quattro mele

This is an extension of the 10 minute exercise I did a few days ago. I spent a few minutes more on each (between 10 and 15 minutes) and they are a little bigger (about 6 inches square) on a 12 inch square canvas).

quattro mele 12 inch square oil on canvas

how to be alone

Happy Valentine’s today. I hope you get to spend some time with you’re Love today. I’m off to a workshop today, it’s about a 3,5 drive away so I’ll be gone for the whole day on my own. There was a time I would have hated that but I’m also looking forward to a bit of time on my own. So I guess this valentine will be for myself!

When was the last time you spent most of a day just with yourself? Does the idea fill you with joy or dread?

Need some help on how to be alone?

you can see the video here is it doesn’t show in your browser/email reader.

10 min studies

Six 10 min (stop watch timed) studies. Same apple, moved around a bit each time.

back to basics

Last week I took a break from paint and yesterday I stood at the easel and went. “hmmmmm, what now?” Then I remembered that some of my friends from the daily painting movement are partiipating in the Daily Paintworks 10 min challenge. This week Carol Marine set this challenge.

The rules: Get a timer. Divide your canvas or canvases small squares (or rectangles). They should be smallish – a couple or 3 inches square or thereabouts  (mine where 4″)– they don’t have to be perfect. Now choose ONE object. Just one. Set your timer for 10 minutes. Paint your object in the first square. When the timer goes off – stop! I mean it. Repeat until you are done. You can rotate your object and/or change the light for each new square.

I haven’t painted a still life in months so it was a good back to basics exercise for me – perfect!

the born leader

This is a small still life from a few weeks ago. 8x8inches oil on canvas bord.

Ingratitude

In case you were wondering about Slinky Malinky (now don’t roll you eyes…some actually were).

He has not strayed again and seems happy enough to come and go without need to take three day roams that have my hubby Rob almost arrested for curb crawling as he searches the streets for him (sad but true)

Is he delighted to be home? well yes, lots of affection on offer. Is he grateful to have such good owners who care for his every need? Hell no!

This is what I caught him at last night!

It’s not like we don’t give him water! I don’t know why I do it, I really don’t!

I’m working away on the large interior paintings (15 of 35 done!) but I thought you might like a bit of variety so here is a still life I did special just for you! This is one of the larger ones, it’s 16×16 inches and it’s called One,two,three. I know, but I couldn’t do any better at the time!

a Christmas guest that won’t leave

I’ve been feeling a little depleted after the run up to Christmas. Don’t get me wrong I love Christmas and the food, and Santa, and the family and friends but what just pushed me over the edge was one guest who just simply will not leave. At first I was hospitable and attentive but the time was now come! He plagued first my partner Rob and then each one of the kids before stalking me. I was fine with this until Christmas Day when this uninvited guest, with the house manners of a troll, decided to take up home in my chest and preceded to make himself heard in the manner of a donkey braeing from my mouth!

You can imagine my indignation when after giving this creature two days on the couch (with cat) he decided that it was not quite time to go! Life goes on, I have work to do, a life to lead  (really I do) but no, my “chest guest” is quite comfortable and will not heed any polite suggestions that he might like to visit someone else now. If he is still here in the morning the gloves are off, definitely – I may even have to have words!