Great Things

 

I've been doing some thinking lately about great things. In particular what great things I have in my life at the moment. And how all the little steps I've taken over the years have gotten me here. There are many moments that cause me to pause lately and really think about how to move forward. I daily remind myself to live in today, not worry about yesterday and certainly stop fretting over tomorrow. Worry is such a life killer. And unfortunately I am plagued with it. I seriously have to make a conscious effort daily to not worry. So here are some random small things that are bringing joy to my life right now. All these together are making for a really great life.

-Fall is here. Oh how I love fall.

-My son, while lounging on the couch is now the length of the couch. I am so thankful for the man he is growing into.

-My art is finding a new voice. I'm not sure where it's coming from, but it wants to be heard. 

-We are going to travel this year as a family to 2 new exciting cities. I can not wait to share these places with the kids. 

-My children tell me lots about what's going on in their lives. I hope that door continues to stay open. I enjoy knowing their hearts. I didn't feel I had that connection with my parents and have worked hard to be the listener and the conversation starter when needed.

-I find myself staring at Billy wondering how we grew into the 2 people we are. So comfortable with each other. So ready to grow old together. I can not imagine sharing this life with anyone else.

-My running has become easier and so amazing feeling. I am so thankful for healing. I'm not 100%...but getting there slowly with the help of a chiropractor and a deep tissue massage therapist.

-I'm doing a huge art show next weekend and am seriously considering going back into this life style. Conversation for later....but let's just say I am not sure I physically or mentally can teach elementary children another year at my current pay scale. It's one of the small great things I am doing that's making a huge impact on my worry level. 

-My e-course is taking off. Again. I can't believe the number of people that have signed on to take art from me through the internet! I am humbled, excited and nervous about teaching this group of amazing artists. I am truly blessed to have the gift for teaching. I can not wait to start sharing on Monday.

I hope that you are finding yourself drawn to small wonderful things in your daily routine. I have found lately that if I allow myself a little room for goodness, greatness emerges. It's kinda awesome.

Still Life and Weekends

The weekend is upon us. I can not wait for tomorrow. I've got a 10 mile run in the am. Last weeks run felt so good. I am hoping tomorrow feels the same. I had some calf tweeking earlier in the week...which freaks me out because it was about this time last year I had the same issue. And didn't get to run my marathon. Sigh. So hoping for better luck this time around and a calf that calms itself down.

I also have big plans to get all the paintings I've been working on framed and wired. Since receiving notification that I was accepted into Norcross Arts Fest I've felt a need to paint...new ideas...new paint...new...new. And it feels really good. I've about 20 paintings to get ready plus a pile of old ones that need repair. I intend to have a huge sale at the show on older work (think $50 paintings peeps!!) so it might be worth a drive to Norcross if you've wanted an original for a spell.  Here's the link if you are thinking about putting it on your calendar for NEXT weekend. I sure hope to see some of you there!

A Bird (of Course)

So you didn't really think I'd forgotten how to paint a bird did ya? Still loving these Americana paints. Look at how her feathers are illuminating off the freaking canvas. Love. Swoon. Ok...off to paint some more. See ya later friends!

Color Palettes and Craft Paint

 

I'm not sure if you follow me on instagram or not (artsyorange), but lately I've been on a bit of a painting binge. I say binge because I can....not....get....ENOUGH of painting lately. If I wasn't so blooming tired Sunday I probably could have cranked out a dozen. I did however, manage to finish 4 large paintings this weekend. Woohoo!!

Anyhoo...one aspect that is motivating this urge to create is my color palette. If you've taken an in-person class from me or my e-course you know that I am not brand picky when it comes to paint. I buy based on color. I was however, a tad obsessed with the thicker the better heavy body acrylic paints for the body of my work, with the backgrounds on occasion using the sample quarts from Lowe's.

I have a little confession to make though. A few weeks back I was buying Craft Smart paint for after school. I buy this paint because it is much easier to teach little hands with than the heavy body acrylics. It's also more cost effective. I glanced over at the smaller tubes of Americana paint and found some truly yummy colors. And thought....what the heck, they are $1.29 each. If I hate painting with it this type of paint I'll just put it in the after school art stash.

Well....let's just say that I am now LOVING these paints. And here's why. It makes me put on thinner layer of paint. And then layer...and layer and LAYER. When you layer paint, the layers under it illuminate through and you get an affect that has so much more depth. And the colors are so rich and gorgeous. Much better coverage than the Craft Smart brand honestly (which since that's what I knew was kind of a snob about painting with). As a whimsical painter I am not so much concerned with making things look 3 dimensional per say. But I do love for my colors to resonate on the canvas. Let's just say these colors are singing a lovely song. The painting above is not quite finished. You can tell this by the chalk reside awaiting removal by the secret wiper tool.

As far as palette goes yesterday I picked up a few more tubes of the Americana brand in the colors above. When I got home the above magazine tear out was on my art desk. Low and behold my brain had obviously wanted this color palette because I'd bought ALL but the Oatbran! Anyhoo...I have a rather large stash of all sorts of paints now. I guess being an artist lends itself to wanting to explore mediums of all kinds. At least I find this to be true.

So tell me...what's your favorite type of paint?

Daisies

Daisies are my favorite flower....have been ever since I can remember. They represent joy to me. I remember one time Billy came to my apartment in college after we'd been broken up for 6 months. We had decided to give it another go so he had brought me the largest bouquet of daisies I had ever seen in my life as a gift. Joy. 

Anyhoo....fast forward to our first house and of course I planted daisies. They flourished in our yard. Bringing joy to my little yard year after year. Then we moved into our new house 4 years ago. I bought more daisies....but forgot to plant them. So they lived in their pots for 2 years on the side of the house I never go by. No water. No food. Just hung out. Nature taking care of them. I decided to plant these babies this past spring.  Over the past few months I've watched them grow and grow and grow. But never bloom. Total bummer. They have flourished in the ground I prepared for them though so I thought for sure eventually they would burst into blooms. They are literally covering a 5 foot area now from 2 freaking plants! And this week.....this week they finally bloomed!!!

Again, like instagram and the zinnias my brain had to get these pretty flowers onto a canvas. With one rose. I am favoring roses more as a get older. Their colors can be truly amazing.

So what flowers are you drawn to? I sure am having fun painting these whimsical flowers. I just can't help it. The brush and the heart are enjoying it too much to stop. Next up is a giant bike with a basket on front full of daisies. Of course.

Scatter Joy

About a month ago Tammie, a former custom painting client that lives in Louisiana, emailed me saying she'd recently been hired as an elementary principal and wondered if I would be willing to paint her a large painting for her new office. Of course I said YES! We talked back and forth about what to paint...her mascot was kinda cheesy so that was a no. Plus she wanted something that could eventually go back to her home. I suggested a word embedded in a landscape with my funky flowers. She said "Sounds great!" I said, how about "Scatter JOY"? So that every time a little child is in her office they see those words. Every time a parent is in her office they see those words. Every time a teacher is in her office they see those words. Embedded into their brains and hearts. Scatter joy.....I believe in the power of words.

Off I went to paint the idea. I love the composition. Simple and yet has an impact because of the contrast in flower colors and the word. I love these new zinnias that are appearing in my work. Sometimes social media becomes embedded in my brain and I just have to get it out. For some reason zinnias were in my instagram feed over and over and over...so they spilled out and onto my canvas. Love. Cone flowers are a personal favorite of mine as well as daisies. Which BTW are finally blooming in my yard!

 And of course it's framed out in a salvage bead board frame. I did add a coat of flat black and distress it for a more finished look. She should receive the painting today. I can't wait to see it hanging in her office!

Orange Happy

I'm plowing along with daily painting. Although I'm not really painting everyday. So I really shouldn't call it daily painting I suppose. Although last week I did paint 4 out of 5 lunch times. That made me happy. This week I have a less stressful afternoon/night schedule so hoping to get a custom painting finished and shipped as well as some more works for the upcoming Norcross Arts Festival. It's in 3 weeks ya'll. What was I thinking???

These new paintings are making me very happy. I think because they are just effortless with the brush. That sounds perhaps a bit like I think I am "all that and a bag of chips", but what I mean is they are seriously translating from brush to canvas what I want them to do with ease. I get pretty discouraged about some of my work. Looking too tight, like I am trying too hard. I am not a realistic painter and yet sometimes feel my paintings are stuck in the middle of real and whimsical in a very bad way. I think these crazy flowers are speaking to me because they are literally just whimsical. No real. I'm not looking at any flowers, I'm not tracing anything. Just using my head and heart to draw and paint. Having fun with color and layering a lot.

Well...another week in the classroom teaching. It's all about Halloween right now. Gearing up for the Family Fun Night exhibit. This year is gonna be sooooooo good!! Have a lovely Monday!