Only the name left to do.

"I think I can... I think I can..."

24"h x 20"w

oil on stretched canvas

It's time to quit. I think?  A bit more drying and it's ready for the frame.  This painting, like the family portrait I'm working on, have both challenged my ability.  They are both finished as far as I can go but I dream of becoming better at the craft of painting.  I've learned a lot during the last couple of weeks and for that I'm grateful but there's so much to learn and so little time.

The comments made during this project have given me lots of wonderful ideas for a name, but I haven't quite nailed it.  I'll let you know what I come up with.

In the meantime, I hope you, my dear blogging buddies, have a great week.

ps.(days later) instead of reposting this picture again I just added the new name.  What do you think?

Paintings new name is:

Picture from a couple years ago when it was called:

"A Rose of a Different Colour"

Hi everyone.  I think this is the longest I've ever gone without posting.  Yesterday I started a week long staycation.  I slept in 'til 9:30, read a novel, painted a little and delivered a donated painting for the new seniors home nearby.  It was kinda fun putting a little gold plaque on the painting with it's name followed by mine.

I actually changed the name of the painting before donating it.  Since I painted it a few years ago, I've called it "A Rose of a Different Colour" but for this new and final home I renamed it "Essence".  It has held an honoured position in my living room, but as one of my favourites I knew it was time to pass it on for others to see.  I really hope it brings some joy to the people living at the Blue Heron Villa.

It's too cool!

I think I've come up with one of the problems with this painting.  It's too cool.  It's supposed to be a summer day and since I live in Kelowna I picture it hot... this picture is not.   Short of redoing the whole thing, I don't think I can change that.  I really dislike the background colour... Even the sky bugs me... I guess I should take Katherine's advice...   Put it away for a few days.

This is going to take lots more work I'm afraid.  Back to the family portrait.

Something's lacking?

I'm stumped.  I don't know what to do for this painting.  I've put in all the details but it's lacking that something special....the sparkle I want.   I've put a darker glaze in from the edges,  I've added more lights to my boy... what's missing?  Maybe it just needs more of what I've done but... but I nervous I'll wreck it.

Now that I've said all this I'm going to take the final leap and ask for a critique.  If you have any ideas on what I should do to improve it... let me know.  Asking this is always scary, especially when I send it out to the whole wide web.  I know I've got a long way to go before I get to where I want to be.  So far to go...so little time.

Sunshine makes a difference.

Some glazing to add yet.

Sunshine makes such a difference.  The sun shines and I feel energetic and want to accomplish great things.  When it's grey and there's a light drizzle in the air, I want to cuddle on the couch and read.  Today it's sunny and life is good.


It took me four tries to download my picture this morning.  First the batteries died.  Then I got carried away and switched programs before the process was finished.  I did however, finally succeed as you can see.  I'm now working on the finishing glazes.  It should be done soon but I have three long days of work ahead of me so I might not get back to it for a few days.


Until I write again, enjoy the sun.

Artist by association.

I'm back at work but I'm getting to my painting for a few minutes here and there.  I also have to spend some time on the family portrait I need to finish for a wedding gift later this summer.  I'd get a lot more done if I didn't spend as much time looking at blogs... but it's so enjoyable.  I love reading about the adventures of Ralph, Carol, Sherry, Deb and so many others.  I miss those like Myra who are away from the computer and can't check in.  Many are fellow artists and I am blessed by their skill.  Just looking at what they accomplish causes me to long for that mysterious quality that makes it so one can claim the title: artist.  Sometimes I have it because I happen to create something that seems to me to qualify but mostly I claim it because of the company I keep, both in my community and in the blogging world.  So thank you all my artist buddies.  I love being and artist along side of you.