Painting Saints

I don't mean to be disrespectful, but this painting feels like a Saint to me. However I did not grow up with "normal" religious concepts. I think he is very, very well behaved and does not say bad things about people and he is rising out of the water. I'm getting braver about painting each day. I'm using a sander and just grinding off the parts I don't like.
If I knew Latin I would offer a blessing to end this post.

Larg(er) Pink Painting

Larger for me... 16x20
Been taking this painting to bed with me and darn if I don't wake up knowing what to do next! Only problem is I wrote the last set of directions on a paper I can't find...
I'm pretty happy.
Happy late Monday to all...

Sheath Dresses

Let's get one thing straight, I never wore a sheath dress in my life!
I am having a wonderful time with these paintings. I fall in love with little bits of them, like the hand and arms stained blue with yellow fingertips.
Isn't it interesting what makes us happy?

The garage is almost a shop. Almost. My press is for sale, it doesn't belong in an environment full of sawdust. (I'm going to get a smaller tabletop model for inside) I have been in such a good mood and G says the same is true for her... Our clutter was really ruling our lives. Now I'm working a little a day on the bits and pieces of my studio.

And I'm working on a big (16 x 20) (for me) painting.
Yippee, I love to make art.

The Last (well for now) Clutter Project

For the last few months G and I have been working on getting rid of excess "stuff" and cleaning up our clutter. Every week we spend an hour together indoors going through cupboards and closets. We bring bags of unused items to Saint Vinnie's, and have more space to breathe in our home.
Our large and light 2 car garage is the last disaster area. Ever since I have known G she has never had a proper shop, a space to work with her tools. When we moved here I was bound and determined that G would have her place to putter and create. So...we plan on finishing this project by Monday at noon, and then each power tool will have it's place.

It is both awful and amazing how many items I can amass that I don't use. And the more I have, the more I have to clean, dust and move from place to place.

So here are my "rules" for the clutter project:

1. I want to keep only what I truly love. In my case this means lots of plastic toys and little figures.
2. Sometimes I give away something I wish I hadn't. I have give away regret. I try to remind myself that most of the time I could go buy another one if I really needed it.
3. When things are neat and organized, it takes less time to clean.
4. All this creates more time to do what I really want to do.

Stay tuned for finished photo tour!

Why am I smitten? (Olive painting #2)

I am blessed with insightful friends. I asked L. why I was so smitten with this image. Her answer was so right on target...

"You are smitten with olive oyl because she is ugly but convinced she is beautiful and she is very, very happy. She doesn't ever think bad thoughts or think about death and she has a great color sense."

I am just like Olive! A plain Jane kind of girl who grew up to be very, very happy. (at least a lot of the time). A plain Jane girl who has known sweet love and has super wonderful friends.

I'm not always in the know regarding why I make what I make. But, if I just follow my desires and take the next indicated step I usually find out.

Thought for the day taken off the back of an envelope sent by A.
I say:
Be Good!
Play Hard!
Love Deep!

Happy Tuesday.

Olive O. I love you!

This little painting (5"x5") is finished and made me happy. I removed the flowers as they seemed a bit much. I'm having a great time painting this weekend.

Just Work...

These are my very organized packets of xerox imagery for transfer. I made xeroxes of many sizes and neatly put them in files so I can find them later.

The beginning of the big painting.

Here is my studio wall, with art given by friends. I love the Squeak Carnwath cards, they just came in the mail from A and SJ.
I do love my studio, I'm so lucky to have it.

ok, off to work on paintings!

Why is it so hard to get started?

My little group of 8 panels, ready for their underpaintings. (which sounds like underpants to me)
It took me forever to get to it today. Starting is hard. I finally had to tell my brain to just SHUT UP AND JUST PUT SOME PAINT DOWN.

I think part of the problem is that I'm sorta lonesome. In the last 3 months I have been able to see almost all my art beloveds and now I miss them. (L, K, L, A, SJ, B) My community is scattered throughout several states. As I was missing everyone Ginger came home with the mail and a package from A and SJ.! Images from the Squeak Carnwath show in Oakland, and cool Nancy Drew Cards. It made me so happy.

I'm pretty excited about the images that go on top of these underpants paintings.
Gonna work a lot tomorrow.

A Weekend With Friends

I have lived in many houses, but none evoke the feelings in me that this one does. While we were walking around it someone made the usual comment about wondering when it would finally collapse. Another woman said never as it was held together with love. G and I spent the weekend with old friends visiting and sharing memories of the times we lived together on this land. This small house held our kitchen and dining room. The living room was the site of countless collective meetings. The living room floor is sloped and we still remind each other: "no dancing in the living room!" As in old times we spilled out onto the patio for a family portrait.

There were a bunch more people in the photo, but thought you all might enjoy the sight of all the little white dogs... who are all related!!!

We stayed in an amazing outdoor sleeping room that has a clear roof and sits in a grove of madrone trees. We watched the full moon through the branches.

Simon was so tired after all the walking and little dog action he could hardly get out of bed.

Our friends near and far have created many things. Best of all are the bonds between us.

Lots Going On

Too busy.
Lots of panels to paint on have come my way. Thanks B and L.
Now I need time to paint on them.
Soon.