Revisiting and Recycling

I've been going through a lot of my old paintings and discovered that a few of the old frames that had been quite expensive "back in the day" were in pretty good shape so I'll be re-using them for new work, selling a few of the old paintings without frames and painting over a few of the more unusal sized canvases. The important thing is to get out of my own way, let in some fresh air and put my energy into work that's new, exciting and hopefully better than anything I've done before. No solid ideas yet but clearing the way to be ready when they come.

Dramatic sky and shadows

The first 2 images are a notecard and an envelope that I painted in watercolor based on the inspiration photos in the third image.

Watercolor Lake Views

I sat with a few friends this morning and painted this card and envelope set. As I worked I kept thinking soon I'll have to start working in fall colors, even the same scenes will be new and different. I may keep it up all year long just to see how  much it changes from season to season.

Sunflowers 3 ways

Here are some of the Sunflowers from my garden, in watercolor, colored pencil and a photo. I'm still working on various techniques but the results so far are promising-Don't you think so?

The next effort

I'm looking forward to your comments as I try to decide which changes did (and didn't) work for this painting.

Striking Oil

This painting doesn't exist anymore-I just came in from scrubbing it back off the canvas. It's been about 16 years since I quit painting in oils but someone had brought in an old Bob Ross Joy of Painting kit so I thought I'd give it a try to see if I remembered the techniqe at all. Clearly, it will take practice to get "into it" again...especially since the Liquid white, wasn't (liquid) and the paints were a bit compromised as well. Stll, making the effort was an interesting experience and has me thinking about landscapes again.

Back to the Sketchbook

Backyard Blooms

The season goes by so fast in this part of the country that I figured I'd better take a look out back and see what's left. It was funny to find just one perfect rose and as you can see it's a bit lost among the sunflowers. I couldn't resist dropping them on the scanner to see how that would look as I went to get a vase. Yes, I'm always "playing" with flowers one way or another. Now all I've got to decide is whether I want to draw or paint them first...and which of the flowers I want to start with. Whatever I decide it will be a pleasant way to pass the weekend and decorate my mail. I guess it really doesn't take much to make me happy, and these days that's a good thing.

Dotty Old Girl

"Once more, with feeling"

I'd been painting the last of the birdhouses Doug built this year and was running out of ideas until I found these pictures of Polish pottery in a catalog yesterday. Some of these brushstrokes and color combinations will go great with the bright colors, lines and dots I already had on it. I also get to combine all of the things I love to do because I arranged the catalog clippings in such a way that I can write a letter on it to a favorite Aunt who's been a tireless cheerleader when I get discouraged and who always loves hearing about all the crazy, quirky and creative things I do. Whether the birdhouse "turns out" or not several of us will have enjoyed the process and each other so I think it's a "win, win" situation. I'll be adding the birdhouse pictures soon so keep reading, watching and let me know what you think-Thanks!