IT"S JULY! "seedless melon- 5"x5" oil on panel

I have just returned from a week in New Harbor, Maine with 4 amazing women artists. There was no internet access there - I loved being forced to unplug.
Each day was a gift- we painted up a storm.
Here is one of my last paintings of the week- my "July" painting for the Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge-  I will post the other paintings as I finish them. All together we did 35 paintings.
Maine is wonderful.

Here is the old creaky farmhouse where we stayed in the evening light. We loved sipping wine and cosmos on the old porch each night!

Art camp for women- zendala doodles

doodly doo!!!
this was the most fun.
Painting these breaks the "I can't paint" attitude- everyone can doodle!

I still heard some whining and one gal (to remain anonymous ) chucked hers in the trash, but what a fun night! Steamy hot- we doodled, swam, ate pizza salad and cupcakes, drank some more wine and doodled some more and trust me there was a lot of chatting! I'm thinking each gal should take a section of their doodles and make a "real " painting out of it.
Question is-What the heck is real painting anyway? I have an art degree and still ponder....

garden painting

I had a blast painting this.
There's still a bit to do but generally it's done.

I loved the gardens I was in and visited a few other gardens. Here are a few pictures from the day.

Breaking rules and surprise in the compost!

This is a 20"x20" acrylic- according to art people a tree dead center is a no-no.
Pretty sure purple turtles are forbidden too.

I was in a funky mood yesterday- but this really cheered me up! I thought I had killed my pond plant- tried to winter in over in the basement and it looked totally dead- so I threw in in the compost- but yesterday there it was growing out of the garbage! It made me happy. I potted it up and put it back out in the pond. It gets huge! I believe its some kind of Taro plant. Love the heart shaped leaves.
Speaking of gardens I will be in the garden tour the Clift Rodgers library does every year- my assigned garden is on  the corner of Pine and 3A from 10-1 or 2. (Marshfield). Hope I can do a decent painting...

Elhadji Koumama at Native

After doing a demo at the South Shore Art Festival this morning I got dropped off at Native ( didn't have a car) and when I walked in the store with my easel and stuff Marie ( the owner) said cool! Are you going to paint Elhadji the visiting artist ?
Wasn't planning on it but I thought why not? So I did! It was fun -I incorporated his jewelry into the painting. I ended up trading the painting with Marie for one of his silver cross necklaces- win win!
He is from Niger, Africa and you can see a video about him here.

We are all giant fans of this guy now! Theres still a lot left so go down- meet him and buy some awesome jewelry- the money helps his small village.

South Shore Arts Festival

I am so flattered that they used my painting for the poster! I'll be there doing a demo Saturday from 10-1 so stop by- its supposed to be a gorgeous weekend. I also go an honorable mention for my piece in the members show. My own horn- toot toot !!! Click here for more info about the show.

In other news my friend Nancy Colella is having a solo show at the Copley Society- opens tonight- SO COOL! Congratulations Nancy!

two renditions of the same subject

I did these for a commission-a gift for someone retiring. It was her mug that is in the painting. I did two so the client could choose one- she ended up buying both! I was thrilled. Fun to paint- relaxing and meditative.Both are 11"x14" acrylic on stretched canvas.

TOOLS of the TRADE

My VERY late challenge painting for the month.I have a lot of commissions and been busy with work ( excuses) See  all  the GIRS JUST WANNA PAINT pieces here.

I love the Sclafani cans with the printed label right on the can.

Busy Week!

I am donating this to the Scituate Animal Shelter for their annual "Bark and Howl" fundraiser.

I visited the Alden School in Duxbury Wednesday and Thursday for the annual tea ceremony classroom activity- the kids will come see the actual ceremony this coming Monday and Tuesday at the Art Complex.  Here's a few of them( 229 in all!) painting scrolls.

I did a painting demo yesterday at the Furnace Brook Middle school in Marshfield- this girl was SO into it! I know she is an artist...here are a couple kid's art pieces  from their hallways..

Last night enjoyed "First Friday in Scituate Harbor- lots of folks just enjoying the stroll...

Getting ready today for International Day at the Bay Farm Montessori Academy in Duxbury where I will be tomorrow ( 10-4) selling art, pins and bracelets- come on down! Lots of cool art, crafts, food and music.