Some Chit Chat
I've been painting all my life. Its second nature to me. So when my neighbor told me she had started attending a painting class and wanted to know what medium I was using I kind of realized its not second nature to everyone. She began a class for oils and hated the smell and hated how it really didn't dry and wasn't very forgiving. I told her why not try acrylics since that is mainly what I use these days and she looked at me like I said a dirty word. No! They are not at all forgiving....my instructor said so. Well, to all those who think acrylic is cheesy, or unforgiving, or anything else I can tell you its a wonderful medium. As for drying quickly, you can stop that by keeping a spray bottle of water around and one other little trick that has saved me tons of expensive paint. I use a Sta-Wet Palette. It is a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid. It comes with a thin sponge on the bottom that you wet and then put a palette paper on top of that. Fill it with paints as you would any other palette. Occasionally spray it with water when you feel its getting too dry and always keep the lid on it when not in use. I go weeks and weeks with the same acrylic paint in that box. When you clean it, use some bleach to keep any mold from forming.
Don't be afraid to try any medium...watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencils, graphite. Each one has a charm and some magic all its own. If anybody is reading my blog and has questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
....and here's a graphite I did for a monthly offering from a group of artists who call this the Nibblefest Art Contest. On the 20th of each month we put an auction up on Ebay (the topic is different each month) and we start all of our offerings at only 99 cents. This month's topic is "portraits" so I did a scene with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison from my favorite film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". This is a 5 X 7 inch on Bristol paper:
Enough Candy for Everyone!
I'm going crazy painting candy these days. I love the bright colors of the wrappers against the dark background. Also, it brings back childhood days when such treats were handed out. Here we have tootsie rolls and pops, M&Ms and Jolly Ranchers....Enjoy.
This painting is an original acrylic on 5 X 7 inch 140 lb watercolor paper. It will be up for auction on Daily Paint Works on May 13, 2013.
My Daily Paint Works Gallery
My New Kittens Are Now Four Months Old
Prince with a favorite toy
Merlin separating the morning papers.
Enough sad stuff! It was overcast and looked like rain here all day...such days are fantastic for painting. Just finished this one and it will be up on Daily Paint Works starting at midnight tonight! It is a 5 X 7" acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper and its called "Sweet, Sweet Cocktail"
I was really broken hearted over the loss of my precious companion, Angel. Eighteen years is a long time and I was so used to her just being here. I finally found a Blue Point Himalayan from a reputable breeder near Oceanside, Ca. I not only got my blue point...a male I named Prince, but I also fell in love with a seal point I named Merlin (aptly so for he gets in trouble at least a dozen times a day). Here they are at only 8 weeks old. The breeder took this picture and then I packed them up and took them home. We have been almost inseparable ever since. I love them dearly and though I still cry over the loss of my Angel, these two make the tears go away and make me feel better. The light one is Prince and the dark earred one is Merlin and they are almost 4 months old now...so I'll post new pictures of them soon.
P.S.
An alert to anyone in the Southern California area. Although I found and bought from a reputable breeder I originally tried to deal with a breeder in Corona, CA (Muffhyms Cattery). Please folks...don't go anywhere near that cattery or its owner! Find a reputable breeder and you won't be sorry.
