Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Painting the Garden

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Rain, rain, go away! It’s been raining non-stop for two days. It’s cold. It’s dark outside.

I’m over it.

I finished Nine Coaches Waiting this morning and then I proceeded to explain to Don just why this author has been so dear to me for over 50 years. And that I realize something new about her writing, her skill, each time I re-read one of her books. There are few authors who describe place and atmosphere better than Mary Stewart. I don’t think I realized that when I was 13, but I surely do now.

A pleasure.

I finished a painting yesterday. My interpretation of The Secret Garden.

You may like it or you may not, but I’ll be frank; Mary Engelbreit wrote to me and said, “I just love this, Claudia!” so I’m quite chuffed. My day is made.

I painted another mini piece, but I have a bit more to do on it today.

As you might suspect, my husband is my biggest cheerleader (besides Mary, of course). He takes in every detail and talks to me about what he sees.

I love him.

More reading, cleaning, laundry, and painting today. And rain, of course.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

 

Comments

  1. This is a wonderful painting! It makes me want to step right in and sit down and take in the beauty of this space.

    Well Done,

    Kaye

  2. How nice that you are getting so much enjoyment out of this! These are turning out great!

  5. Wonderful painting! It too makes me want to step in, sit down and enjoy the details.
    Marion

  7. Sun just break’in out here on the foggy SoCalif coast. It’s in the forecast for as far as they’ll, well, forecast, so we’ve gone from a lot of May Gray to what will now be June Gloom; but, in this case, I’m glad for it because what follows is just more drought-trauma summer and heat.

    But to your photo and post: I’m impressed. Not only because you’re so good so fast with oil painting, but that you also got a weigh-in from the famous Mary Engelbreit (I have a lot of her books and save all of her calendars from past years). To get a positive review from a pro when you’re just starting out, wow; means so much!

  9. I love the painting! You have such a talent for it, did you know that about yourself or are you surprised?

  11. The painting is just lovely. I want to get my book and a cup of Throat Coat tea (sore throat & cold going on) & drift away. We had that weather last week, ugh. It is sunny & pretty here, but very cool. We had to cover everything on Friday night again & we did have frost. Really over THAT!!

    So, instead of time in your painting, I think I will take a nap & hopefully wake up feeling better. Take care.

    • So sorry you’re not feeling well, Chris.

      Love Throat Coat. Drank it a lot, especially when I was still acting.

      Stay safe!

  15. Claudia, your painting of the Secret Garden is beautiful and I hope to see it displayed
    in your cottage soon. Not famous but certainly chuffed by your artwork.

    P.S. My keyboard skills have died with only an iPad in the house.

  16. So dry here the grass crackles…supposed to get some rain this week. A friend In Iowa has had rain for two weeks almost every day…she says everything is so green. This painting: Okay…I seldom give opinion on art that “friends” do…or stories and books they write unless I am editing for them…when I see this, I picture two friends sitting in the chairs talking about their favorite books…perhaps Louise Penny or a nonfiction selection…perhaps a NANA with her grandchild talking about a favorite story or book…perhaps a loving couple taking some time to enjoy nature and each other…this painting talks to me…brings out emotional feelings…not sure I know this Mary who complimented you, but the compliments of your husband are the best there are. Prayers…

    • Mary is a famous artist/illustrator.

      Thank you for your lovely reaction to the painting, Brenda!

      Stay saFe!

  17. Hi :)
    I am proud of myself (but way more proud of you!) bc I recognized right away that this was your Secret Garden even before I saw your words! It’s beautiful, and yes, it does feel very Impressionistic to me too. And, for what it’s worth, my sweet neighbor who is well into her 90’s just told me that her mother used to call rain “liquid sunshine”, which now of course I can’t stop thinking about when I am looking out at it. Bright side: at least up here, we really needed some!
    Take care!

  18. Your painting really caught my eye….it’s a simple but oh sombeautiful rendition of peaceful place that radiates tranquility and charm

  21. Congratulations on this one – just have to add my appreciation for this one. Absolutely to cherish.
    XOXO (deux bises, dans le sud on donne trois)

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