Saturday, January 23, 2010

Tweaking a painting




I had done this painting last week and didn't like it, so thought I'd just try some of my new Aquarelle water color crayons to make a transfer and see if it would work. It did, but I don't like the painting any more now than I did earlier. I also changed the flower by collaging over it and the stem. I like that part better. This may be one to take to a collaborative exercise group so everyone else can play with it and see if anyone can make it better.

Monday, January 18, 2010

High school days revisited


One of my very best friends from high school sent this photo which shows us in our candystriper uniforms in 1955. It sure brings back memories, just not names....... I'm hoping some of the other gals will help fill in the spaces.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Break in the fog


Finally we had scattered sunshine for two days. What's a gal to do? Garden, of course. I weeded, raked, pulled and transplanted things. I planted pansies, johnny jump ups and primroses. How wonderful to have fresh flowers around. Then today the fog came back and will be followed by rain soon, so I hear.

I was the volunteer gallery sitter today. I thought I needed to do my part, so signed on. It was very quiet and I didn't sell anything, but I met a few interesting people and had quiet time to play with colored pencils in my practice book.

I hope you are having sunshine and can be out in it.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Painting in winter


This gloomy weather is such a bore. Where oh where is the sun? I checked the weather online to see if there was any within driving distance, and I'd have to cross the Sierras to get to it, and I don't do that in the winter. so, I'll paint cheery colors and put on a pot of hearty beef stew. Here is the little piece I worked on yesterday at the Senior Center. See the big sun? This was done in watercolor pencil and liquid gel medium, then glazed over with fluid acrylic titan buff glaze.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Its a New Year.


Today is cleaning day, the last day of the winter break. Tomorrow I'll be returning to the Senior Center painting and the rest of the week is filled with other fun things. But, today is a work day.
I've spent the last few days updating my computer - all so I can use the new Ipod Nano my brother gave me for Christmas. I thought I'd just plug it in, do a few quick things online and be up and running - but between doing other things it took me two days of updating this, updating that, downloading the other - etc. The good news is, it is working - working great! How much fun it will be to have such a large memory full of podcasts and my favorite music. My favorite podcasts are from NPR, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me". Nothing like some humor mixed in with my old musicals. My Nano included a $50 certificate from Itunes, so I've been shopping too. The music scores from Awakenings and from Edward Scissorhands are wonderful. I'm a huge Danny Elfman fan, so picked some of my favorite things he has written. I also have my friend Dan'l's albums on my Ipod so I can hear him wherever I happen to be. click on the link and you can hear him too.