Summer

 Our summer skies have vacillated between normal, beautiful blue skies with white clouds, and this: 

smoked filled, that turns the sunlight a horrible amber orange color and makes it nearly impossible to breathe.  So far, knock on wood, we have been spared any fires bad enough that would force us to evacuate, but there have been fires all around us this summer.  

There have been lots of clouds around since June, but they’ve only given us thirty-three tenths of an inch of rain.  It’s also been far hotter than any other summer.  I long for cooler weather and rain. 

There have also been interesting creatures in my garden.  I think this is the caterpillar of a Hawk moth, although I have never seen them before in these mountains.  

The wild sunflowers are starting to bloom on the roadsides, so hopefully Fall weather isn’t far away.  

Part of a painting I’ve been working on.  I haven’t spent much time in my studio lately because the air conditioner in it doesn’t work too well.  I need to have it replaced, but hot weather seems to drain all my will power, and I find myself doing only what’s necessary.  Then I grab a book, a glass of iced tea and spend the rest of the day reading.  I’ll get my energy back when the weather cools off.  

We have had some beautiful sunsets this summer though, probably due to smoke particles in the air.  I guess that old saying is true, “Every cloud has a silver lining.”  

Paintings and Cards

A painting of a cardinal that I did last year.  He’s living in the home of a friend now.  The following are some of the paintings and cards that I made last year.

My World on Tuesday

A tiny painting I did for the front of a card.  I stamped it first, then used watercolors and pencil to paint it.  I think next time I'll just draw it myself as stamps always seem to make the shaded areas way too dark.

The sky was really pretty this morning with wispy clouds and an almost Delft blue sky. 


I'm linking with Ruby Tuesday
and                     Our World Tuesday

Wishing For Snow

That's what I titled this little painting I finished today.  Since the weather won't oblige, I thought I'd just paint some snow!  It's 5"x8", done in alkyds on canvas.  I only used three colors: Lamp Black, Titanium White and a touch of Dioxazine Purple. 

I found myself wishing as I was painting this that I was the sort of person who doesn't pay attention to the seasons.  When the weather doesn't behave as it should, I feel disoriented and out of sorts.  Our rain/snow didn't materialize, and today was sunny with a high of 50 degrees.  Way too warm for January, although our night time lows are where they should be, down in the low 20's.  Meanwhile, my poor friend who lives in Kentucky is so tired of rain, snow and cold she's ready to hop on a plane and come out for a visit!

Settled In

I finished this painting of a friend's cat a few days ago and remembered, for once, to take a photo of it before it went to live in her home, although I should have photographed it before I put it behind glass and framed it. She saw the small version a couple of years ago when she was out here visiting a mutual friend and called me last summer to ask if I could do a bigger one.  She sent me a photo of her cat; she wasn't kidding when she said the kitty in my original small painting looked just like her Tomaso.  I'm going to try to remember to take photos of each of my paintings before they go to their new homes because I know there is a day coming when I won't be able to paint; it will be nice to be able to look back at what I created.  I wish I had started taking photos of all of my work a long time ago.  Ah, well...

Welcome February!

I hope the Snow Queen, or Storm Queen, or whoever is in charge of storms that deliver a lot of snow and rain will be an often and consistent visitor during this month.  Southern California has a rainy season that runs from October to March and the rest of the year is DRY.  Come on storms, we're running out of time!  (The painting above is by one of my favorite artists, Walter Delamare). 

A Quotation for Monday

 (Painting titled 'Fire Fancies' by Arthur Hacker, 1858-1919)

"Imagination is more important than knowledge.  For while knowledge defines all we know and currently understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create."  Albert Einstein

Vandalism

I just finished this commission for a client who is also a good friend.  She showed me a picture of the style of painting she wanted.  This is not normally the style I paint in, but she likes it, so I said I would design something.  Then she said she wanted me to paint it on her antique butter churn.  I said, "Annie, you can't be serious.  That must be over...well, I don't know how many years, but I don't think I can deface it, even if you are going to call it 'art.' "  As you can see from the photo, she's very persuasive.  Most importantly, she loves it.  But, I still feel guilty.  I feel like I sealed all its stories under layers of paint.  I feel like I committed vandalism.  If it had been anyone else but Annie, I would have declined the commission.  But, she loves it.  I just keep repeating that to myself...

Pansy Tea

                                (Left click to enlarge photo)
"Pansy Tea" is the title of this painting I did a couple of years ago. I used acrylic on 140 lb. watercolor paper, spraying the paper first with a light coat of Matte Krylon to give me more control over bleeding. I still have the cup; I'm drinking tea from it right now (Earl Grey).  And...in the painting, the shelf is straight.  I suppose I tilted the camera when I was taking a photo of it.  Serves me right for not using a tripod!