A Whirlwind Travel Event

Denver/DIA Lights at night

I recently made a trip from Denver to St. Louis, then on down to my Aunt's nearby city, Rolla, Mo., for her 90th birthday party.  I haven't traveled by air in over 5 years, what a different experience!  However, now I know what it takes, lots of pep and energy, and patience, and a book to read - for sure!

Several hotel rooms, lots of dining out and again - patience.  Waiting on planes and shuttles and lines...it was a FUN time - but...glad to be back home.

It's snowing here - kind of blizzardy.  I love my home.

 

SOCIAL ORDER - a new oil painting by artist Pattie Wall

 

This painting has taken me a very long time, over a year to be exact.  I was having the best time with it but kind of like when golfers get the 'yips' - I quit - and it has been 1/2 finished - staring at me from the wall of my studio.  I loved where it was going, but I think I experienced some fear that I would ruin it to take it to 'finish'.  For me, this is a real - TRUE - fear at the easel - so many times it happens.  So, I finally bolstered my confidence and have been sitting with it - painting on it from time to time,  

the past few weeks and it feels DONE NOW.  

I titled it "SOCIAL ORDER".  It's oil paint on deep wrapped canvas, 18" x 24".

Source photo graciously supplied by Deb Frank.

A Celebration of Gratitude

'Amber and Lola'

mixed media on Richeson WC paper

This week's challenge on LIFEBOOK2023 was to 'celebrate gratitude' and 'garden of gratitude".

I could think of painting nothing else than the photo my friend, from afar, shared on her FB page this week.  It is one of her friends, Amber, who helps her at her farm/ranch. 

She is unable to do a lot of the work that needs attention - due to illness.

I am so grateful for the HELP that she receives from her friends - it allows her to 

stay in her place and keep her critters - which are everything to her.

I can totally understand wanting to STAY where you are and continue

to enjoy and live with your animals in any way possible. I would be the same way.

Here's to you Amber and all the others who help keep the 'boat afloat'.

And here is my practice piece of background painting with color and floral suggestions...

 

Paper Collage Art

 Not something I usually engage in, but this week's lesson on LIFEBOOK was quite fun.  

Ruins in Mixed Media

 Carrying on with lessons - LifeBook 2023.  Years ago I visited Guatemala on a painting trip with other amazing artists.  We visited the Ruins of Santa Clara in Antigua, Guatemala.   - the perfect photo of which to use watercolor, gouache and ink pen.  This one was so comfortable to do.  Loose and NOT exacting - just what I needed this week.

Snow Leopard

"Snow Leopard"

9" x 12"

Kitty Wallis sanded pastel paper

pan pastel, sticks and pencil pastel 

Short process photos follow...

 Source photo used by Kyle Hanson/Unsplash

Traveling a Mountain Path

 

This piece is created with collage, mat medium, inks, acrylics, pens, and watercolor.

The mountain silhouette is the one I see stepping out my backdoor.

The model was used from Unsplash - a website that offers free use of photos

supplied by photographers.  I often get good ideas by going there.