"Elfvis" Sightings...

It happens every year at this time....

"Elfvis" was painted late last night while the idea danced around in my head with a bunch of sugar plums. Just wanted to get something painted and now this is only a quickie study, I need to really spend some time and make him presentable for greeting cards. But I thought it was a jolly good start! And wanted to share with you all.

My home...Before and After...

Well, I have been promising myself that I would paint my door and mailbox...it was original to the previous owner...I really wanted to do something artsy, but afraid the neighborhood would not "get it". I plan to finish painting my steps in the black and will do my garage door in the spring to match my front door. I was lucky that the weather cooperated now, it is usually cold and I actually cut back to a tee shirt today...

And I am going all out (for me) on Christmas decor this year!!! I got one of those deer that is all lights and moves his head...and lighted wreaths in my front windows. And I am making all kinds of Christmas garlands and decor for my home...trying to be cozy and warm in the midst of life's struggles and loss. Wine helps, too... or egg nog..love that potion...wait for it every November...add my touches...nothing like it on a chilly night and cozying up with a good book and candles in the fireplace...

The next chapter is calling me........

Pumpkin Pie, Anyone???

This is so hysterical, my friend, Leslie sent this to me and I had to share. She is a gourmet chef/baker...worked at the Greenbriar Resort in WV...check it out, lots of important people have stayed there. Yes I, believe it or not, got to stay there for 2 nights when I was a sculptor with Fenton Art Glass. We were installing a Fenton Gift Shop there. It is so gorgeous at the resort and grounds,top rated for everything!!!

Anyway, I hope this makes you laugh...holidays can be so stressful with all the preparation, we sometimes forget to enjoy the company.

Till the Cows Come Home...

Just about an hour more and this baby is finished...a bit more sky work. Everyone that sees this piece says it is so relaxing and tranquil. I am glad...I wanted it to project that peaceful feeling.

Two Wolves...

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

"The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:

"Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Moooooving Forward...

I worked on the areas that were bothering me...It is too wet to do any more work on...ugh! That is the only complaint about oils that I have...but when I think about it, it gives me time to get away from the canvas and come back with fresh eyes and attitude in a day or two! I just wish I could have changed what is still bothering me...ugh!

In The "Mooood"

Oh yeah, I love cows...but I am still not finished just yet.......more tweaking everywhere!

I grew up with a farm in my back yard...there is a large farm that borders every one's back yard in my child neighborhood. In fact, every weekend when I am visiting my Mom, the cows are out. This scene is not from that farm, but one I pass on my way to her house.

A Missed Birthday....

Daddy's 82nd. birthday would have been on Sunday, the 8th. of November. He went on to another life when he was just 71. Miss him a lot! Handsome and quiet, a true gentleman and reserved...grace with manners. He taught me well. And spoiled me..and I put him through the wringer!

When I was living in Pittsburgh, Pa, and working as a sculptor, he would call me every morning with the weather and to be careful, bla, bla, bla! I had to get up at 4:30 am and he was always up reading and the phone would ring. Sometimes he would tell me not to go to the gym after work, cause it was going to snow or get really icy. A couple of times I would go to the gym on those days and when I would get home that evening, he would have messages on my answering machine and I would call him and he would let me have it....even though I was in my thirties!

I sure do miss those calls. And him. My gentleman father. I celebrate you, Daddy!

Third Try...

My third day on this one. It is supposed to be finished by Tuesday's class...ugh! You can see the studio behind my easel...it is like a maze to walk through! Yesterday I worked with my "student"on her portraits of her Grand-kids. She has a form of Parkinson's and is totally amazing and determined. I just love her. She is beautiful inside and out.

I Miss My Friends...

"Friends are like melons; shall I tell you why? To find one good you must one hundred try." Claude Mermet

"Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil."

Baltasar Gracian (1647)

"Friendship needs no words..."

Dag Hammarskjold.
"Friends are the sunshine of life."

John Hay (1871)
"The best mirror is an old friend."

George Herbert

I have been friends with Lynne before my first birthday, she is 3 months younger and was at my first b-day! And Nancy was in Kindergarten with me!!! Going to FL to visit my gal-pals forever was the medicine the Dr prescribed for me, as always! We enjoyed the WVU game with FL even though we were in a tornado of FL fans..and the Halloween Party on Saturday was pure magic, my Fl pals went as the seven deadly sins...next year I think we are going as insects...I will be a butterfly to match my old-as-the-hills tattoo! Nancy was the last of us to turn 50!!! Go Baby!

The Next Day...

Well, I am into my second day with this one. I had a great time at the studio with two friends painting away! We all complimented each other working together and everyone had a good day! Love it when everyone is in tune to each other and the paint.

DaY UnO~Landscape

As you can tell by my reference, this is going to change a bit....yeah, those are cows in there! I love cows and although the pic and color turned out bad, I will experiment with this one on color and style...I am going for a more impressionist style. Adding my own touch and flair! Scary! Let's see what transpires....

This is my oil wash of base color...love my oils and turp!

FINI~

Finally...this has been a work of love, for the paint, the process and the experience with my fellow artists in class. It all finally came together in one afternoon last week when I was really sick and all I wanted to do was to be in bed...but once I got started, I knew what it needed and I finally knew it was fini!

I am starting a landscape this week and it is due in one week, then we are free to paint whatever we want for our final....hummmmm.