My work week.....

"Lunch with my Peeps"

12" x 16"  oil

I was walking my dog yesterday morning before work, thinking......what if I got up earlier?

Think of how much I could do before my work day even begun!

I can't seem to find a regular time to paint.  It's like that wonderful treat, that takes last place 

when other things need to be done.  But yesterday.....while walking my dog.....I thought, maybe I could be a morning person, maybe I could paint in the mornings before work?  

I met a wonderful artist in Easton, Maryland....Stephen Griffin, we were having a beer and talking about art and painting.  I was asking him how he got to the level he's at (he's a master at impressionistic landscapes and life like portraits)  He told me I need to paint my 200 paintings!  That's what he did.

"What do you mean?  200 paintings?"  I had an idea.......get out there and practice.  He said he and a friend got up everyday at 5am and painted...never skipped a day!  Their paintings improved dramatically over a few months.

He said I need to paint my 200 paintings, then throw them in a pile and burn them....then go paint 200 more!  Okay, I got it....paint...paint...paint!  Of course that's the only way I'm going to go to the next level........paint my way there. 

 I have been hearing this message from a few other accomplished artists too.  

So yesterday morning.......I thought, maybe before work I can start working at that goal of 200 paintings! 

When I got to work, I found out that my work days are going to start at 12 noon, instead of 10am.  I kinda feel like the universe just arranged things for me after hearing my thoughts on my walk..........knowing I'm not really good at the early morning thing, this will be a good alternative.

So that's my new goal 200 paintings.....you may not see them all,

 I want to be able to paint without fear.  So I'll show you the ones I'm happy with along the way :)

 My advise to you......go for a quiet walk and tell the universe what you want,

 then watch what happens next.  

   

Strawberries

"Strawberries"

6" x 6"  oil

I woke up thinking about doughnuts and coffee, but when I found out

my favorite doughnut shop was closed today......I decided on strawberry shortcake!

A quick trip to the store....

Grocery list 

1.  Strawberries

         2.  a pint of heavy whipping cream

      3.  biscuit mix

            4.  several shades of nail polish

Sugared & cut strawberries heaped on a warm biscuit, with a big dollop of whipped cream,

it was wonderful!  I'm so glad the doughnut shop was closed.

The nail polish was a little project I was thinking about since I saw

some polka dot finger nails on Pinterest....

So now my nails are painted and covered in tiny dots......toes too :)

I had a nice day with my family.

Vintage VW

"Under Cover"

5" x 7"  oil

This neat old bus was in  Northern Idaho a while back.

I painted this one from a photo I took.

I have a lot of fond memories of these little beauties.

Heavy Metal

Last night I took my 1956 Ford truck out 

for a cruise with a local car club.  Last night was the first time I drove

Charlie 60 mph!  He did fine......nothing fell off, and the heater ROCKS!

That's kinda important to Alaskans.....we need heat even in the summer.

This painting seemed appropriate for today's post.  I love old cars and trucks!

I'll have to paint Charlie soon and post the painting.....introduce you to my new friend.

Thank you for looking!

Ready to Ride

"Ready to Ride"

18" x 24"  oil

I love the props......goggles, helmets, wigs, gas mask.

This is a self portrait of me waiting for my first motorcycle ride of the season.

I've told myself I want to learn to ride a motorcycle myself, but really I love going for 

a ride on the back....with someone I trust doing the driving.

I grew up with my dad taking me for weekend rides....we had fun! 

Mothers Day Roses

These are my Mother's Day roses, outside in the evening sun. 

I'm trying to paint colors that I see and not the details. I think this is a nice start.

The brightness outside fools my eyes though.  I'll have to learn to push the colors stronger than I think they are, they may be closer to the truth that way. 

A wise artist  taught me that. 

Reflection

"Reflection"

18" x 24"  oil

Watercolor

Another older painting, this was a watercolor done before I started oil

painting.  I made it into a little greeting card and sold them.

It was inspired by my love of vintage trailers.  I had found one about 10 years ago, an "Artisotrat", made in the early 60's.  I bought it from an artist that had been using it as a studio for a while.  He made a real impression on me, although I can't remember his name.  I took my husband downtown to take a look at  the little trailer and we bought it within the hour.  A little gem!  This was the first time I ever talked with someone that I could have sworn I've known all my life, and yet we had never met before.

An interesting moment I'll never forget.

I daydream of finding a little airstream to park in the back yard....doll it out and use it as a guest bedroom in the summer months :)

Rolling Jack

"Rolling Jack"

5" x 7"  

oil on board

This little painting was painted and sold a long time ago,

but I still like this little character.  He's so happy....and he's metal, you know how I love metal stuff.

Just painted from my imagination.......playing around.

I'm going to keep showing you older stuff, until I paint something I like!

I'm caught between how I've been thinking/painting and trying something a little different.

It's kinda like rearranging the furniture in the living room.

 I'm trying things out and seeing if it fits right now. 

Head in the Clouds

"Head in the Clouds"

16" x 20" oil

You would think a skull would look 

ominous.....spooky....haunting, 

but the skull I have, he seems kinda cheerful.  

That big grin of his, just makes me want to paint him! 

I guess he should have a name.  I paint him enough, he's starting to feel like family.

Hmmm.......what should I name him?

I'll think on it.

Fiona in Goggles

"Fiona in Goggles"

18" x 24"  oil

I'm posting older paintings, because .......

I need to get out and paint!!

I'm waiting for things to slow down a little bit and I'll jump in

and start painting again.  Like jump rope ....when it's going too

fast, it's seems harder to play along, but if it slows down just a bit...I can hop in. 

Today...I'm celebrating!

Today my family and I celebrated.......my oldest child just graduated from high school.

This painting feels appropriate today. I'm very happy and proud of my son.....he's kind, intelligent and  wise beyond his years......an old soul.

The world is a better place with him moving through it.