Happy New Year - 2017!!

2016 wasn't the best year for me - by any stretch - no matter how I look at it.  Not that there were BAD things that happened, but there certainly were life changing and sad times.  

I am looking forward to 2017 as a year to change my outlook somewhat.  I am not going to make 'pie in the sky' promises to myself - but I am going to focus on lightening up - physically and mentally, letting the wind carry my ideas and plans where it WILL. 

As I looked at another year of participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 as soon as it was announced, I wasn't much into doing year 5..but the longer I thought about it, I realized I hadn't painted since the day before my dad passed - September 17th and here it is, December 31st.  

I needed a way to channel myself back to the easel and the studio - I was finding myself using every excuse and trick to keep myself away from paint and brushes.  30 in 30 is perfect at this time, no pressure. I am foregoing a specific theme or focus and JUST PAINT.  I keep telling myself, that's why it's called a 'challenge' - duh! It will seem a challenge to GET OUT THERE for several days, but hopefully that will pass.  It is what I have always craved, that time doing art, and there is no time like now to rekindle that love..it could very well be what's causing these wandering and worthless feelings I have.  I can no longer let this 'sucky' year be the cause of not reaching out there to feed my artist's soul....SOOOOOO...

...I have made it out to the studio today, I have a cleaned off space - I have fresh brush cleaner, I have my 'source' ready, my canvas/sub straight has been pretreated ahead of time with a fun background and I have sketched out my subject in white charcoal. All I need to do now is create my music 'playlist' and I will be ready to go - DAY ONE!

(There is a little voice in the back of my mind that is telling me that I will wear down quickly and NOT finish the 30 this time, but I am pushing that voice back with trying to plan a little ahead of the game, hopefully being ready for the next day, a day ahead!! )

COME BACK TOMORROW!!  DAY ONE WILL BE POSTED AT SOME POINT IN THE DAY!!

Painting 30 Paintings in 30 Days - Day 1/Tulips

Happy New Year!

So glad it's 2016 - to begin Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days!

Holding true to my plan (having fun with mixed media), this is number ONE!

"Bringing Spring Inside"

8 1/2" x 10"

pastel and watercolor on dusty rose Art Spectrum

This is the first thing I did to the surface, using Dr. Martin's

very vivid watercolors.

I began by drawing and painting a crude idea of where the 

main parts of the plant go. I used my own photo

of tulips I received several years ago.

I put it in an 11" x 14" mat to see the edges of 

what I wanted framed, if needed.

Happy New Year's EVE...

Every time I look at this photo I took, there's a song that I start singing in my head "Red Solo Cup..you fill me up...let's have a partay...let's have a partay..."

Got them from family for Christmas - they crack me up.  

Guess it's where we live - it has rubbed off on us.

Where I Stand Sunday at the Beginning of the New Year

Happy New Year!

Spending time in Colorado with my daughter and her family ~ even though they have bad colds, it has been a cathartic way to start the new year!   Grandchildren are good for the soul.  They remind you of where you have been and give you hope for the future (most of the time ~ big smile.)

Whatever this year brings (and it ought to be an interesting one), I hope that it brings you joy and happiness! 

Happy New Year!

It's always great to approach a 'new beginning'.   In pursuing art as a career (again), I have made "someday" - my "today".  I keep the door open. I let possibilities in.  Being an artist has its ups and downs, just like any vocation or area of interest/career/job, but if one stays passionate about their task - the sky is the limit.  I find there is a definite ART to being an artist.  I realize each day - time is of the essence. 

One of my goals for the new year is to use my time more wisely with respect to technology.  Researching is a great past time. It's the teacher/learner in me.  And although that is important to keeping my brain healthy, it doesn't get the paint on the canvas or give me that planning time I need to create more substantial pieces.

Along with that major goal are several that deal with personal health and well-being I will share with you:  continue to get out of debt, fit in fitness time, 'tame the bulge' and get organized.  Sounds all too familiar, been there, didn't necessarily DO THAT..but all the same, I have to continue trying. 

With optimism, I am hoping that this new year brings more hope and possibilities in these uncertain times for all of us. I still believe, that one can do anything they put their mind to. More diligent and concentrated focus will help to make small dreams come true. And I believe all the 'little' things can roll into a 'bigger' thing, no matter the obstacles or bends in the road. Continuing to move forward and looking to the future with an open mind will push us along.  It's easy to be critical or to blame others for the woes of our world, but each one of us has a duty to make better - what we can. 

Thanks for visiting my blog.  Those of you who are followers, those of you who check in once in awhile and those of you who just stumbled across this cyberplace...here's hoping that you find your way to better your world and find the happiness and well-being you deserve in this NEW YEAR.   Go on!!  Make it a great one!!!