Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

You are here: Home / Archives for oil painting

Oil Painting and Sophie

at by

Finished!

This one took a long time. Between coaching and a slew of other things going on, there was a long period of time between the last time I worked on it and yesterday, when I finally finished. I don’t recommend it. I felt a little disconnected and had to work hard to get back in the ‘groove.’

This is number ten in the Pottery Portraits series. The pattern on this vase is Dahlrose.

I’m pretty pleased with the results.

Sophie was demanding a change of clothes, so I complied. After all, she’s fairly quiet most of the time, so I can hardly complain.

When she arrived in the mail, I soon thought of all my sheep and the fact that they might make a nice addition to a photo. I believe a reader of this blog suggested it, too. I started with this needle-felted lamb that I’ve had for a long time. The lamb, my teddy bear, and Maggie Rabbit always accompanied me on long stints in Hartford.

Sophie loves animals and is a vegetarian like her mom.

Good for you, Sophie!

The dress was made by an Etsy seller: Rose and Cacao. She also made those overalls Sophie wore with her Beatles t-shirt. The boots were made by Crafty by Cora, another Etsy seller.

This might be one of my favorite dresses.

Today, I have to run an errand, wash the sheets, unclog the bathtub drain (what fun) – that kind of thing. Don is already off running errands.

Tomorrow I coach Ben. We rescheduled this morning’s session because he has a whopper of a headache. Next Sunday, I take the train to NYC and then on to Queens, where I’ll be coaching Anastasia  for two days. This Friday, I have to get the PCR Covid test; you’re supposed to get it 72 hours before starting work.

A busy time ahead, between Anastasia, private coaching, and preparing for 6 weeks in NYC.

My nephew updated us yesterday. Greta has a cyst and an abdominal blockage. She hasn’t eaten since Monday and she can’t keep anything down. We’re very worried. I can’t quite remember how old she is, but she’s around 8 or 9 years old. Too much for a little girl.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Catching Up

at by

I don’t have to coach today which is a blessing. Because of the time difference between Ben’s place in London and my cottage, coaching usually occurs smack dab in the middle of the day and, for whatever reason – mostly because it takes a lot of energy to coach, I’m tired at the end of the session so nothing else gets done. Yesterday, I went on a walk beforehand, had some lunch, and then did prep for the upcoming session. I’m glad I got the walk in, but heavens, there’s a lot that needs to be done around here.

So, that’s on the agenda for today, as well as some time spent painting. As you can see, the vase has some texture in the form of those cream colored marks throughout the lower part of the vase. I’m going to attempt that today.

It’s a rainy day here today. We had thunderstorms last night, but today’s rain is a gentle one.

I’m also planning on finishing The Chalk Pit  today. I’ve been preoccupied lately with two jobs upcoming and ironing out all those details, so I’ve neglected my reading.

And it looks like my doll will be delivered today. Hurrah!

Side note: Do you believe those idiots in Florida and Texas are calling women ‘host bodies?’ Maybe I should call them ‘sperm receptacles.’

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Walking and Painting

at by

Lately, I’ve been walking a lot more. It’s good for me, of course, but I also want to get in shape for NYC, where I’ll be walking a lot, jumping on the subway, and walking some more. The pace in the city takes some getting used to – and you have to be in shape. Since it’s been more than a year and a half since I’ve done anything in the city, it’s time to take it up a notch.

Sometimes I walk by myself, but my favorite walks are with Don. Some photos from yesterday’s jaunt:

The creek and the river are back to normal.

There is an old grist mill across the street from us. It was in continual operation from around 1780 until not long before we moved here. It has since been converted to a restaurant under several owners. It looks like it didn’t recover from the pandemic as it’s closed. These hydrangeas are outside the entrance.

Standing on the grist mill deck. Our house is on the other side of those trees, just across the road. Hello, handsome!

I have a coaching session this afternoon with Ben.

I painted for a while yesterday afternoon and it was very calming. My anxiety has been flaring up again, so I’m seeking out activities that keep me grounded. Painting is one of them. Walking is another. As is mowing the lawn.

As is not watching or reading the news, which both of us – within reason – have vowed to do.

Hanging in there.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives