A Pear Repair and a Little Robin

Remember this pear from a few days ago? (see March 13 post) Remember that the horizon line didn't quite match up? Well I fixed it the other day and so here it is again, only better. The color is not as good in this photo as the other I think - the blue is looking too rich here. I don't know, I have so very much to learn! Yesterday I did the little robin. Both of these are 2.5" x 3.5" and oil on Masonite. I think I will try them on eBay as ACEO's maybe.

Portrait Underpaintings and E.M. Forster

8" x 10" and 11 x 14"

Portrait Painting classes at Studio 2nd Street started back up Tuesday. Whew - just in time too. Seems like if I don't stay connected and in class discouragement sets in really fast. I went to class without passion or ideas or desire or much of anything other than my supplies. I wasn't even very happy with those. I had a small 8 x 10 canvas which I thought - fine no point in wasting a big canvas when I've been away so long and am uninspired, but I also grabbed an 11 x 14 canvas base coated in bright red - from a brief Carolyn Jasper and Bob Burridge binge I was on for a while. So what the heck - and then class started. Vanessa set up this great pose with a nice bright red back drop - how convenient. I started with the little 8 x 10 and got warmed up and then tackled the red 11 x 14. I am kind of excited about them now and looking forward to seeing how they develop in class next week. I hope the inspiration sticks around! I have no real preconceived ideas, and I find that is how I generally work. It's sort of the visual equivalent of "How do I know what I think until I see what I say." (E. M. Forster)

Name Game

Anything to keep from working right? Well, a friend emailed this to me and I thought it interesting enough to include it here. Supposedly - there are 36 people in the US with my name - but I think what they really mean is that there are 36 people in THEIR data bank, which probably does NOT include absolutely everybody - but I could be wrong. Any way - here it is if you want to play along...

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 36 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

TED Talk

This is a book by Dr Jill Taylor, a brain researcher.

Go here and spend 20 minutes listening to her.

Rick's Painting Progress

For some reason today has been a crappy day. I have no explanation for it. I knitted a bit and worked in Suess's journal, and worked on Rick's painting. This is a really bad photo of course - but in my commitment to self-discipline and will power I forced myself to work on this a bit. Mostly I am baffled by it - I feel like I have lost focus. I did a bunch of value drawings of it and that didn't seem to help. I painted out my favorite parts as I felt I was too "married" to them too early in the game, and played with light and dark. Basically I pretty much hate it - but I will not quit. I will try to work it out some more on paper before I paint on it again - I think.

Getting Back On Track

Pear Practice 3" x 4" Oil on Masonite


I am trying to get back on track with daily painting and posting as well as re-focusing on the theme of the year - "The Year of Self-Discipline and Will Power". Last year - "The Year of Trips and Prizes" was a heck of a lot easier and more fun! Any way - I painted this last night, to force myself back into routine, took the picture while still wet - thus the annoying reflection. I also work a little bit on Linda and another old portrait. So - technically this is yesterdays post and I owe myself one more today. I also need to get busy on those Egypt photos and get them posted.

I am back from Egypt

PANORAMIC VIEW OF CAIRO from our hotel window when we first arrived. It is a HUGE BUSY city. It was built for 5 million people. At night 17 million are there, during the day 22 million are there, as 5 million come into the city to work each day. It is growing by about 1 million per year.

Physically I arrived home Wednesday March 27Th, mostly. Mentally and emotionally I may have finished arriving today. Since I got back, today is the first time I have felt anywhere near normal. Egypt was awesome. I will be writing about it and posting photos soon. I have so much going through my head, I have done a lot of thinking - well, that's really nothing new - I always do a lot of that anyway. But I am determined that this year - the Year of Self-Discipline and Will Power - that I will make some progress, decisions and commitments. I have known this all along - but I absolutely need to set some boundaries and rules for myself, some limitations. No , seriously, I mean it, really. I absolutely detest the thought of this and every molecule within is screaming in protestation and organizing a rebellion. I know without a doubt this will be painful and difficult but I am determined to give it a serious try. I just want to do everything and try everything. Nearly every darn thing under the sun is interesting to me and I want to know and do it all. OK - I have been distracted by household stuff and Rick - to be continued....