It's raining! Yippee!

We're getting lots of rain these days.  I know that in most places, rain day after day isn't something we look forward to.  Not so here in the Okanagan Valley.  We've been having a drought.  Lake levels are down and the fire danger is high.  My husband and I are the Directors for the the local group who take care of anyone who is evacuated due to fire, flooding etc..  As summer gets closer we get busier.  We had massive evacuations last year (17000 people) and things looked dire for this one as well.  BUT it's raining!!!!

All this was the preamble to why I have no art to show you.  Too many meetings.  That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Have a good day.

I'm not alone

I've noticed a definite decline in the number of posts my favourite bloggers are making.   I thought it was just me, but no, this warm weather is drawing lots of us away from the computer.  I hope they all manage to get online at least once a week because I will really miss them.  I'm working on two larger paintings but gardening and reading seem to be the preferred way to spend my spare time right now.

I will check in weekly and try to have something to show you, but for today I'll just wish you a great summer.  Don't forget to paint.

Some new online stores.

 Hi everyone.  I don't have any new paintings to include with my post today BUT I have been doing art related stuff.  I've been busy getting all my images together on CD's and filling out forms in hopes of being accepted into a couple different shows.  I left it way to close to deadline and then had to scramble.

I opened two more stores on the web, one at Zippet and the other at Fine art America.  I'll compare those two with Etsy and Ebay and see where I get the most attention.  If any of you have better suggestions, please let me know.  It's a matter of trial and probably error at this point.

I've been suffering from a bout of vertigo for the last few days and haven't been painting.  I may have to change my workspace around so I don't have to look right...looking right makes the room spin.  I think I'll probably just relax and enjoy the beautiful weather and wait until I'm not a dizzy blonde anymore.

Until then I'll be checking in on your blogs and wishing you all a great time of painting.

Finished just in Time!

"Fading Beauty"

5"x7" oil on artist board

I didn't know if I was going to make it.  The painting challenge from Paint and Draw Together, is due tomorrow.  I found it very difficult.  The shades of pinks and the shadows were beyond my ability BUT I did manage to pull off a version I'm pleased with.  The background was not very imaginative like some of the other artists achieved but I like it...  Maybe next month I'll do better.

The photo picked up a lot of shine that hid some of the green in the background.

Now back to the family portrait I'm still puttering at...

Another painting challenge.

unfinished tulip

5"x 7" oil on artist board

I'm working on another web painting challenge.  This one is from the Paint and Draw Together blog.  Besides painting the picture, we are asked to make a pleasing background for the tulip.  Me, I prefer a solid almost black backdrop, but it is an official challenge so I'll try and stretch a little.  

 So far, as you can see, I've only blocked in the base colours.  This is always my favourite step in the painting process. Within a few minutes I can see the subject taking form.  Once this is done the painting starts calling to me... finish me ... finish me.  

Well I gotta go.  There's a painting yelling at me.

James Parker's Challenge

"So Blue"

5"x 7" oil on artist board

This painting is courtesy of James Parker's blog, Windows to the Words Art.   James offers a wonderful art challenge every month. Especially useful for artists like myself who can't decide what to paint.  I really loved this iridescent butterfly.  It was fun to paint.

I hope everyone has a good day.

I added an Etsy Store.

I finally added a storefront to my blog.  It's nice to let people know one's art is for sale but I don't like mentioning price every time I post a painting.  Thus the store at the side with a few items in it.

Meanwhile, I have been painting.  The portrait continues to progress, albeit at a very agonizing pace.  The 8"x 10" format seems so small for a family figurative portrait of four people.  I can put in so little detail it's hard to make everybody recognizable.  Ahhh... the challenge.

Speaking of challenges; I'm working on one from James Parker's blog.  Hopefully, I'll finish it sometime today...so stay tuned.

Just for the fun of it.

     One thing about a day job is that you learn to really appreciate your free time.  Time to do what you want... like paint, instead of what you need to do.
    Don't get me wrong.  I take my painting seriously and try to work at it every day.  At the same time, it's a bit late in my life to spend the time and energy that's required to market my art enough to make a living at it.  I just want to master my craft and maybe leave a little mark on the world.
    That said, being on a limited budget, it's important to me that I make enough money to pay for art supplies; but more important is my desire for the affirmation received from the sale of my art.   Without the sale of paintings to strangers my insecurities run wild.
    Fortunately, I've been blessed with many sales... so today I reach for a brush and with confidence begin another painting just for the fun of it.   Here's the one I just finished:

"Summer's Glow"

5"x 7" oil on board

 

Myra's Great Art Book featuring many great artists of our time!

I'm honoured to be included in this awesome video.

No art today.

I'm having a day off from work but I've spent most of my time spring cleaning.  I love the feeling when I finish a big project, whether it's house cleaning or a large painting. The feeling of accomplishment is wonderful.

It's almost evening now and here I sit in front of my computer.  A little piece of me regrets not having a painting to post but overriding this is the knowledge that my windows are clean, the vertical blinds are washed and back up and there are four dozen bran muffins in the freezer.

I'll be back at work tomorrow and the family portrait I'm working on will probably progress a little bit.  Meanwhile I'll be visiting my blogging buddies to see what they have been up to.  If you want to look at some fabulous art, I suggest you go to my side bar and visit the folks listed under: "My Favourite Blogs." They are a great group of encouragers I'm sure you'll enjoy meeting.  While you're at their blogs why not support them by clicking on the advertising on their sites.  Every click helps.

A second colour added.

"Coffee Break"

5"x 7" oil and archival board

Hi again.  Someone at work is off because of illness so I'm working a lot more than normal.  I did do a bit of painting though (ten minutes).  I added a little white to the one I'm working on from my new tube of water soluble oil, but it's not quite done yet.  I think the painting looks a little top heavy so I think I'll still have to add something to the bottom.  I'll show you how I plan to do that on my next post.  'Till then, be blessed.
ps. If you don't think I should add to the bottom, let me know.