Hello Shorty...

"Hey Shorty"
8 x 9"
Acrylic on paper

This reference photo was posted at WetCanvas.com in their copy-write free photo library. (thanks Jocelyn!) It made me laugh for some reason... the flowers all acquired personalities. I'm sure you can spot the shy...the domineering...the perky.... Well, maybe you can't but I can!

This was an acrylic class demo that I did today. (It wasn't quite finished in class, I spent another 10 minutes on it when I got home.)
We did a painting in black, gray and white, 3 values only, let that dry, then using a limited palette, just filled in the value pattern with an appropriate hue. I love this exercise, because if you have a pleasing value pattern with out color... you are almost there! All of the hard work is finished.

A giggly thing:
A friend of mine @ facebook told me about this link. You gotta try it...and refresh the screen a couple of times too. A guaranteed smile.

Details, Details, Details....

"Distractions and Diversions 2"
12 x 12"
Acrylic on canvas

Getting advice and critique from my painter friends is one of my favorite things about many of the online art forums. Adding the small touches of magenta to this one was the result of some discussion with my fellow artists. These tiny details sometimes make all the difference.

I think it's improved and more hopeful... What do you think?

That's what I LOVE about acrylic. The changes are simple... If you get an idea, just try it! You can easily wipe the color off if it doesn't work out like you thought it might.

Distracted and Diverted once more...

"Distractions and Diversions 2"
12 x 12"
acrylic on canvas

This one feels finished now....so I signed it.

It's supposed to be a gorgeous weekend here in Michigan, sunny and in the 50's. I'll probably work a bit in the yard which is not so gorgeous... yet. We got snow so early last fall that the final yard clean up never got done, so we are looking pretty shaggy and tired out there!

I'm listening to the audio book "eat pray love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Really enjoying it, especially since she is doing the reading herself. I always love it when the authors read their own books.

Coming Up For Air....

"Coming Up For Air"
8 x 8"
Acrylic and copper ink on watercolor paper

Copper is hard to photograph... it moves from light to dark depending on your viewing angle. This is one of those that actually does look better in real life. :)

Quote of the Day:
"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."
~ A. A. Milne

Distractions and Diversions...revisited

"Distractions and Diversions 2" ~ work in progress
12 x 12"
Acrylic on canvas

A bit of a different take on a previous painting. I'm not exactly sure where I'm going with this. I guess I need to do some thinking before I go much further. :)

Gorgeous blustery skies here in Michigan today. One of those...sunny then cloudy then sunny then cloudy days. The strong winds are at least drying up all of the rain we've had!

Quote of the Day:
"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up."
~Anne Lamott

Safety Net

"Safety Net"
15 x 15"
Acrylic on Rough Watercolor Paper

I was excited to be approached by Flint Street Gallery (in downtown Lake Orion Michigan) to have a solo show in May. It's a quirky and totally FUN place. The gallery is inside the fabulous "Little Monsters" toy store. The kids can spend lots of time digging through their unique toy offerings, while their parents browse the gallery wall. The opening will be Friday, May 8th from 7 - 9 pm. I'm really looking forward to it...Hope to see you there!

Changes!

"Community"
12 x 12
Acrylic on acrylic paper


Cha cha cha Changes.....
Our house is for sale...Something we were considering for about a year...but now... We are serious about it! Not entirely sure where we'll end up, which is a bit of a dizzying prospect... My vote is the Traverse City area...(One of our families favorite destinations) My hubby is thinking south east I think, maybe North Carolina area...I'm ok with that too.
I've been clearing out and tidying up... It really is a fantastic house, and I hope that whoever is lucky enough to live here... will enjoy it as much as we have! :)