Oh, the weather outside is frightful, Yet I find it so delightful And since I’ve no place to go Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
My friend up north, Christine Brooks, sent me a postcard with her gorgeous photo of a Prickly Pear. In October! WOW, didn’t realize it has been that long. I asked her if I could paint it. The second attempt is so much better (above). I am out of practice with Yupo, and ended up with muddy ponds the first go-round. Haha. I was feeling relaxed with the brush in my hand, I continued until I had a real mess going. That was about two weeks ago.
Last night I started again, and everything fell into place easily. What a surprise and JOY! I noticed in my sketch, that I made the pads too large, and left very little room for the tuna’s. (Dad taught me they are called that in Mexico.) Turned out to be a happy accident. I like the composition.
It is cold, and dark, and dreary today. HOORAY! A gentle rain fell from 1 am until about 11 am. The clouds are playing hide and seek with Mingus. And we might get some snow this evening. Fingers crossed.
Wishing you JOY and wellness, PEACE and warmth!
“Let us have music for Christmas… Sound the trumpet of joy and rebirth; Let each of us try, with a song in our hearts, To bring peace to men on earth.” Mildred L. Jarrell
For day 30, a Red Barrel Cactus. I don’t often paint with red. This barrel is orange, purple, mauve and magenta. And green. And what do you need for a night at the ball? A glass slipper of course. Haha. Watercolor, and for the spines, gouache that was left on my palette.
I painted this Aloe early in the month. I love the clean, curved lines. I started by scribbling some white Caran d’Ache Neocolor on the leaves. Next a mix of Juane Yellow and Winsor & Newton Turquoise. I mixed in some of the color left on my palette, and the result is far too turquoise. I love it, but I may go back in and make alterations.
I was trying for more of a greyish, blueish, whites green. As seen on Day 7. This is what I remember from the Iceplant succulent ground cover so popular in Southern California. There are many plants with this coloring that I love. Blue Fescue, Blue Chalksticks, and Dusty Miller to name a few. Aloes come in fresh green, dark green, and dusty sage green.
Sunrise 2-29-20
The night before last I could not sleep. Not sure why. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the challenge. I got a lot of work done. And I was still awake when the sun came up. I have had neck pain all week, Somehow I tweak my neck at night. An old auto injury. I was hit from the side, and it tore my shoulder and neck. I ordered an ergonomic pillow, relief is in sight.
30 Pieces
Well Val, all that “blue” was for you my friend. Haha. And Sea, here is one of my Ikea studio solutions. It is the Ostbit plate holder, I use it to hold paper. There’s a month’s worth of, paper (paintings)! Haha. Plenty of room for more.
Later this afternoon, I will post my 30 Day collage. It is always fun to see all the paintings together. I am looking forward to seeing the group’s collections!
The Choice The intellect of man is forced to choose perfection of the life, or of the work, And if it take the second must refuse A heavenly mansion, raging in the dark. When all that story’s finished, what’s the news? In luck or out the toil has left its mark: That old perplexity an empty purse, Or the day’s vanity, the night’s remorse. W.B. Yeats
