The Golden Triangle

Coming from a background as a photographer, I recognize so many principles that relate to both photographic and painterly images.  Lightstalking Magazine, for professional photographers, has some great content that applies to those using a brush as well, such as this one, on The Golden Triangle in composition.

Busy day, heading out to paint with the C.A.N. girls today and then errands before heading up north for the holiday weekend.  I sure hope Earl doesn't mess with our plans too much.  I'm looking forward to plein air painting from my sis' cabin in the mountains.

Miss Hazel on National Public Radio!

I am not sure if this made it nationally or was just a local feature, but it sure does make me proud to know Hazel King has been recognized!

WPLN's feature on Hazel King

Tom Jones' Workshop: Fantabulous!

Based on a Tom Jones painting and workshop

Never having been to a workshop before, I didn't know what to expect.  I thought it would be a great learning experience but had no idea just how great it would be!

Tom Jones is a fabulous nature landscape artist who represents and is representative of some of the finest producers of art supplies in the art world - Arches paper, Rembrandt paints, and Jerrys Artarama.  So when I heard he was coming to our local Jerry's to put on this workshop, of course, I signed up and put down the names of my fellow C.A.N.* girls.  The only one who was unable to join us was Barbara, but since we've got miles to go to catch up to her caliber of painting, we figured it was only right.

Tom was a great and inspiring teacher.  He had a gentle, matter of fact style that didn't pull punches but showed me (on more than one occasion) how to fix some major goofs in my work.  The painting he chose to have us do was challenging and really pushed us out of our comfort zones, but I watched with relief and joy as Lynne, Lucilla and Margot moved from frustration to anxiety to pleasure at learning the new process.  Safe to say we all got a lot out of it.  My painting (I brought it home and doctored it up slightly after all the gaffs), is above.

We also got to meet Tom's lovely wife Bonnie, a strong watercolor artist herself, and she showed us some batik paintings she has done recently that are beyond exquisite.  We are hoping to encourage either Jerry's or our Centennial Arts Center to enlist her to teach a batik class in the future.  And of course, we want Tom back.  Again and again.

I learned so much in the class I came home, spent and exhausted but dying to try more.  But I'm willing to share a few of my strongest impressions here:  Arches 300# paper kicks a$$ when it comes to durability, workability, presentation quality, etc.  You know when you are working on it that it is just.well.golden!  And at $10 and change, it wasn't nearly as expensive as I thought it would be for a full sheet since you can split it into smaller sheets.  Lush.

Several lessons I got from the workshop:

1. Tom taught us to lighten the palette.  By that I mean don't use a huge number of different colors, but few and mix between them to maintain unity in the painting.  
2. When laying in a stand of trees, you want to do just that -- lay in the color in a freeform block and don't worry about trunks and branches until you've got the basic shape.  Then go in and lay in a few here and there.  
3. Let the watercolors do the job, don't you do it by brushing.  Just shape it, smooth it, etc. within 15 seconds if you can.  
4. The detail work, which means the difference between a good and great painting, is accomplished in the last 15 minutes of any painting, no matter if you work on it for 30 minutes, five days, two years, whatever.  It is absolutely that last 15 minutes that makes the painting.  
5. Use tissue instead of paper towels to blot and blend and smooth areas out, and if you need to go back to white paper, a stiff toothbrush and tissue and water are your best friends.  
6. If you, like me, go way overboard with the paint and need to take off even more, a spray bottle with a strong stream is your even better friend.  Spray and let the water and paint run off the paper and start over. 

There were loads more things to learn and I filled a couple of pages of notes, but you'll just have to take a class yourself! 

I loved the rockwork!  It is much like painting large flower petals.  Lay color at one edge, use a clean (water only) brush and sweep that color across the remainder of the area to be covered, ensuring one edge has strong definition.  Tom noted that I had too many rocks and it made the painting look too busy.  He suggested I merge a couple here and there into larger boulders and I may well do that later, but honestly, I'm kinda proud of the rockwork, I kept them as they were this time to show my hubby and show off on my blog.

On the waterfall, I am ashamed to say I cheated.  It was a mess to begin with but he used a new product offered at Jerry's called "Aqua Cover" that did a great job on leveling off the water, creating a better spill area below and such.  But with 20 students and limited time, he could only do so much, and I wanted to wow my husband when he got home later last night so, after resting when I got home, I got out my (dare I say it) acrylic white paint to complete the fix. I rationalize that now I can effectively call it a mixed media work and honestly, it looks pretty good, I think. The Aqua Cover is a great, amazing product though and would have done the job but I didn't purchase it and figured the acrylic application was next best thing.  So sue me for cheating! 

Final note on the painting: Tom's painting did not include, but I did, a tree stump sticking through the edge of the waterfall and another area where water spills over a giant rock.  I am kinda proud of that improvisation and the overall work, even if the rocks are too busy.  I will be making a few minor changes to this work sometime when I get a chance, and thankfully, because of the great paper, I can.  But I wanted to get the near-finished painting up here with the workshop review while it was all fresh in my mind. 

Tom, if you ever grace my blog with a visit to read this, know that I got a tremendous out of you workshop and really appreciate your painting style, teaching style and the generous, genuine and decent person you appear to be.  Keep up the great work and hopefully, we Nashvillians'll catch another of your workshops before too long.   Bonnie, we'll be working on yours too, OK?

Workshop today with CAN group taught by Tom Jones

Very excited! Lucilla, Lynnne, Margot and I, founding members of our "Collaborative Artists Network" are honing our skills today when, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. we'll be hard at work on watercolor landscapes in a workshop taught by Tom Jones.  I've seen his videos at Jerry's Artarama's video lesson download site and he looks wonderful!  Can't wait.  Will report back later.

A link to recent Watercolor studies, and Hazel King's Birthday today

Since painting with the Collaborative Artists Network, I've done some enjoyable watercolor studies.  They are visible in this album posted at my facebook site "Moesse the Eclectic Artist."  If you've not "liked" Moesse but have a facebook page, I'd appreciate it if you would do so.  You know, share the love.

Heading into Nashville to the Centennial Park Art Center today to celebrate Hazel King's 92nd Birthday.  Can you believe it?  What a gem.

Update - 4:02 PM:   Have returned from a really enjoyable pot luck birthday party for Hazel and will post more later, but have to correct the record.  She's 91 this year.  Still drives, lives alone, and inspires so many still through her art education.  A real treasure.

A grand day with fellow painters yesterday

Barbara with a painting from more than 20 years ago!

The Collaborative Artists Network (C.A.N.) is getting geared up!  We painted at Barbara Rembert's studio in her home yesterday inspired by some glorious instrumental music, great, great food, and the artistic and creative energy that flowed like a bubbling stream.  Barbara has a tremendous learning library of books to borrow, and we were treated to a private show of her collection of works.  She has some brilliant work over the years, and happily, we got the up close and personal tour, including explanations behind some of the loveliest of paintings.  Her methods are so varied, and yet all convey so beautifully what message or meaning she is trying to illustrate.  Pure wonderment!

Another surprise treat was a painting Margot pulled out that she had done back more than three decades ago!  And to our joy and amazement, it was done using the same strokes, colors, and style she uses today.

We didn't talk much about our organization today, preferring just to paint, but the idea behind it is to organize as a non-profit, obtain grands or other funding to provide a safe, comfortable place to paint, the resources to do so, the opportunity to teach others less fortunate, and to sell our works to self-fund our endeavor moving forward. It will surely be a long road, but with we five, I think we C.A.N., no pun intended.  We recognize women typically give up so much to raise children, care for family, or meet other challenges that typically come from lacking that second X Gene, particularly economic ones.  And each of us has faced tremendous emotional, physical, or monetary challenges, or a combination of all three, to get to this point in our lives, and we feel it is time to put our experience to good use, identify a forum, and ultimately, give back.  Down the road, I hope to write more about our organization's progress.

Uh oh! Eye problem returned!

I've been lax in doing the eye exercises and on top of that recently got a new IPhone 4, beckoning me to click, read, and explore until the wee hours of the morning sometimes, and yesterday, I noticed the eye problem has returned.  Bummer since I returned to the eye specialist a few weeks ago and told her everything was fine and dandy.  Well, I guess it's just a two step process:

1. reduce the Iphone viewing
2. get back to exercising the muscles. 

Of course, right now I'm piled under with work, want to paint more, and have other needs for my eyes too.  Will update you next week on my progress.  Hopefully it'll be as easy as 1,2.

Wish me luck!

The perfect Sunday morning, the perfect Watercolor Inspiration Book

For Practicing:  dual pallets AND a set of cheap old pan paints too!

The day started hot and humid as it has this summer (a verdant August is unheard of here in Middle Tennessee, but it's true this year ...) so I grabbed the happy tails duo and we headed to the park for a pre-sweltering distance walk.  Once home, I thankfully grabbed my coffee, and laid out my stuff to paint with Pandora playing random tunes in the background to inspire me.  I didn't need it however, because I found the perfect inspiration in The Tao of Watercolor:  A revolutionary approach to the practice of painting by Jeanne Carbonetti.

One of the several library books I checked out yesterday, this one beckoned me. The thing I've learned over the past year is that you have to give up control in watercolor more than any other medium.  You have to relinquish planning and organization, for the most part, in order to achieve the most breathtaking works.  Carbonetti's book illustrates this beautifully as she explains washes that go far beyond the flat, graduated, etc. and gives you room to breathe, play, and explore.    I would elaborate but want to get back to my work now the paint layer's dry.  You'll have to check it out yourself.  One final note, though, I noticed she has several other books entwining eastern philosophy and painting.

A book about Citiscapes

As a child, my mother wisely taught me that books were a joy and I’d relish trips to the local library as one would a visit to a candy store. I’d come home, happily meet naptime as an opportunity climb into bed to transform into a “princess,” locks resting on plumped up pillows and books spread around like treasures.

The library holds much the same joy for me, and, yes, I still enjoy an excuse for a nap for that very reason. Today, I reluctantly returned a real gem of an old book entitled Painting Citiscapes by Ralph Fabri. It was published in 1973 and after enjoying the borrowed book, I decided it was worth breaking into my scant resources to buy it from a used bookseller on Amazon. It not only goes into real detail about painting citiscapes (and building details, etc) but includes project demonstrations of citiscapes in oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel. .

Off topic somewhat, I only glanced through all the other art books I checked out because I became engrossed in the great biography Chasing the Flame about the great late presumptive UN Secretary General Sergio Vieira de Mello - whose life was tragically cut short by an early attack in Iraq - by Samantha Power).

I'm signing off now, eager to head to the library to see what new treasures await.  And eager for nap time. 

School's starting & great art supply sales abound

I've been getting a pile of sale flyers in my inbox lately, and my debit card is burning a hole in my pocket.  I rationalize that at least the purchase of art supplies isn't like some conspicuous spending that would be really gauche in this day and age.  I mean, after all, we're buying this as the raw materials to create product for sale (hopefully), thus fueling the economy, right? A stretch, yeah, I know.  Still, here's the lowdown on good sales going on right now on art supplies through major retailers I know of, either mail order or local to Nashville (and scores of other cities nationwide).

Dick Blick:  Right now they've got Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board, Golden Heavy Body Acrylics, Prismacolor Pencils,   Alphacolor Soft Pastels and Unisom Gator Foam Pastel Surfaces, Winsor & Newton Oils, and Charcoal pencils on sale at discounts of 13-54% off.

Cheap Joe's:  Use promo code CJ45 to get 4.95 shipping through 8/22, click this link to save up to 60% on select items in their fall sale event on items including Prismacolor Colored Pencils, Golden Artists Acrylics (and I think I'll be picking up this great deal on Golden Open Acrylics, to test them out. 

For those local to Nashville, Jerry's Artarama Nashville has restocked it's canvas offerings and has a deal on Winsor & Newton, The Edge, and Creative Mark Canvas. A boatload of other items are on sale, too, and the . These other sale items include Matisse Dervan Acrylics (LOVE THOSE AUSSIE COLORS!) Lukas Oils, Daler Rowney Oils and Gesso, Soho Urban Acrylics and Oils, Silver and Pro Stroke Brushes, Painter's Edge Pallet Knives, Strathmore 300 Series Bristol and Watercolor Pads and Canson Pads as well. Foamboard is at fantastic prices too for both the large size and smaller sizes from 8 x 10 all the way up to 32 x 40 and some portfolios and ArtPort cases are on sale too.  This link from Jerry's national lists even more stuff on sale.

A little off track, but for Nashvillians, but through Jerry's, I learned of an event to be held at Hickory Hollow Mall tomorrow starting at 6 p.m. entitled "Exposed!"  Not much info to be discovered on this but I suspect it relates to the newly opened art gallery in the mall.  The flyer notes Gallery opening at 6 p.m. with performances starting at 7, featuring new and seasoned talent, a guest DJ and a guest performance.

Back to shopping and definitely not to be outdone,  Plaza Artist Materials is having a fall sale too.  They list
Paints, and related materials, brushes, canvas, drawing supplies, paper, and furniture on sale with savings of up to 70%.  Like Jerry's, being able to go to the store and talk to their well-trained and knowledgeable staff is very helpful and they, too offer web-based sales.  With 12 stores, located DC, Maryland, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia, there might be one near you.

Even Michaels, the Arts & Crafts retailer, is getting into things with value canvas multi-packs, Strathmore 400 series pads, Liquitex Basics Paints and storage accessories on sale now. 

In case I've missed anything, feel free to add in the comment section below.  It doesn't require blood or promise of money or any other committment, so feel free to post a comment.  To those who have/ do, thanks!    

Added 9:33 AM CST per comment of earlier and more info:  

Mea Culpa, Utrecht Art Supplies  has a great sale going on there now too, and double down by deducting 20% off the total too! (Plus free shipping on $100 orders or greater).

And Mea Culpa to  ASWeXpress too!  A 3 day deal which ends Aug. 21 (enter code B8W4) for 15% off your total plus free shipping on orders of over $99,  Golden Artist Acrylics at up to 40% off til Sept. 30, and finally, select brushes, including Silver Brush, Winsor & Newton, Raphael, Robert Simmons and Isabey up to 67% off until 11:59 P.M. EST TONIGHT.   So, if you get in and purchase by midnight tonight you get a great brush deal, 15% off all, free shipping if you get with friends and bundle an order, and are, uhm, pardon the pun, Golden too!

Happy buying, happy creating, just be happy

Added 12:58 PM CST per comment of earlier and more info: 
Clarification on the Utrecht deals:  Ends tonight at midnight: Save 20% Off Your entire purchase!* (Use Keycode BTS20E)... Need one more thing to round out your studio? Save 40% Off any one non-sale item!** (use Keycode BTS40). But a weekend deal offers  Free Ground Shipping and extends the 20% off with limits as per an offer I received in today:  Utrecht is fully stocked for Back to School and the more you buy, the more you'll save! Take 10% Off Your entire purchase, no minimum purchase required!* (Use Keycode WKND10E)... Spend $100 or more and Save 20% Off Your entire purchase plus Free Ground Shipping!** (use Keycode WKND20E). Click here for details.
 

Spent the past six hours putting together a proposal

For a research / writing project.  It has nothing to do with art, really, other than writing about the concept of taking an old industrial space and renovating it to make it more comfortable and efficient, for use as studios, lofts, and such. But that's just one aspect of the project.

I would love to get this project for several reasons, one of which is, of course, economic.  If it pans out, you'll be the first to know (sort of) and I'll elaborate in some detail. 

Wish me luck! 

A stupendous day painting with "the girls."

As you may recall, Lynne, Lucilla, Margot and I have been meeting weekly at one another's homes although today was Barbara Rembert's first day joining us.  It definitely won't be her last as we're piling in on her next week. But back to today - it was held at Margot's lovely place in Green Hills, and I was treated to some of her fine homemade Gazpacho (she's promised to share the recipe with me and if I get any comments to my post, I may just be nice enough and share it here later, too.)  And since Barbara had a birthday recently, Lynne surprised her with a little cake in her honor. 

It was a wonderful day of watercolor painting and I worked on a pair of waterfalls from the same photo that would never have occurred to me to break them up into two separate paintings, but with Barbara there, coaching me on, I saw the composition would be that much better for doing it.  I decided on those paintings since Barbara showed us all a pair of beautiful watercolors she had done on paper that she had gessoed over to protect the integrity of the paper and make it easier to lift off paint later.  Mine were poor stepchildren compared to her gorgeous works, but it was good practice all the same.  I did a sweet little birch forest painting too, but the hubby is working to upgrade my Iphone right now so sharing a photo of my effort will have to wait.

The big news from today's session was that we have decided on a name for our group and intend to codify it, first with website, then see about some funding sources, and more.  Pretty exciting when you think it all started just a few weeks ago.  Wish us luck!

Non-art Book Recommendation

Running with the Tao by Greg Webb.  I've read segments of this truly inspirational book and await delivery at this time.  

Editorial Review from Amazon:  Compelling commentary on health and spirituality. The author takes two lines from each stanza of the Tao te Ching and creates a stream of moving meditations as he runs around a magic path circling two pristine lakes outside beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. "By prioritizing how present I'm becoming instead of how far or how fast I may be traveling, I've ended up going farther and faster than I ever dreamed possible."

Disclaimer:  Though there's no monetary conflict of interest in my recommendation, I went to High School with this talented guy.  His blog is truly inspiring.  I can't wait to get my copy of the full book and suspect it'll be one of my go-to Christmas gifts for those who have (almost) everything. 

Words on Art

Had little time to paint and explore this past weekend but thought I'd spiff up someone's day by including links to a few cool blogs and sites devoted to art that I've been visiting of late. 

First off, my Twitter Account follows a good number of art-related subjects, ranging from certain museums to magazines and other artists too.  Feel free to join me in following these entries.  AbsoluteArts is a blog in which various artists contribute.  Kinda good to hear several voices in one place.  Another good one is Artopia, which is a good critics-eye-view of things going on in the art world on a global scale.  Closer to home, that is, Nashville, I'd refer readers to the David Maddox's Perambulating the Bounds.  He does a great job culling together Nashville's Art Scene in a one-stop blog that covers the gamut of the music and visual in and around Nashville.   

The last link I'm including doesn't really refer to words, but rather a way cool idea to get artists from all over involved in a collaborative project:  The Sketchbook Project.  Such a cool concept, I urge all visitors to get involved.  I have, selecting the theme "And then there was none" for my own contribution.  I've received my sketchbook but haven't yet laid any marks in it, preferring to plan it out somewhat.  Nah, the honest answer is, like all other precious empty journals and books I've purchased or been given over the years, the blank slate is so symbolically precious to me that I hate to muddy it until I know what I'm putting in is just spot on perfect.  I need to get over that soon, since the due date for this project is Jan. 15. 

Perhaps this weekend coming up, as I make up for lost painting time too. 

Survived hosting duties and Cool Gig on the Radar

My visiting brother is in Nashville for the morning; the dinner last night was great; and I am relaxing in the cool of my white-trash, window-unit air-conditioned upstairs office.  The dogs, resigned to going yet another day without a trek to the park, are sprawled across our king-sized bed downstairs.  No painting in my future today, unfortunately.

But back to the dinner:  thanks to my visiting brother Brian, we served a great meal including barbequed chicken, teriyaki beef and veggies, a really kickass Quinoa Pilaf (if I may say so myself), and raw veggies and crackers and dips (including my first attempt at Lucilla's Poor Man's Caviar), followed by a fruit platter and a childhood family favorite:  chocolate cookie & cream ice box cake that put a huge grin on my cousin Katie's smiling face. It was a wonderful evening and I could feel the stress of the past 24 hours evaporate as I licked the last remnants of chocolate and creme off my dessert fork.

The afternoon's "career-making" meeting went amazingly well.  I was pulled into a project with a screenwriting friend and, long story short, have been asked to tell the amazing true story of an urban pioneer.   I liked him immediately upon meeting him, fell for all his charms and tried to keep up with his quick wit and ricocheting manner of storytelling.   The setting drew me in the minute I crossed the threshold, and while 104 degree temperatures do not usually encourage trudging through raw industrial spaces, I was so hooked the sweat dripping down into my eyes was but a minor inconvenience and I could've explored for hours.  Still, I was very glad to get back into the heavenly high-spaced air conditioned office our subject has and hear more of his stories.

My task now is to come up with a proposal for my work, including renumeration, expected time involved and estimated total budget for a final project.  I know it will mean a lengthy and time consuming process, but my semi-retired brother says he's willing to pick up some of my consulting business slack and help me along this journey, which, if all goes well, will include a wonderful studio in which to paint and perhaps show, there, as well, since there's no way in hell I'm giving that up.

Painting, gracious southern style at Lynne's

I was in one of those moods.  The dogs knew it and stayed out of my way.  With out-of-town family arriving that night and a long-lost cousin joining us for dinner the next, and sandwiched in between a possible career-making meeting, I was dreading the next 48 hours.  So much to do!  Still, I wasn't about to give up my sanity-restoring opportunity to paint with my friends. 

And so it was -- like facing the waves, taking in the fresh sea air and breathing deeply with the cool blue surf's waves kissing one's bare toes helping to forget the here and now. As agreed, our painting foursome met Tuesday for our third "private" painting session and as this journal's title hints, we were hosted by our resident Southern Belle, Lynne. With one of those melodic gentle voices with a honey-sweet drawl and ever-present smile, to know Lynne is to be in the presence of sunshine and honey, and all things sweet and pleasant.  Really. 

I wasn't sure what to expect as I've never been to her home before and she is very modest, but as I drove through the gracious old-South charm of Belle Meade, the palatial homes, verdant and sprawling country club and well-kept lawns set the tone. And pulling into her place, I wasn't disappointed...  Lynne's home is a lovely breezy affair with a huge deck (alas, it was way too warm to paint out there) and maze-like interior that winds its way through wall after wall of Lynne-produced whimsical and serious art.  A huge bookcase in the dining room belies the secrets to her success and her genius: years of practice and study.  I regret I didn't take more photos, but, with an abbreviated day on my part, we didn't waste too long looking around before settling in to the important task of painting at her dining room table, the deck's sunlight pleasantly spilling into the room and occasional barking by her little dog bringing us occasionally back to the here and now. 

Margot worked on a lovely stone structure she'd photographed while on her trip to Turkey a short while back.  Lynne, amid hosting duties, worked on a beautiful landscape as Lucilla and I tooled around painting flowers. 

At lunch time, Lynne laid out a truly gracious Southern style luncheon complete with shrimp salad, tiny champagne grapes, cheese crackers, and more.  All on fine china with a dainty rose centerpiece (which I couldn't resist painting it was so lovely).  As we dined an painted, it struck me how cherished these women are to me.  True sisters.  An idea that was affixed permanently in each of our minds when, early on in the day, Lucilla presented each of us with a lovely ceramic "painting" of green leaves on a bone background.  She explained that they had been a gift to her years ago and she had no use for them now and wanted us each to have one.  I was so touched and it now hangs in a special place of honor in our front room. 

It is hard to believe I have known these women for such a short time and yet feel so deeply for them, and cherish them so much!  I can't explain it, but perhaps working together on our art, we feel safe enough to share our vulnerabilities.  They sure know about my dramas!  And as we learn more about one another, I think we each feel more protective of one another.  Like family, wanting the best for our loved ones. 

All I know is I feel truly blessed to know these dear, sweet souls and think that as much as I grow in my painting ability in their presence, I grow as a person too.  We have plans to strengthen our alliance in a more formal way.  I hope we can bring our plans to fruition and will do what I can to ensure it happens! 

After the darkness, light

After venturing into the dark territory of the oil spill, BP's greed and such, I had to find something of beauty to process.  So I dipped into my photos of the morning fog from the other day and came up with this lovely work.  It wasn't hard to do this, especially with my own Crape Myrtle Trees blossoming right outside my studio windows!  Who could resist, I ask you?

Grumpy

BP Can Go Eff Itself! 

The news headlines about the Gulf Oil Disaster have been weighing me down for weeks and I didn't realize how much it had dominated the news until I sorted through the stack of newspapers I use for protecting surfaces in my art.  There were so many heart-wrenching headlines and I got more and more pissed off, so I tore them all out and figured I'd process them somehow.  At the same time, I had some remnant acrylic paint that kind of looked like the earth from up in space - green forest, blue water, and such.  I had been mulling it over with the intention of using it in some abstract or another. One thing led to another and ... Voila!  I think I feel better! 

Foggy Morn

It was one of those magical moments when everything comes together just right.  The dogs and I were in need of a good long walk after being cooped up in house for days because of the intense heat.  There was a thick layer of fog that lent our small universe an air of mystery on this day. The 35 mm digital camera was beckoning to be used for more than just photos of my artwork, and I accepted its challenge, capturing the Creator's grand design as the dogs curiously sniffed and padded along in the dewy fields.  

Home to roost

On a personal note, the situation with my loved one is getting precarious and I am very worried, though trying to trust in God on this.  As I search through my own actions  as to how things have taken this ugly, dark turn despite my trying to set a positive and good example, I recognize seeds sewn decades ago that I ignored and worse, denied but should have prevented.  Hence, the title to this entry.  It is so damn hard to get out of the way and not rush to fix this!  All I can do is hope for the best outcome for my loved one. 

I will have a good long cry and seek solace in some mournful music today.  The gorgeous Sand & Water album by Beth Nielsen Chapman beckons.  Keep us in your prayers and thoughts, okay?

Another wonderful day painting with "the Grey Ladies"

I think that's a kinda catchy name for our little foursome of painters who're either retired or over 50 or both and I'll gladly introduce you to the other girls if I get their permission.

Today, we painted at Lucilla's home in a quaint old neighborhood in West Nashville.  Described as a "little jewelry box" by Lynne, even the gardens are adorable here.  And as I walked into the house, Lucilla explained that when she bought there some eight years ago, the home had a lawn but no shrubs or flowers or anything.  Today, lovely paths wind their way to the front and throughout the lovely shady backyard, with fragrant flowers harkening back to a simpler era before microwaves and home computers. 

I brought my watercolors and a pad and played while Margot gave Lucilla an acrylic lesson on painting skies.  Margot's famous for hers but I have to say, the one Lucilla laid down was a close second.  Lynne joined us an hour or so later (note to world:  her parents warned me when I met them that there's "regular people time" and there's "Lynne time."  She thought our painting date was tomorrow.  Nevertheless, she came through with a pair of sugar baby melons to accompany Lucilla's fabulous vegetarian spread consisting of "Poor Man's Caviar," Capanota,an Italian Rice Salad, wonderful cheeses, and more. Warning:  the links I've included are for recipes I found on the web for these type of dishes, but Lucilla shared with me the real heirloom recipes and are far better than these, from what I can tell.

Speaking of Lucilla, I won't give all the details about this lovely woman unless and until I get her permission.  Suffice it to say I love her dearly.  Aside from her constant habit of denigrating herself, I'd say she is close to flawless in character and I am so happy to have her in my life.  She is brilliant in ways that matter (to me at least), well-traveled, cultured, and willing to take risks and push envelopes and say what she feels.  A gem of a person for whom the little "jewelry box" of a home is perfect.

I would fear that these painting dates could become perverted by friendship, food and fun as have my Germantown Bridge dates, but we all marvelled at how much we painted and accomplished on our respective canvasses and papers by the end of it.

Next week, we're headed to Lynne's home.  Lucilla or Margot dryly warned her we'd be there at 5 a.m. to make sure she was ready for us.  Lynne sweetly smiled and said that'd be perfect, we can all wear our jammies!

Commissioned memorial painting

A client fell in love with my 36 x 48 "Druid Tree" painting that was up at the Mad Platter Show in May/June.  It has returned to it's place as centerpiece of our home's cathedral-ceiling'd living room, hanging over the fireplace once again.  She thought of that painting when a dear friend of hers died and she commissioned a smaller version - different in format, as it's taller and more slender, but the colors and everything else were to remain the same. 

I completed the piece this past weekend and am struck again by the simple beauty of the design.  I don't know if the ethereal shimmer comes through, but in person, it seems to take on a spirit-like existence of its own, reflecting differently wherever you move. 

My client hasn't picked up the painting yet but I'm looking forward to her reaction.