Dec. 4, 2009....Lost Track of Days!

I finally finished a pet portrait requested by Grandma Ruth...
Had some struggles with it because of the photo I was working from. The fur looked quite gray in the photo, so I had to work some more with my acrylics to change it to look more like a chocolate lab. I painted it at first as it was in the photo, but Grandma said it was the wrong color, so I fiddled with two glazes of burnt sienna, and I think I'm ok now.

So off it will go in the mail, as soon as I can get a coat of varnish on it...which should be in a day or two.

I am feeling better. I'm doing the cleanse that my osteopath recommended, and I am losing a few more pounds. I got some results in the mail, from recent blood work, and the PA added a note saying that I "look good on paper"...haha...that really does tell it all. Cholesterol was 125...blood sugar was normal...and all other lipid numbers were amazingly good. One of those things where I wonder if they mixed my results with someone else! But maybe this healthy eating has something going for it.

OK....I'm starting an Israel painting today. I am! Just have to dive in. I hope I have something new to show you in a few days, and that I can keep going for a while. The muscle spasms are minimal now, so I'm going to try to work.

Day 83, November 8

I was inspired to paint my friend's dog, because it was her surprise 50th birthday party, and one of the main loves of her life is her wonderful dog, Manfred. He is a rescue dog who comes from the south, and was badly abused. What a wonderful life she has given him, and how happy he is now! So I did these two mini paintings for her gift.
I am also working on a dog portrait for my mother-in-law, which is about half done. When that is finished, an Israel picture is next on the agenda. Those are so overwhelming, it's hard to work up the courage to start one!
Have not been feeling well at all. I've had problems with my neck and a horrible bout with a knee..it's like the enemy within, sapping my strength and motivation, but things are a little better now. I am seeing an osteopath who does cranial sacral work and uses homeopathic remedies, and also plan to try doing a 'cleanse' under his supervision, which involves giving up most of the usual foods I eat (sounds like a good idea, but another big challenge!). Hopefully that will help in the weight/energy department.
I am posting the two MINI pics I did for Gail. They are about 6x8" in size. "Chasing a Squirrel Under the Hosta", is watercolor, and "On the Water" is in oil.

Day 69, Oct. 25

I am not, not, not going to give up on this. Even if no one reads it because my posts are so sporadic, it is good discipline for me to put up work when I can. I just don't know what is wrong with me...it this just normal
aging? Now one of knees, the better one actually, has developed bursitis, and I've been limping around on a cane, sleeping in a recliner, and generally nursing myself back to whatever I was before this episode.

I have been making it to most of my figure classes (I've posted a few studies donein class), and also, I happened to receive two little commissions, so I am working on those as much as I can.

OH! There is some important news: the rabbi who helped me plan my trip to Israel for the project has asked me to be on his local TV interview show about the paintings. So I finally got up the courage and set a date for late in January to record the show, and I DO WANT TO HAVE ONE MORE large painting to bring with me then.

Today I completed the first commission: an exact copy of a charcoal drawing that a woman had done in the 60's of herself and her sister. She wants her sister to have one as well, and since there was only one drawing...she hired me to make a duplicate!
I think I did OK. It was a weird assignment, but actually I think I learned some stuff about doing the head in charcoal. The artist who did the original was pretty damn good, I think. He must have done hundreds. They got it at a big flower show in Phila. Anyway, I am posting the original and my copy so you can see. Of course the original is the one with the glare of the glass of the frame.

Day 54

Gad zooks! Time has been flying by, without any news from me, until now! I am happy now, because I FINALLY painted a little landscape painting that I feel good about.

Other news: I've been busy taking Advanced Figure Drawing, twice a week at WesConn, and I feel that I am getting a lot out of that class, which will pay off in the long run, when including figures in the landscape. Also, I'm reading lots of my art books, mostly focusing on books about: A La Prima painting, color and impressionism.

Anyway, I am posting the painting today that has me excited. I hope this may be a breakthrough in my landscape work. It's a little park in Newtown, CT. The painting is done in oils and is 8X13" in size.

Day 32 addendum

Here is the ebay address, to see the One Day paintings for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120471896862

Day 32

Not good news on the Weight Watchers' scale this morning. Gotta get back on the wagon. Goal today: write down everything I eat.

I did a One Day painting today. I set myself up on my deck on this gorgeous Sunday, and I enjoyed doing this little study. I can't call these paintings "one-a-day", since I am not doing them every day, but I will call the small ones I complete in a day, One Day paintings. Today's painting is called, "Italian Flavors". I'm going to put all my little paintings up for sale on ebay.

Day 30, Evening

I more or less finished the painting of the twins at the beach, (my aunt's great grand daughters..very sweet). I'll bring it tomorrow for Aunt Edith. She has always been a very dear aunt and my only living relative from the last generation. She lives far from family in Florida, and I'm happy I'll be able to visit with her and our little family tomorrow, when she is visiting with my cousin in NJ. Signing off til next week...