Greener Pastures

No, that is not a euphemism or a witty title for a profound post about going anywhere. It's just the title of my latest watercolor. But it IS a good title though I can't take credit for it. I owe that to my friend Barbara whom I've known for longer than we care to admit (ok, 5th grade) if only because it makes us feel old. I posted the painting on Facebook when I was at a loss for a title and it prompted a stream of interesting suggestions, many of which I almost used because they made me giggle. I think my favorite of those was a team effort between two people who don't even know each other with one posting her suggestion of "The Hills are Alive" (perfectly fine title) and the next friend posting "With the sound of mooing". I loved it. And since the painting is of countryside between Bath and Stonehenge there was a stream of bath-related titles that were amusing as well—some with a French twist such as Aprés Bath Vache. It was fun but I settled on Greener Pastures because it seemed to fit both the scene and my thoughts about England as well. And I guess when it gets right down to it I would love to head back to those greener pastures where the hills are alive with the sound of mooing.

And thank you Barb. xo

Greener Pastures

Winter Dawn

Here is a painting I did a couple of weeks ago that has an interesting origin. It was inspired by a friend that I met on Twitter who lives in Chiswick, England. Ian Wylie is a journalist whose blogs I thoroughly enjoy but he also takes beautiful photos. Many of his photos are of scenes along the river Thames and being a guy that also loves trains he often shares photos of the Orient Express. I find this exciting. But his images of the skies always inspire me to run into my studio and throw some paint around and this particular painting was a result of that:

Winter Dawn

In the course of finding out more about the location, Strand-on-the-Green, I have gotten to know a bit more about Ian and discovered that he is as he puts it "an exiled Geordie" (I had to look that up) hails from an area—Newcastle-Upon-Tyne—that is a stone's throw from Jarrow, England, where my dad was born. So I guess makes me half Geordie. Such a small and interesting world we live in.

Ian, if you are reading this, thank you for the inspiration! Here is Ian Wylie's blog if you would like to check it out. 

Tanglewood III

I bet you thought I forgot to post number three in the Tanglewood series didn't you? 

Well, you're right. 

I have been so busy doing mundane things like editing my Etsy shop and trying to get my accounting in order that i completely forgot. But I am pretty sure no one has been holding their breath. 

Tanglewood III

Back to the books…:P

Tangled in Wild Skies

I have started a new series of paintings. Actually, these began last year with "Home Before Dark" and "Sunrise" when I made a little detour from water in my paintings. People seemed to like them so I began to take more of an interest in the dramatic sunrises and sunsets with the contrasting silhouettes of trees framing them. There seems to be no shortage of inspiration out there and the medium of watercolor just begs to do colorful skies.

Home Before Dark

Sunrise

I just listed two of the three in the new series I am calling "Tanglewood" which were inspired by the woods on a dear friend's property.

Tanglewood I

Tanglewood II

You will have to wait to see Tanglewood III though. After all I have to get you to come back don't I?

Thanks for visiting! Have a great weekend and try to only get tangled in good things!

Paddling the river of my mind

Last night I was trying to think of a good title for one of my latest watercolors. I was on chat with a dear friend who suggested that this (imaginary) scene conjured up the feeling of kayaking on a peaceful river at sunset. So I am calling it "Along the River" and you can click that if you want to see details of it over at Etsy.

I have no idea where this river might be because it came directly from my mind with a lot of help from my paintbrush, but I want to go there. This made me realize that the only paddling I've been doing lately is life. More like trying to stay afloat in the state the world is in.

I think I need to go kayaking again though and do some real paddling.

When it's a little warmer.

Funny story time (updated)

Long ago and far away (during our 11 month exile in New Mexico to be exact) I did a large acrylic painting of a square rigger ship at sea. When we returned to California we had no place to put it and so it lived on my in-law's living room wall. I was not particularly attached to it but Don's parents thought it was some kind of masterpiece so I said they could keep it. They had it framed and kept asking if I was sure I didn't want it back.

Fast forward to present day. 92 year-old father-in-law moves into assisted living. We put the painting up in his room in a place where he can see it from his bed and anyone walking down the hall can see it if his door is open (it usually is). He told us that people are always asking to come in and see it (unbelievable to me but what the heck, I am flattered) unfortunately he tells everyone that is it worth $5,000. Believe me, it is NOT. I've told him that he really shouldn't be telling people that but he thinks it is fun so he continues. Today he called to tell me that another lady came by and wanted to see "The Painting". I said maybe he should start charging admission. He thought that was a good idea. I was joking. I only hope he he was too.

I know some of you want to see what it looks like. I can hear you wondering that. I know I took a picture of it hanging on the wall when we "decorated" his room but for the life of me I can't find it. Maybe you should consider yourself lucky. At least you were able to dodge that "admission fee." 

Awhile later…

So it turns out our daughter had the picture so here you go. For free.