Life after Fifty

Nippersink Clearing

2012-01-27T09:50:00.002-06:00

Nippersink Clearing-gouache and watercolor-unframed $125

Just finished this watercolor and gouache on Strathmore windpower 140 lb. watercolor paper, 12 x 18.

I soooooooo....much love to do landscape paintings!!!

Flowers at the Road

2012-01-21T22:07:00.003-06:00

Flowers at the Road-gouache on paper-$125

This winter weather is just getting me down...so to cheer myself up, I painted something I am looking forward to. This is a gouache on 12 x 18 mixed media paper. I call it of course "Flowers at the Road"

Winter Shadow

2012-01-11T07:21:00.000-06:00

Winter Shadow-Pastel on paper-$200 unframed

Getting back into my pastels after creating a tribute painting of my old friend Nemo. It's going to make a very nice painting for my wall. Anyway, it sparked me into painting this one.

I took a few photos of the woods down in Waukegan, IL at the Jack Benny Center and thought the shadow was so cool. Only 1.9" of snow so far this year here and seeing this scene was so unusual for this time of the year, I had to put it on paper. So here it is "Winter Shadow", pastel on paper, 12 x 16.

Mystified

2011-12-21T07:21:00.002-06:00

After being so depressed by the loss of my most favorite companion, I got right back into painting to ease the pain. I imagined him right here with me as he always would be near me while I painted.

Here is a watercolor and gouache that I just completed this morning. I call it "Mystified". It is 18 x 24 on watercolor paper.

Mystified-watercolor & gouache-$225

Worst Day of My Life

2011-12-18T19:19:00.000-06:00

Early this morning, after having to watch my oldest dog, Nemo, have several seizures, I watched my best and most treasured friend go to doggy heaven. This was the hardest thing I've had to do in my life and it was the worst day of my life. Nothing compares to the lose of a loved one. I've lost many who where very close, but to lose a companion like Nemo will stay with me forever. I know in time the feeling I am having today will fade, but without knowing this animal, you didn't know one of cutest, sweetest guys in the dog world.
Nemo was a pure breed Jack Russell with a rough coat of white fur and a brown mask on his face. When we got him he was only two pounds and he grew into a sturdy terrier full of energy and personality.

Nemo-11/24/2011
May he rest in peace-12/18/2011

I just loved that dog....and now he is gone....so in memory of him, I dedicate this post for my "Bubba, my Bud, my Nemo".

Colors of Winter II

2011-12-16T14:44:00.002-06:00

Colors of Winter II-unframed $200

I have been working my way up to using a large sheet of good Arches 140 lb paper. This painting is approx. 15 x 22 (half sheet) and a watercolor.

What do you think? Let me know...I love to hear comments.

Summer Breeze

2011-12-13T09:06:00.002-06:00

Summer Breeze-unframed watercolor and gouache $75

Okay, did this one this morning....this weather is already getting me down. So here is a watercolor and gouache, 9 x 12.

Winter in IL

2011-12-04T19:47:00.001-06:00

Winter in IL-Unframed watercolor and white gouache-$75

On to winter scenes, since today the sky sure looks like winter is just around the corner....found this photo that I took years ago, so I painted this watercolor and white gouache on an Arches 8 x 11 cold press 140 lb paper.

Fall Branches II

2011-11-30T09:47:00.001-06:00

Fall Branches II-12 x 18 watercolor and gouache unframed $150

Last one in this Fall series...12 x 18 on Canson 140lb paper.

Fall Branches

2011-11-29T21:08:00.001-06:00

Fall Branches-watercolor and gouache-unframed $125

Watercolor on Canson 140lb 12 x 18.

Saplings near the Clearing

2011-11-29T17:53:00.001-06:00

Here is another 12 x 18 watercolor and gouache on Canson 140 lb. paper.
I am on an autumn kick! The colors are so breathtaking and so I looked back to 2009 and found another beautiful scene to work into a painting.

Saplings near the Clearing-watercolor and gouache- unframed $125

Last October

2011-11-26T09:43:00.001-06:00

Last October-Transparent Watercolor- Unframed $150

This morning I started painting as I usually do each day (that is if I have the time) and drank my morning java with flavored cream and ice. Three cups are usually my limit.

I have been messing around with acrylics and I am far from mastering that, but learning how to work with the medium. I started an 11 x 14 on canvas board of a large dahlia with a dark background. It has a long way to go, so I will post when that one is completed if it is worthy of seeing.

And my watercolors are sometimes frustrating, but I continue to go back and try and work a full painting using transparent watercolor only.

Today, I did a scene that was from last October of a photo I took I believe in Libertyville, so of course, I call this one "Last October". It is a transparent watercolor on Canson, 12 x 18, 140 lb. paper. I used a variety of colors, which include: burnt alizrin, sepia, paynes gray, violet, indigo, hunter green, quinacridone gold, cadimuim and lemon yellow. I usually mix my hunter with the indigo to get a darker green. The violet, paynes gray and the indigo to get a dark deep color for depth. And to give me my whites back, I scraped the surface of the tree trunks to brighten them.

Fall Scene IV-Acrylic and Gouache

2011-11-17T17:13:00.001-06:00

I made an exciting discovery today!
A very good artist friend of mine intrigued me into trying some acrylic paints. So, I went out and bought a limit color palette and started messing with them a few days ago. After doing a few paintings, I just didn't feel they were right. So on the third one, this one, I added some gouache paint and sealed it with a UV gloss protection so that it can be put into a frame without glass.

I call this one Fall Scene IV 2011. It's 11 x 14 on a canvas board.

Crossing-Gouache on Hot Press

2011-11-15T06:27:00.001-06:00

Got a few good photographs from a plein air session a few weeks back and gave this scene a whirl. I used hot press Arches paper and is about 6 x 9 in size.

What attracted me to this scene was the perspective of the distance you see beyond the bridge and the challenge of painting the crossing gate.

With each painting I try and challenge myself with something that I have not done before. Sometimes that can be difficult if I have no reference material to use to work from. I had hoped to get more subject matter that day, but found the colors to be somewhat simple instead of exciting. The camera just can't capture some of the values and brilliance that life gives you when you paint, that's why I love plein air painting so much.

Crossing-$60 unframed-gouache 6 x 9

Fall Colors III-Watercolor and White Gouache

2011-11-09T10:48:00.001-06:00

Fall Colors III-Unframed 12 x 18-$80

Fall in Illinois can be very unpredictable. Some years we have lots of red others lots of yellow. This year is the year for yellows. But, with a little imagination, I can see those other colors coming out everywhere. The greens are especially interesting mixed with the yellows.
Here is a watercolor and white gouache that I painted a few days ago. I shot the original photo on the way home from a plein air session in Lake Bluff. This was a group of trees in Libertyville, IL on St. Mary's road and Rt. 176.

Garden Walk

2011-09-19T09:57:00.004-05:00

Garden Walk-Unframed $130

This is a gouache painting I just finished this morning...went on a garden walk last a few weeks back and got some great photos to work off of.

Showing it's Age

2011-09-05T19:40:00.000-05:00

Working with watercolors a bit more lately and enjoying the vibrant colors I am getting...also working with gouache...but my poor pastels are just sitting here....not very motivated to work with them lately.

Showing it's Age-Watercolor and Gouache-$125 unframed

Anyway, here is my latest painting.....enjoy! It's 12 x 16 on Canson watercolor paper.

Wild Thistles

2011-07-24T14:34:00.001-05:00

For the first time in my life, I am teaching a watercolor class! It has been a wonderful experience and I am not sure if they are getting more out of it or me! It has reignited my passion for watercolors and brought attention to how much I know about watercolors and gouache painting. I am totally enjoying the three students that I have and hope they are too.

I did these two paintings over the weekend to show the class the difference between using masking fluid and not using it. Wild Thistles I was painted with masking fluid and gouache with watercolor on the flowers and Wild Thistles II was painted without masking, by reserving areas and watercolor with white gouache.

These are both 9 x 24 size on Canson watercolor paper.

"From the Road"

2011-07-13T23:24:00.001-05:00

"From the Road"-SOLD

Caught some beautiful landscape scenes from my car a few weeks back and painted this picture from one of the photos. I loved the way the light was shining on the grass in this one. I call it "From the Road" and it is a 9 x 12 gouache on watercolor paper.

Moored-Gouache on watercolor paper

2011-06-13T15:59:00.000-05:00

Saturday, I got to go to my plein air group and got some great shots of an area in Antioch called "Barnacle Bob's". It's a place where you can dock your boat and fish. There were about 6 artists who participated that morning and it was a great experience as usual.

This is a gouache painting on watercolor, Canson, 140lbs. Enjoy!

Art Reception-May 20th, 2011

2011-06-05T09:13:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a few weeks since my reception and I find myself looking back and thinking about the experience.
It was wonderful!
I enjoyed conversing with everyone who was there and had a good time showing my art.
The best thing that came out of the reception was an invitation to start teaching watercolor at the Round Lake Beach Cultural Center. After some discussion with the facilitator, we came up with a three week, 2 hour class in July on Wednesday mornings. It will be interesting to see how many sign up and attend. I have been preparing a supply list and getting some information collected to share with anyone who attends the class. With very little background in art (I didn't attend any university, mainly I'm self taught) it will be a challenge to direct my art career into something more than just showing, selling and painting. Now I can add teaching to my portfolio! Onward and upward!

May 20th 2011-Round Lake Beach Cultural Center

Latest Gouache-Shove Off

2011-05-19T14:02:00.002-05:00

This is my latest gouache painting.

At the Waters Edge

2011-03-10T18:22:00.000-06:00

Well I have been painting none stop now for a few days and this painting was the result of a challenge on Wet Canvas. I love looking at other peoples paintings on there and trying to participate in the various challenges in different forums. This was a "landscape" challenge and I jumped right in so to say.

It is a gouache on Canson 140 lb watercolor paper, 9 x 12 in size. Enjoy!

At the Waters Edge-unframed $65

"Waiting for Spring

2011-02-26T20:34:00.000-06:00

This is a gouache on Canson watercolor paper, 140 lbs. I call it "waiting for spring". it is 6 x 18 in size.

After working on several street scenes I needed a change of pace. So, I did this painting today to remind my self that spring is just around the corner even though we are still getting snow here in northern IL.

"Waiting for Spring"

"The Bar"

2011-02-25T10:05:00.000-06:00

"The Bar"

This is a gouache on Canson 12 x 18 watercolor paper. I have been working on a series of European pictures that I got from my brothers trip to the Mediterranean last year.

Figures in my paintings

2011-02-16T09:38:00.000-06:00

I have been working on incorporating figures into my paintings. Yep, it gets pretty boring just painting those serene landscapes, so I thought I'd keep working on improving my figures. Usually I end up throwing the work into the garbage, since I over work the faces, etc. But, I think I am actually getting it.
So here are two of my latest paintings. They are "Out Shopping" and "Taking your Order". Both are gouache on Canson 140 lb paper, 9 x 12.

Out Shopping-$65 unframed

Taking your Order-$65 unframed

After the Blizzard

2011-02-02T16:08:00.000-06:00

Painted this scene from a photo I took this morning while shoveling 18-24" of snow out of my driveway.

After the Blizzard-$85 unframed

I call it "After the Blizzard". It's painted on Canson 98 lb mixed media paper and is 11 x 14.

Datura

2011-01-30T09:05:00.000-06:00

For those who don't know what this is....me included!....it is a very interesting flower. I painted this because of the cool way it stands up. After the flower blooms, it takes on a whole new look.

Datura-unframed $40

Anyway, here it is in gouache 11 x 14.

Watching from the Window

2011-01-17T07:36:00.001-06:00

"Watching from the Window" $40

Attempted to make a reduction relief print over the weekend. This time I used three colors. Here is the results. I used Canson mixed media paper and started with an orange/red color then added a violet color and last a black mixed with violet and red. It is 5 x 7 in size and will have a series of 12.

Fallen Leaves

2011-01-07T19:11:00.001-06:00

I was gonna do this one in a print, but decided it would make a wonderful gouache painting. I took this photo several years ago and was so pleased with the shadows from the acorn pieces.

Anyway....here is the 7 x 11 gouache on hot press Arches of "Fallen Leaves".

Fallen Leaves, gouache 7 x 11 For Sale!

Hope you enjoy!

The Collection

2011-01-03T06:55:00.002-06:00

Worked all weekend on my first attempt at a reduction relief print. Thought I'd do a two color to start, so here it is. I call it "the collection". The process is this: transfer an image to the block by tracing paper and pencil. Then trace that with magic marker. After the image is on the block, I start carving out the area that I want to stay white. Print with first color as many prints in the series. Carve some more and print second color.

I will continue to experiment with this process working with more layers of colors and different paper applications.

The Collection-10 prints made

A Time for Reflecting and Changes

2010-12-29T10:49:00.000-06:00

At this time of the year I usually look back at what happened throughout the year and think about where my life is headed. I am blessed to have a great personal life and I have many good freinds and family. My partner of 18 years has been so helpful to my life changes, I am grateful!

This year I am expanding my art horizons and have taken up a new and exciting art medium, printmaking.

I became interested in reduction relief printing when I viewed some art while in Denver at a neat little gallery there. This process is done by using a wood block or linoleum block called lino block. First you draw your idea on the surface of the block and then carve away the piece until you have an outline. The outline is inked and printed on paper. With reduction printing you carve the piece out a little bit more for each color change. After you have reduced the block, you no longer can print the piece. So, the first print you would determine the number in the series and create as many copies that you need. Then print over each with the whatever number of colors that will be in the piece.

Since this is just a start for me, I worked three blocks so far, but with only one color. I have hand colored these to try that method, but I have yet to try the reduction process. This will be my goal for 2011...to figure out how to do redution relief printing and do it successfully.

Homestead-Varied Open Print on Bristol $25

Standing Tall-Varied Open Print $25

On Calm Water -Varied Open Print $25

Here are the prints that I made so far. Let me know if you like them, I would love to hear your feedback.

The Canoeists

2010-11-10T09:45:00.005-06:00

The Canoeists-unframed Original $140-email me!

Here is another gouache on Canson 12 x 18 that I painted from my canoe event with the Lake County Forest Preserve.

October Morn

2010-11-07T06:42:00.003-06:00

Well it's been a few weeks since Debbie and I went out on the Canoe Ride over at Independence Grove with a group from the Lake County Forest Preserves and I finally got around to painting one of the scenes that I photographed that morning. It was really cool, the fog was heavy along the ground and lived up to the events name "Canoes in the Mist:". First time I have ever done a group event with the forest preserve and it was really fun. There were about 14-15 of us in canoes up bright and early for a 7:00 am start.

Here is a painting I did yesterday...."October Morn". It's a gouache on Canson 140 lb, 12 x 18 watercolor paper.

October Morn-unframed Original $140-Email me!

BWCA-West side of Lake Three

2010-10-03T20:34:00.003-05:00

Well this is my 6th painting since I returned from the Boundary Water Canoe Area Trip and I am just so juiced up with the beauty of everything that I saw there, I can't stop painting!....I LOVED IT!!!

West Side of Lake Three-Original $140-email me!

This is a 12 x 18 watercolor and gouache painting on watercolor paper, 140 lb cold press of the west side of Lake Three. It was behind our campsite and was where the sun set. Lovely area!

BWCA-What a beautiful place!

2010-09-29T07:27:00.004-05:00

The Pond-Original $200-Email me!

Took a trip canoeing up in the Boundary Waters and just loved it! Truly a place where you can be close to heaven. While there I took many photos and have been inspired to paint three paintings already. Here is the first one. This is a gouache on hot press Arches, approx. 11 x 14.

Botanic Beauty

2010-09-12T09:01:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday met some friends for a bike ride at Old Orchard Road in Skokie and road up to the Chicago Botanic Gardens and back....18 miles! It was a brisk and sunny morning for a ride, but it sure felt good to get out and see the sites, not to mention the good company!

Botanic Beauty-unframed Original $135-Email me!

On the south side of the gardens there were these beautiful birch trees that were just sparkling in the sun. I caught them on film and over the week worked on this painting that I call "Botanic Beauty". It's a gouache painting on Arches 140 lb watercolor paper and measures about 11 x 14 in size.

Savannah Field

2010-09-05T11:48:00.003-05:00

Well, I have been trying to get out there and bike as much as possible this season. It was a promise I made to myself over the winter that I would try and get back to my old day of biking every weekend. In the good old days, I biked about 40 miles a week. Several 10 mile trips during the week and 20-25 on the weekends.

So last weekend we did 11 miles up and back to the Rollins Savannah. This weekend we did 18 from Old Orchard Rd. to Chicago Botanic Gardens and back. Boy does that feel good. I plan on biking all the way into the first week of November, if the weather holds out until then. I love to bike when the weather is a bit cooler. When it's hot, it's way too exhausting. Not to mention I feel like I am going to have heat stroke on the bike.

Savannah Field-Original pastel-$90-Email me!

Anyway here is a painting I did of the Savannah, that I call Savannah Field, on acid free mat board, 9 x 9, in pastel. Hope you like!

At the Dunes

2010-08-23T21:36:00.001-05:00

At the Dunes-Original Unframed $45-Email me!

Last Saturday I finally got back out and joined my plein air group. We met at the Waukegan Beach for some painting of the dunes there. What a hidden treasure...I have never seen them before and realized that I have lived here all my life and have never been there! I guess the city of Waukegan is trying to clean up the area and get people back down to their downtown area. Anyway.....had a great time sitting and painting this picture of the dunes. It's a gouache on smooth vellum, 9 x 12.

Second Mountain Scene-Fisherman

2010-07-28T07:47:00.001-05:00

Here is the second painting from some of the great photos that I took up in the Rockies. These two guys were walking along the boulders and the water was rushing by them. I loved the way they were dressed.

This is a gouache watercolor on smooth vellum paper, 9 x 12.

Fisherman on the Rocks-$125 Original framed-Email me!

Marengo Sky-Gouache on Smooth Vellum

2010-07-25T16:15:00.001-05:00

Went to one of the "Open Days" gardens last weekend. It was in Marengo, IL at a farm on Garden Valley Rd. The Queen Anne's Lace is in full bloom right now and its white color is so beautiful against these dark backgrounds.

Marengo Sky-$35

Gouache on smooth vellum, 6 x 8.

Sprague Lake-Gouache on Watercolor paper

2010-07-22T07:39:00.001-05:00

Spraugue Lake #1-$75 unframed

Well, I finally was able to start painting some of the wonderful scenes I experienced in the Rockies a few weeks back. This painting was from Sprague Lake just south west of Estes Lake north of Boulder Colorado.

My childhood friend Tim Siebert took me up to where he does some of his photographing and we got to share some of the beauty of the Rocky Mountains together. It was great fun and I enjoyed the day.

Tim and I attended grade school and high school together and I had not seen him for about 15 years until our 35th reunion last year. So it was a lot of fun catching up and getting to tag along with a great photographer to see and share artistic talents.

Thanks Tim for the great time and for showing me your favorite spots. They were breathtaking.

This is a painting I just completed-Gouache on Watercolor Paper-5 x 12.

I didn't get in!

2010-07-18T07:48:00.001-05:00

Well, I was right.....I was not picked to be in the farm images show at the Discovery Museum! What a disappointment, but the good sport I am, I will have to go on to the next one! I heard that 29 artists were chosen and that only 32 paintings made it into the show. I am looking forward to the opening reception that will be held on August 22 to see the lucky winners and the many talented artists that got into the show.

Last week I spent some time in downtown Denver and got to see the mountains in Estes Lake. I had several opportunities to plein air, so I did! Here is a sketch I did while at a party in a cowboy bar downtown Denver.

I don't drink, so I took a few minutes to hone up on my drawing skills. This is an ink on plain paper (used what was available)

the Pasture

2010-06-13T23:58:00.002-05:00

Well, I sent in my entries for the Farm Images show coming up in September.........but, I don't think I got in.....I heard there were over 250 entires and only 32 picked for the show. I was so hoping to be able to show my work, but have always followed my motto...if it was meant to be, it will be.........So, if I didn't get in, there must be better things for me out there that I am meant to do.

Anyway...got so tired of painting all those farm scenes and did this gouache painting and thought......boy I wish I had entered this one, but didn't have it done until today and it is well past the deadline.

I call this one "the Pasture"............hope you like.......gouache on mat board approx. 14 x 13. And of course it's for sale....contact me!

Corner Post

2010-05-31T13:40:00.001-05:00

Finished up my barn images for the show coming up in September and hopefully I will be excepted into it! But boy was I sick of painting barns. So last plein air I picked something else of interest-I saw this corner fence post at Saddlebrook Farm in Grayslake.

While I was sitting there, a jack rabbit came by and checked me out and the birds where just making all kinds of noise.
Great place to paint...but no more barns for awhile!

Nesting Site

2010-04-24T15:20:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday morning my garden club met over at the Almond Marsh in Grayslake. This is a really cool nesting site for the Great Blue Herons. This site is slowly disintegrating because the tree trunks that are submerged in the wet lands are rotting away. I have been watching this site for many years and it's so weird to see so few trees and nest. The forest preserve is trying to keep the birds there with artificial nesting perches. These perches are like tripods set into the marsh with a board at the top for the birds to build their nests on them. And guess what? The herons are building on top of the these platforms. So, hopefully the future generations of herons in the area will still come to the site to have their young.

This is a gouache that I just completed of the south/east end of the marsh. The painting is about 9 x 11 on mat board.

Finally Finished my Two Year Project

2010-04-03T23:49:00.002-05:00

Several years ago, I started a project and I can now say...I am DONE! My sisters and I were talking about how we would all like to have our mom's recipes. Each of us had a few of the regular dishes that she made and especially the desserts. So, I did a little research and found this great website that gives you a way to self publish a book.

At blurb.com, you can download software that makes it easy to pop in a template and create a themed book. I downloaded the software and started plugging in the recipe template. I thought that it would be easy to just whip this thing together....NOT! It took me two years to complete the book of only 40 pages. How do those authors write 800 page novels? Most of the work involved collecting pictures and recipes and then entering them into the computer. I wanted to dedicate the book to my mother so, I called it "Lorraine's Favorite Recipes and More".

I am so happy that the book is finally finished and I can finally say "I'm done"!

Now what do I do next?

Gouache-en Plein Air-Condiments

2010-04-02T15:57:00.002-05:00

Boy was it ever a fun plein air session last Saturday! It was very cold outside and only two of us brave soles ventured out. We ended up at a local Caribou Coffee shop and sat inside to paint. I looked around and decided to paint a high counter of various condiments and creamers that were sitting on the top of the cabinet. The light was hitting the containers and reflecting off of them; so I thought it would be a good challenge to try and capture the reflections on the surface of the cabinet and the containers. Painting stainless steel is very difficult for me, so this was a good plein air challenge.
Here is my finished painting, gouache on mat board, approx. 6 x 8.

Working on Farm Images for a Show

2010-03-20T08:35:00.002-05:00

Feels good to be back doing my pastels, even if they are a bit messy. Nothing compares to the brilliant colors and the effects you can make with the pigment sticks.

I am working on a bunch of farm scenes and when I have three good ones I will enter them in the Lake County Heritage Farm Foundation's show called "The Farm: Images from the Heartland".

Here is something I just finished for a sneak preview. Its a pastel on paper, approx. 6 x 12.

Let me know what you think!

Blue Planter

2010-03-08T14:52:00.001-06:00

Did this one yesterday after getting frustrated with a red flower that I tried to paint. Beauty of gouache, I just added some water to the surface and scrubbed it all over the place and let it dry. Then started this painting. I did this on mat board about 6 x 8 in size. Makes me feel good about the weather getting into the 40's. So maybe spring is around the corner?

All my artwork is for sale, if you have any interest in purchasing it, please let me know. I would be happy to share my coloristic visions!

I Got REJECTED!!!!

2010-02-28T13:03:00.005-06:00

I sent in my entry to the Harper College Small Works Show coming up at the end of March and found out that I was not one of the excepted artists...BOO HOO!!!! Then when I looked at the few that were excepted, (all 23, which is a very small show), I wondered if they were talking about the painting size or the show!

I realized after checking out the credentials of the judge, Douglas Stapleton, that my art was in no way something he would pick for that show. His artwork is more abstract and mine is far from that.
Congrats to those who did get into the show!

After being a bit bummed out, I talked with a few close friends who are also artists and one of them said "do your art for yourself"! So, I painted a few new pastels to cheer myself up. Here is one of them. I call this one "Beyond the Fence". It is a pastel on paper about 8 x 8. Enjoy!

Please contact me if you are intereted in purchasing any of my artwork. I price my artwork to sell. This piece will be available for $75 unframed.

Savannah Beauty

2010-01-08T19:19:00.001-06:00

With all this snow here in Illinois, I thought I'd paint something to brighten up even the snowyist day!

This is a gouache on mat board. 8 x 9. Took the original photo back in July when I was biking the Rollins Savannah near my home. This guy looked at me and I zoomed in for the shot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

2009-12-30T11:23:00.001-06:00

On the way to Cary, IL on Christmas Day, I shot a few photos of open fields. I just loved the sky that day and knew that I would have a few neat photos to work from. Here is what I came up with.
Both paitnings are on Strathmore cold press, 140 lb paper and done in gouache. They are approx. 8 x 8 in size. I call them "On the Way to Christmas I and II.

Enjoy! and have a great NEW YEAR!!! Welcome 2010~goodbye 2009!

Back to Watercolors and Gouache

2009-12-15T05:57:00.006-06:00

Did these two paintings of some scenes I photograhed a few weeks back. I call them First Snow and First Snow II.

Both paintings are 9 x12 on Arches 140 lb paper.

First one is a watercolor and gouache the second one is a gouache. Both paintings can be purchased. For more information on the paintings please leave me a comment and I will contact you or go to my website and you can email me directly. Thanks for looking!

"Met her at the Bus Stop"

2009-11-23T08:25:00.003-06:00

Finally a pastel! It's been awhile since I have painted a completed pastel and it was so good getting into it. Went to the Art Institute over the weekend and got a lot of ideas from all the wonderful artists.

This was originally a photo of two people at a bus stop on a corner in Chicago. I cropped it down and found this scene to paint. Also saturated the colors to get these really cool colors.

Painted on paper, 12 x 12.

"Down the Beaten Path"

2009-11-18T07:08:00.005-06:00

This past Saturday was such a wonderful morning to be painting outdoors at my plein air session. I found a place to paint and set up my stuff on a nearby bench. I knelt down to paint this scene of a path that led to a wonderful little lake. It was hard to decide what to paint, since there was so much beauty. There were a number of other painters and they too were set up and started taking in the breathtaking scene of that morning.

Here is the painting that I created. Most was completed at the session, around 2 hours and another hour at home to finish it up. Isn't nature beautiful? Those trees are so interesting and easy to look at!

This is a watercolor with some white gouache to highlight on Arches watercolor paper, approx. 12 x 16.

WELCOME FALL!

2009-10-30T08:36:00.006-05:00

~SOLD~

Well, if it doesn't stop raining, we will be floating away here in the midwest!

Maybe the sun will come out today, like it did last Sunday?

While driving down to Niles, I caught some pictures out our car window at 45 miles per hour and I painted this gouache from one of those photos.

It is approx 12 x 16 on Arches 140 lb paper. Enjoy, fall is so short here, blink and it will be winter soon.....BURRRR....not looking forward to it.

Learning something every Plein Air Session

2009-10-17T20:39:00.005-05:00

Today I spent my morning at the Raven Glen Forest Preserve in Antioch, IL. It was a beautiful day and I am so happy that the weather cleared up for our plein air group meeting.

I took many photos of the area for later reference and after having a difficult session out there in the cold crisp morning I realized that taking a "cheap" paper to work on was not a good idea. The water was saturating the surface and making it warp out so bad that I was having a hard time getting the painting to look like anything. Then I tried a few smaller pieces with no luck and tore them up. Lastly, I folded the cheap paper and mounted it to my board and used very little water. It worked but my painting was not what I wanted in the sense of depth and color darkness, so it was a good lesson for me today.

After going home and sorting through the 75 pictures I shot, I ended up painting this scene on some good Arches 300 lb paper 12 x 16 size. I call it "Light from the east".

I LOVE TO PLEIN AIR!!!

2009-10-03T17:22:00.004-05:00

Today I was able to attend my plein air session at the Reed-Turner Nature Center in Long Grove, IL. What a beautiful place! There are lots of trees with their leaves turning orange, red and yellow and densely grown foliage to look at. What a treat to be able to have no rain and clouds that were spectacular all morning long to paint. Here is the painting that I did from the session. It is 7 x 10 gouache on hot press. Gouache is becoming one of my favorite paint mediums, next to pastels. With the plein air though, its easy to transport my watercolors and gouache, so I concentrate on those mediums when plein airing.

Yankee the Dog!

2009-09-10T20:43:00.007-05:00

Well, I have been waiting to post this painting so that my friend Cindy Gross would not see this gift I was planing on giving her and her husband, Ed for having us over to their home up on Turtle Lake. And today, I was able to surprise them with the painting of their dog Yankee.

Yankee is a labordoodle (not sure how you spell that) He is so sweet and cute. I thought it would make a nice gift for their kind generosity of sharing a Friday up at their home on Turtle Lake with Debbie and I.

We really enjoyed spending the day with them. They served us lunch and let us ride on their go-kart and paddle boat. Unfortunately the weather wasn't cooperating with us, so it rained a bit on and off all day.

Then Cindy and I sat at the table on their porch, looking out at the lake and plein aired some art, while Ed found something to work on in the barn and Debbie sat back with her book. That was really fun. We enjoyed the peaceful quiet of the short but sweet Friday retreat up at the Gross' home on Turtle Lake.

Here is the painting that I did of the view from the porch, looking out onto the lake. It is watercolor and gouache with some pastel accents that I added after I returned home.

Can't wait until the next time we can return. I just loved the peace and quiet. And of course the company!!!

Wow! What a great day to Plein Air!

2009-08-22T19:20:00.004-05:00

Today, I went over to downtown Antioch to join my plein air group. But only found one person sitting on the main drag set up for our 3 hour session. So, I opened my chair and set myself up just up the street and started painting one of the shops there. There were two big beautiful trees and a blue sky that attracted my attention. The shop was a dog grooming place and that too attracted me. So, here is the painting that I did.

Several people came up to me, including a policewoman and wanted to see my work. Another wanted to know if I did commissions and if I could work off a photo. So, maybe I will get a call and paint the jewelery store building for her.

There were so many interesting buildings, I could go back there and capture many interesting street scenes there, because of the very old and unique storefronts.

Janet's Garden

2009-08-19T21:44:00.003-05:00

Thought I try a fun painting of my friend Janet's garden. I painted it on Canson rough paper, 15 x 20. I used mostly watercolor, but started with some green gouache.

For those who do not know what gouache is, it's an opaque watercolor. Regular watercolor is transparent and you sometimes loose the colors as they dry into the paper. With the opaque, you can lay on the color and it dries pretty much like what you put on. So for this one, it helped with all the foliage.

Second in Chinese Series

2009-08-11T19:07:00.002-05:00

This was very fun to paint. I did it on a small 5x7 piece of watercolor Arches 140 lb paper in all gouache. I think I want to make this bigger, but here is what I did today. I am calling this Chinese Soup Kitchen. Kirsten, hope you like this one! I just loved the photo and thought it would make a great painting. What do you think?

Lots of Good Photo Ops

2009-08-07T06:35:00.002-05:00

Well, my trip to Washington DC is over and done and I was able to see so many places. I went to four Smithsonian's, two of them art museums. I saw a fantastic exhibit at the Historical Society, Lily Sandorf, she was a watercolor, gouache and ink artist who captured street scenes of Washington DC in the 60's before the buildings were demolished. This was a treat to see. I also visited the US Botanic Gardens near the Capital Building. What a beautiful place to see. I took many pictures there of some gorgeous flowers. Here is one of them I captured in a pastel painting. It is 12 x 16 in size and was done on paper.

China-First in the series

2009-07-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

Got some photos from my nieces China trip and thought they would be fun to paint. Still working on my perspectives and this one was a real challenge.

Thanks Julie Fredricks for the photos!

My niece, Kirsten and her husband, Jon, and a group went on a China Cultural Exchange and their friend Julie took all these great photos. Can't wait to start another painting. I am including some in my umbrella series, since many have them in the photos.

The Flowers are Starting to Open

2009-06-24T06:58:00.002-05:00

After days of heavy rains, the sky's cleared and the flowers stood up and opened. Last Saturday, I went on my annual garden walk with my garden club. My garden was included in the walk, but most of my flowers are still not open. My yard had a show of Iris, but are now gone. I took this photo of a group of flowers, not sure what kind they were, but they were blowing in the wind and where so full of color that I couldn't resist their beauty.

This one I painted last night on 300 lb Arches, size 6 x 8. Used watercolor and a little white gouache. Doing paintings in yellow are definitely a challenge!

Love doing the Landscapes

2009-06-21T16:23:00.004-05:00

This one I took off a photo that I took back in the spring at a plein air session. It's called "Spring Breaking Through" I painted it on Watercor, Cold Press, Arches 300 lb paper, which I love! It is 6 x 8 in size. Fun doing this one.

Limited Palette

2009-06-20T08:21:00.002-05:00

Took this challenge on Artist Network Forum last week for a chance to win $50 gift card to North Light Books. The challenge was "using a limited palette". So, I was pondering it for a few weeks to see what I would do and came up with this painting. It's a watercolor. I used only Orange (Reeves) and Prussian Blue (Grumbacher) and a little bit of Zinc White (Schmincke) gouache. This was a fun task and I did it in about an hour.

2009-06-16T20:41:00.003-05:00

Saturday was a long but interesting day. I went down to the University of Chicago early in the morning with my partner Debbie for her graduation from the Graham School of General Studies, Basic Program. This was a four year commitment reading the Great Books. Her last class was that morning, so I went down with my watercolors and was working plein air for a few hours in the rain. It's not a good idea to paint watercolors in the rain-I got very little accomplished, but it was a challenging idea. I spent most of the time taking pictures of the beautiful buildings and the green ivy that was growing all over them.

I took this shot of a young man who was watching the regular University of Chicago graduation ceremonies, which were outside. The color of his rain coat intrigued me and the flowers were so beautiful in that part of the square.

I will attempt to paint some of the buildings when I have time to concentrate on perspectives. Getting that right is very important for the painting to look real.

Anyway after I attempted to plein air, we all met for lunch and then went to the Smart Museum and we saw a wonderful artist on exhibit, H. C. Westermann. That was really interesting and fun. Then we went over to the Ida Noyes building clear across campus to participate in Debbie's graduation and acceptance of her certificate with a cocktail and appetizer finale'. That was a very exhausting day!

For those who know my dog Nemo and read my last few entries here, he is doing better. He has not had a seizure since that first night and has adjusted to the medication. I just hope we have him for a lot longer! He is very sweet and loving and when I think of losing him, it really gets me weepy eyed.

Getting my mind off MY NEMO!

2009-06-07T19:41:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I went to my plein air session over in Zion. We all met around 9:00 am at Illinois State Beach Park at the old Camp Logan National Guard Rifle Range. There we were able to draw and paint many structures that are still standing but in very deteriorating condition. I photographed many of the buildings and there were some beautiful old pine trees soring above the one structure.

Here is the painting I did. Also I have attached my recent watercolor of a Chicago city street scene. Still working on perspectives and starting to really get the hang of the diverse subjects to paint.

I am so sad............feeling down about my dog.

2009-06-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

I want to share with you the sad experience I had this weekend. My sweet 13 year old Jack Russell, Nemo, had three grand mal seizures. I was devastated. He is the best dog in the world. After several trips to the vets, they put him on some phenobarbital. I am so afraid for him! The blood work showed an elevated enzyme in the liver, pointing toward Cushings disease. He will get a test next week to see if indeed he has Cushings. He had been tested several years ago for the disease, but the tests didn't show signs of it. So hopefully this is something that can be treated. The other possibility is brain tumors that could be causing the seizures. I just hope he can live the rest of his life comfortable and not suffer too much pain.
Nemo is a very bright dog. So bright, he watched tv when he could see well. He even could distinguish a rat or possum on the screen. When the scene changed, he would go around to the back of the tv looking for the prey.
Well enough of this sad news, it's making me cry!

2009-05-28T07:52:00.003-05:00

Getting into some detail with this watercolor painting. Have been wanting to try this for awhile and was intimidated with all the detail. Used 300 lb Arches. 99% watercolor and some white gouache to clean up the white areas. This was fun and exciting to see it emerge.

Changes on a Watercolor-Just add some Pastel

2009-05-16T17:46:00.003-05:00

Well, after looking at this watercolor, I decided that it was way too dark, so I lighten her up with some pastels. What do you think? Did I mess it up or does it do it justice?

Experimenting on 300 lb Arches

2009-05-09T21:31:00.002-05:00

Watercolors are so interesting. They are supposed to be the hardest medium to master. I really enjoy painting them. They are a challenge and the effects that you can achieve are like no other medium. With the wetness of the paper you can create some cool color combos and shapes.

Another thing that it does is teach me patience. You have to either work fast or leave it dry to get the right effect. So, sometimes I have to wait, put it aside and go back to the work and rework. This is one of my latest ones on 300 lb Arches watercolor paper, 8 x 10.

Watercolor/Gouache/Ink

2009-05-04T22:25:00.003-05:00

This was a study in perspective. I am trying to teach myself how to draw things accurately.

I picked up a used library book at a sale a few weeks ago called "Perspective for Painters" by Howard Etter and Margit Malmstrom. It was listed orginal price $18.95 and I got it for .25 cents! It was well worth every penny!

Here is my first attempt to get it right!

Another Mettawa Shot

2009-05-02T17:08:00.003-05:00

Here is one that I just did yesterday. I just love the colors. I may still tweak this, but basically it's done! Walla! Pastel's are so much fun and exciting to paint with. The colors are so vibrant and rich-------that is if you don't mess with them too much!

Finally figured out the sky color, I was having a hard time getting that blue, but it finally clicked when I used a color that I wouldn't normally think would work! Anyway.....hope you enjoy!

I call this one "The Old Fence"

Back to Pastels!

2009-04-22T22:40:00.003-05:00

Almost two years ago I was introduced to pastels by my good friend and fellow artist, Cindy Gross. She hired me to do some interior painting for her in her home and there she showed me her work as a pastel artist. Cindy is a very talented artist and was excited to share this unknown medium to me. I had been doing watercolors and she thought they were beautiful. She told me that I would love pastels. So, one day when I was working at her house, she let me try some. I spent about 30 minutes messing with a few sticks adding colors to a landscape, I believe. Of course my favorite! She was amazed how quickly I took to it. We instantly became friends and I decided to join the North Shore Art League and take a class with her. After that, it was all history! I couldn't wait to get my hands into the pastel dust and start creating painting after painting. Oh how much fun it was to take those classes. I met many talented and fun artists, including my teacher Frances Vail. Thank you Frances for guiding me...........I miss the group, and maybe someday will meet again for more fun with the North Shore Art League.

Finally after a short break from pastel work, I have finished this latest painting. I was inspired by the beautiful daffodils that I saw at the Mettawa, Adlai Stevenson home last Saturday at the plein air group. What a great group............I am grateful for all the fun and help they all provide to advance my career as an artist!

Quick Watercolor and Ink

2009-04-18T07:51:00.004-05:00

Learning to just paint is what counts. I have a habit of trying to add every little detail to a painting and crowd in all the little details making the painting too busy. This time I put in what I thought would make a good painting. I found the big old oak hanging over this docking area very beautiful. The original photo was taken on a plein air session last year up in Antioch, IL.

Today I am going to go to the Adlai Stevenson Historic Home in Mettawa for another plein air session with my group from the Lake County Art League. I am excited because the sky's are clear and it will be warmer today. Last session, it was a bit brisk and sunny, but was a little windy for painting. So I am hoping for a calmer day to actually have more time to paint.

Got Watercolors on the Brain

2009-04-04T07:15:00.003-05:00

Boy when you go into streaks, you go into streaks! I have been cranking out watercolors like crazy. I am working on a few pastels, but can't seem to get them finished to post. So here is another watercolor I did from that batch of photos from the last plein air in Zion.

Still fighting a cough and cold, but everyday feel better and better. Now we are suppose to get more snow! Go figure! April and it's acting like December!

Working on finishing up some of my art

2009-04-01T21:59:00.003-05:00

My office/studio looks like a nightmare with all these unfinished paintings hanging around the place, so tonight I thought I'd work on some of them to get them off the easel so to say. I work mostly off of boards, and prefer to work at my desk with the board resting on the computer keyboard tray or stuck in the open drawer! This way I can look at the photo I am working off of from the computer and see the colors and detail right up in my face.

Anyway, here is another watercolor and ink that I did from the photos I took at the Thunderhawk Golf Course. This is approx. 12 x 17.

Thunderhawk Plein Air

2009-03-28T14:57:00.005-05:00

Here is another one that I did from the photos I took of the Thunderhawk Plein Air Session.
Been under the weather a bit, not feeling well and have not painted for a few days until today.
Fun painting these simple landscapes with pen and watercolor washes. Used Arches hot press 140 lb paper, approx. size 7 x 11.

Plein Air Session-what a great way to learn!

2009-03-22T08:57:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, I met the plein air group from the Lake County Art League at the Thunderhawk golf range in Zion. What a beautiful place. Chris Tanner, our fearless leader of the group, arranged for the plein air group to have access to this facility for the morning. The group met at 9:00 am and by 9:40 am we were off photographing and painting out on the course. We were provided golf carts to help us get to the beautiful nature scenes on several of the holes. I took over 97 photos. Between the water and the trees, there was plenty of beautiful shots to take. I did the painting of the milkweed seed pods when I got home, it's a watercolor on hot press paper. Thank you Bonnie for the paper! The watercolor scene of one of the marshes I did at the plein air session is still being worked on. I of course over did it when I got home and am not sure if I like what I did. Okay, I'll post it for you to see.

Also the first one is a photo I took that I just love.

After we did our thing out on the golf course, we all met back at the cafe' and talked about what we did out in the field. Having these pow-wows afterwards are what makes plein air such a wonderful learning tool. We all critique each others work and get to hear what others think about the art. It's also a good way to meet other artists and meet new friends. I just love it! Can't wait for the next meeting.

What happened? It Got Cold Again!

2009-03-11T18:48:00.003-05:00

Well, I thought spring was on its way, but I think it's going to take a little bit longer to finally settle in. Yesterday it was 66 degrees and today, BURR! I just hope it comes soon.

Yesterday I did a few little watercolor paintings. I am trying to discipline myself to have more patience with the watercolor paints. Giving them time to dry and letting them flow were they need to before I go messing them up has always been a problem. This time I took my time and spaced out the layers so they dried.

These scenes were from a few days about a month back and the ground was starting to thaw, but the snow was still on the ground in places. Hope you enjoy. These are only 4 x 5 on Arches watercolor paper.

Is Spring on its way?

2009-03-05T08:10:00.003-06:00

Today it will be in the 50's and hopefully spring is on the way. So tired of the cold and want to see my flowers. I painted this pastel last night, thinking about the colors of spring.

Watercolor vs. Gouache

2009-02-28T20:52:00.003-06:00

Today I painted using gouache and ink and then watercolor. Both very enjoyable to paint, but I think the watercolor ended up being more brillant. The gouache is easy to correct mistakes, but I cannot seem to get a good detail on using it. So, I used a pen to highlight the work.

I think I need some better gouache to work with to get the effects I am looking for.

Thinking Small

2009-02-27T09:10:00.004-06:00

Experimenting with my new opaque watercolors, so I thought I'd do a few small 3" x 3" studies. I threw most of the pieces in the garbage, but worked this one out.

My favorite thing to paint is the beautiful landscapes that I capture on my camera. You never know when you will get the right shot, so I just shoot and shoot and shoot. Then when I see something that is interesting, I paint. Fall colors are my most interesting subjects. The oranges and reds are so intense and beautiful here.

This one I call "Small Wonders", it's a watercolor and ink.

Bought Some New Paints

2009-02-26T08:11:00.003-06:00

Yesterday I purchased a set of Grumbacher Deluxe Opaque Watercolors and wanted to give them a try this morning, so I did. This one is on rough watercolor paper approximately 6" x 8" and is done with a combo of transparent watercolor the new gouache set and pen. The painting is from my Irish Series. This was the third attempt at this subject. I found the colors fascinating. I call it "View from the Window".

When is Spring Going to Get here!!!!

2009-02-22T14:55:00.008-06:00

Yesterday I got a glimpse of spring by attending a very fun plein air session at the Garfield Conservatory in Chicago. It was my first visit to the Conservatory. What a breath of fresh air stepping into a place filled with massive ferns and flowers growing almost as if it were summertime in the city. A group of us went down there early in the morning in a late winter storm with over 4 inches of snow coming down as we traveled to this fantastic colorful place.

Here is a couple of watercolor and ink paintings that I did of the fern room and of the flowers blooming.

Next plein air is the Volo Auto Museum, which should be interesting and lots to photograph and paint.

Yupo experience!

2009-02-14T10:01:00.014-06:00

The most fun thing about doing art is the different mediums that you can experiment in. I really love the way the watercolors look when they turn out, but boy can they be a challenge to get the right colors and depth. Once the color spreads onto the paper and if you have not controlled it in some way, it can spoil a perfectly good piece.

Pastels are so much more intense, but messy and if you add too much the colors get muted and overworked. Pastels are my favorite because of the great colors and the intense finished look. They are an art medium that you can literally get your hands into.

Another new method I have been trying is the alcohol based paints called Pinata'. They are actually an ink that you apply over Yupo paper. Yupo is a plastic that can be used for watercolor or these types of applications. The Pinata' does all sorts of wild things and it is very hard to control. Here is a few of my latest creations of Pinata' on Yupo.

Fun, fun, fun!!! Note: These images are very shining and difficult to photograph without getting a reflection.

Back to the Grind or is the GRIT?

2009-02-09T06:49:00.005-06:00

Well the weekend is over and I am back to the grind of the week. Working as hard as I can to keep things a float. I noticed this weekend with the warmer weather, there were tons of people out and about shopping, having breakfast, etc. I think the weather does have an effect on peoples moods. I know that I was very happy that the snow is melting and the signs of spring are in the air.

I painted one other painting this weekend. After the comment from Chris Tanner, I thought about something more complicated to work on. I started out with a watercolor drawing of a window that I photographed in the old Brainerd School building in Libertyville from the last plein air session. I trashed the first painting that I tried, after realizing that my angles were completely off.

Here is the second attempt in watercolor and ink.

After showing Chris this one, here was his comment: Deb --- Very cool. I have noticed that artists often take advantage of a greometric grid (and other tricks) to do "unify" a painting, and that's exactly what works for you here. As it was explained to me, a painting that has no unity will seem to be a combination of two different paintings, though it's probably more complicated than that. The result is a little confusiing and is quickly dismissed by the mind as misinformation. It's a common trap for inexperienced artists. You would have that problem here, because the view in the top of the window is so different from the view in the bottom. But you tied it all together with the grid so there is no disunity at all. The mind notices the top/bottom difference and enjoys trying to work out a meaning. I like that. I also like the way you cropped this to make a dramatic.

Lake County Fine Arts

2009-02-07T11:33:00.001-06:00

Last night was a gallery opening for the new artists in the gallery, and I was one of the artists. Having your stuff hanging someplace is a great feeling. And it's an even better one when someone buys your stuff!

I was a bit distracted because about 4:30 pm, I got a call from my partner and she had slipped and fell at the Sears Tower where she works and had to be taken to the emergency room. Luckily, she did not have anything serious, except that she is in a lot of pain. I was relieved to hear that she did not break anything or have a concussion.I hope everyone enjoyed my paintings and visits the gallery often to see what other great artists are there.

Got up and went right to the easel

2009-02-07T09:12:00.006-06:00

I can't help myself! It's Saturday and it's my day off and all I want to do is my art. I tried a structural painting yesterday, but I am chucking that one. I will try it again to see if I can achieve a better effect. Until then, this landscape was something I thought would be pleasing.

Chris Tanner, plein air leader and vice president of the Lake County Art League gave me some good advice regarding my compositions. He said "Deb --- Your painting capture the viewer's attention with the wonderful color, but now you want to hold the viewer's attention with composition. That means directing their eye through the painting with carefully staged patterns, lines, details, contrasts, focal points or any other trick you become comfortable with. Look at artist's work you really like and figure out how they did it. It's a big step, but fun. The next step is actually engaging the viewer to get something of you and your feelings across." Good point Chris, Thanks!

Still Life of Pears

2009-02-05T07:45:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, I did a challenge on Wet Canvas.com. Wet canvas is a forum for artists where you can post your artwork for critiques and meet other artists. I really enjoy the forum, because it gives me a place to show other artists my work and meet other creative people. It's also fun to hear their ohh's and ahh's about my work.

This was a challenge in the pastel forum. You had your choice of four photos. I chose the still life of the pears, because I really don't do still life painting and I was definitely outside my comfort zone on this one. I also have been wanting to try out a technique where you take turpeniod and wet down the pastels. First I blocked in the color with Nu Pastel sticks, then wet the surface with turpenoid. Once the painting was dry, I came back in with the colors that you see on the surface. I had to spray this once, but the results were very interesting.

I do have to say, I enjoyed the challenge, but will stick to my landscape painting! I will have to try the turpenoid on one of them in the future.

2009-02-03T21:06:00.003-06:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I wrote in here. I am going to start uploading my art for you all to see. Here is a painting I just did today. I purchased some Arches watercolor paper and walla, I found something that works for me. I hope you enjoy!

This painting is approx. 5 x7. I was inspired by a photo I took several weeks back of an open field in Deer Park area, I believe it's part of the marsh off of Ela road and Long Grove Road.

Life Goes in Circles

2008-05-20T12:04:00.004-05:00

Around and around we go! Where we stop nobody knows!

Okay-so here we go again, procrastinating. The only good thing to happen this year is that I am making headways in my art. I only wish I had more avenues to sell my work. I just made 7 birdhouses and sold 4 of them. Now thats progress!

I am thinking that taking these pastel classes have exhausted their use. I have learn much, but now for the reality of the matter. I need some drawing classes. I want to learn how to draw better and more accurately. So, I will pursue that this year.

My weight still remains the same and I am frustrated with that completely. When I was in Florida, though, I felt like my life was just as healthy as someone who works out everyday. I don't want to be rail thin and looking like a twig, just less heavy than I am.

Anyway, 2008 is flying fast----------almost half gone and still more to do with my life.

Life keeps on getting more interesting!

2007-10-21T23:17:00.001-05:00

Well, it really has been a long time! I am doing more now than I was last May. I am still trying to keep my weight down and lose some, but it's just as hard as ever. My partner keeps saying that I look thinner. And maybe I do, but I still weigh 230 pounds!

I started something new about a month ago. I took a class in pastels. I met a wonderful person who turned me on to my new art love, pastels! I am taking a class at the North Shore Art League on Monday's from 1-4pm. I am learning new and exciting things about my art skills.

My Spanish has taken a back seat, but I still am trying to incorporate that into my life. Hola!
I've been cut off from my sessions of Rosetta Stone, so I am waiting for a new program to be presented to me through the library. I will continue to work on my language.

Well, not much else going on, but I am excited about my art and working to expand that career possibility.

Still working it!

2007-05-07T18:16:00.000-05:00

Wow, its been awhile since I last wrote. Time just slips away.

Well, where do I start? Let's start with the diet. So far, I am doing well, but have slipped a little. I am eating a little bit of chocolate and some of the things that were making my stomach go flip flop. The reason being is that I went to the doctor for a check up and started on some medication to help my acid reflux. It's working, but how long will I have to take the stuff. Then when I least expect it, I have other problems with my health and now I am going to all these appointments which have been nerve racking. I just hope there isn't anything seriously wrong. That would suck! I had a cat scan of my kidneys and tomorrow I will do another test on my bladder. The scan came out okay, except now I need to talk to my interest about my spin. I also was put on high blood pressure meds. This is starting to sound really pathetic!
I go next week to have the doctor update me with my blood pressure. I checked it and its down with the meds, but my heart beat is much faster. HUMMM.........now what? Never a dull moment.

Anyway, waiting patiently for the okay to do the art fair. Will know after the 25Th whether they excepted the application to be in it. Not much time to prepare. So, I am thinking what will I do to get ready for it.

I am still working on the Spanish, donde esta perro? Or, where is the dog? Me perro en su casa! My dog is in the house! I think! Anyway, still working on that too. Well interesting there are no comments on my blog. I guess it's not that easy to attract attention.

Well, gotta get going and put together the dinner!

Sunday Brunch

2007-03-04T23:31:00.000-06:00

Today I cooked a fantastic Sunday brunch for 15 of our friends. We served Mimosa's and Quiche with lots of other great side items. Like a strawberry spinach salad, bagels, muffins and a fresh fruit salad. Everyone ate and drank and had fun!

The best part was the cooking. I just loved it. I really have never cooked a quiche and I also made a strata. The worst part was when I went to put the pies in the oven, I spilled some of liquid and it started to burn and smoke up the house. But, I was able to clean up the spill and clear out the house in a about 10 minutes without the smoke alarm sounding.

Still sticking with the diet and learning my Spanish.

I will continue to work on getting myself together. I want to start something new, but nothing has worked so far.

I am planning on doing an art fair on June 16th to try and sell some of my watercolors. I got good response from people today regarding my work. I know if I price it right, it will sell!

I'm getting too old for this!

2007-02-13T16:44:00.000-06:00

Today the Midwest got hit with a big storm. I'm glad we only got 5 or so inches of snow, cause some states got more and blizzard like conditions. Here I thought the cold was bad and now I have to go out and shovel the drive AGAIN! Don't like all this snow. It looks pretty, but its hard to drive through and I cant get to work when it's like this. So today I am baking cookies, doing some paper work, working on a woodworking project.

I am making a platform bed frame for my girlfriends twin bed. It's finally taking shape. I have all the side pieces made. Now I just have to make the top platform, and the inside supports. I used plywood and particle board for most of it. I got to use a lot of my tools. The table saw, the rotor table, the compound miter saw and my electric nail gun. The worst part about doing a project like this is you have to have patience and time. Everything has to be clamped and glued. So, I have been working on the weekends whenever I can. But, its so cold I have to put my space heater in the garage to keep the place warm. Anyway, it's gonna turn out great, I just know it!

My cookies are about to come out of the oven and I still have to shovel the driveway and get a path dug out in the yard for the boys. Poor little guys cant get around in 6 or more inches of snow! Guess you are wondering who the boys are.........they are a Jack Russell and a mix Jack Poodle. My best buds alive!

It's COLD OUT THERE!

2007-02-06T07:35:00.000-06:00

Wow, its been a cold week for the Chicago land area. It hasn't been this cold for years. I can recall the year it was 80 degrees below freezing with the wind and that was the worst winter for me. This -25 degrees with the wind, is not fun, but it can't compare.

I think of all those people without heat, electricity or any kind of necessities and think, boy have I got it made. Just having a roof over my head with running water and heat amazes me.

My brother is driving around in this cold snap with no heat in his car and no window. He says "well, people riding snowmobiles deal with it". Not the same. I can't imagine sitting in a car and the wind is whipping in at -30 below freeze.

I think of my garden to keep my mind off of it. In several months the ground will be thawing and the signs of spring will be emerging.

That's the life you have to deal with when living in the Midwest. Snow, cold, rain, wind, humidity, and sunshine. I pray for sunshine!