Observer #1

I have been observing people for 45 years now and by my latest experiences it doesn't seem that I learned much from observing. Or - maybe observing is easy, interaction is something that I have a problem with...

Thankfully, there is always art to escape to. I combined oil and acrylic paints on this piece. I noticed that I have more control over oil paints (the bird), can blend easier, make tiny details and stuff like that. On the other side - acrylics give me freedom to be messy, to paint quick layers, play with all the fun additions (transfers, stamps, templates...).

Three more observers to come. Have a happy weekend!

True

"It's so hard when I have to and so easy when I want to."
Annie Gottlier

It's so true. I guess most people feel the same. I don't like the feeling that I'm boxed in, that I don't have a choice, that I HAVE to do something. I then dream of escape, green fields and flowers and want to go there. Not that there are any green fields on this painting.... but there are some flowers and he is going to reach them at one point or another. So am I...

Happy 2010!!!!!

I love the beginning of every year. I like noticing the everything "first" - first time washing dishes in 2010, first movie watched, first step out of bed... I had tons of first 2010 things, but not a first painting. I didn't lift a brush this year at all! The painting I'm showing is actually the last I did in 2009. There is a first about it - first time I painted a face with oil paints. Didn't know if it would work on a journal page, but I guess it did. Oil paints are one of the things I want to explore this year.

I spent the three days doing the good stuff. I read books (my old - newly found love), mostly in the early morning hours when everyone is asleep and our cat is extra happy to sneak some quiet time with me. Went for walks. You can see how the beach was calm and gray, but fluttering with life. There is a picture of my first drink (very green, of course), my surprised face when I found out about my etsy sales on January 1st, two completely different trees (oh, the texture!). My dear one and I were exploring music that's completely new to us... fado.... Portuguese music that makes you feel deeply even though you don't understand a word. This song is beautiful. So is this one. And this one made me cry. Oh, this one too... it gives me goosebumps...

I don't have a word for this year. Or real resolutions. Like so many, I want to be better, thinner, smarter, more organized, relaxed, creative, active... I also want to start fresh with the art I have at home, so my plan is to list one painting every day on ebay, starting (and maybe ending) with a $0.99 price. I will not blog about it any more, but wanted to let you know that if there was a painting that you liked this is a great opportunity to get it. And with that - Happy New Year! Looking forward to all the new things in BlogLand in 2010! xo

Saying bye to 2009

January

Misty's month of daily Art Journaling provided a good push to create every day. I enjoyed the monochrome challenges the most, which is surprising since I use ALL colors most of the time.

February
Played with texture . And our friends' dogs. Posted a tutorial. Painted over an old painting. Few months later a painted over it again. And sold it.

March
Spent an amazing weekend with my husband on Tahoe, enjoyed the snow, painted the first rose of the year, planted a garden, painted orange paintings and walls, welcomed my sister's new baby boy.

April
I pretty much spent the month working and staring at my garden. Couldn't believe that I actually produced radishes!

May
Completely frustrated with the lack of time. Worked so much at work that it left me empty. Decided not to create art,  blog or do anything creative ever again because I didn't feel I have anything to share.

June
No blogging. I did continue creating, of course. We can't help it. It has to come out. Missing my blog, but was not ready to come back.

July
Sharon arrives to wake me up. Judy Wise and Katie Kendrick teach workshops in CA. I feel alive again.

August
Creating almost daily in my journal, on cardboard, canvas... Not enjoying my garden.

September
Hana started high school. I think I painted my favorite paintings of the year this month.

October
Mystele 's online workshop. Let the freedom of creativity explode.... I loved it!

November
Misty's online workshop. Me turning 45. Loving the bird and feather journal page a lot. Don't know why.

December
I love December! All the birthdays and holidays mean a lot of family time. A very good month.

Did anyone make it to down here?  It's interesting how each brush stroke captures a piece of time and  how looking at them brings the whole year back as in fast forward mode.

2010 sounds interesting! Welcome!

Happy New Year!

She reflected

In Silence

She reflected....

I had plenty of time for reflection in the last 48 hours.

-available on etsy -

When you are of a "certain age" and not very fit don't compete with cartoon characters because you can get hurt. Santa Claus brought a shiny new Wii Fit for my family and I jumped right into (over)using it. The silly games and characters were extra fun and made me feel like I'm working out with a smile on my face until.... I woke up and could hardly move. I guess my back didn't like the fact that I am a master at the 'hula hoop' game.. Oh well. I'm feeling better and wiser now.

Everything in moderation.

Should that be my mantra for 2010?

Happy last day of December! I'm looking through my blog, playing with some images, preparing another post. It's interesting to look back at all we did in the last 12 months. :-)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas cards didn't get made....

Only one ornament was painted...

But presents are wrapped, the tree is twinkling, my family is here... all is good.

I'm wishing YOU a very Merry Christmas!

P.S. Go see Avatar even if you don't think you'll like it and let me know if you not liked it, but loved it.

xoxoxoxo

Day after winter solstice

Day after the winter solstice, when everyone is in final preparation for Christmas, when schools are closed for the winter break and friends scattered around the country, we celebrate our daughter's birthday. She is 15 today. I love putting photos here, because then I can go through the archive and see how much not only my art, but my kids changed over years . My Dad made a little photo collage of Hana from her baby years till today. You can see several hair color changes on the photos.

But I had to send him a photo update today.... her hair different once again... She received a new camera today and this is probably one of the first photos she took.

Is it bad that I wish that she'd let her hair be as curly as it was when she was my baby?