Altered Book - mixed media breakfast at Sunny's

I slept over at my sister Bryson's house last night- it was great. Its like being at a spa where I can just chill.

In the morning I sat and painted her coffee pots- this is a view of her stove.She perked a pot ( the old corning ware one on the right) and her modern pot sat to the side- shunned!

We had a delicious and fattening breakfast (extra thanks to her fiance  Brian for getting up early and buying the food) and then fooled around making organza flowers for her upcoming wedding!

I decorated my altered book cover with some of them.

I'm thankful for my sister- we have a lot of fun together.

She showed me this you tube- love it- made us belly laugh-

watch it!

Altered Book-Gibbings- watercolor

This was done while chilling on my sisters couch-after a family gathering- and I looked at an engraving by Robert Gibbings for my inspiration.

layered dream 8'' x 6 '' oil on panel

This is for my girls just wanna paint challenge - this months theme was dreaming. I feel like I have been painting dreamlike all month anyway, but this was inspired by looking at a Japanese print. I did the sky and bird in acrylic , then layered oil over it. Dreams are layered. It was interesting (and challenging) to try to paint a feeling, not a thing.

I think I have more to do on it.

Wish the photo was better- sorry...

finishing school!

I am working on finishing stuff- never a strong point....but I am getting better!

The lower one has some shadow issues...looks to me like the trees are dipping their toes in the road that looks like a river....but is there any reality in this world?

Still gotta fix it ...just so it looks right...

forgive these awful photos- it POURED today-felt like a cold monsoon. Had to shoot these with my phone under lights- sorry ....

I went to see the Marshfield High School's one act play tonight-"Asylum" that is going to the Drama Festival Competition- the actors were brilliant- I hope they make it all the way!

Happy Birthday Oliver! altered book

Its hard to believe that my corgi Oliver is so old-he's still so feisty!

We had cake ( carrot-very healthy for the babies)

Winnie was so excited for the party....

Sunshine Award!

I got the Sunshine Award!

I received this blogger award from Kelley MacDonald- thank you Kelley!
I will admit that some of these blogs I had to stumble upon, and some I have not ever commented on- but I am glad to receive this award, and being relatively new to blogging it made me look around and be part of the blogging community- it is a wonderful place to be! Here are my recipients-
 1)Mary Sheehan Winn
2)Linny D Vine
3)Manon Doyle
4) Kathy Weber
 5)Bobbi Heath
 6)Joan Schwartz
 7)James Guerney
 8)peggy bruno
 9)Jeffrey Hayes
10)Laurel Daniels
11)Julie  Davis
12)Roxanne
Heres what you are supposed to do ( if you have time- it took me quite a while!
Take the picture of the flower and put it on your blog-
pick 12 people and link them on your blog-
notify those people!

Blue Moon Dog (WIP) 8"x8" oil on panel

GOOD NEWS!

I saw a dog today.

But tomorrow?

the dog is leaving. I need to fix the dog. He's just wrong.

Not even sure why he is there-he just appeared!

Humarock study( WIP) 8"x8"Oil on panel

I have a commission to paint a scene from the Humarock area of Marshfield- but in a whimsical style. I took some reference photos and did some thumbnails and came up with this. Its challenging to depart from what's real while still retaining its special uniqueness of place.I am planning to do a few studies of the area and then choose one to do a finished 36" square canvas for my client.

On another note-

I made a smoothie for breakfast this morning- look at my refuse!

Later in the day- I went to TAR-JAY --and the starbucks in it were giving out these free little cappacino drinks

 

Like  giant cherry on top?

I remember when I had to go to Cambridge to get Starbucks and it was SO cool- now it's in Target. Might as well be Dunkin Donuts!

Mello/Raposa house 11"x14" watercolor on paper

Worked on this all weekend-between loads of laundry, cooking, cleaning, taking care of my nephew, family parties, eating cake, walking in the woods with the dogs, watching movies, eating popcorn,sleeping, making pancakes, making chicken soup, doing dishes, and preparing my taxes (ugh)

That's just a regular weekend for me with art somehow thrown in.

It is my brother and sister in law's house in Bristol Rhode Island.

Lots of good times there!

I'm not sure I'm done yet -almost- it needs to sit for a while.

Birthday cake Altered Book - mixed media

I went to two birthday parties today- back to back.

My nephew Luis turned 6, and my nephew Keith turned 18. Then my nephew Chris who turned 7 yesterday came to my house-(actually is here right now and I am supposed to go watch a movie!)

This is the cake my sister in law Maria made-she makes Martha Stewart look like a lame

ex-con wannabe. 

I didn't really do it justice- its been a long day!

Here is a picture of a potato that we didn't cook for dinner the other night- it was too perfect!

Hearts and Flowers 8"x8" oil on panel

These blooms are from a bouquet my daughter Maddie gave me for Valentines Day, with a nice handmade card. The heart vase I bought a few years ago when I had a Valentine's tea party for the girls. Sweet memories,

Today is my brother David's birthday, as well as his son, my nephew Chris. Happy Birthday to two sweethearts! They moved up to this area last year and now David works across the street from my house with my brother Chip.

I am so blessed to have family so close- especially feeling that today- my daughter Maddie had a little scrape yesterday and because my husband and I were both  at work we called my brother David who ran over  immediately and was there to administer some first aid and tender loving care.

Thats what its all about- thank you Dave- and Happy Birthday to you both!

Happy Birthday Frog! altered book

I just did this really quick sketch in my altered book- its from a photo on my computer sent from my stepmom in Hawaii yesterday.

It messy and loose-and not even done- but I had 

ONE OF THOSE DAYS.

I might blog about it later- but for now- this is all I can muster.

Today is my Hawaii Step-mom- sheep -lady's birthday-

Happy Birthday Jan!

"Nikkis Flowers" Altered book

I had lunch with two amazing women today- then altered books tonight with three more incredible women.

my life is so rich with all my friends-

This is from a picture of Nikki-and artist/dancer who makes beautiful butterflies and flowers and books from scraps and pieces of everything she can't throw away.

I would write more but I AM SO TIRED!

In a good way.....

Her Mother's Quilt ...( WIP) 8" x 8" oil on panel

This is from  photo I took of Kris Brennan, sculptor extrodinaire. Her amazing granite benches and sculptures grace the grounds at The Art Complex Museum. She invited the entire staff of the museum to her beautiful home for brunch a few weeks back. I felt like I was in Vermont, or Maine (although Duxbury is not too shabby!) it just felt so remote. She does lots of 2d art , and claywork as well.

This is a quilt from her mothers crewel work drapes that she cleverly made into a quilt. Kris is my hero- she moves heavy rocks, isn't afraid of the cold, and drives her own bobcat.

 Together we are trying to figure out how to build a labyrinth at the museum.

She's always up for adventure- the kind of person that makes me glad I live in New England.

amaryllis and cardinal 12" x 12" oil on panel

I was inspired today by Byron Gin who I found by looking at an artist who I love's site, then seeing what galleries she's in, googling that gallery and then clicking on the artists in the gallery.

It's a great way to find stuff I like!

I tried not to shamelessly steal but this is heavily "borrowed" from one of his bird paintings. It has acrylic underneath the oil to pop through .

I used a pallet knife quite a bit here. It's fun to try on different styles now and then.

Happy Valentine's Day Bears 8" x 8" oil on panel

Ever wake up in the morning and feel like- I have to paint bears!
Well I did today.
So I searched for this picture online- it was a sweet thing to attempt but jeez- not easy- white bears?
The little guy on the left looks like a sheep and I cannot make it look like a bear for the life of me!
Must be because in a month I am going to be painting sheep in Hawaii....bbbaaahhhh
Anyway I hope everyone has ( had by the time you might get this) a great Valentines day and gets lots of chocolate and kisses and hugs.

" you like me, right now, you like me!" (Sally Field's famous Oscar Acceptance Speech)

I had a dream last night that I was wearing Sally Fields coat, her shoes, and driving her car- (much more detail to the dream)- but I think it was very fitting. Here I am with an ACTUAL Oscar ( much heavier that I thought) ( actually it belongs to the screenwriter of "On Golden Pond" who I saw perform in a play this winter in a tiny theatre in Plymouth and brought it to pass around to the crowd!)( and thanks to actress Jacky Mendes for the picture).
I posted this because my painting "Sunny Starry Day" was chosen to be the poster  for this years Annual Festival for the Arts at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills- I was picked from a batch of really excellent artists- so I am thrilled and honored.
Here's my painting today- it's from this batch of sketches done in Cohasset from my car the other day- I put a couple of them together and came up with this.
I'm still working on it.
Funny thing- it turned into my two kids and my older dog. Love it when that happens....

sketches....

and the painting

Not sure it its day or night...dusk maybe....

"Have a cuppa tea" 8"x8" oil on panel

Totally inspired by Kelley MacDonalds red rose tea painting she showed at the blogging night last night.

We had a great turn out and it was informative and fun. 

I found this teacup and saucer at the dump last week- it has "MDF" for the monogram- that cracks me up because it stands for "medium density fiberboard"

Tough ellipses here- my nemesis-but it was still fun to paint.

"Come- Let me show You" and "We Dream" 8"x8"'s oil on panels

Everyone had GREAT titles for these- It was hard to pick! But I liked the ones here.

I think I am done - I am looking at the shadows in the lower one thinking that the light source is coming from two different places,

it is a sure fire way to make a painting fail, so I or have heard.

But in dreams, there is no  rhyme or reason- so its ok. 

I never did like rules.

Dreams can be so weird, but so telling. 

Waiting for the Storm 8"x8" oil on panel

You can see the raindrops on the oil paint-it got wet on its trip back to the studio.

SO disappointed- they predicted a BLIZZARD and we got nothing all day- I came home early from work, kids were released early from school and the art class I teach was cancelled. I guess I should feel lucky but I'm always happy when the white stuff is falling, and a little sad when it just rains.

Is blowing pretty hard now however, and there is some snow, so we will see.

HOWEVER-my niece had a 7:30 flight to Spain tonight so I am hoping its not bad for her. 

I enjoyed painting in my dining room, with my little pochade box.

Just HAD to keep at the still blooming amaryllis- its peaking right now.

My sister Bryson sent me this picture - she took my doodles from the other day  and filled in some cool colors- fun!

two "no titles yet"-in progress-8"x8" oil on panel

I am having fun- although transitioning back here feels a little strange. I went out to do errands and brought along my sketchbook to do a few thumbnails and really enjoyed that-there are so many lines and shapes in the world. It is endless.

If anyone can think up a title for either of these let me know.
Great news for my friend and mentor Jane Filer in North Carolina- she won a commission for a huge mural in the Raleigh Durham International Airport! She is a wonderful artist and fantastic person. Her retreat in the Outer Banks is amazing. She is going to be showing at the Art Complex in  summer 2011- and has agreed to do a workshop! It is not to be missed if you want  to see how she creates her magical paintings. If you are interested let me know - I will put you on the ACM mailing list.
Also-more news- (if we don't get snowed out) we are having "Artists who Blog "night at the museum.If you want to see how to do this- come! Please let me know if you want to...

HUH? ( no title yet) ( in progress) 8"x8" oil on panel

I am not sure what happened today- I could have painted my amaryllis again but didn't really feel like it.

I did a page of thumbnails this morning while I had my coffee and came up with a lot of strange doodles... 

I do visit a few favorite  artists sites and get inspired first- I find it hard to step outside of the box with out a little help sometimes. 

I've been pretty much focused on observing and portraying flowers as I see them, I am learning so much about color and light and paint- but it's when I enter my  imaginative world that I get really excited.

There's nothing to refer to here, no rules, sometimes it gets a little off , but I am hoping the lessons I am learning will come into play.

I will look forward to more of these and see where it takes me.

Flowers in the bathroom- acrylic on wall

I did a mural today around my brother and sister- in -laws bathroom mirror. I couldn't get a picture of the whole thing (tight spot) so I shot this little detail. It was a barter - my sister -in -law is an excellant hairdresser and helps my keep my hair lookin' good!

If anyone needs a new hairdresser she will come to your house - she does color, cuts, style and waxing- you can get beautiful for a great price right in your own home- wear  your pajamas if you want! She will give you a great look, and she's a lot of fun. 

To reach Kelly click here.

Contentment 8"x8" oil on panel

This is Thelma and her two lambs Theodore and Thistle ( the little flower). They are so happy and content to be in the pasture with their mama. She looks so proud of her babies.

This was from last years new flock of lambs at Maluhia Farm, Hawaii. Thistle is the only one left in the flock and is the friendliest of all the 2009 lambs.

altered Book-page 5- mixed media

I found this chair at my favorite store- the Marshfield dumptique-and love the flowers on it.

Who needs to buy sketchbooks when its so fun to paint on top of text?

Amaryllis three 8" x 10" oil on panel

Once again I HAD to capture this beautiful plant.

This time I tried to capture the whole thing which was a challenge.

altered Book-page 4- mixed media

Sorry this is sideways- its truly how i feel today- it was my marathon day.

I teach a kids art class at Oceanside and we did altered books together- it was wild!

Heres some of the action that took place...

lots of paint and glue and collaging going on!

Amaryllis two 8" x 8" oil on panel

Another view of my lovely Amaryllis.

It has another bud opening on it- so I just might paint it again! When it fades, I'm going to try to get it to bloom again next year. 

Allowing Your Amaryllis to Re-bloom Naturally

1. To allow your Amaryllis to re-bloom naturally, cut off the flower stalk after blooming ceases, but let the foliage continue to grow as long as it can. Keep it in bright light, indoors or out.
   
2. Keep watered so the soil is moist, but not wet.
   
3. Stop feeding in August.
   
4. Bring indoors before frost and place in a cool spot in indirect, bright light.
   
5. The leaves will start to yellow and drop around December. Keep watering as usual and new flowers stalks should appear in a month or two. Resume feeding at this time and move the plant to a warm, sunny spot. Leaves will follow shortly and then blooms.
   
6. When the flowers fade, start the process over. Allowing the plant to bloom naturally will result in larger plants and flowers.

My Grandmothers Kitchen 6"x6" oil on canvasboard

this is my submission for my "Girls Just Wanna Paint" challenge group- this months theme is Kitchen classics.

I spent a good part of my childhood in this kitchen . My stepfather  had taken this photo back in the day so I had to remember the colors... lots of natural wood. It was so fun to paint- I felt like I was there! I would love to paint this again- but much bigger.

My maternal grandmother had soft snowy white hair that she always swept up in a loose bun (she had a secret fake bun that she pinned to the back of her head!) and she liked to wear  woolen suits of lovely magenta and lavender hues....sweet little silk scarves tied around her neck.

She had very blue eyes.

She was an artist and painted chairs and trays in her  antique house on Main Street in Norwell  in her studio  upstairs we called the "Crow's nest". I fell in love with the smell of turpentine there. I loved to watch her paint. In her youth she was a fashion illustrator.

I loved her and miss her terribly still. She was a true lady. My grandparents took all three of us kids in for a few years when we were small.

Our memories include happy sunny days, their beautiful old home,  chickens in the yard, flowers in the garden, wonderful meals and loving grandparents- they were wonderful to us.

 When I think what heaven is like it always includes them and waking up in a violet scented room with the sun streaming in the windows and the smell of coffee and bacon and gentle talking in the old kitchen below.