Mary Jo's garden, #10/80 8x8 acrylic on panel

I rode my bike to My friends house yesterday and sat with her in her garden. We were visited by butterflies, hummingbirds, a kitty and big sweet golden retriever named Maggie.
It was a perfect way to spend the morning.

#9/80 The River ( my attempt) 8'x8' acrylic

Although I live in Marshfield, I am not  really a marsh painter.

Just cannot get it, it looks a little better on the blog, however I did it!

It sure was fun. Beautiful at around 4:30 yesterday.

I have my acrylic kit small enough to fit in the basket of my bike- so I am combining fitness and painting.

And socializing of course!

Last night after dinner we drove down to Humarock beach to see what it looked like with no lights
 ( 2 days still no power there.)
We were lucky and only lost it for about 8 hours Sunday.

It was amazing! The stars were so bright! The beach houses along the wall looked so cozy and magical with the candlelight- one house had people sitting around a table playing cards and knitting.

We were there for about 20 minutes when suddenly we heard cheering- and realized the power had just returned. it was both great and a little disappointing....

However the one house with the card players looked the same - they use candles and lanterns all the time anyway. They probably didn't even know!

I love it.
Its hard on the freezers of spoiling food, and the sump pumps not doing there jobs...

but maybe we should all take breaks from the lights now and then.
 And the phones and tv's and computers
 ( but then you wouldn't be able to read this!)

I'm just sayin'....

# 5, #6, #7 and #8/80- Provincetown!

 Days Cottages

 Looking up a street from Commercial St

 Our view from the rental

"Good Scents" on Commercial Street

It was a great trip! We had perfect weather although all the buzz was about Hurricane Irene- and she did arrive on Sunday. We were spared pretty much-just this tree that thankfully fell away from the studio.  I  did enjoyed last night- no power- we played scrabble by candlelight. Glad to be back on though...

Cold Storage Beach #4/80 and Irene concerns

Its been a gorgeous 3 days on Cape Cod. I poked around in Wellfeet on the way and popped into a few galleries. I think that is my favorite town here on the cape. Our rental was right over the Truro-Ptown line on the beach side. Basic but nice. Thursday's painting was in Provincetown. It was fun to be amidst the people, but it got a little crowded. Yesterday was  Truro,  it was heavenly there! I have great memories of being there with my family These paintings will be posted on my return but I chose this one to shows- my favorite so far. although I want to work on it a bit more.
Lots of folks packed up and left early, plywood is being nailed up over a few windows, but generally the feeling is that its not going to be bad. Judging from the crowds on Commercial Street last night no-one was overly concerned. I hope that Irene keeps losing her punch!

On the road #3/80 8"x8" acrylic on panel

After a good walk with my dog on the beach  ( gosh what a gorgeous day! ) I was in search of a painting- this driveway and red door caught my eye.
My daughter and I went over to take in the ambiance of the Marshfield Fair this afternoon.
Neither one of us likes rides- we really enjoyed the agricultural aspect of the event.
And we shared a small order of onion rings, thank god we passed on the bloomin onion... I would have felt like this after...

 I am going to paint in Provincetown for the next few days- might not be able to post in which case I will put them up when I return!

# 2/80 8x8 acrylic on panel -My Little Studio,

This is the afternoon sunlight on my studio.

New Challlenge- #1

I needed to kick start my paintbrush so I have decided to embark on yet another challenge!
80 - 8"x8" paintings.
If I do one every day for 80 days I will end on November 8 ( that was a total coincidence)
I am envisioning my studio wall covered with the 80 paintings for my open studio in November ( to be announced)

so Here is # 1- my frog pond, acrylic on panel.

more fairy houses

The Duxbury Free Library let me fill a glass case with these fairy houses to advertise the Art Complex's free fairy house workshop on Sept 10.

 I made  a few more- and my friend Sue Sheehan came over and made the teepee ( second photo) complete with swing!

 I think the case needs a better background, but here it is.
I got a lot of interested people! Boy oh boy- this is fun.
I could make a career out of building these tiny dwellings...

Homegrown Arts and Crafts!

This Sunday is the grand opening of Homegrown Arts and Crafts in Duxbury- a new adorable shop across the street from Far -Fars ice cream on St George Street in Duxbury,.
The owner, Lisa Mackin, is an amazing artist and artisan and has the most wonderful sense of design. The shop is beautiful inside - you will love it! I have several paintings there and a few other fun items. She has lots of great items for sale and lots more coming I plan on teaching classes there soon( I will keep you posted) . Hope to see you there Sunday!

mosaic flower

my zinnia inspired this one- its on a piece of plexiglas- about 8x10.

My Mom's Video by my brother

If you knew my Mom you might enjoy watching this- its 13 minutes long- my brother Chip created this video from photographs and her memoirs (she had started them-- he filled in  a lot of the blanks.) My niece Kellie did the photo editing.
It is a beautiful tribute to her life.
click here to watch it.

back yard treasures

Im getting ready for a class tomorrow- teaching a mother and daughter class ( actually have an opening for one more mother daughter combo if anyones interested- its 5-8 pm- $30 per person) in mosaics.
I swam in my pool today even though it was not inviting and cloudy- but because of my new challenge I made myself do it.I feel much better now and it was lovely! I was inspired to share some flowers in my backyard, a little rain weary, but still beautiful!

My studio garden- lots of Datura this year!

my little frog pond..

A Datura blossom ready to bloom

and its prickly seed pod

A birdfeeder volunteer!

pretty leaf from a gift my friend Gail gave me

My daughter Markie's mosaic bee on our outdoor shower

 couple of zinnias

and the rose of sharon!

Summer is at it's peak!

new leaf

Today my husband took my youngest back to Charleston SC where she is returning as a sophomore at the College of Charleston. She is majoring in exercise science. I was inspired by her dedication to fitness this summer- she hit the gym at least every other day. She said it made her feel better and those endorphins helped her mood.
She has inspired me to get back to a fitness regime- and I actually started a blog about it- to inspire and keep me accountable. I used to run in my 20's and 30's, and have slacked off in my 40s and now 50's. I love yoga , but need more cardio as well.
I found a routine on line  here so today, Winnie and I did the beginning 20 minutes-walk run combo. The soft rain felt nice.
I do feel great now and am committed to this. It beats sitting around and feeling sad. Thanks Maddie!

I did this watercolor yesterday of my Mom's bouquet- loose and free- not stressing a bit about art right now...
And yesterday I was psyched to see my piece at the Pembroke Arts Festival.
The folks who run that show are the friendliest and nicest people.
Loved it and feel really honored to receive my award.

My boots have wings! Now to get that skinny again (LOL)

My Mother, Ruth Ellan Chipman (Dean) Bailey

Yesterday we celebrated the life of my Mother, who passed away July 20, 2011, at the First Parish Unitarian Church in Norwell.
It was a perfect tribute to her- she was a warm, talented, funny, beautiful person.
I miss her but know in my heart that she is at peace .
This painting was done by artist Catherine ( Stevie") Goodnow of Scituate. It was painted for the play "Laura" in which my mother had the lead role. It was always in our house growing up, and  is my favorite image of my mom. Now I get to have it in my home.

This arrangement for the alter yesterday is from all of her children's yards and gardens, in her cut crystal pitcher.  I haven't felt much like painting lately, but I might attempt  it today in watercolors.

Opening!

 Lots of folks came for the opening last night- great turnout for a Monday night. It was a lot of fun.

                                   Here I am with my three friends all named Mary all in black...LOL

                                                             the evening winding down...

                                  My fabulous hostesses Nancy Howell and Liz Haywood Sullivan.
                                              Thank you gals and North River Arts!
                          The show runs till September 30 at the Hingham Public Library.

tooting my own horn

My painting "Red Boots" got 3rd place at the Pembroke Art festival!( not this piece - couldn't find the red boots image :-- but he's tooting his horn too!)
I am excited!
Also my show opens at 7 tonight at the Hingham Library.

Fairie Houses and my show is hung!

 Thursday I made fairie houses at the museum- my friend and yogini Linda Evans made the top one-its a Bahamian hideaway complete with rope swing, mine below is up on a rock for protect from flash floods!
Both are on display at the museum to advertise the free fairie house workshop we hare having on Sept 10 from 1:30-3:30. It is so fun to make these!
We hope to get a lot of them to display at our big opening later that month. E-mail me for more info.

Hung my paintings yesterday- I'm very pleased with the space at the Hingham Public Library.

"kenny" 4"x4" acrylic on panel

My monthly challenge group "Girls Just Wanna Paint" met at Page Railsbacks' last month- and the sweetest cat "Kenny" was lounging on the pretty wicker chair- so Page chose him as our challenge!

I love cats... too bad my husband is allergic to them - plus there is enough dog hair in my house already! (: