Evrything about this is "wrong"

I used the wrong brushes, and the wrong paints, but following along with Terry Harrison  on Artist's Network TV, I came up with a reasonable copy of his tutorial.

This painting was done using liquid acrylics instead of heavy bodied paints, I used regular sized brushes instead of big brushes and my canvas, an 8 x 10, is a bit smaller than I'm used to.  Actually, I'm quite happy with it and am now off to my art table to work on another one.  As long as I'm having fun, that's all that matters.

So don't forget... stay happy, healthy and creative!

Just checking in...

Well, just making a quick post to say hello.  I am getting back in the groove and have done several more paintings.  One I cannot show because it's going to be a Christmas present for someone that reads this blog, but one that I can post.

It's another seascape, painted from a photo that I took while in California.  I won't bore you this time with the progression of the painting.  As much as I loved using stick pastels, I am have great success painting with Pan Pastels.  They are so much fun.  But anyway here it is.  I took this shot right after sunset at Carlsbad Beach.  Hope you like it.

In addition to keeping house, taking swimming lessons and painting, this week I am going on a day trip to see four of Virginia's covered bridges and to soak in the fall colors of nature.  We will also be having lunch at Mountain Lake Resort, the film site of Dirty Dancing. Expect lots of photos, hopefully some that can be used as reference photos for numerous autumnal paintings.

Well, that's it for today.  Hope everyone is having a great week.  Enjoy yourself and stay creative!

Sea Scape Progression

As some of you may remember, one of the reasons I went to visit my sister was to paint.  Here is a pictorial progression of my seascape.  The reference photo that I used was from the Wet Canvas website.  I am having so much fun using Pan Pastels that my other pastels are crying.  Don't worry little stick buddies, I'll get back to you soon.

Phase 1- I work from back to front...



Phase 1 A - This shows me applying the pastel with a sponge


Phase 2 shows the progress


Finished painting




We had a great time painting, and while I still have some great vacation pictures, I thought I would toss in some art.  I am going to work on another seascape today, from a photo that I took at Carlsbad Beach.

It is rainy here today and while I like rainy days, it is a bit more difficult to become motivated.  We'll see how things go.

I did sign up for a second set of swimming lessons and am currently practicing kicking with my legs and not just my feet.  Whew, playing in the pool is fun, but practicing technique is hard work.  Well, you know what they say about practice.

I guess that's it for today.  I hope you enjoy the photos of my progress on this beach scene.  Tune in later for another one.  Take care and enjoy today.

I feel like I've been gone forever...

Well friends, I'm back from vacation and everything seems topsy turvey. Unpacking, getting back in the groove, taking swimming lessons, trying to get DH back on our regular schedule of eating good food and well...you know the routine.

I did have time to load some of the pictures I took while out in San Diego.  I stayed at my sister's other house, the one she uses as an art studio and the one that has a beautiful pool.  We had lots of fun and I was very brave and even swam in the deep end of the pool.  Those swimming lessons were money well spent.

Anyway, until I get everything back in order here on the home front, I'll only have time for a few pictures, but she has such a lovely home, I know you'll enjoy this virtual tour.

We start in the hallway, looking toward the foyer.  Take a glance in the living room, dining room, breakfast nook, living room and kitchen.  Later I'll take you outside for a glance at the pool, their beautiful landscaping and maybe even a night shot.

Hope you enjoy this first installment of the photo tour.

 Down the hallway...

Formal living room on the left

On to the breakfast nook...

And then into the kitchen...

Off the kitchen is the den...

I also took several other pictures of the foyer and formal dining area, but blogger with it's newfangled features, wont let me post them because of them being vertical.  Does anyone know how to get past that?

Anyway, that's a start and hopefully in the next day or two I can show you how gorgeous the outside of the house is.

In the mean time, I'll be doing laundry, shopping and generally getting back in my groove.  Yep, it'll all be about how Susan got her groove on.  So until then, let me know what everyone has been doing and remember to stay creative and artsy in your own special way.