We are at the end of our first week on the new blog posting schedule. It’s worked out very well for me. Though I loved the discipline of writing every day, having three days free at this point has been very nice indeed. I still have to write ‘Blog’ and ‘No Blog’ in my planner, but it will soon become habit.
So remember (if you somehow missed my post about the change) Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are the days I’ll be posting. I will not post on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
For the past three days, I’ve been working on a painting based on a photo I took of one of the roses in the memorial garden. I’m more pleased with it than I thought I would be! It’s still very much ‘in progress.’
Here’s what I have so far:
I’ve just sketched in the leaves as they were in the photo.
I find I love – just as I did with the Pottery series – the process of adding and subtracting and refining that comes with a little time away from the painting. I often discover that I’ve been looking at a portion of the subject the wrong way, that I’ve been missing a little detail.
A big bonus: I tend to lose myself in the process. I think there’s no better feeling than that.
I was going to paint upstairs in the office but it’s a bit too warm up there in the summertime and I find I like painting at the kitchen table. Don is usually around, often strumming his guitar, and I like knowing he’s there. There’s a shared creative energy in the space. Plus, the light is much better in the kitchen, which has windows on every wall.
I am a beginning explorer of this medium, someone who grew up feeling that my talents were focused elsewhere, that Dad and a couple of my siblings had the talent for this particular medium, not me. That was fine, because I knew I was a singer and an actor and that I would make my living in the theater someday. I knew I’d been blessed.
But I can’t help thinking how chuffed my dad would be to see me playing with paint. I often think of him during these sessions. I miss him.
And to add to that, we began watching another Nordic series last night and one of the lead actors looked so much like my brother that it momentarily took my breath away. He could be his twin.
I miss him, too.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
Lovely painting. Losing yourself in the process is the best feeling in the world, isn’t it? It’s been too long since I’ve been there and I miss it.
hej, shanna …
i hope and pray that all is well for you and your husband and that you have time and supplies enough to draw, paint or whatever else you want to do, that you get that “losing yourself in the process” feeling very often!
happy saturday and stay safe! keep cool, too.
kathy
Thanks Kathy. Things are better for my husband. Enjoy your weekend and your projects.
Will you be able to get back to it, Shanna? You’re such a wonderful artist.
Stay safe.
Aw, thanks, Claudia. I’m really the only thing standing in my way right now. Cancer has been put on the back burner for the time being. Only checks and scans continue. I just need to climb out of my rut.
I understand.
xo
lovely start to that painting, claudia!
i am glad you are pleased with it. i bet your father is, too, and that you are back to painting and enjoying it. :)
and how nice for you to hear don’s music while you paint!
what you described as “losing [your]self in the process” is what i had with running. i felt something rare for me … i felt very free when i could run. i miss that, don’t get it from walking (yet? i am not giving up on that!), but am trying to paint/sketch and write so much that i get that feeling again (and make progress on those children’s books). miss it. need it. glad you have it.
while i am ready for fall, it doesn’t seem like it should be the middle of august already. weird how time can feel, huh? it’s been so dry here that lots and lots of acorns have been dropping for the past couple of weeks. good for earl. the big state fair started two days ago; they won’t want rain, but i do.
trying to be productive so best get back to my list.
happy, safe saturday and sunday to you, don and everyone else!
kathy
You’ll get that feeling back, Kathy. If not through running, through walking and creating.
Stay safe.
Your painting is lovely. Yes, I’d say you had the family talent as well. We sure do miss our loved ones when they’ve gone. Your dad would be proud of you and all that you have accomplished. It must have been quite a shock to see your brother’s “twin” on tv. Enjoy your Sunday. Hugs, Elaine
I’ve seen the actor before, but he was younger then. Now, he really looks like my Dave.
Stay safe, Elaine.
Would we know this actor, Claudia? Also the name of the series?
I don’t know. You’d have to watch a lot of Scandinavian series. I saw him originally on Borgen, which was made several years ago. He’s older now. The series is The Investigation and it’s on Amazon Prime. He plays the prosecutor.
Well, my first comment didn’t take. I’ll try again. While out weeding yesterday I had the same thoughts you had yesterday about how flowers are blooming everywhere. It’s just magical out there right now. This year we’ve had the added bonus of dozens of sun flowers, gifts from the birds at the feeders in the back gardens.
Your beautiful rose reminds me of a yearly arts festival here call the Plein Air Festival after the 19th century movement in France where artists went out into the “fresh air” to paint what they found. The artists set up their easels all over town and you can go around and see the works in progress.
Take care,
Kay
I follow lots of plein air painters on Instagram. They’re outside, no matter the weather!
Stay safe, Kay.
Can you please tell me the name of the Nordic series you are watching? I’m sorry if you already mentioned it and I missed it. Thanks. Enjoy your day.
It’s The Investigation and it’s on Amazon Prime.
Your painting is lovely! You are definitely a gal with many, many talents.
Thank you, Cathy.
Stay safe.
I think your flower painting is very good. I’m glad the schedule is working for you and giving you some breathing room.
Happy Weekend!
Thank you, Marilyn.
Stay safe.
Claudia, I love how people show and celebrate their creativity in many ways. I hope your rose painting is the first in a series. I do love a good series!
I have painted scenes on furniture: a bookcase, a cabinet, and a desk. The process was so fun that I have an idea to paint miniatures on wood blocks that I have from rubber stamps that were never mounted onto the blocks. I have dozens in many sizes. But right now, I have to concentrate on the memory quilt made from my late husband’s t-shirts for my daughter and also sew an outfit for my niece’s wedding this coming Spring. Sometime it seems like too many ideas and too little time.
Thanks so much, Wendy.
Stay safe.
Your painting is lovely. More important is that you are enjoying it. Good for you. I need a hobby to get lost in.
Your blog is your blog. Post when you want to.
David was so handsome.
Thanks, Kay.
Yes, he was very handsome, my brother.
Stay safe.
I love that you are painting! Your story about the painting/your dad and all reminded me of our Greg and Kevin. Greg is a natural artist — genius in many ways. Kevin grew up as Greg’s brother when it came to art class — the one who couldn’t draw. he said he had no creativity. And yet now he designs and builds furniture. I couldn’t draw like my much younger cousin Patty as a kid. I wrote instead. Now Patty doesn’t paint often and I think (humbly) I’ve surpassed her, though our media is different. Point being — we can all do things we never really did and do them well when we choose to focus on them. And look at YOU!
I just wasn’t ready until the last year or so. I truly did have a voice in my head that were periodically say “You should try painting.” This happened over the course of a few years and I finally acted on it.
Thanks so much for your support, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
You are so talented, Claudia. The painting is lovely.
I’ve had a rough week in the hospital. Started Tuesday morning when I woke with a pounding heart and other scary symptoms. Had my first ambulance ride to the ER and spent 4 days before coming home yesterday. It was caused by Afib but all is back to normal rhythm so I’m better and stronger each day. I’m catching up on posts I missed!
Oh, Ellen, that must have been very frightening! I’m so happy to hear that all is well now.
Thinking of you and sending a prayer.
Stay safe.
oh, ellen! sorry for your trouble, but glad and thanking God that you didn’t ignore your feelings, that you got checked out and are now back home. hope you can rest and relax.
will be praying for you!
kathy
So sorry to hear this, Ellen, but sounds like you did all the right things and are on the side to now mend. Wishing you a good recovery!! 🩶
I’m glad the new schedule is working out for you. I already forgot that you were posting on Saturday…not Sunday. Hence, the day late commenting…lol!
I love that rose you painted…so lifelike. Is that complete…or are you adding more to that! It’s complete in my mind. I love the feeling of getting lost in whatever you are doing. I need that again. After all the preparation for the wedding, where I was constantly busy, now I find myself searching for things to do. Guess it’s time to find a new hobby.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I added a bit more, but it’s pretty much finished.
Time to find a new hobby, Donnamae! That will be fun!
Stay safe.
Your rose is beautiful!!!
Thank you so much, Jenny!
Stay safe.
I am catching up on reading your blog. We have had a lot of company. Four days with my best friend since 2nd grade and her hubs for 4 days, (from Colorado) then three days later our nephews and wives were here for four days from California. and a day later a cousin of my hubs and his daughter were also here from California. Exhausted!! In the middle of this we are trying to clear out his sister’s condo in Madison since she passed. He is Executor and there is a LOT to do!! She had sooooo many antiques she collected over her 88 years. Beautiful things, but no one in the family has room or wants them now. We have antique dealers coming in. So much glass-ware and antique clocks, etc.
Your flower painting is lovely!! I love the rose….great job.
Another indictment. I still don’t think much will happen with all of their delays. I guess I have lost my hope.
Hope your mowing went well. We had rain yesterday!!!!!!!!!!! Like a little miracle! 90’s are forecast for the weekend. ugh. Take care.
The hope is that there are now indictments and that Jack Smith and Fani Willis are much smarter than either Trump or his attorneys.
Don’t lose hope, Chris.
So glad you got some rain – finally!
Stay safe.