12.26.2012

Merry Christmas!


A day late, but yes, I baked. It's not too late to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hope you are having a joyous holiday season. Looking forward to new beginnings, new ideas – maybe some sort of personal Renaissance – that may inspire others? Wouldn't that be nice?

11.22.2012

Happy Thanksgiving


My favorite part of the day – homemade pie. Like last year, we shared the work. Maya made the pecan, Ellie made the apple, and I made the pumpkin.

11.20.2012

More colorful


Pokeweed. 12x12 acrylic on canvas
I've been wanting to paint something more colorful. The bright red violet stems and berries of pokeweed could not be more striking.

11.01.2012

Halloween


Quite a different Halloween this year. I felt it had already passed because at the office we are working on Thanksgiving. Maya has outgrown trick-or-treating. Ellie is old enough to go without me. I am grateful that I was able to work from home just to be around for it. And thankful that Ellie had enough time and energy to carve a pumpkin. Our family traditions that have stuck: Charlie the skeleton was given to us by Grandpa Bob many years ago. One of our few decorations - he must always sit on the front porch. Lucky's third year in our home and the girls made her wear the tutu again. Such a sweet sleepy ballerina puppy.




10.24.2012

Garbage Picking


Yesterday on my way to work I drove past a house with a huge mountain of garbage at the curb which included stacks and stacks of furniture. I did a quick u-turn in the middle of the road to rescue this end table from the top of the heap. The girls did not want me to bring it in the house because they think it smells horrible. This morning I scrubbed it down with a variety of cleansers and it does still have a very peculiar smell that resembles rotten pickles? I don't know if I will ever take the time to strip it down. The finish is in pretty bad shape and the shelf, I'm guessing, was a late addition of a piece of ply wood glued in. I am surprised how well it matched the rest of the piece. I just couldn't resist.

9.26.2012

Critique



I am grateful for my artist friends who invited me into their critique group. Two different approaches on these recent pieces, but I received affirmation that I could continue with both. As Linda says about the second piece.... "paint 100 more like that."

9.16.2012

Award of Excellence


What's more surprising than having 3 painting accepted into the Salon Show? Receiving an Award of Excellence at the opening reception today. The show will hang through the end of October. If you are in Northwest Indiana be sure to check it out.



9.07.2012

Really?!


Really?! The follow up to my post "Not really." I said that I haven't been painting. I'm not satisfied with my work. Not ready for a show. Truth is: I'll probably never feel satisfied. If I do, I'll become complacent and not move forward. I'll probably never feel ready. So I entered 3 recent works in the 69th Annual Salon show and all 3 were accepted.

6.24.2012

Not Really

Friday night I attended an opening reception at the Co-Prosperity Sphere in Bridgeport. As always, it was great to be surrounded by art and artists. Especially delightful to see people that I have not seen in years. A few of them asked me if I have been painting. My answer: "No. Not really." Why do I deny this? I have not been consistent in my effort or technique. I am not satisfied with any one painting nor does any one of them feel complete. I can't say I have a body of work or that I am ready for a show, but that doesn't mean I haven't painted.












6.03.2012

Summer


I've enjoyed a beautiful summer weekend including: perfect weather, running, biking, gardening, reading, relaxing, friends, bbq, campfire, s'mores and more. Yesterday we showed our friends our vegetable garden and the beans just peeking through the dirt. This morning they were 2 inches tall! Magic beans? Plus, a bumper crop of strawberries which have inspired the baking of pound cake and a fresh fruit pie. [I must have been more interested in eating dessert than photographing it.]


4.04.2012

Springfield, IL


We had a very nice weekend in Springfield. It was a much smaller city than I had imagined, but certainly a few sites worth seeing. It meant a lot to me just to spend time together as a family.


Video projection microscope intended for viewing historical artifacts.

The fact that my girls have completely outgrown any children's play museum makes me a little sad to realize we are quickly leaving childhood behind.


I think the girls had fun!


3.17.2012

Unlucky?

This morning, I poured a bowl of Lucky Charms and this is what I got. Unlucky? I don't think so. I grilled the girls with accusation. Have you picked all the marshmallows out? Ellie totally denied it. Although she did say she looks in the box and assesses which side would score her the most marshmallows before she pours. Pretty smart. Maya said "no" but I saw something in her eyes. Then she confessed, "but only on the last bowl" because she didn't get any either.

All this to say, why did I even start my day with a bowl of sugary cereal? Yesterday I came home from work and crashed from a long busy week. I just couldn't bear the thought of the school fun fair or even a martini with the moms after. I was completely wiped out and needed down time. So I stayed home, laid on the couch, watched a movie, and then some lecture on healthy eating that supplements the PBS subscription drive. Yes, yes. I know this. I shouldn't be eating sugar, or wheat or dairy. So is this bowl unlucky? No. It just wasn't meant to be.

2.01.2012

Back to it.

Here I am. Finally back to painting. I had to force myself to do it. I've compared it to exercise before. You can't wait for the spirit to move you. You may be waiting too long. Sometimes inspiration follows after you take the first few steps. Surprisingly, this is the same painting. The first no longer exists. I considered it an underpainting. The second is still an underpainting - over the first. No regrets. There is more canvas where that came from.


1.08.2012

Good Morning Baby Cakes!

I've made donuts for the 3rd time this morning since Santa brought us a Baby Cakes Mini Donut Maker. : )

1.06.2012

12th Night

I have all my decorations packed away except for the tree - which is halfway undecorated. Went to the ceremonial burning of the trees at the Main Square in our little town. Then, out to dinner with friends for lots of fun.


Yesterday Ellie had me shoot her gingerbread creation before I tossed it in the trash.

On Monday we ice-skated at Millenium Park with friends. On Tuesday we went to a roller skating party, where I skated all night. Makes me want to keep going, as it takes me a while to get comfortable and then it seems I go such a long time without strapping on skates again.

Working 8 hours a day is easy when Darrin is home with the girls. Monday - back to school and early mornings. Ugh.