is to follow this post.

Gull Point Presque Isle

Houseboats

I spent the day today at Gull Point with a special friend. The water temperature of Lake Erie is warm this time of year, we sat talking and not talking on fallen trees while the waves came crashing. It was so relaxing and calming, I could live out there. Maybe not in November. A nice place to read, paint or just take photographs. I'm going to try and upload a video from my iPhone. This painting is of the Houseboats on HorseShoe Pond, they are at Presque Isle near the Coast Guard and Lighthouse. Love this place.

Puddle Jumper

I really felt in the mood yesterday to paint something fun and reminiscent of childhood. You remember, when even a rain soaked day could be magical. I loved these brightly colored rain slickers, my children had them in red, yellow and green. Don't forget your wellies. I called this painting Puddle Jumper.

Ireland

This a painting of a quaint street in County Cork, Ireland, just outside the Blarney Castle. All of my ancestors, both my Fathers and my Mums side of the family came from County Mayo and County Sligo. Recently my daughter went to Ireland and gave me and my paints a lot to work on and think about. A country so colorful and rich in people, poets, writers and artists. Someday soon....
Painted on a 6 x 6 panel, this painting is available on DailyPaintWorks.com.

Happy Birthday!

Guest Blogger Teri from Yeasty: For the Exuberantly Creative

One of my favorite bloggers is Teri from Yeasty. She is a great writer and has a wonderful blog with many creative tips. I asked if I could share one of my favorites of hers on my blog and she agreed. Please take some time to read it, it's about Smash notebooks and is very creative and crafty. To read more of Teri's work, visit her blog.

 Teri's Post:

Go Ahead: Smash Your Memories!

There's a new product being offered to scrapbooking afficionados. It's called Smash, and it is exactly what it says. You take a notebook and then glue in all of the small memorabilia that we all generate every day, but which is often not accompanied by great photos. So instead of throwing out the goodies because they are not scrapbook-worthy, you Smash! them into a notebook and keep them all in one place.

There's a great video on Smash at this website, where you will also see the product line, although it is very easy to use things from your existing stash.

I couldn't find the actual Smash notebook so I bought a sketchbook at an office supply store that I can use to smash my stuff into (It has sturdy pages which is all that is required.)

I think this is a great idea for all of us who hate to throw some things away like the latest baby pictures, business cards for local restaurants, a color palette for a potential dining room paint job.

This new trend allows for all sorts of Yeasty creativity. Jot down your ideas for projects or gifts or new books or anything you are interested in. It's your book, and if it gets too big, that's exactly the point. Enjoy it.

Check back often. I will post some photos of my best Smashed pages, once I get some of them done!

Finished product: 

As promised, here are two pages I recently completed in my new Smash notebook (really an artist's sketchbook with heavy duty pages).

As you can see, the items I smashed into the book are ones that I probalby wouldn't have scrapbooked, but still were items I didn't want to just throw away.

I added some scrapping supplies to the pages to jazz them up a little (the sun, FUN sign) and think this may be the most fun of all: Using up some of my stash.

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Thank you Teri for the excellent, informative blog post. I can't wait to try this and make my own Smash notebook. What do you think? Are you going to make a Smash notebook?

Purple Geraniums

I have never seen purple geraniums. Yet, visiting a relatives home there they were, on her front walkway. Purchased at a well known mart store. I chose these for the outdoor challenge from DPW. Limited color palet, time limit, value range, and specific brush sizes, this was a difficult one. Purple Geraniums.

My Vincent Mug

Challenge for this week. Paint your mug.... It is sinful the amount of coffee I need in the morning. I am a mug collector, but this is my favorite. Years ago my daughter, Cait, brought this home from a Museum trip. My favorite, my Vincent mug.

Black & White to Color Challenge

Decided today was the day to get off my duff and do the weekly challenge on the DailyPaintWorks site. Since I love the beauty of roses, this seemed like the one to start with. Taking this image from black and white to color being ever mindful of value. I enjoyed this and look forward to the mug and backyard challenge. You can clink the link on this blog to DPW site to see all the entries.