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Flowers and a Paperweight

May 14, 2021 at 10:01 am by Claudia

The bridal veil spirea is in full bloom. Oh, how I love this bush! It’s down by the road. I’ll get some more photos with my big girl camera later today.

Aside from rampant allergies, all is well. We have to do some mowing today or tomorrow, but Don’s recycling this morning, as well as running to the grocery store, so I assume we’ll mow tomorrow.

I have had my eye on this paperweight from John Derian for almost two years. Derian is known for his decoupage, using vintage images. Once a year, he has a sale on seconds with minor imperfections. Last year’s sale did not include this particular item.

But this year’s sale did! There was only one available and I grabbed it for half off the original price. It was delivered the next day. All of these items are handmade in their studio. The glass is very heavy and it’s simply beautiful. I can see a couple of teeny bubbles, but they’re hardly noticeable and more importantly, they don’t bother me at all.

Isn’t it pretty?

Well, the CDC has given us new guidance on mask wearing and it’s very exciting. I am still a wee bit hesitant about not wearing one indoors, and for the time being, I’d have to wear one anyway as Governor Cuomo, as well as the Governor of New Jersey, have stated that our mandate is still in effect until they review the guidance with experts.

But it does give us a view of what might be happening soon.

All that being said, I think everyone has to do what he/she is comfortable with. We’ve been in the grip of this pandemic for over a year and hesitancy is to be expected.

I’m trying to figure out what I want to paint next. The jury is still out on the next ‘experiment.’

In the meantime, I finished the latest Jane Casey – she is such a wonderful writer! – and I’ve started to read Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart for the 100th time.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

My Dad’s Paintbox

May 13, 2021 at 10:13 am by Claudia

A little tour for you of my dad’s paintbox, with some commentary here and there:

The back, where the hinges are, has some duct tape on it – just two pieces. It must have seemed a bit rickety, so Dad secured it.

The top tray.

A bottle of linseed oil that leaked long ago. It’s now permanently attached to the wood. I tried to loosen it and it’s not budging.

Character.

The bottom tray. He had lots of brushes, some of which are unused, palette knives, big brushes for priming the canvas, I expect, and lots of oil paint.

Winsor and Newton has been going strong for a long time. My oils are made by Winsor and Newton, and so are Dad’s.

I remember Grumbacher paints and brushes. They’re still being sold today.

Dad’s palette and a Grumbacher brush.

Now I remember dad occasionally watching Bob Ross on PBS.

I think the box itself is a work of art. Well used tubes of paint, brushes, solvents, cleaners, paint marks – it’s all lovely to me.

It was airing out on the funky patio all day yesterday. I’m going to do it again today. Hopefully, that musty smell (which isn’t all that bad) will dissipate.

Some of the brushes are new, still in the package, so I might use them. Or I might just leave everything as is in homage to my dad, who found peace through painting, a respite from the demons that sometimes plagued him.

I’m so honored to have it here at the cottage.

Love you, Daddy.

Happy Thursday.

The First Attempt

May 12, 2021 at 9:45 am by Claudia

Yesterday afternoon, I decided to jump in and give oil painting a try. I printed out several photos from my photo library – landscapes I thought might work – set up my little studio on the kitchen table, and jumped in.

It ain’t easy and I have much to learn.

But I’m fairly pleased with the result, considering that I have never painted in this form. Furniture for the dollhouse? Yes. Furniture for my real house? Yes. But that’s it.

I’m forcing myself share this process as I explore this entirely new world. I posted this on IG as well.

This is a scene in the English countryside, from a photo taken when Don and I were on the train heading to Edinburgh.

Don, who is my biggest supporter, was raving about it. I think he had no idea what I might or might not come up with! He thinks I can do anything, God bless him.

I didn’t know it, but he was sneaking around taking photos of me while I was painting.

I am aware that my palette is messy. Other painters seem to be much more organized than I was this first time out! I changed some elements of the photo, and not necessarily on purpose. I was simply allowing myself to be and discover.

The studio annex – in the kitchen. The kitchen gets the best light in the house. Our studio upstairs doesn’t really get any good light until late in the afternoon. Luckily, Don loves seeing creative works-in-progress in the kitchen. I don’t know if you remember, but my very first dollhouse rehab took place entirely in this kitchen.

I stashed some of my supplies in the old soda crate. If this new endeavor sticks, I’ll buy a tabletop easel, but for now, this little box/easel seems to work fine.

And, at the end of the day as we were doing the dinner dishes, who should appear but Alan, our UPS driver, with a big box containing my dad’s paintbox! It’s musty smelling and one of the compartments has a bottle of linseed oil that leaked decades ago and is now a permanent part of the box. I’m thrilled it’s here. I’ll take some photos of it today. It was too dark last night.

Okay. I have to add some top soil, sow some seeds, water the indoor plants, and do some weeding. That involves going to the shed, which is right next to the robin’s nest, and the protective dad keeps yelling at us and chases us all the way back to the house.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Flowers and a Paperweight

My Dad’s Paintbox

The First Attempt

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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