Johnny Jump ups in handmade mug 8"x8" oil on panel

Today was a cool, damp day- the best kind of studio day. I worked on several different projects and was happy as a clam to be in my warm little studio. My friend Kelley spontaneously drove to my studio from Rhode Island (!) bearing gifts- Lebanese pies and this sweet mug her son Conor made, with flowers! We dined and chatted and painted while her funny pug Paco

ran around and tried to eat push pins and wire spools. Thanks Paco- he managed to find the caster I was missing on my easel- much steadier now! I love sharing time with artist friends, all we need is a little space, time and art supplies and we are in heaven.

Okay, the dogs are important too, but really Paco- push pins?

We saw a cardinal and a finch at the feeder in my  studio window and Kelley painted birds. It was a great day. As a write this I can smell lilacs that I picked from my yard- white ones- there is no other smell in the world that tops that -(well maybe chocolate) I put them by my bed at night and have sweet dreams. They remind me and many others I know of our grandmothers.