Poses

 I had three blank canvases size 4 x 12 inches.  I have a bunch of small art books and looked through them for ideas for subjects.  I was getting nowhere until I found Picasso's Girl on a ball.  perfect subject.  In my book she is only 2 inches tall. I did and then started  painting.

The pose is everything.

Fourth in series

 I drew this series on paper larger than the square shape I planned to finish them  with mats and frames.  They are on cheap water color paper primed with gesso.  Once I had a paint brush in my hand I was enjoying the process so much I chose to use the entire surface.  So much for the square idea.  Lol.

Third in series

 

This one is an action piece, done with an unusual pallette. 

Second in series

 From a simple silhouette I added a layered and very complex background to the lively figure. 

dancer

 First in series.

Working out

 I started a series of sketches of dance poses.  

Then painted them.

New pieces

 I finished both of these today. 

Untitled 

Red Dog Walking

Life today

 I am going to try speaking into my tablet rather than typing on the little touchpad that comes up which is slow and tedious and I make so many mistakes that I need to repeat things over and over.

 I'm getting ready to go into the studio today and finish a painting I've been working on for several days making changes everyday from colors two sizes to shapes to all kinds of variations. I think I know where it's going now and can zip through it. My studio is my refuge. It's a place to reflect + 2 immerse myself in making art and escaping from The Real World.

This is following the day when 17 young school children were shot in their classroom and two adults. Another gun-toting teenager on the Rampage for no reason that makes any sense to anyone. But he had access to purchasing, at the age of 18, some weapons and ammunition that prepared him for this massacre. It could have been anywhere. 

People are arguing it was his mental state and not the guns that are responsible for this tragedy. But I argue if he had not had those weapons would these children be dead now? It's obvious to me that had he been on a rampage with a knife or fists would these children be dead? Of course not. So how many times does this need to happen before our country wakes up to the facts. Indiscriminate sales of these weapons lead to multiple deaths. Losses of innocent lives.

We must stop this insanity.  America must follow the examples of other countries who have placed restrictions and are doing a better job of protecting their citizens. 

The shock and despair, grieving and anger, families devastated and broken.   Terrible. Heartbreaking.    

Time to retreat to my studio to help heal my mind and heart.   

Technology today

 When I started blogging it was to record my art and life journey as well as to provide some information and tutorials on altering books and other things.  Now technology makes so much information available  at the touch of a keyboard, I wonder if it will be such an adventure to new aspiring artists.  All those hours alone in the studio working through problems and experimenting with supplies and new products.  Online workshops and You Tube demos are wonderful, but the old ways were so rewarding.

Another technology offering keeps me engrossed in my studio.  Public radio and audio books keep me company.  My old collection of books on tape is being supplanted  with public library's online offerings and Libravox.  I applaud this technology.  

Right in the middle of one of my old audio taped books, one cassette failed. Fortunately I have a large print copy of this book so I can fill in the missing chapters. 

On a whim I tried the public library as a source and found my book was available there in audio. In a matter of minutes I was able to have access to the missing portions of the book that I could listen to and continue to work on my art projects at the same time. Now that I know how simple it is to do this I will be checking my other favorite books if they aren't available in LibriVox I probably will find them at the public library. And it's all free.  Access is easy. They give me 21 days to finish a book before it goes back to them although physically I've never had possession of the book only the content online.  technology rocks.

Newer works

 I have not stopped making art and painting.  

This is a digital version of painting

I have now finished. 

Another digital version of recently

 finished piece.

this was about the  3rd

Version of sunflower. 

I keep painting over it

until I decide to call it done.

Rosie digs for treats

 I hide little kibble bits in this toy so she can entertain herself digging them out.  She is food motivated.   Found this toy on Amazon.  She has no use for the preferred toys of Nikki or Lulu.  I dont think this dog had ever had a toy, or even knew how to play.  Now her favorite game is to stage fake fights through the wire fence with neighbors dog.   It only lasts a few seconds then they turn their backs and walk away wagging their tails.   Best buddies. 

Totems in journal.

 I carry a 9 x 6 inch Strathmore sketch diary to senior center art group and clubhouse arts and crafts group.  It is so much easier and more convenient to haul along limited supplies and materials.  I carry a small tote bag with pencils, erasers, buc extra fine point pens and colored pencils.     

I started playing with doodles.  Just drawing a continuous line with swirls and twists.  Right away I saw the loops as eyes, and began to see them as totems. Faces stacked in abstract compositions.    I love working with colored pencils, varying the colors and mixing colors.   Here are some from this sketch book.  I do one or two a week.  Usually finishing them off during the week, as chatting takes up art time in groups.   Lol.  That's why we go to these groups.  It is NOT all art.  It is majorly social.