Tree Embrace....work in progress

Tree Embrace -  Work in Progress -  15x15 -  Acrylic on Paper

 

I have a thing for trees.... always have. They are sort of like dogs...happy to see me...they wag their limbs at me on breezy days...very comforting. This is the first in a new series about my wooden buddies.

Empire Dunes work in progress

work in progress

I found a very cool little beach area (Village Park) in Empire, MI... They were getting the sand all swept off the parking lots etc. getting ready for the season. This is South Bar Lake...Lake Michigan is behind us. Love the grassy hillocks, and the pure spring sunshine. I'm almost finished here... I'll just let it rest a bit to see if I need to add any more grassy bits.... It's hard to stop once I get started with those grassy bits.

ice amoebas...

I'm calling these "ice amoebas"

I have no idea what made them form...other than freezing and thawing. They look like line drawings of land masses to me. After the warm day yesterday...(40's whoohoo) they have disappeared. 

oh... and if you're interested... here's a link to yesterday's newsletter that includes a video about "expressive drawing."

Getting out of the studio....

Milwaukee Art Museum

We artists log a lot of hours by our lonesome. It's good to emerge from the studio occasionally, and take a field trip.... which is what I did last weekend....

To Milwaukee.

Not your first choice as a spring break destination?  I beg to differ! We had a great time... and really enjoyed the Milwaukee Art Museum.... Here's a link to more about our adventure...

Random Word Generator

Morning Tea & Leaves

Happy St. Paddy's Day!
My weekly newsletter is published  the link is here....
Click the link to find out about using a "Random Word Generator" in your painting warm-ups.

March in Michigan

It's all about anticipation...
Warmer days
Sunny skies
Green growth

We sort of focus on the future here in Michigan...at least in March we do.

painting is a statement of gratitude....

When you decide on a subject, you are choosing to celebrate something in paint. Whether it's a color or color combination, an outside view, a loved one, or a beautifully shaped piece of fruit...you're communicating.

 You're saying....

"I care about this."
"I appreciate this thing I'm painting....
I want to show you what I'm thinking
 and then maybe you'll care about it too."A painting starts out as a monologue. You conversing with the paper or canvas, using paint as the language.

When you've said just enough to get your point across (not too much, mind you... just enough) then you're finished...you sign it, and you can invite others into the discussion. 


Sometimes, lets face it... it ends up a rather dull conversation.

But occasionally, your efforts spark a flood of communion and empathy.

We are grateful together. 

Those are the golden moments and the thing that keeps me at it. How about you?