COVID Nightengale

 It's time for my yearly post! (Oh.. that is embarrassing.) It's been a strange year for us all. I simply haven't painted as much as usual - art is language and, under lock down, I guess I felt like I had no one to talk to. And I was really overwhelmed with trying to process that I am actually living in a time of global pandemic, let alone all of the other stuff going on, of which there is a whole lot! Aren't we all?  Anyway, early on I was looking at images of the first-line people and I really felt like I should paint about it. I painted this last spring but it's just as relevant now. For artists this has been such a weird time. I had an opening for a two person show just a few days before our state shut down in March. People were scared so it was a pretty quiet event, and then my work was locked up in a gallery for two months. Since then I have participated in a few things, but I was really heartened and excited to have a chance to try to enter a juried show because I am so ready for something. I have realized that I will be sorry if I continue to squander my time trying to decipher the news, so I am just going to live my life and make some art.  Thank you, thank you to the New Ulm Artscape Juried Art Show and to Dana Sikkila, the best juror in the world! ;-)

Ilana's Hat

Oh my, what can I say? It has been so long since I have visited my blog that I hardly remember how to use it. Suddenly it called me back! This painting is for a commission for our dear friends from Israel, Boaz and Ilana. We don't get to see them nearly often enough. Almost a year ago we were in Thailand with Boaz. We were expecting Ilana would to join us in a few days. I was chatting with Boaz and he was telling me how much he was missed her and how he thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. I said, " I hope you tell her that." and he told me that he does all the time! What? They've been married at least 50 years. I was so touched by that. He has been after me to do a portrait of her for quite a while, so I finally did. It will be in the Member's Show at the Carnegie Art Center for a while and then we'll ship it off to them.
PS. Ilana is an inspiration to me. Her slogan to live by is, "Don't postpone life."

The Traveling Chicken and her Peeps Come to Mankato, MN

I recently had the great honor of a visit from 'the Traveling Chicken".  As a host for the little chicken and her companions, I was invited to be a quest blogger on the official blog where I submitted this painting. This was a big deal, ya'll! After I signed up for the chicken, I waited a long time to be a part of this thing that has been going on since 2012! The chicken has been all over the world and finally came here. I came up with a little story, which you can read on The Traveling Chicken blog, if you are interested. In fact, looking back at the archives, there are many fun stories to read and lots of interpretations of the wee poulet and her companions. Check it out : http://travel-chicken.blogspot.nl/

Number 3

I wanted to paint one that didn't look so sad, but he kind of does, and maybe scared too?  The photo made the color slightly warmer, and there is some glare. Happens with a dark background and artificial light. This is the third one. I am giving myself the goal of 30 - they won't be consecutive because there are some other paintings that need to be done, but I am loving this for the opportunity of painting so many sorts of people. 

Deja Vu

Second painting in what is becoming the mugshot series. When you look at a face for a long time, it's story unfolds.  It's kind of like recusing a dog from a shelter. Over time, the dog will tell you it's story. You know what I mean, right? Anyway, this is fun and interesting and it could be a thing to return to off and on.

Crime Don't Pay

I've been talking about using mugshots to practice faces for a long time - since I discovered Karin Jurik, the master of mugshots.  Then, the other day I saw a posting by my new FB friend, Reed White.  A professor once said to me, "If you're thinking it, someone's doing it." Apparently.  Reed seems to be drawing from the local well, but I don't think I should do that, as a local educator, retired or not, so, my resource comes a community to the south. This was fun and I'm sure I'll do some more.

Beach Read

I haven't posted to the 30/30 for a few days, but that doesn't mean I haven't been painting.  I may be done with this one... or if I turn it to the wall and then look at it in a few days and then, well, tweak.  We went to the Florida Keys this summer and stayed a a place with a shaded beach. It was a dream.  One could lounge there sipping umbrella drinks indefinitely. I took some photos of this woman who was reading aloud to the helpless body beside her.

Afternoon Tango

I am still processing our trip to Argentina. We were there last July - summer here, winter there.  Most of the days were grey and drizzly. I wore a hoodie and bought a cheap umbrella. On one of the few days of  sunshine I sat in the plaza in front of our hotel and watched a couple practice their tango moves. They take tango very seriously there. In most of the restaurants or bars we visited,  we were treated to a tango show, for tips  of course. It was really stunning and beautiful and full of the passion that you would imagine.  Watch a tango, sip a malbec - what could be better?

You're a Chicken

I had such a hard time taking a picture of this bird! Could be because I'm tired, but there was glare no matter where!  Artificial light is a problem and so is wet paint.  Time to head to the hen house.

Peck

Just pecking away.. My buddy Jo suggested a chicken picture. I have another friend who is in the Florida Keys, where chickens seem to just wonder around as they will. This seems like a perfect subject right now - lots of color and texture.

Waiting

Another old guy. I think the contrast appealed to me and the timelessness of the image of someone watching and waiting.

Caia's Kitty, 2nd Go

This is actually the second time I've tried to paint this kittycat! In September my friend Caia had to say goodbye to her beloved cat. I know how heartbreaking that is because last spring we had to put our dog down. So, I tried to paint a little memorial for her, but the strangest thing happened! Years ago I had a little grey tabby and my painting kept morphing into her every time I let my guard down! Back story - I've always felt guilty about that cat because I stopped paying much attention to her after our kids were born and then she died all alone when I was out of town. Cats are mysterious. Maybe she was trying to tell me she was still with me... and she forgives me. Well, I'd like to think that.

Good Day, Sunshine

Who knows why I painted this guy!? I like him and it's kind of the opposite of MN, I guess. Another one from Morguefile.  One more day before it's back to the grind, so gotta have some fun, right?

New Year's Resolution - Paint More!

The January 30 Paintings in 30 Days has begun and I'm feeling pretty good about it! Some of you know I did a challenge back in September and I found it to be so beneficial in so many ways. For one thing, it was really this first time I put my art "out there", at least in this way.  Turns out I have such a supportive family and such awesome friends, that it was very rewarding. Last time I painted mainly still lifes and I'll probably return to that pretty soon. (After I go to the grocery store!) I would rather paint something rather than paint from a photo - but I've found a few images on Morguefile.com (royalty free photos) that I want to use, and a few photos of my own. Variety is the spice of life, right? So, I invite you to join me! Grab your own paint brush, or share your thoughts with me.

Whose Kitty?

 

I'm still playing "catch-up" and the art gremlins are making it hard.  A dear friend of mine had to say good-bye to her beloved furry friend, so it seemed like painting a picture of her kitty-cat was the obvious project for me. But...the entire time I was  painting this, my old cat who departed in 1984 kept creeping into the picture!   Cats are freaky that way...