Lots of wonderful things happening, now if I can just juggle them all. My studio helper...she already knows how to hold a pose!

It can be difficult choosing which opportunities to take and which ones to pass up...what if??? Chosing the one that brings the most joy is usually a good one. Then there is the financial aspect. Life is but a journey, hoping to make it an enjoyable one....maybe I will meet with you along the way!

Shipping your art

I am catching up on things, gearing up for another burst of energy in the studio. One of those not planned, was our "baby", Sedona, a tri-colored cockapoo, wasn't feeling well and needed to see the vet. She is fine after some meds, but just couldn't get started on much today, as I was hovering over her, just like a worried mother does.

So I was able to get a painting to be shipped. I love this part! Trying to present it in the best way possible, so it is a real treat when they open it. This one is being shipped to a B & B, so I hope the owner   gets a look at it before the recipient leaves with it.

I had to make a new 'certificate of authenticity' today, since my old programs won't work on this laptop. All that work has to be done again! Computers...a love/hate relationship.

I did manage to get it done and packaged the painting up in special paper with a gold seal and tied with a delicate ribbon. I always include my bio and a couple of business cards. A thank you card is also usually included, featuring an image of the purchased painting. These little touches mean a lot and are great fun to do. Tomorrow it is off to the post office! I use USPS for the smaller ones and then UPS or FedX for larger pieces.

I will head to the studio tomorrow to start on a watercolor of the tulip that I did in oils. I will be teaching that one soon.I was also able to snap a few photos of the tulips today as the sun would peek out, sending wonderful shafts of colorful light through the stained glass windows in the dining room.

May the sunshine always shine on your face and may the wind always be at your back,,,,,,,,,

until tomorrow...........Ruth Ann

Painting #10 "It's a long ways down..."

Where does the time go? I really plan on behaving and getting to work right away on my painting but I got distracted by a number of things in the studio. Putting things away as I hunted for that one little "must have" for in my still life set up. Never did find it.

The sun was shining and Sedona demanded to get to go for a walk. I never argue with a chance to soak up some sun, esp. in the winter. That left little time for my painting so I elected to paint from a photo I took earlier this week. Sedona is afraid of going down our stairs, in spite of the fact she goes up them like a streak of lightening!

I was interested in challenging myself to forget warm or cool and just try to look at value and not over think it; just respond and pick up paint, put it on.

"It' s along ways down..."       10 x 8", oil on matboard   

I will paint many more of her. She is a great model. Snapped a few today as she lay on the studio floor, bathed in sunlight...

Thanks for looking.........

Work in progress; 'last of the litter'

Recently, I was away from home on an artist residency and trying to paint outdoors
, ie plein air. The weather took a major turn for the worst just as I got into painting mode. For those of you who know me, this takes awhile for me to make the transition, so I was really upset about the weather. Luckily, I had brought along some reference photos that I had planned to paint, when time allowed. I decided to pack it up and try to paint in the back of the van. Good thing, for just as I climbed in and shut the door, the sky opened up and the wind joined in!

I find the wind very disturbing, yet even though the van was constantly moving in the storm, I had connected with my muse, so I was able to paint away and joyfully so! This little fella belongs to my dear friend, Ann, who owns/operates a hunting reserve. We were sitting in the pen, playing with the pups and this was the only one that wasn't sold. I so wanted to take it home with me, as those sweet, begging eyes just made me want to hold and cuddle her!

It is a work in progress and I will fine-tune it as soon as I finish up some pressing obligations;

Thanks for viewing...........

Kara latest painting

Here is my latest painting. A quick ( 1 hour) oil sketch of my sister's dog, Kara. On a recent visit, Kara would sit and stare at me, then lick her lips, waiting for her treat. I didn't realize that I occupied the chair that denotes that obligation, but she did.

It was great fun to allow myself the freedom to just paint without the consideration if anyone would like it. I just painted for the sake of creating and enjoyed the process!