The First Page of GerAmyUm

I've been working on this all day and am so excited to have the first page of "GerAmyUm - An Awful and Glorious Tale of Growing" finished. I've only painted this four, yes four times. My goal is to finish the illustrations of this book by the end of August. My perfectionism has really been a big problem when it comes to working on this. Sometimes what I'm painting doesn't seem good enough. But I've decided to try my best to work through it. It's hard. But finishing this 2 year old project is more important than perfecting it to incomplete bits.

Rehobeth Journal

Visiting Family in Virginia

Whenever I go to visit my parents, my mom creates the prettiest flower arrangements from her garden and puts a little vase or pitcher by my bedside. I painted this in my little sketchbook/journal that I brought with me to fill on my week's vacation.

It's good to be back "home" in St. Louis. Visiting another former home - in Virginia this past week, hanging out with the folks and my other brother was great fun, relaxing. I really enjoyed the beach - we went to Rehobeth Beach for a couple of days. I got some great ideas along with my tan and Grotto's Pizza. I was able to finish a rather large painting for my brother that he's going to put in his new place. It's not my "normal" type of flowery colorful stuff, so it was both a challenge and exciting. He pulled a photo from the internet and wanted me to do a very large watercolor version of this. (I have no idea who took this fabulous photo but just know that I copied it for him and him only.)
I always bring some kind of art project to my parent's. I just seem to get more done and paint for longer periods of time. I think it's simply because I have far fewer distractions. Once again, it makes me think that having a studio separate from your living space may not be such a bad idea - especially if you are as easily distracted as I am.

It should have been a blue day, but it turned out to be yellow....

As I was following in love with my little foster kitten Ralphie, BabyKitty was becoming more and more jealous and mean. She's already a little difficult, but what I thought was a good idea - the whole foster kitten thing - really was making my cat of 8 years VERY miserable. Plain and simple Ralphie wanted to play with BabyKitty when he was awake and snuggle with her when he wanted to sleep. BabyKitty would have none of it. Ralphie would chase her and jump on her and attack her tail. There was a great deal of hissing going on these past few months. I was still considering keeping him until I saw BabyKitty's "bloody" paw one night. I couldn't figure out how that happened.
"Did Ralphie do that? Oh boy. Now I have to go to the vet... I can't afford the vet... I'll see if Stray Rescue will help out, I mean the foster kitten did this... Oh I hope her paw doesn't have to be amputated!..." And so goes my train of worried thought. I tried to clean it up with a damp cloth. I only managed to wipe it a little and I was so confused. "Where was all this yellow coming from." It was late and I was tired, I just decided I would take her to the vet in the morning. Ugh...

You know how you have something in your mind, you are so certain of something that no other idea or thought could possible enter in for consideration. That's how I was with my cat's paw. I was certain it was a wound. So, I somehow managed not to see or give much thought to all the yellow. Then I remembered. I squirted a fresh bit of Quinacridone Gold on my palette (which I might add is a FABULOUS color and if you paint you need this. It makes beautiful greens, rich corals and it's transparent - one of my favorite, "can't live with out" colors. I only recommend the Winsor Newton version of this color). I looked closely at my palette and sure enough there was a big Quin Gold paw print and an even bigger dent in the paint. Clearly she walked into the paint after she messed up her foot. Meanwhile, I decided that my poor cat didn't need any friends and I found another foster kitten home to put Ralphie. So before I called the vet I decided I was just soak her paw in the sink and get the gold out no matter how much she hissed and growled. I had to change the sink water 3 times. And low and behold a miracle happened, BabyKitty was healed of that horrible wound inflicted on her by playful Ralphie. Needless to say, I felt like a moron. Well, a moron with quite an elaborate imagination. Still, I think it was best to find Ralphie a new place to stay until he was adopted. When I dropped him off at his new foster home, another kitten about his same age rounded the corner with a skid and dashed into the room. Ralphie smiled - well, cats can't smile, but his ears darted up and his tail wagged in a smile and I knew Ralphie would be much happier here with his new playmate. I still miss the little guy. But you can't believe how happy BabyKitty is. She's been puring all day. So I finished this yellow still life in honor of the cats, the color quinacridone gold and as the second still in my color series after the green still. So long Ralphie...

Bahhhhhh....

(where to buy this watercolor)

So I had this nice piece of watercolor paper - a decent size scrap - and one thing I've learned over the years is not to toss the scraps. I think that some of the things I produce on these "scraps" tend to be my personal favorites. Often it's where I'm less afraid and I just don't care as much. It's so annoying that I usually create some of my best stuff when I'm not trying to. My journals are filled with fun sketches, but get out that big piece of paper and suddenly my wrist gets a little more rigid and I'm more judgmental of my work. Soon I'm unhappy because I've not really enjoyed the process, but I'm more worried about the end result "Will it be good enough?" I'm trying to control what happens... I mean for Pete's sake it's watercolor, it's all about NOT having control to some extent. This was a happy surprise and I got a little bolder and more heavy handed with the color as well.

Frank Lloyd Wright House

I finally finished painting the B. Harley Bradley House that sits along the Kankakee river and designed Frank Lloyd Wright in the 1900s. I'm not sure what it is now. I don't think it's privately owned. (Heck, I walked all around taking pictures. I hope no one was home.) These small towns really surprise me. You never know what gems you'll discover. Hope you enjoy. I've placed this watercolor on my Ebay for bidding.

Know Your Own Bone

Pursue, keep up with, circle round and round your life, as a dog does his master's chaise. Do what you love. Know your own bone, gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it and gnaw it still. However mean your life is, meet it and live it; and do not shun it can call it hard names. It is not as bad as you are. It looks poorest when you are richest. The fault finder will find faults even in paradise. Love your life, poor as it is. Humility, like darkness reveals the heavenly lights. Superfluous wealth can you buy superfluities. Money is not required to anything necessary of the soul. - Henry David Thoreau.

... hard words, good words, words for me today...

Kankakee, Illinois

It was good to be back in a city - I love St. Louis, but being in Chicago, exploring the neighborhoods, moving between people on the sidewalks and waiting for a table at a crowded restaurant just doesn't happen much anymore now that I live in The Lou. I visited a great shop I just love called P.O.S.H off of North State Street. It's a wonderful French decor shop. I wanted everything. But all I could do this trip was look. Yep, lots of looking, which means lots of time to sit and sketch. But, I have to say the most interesting part of the trip was my afternoon/evening in Kankakee - a small town an hour outside of Chicago. This small town surrounded by farms that grow corn and soybeans is your typical mid-west town. I went to a graduation party with a friend. Not knowing anyone, I just sat and listened. And as the party went into the evening and the more beer that was consumed, I learned a great deal about Kankakee - more than I wanted to know that's for sure. People are the best entertainment and though I had a great time, I left with a taste of sadness. So many of the people talked about how much they disliked this town where they lived. They were stuck and certainly believed they could never leave. I remembered feeling that way when I lived in Ohio, like the whole world was far better than where I lived. I'm thankful for the chance to have traveled and lived in many different parts of the U.S.A. Now more than ever I appreciate the mid-west. But, I don't think I would have if I didn't leave. Before the sun went down, I took a walk away from the party to see just a little bit of Kankakee. I found it lovely and sat in a field and did this picture in my sketchbook before I went back to the party. You really have to leave for awhile to appreciate your home.You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. - Pooh's Little Instruction Book

It's Easy Seeing Green

At first all I saw were the groceries and dishes that needed to be put away. Then like a light from heaven, I saw all that delicious green... the green of my Granny Smith apple, the avocado and my cereal bowl. I quickly put the eggs and milk in the fridge, found this chartreuse napkin and painted this study in green, it's so "Easy Seeing Green"
I don't always frame my work and hang it on the wall. I tend to just lean it against something as part of a vignette. "BUT IT'S A WATERCOLOR!" you might say to yourself. "How can you do that? They're fragile..." My answer to that is simply they aren't as fragile as you might think. I display lots of my work on easels, shelves and in windows. I use excellent paper, artist grade paints and keep them in not so humid places, like a steamy bathroom. So, with art be creative in your displaying, of course acid free framing and UVA protective glass is preferred, but until you do that, it's fine to lean them and leave them.

Awful Beautiful - A Friend's Blog

I could spend all day reading blogs. Between the amazing pictures and great writing, I'm just blown away by the talent that is out there. One such talent is my fellow crafter, friend and writer (and the amazing designer of my website) JEN. She writes on a blog called Honest Planet where she talks about her life and kids and the funny-crazy and just normal day to day things that happen. Her writing is truly beautiful and I just love how she tells us about her "conversations" with her kids. When I read her blog I'm reminded how important it is to have that childlike sense of wonder and silliness. So if you're feeling dull from life, traffic and waiting in line at Target go to Jen's blog and see life for a minute through the eyes for her kids. This is especially good for those of us who don't have little ones of our own and aren't around them much. I'm really looking forward to seeing life through the eyes of Kennedy Jane. Right now she's just getting her rest, getting ready for the adventure ahead of her. It's going to be Awful Beautiful - as Jen's little girl says.

Ahhhh... much better

Maybe sleep was all I needed, but needless to say, today's art left me feeling like I took several steps forward. Since getting the ax back in April, I've been painting as much as I can, be it for shows or to just to up my inventory in general. You know, for every ten paintings I work on, I would say one maybe two is frame worthy. Unfortunately I'm not one of those artists who hits the paper with brush and produces a great work every time. I wish it were so. But during this time of not working a "9to5er" I really need to focus on completing a special project that I started last summer and is really near and dear to me... that would be the picture book "GerAmyUm." I've worked on it sporadically, but not at any serious or steady pace. I spent most of today working on it. The little geranium I potted this spring looked exactly like I wanted GerAmyUm to look. -- little and new. There is a strong chance I will have to take a regular job by the end of summer and I would really like to have this completed for my own good and satisfaction.

I'm also so excited to have sold my first print on ETSY this past weekend. It's very encouraging. What a great place to get inspiration and buy some cool gifts and support my fellow artists.

My writing partner and friend Helen Stanphill just updated her website. She recently published a children's story in a national magazine all while taking care of home and two little girls under the age of 6. She is quite a disciplined gal and someone who sets goals (realistic ones) and completes them. I'm so proud of her. Make sure you go check out her website.

Just one of those days...

... where nothing I painted today is any good, my cat has growled at me all day (we're down to one kitten), I've not been the least bit happy with my hair and I feel fat. I just want a "do over". Don't you wish you had the option for a couple of "do overs" in your life? When it comes to painting I try to look at it as getting the bad stuff out so the good stuff can come and hopefully it will come tomorrow. I painted the two boys this past week just before Milo went to his new home. Ralphie is the only one left and he loves to torment my cat. He's not afraid of her anymore, in fact he chases her around and has jumped on her several times - not to be mean, he just wants to play. And quite simply Baby Kitty is NOT a playing cat. What an ill tempered cat I have. How did that happen? I've enjoyed painting these little guys. Such cuties...

Yippee Skippee!

Today actually felt like a day of work. After being a good foster kitten mom and giving the kittens their food and morning kisses, I spent the better part of the day on the "business of art" which essentially means I worked but I did not paint today. But the hard work at the computer paid off. Because I have my shop at ETSY up and running again. This time I am able to sell prints at very reasonable prices and I must say they look FANTABULOUS!. The giclee prints are on this great textured paper and it's hard to tell the print from the real McCoy. That's exciting enough, but I'm even more excited that I'm not the one making the prints. I was able to find a local printer and framer so I can stick to what I do best which is paint and not spend hours on the computer. Aren't you glad we live in a world where everyone has different abilities and desires. I sure am. Let me know what you think!

Tornado Drill

Because I grew up in Ohio, I was familiar with tornado drills. But it's been 20 years since I found myself grabbing the cat, and in this case, cat and 2 kittens (yes, one has a new home) and heading to the basement. I was painting and trying to get my ETSY shop set up (soon, but not yet) when I heard the alarm sound outside. That's not a pleasant sound. It's very unnerving and I found myself looking at the sky more than anything else. Oh well, at least the washer and dryer is in the basement and I can do some laundry. But I did get these this piece done and soon, very, very soon you will be able to buy giclee prints of these and many other painting you've seen here on my blog. I'll keep you posted.

One is Cute, but Three...

... just might have been crazy thinking. I'm referring to kittens of course. They're having a ball but both Baby Kitty and I want to lock ourselves in the bedroom and keep them out. And, I feel for my mean old cat. She can't go anywhere without at least two of them following her. They eat from her bowl, use her litter box, eat her kitty grass, play with her toys, sleep in her favorite chair. They've take over and I'm sure she's wondering what she has done to deserve this. This morning she whined and whined to be let in the front hall of our apartment building. Currently she is sitting right smack dab in the middle of my downstairs neighbor's doormat that reads "WELCOME". That says it all.
I'm still seeking good homes for these kittens. You can just have one. They're sweet, funny, litter trained and soon to be fixed - all for FREE!!!! How could you pass this up? You can contact me or StrayRescue.
This little guy is my favorite - if that's at all possible to have a favorite kitten, he's the runt of the litter and is the sloppiest eater I have ever seen. Also, he likes kitten soup. I have to take dry cat food and soak it in water for a bit because it's still too hard for him to chew it all up.
But I know you aren't here to read about kittens - I mean there is LOTS more to life and LOTS more that inspires me... like cupcakes. I mean who ISN'T inspired by a good moist chocolate cupcake? Yesterday I had lunch with one of the owners of the new cupcake bakery here in St. Louis call The Cupcakery. She's a sassy single gal and such a hard worker. It was so cool to hear her story and how life looped her around to where she is right now. And what fine yummy cupcakes. I had the peanut butter one.
Then later in the day, my new artist friend Mary Beth Flynn called me and got on to me about staying disciplined and focused through this art endeavor. I have to admit, I'm so not a woman who can stay on task - my head goes in a million directions and I just like to jump on the next great idea. But right now, I really need to be more right brained or I won't see anything happen. It's frustrating because this is not my natural state. And it also explains why my lovely little "GerAmyUm" book isn't finished. Mary Beth has been painting house portraits (and supporting herself) for over 14 years and I know much of her success comes from being diligent, on task yet still taking risks. I really hope she rubs off on me!
Also, I've discovered this amazing new blog that inspires me greatly. Check out decor8.