A Bit Of The Old And A Lot Of The New

Good Day To You All!

I hope that everyone has been doing well since last we visited...
Things have been progressing. Slowly but steadily forward. So far hurdles have not been totally insurmountable. Just going to take some getting used to and making necessary changes. No pity parties...can't won't do it. Thanks for all the support from everyone! It is greatly appreciated!

Now...
as promised, pictures of what has been going on and what I've been working on.

Amy gave me a birdhouse, when she was making them. It was a prototype. I painted, stenciled, added a perch and a metal roof (scrap from work). I am very pleased with the results and it looks great hanging outside.

I also managed to get some vegetables from my small garden. That was until I had unexpected guests who seemed to like my tomatoes. The little buggers destroyed my tomato plants. It took me forever to realize that it wasn't a large critter (like the rabbit I thought it was). Turns out it was hornworms. Who knew that they left poop a quarter of the size of themselves? Not me! Unfortunately they ate 98% of the leaves and half of the tomatoes that were growing. And no, I don't mean 2 of 4 tomatoes, I mean half of every tomato that was there. BLAH!!

these are some of what I got...

couple of cukes and a few peppers

 

this is one of the little bastards that ate like a king...

I have been working on my oil painting, slowly, but working none the less. I have also gotten some interest from another potential buyer. She has fallen in love with the in-process photos and wants me to sell it to her directly. I may have to start another to make up for it. We shall see how it progresses.

so far...so good!

AND...

I have a new grandchild! Her name is Madison Paige. She was born August 13. 8lbs 6oz and 21 inches long. Almost identical to her big sister. And the two of them look so much alike. Baby pictures of the two of them when side by side look like the same child. Momma is doing fine and very proud.

This brings my total to six! Am I really that old? Hhhhmmmmm. Could be! :)

sleeping like a baby!

And lastly....

Watch for a BIG announcement. Coming soon! I can hardly wait to show it to you all!!

In the next couple of days -

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON...

That's all for now. 

Until next time...

Be Good, Be Safe, Be Happy!!

TTFN

Falling Lilies!

Good Day All!
Hope everyone has had a productive week. I see some of my friends have been really busy this past week making some amazing pieces! JEALOUS!!

Just a short update...not a great amount of work done on "Fallen". I did manage to get the highlights on the clouds, which makes a big difference in their appearance. I have as of yet to start on the skin - I am trying to single out the color scheme I want to use. I have far to many ideas running through my head at the moment. Hopefully in the next day or so I can begin to work in the shadows of the skin and go from there. Wish me luck!!

really hard to see the cloud detail...

I will have to take this outside to get 

a better shot

a close up...

Saturday I noticed a bright spot of yellow in my garden where my roses are. Wasn't sure what it was. When I went to look, I discovered a yellow lily. Which is really odd, since I don't remember putting any lilies in this spot. It is exactly where my daughter and I saw a plant growing last weekend that neither one of us recognized. I will say that it is very attractive. It also has a few more blooms coming up as well. :)

wow...fuzzy shot :(

this is behind my roses

That's all for today - short post, but at least I'm keeping my weekly schedule! Hurray!!

Have a great week!

Be Good, Be Safe, Be Happy!!

TTFN

Wet Memorial Paint

Good Day All!
HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!
And that you are remembering all those people who got us to where we are now.
Thanks Dad, I miss you terribly! And I appreciate all that you did.

"Fallen" is shaping up nicely. Finally put the brush to the canvas. It was a little daunting but that went wayward after the first few strokes. Thank goodness!! I began laying in the clouds - they have to dry somewhat before I can continue. So, I started the wings while I was waiting. About half way through the wings I realized why it's been so long since I've used oils - I am not a patient person! I have managed to put my fingers in wet paint several times. :) For the clouds I used mostly Titanium White with just a touch of Phthalo Blue. The wings were a mixture of Titanium White, Phthalo Blue and a bit of Permanent Alizarin Crimson in various mixtures.
Anyway... on to the progress photos.

laying in the basic shape of the clouds -

spread thin to allow some of the background

to come through

close up - really thin

start of the wings

further along with the wings

Continued working the clouds. Used Titanium White and a tiny bit of Cadmium Orange Hue. Brushing the color on and feathering it out to create the whispy edges...

second layer - feathered out

more paint - feathered, leaving highlights

and background showing to create 

the depth

That's all for now...have a fantastic week!

Be Good, Be Safe, Be Happy!

TTFN

...And Now For A Different Perspective

Good Day All!
Did you have a productive week?
Me? Not as much as I would have liked. But I did manage to get some things accomplished.

The work on the oil painting continues...
I have all my oil paints collected and ready to go now - I had to pick up a few that I didn't have on hand. And I have had a HUGE block in my brain! It's been so long since I've used oils that I'm a little anxious and hesitant to get started. I know once I begin it will be fine. It's just that first stroke of paint against the canvas that is holding me back.
As I was contemplating the color palette, I realized that I did not like the blue for the background. So I went back in and changed it. Much happier now! I used various combinations of Brilliant Ultramarine, Morning Blue and Crimson.
And the title has come to mind - Either 'Falling' or 'Earthbound'. What do you think??

the new background - much better!

and the true orientation of the painting.

Short post this week. More to come!

Be Good, Be Safe, Be Happy!!

TTFN