Monday, February 28, 2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

I've added color to my Florida Sketches. My paintings won't be realistic, I don't enjoy that kind of painting anymore. But there are a couple of Abstract directions I could take. Abstract realism, Fractured, Mixed Media.
I'm pretty sure there will be something involving glue. I'm all about glue!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

I've made some sketches and decided to try these.
I used the triangular underlying shapes. I can't wait to add color.
I love the orange roofs against the blue skies that you see in Florida.


YA Book Project Status:
11.18.2010  4,689 words
12.16.2010  17,290 words
1.18.2011    31,036 words
2.18.2011    35,963 words

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Number 1 on the To Do List

Paintings for the Gallery

Paintings for the Riverview Gallery in Havre De Grace, Maryland. Last year the only paintings I sold through this gallery were small and affordable. So that's my direction for 2011. Small and affordable. I found an entry in one of my old sketchbooks - UNDERLYING SHAPES. I'm going to use this as my foundation. I have some photos I took last spring in the canals of Cape Coral, Florida. Off to make some sketches.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

The To Do List

I'm planning my To Do List and making my dreams come true! First I have to prioritize the items as some of my goals have a deadline. But true to my nature there are a gazillion things I want to accomplish, a really large unmanageable list. So my first action is to make a list pared down to NO MORE THAN 8 ITEMS. I don't know why 8, 10 seemed to many, 5 too few. My second action is to prioritize the list in order of deadlines.



So here is my list:

1. Blog twice a week - this is my accountability anchor - I can't disappoint my millions of followers
2. (6) paintings for Riverview Gallery (due for delivery the end of March)
3. (2) paintings for the Rottler exhibit (due May)
4. 1st picture book project (illustrate, story is done)
5. 2nd picture book project (re-write story & illustrate)
6. YA Book project (finish first draft)
6. Art Journal (do this when ever I need fun, paint and glue are my stress relievers)

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Writing & Arting

I've used my Blog, up until now, just for my ART, my current  art work. But now I've decided to include my passion for children's books. Not just the art, but also the WRITING. I know I've claimed to hibernating all winter in an unproductive sofa induced stupor. But, truth be told, I have actually been writing, on the sofa, tucked under a snuggie.

I found an old obscure fairy tale that I re-wrote and modernized and plan to ILLUSTRATE - complete with fairies and a princess and scaly green critters. I've also written my own modern fairy tale spoof - again the plan is to illustrate this myself.

Picture books are my usual fare, but a few months ago I had an idea for a Young Adult book. Picture books have to be a concise 1000 words or less. The YA book should have 70,000 words. I thought, with a great big ego, I can do that. So I started this project in November 2010. As of February 2011, I have 36,000 words. What the hell was I thinking! I'm not going to give up though! But I do have to start devoting some of my time to other projects. I need new paintings for my gallery in March - and ooops - that's only 2 weeks away.
And I need to win the lottery so I can quit this day job!
2.16.2010

Friday, February 11, 2011

It's Hard To Get Started

take time to smell the roses
Such good advice but so difficult to follow. I'm still dragging myself out of hibernation, the weather is not cooperating. It's so cold, 14 degrees last night, my studio garage is freezing even with the heater on.

But I've got soooo much I want to get started on - the sketchbook, illustrations, paintings, writing, and reading.
My "To Do List" is daunting!

I have started the sketchbook, barely. I've updated this blog with a new template and all the stuff I've been meaning to add for the last few months. I've spent a lot of sofa time "blurfing" (blog surfing), and have visited cherished old friends that I haven't seen for awhile - Hello Everyone - and discovered many new blog friends, the inspiration I've soaked up is fabulous.

I found a new fav I'd like to share, hosted by Grannie Annie, don't let the name fool you - this lady is quirky and fun and her blog is so worth the visit!

http://thewhimseyasylum.blogspot.com/

2.11.2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

Plein Air Snowman

Today was a fabulous day for a walk. No snow. No freezing rain or sleet. Welcome Mr. Sunshine, haven't seen you in a while! We met this snowman on our walk. I'd like to say I drew him "plein air" in the true spirit of an artist, but no, I took a picture instead. In all fairness, in spite of Mr. Sunshine, it was still pretty cold. And 
Mr. Lumpy here didn't have anything to say, so the one-sided conversation became boring very fast. Plus, I was walking AJ the Alpha Dog, who didn't find Mr.Lumpy The Snowman all that awesome, and threatened "yellow snow" if the walk didn't continue! So - I brought my digital picture of Mr. Lumpy home to my computer, loaded him up on my monitor, and drew him "plein aire a la sofa" - the first sketch in my sketchbook as I slowly come out of hibernation.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Stirring the Muse


I am still hibernating, but I'm starting to feel guilty about it - a little. Phil did not see his shadow, so hopefully, we will have an early spring. They're calling for another wintery weekend here in Pennsyltucky, so I'm not expecting a visit from the robins or the crocus any time soon.

Still -  just the thought of an early spring makes me want to shake off those winter doldrums, and the snuggies, and the hot chocolate and do something. Ah, but my muse is still buried deep under a huge mound of quilts and goose down and fleece. There is no rousing her.

So I went perusing for inspiration on my own - on the internet. The perfect place to look for inspiration without actually disengaging myself from the sofa. These blogs stirred my creative juices:

http://www.alisaburke.blogspot.com/

http://www.andreajoseph24.blogspot.com/
http://www.elviestudio.blogspot.com/
http://www.teeshascircus.blogspot.com/

The perfect place to start getting ready for an early spring
~ the Art Journal ~ the creative Playground!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Groundhog Day!!

PHIL PREDICTS AN EARLY SPRING !!




Punxsutawney, PA.

 If he sees his shadow, be prepared for six more weeks of winter weather. If there is no shadow to be found, then spring is just around the corner!
So - today is Groundhog Day - a regular holiday in Pennsylvania. Tens of thousands of people travel to Punxsutawney before the sunrise. They have to park miles away and take shuttles into town. And from what I understand, the average Joe can't even get near enough to see Phil, the world's most famous groundhog. Punxsutawney Phil emerges from his warm burrow at about 7:30 am to greet the tens of thousands of people who have made the trek to Gobbler's Knob, outside of Punxsutawney, PA.

2022

   Merry Christmas