Melissa Mead in Progress

Critique My Blogfest

2012-02-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

I've entered three wild new things this year. I think I'm going to check off my "do three things that stretch me" goal as being met with a mighty bang. The first was the 12x12 in 12 Challenge, then there is the PB Dummy challenge and then I thought - what the heck.... I better improve my blog too! So I signed up for the Crit my blog blogfest too!

I am shaking my head and running around looney tunes at present. I know I will catch up with all my Mommy items, my Art Items and my Writing Items. I did make a list to be certain it would all work out. I have a lot of hope, faith and trust - plus I'm pretty good at making it up as I go.

I would like to "announce" that I have two goals for this year. The one is to post "finished works or in-progress items" every Thursday and the other ...I'm SOO excited! The other goal is to post a SARK inspiration each Tuesday - so encourage and spark my self and others forward to reach our creative dreaming potentials! I was unable to post this Tuesday as I was waiting confirmation from Sark and her fabulous team that my idea was acceptable to their copyright.

So... You can make comments on:

a. Appearance: Does it appeal to you? Is it too busy, or too plain?

b. Layout: Is it difficult to navigate? Is it cluttered, or sparse?

c. Frequency: Does the blogger post too often? Not often enough?

d. Content: Are the posts interesting? Unique? Are they focused, or all over the place?

e. Quality: Are the individual posts too long, too short, too sloppy, or too generic?

For simplicity you may place your comment in the comments section - or if you feel more comfortable you can e-mail me.

Thank you so very much and know that I'm doing my very best to master this darn Apple computer so I can manage hyperlinks etc and be much more professional about my blog. I am really looking forward to your suggestions.

Popping Ideas!

2012-01-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

I woke this morning to some interesting ideas for the following months 12x12 in 12 challenge ideas. I fetched my son from school and again more ideas!

Aurion in the waves with Kael

My son and I sat having a special tea and fleshing out the idea that came from his school. It was such a special experience to be sharing this story with him and with a little bit of imagination maybe we can illustrate it together! I also managed to get two leads on a babysitter so that I might have some serious time for illustration. I need to get the miles in to hone the craft.

Unfortunately - our special tea seems to have left me with food poisoning. Bummer. To end on a great note - my Super Amazing Special Husband has taken over and I'll be all better lickity split!

Perspective

2012-01-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

Funny thing about art imitating life or life imitating art...(it can't actually be backwards when they are the same thing - to me anyway), as I was saying - funny thing is; in both you must get your head around perspective.

Three point perspective from above and below.

The top was my "free hand" three point - I failed to actually include the third point (I see now that it's posted! Ha!) The second is my attempt to get the coffee shop perspective...it's a bit crazy to use a medium purple ball point pen on a little sketch about 1x2inches! So the detail is dread but the exercise was fabulous.

In my case - after all these (untold) years - I still struggle with perspective in life and art. I'm also still trying to get my head around using Apple software after growing up on Microsoft...

So this was my - Session 10 from Marks and Splashes with Mark G. Mitchell I am doing my best to learn how to put on hyperlinks for your ease of surfing. The following session is about four point perspective. I can't wait - always wanted to understand those curvy pictures.

Thanks for the visit -

2012-01-11T05:29:00.000-08:00

Well it might seem I've taken a left hand turn in my adventures of honing my fine art skills and illustration - HOWEVER....I've not. I've actually allowed a long held nearly secret dream of writing that's bursting forth! AND I did say this blog was about ARTISTIC EXPLORATIONS - so...there you go. I think I should call it explodations but the computer thinks it's a typo and someone might get confused thinking it's some inappropriate social faux-pas.

I've joined a challenge with Julie Hedlund (I'm really fighting to work out how to use the MacBook Pro to add my links! Please excuse me!!) It's about writing 12 picture book drafts in 12 months for 2012. I love this idea - I always like to see authors illustrate and illustrators write. It's very "wholistic" - I know...I just like to write it that way! (Whole vs hole - it's always struck me as odd.)

Anyway - I've completed my rough draft for January's Picture Book (PB) story idea and now - I will squeeze time into an amazingly wild January to try and complete the illustrations as we are now on WEEK 10 of the Marks and Splashes illustration course! The wild and wacky Space Commander lessons.

Oh...I have a working title for my first draft - Hurry Hurry Mommy Dear!

Also - from this day forward my goal is to post weekly by Thursday of each week. It could be doable...not impossible.

Thank you sooo very much for stopping by and leaving a note!

Illustration Class 7

2011-12-31T06:18:00.000-08:00

Excited Ella - pencil illustration -sketch book 2011 Melissa Mead

Well I am - as usual- ;-D totally not paying attention in class. Absolutely off on my own tangent. I think it intersects the point of the current class. We are on a family holiday at the beach and my things are scattered between here and home but I've managed to practice everyday and I've got something to show for it!

It's my first very own - not copied from anywhere but my own head illustration. There is much to improve on but it's the first baby steps and I'm really proud. I've got lots of others that I did copy - they made me so excited that I literally couldn't sleep last night - but I couldn't turn the lights on (without waking everyone) to draw more!

I won't pick this apart - just to know that it's the first and beginning. Always an exciting place. It would be great if you could leave a comment!!

2011-12-18T06:57:00.000-08:00

Jam Labels for 2011

Above is my second official illustration. I've made about 10kg of apricot jam for the first time in my life. I've got about - oh 10kg more to go - and with any luck I will do another 20kg. They won't have such pretty labels. I will look for water proof pens in colour - they are hard enough to find in black and blue. The pretty labels will be for jars expected to be presents.

How to grow tomatoes...
19cm x 14cm watercolour on 100% cotton rag
Please contact me if you would like to purchase this painting.

A friend of mine is an amazing woman who I believe can grow ANYTHING from a seed. Shannon says pink korrels, pilchard, aspirin, bone meal, finely crushed egg shells and horse manure grow tomatoes fabulously -here is my water colour version of her photo. She's got a fab shop complete with heirloom seeds, coffee, eats and preserves - its called The Gravel Garden. You can find her at www.thegravelgardendotcom.

I'd include a link BUT - I'm busy moving from my old PC to an apple lap top. I wasn't too efficient on the PC so I'm going to explode my brains for the next six months learning - EVERYTHING. From Apples to illustration and fine art! Hopefully learning to add links as well.

Please join me on my exploits in 2012 - I know the Mayans say it's the end but for me...it's just the beginning! I expect to blog every Thursday from Jan 10, 2012. If you want to make a note of that.

Peace and Groovyness!

2011-12-11T09:28:00.001-08:00

Well - not the best photo but this is my first attempt at illustration. I'm confident I can get better! :-) The lesson was to use only two colours - Never mind I used the mix-iest colours. It was wonderful working with great quality paints and paper AND brushes. It's been ages since I tried water colour - but it never worked so great. Quality is everything. I'm not happy with my drawing so I snuck out of class to try my own thing. I'll show that to you when it's done.

Last night I started an 8 session lesson on how to publish and work with interactive books - it will be a long time till that happens for me but at least I will have the beginnings and can research my self silly till my drawings/illustrations etc are up to speed. Who knows I might get more ideas than just children's books.

I must say - THANK YOU - for your patience with my long unexplained absences - actually they are explainable. Children and homeschooling. And now there are illustration classes for me and next fine art classes - for ME too! whoopee. Till then - I'm jammin. Making apricot jam that is - cross your fingers.

New Beginnings

2011-11-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

After much time things are moving in my art world. I was painting on and off through a myriad of changes but nothing seemed to be going anywhere. Then I joined the Art Society of Stellenbosch, went to a few meetings, had a field trip to a bronze foundry (so very cool!) and began to breath art again. I exhibited in the yearly members exhibition with some very fine artists. During this time we moved to the town of Elgin/Grabouw and realized that perhaps some "real" classes are in order for me???

I've organized to go part-time in the Andrew Owen school of Art to try and ground my work, maybe sort out some compositional swiss cheese as I'm starting to call the holes in my understanding of painting. I've also signed up for an online course in Children's book Illustration. With any luck I will be totally submersed in the beauty and awesomeness of creating all the swirling pictures in my dreams.....

Blogger Issues

2011-04-28T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hello out there!

I am still here and still painting. I have a lot of problems using blogger of late. The page takes ages to log me in or won't log me in or I have to repeat a task about 6 times for it to work. It is very frustrating as some of you will know. At present I am working on finishing up a project from last year and boning up on my sketching/drawing skills/composition skills. I will continue to post but please check out my facebook page if you see nothing here as I am usually able to post there with great ease.

Thanks for visiting.

Melissa

Swirly Girly

2010-12-06T05:10:00.000-08:00

Last months painting was a real challenge for me. It is the most abstract I've tried yet! Wild. This is my daughters dear belly button! I'm very sorry but due to a technical problem with blogger I'm unable to upload my photo! Please make one more click to reach my facebook page : Facebook (1) | Melissa Mead Fine Art

Push here for Peace

2010-11-07T02:08:00.000-08:00

Melissa Mead, "Peace Button", 36 x 30 inches, Oil on Canvas

This is the third painting in my Abstract Series on the Belly Button. I have had a most interesting time learning to paint loose and impressionistic. This series has a story behind it as it's been brewing with-in me for several years now, (you can see a portion of the story here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=160878653952140&topic=254 ). I loved painting this button. It was tremendously challenging for many reasons and vastly rewarding at the completion!

Cool Blue Center

2010-10-19T02:25:00.000-07:00

Cool Blue Center 30X36inches Oil on Canvas Box

This is the second of my current series. It was such a joy to paint these wonderful cool colours together.

2010-10-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

Kael Abstract (36 inches sq Oil on canvas)

This is one of my newest paintings. I loved this entire painting and the most exciting thing was how it came out just as I imagined it!

2010-10-08T00:03:00.000-07:00

Middleplaas Farm

This is my second landscape ever. We were camping at this site earlier in the year. I loved the way the fence danced in the dappled sunlight and the sharp light of the sun in the distance.

I am really battling with the technicality of posting my photos. The camera keeps "bending" the painting and I find I must crop some sides out to keep out non-painting information. There are many other challenges like glare, keeping the colours true etc. If you have any suggestions please drop a line! I've got one book on Digital Photography and I'm going to get another about photoshop or similar. So I hope my posting quality will improve!

Kenyan Boy at Nap Time

2010-10-06T03:50:00.000-07:00

I have finished the Nap Time in Kenya

I LOVED and HATED this painting! And now...I am very happy. I really love the wickedly crooked bench and the stone floor. I have softened the stones more since this photo! -But I promise not to touch him again. I love the shine of light on his face. It was so fun to play with some parts tight and some looose!

Underconstruction

2010-09-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

For those of you waiting and waiting and ...still you wait for something new here. I want to let you know that I'm working on finishing paintings long awaiting a signature and I'm also revving up for my first exhibition. I was hoping to manage it by Christmas and this will continue to remain my goal however due to family constraints it may only be in March of 2011.

I will post the other paintings when they are signed. The self portrait is scrapped. I'm deciding to burn it or turn it into something...a box? Funny...I'm always trying to get out of the box.

OH......

2010-07-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is my self portrait in progress - STILL. I'm currently under debate to put it on canvass (yes...start over). I actually like the high colour of my most recent paint over...I just ....am thinking.

Please excuse the furry edges! this is also an in progress from yonkes ago. I love it, I hate it. Those white bits are me with a plan to glaze so I have a red cloth and not so orange with highlights. This is more likely to get finished by the end of the month. If I'm not too distracted by .....

This is my current challenge. A boy from Africa - I'm working to get his face oh so real and then have all else rough. My dear husband as already organized a showing of this picture at a local restaurant that assist local Town Ship school children in paying school fees and providing uniforms and sports and school supplies. The place is imibala. They also provide "art training" for the children and have a Gallery across from the restaurant to showcase art works.

Okay...I know you think I'm nuts but I have uploaded this photo properly and for some reason Blogger has turned it sideways. I've reloaded it etc etc and it always comes this way. So...I've put it up because I'm very happy with the top and middle 30second sketches. I'm impressed at how far I've come -just about a week ago I was making lines attached to circles...now I have form. Thank you Posemaniacs.com . A very useful site for someone like me. I literally have only a few odd minutes here and there to practice figure poses and I would cheat horribly if allowed. This site has a preset space that automatically changes the pose every 30sec (or what you've chosen to be your time frame). I could go on and on about this site but it will suite the folks it suites.

So this is where I sit with my art instructor on holiday, sports for the children starts tomorrow, my husband away for a few more days... And I'm still painting!!! Yipee! I've got two other projects in the works - both with children. You can see those when they are in the painting stages!!!

Current Paintings

2010-06-23T12:11:00.000-07:00

This painting is of a friend of mine. Sitting in animated conversation with my husband over that most interesting of subjects LIFE, LOVE and HAPPINESS. The paper in her lap is a dialog about the road to finding these things. It is unfortunate that there was a glare in the photo. The blues are bluer and the whites...not SO overpowering. Her toes...are fabulous. I struggled like crazy to get my initial lines laid down but then it was such fun to paint. I really didn't want to put the chair in ...but in the end..that was lots of fun too! It was wonderful to paint so loose. It was like magic to see what a stroke could do! I'm not certain I'm finished with it. (I thought I was...but then a better background inspiration reared it's idea at me....)

Oh...this little love boy! He is hunting for crabs in the rocks at the beach. The painting literally fell out of my brush - with a few challenges of course! However the rocks painted themselves, and the skin tones! Well I just played and it seemed to work a beauty. When I was painting it my children thought I was mad. I painted the whole figure a shade of green so he looked like an avocado. The photo again is not true to colours - sad but there you are. There's a greener tinge to the figure and many finely shaded areas all through the painting. I'm not certain how to correct my photo's to make them more true.

My next two paintings are figures also. One mine and one the African boy from a previous post. The ideas are bursting forth and I am unable to keep up with them at present! Many happy ideas to you!

Measles and Weasels

2010-06-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I've completed a picture of a crab catcher...and I will share it. Just as soon as I have breathing space. My eldest is in bed with Measles - he's all red and spotty and miserable. My youngest has started with a raging fever now too. The two middle children are still roaringly healthy but giving their best to help everyone get better. We had to cancel the birthday party till further notice.

So...keep checking. There will be a new update soonish.

What is a Cape Winter like?

2010-05-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

These pics are a view of a break in the hectic rains! The sunshine is deceptive as the sky is usually sitting on top of your head so grey and pregnant with rain there seems to be a perpetual dusk. The howling wind drives the wind so ferociously I have often been left wondering how the roofs remain on top of the houses season after season.

The picture directly above is of our swimming pool. It's a swampy green colour with a eucalyptus scent due to the storm winds blowing loads of Blue Gum tree leaves and stems and branches into the pool. There is also water that seeps down from somewhere up the hill through the bricks and into the pool, (There's a huge puddle across the length of the bricks and all the green you see in the picture is soggy. The brick bit to the right side is our braai area (Bar-b-que area!). The smoke in the middle of the picture at the back? Wait... remember we live in a third world country? Well...that is smoke from a shack. There is an informal settlement outside our fence/gate. There are possibly 30 shacks in that area. Hm...I should take pics of that too for you? It's really beautiful actually.

Here is a picture looking down into the garden dam. The wind as I said before is WICKED here. So the previous residents put a raised garden into this unused dam. It's about 16m (about 48 feet?) diameter. The picture actually isn't fabulous as the sun is over exposing the picture!

This is from the other side of the garden. I was standing on the wall (it's only about 6-7 feet high) but I'm scared of heights so I clicked quick! That is all standing water from the rains in the cross walk. The pole against the brick pillar is for my sons to climb up and then they perch at the top. Clearly they are not worried about heights. All the green in the upper right is my "green manure" crop. Mustard, alfalfa, and buckwheat - I feed our chickens the mustard greens! The blue door is propped there for the moment as the winds have blown it off it's hinges. No...no irrigation except a hose and sprinkler. I know.

I just love this Zebra striped Land Rover! It's our neighbors - they say it belongs to a friend.

Updates of work in Progress

2010-05-13T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well we finally had some sun (for one day) after a week of rain. We have another week of rain expected but that would be a proper "Cape" winter forcast. Cold rainy glum.

Below is an "update" on my pencil drawing of the young Kenyan boy. He might make it to canvas by the end of this month or early next??

This is the "landscape" in a new twist of life...I prefer this to the green on green and brown. I believe it still needs a bit more refining but overall it's better.

This little guy you have seen before. This is my preliminary canvas sketch. With any freaky luck I will get to lay-in a bit of colour before my next art class! I say this because my hubby will fly away Saturday morning to India then off to Germany only to return home 7 days later. Time to paint will be fabulously miraculous with four children - however I like to expect miracles!

So now...Martha Miller asked me what it's like here in Winter. I will try to get some pics up this weekend. It's hard to take photo's when it's raining!

Life on this little Planet

2010-05-04T12:58:00.000-07:00

This is a small part of a huge limestone (?) rock at the edge of what is called the Palmiet River (pronounced Paul-meet). You can swim from a bridge higher up the river down nearly to the mouth of the river (where it opens onto the ocean ("strictly speaking...the Atlantic"). The swim if taken seriously is about 20-30minutes. This river is the place we visit when the wind is too bad at the beach.

This little scene belies it's height. if you look at the left side of the picture...there is a dark blue band...that's the ocean. That funny bit is houses and roads! We were at the top of Jeans Hill (It's a 20minute zig-zag hike up the mountain!)

Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve - Cape Nature, Western Cape, South Africa

Common rock formations of these mountains that I believe are part of the vast and celebrated Kogelberg Bioshpere.

Some pretty little things on the path up to Jean's Hill.

This was our playground for over a year before our move to the farm. This is overlooking the lagoon at Pringle Bay. A beautiful place if you don't mind the baboons and have no desire to garden!

This is our back garden now. That's my fabulous husband getting ready to launch our 5 year old son through the air into the far end of the pool. (It's about 15meters). Yes...those are horses in the paddock. They are not ours but they graze our three hectares that would go down all the way to the tree above my hubby's head.

Susan Beauchemin and Martha Miller, two artist I admire, are sisters. On their blogs they like to share their different Planets. Susan asked me recently what mine looked like. So here is a little beginning.

Now please you must do yourself a favor and go explore Susan and Martha's links!
Painting Daily and Martha Miller: May 2010 (please excuse my links...I'm really not so techie inclined!)

Yes I have been drawing and painting a little. Mostly carting children to sports and caring for winter colds and sniffles. I am to start my new art class tomorrow. At present I haven't taken day light hours to photograph my work. I did try some last night but they came out yellow!

A little practice

2010-04-05T12:29:00.000-07:00

More in Progress

2010-04-01T13:53:00.000-07:00

This is my latest "I wanna paint this" idea. This little boy needs a heck of a lot more work. The picture shows eyes of general wonder and curiosity. My rendition is not exactly capturing that..nor is it capturing the boys youth. SO...more work! On the other hand...I have been working on a few other sketches to "strengthen" my skills. It's working GREAT.

My eye is getting much better with the nemisis steroids but I did try lots of other things before I went there so at least I might be able to see normally again in 6weeks!

No pictures...Please!

2010-03-22T07:50:00.000-07:00

I've lost a bit of time this week due to an eye infection. I've been struggling with an eye issue for the past year but this was worse. So I made an urgent run to the eye doctor last Wednesday and I'm taking conventional treatment (I've tried homeopathic/natural remedies for all this time but the infection was just the ripper for me!) and go for a follow up on Wednesday. Hold thumbs. I will go to class Tuesday as usual if I feel I can drive safely and see properly. Since Wednesday it's not been possible.

More progress

2010-03-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

Well this is the progress thus far for the landscape. I was initially very uninspired to continue it to it's conclusion. I rather wanted to start another figure painting full of blues and greys and dark purple skin tones...Oh...I can't wait. But...it's always good to finish what you start and I had fun of course pushing through the empty spaces and throwing caution to the wind. Seems it helped pull this painting through to a point where it may be finished next session.

Very interesting side note. An older woman in my class with beautiful sparkly eyes is doing a self portrait. Her initial sketch is stunning. It shows her in such a beautiful way...really highlighting her positives. I'm inspired...I'm going to finish my pencil self portrait...and maybe even pull out the initial one for completion!

Second Attempt

2010-03-10T03:50:00.001-08:00

This is a second attempt at my son's face from a previous picture. My art instructor was very kind and said I must frame it however I'm still not satisfied that it looks like my 6 year old son. I'm not being a perfectionist but it bears little resemblance to my son. There a quite a few "quirky" places. I'm very happy with the over shape of the sketch and I'm going to try it again and again till I am happy. I'm also going to try other faces. This is the toughest part for me. I am really keen to be able to do figures and forms. I also realize that it is as tough as getting correct perspective with technical drawings. If everything isn't just so...

Progress point

2010-03-03T11:21:00.001-08:00

Here is the landscape picture... It's funny because. I started with the trees - very tight brush strokes and marks of leaves etc. (It is a cell phone picture but at least you have something to look at!) Then today (this is from the end of session two), I was filling in the sky part...very baby blue...WAY WAY WAY to blue. I knew. Then I worked it down with white of course. Now I fooled about sooo much that in the end I had lots of paint and wanted to use it up. So...out comes the big brush and swirly girly zoom I painted the forground colour in and I played with the trees a bit. I told my teacher the painting is finished. She didn't believe me. You can see why -I'm sure. There is actually quite a lot of work left....the posts, much more tree - don't you love the green fluffy clouds? and the best bit...the barbed wire and high lights!

Amazing!

2010-03-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

Ah...you have to giggle...nothing from me for long stretches and then WOW... what's this? Okay so this is my youngest sone searching among the rocks for crabs. I think my next painting attempt will be this one. It's going to be a trick for me to make it bigger than 9"x11" but I will give it a go. Then I've set it in my mind that this lends itself to an impressionistic style...although I love contemporary realism (what ever that exactly means?). So let's see what happens and WHEN!

I'm working on a landscape painting...about A3 sizeish. It's very funny...I will post a cell phone picture of it tomorrow or Thursday. Life is busy and I squeeze all the time I can out of little moments for my artistic passions. Sometimes fatigue wins...sometimes Passion!

Figure drawing?

2010-02-28T07:10:00.001-08:00

This was my subject today. My son doing one of the things he does best...climbing. I would also love to paint this picture as the expression of focus on his face combined with the soft glowing grasses behind him (which I excluded for reasons of simplicity) is stunning to me. I didn't manage to capture his face or much else very well. I think I tried to keep it too small (5"x7") and between my pencils, my eraser and my skill level I really struggled. But I kept at it and I will be proud to have my art instructor critique it on Tuesday.

That brings me to a QUICK point. I've been noticing people say they are self-taught. I even tried it (note blurb under my name above) but in reality we need assitance and guidance and critique from a mentor/teacher etc. So this is a note of thanks to all my teachers. Thank you for you patience and wisdom. (not that many will see this...the last two didn't even own a computer.)

Sketches of Tanya

2010-02-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

The first sketch is charcoal and it's on about 80cm square newsprint. I worked on it for ...about 2.5 hours. The second sketch was the first one and I might have worked about an hour on it..in my 9" by 11" sketch book. For some reason the sketch book version got really big. I'm happy with most all of it except that I couldn't fit the whole picture in. I am working on proportions and the drawing what I see lessons. I must see things really weird. I like to magnify my favorite portions and minimize or leave out those bits I'm not drawn too...(funny pun hey?). I'd really like to capture her face however my first, second and third attempts left me with the distinct understanding that I need some assitance from an expert. I'm hoping to continue on this until it's conclusion. I'd love to make a painting of this as I adore the feeling of the pose.

My learning experience has revealed GRAND figure drawing subjects abounding all around me. I've got four children who are in constant motion and since it's summer are usually au natural. Also my friend (sketched above...), her family and my husband all give fabulous body shapes and sizes. They practice sports, dance and martial arts...ahhh! I wish I could draw and paint and mature faster!

Hang on to your Hat!

2010-02-25T11:16:00.001-08:00

WOW...big shifts, big shifts. Above is a charcoal sketch of my feet and an apple. I know - I'm learning. This is my artist childhood remember? I was really disgusted by this actually so I put it up above my fireplace (not to burn it...it's Summer here in the Southern Hemisphere) but to put it someplace I had to look at it. Something to encourage me to practice because at least it LOOKS like feet. So then I tried sketching from a black and white photo in a book on massage the first sketch. I haven't finished it as I also got disgusted with it. I worked on it for maybe two hours.

Okay...why am I going on? (besides because I do...) I've been having a major breakdown about this story about becoming an artist. I tried to share it with my art teacher (but she changed the subject and from that I took that I need to just get on with it!), then I tried another 3 people...they also blipped out...so I really took it to heart to just get on with it. And then again I was still really stripped because when I was looking for inspiration over the weekend what I found was a blog from a woman who was doing exactly what I'm doing...baking or knitting or otherwise avoiding getting on with it!

Tonight...I've started getting on with it. I'm so excited. I will share in drips so as not to bore or overwhelm. So the blog I found tonight is from an American University where the students post works in progress etc. SO absolutely all I needed!

I have more sketches but...I can't find them! hahaha. I will hunt them down the weekend and also dig in for more!

Kodak Camera

2010-02-10T11:38:00.001-08:00

I must let you know that some things never change. My Kodak digital camera that was replaced last year with a new version... is now also giving me trouble. So...no new posts at present. I will be taking it to the shop tomorrow and I'm hoping it's something simple.

Out of the chrysalis

2010-02-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

I'm back into a new art class and this instructor has previous "technical" teaching experience. She's assisted me in unblocking my drawing fear and now I am drawing every chance I get! These are two of my most recent that I'm very happy with. I've got a few more but this is the time I've got now!

More later. Thank you for visiting...there should be more movement from here forward. Big things coming and changing and moving on all fronts. Stay posted for updates!

Growings Pains

2009-12-04T11:23:00.000-08:00

I should be painting two to three times a week. I know. I should...paint daily. I know. I shouldn't should all over myself - but there you go. What I am doing is planting and harvesting. I've got my garden going full blast and the fuller it get's the more amazing it is. I'm also getting the children involved (part of homeschooling) and that's been an extra-ordinary journey in the meaing of LOVE, Patience. Acceptance. Surrender. The other fabulous part of the children being involved is that they are even more readily eating "new" veggies. Dragon tongue bush beans from the shop would be snubbed but from our garden...they chow it down.

I'm working on getting them to have a daily tea from the herbs. I've got so many...Lemon Balm, basil, thyme, rosemary, lavender, cilantro...I could go on. I also spoiled myself with the African Daisys to border our driveway.
Yeah...okay about painting. I got my birthday present.... My Father-in-law built me a beautiful shadow box frame. I finally had took the time to use it last weekend when my dear hubby took the children out for the day to his parents. It was so wonderful to use. I actually wanted to paint another painting but I was worried everyone would return before I got finished so I finished in the garden instead. Little did I know that they would still be HOURS returning! Bummer.

I've also been horribly distracted by food. I've gone vegetarian again...not strict more out of a lack of interest in meat than any other issues. I've found amazing recipes and food stuffs. I have even (after a very hectic experience) am able to eat nuts again! Very exciting as I LOVE nuts. I won't bore you with further discussions regarding food growing or eating.

I painted two pears...in the shadow box. I really loved my composition - the negative space between the pears was the draw for me. Unfortunately I chose the wrong colour back ground to accentuate my focal point. I'm going to have to make a do-over. Perhaps ...next week. Maybe this weekend? Given we are only expecting 5 guests! hahaha!

Making Connections

2009-10-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Finally connected to the internet again! Yipee!
The little green one is titled "Bump in the Line". They are both 6x8". I wish I could figure out how to get the lay out I want... I suppose it will come with more computer time!This little beauty is titled "Does this bowl make my bum look round?"

I'd love to hear your comments! Been missing you!

Lost and Found

2009-09-13T08:08:00.001-07:00

Well we've managed to move with what seems everthing intact - including our minds, or at least most of our minds, thanks to my inventory list!

I did my first painting in the new house today! A little 6"x8" of a bowl cup with oranges. Sadly I've misplaced my camera after taking pics of my boys with their new very short hair cuts.

On the happy side (as if I could be happier than getting to paint and finish a painting), we have started our garden and we've got 7 newly hatched chicks since moving into our little farm. We don't have a phone line yet which makes internet connection very challenging. Out phone company can't find our phone poles. (???)

So...I might not be back soon but I will...

BE BACK!!

BOXING MATCH

2009-07-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the larger painting and have put it aside due to feeling overwhelmed. Then I started a 25cm square piece... and that also had it's drama so I put that aside. Then I tried a 6x8in with a tried and true still life and it came out so...Carol Marine. It came out so CM that I'm not going to post it! I'm not teasing you!!! I just don't want anyone to think I'm trying to pass off her stuff as mine! I'm not going there she's to inspiring and amazing and real.

So then...I started (again maybe too big and bold and eager) a larger painting (I have no idea the size...maybe 8x10in??) with a green on green idea...oh it's too funny. I was basically painting in the dark and getting very cross eyed before I gave up and remembered why I don't paint in the evenings. I don't yet have good lighting.

Now...you are asking about the boxing match...well. Good News...we finally found our farm for rent. We are sooo very excited. I've already got about 18-20boxes packed, inventoried and labled. Now I have about 130 more to go. Plus all the other stuff. So you might not see many paintings here till ...September/October?? I might try again a little 6x8 baby just cause I'm so inspired by other moving artists who've managed to keep painting during the process. Perhaps I'm crazy? Packing myself with my four small kids/homeschooling, keeping up the kids classes, no babysitter, and still manage to paint....gosh...I think I might be crazy.

Hardly Finished

2009-07-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

I am working on a larger painting...it's about 43cmx41cm. It's taking a bit of time as I departed from my original still life colours. So...while you wait I thought it would be funny to share with you a peek into my "studio space". Yes those are packing boxes. My space is in the room I store all our boxes in. We moved into the house with short term plans but we have been here for about 18months now! I continue to keep things in boxes with the expectation that we will be moving soon. It's a long story...not worth telling.

Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Out of this World!

2009-06-30T12:02:00.001-07:00

"Round Pegs and Square Holes" (25cm square? I'll double check! Tomorrow. It's very late.)

What do you think of that for a title? Any other suggestions? Maybe... Bombs away? I really loved this painting. It was my own composition and I had to work out fabric folds as well. Then came the challenge of making the counter top look "real" and then there was a huge challenge because I needed the real surface and yet I wanted the "painterly" feel... Ah...what a great time I had working it all out. I'm sad to say the reason I haven't posted till now was due to a battle I've been having with light. I must have taken ten pictures of these two paintings in a myriad of light/settings etc etc. And still I have that spray of glare. Alas alack these were the best and I thought you might be tired of waiting.

....Titles??? Suggestions? I'm listening???

This is a picture of a favorite summer swimming spot on the Palmiet River. The sun and the water and all was so wonderful that day. I took loads of pics. This is a small study (6x12in) I am hoping to make it in a 12X24in ...soonish. Ah... OH... NEWS FLASH.... I am taking these two paintings plus my 6X8in apples to a gallery tomorrow. They seemed very keen at the informal first venture. AND I've sold three paintings as well! No they aren't posted on the site...I will get them here. I will attempt to make it tomorrw as it is my dedicated Painting Day. Things are hectic at the moment and my hubby is away...only returning late tomorrow. I will do my very best.

Please don't be shy now! I love to know what you are thinking.

Update:

2009-06-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

I am still here. Often the family needs are the greatest... so there was that and then there is my art class being canceled AND my camera malfunctioned again. The family needs are calming (slightly), the art classes are resumed - I've realized I've got to keep going if only to be able to paint once a week. I just don't have the space at home to make it yet. My camera is going to be replaced and upgraded to a new one. Let's hope this one works!

So...maybe you can see my newest painting by...next week??? Or today??? I'm waiting for the camera to arrive.

We are going away the weekend and Tuesday is a holiday (I need to find out what Holiday it is!). Have a lovely weekend!

Small Fry

2009-05-16T04:32:00.000-07:00

This is a painting exercise for my art class. I wanted to do it because I've always wanted to paint fish but I always get so nervous about it. It's a painting of a painting...Those bother me. I don't learn as much as I feel I could if I had the real thing sitting in front of me challenging me to decide the colors. What I did try to manage in making it my own was to re-frame it and focus on my version of it's focus.

I've got a great picture I took down at the river this summer...have a fabulous idea for this...I'm hoping to work it out soon.

PS...just realized I haven't signed it! I'll sign it and repost this.

Basking in the Glow

2009-05-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

Here as promised here's my 6X8" baby... I wiped the bowl of pears in the exact center of the picture!

I am pleased with this first attempt and particularly the reflections. I'm also very pleased...well actually that I finished it!!

The photo is the best I could get from my light/time.

Any comments?

The Journey of a thousand steps...

2009-05-11T02:53:00.000-07:00

Well...I'm in a very reflective mood again but what I want to impart is something MORE. My goal is always MORE...there is always more there is great ABUNDANCE to be had - always. I find lots of people are more comfortable in a box or with limits...I'm not. Direction is good...limit is ...limiting. Boundaries are also good...limits are different but similar. It's a long discussion...so let's go to the point!

FIRST...THANK YOU so much Susan(her blog Painting Daily is a huge inspiration to me)...I am so very honored and humbled by your Lemonade Award. Funny I was considering painting Lemons last week! As with you this may take me a few days to respond to properly and I would very much like to do my best to attain that goal! Thank you so much again.

SECOND...This is officially the last month I am going to pursue painting in my art class. It's the second painting I've come home so frustrated about that I just wiped the whole mess. I felt so...disappointed with my ability to verbalize my idea and cowing to the beliefs of my teacher who's favorite sentence when asked WHY for the umpteeth time is "Because that's what I told you." Now...I must make the point that I have said this ONCE in my parenting journey and I loathed the experience so having my teacher do this to me is very unnerving. I changed the entire direction of my painting based on those words of hers and I hated it. I told my self it's fine because the goal is to paint small and to paint something more loose and "quick" like a daily painter. The goal was to finish it in my 2 hour class. Well...you must be kidding. BUT...I will continue for the rest of this month to make a point to myself. I can disagree and still be agreeable because the other person is responsible for their response??? How does that sound? I must be authentic to me...that's the long and the short. I must paint for me.

THIRD...The posted picture is my elder two boys being absolutely silly (in case you missed that!) the night before their Daddy was to return home. He's leaving again after two days home. We are hoping to have him for the coming weekend. So...when Susan says I'm a busy Mom...well...sorta.... I'm a looney Mom. I'm trying to paint/draw daily (I'm managing once a week at present...but at least that's something!), mange being a unwife/unmother/unhomemaker and knit. I'm homeschooling...this is SO great check out SelfDesign Global .We do a sort of enthusiasm led learning. I'd list all the other things I squish into my time but...those are my focus points (I think..;).

So those are the big points. Thanks, Be Authentic to self, and Be Silly!

I'll post a picture (good, bad or unfinished...by ....let me see....let me be realistic...uh...WHY?) ok... Tuesday evening: 12 May 2009

How are you doing with your life goals??

2009-04-17T07:56:00.000-07:00

Wow...didn't think this tiny pic would down load...but here she is. Is it boring? Please let me know. This is my play on white on white...I know...the stamens and background aren't...I know. That's the whole play! See?

Hope you enjoy it!

Still Here!!!

2009-04-15T04:44:00.001-07:00

Ah yess...an exciting underpainting. I'm working on the colour now...I've made some changes (wish I'd done them in Acrylic!!) But I'm impatient too...

I'm trying to do a white on white but I think it's getting a bit too colourful. We will see tomorrow. I will try and finish it tomorrow.

Hubby was sick...then me...then Easter...now Mother's Day..blah blah. It goes and goes. Grab and ride it hey?

Our Photo shoot seems to have given beautiful photo's. I will try to share one...think the file might be too big. I'm not techy so I have no idea how to make stuff smaller either!

Hope you all had a great Easter. Please remember to plan for Mother's Day!

Continued Delays

2009-03-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

It continues to be a time of great movement and changes in our house. My husband has been interviewed for a parenting magazine and this week in the middle of his raging cold/flu we did photo's at the beach and in the surf. Also we had a overseas business guest stay with us on the same day. Whoopee don't we have fun. Needless to say I sometimes think my husband gets more rest at work than at home. He was home most of the week and the two day's I can paint were eaten away.

I have continued my research and I've continued to find amazing and inspiring information. Here are the links:
Women Painting Women this is a new site and every time I explore it I utterly moved to tears at so many different levels. I have taken the opportunity to explore these artists further as well.

In my continued search for improving my colours for my self portrait I've discovered some interesting items on this site : All the Strange Hours · Making and Thinking About Visual Art

I've got a lot to say as I've been pondering a good deal - as usual - however at this point I'm not certain that words are the appropriate expression at this point. Perhaps painting is. I may have time if I hurry! Here is another site...with some similarities to my heart... Anne Ordinary Day

Alrighty then...off for a try!!!

I WIPED it!

2009-03-21T09:01:00.001-07:00

Well...after all that enthusiasm my oils were just too dark or not opaque enough or both! I kept trying to make it work and my colour scheme is just not exciting me the way I envisioned. After at least 6 hours work - I've taken it all off and I'm starting again!

Maybe I will start some life drawings just to get my eye hand coordination improved. Something about the painting kept leaving my leg so fat and square looking. I was obviously not "getting my eye in".

I found this amazing page through another site...darned if I can remember the name of the site...I think it was: Art Studio Secrets - Art instruction and demonstrations - the amazing page was: Color Scheme Designer 3.

Our computer is still eating poison from somewhere and isn't working as it should. We are taking it in for an overhaul...soonish. So I might disappear - but I'll BE BACK!

I LOVE UNDERPAINTINGS

2009-03-11T04:26:00.000-07:00

I'm am so excited...I was really nervous about doing this self portrait and then...I did it big in Acrylics. WOW!! I love doing an underpainting. I feel I have such freedom to explore and mess and fool about! It was nerve wracking trying to get the sketch down and "right". I always feel that's a week spot. Then I decided to do dark colours for the underpainting so I could REALLY fool around with the oils on top tomorrow. The nipples aren't correct...I know. I will make it right tomorrow. I've ran out of time and was starting to get really careless.

My art teacher said to me last time she wants me to really let loose and do some wild brush strokes - which was just where I was heading anyway! This painting is HUGE...it's um...about 60x90cm (that's roughly 2'x3'). I've got this giant trepidation that she's going to refuse me to paint this in class because of the subject. I'm not worried though. I'm feeling that the time for the class is truly coming to an end as it seems so is our time in Pringle Bay.

Fiddling About & bad photo's

2009-03-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

Ah yes..well. Breathe. mmmmhhhaaa. YES. My children are woggling about me while I try to type and I'm trying to remain in love and joy as they pull my hair and play a game about me in an effort to let me finish my computer time.

Here is another pic of You Can't See Me. I did decide to fiddle with it but I am unable to get a nice photo of it. I've also included a little detail pic of my favorite part!

I also have done a sketch for my self portrait and furthered it with watercolours while the children explored my brushes and pushed my parameters... BUT... I'm very shy about it for some reason and absolutely unable to objectively determine anything about it! From basic composition to colours etc. I've sent it off to loving friends and select family for input.

Thanks so much for the visit! Comments are most welcome...

You can't really see me...

2009-03-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

I keep thinking I'm done with this one but then I see something I'd really like to "make" better. Knowing how it is to leave well enough alone.... I've left her so long....for now. I'm very happy with the overall aspects of the pic. There were some very special accidents that I think led to a strong feeling of depth in some parts.

Sorry for the absence...I've been in a real twirl.

"Can't see me" is 25cm square. The colours are a bit stronger than they came out here. I'm not sure the reason.

Hopefully there will be a self portrait next!

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T10:05:00.001-08:00

You see...last night in a mad frantic rush, (I did plan to plan ahead but it didn't happen), I realized I was going to be empty handed and sad on Valentine's morning. So I did what every good mom does...I managed. I made four little cards for my four little darlings each just a bit different from the other and each with a special unique message for each of my four angels. I am so impressed at how it all turned out. This morning I grandly and extravagantly delivered each valentines to each child, (and one for my fabulous hubby too Of course). At the end of the day I ask the children what is their favorite part of the day just ended. Aurion said many expected things and then he said in a very shy voice - "but my most favorite favorite thing today was my valentines and cuddling and laughing with Mommy after I got it." he finished in a whisper. I'm still crying! He's my little artist child. This is each of the fronts of the cards...the very top is the backs of the cards.

Now...this sad little thing here ...yes well. I know it will end better than it looks now and for an under painting it's not so bad but...I was hoping for more. Then of all things my art teacher went and shoved yellow paint on my black tire swing. I nearly hyperventilated till I remembered that I can...and just might...paint over it. Extra dark. Just because I can. But I have to admit that she might be correct. Might...my momma says that's a little bug on a chicken's butt. hmmm.

Happy Painting.

The One's that Got Away

2009-02-12T22:58:00.000-08:00

The other day when the baboons forced the boys to lay down their booty and make a run for home, the neighbor tried to shoo the baboons from the food. There were some spicy bread buns and some pears. We couldn't save the buns but we did save two of the pears. They were beautiful with long expressive stems and a sharp stroke of red against the bright unripe green.

I was just going to take some snaps of them in the early morning light (now mid morning) and have found, sadly, that they have disappeared. I was really looking forward to trying a Carol Marine style and title! Ah well...so much for procrastination! It's not a luxury with children around.

2009-02-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

These little guys on the left are from a children's book called Jack Frost by David Melling (I hope spelled his name correctly) They were so very adorable throughout the story that I couldn't resist trying a few myself. They were great fun and considering I did it so long ago and it was one of my few attempts that ended in success (meaning I was happy with the end result) I thought I would share my flash back with you! I still smile when I pull these little snow bugs out.

My sis-in-law has written a beautiful/fun children's book poem in rhyme and I am wondering if I can pull of illustrating it for her. I'd be ever so pleased!

These little dudes, (right) are tumbling gnomes.
They came in a kit we were given by friends who
came a visitin'. We put them together and I don't think I've ever seen a child so thrilled with a new toy! I made the two younger children's gnomes as they are a bit too young. The older boys helped sew theirs!

The local baboon troop arrived today in force. Seems the veld (wild flora n fauna) is yielding something worth eating. They checked out our swimming pool and had a drink from the splashing pool. When I thought they were gone I sent the boys to take fruit and bread to our neighbors. They came back in a rush. Seems the baboons were still hanging about. The children listen well. they dropped their parcels and hot-footed it home! No one was hurt. I wish I could show a picture there were so many little baboons about!

I've still managed to get some painting done on the girl in the swing - finished Izarah's painting. It doesn't look that much different from the posted pic.

Thanks for visiting. Come back soon!

Ok...It's not finished

2009-02-04T00:20:00.000-08:00

For Cassie - who is dying to see this finished... I've just checked it again and I see a few little mistakes I need to correct (one on the bottom side of the painting - it's IMPORTANT!) - it's the details that make a painting. So...one more day! I'm going to try to post a picture from my cell phone just to see how it looks - and because I don't want to be a tease! I really like how the "halo" around her body came out and Milly Jones' help about my horizontal lines I think have really made a big difference in the strength of this piece. It's got glare on it - so please excuse the fuzzyness. It is a cell phone camera!

Maybe it's just because I'm only beginning and feeling confident enough to attempt to paint things I feel are beautiful but I must say I don't understand how painters say they don't know what to paint! I've got so many ideas I can't paint fast enough!

Your input is deeply appreciated so please leave a comment! I've enjoyed painting this picture as it has given me time to meditate on Izarah. I'm really looking forward to the next painting (I want to do three of Izarah.). I am also eager to get to the swing painting idea. Then the navals?? Oh... I really really want to paint so much more than I get to!

No Laughing now...

2009-02-03T07:08:00.001-08:00

Okay,... I think I finished my Izarah painting. Now the big problemo is that I've no idea how to aesthetically sign my name! Every time I try it seems to mar the picture! I will try to get a photo posted but I've promised myself not to post it till I've figured out how to flippin well sign my name!

A lot going on...

2009-01-30T11:48:00.000-08:00

I keeping hearing this lately... You've really got a lot going on... Funny - I always feel really overwhelmed and yet I feel like I don't really do much of anything. So when people tell me...you've really got a lot going on. I want to ask them...What do you mean? Silly - I know.

I've had lot's and lot's happening this week. I won't even touch all the philosophical "deep" ponderings I weave through in a day. We got the camera turned in seems it worked perfectly at the shop when they checked it this time! But, they will send it in for repair anyway...three weeks we will find out what they plan to do with it.

The classes I started in July are starting again... I went. I will go. I'm not sure how much longer. This photo is one I fiddled with ...I love it so much! I'm so eager to paint it! But...I'm a woman who's learned...don't start the next thing till you finish the current one. I don't like to go back to something. I'm also exploring my bellybutton ideas again (I'll show you when I get there! hahaha).

The children have had a most exciting homeschooling experience this week with Earth Science. And Kael got his own e-mail and he read three sentences nearly by himself! I'm so proud!

I asked a fellow artist (can I include myself as an artist now?) if she could have a look at my Izarah painting. I wanted to make sure I got my ethos right. She was so encouraging and said yes yes yes to all my thinking. I felt really good about my paintings when she left. I think I must invite her more often!

Alrighty then... we are going out early to Moonshine Bay (the boys to fish with daddy on the boat and Izarah and I will be walking to the lighthouse) so I will go to bed now.

I'd love to hear how you are! Thanks for visiting!

Blah - Blah - Blah

2009-01-22T04:43:00.000-08:00

I'm in one of those super sticky spaces where everything feels thick...SO...I rearranged the living room and computer space. I'm avoiding anything accomplish-able.

I'm going to go colour with my littlies and write a little book and fool around... What are you doing?

What is Today?

2009-01-21T06:36:00.000-08:00

We've been experience a seriously high degree of sleep deprivation over the last several days and some strange things have occurred.

One: I've signed up for Face Book - I think I'm appalled! (I need more sleep to tell)
Two: I can't remember a good deal of what happens in a day
Three: Somehow one of my "intentions" has been met. I may have found someone to assist me in practicing my art 20hours a week. I'd be jumping up and down shouting hallelujah if I'd had a bit more sleep. The woman is going to trial on Friday so I will know more late.
Four:....(I almost forgot) I had an amazing philosophical discussion about sociology in relation to psychology. I put some amazing ideas together and had some great insights as well. The most I remember from the conversation is that we need to take more joy and pride in being uniquely different and standing out against the back drop of current convention.

I'm still waiting to get my camera fixed. I'm hoping to start...painting next week??

Thanks for visiting!
Melissa

Jeepers!!!

2009-01-08T05:21:00.000-08:00

I've been dying to post lately but I can't!!! My camera is on the blink and won't let me down load...yes again. I'm taking it for repair tomorrow. We have the added joy of struggling with our computer after it crashed due to a virus. Even after having it "repaired" it's acting like I am...just unable to overcome the virus completely. My bookmarks all got wiped out...bummer. AND my ACD prgram is missing...charming. So...I've got the blues man!

I'm sure this is all just a minor set-back experience so I'm chillin' with a few books and hatching plans and goals for 2009.

Hope you all had a fabulous festive season.

First Stages

2008-12-18T04:44:00.000-08:00

Okay, I can't title every post "I'm so excited" but heck...I am. I'm so impressed with this first layer. I was sailing along with Kathy Mattea, Dizzy Gillespie, and Yo-Yo Ma (et. al. the myriad of my eclectic music collection). I wanted to try an under painting of black and white acrylic to sort out tonal values and lighting etc. WOW - it went so well - the picture fell right out the brush. Mostly - I got anxious at the end of my baby sitting time and made a few oopsies but overall I can't believe I painted this!

Oh...what is it? Hahaha... Izarah likes to wash her hands and spends long sessions in the various stages of soaping, rinsing and starting over. The morning light was pouring through the window behind her and...well I couldn't resist. I love her baby bum n tum!

Thank you so much for visiting! Leave a note if you like.

At LAST!

2008-12-14T00:47:00.000-08:00

I am so so so excited!!!

I have "fixed" my painting after one of the boys put his finger through the finished painting. I was tempted to climb back into it to perfect a few more things I'm not happy with but a friend of mine said "OH! you are SO critical!". So I thought well...she's an excellent painter...maybe I SHOULD just leave it. So I am. It's finished! I've put a picture in but I've just seen it's too dark. My dear hubby got the pics to download finally so I will take ANOTHER picture and post it...later...to replace this one. **The pic has been replaced...now I see that the "fix" is actually visible. I'm still leaving it alone though!

I've also got so many ideas for my next project that I am just shivering with anticipation. I had a few "simple" plans but then I saw my daughter washing her hands one morning and there was just the most beautiful scene. I've got three different shots. I'm going to try to paint all three (I hope it doesn't take me till next year this time!).

I know I should try something more simple but...alas easy doesn't cause shivers up my spine!

Joyous painting and happy holiday preparations to you and your families! Thank you so very much for visiting and for your input.

The Joys of Technology!

2008-12-06T05:15:00.000-08:00

I want very much to put up my previous painting adventures for your perusal however, technology is not on my side at this moment. I have figured out how to make the file smaller for downloading etc. My camera takes the picture but the computer keeps saying it already has the pictures and won't download them! So...I will keep trying.

On the egg and blue satin front...I am still painting. It's going better each time. I have a little window now so please excuse me. I'm off to paint!

Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you are smiling when you finish!

Happy Birthday Izarah

2008-11-23T11:00:00.000-08:00

My baby girl is two years old today! She has been a surprise from the beginning and she continues to be a surprise! We had her party last weekend because Daddy, Ouma & Oupa were going to be away for her birthday

It's the last week with my partner away. Having the children to myself has been a joy and a West Coast Swing with music nearly too fast to keep up with. The babysitter came Friday and had to leave after an hour for a personal emergency.

I had already started in trying to make my eggs on silk look more like what I want them too. My children were going to watch me paint while they had lunch. I took all the paint off when the sitter went.

I've had some amazing finds such as Abbey Ryan and Daily Paintworks. They inspired me again to pursue my inkling that there is artistic talent hiding in these untrained tools of mine. Deltra and Christie's encouragement was also fuel for the creative fires that are dwindling with my energy reserves.

I took the children to the beach this beautiful afternoon, (mostly to escape the messy house!), and I was filled with such inspiration. (I tried to download a pic of our lagoon but ... the camera kept it for it's self!) I found two beautiful bugs and some amazing shells. I pocketed the items and I'm hoping to get an idea's box together. Fruit n Veg is just to fragile for me to try and paint at the moment. Nuts...I could use nuts and seeds...wow.. Now I haven't seen that yet! hahaha. Health food...muesli...hmmm. Take the ideas...I don't mind. I've got lots and lots! ...hmmm payments accepted for ideas??? Just kidding...I'll go to e-bay. No. Sorry I'm in a silly place.

Going to paint tomorrow. Have decided I really need to get some small boards primed and also some smaller brushes!

Happy Painting... I will be tormorrow. There's always tomorrow....lalalala

A balanced perspective

2008-11-19T05:24:00.000-08:00

The above painting is a WORK IN PROGRESS. It feels like it might be a perpetual one. As a new painter I know it will take me LONGER than an professional artist and I know I should be patient. So the old 4X4 driving instructions of : As fast as possible as slow as necessary. - seems appropriate. I spent a majority of the time stressing that I was going to run out of time before the children returned. I spent the other bit of time trying to figure out how, if possible, to make this a "painterly" picture instead of the sad tight things I've made before. So it became one of those times where nothing was working.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank you for taking the time to visit and leave a note.

Hang On...Hold On...HELP!!!! is coming!

2008-11-18T11:18:00.000-08:00

Whoa...today was tough. It's the second day into my husbands 14 day trip overseas. My three year old boy is feeling it heavily. My two year old girl has a tummy bug. My two older boys (7 and 5) are coming back from grandma's house tomorrow and they are not excited about it.

On the absolute dreamy side of life...I get to paint tomorrow!!! AND I might well get to do it again on Friday. I have made a definite painting date for Monday. I really can't manage without a painting session once a week at least.

I've toyed with the idea of posting some of my first paintings. The more I think of it the more certain I am this is a BAD idea. They are so sad and flat and tight. I just want to repaint them and make the happy to be on the canvas!

There will be a painting here soon I must just be patient. Thank you for being patient with me. Thanks for the visit.

Exciting Starts

2008-11-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

I am jumping with excitement!!! I feel like a sesame seed on a hot frying pan. I am beginning this spring on a journey of commitment to my art. I want to produce a painting a week. I have heard of the daily paintings however this is far to much for me with my four children and starting homeschooling and all the other responsibilities of being human in a modern world.

I love art, painting, drawing, illustration, sculpture, any and everything to do with expressing of self and ideas and colour and....LIFE!! What an exciting time we are living in that we have such freedom.

I am currently working on my first "weekly" painting. It's a still life of three eggs on a plate with a luminous blue scarf. I love the light shining through everything. The intimacy and warmth. I love how when I'm painting it I get confused and the folds become like mountains or waves... I must work from a picture at this point as I paint very slowly and I can't leave something set up. I work in our dining room so I have to clean up after every session. A small mission for the joy of painting!