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.

Peace and Peonies

Last week I finished and sent off a commissioned painting of three stages of a blooming peony to a man getting married in Florida. Over the past year we've been in contact over a peony painting for his girlfriend who became his fiancee and now his wife. Three stages - much like the painting itself. Originally he wanted this painting last year, but I ended up selling it, then he wanted one at Christmas time for her, but I was moving to St. Louis when he needed it. This past weekend he presented it to her as a wedding gift. What perfect timing for Julie and Gary. My friend who attended their wedding e-mailed me this morning and told that Julie loved it and cried when he gave it to her. I've not met the couple, but after learning she had an affinity toward peonies and he knew about it and sought them because they made her happy, I was thrilled and honored to be asked to paint for them. Besides, I "get" the woman who is drawn to one particular flower - look at me with geraniums.
I have to admit I found it a bit difficult to start this painting. I love painting. I love peonies. I had a deadline! What was my problem? Painting commissioned work is so different mentally than doing my own thing. When I'm working on a painting for a specific person, I think a great deal about that person and what this work means to them. Before I even put brush to paper, the work has meaning which makes me both happy and overwhelmed. Here I was sitting at my painting station, trying to get through another grey, rainy St. Louis day and I'm in turmoil because I'm both happy for the couple but also struggling with my own "singleness." I'm painting a gift of love with Gary's hearfelt words writtten under each stage of the peony -

Journey... Awaken ... Love

and I feel intensely how far I am from this love. For the next couple hours I have to enter into this personal place of fear about my own desires while I paint. What a delicious smell a peony has. How it opens so quickly with all its fluffy layers and in all the best shades of pink. Much like love! Yet, inside I wonder if I'll ever experience this blooming. So you see, painting is not always technical. Sure practice is part of creating a skill. I work at it every day. But there are strong moments when the spirit/the heart/the soul moves you to work in ways you don't think you can. When I finally finished, I have to say, I didn't want to let the painting go.

Foster Kittens and One Angry Baby Kitty

from top to bottom: Milo, Mimi, Milly

Several weeks ago I signed up to foster a litter of kittens through Stray Rescue of St. Louis. I picked three 5-week old kittens up Saturday afternoon from the vet and brought them home...
Let's just say that what I thought would mostly be fun turned out to be much more drama than I was expecting. My cat of 8 years, Baby Kitty has been nicknamed Bitchy Kitty by my friends. And I'm ashamed to finally admit she really isn't nice. Well, she's nice to me - but that doesn't really count. So Baby Kitty spent most of Saturday hissing, spitting and growling then promptly throwing up her breakfast throughout the house. Then Mimi - the male runt of the litter,whom I named after my first cat who lived to be 21 years old, puked as well but like three times his body weight.. It was unbelievable. (You can be thankful I didn't take a picture.) By the end of the day I had used an entire roll of paper towels and all my throw rugs had to be washed. They step in their food, the water bowl and the poo in the litter box and then do it again.
Watching them wrestle with each other is so fun and better than tv. And to see them sleep all nestled together... ahhh. When I walk anywhere they follow me around like the Pied Piper. In between all of these days events, I'm trying to paint and do house work and gather them up to keep them out of my own cat's way so she won't hit them with her clawless paws. There is a scene in the Steve Martin movie The Jerk (which is one of my favorite movies) where Martin is shown a black and white clip of kitten juggling. It's so wrong and funny at the same time and I think of it often when I'm holding all three in my hand.
As of this writing, I think my cat is too exhausted to hiss and growl anymore. She hasn't had her 20 hours of sleep per day since they've arrived. She sleeps at the end of my bed which is too high for the kittens to climb. I really hope Baby Kitty comes around. Maybe a miracle will happen and just like Scrooge she'll be visited by three kitten ghosts who scare her into love, charity and tolerance.

Kennedy Jane

My little niece came into the world on Sunday afternoon! We are all so glad she's here! So tiny, so soft and she smells so lovely. I held her for two hours while she slept and we watched a boring movie at the hospital. It's really scary holding a little tiny person for the first time. Becca had to show me the best place to put my hands and cradle her. I was all stiff and scared and very worried I wasn't holding her right. It's a great responsibility to have such a tiny life in you hands. I can't even imagine what the parents are feeling. Life is amazing! And I'm so lucky that they've let me be in on it all.
At the same time, the baby robins have finally hopped out of their nest and are jumping limb to limb - stretching and fluttering their wings while their tiny toothpick legs don't look strong enough to hold them up. It's pretty interesting to see the baby birds move at varying paces through the trees. One is definitely braver than his other siblings. By Wednesday morning they were gone. I didn't even get to see them take their first leaping flight. They sure do grow quickly. All day long their Mama brought worms and bugs to them - what a worker! Ahhh life in all its newness and wonder. The delicate newness of the little ones that come into the world, add to to it and are reminder of all that is good and beautiful in this world.

Grumpy Bear

Well, baby is not here yet and I'm grumpy along with Grumpy Bear. I knitted this for the my soon to be niece out of this amazing little knitting book called "itty-bitty nursery" by Susan B. Anderson. This is one of those books where you want to knit every project in the book! I'll be knitting this weekend while I'm waiting...

Every Day in May ...

That was my goal. To post on my blog every day in May. Today is the 12th so it's clear I'm in a deficit. (Now there's a word I don't use everyday, but certainly hear every day.)

So... All day Saturday was the Paint Webster plein aire competition sponsored by 63119 Art!. I chose one of my favorite places to paint - Roger's produce, as it has tons of beautiful geraniums out front and I always hurt my neck trying to look at it while I drive by. Besides, I knew I would be outside painting for at least 5 hours, so it had to be something I enjoyed looking at. My sis-in-law and brother popped by and took this picture of me painting.

Well, I have mixed emotions about this. First I really enjoyed the opportunity to paint under the gun. It really leaves you no time to over analyze and judge your work too harshly. You just have to get it done. Once again, I learned a great deal from this experience. As usual, I try to paint too much. You just can't paint the world - or an entire road side market for that matter. I really should have kept it simple. Ultimately, I really didn't like the finished project. I'm only posting it as a lesson. I think I was just trying too hard and not trusting myself. I find when I paint for myself in plein aire it's much freer and spontaneous like the picture I did below at the great botanical gardens here in Saint Louis. I certainly need more practice in plein aire. Winslow Homer was the master! There was some very beautiful work on display at the end of the day. It was wonderful, inspiring and intimidating at the same time. I have so far to go!!! There were less than five paintings in watercolor????
As with my past outdoor painting experiences, there is always an interesting or bizarre story to accompany the painting - this day was no different. Throughout the day several people walked by, some stopped others didn't. So when this man approached to look at my picture I thought nothing of it. He asked if I was working in watercolor and I confirmed that it was my medium then he said,

"I don't want to freak you out or anything, but I stopped my car and parked it because I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen."

Any my response was to laugh and tell him he needed to get out of the house more. Then I said thank you and told him that was quite a compliment. Later, after the day was over, the painting finished, framed, judged and deemed "not a winner", I had dinner with my brother and his wife and told them about my day. Becca was quick to point out that even though I didn't win the prize money I was called "the most beautiful woman ever" by a complete stranger so the day wasn't a complete bust. Yeah, maybe. But I would rather have painted the most beautiful picture "ever".