Still Painting

  In progress......

Reorganizing my work schedule and goals since leaving the Lorton Workhouse Art Center.  I must say it feels great not having the obligations of time which was required at the center.  My goals have also changed as to painting time and organizing a plan for selling my work that is requiring lots of research.   Having a marketing background does help, but the changes in the economy is a huge consideration.  Is art a luxury or a need?  I think that people need to continue having beauty and comfort in their lives, so I intend to keep painting.  This is a new painting I am working on and think it will bring a brightness to an otherwise stressful world.  Makes me happy painting it!!!

July 31, 2011 - Upcoming Exhibits

Just returned from downtown DC after dropping off my paintings.  My four Monopoly board corners (pixs shown in previous posting) were selected to go into the August Exhibit at Touchstone Gallery -  901 New York Avenue, NW.  The reception is this Friday, August 5th - 6-8:30pm.  The exhibit will be on display until August 27th.  Hope to see lots of people at the opening.  This is my first venture into downtown DC and looking forward to the feedback on my work.

Finishing up another giant gumball machine painting...similar to the first one, but with a twist (of course).  Also, have about 5 other paintings on the drawing board or in my head (I work out my concepts in my head, then start the sketches)...lots of work to do before the autumn festivals.

Mark your calendar as I will be participating in the following venues:

September 11th:   Adams/Morgan Festival in DC - 18th Street NW & Belmont Streets.

September 17th - 18th: Inner Harbor Festival in Baltimore.  Beautiful area.

October 8th - 9th:  Fairfax Corner Art Festival on Monument Drive (center where PF Chang's and 14 movie theatres is located.)

Thanks for reading this...please share your blogs or comments with me.

Commission Completed

Some artists paint portraits of people as a commission...I paint portraits of crayons!

Painting crayons is a lot more fun and you don't have to worry about getting the eyes just right!  And, flesh colors are so drab...  it's definitely more fun painting giant crayons.  This painting is 44" x 20"....going to hang in a kitchen in Florida.

Working on some new ideas for upcoming shows.

Speaking of upcoming shows...I will be in the Touchstone Gallery Mini-Solo Exhibit in DC during August.  I will post the invitation to the opening soon.

My four Monopoly Corners will be featured.

These are traveling paintings as they are currently in an exhibition at Herndon Artspace through Sunday, July 3rd - 750 Center Street. 

More later.....

I'm Back!!!!

After returning from the France trip...I lost my momentum in posting.  I apologize and hopefully I can continue now with new happenings.  I will blame my lack of activity on the wonderful laid-back attitude of the French.  I definitely think their attitude helped me realize that "you really don't have to work or stay busy every waking moment of the day." 

Therefore with some planning, I am trying to keep the calmness I built up in France.

The goal is to reduce my involvement in too many activities - mainly volunteering and setting priorities.

What is your passion?  That was the qustion I asked myself.  What makes me happiest other than being with my wonderful family and friends?  It is most definitely - painting.  Painting is the most frustrating, yet rewarding function of my life.  It was my favorite activity at the age of 8 and still is today.

Okay.  I will start posting more and sharing new work and any art related activities  and opportunities that may interest everyone.

This is a new painting I completed a couple of months ago. 36x48 acrylic.  "Gumballs" is one of several pieces I have completed in my "Fun & Games" series.  The paintings are of fun, colorful objects that relate to memories and fantasy.  As a representational painter.....it's all about interpretation of the realistic. 



DAY 31 - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH

ROAD TRIP TO MONT ST. MICHEL

From a distance looks like something from space!

No cars allowed inside the walls. Cars can park only during low tide (which they post inside the wall so you can move your car in time.

Post Office

Main Street with shops, restaurants, a couple of small hotels.

Up and up...lots of steps. But I am prepared!

View from top of low tide and stream through the fields.

Inside the main abbey. Since it was founded by Monks, the design is simple and sparce - no paintings or stained glass.

The cloisters on top with a garden.

The very top steeple

St. Michel in gold on top (glad I don't have to clean it!!)

In the 1300's Mont St Michel was a meeting place for the knights and their armies. The soliders had to check their weapons at the gate. Ths knights did not. The knight's hall with 8 large fireplaces where the knights gathered. The building was started in 700 or 800 and the first phase was finished in 1100. So you get the idea. Layers and layers of buildings on top of each other. Amazing feat of architecture and engineering. (And they didn't have computers!)

Architechure design of columns and ceiling to hold the floors above...we are talking very thick and heavy stones!

During the French Revolution in the 1600's the island was used as a prison and many carvings were defaced.






Mont St. Michel is a must see if you get to this area of Brittany (actually it is just inside the Normandy provence.

DAY 30, Monday, September 27th

Errand day. Went to Intermarche to purchase last minute gifts of brandy and cognac and food items. Last trip to the laundry mat. Then we did the Sightseeing trolley that has been making a u-turn in front of our house every 45 minutes for the last 30 days!

Bumping along over the cobblestone streets...

Castle of Princess Ann of Dinan - 1200's.

St. Malo Cathedral - Dinan - completed in 1400.

Fun day!

Information about the cottage in Dinan, France...

Several people have asked about the work space and cottage, so here are some photos. It’s small, only two people would be comfortable here. The studio is appx. 12’x12’ with a clean-up sink. There are seven track lights, one big wooden easel, a couple of straight back chairs, two small tables and two comfortable chairs. (We did tell them at the reception it would be really wonderful to provide a folding work table and a desk-type chair on wheels with a comfortable seat and back.) There are two big windows so I imagine in the summer you would keep these open while working (there is no a/c so I am not sure about weather in the summer months). Wall unit heaters in each room that heat quickly. I did enjoy the fresh air with the windows open.



Le Vignette (gate to the left goes to main House/Museum high on the hill above.)

Main Studio Room

Small Kitchen

The kitchen is well equipped with pots, pans, plates, glasses, etc. Small undercounter refrigerator (has ice). Double stainless steel sink, electric stove and oven and a microwave (which we never mastered other than 30 second express). Also, a bread toaster. Small table with two chairs. It works and easy to use.

A collector's tub!

The bathroom is the oddest part. It has a full bath, but parts on two floors. The first floor had a toilet and odd tub/shower combination. The tub is two levels for sitting with a deeper level for standing for a hand-held shower. The sink and bidet are on the second floor inside one of the bedrooms. So it takes some planning.


One bedroom is larger with a double bed and the second is smaller with a three-quarter bed - comfortable enough and have useable linens.