Today’s version of the line-up.
Gloomy skies, a bit of rain this morning and the possibility of thunderstorms this afternoon. Tomorrow might actually be a dry day. And Friday, as well. I won’t know what to do with myself!
There’s not much to report. I was feeling a bit under the weather yesterday because of the ongoing rain (allergies to mold and mildew) but these things usually last for one day. I’m feeling better today. But, because I was feeling not so hot, I didn’t do much, except vacuum, water plants, and make the bed.
I think I might start another painting today. Don is, as I write this, trying to figure out how to use the portable background screen that we’ll use for his self-tape auditions. (It’s huge! Much bigger than I imagined.) We bought it from B&H in Manhattan, our favorite source for cameras, etc. Trying to find any spare space in this cottage to do this kind of thing is challenging, but the screen itself becomes a temporary background wall and we need that. But it’s more STUFF – and that, we don’t need. Ah, well.
We were talking about Bastille Day while we were having coffee this morning and, in reading about it on Wikipedia, we saw this painting by Monet:
Rue Montorgueil, Paris, Festival of 30 June 1878 – his depiction of the first celebration of the French Republic. This celebration eventually led to an annual celebration on July 14.
But look at this painting! My heavens, Monet was brilliant. With slashes of paint, he has recreated the energy, the crowds, the flags blowing in the wind…it’s mind-boggling. The more I study it, the more I am amazed. I love everything about this painting. I could study it for hours.
Studying paintings is something I’ve always loved to do but now that I am making my stab at painting in oils, I look at them differently.
And boy oh boy, am I humbled.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I love that Monet—of course, I love most things Monet. Wish I could be so free with my brushstrokes! (I keep thinking I will, but life gets in the way of my painting. Pfttttt.)
Your Roseville group is beautiful. Glad you are doing it and are getting so much enjoyment out of it, too. It really can be a satisfying pastime, huh?
I feel like we have been living underwater for a year and a half. I need to get a deep lung-full of airrrr! Pleeease.
It is very satisfying, Shanna.
Get that deep lung-full of air, Shanna! You deserve it, my friend.
Stay safe.
Your line-up of paintings looks lovely! I like the variety of background colors you have chosen. They really highlight each vase nicely!
Thank you so much, Ellen!
Stay safe.
I LOVE your paintings!
When you decide to take commissions, I would love a painting of the Roseville peony jardiniere and pedestal that my Grandmother paid .50/week on lay away for in the early 1940’s.
I feel your pain with the green screens being huge. My husband needs to use them for business meetings. He has tried at least 3. They are all huge. A necessary evil but hard to deal with in our tiny, shared office. The first one was attached to the ceiling on a metal pole right over my head as I sit at my desk. I felt like I was going to be clobbered on the head! Needless to say, he moved on to a different scenario. :)
Enjoy the day!
I bet that peony jardiniere/pedestal is gorgeous!!
We spent a good two hours figuring out how to fold that screen back up for storage yesterday. It was insanely difficult!
Stay safe, Betsy.
I was hoping you would show us your painting line-up! The little paintings are beautiful on the piano. Bravo!
Thank you very much, April!
Stay safe.
i am so happy for you to have listened to that thought or feeling and pursued painting. your talent is obvious and we gain from seeing your art, but mostly i am glad for the enjoyment you feel with painting. :)
they all look wonderful individually and especially lined up together on the piano like that.
and i agree with betsy … please let us know when you want to take commissions and i’ll order clouds and landscapes for me! :)
hope you’re feeling better by now. good luck with the rain and allergies. we might get some rain today. i hope so! unlike what you and some others said yesterday, i could happily live in a rainy place. more rain that sun? i’m fine with that … happy, as long as my family is with me.
happy wednesday. stay safe!
kathy in iowa
You are very kind, Kathy.
Allergies are still haywire, but the sun came out yesterday after days and days of no sun.
Stay safe.
Your paintings really work well in a line-up. Love them all together like that. And Monet? My favorite, can’t say more than that.
I’m thrilled you are getting some sunny days….whatever will you do? I’m having friends over for lunch…our monthly catch-up. Enjoy your day! ;)
I pulled some weeds yesterday when the sun came out unexpectedly. And mowed a bit, but it was later in the day and way too hot. I won’t do that again!
Stay safe, Donna.
Quite frankly, I probably would’ve done the same thing, forgetting to pace myself. That’s what happens when we are sun deprived! ;)
Exactly!
xo
I think this painting is one of Monet’s most brilliant. The placement of color is so deliberate and yet it looks anything but. It captures every bit of energy of a wildly enthusiastic crowd celebrating the holiday. It has tremendous power to it. I know what you mean about studying things differently now that you have started painting. Me, too — down to the bit of looking at something outside — a landscape or tree, even — and trying to count all the colors and variations and think “what colors do I need to mix together to get that bright highlight of yellow green against the darker part in shadow?” I have yet to master it and admire those who do.
I love the current line-up. They’re well placed on the piano. The colors of the backgrounds work so well together!
Keep painting!
It sparks a whole new way of looking and observing, doesn’t it?
Thanks so much, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
Look what you’ve accomplished, Claudia! It’s a wonderful line-up and such a tribute to Roseville. You’ve got the colors down so perfectly; I LOVE THE COLORS.
An aside: Am I the last person on earth to hear about this, called Joints for Jabs? Remember when you lived in San Diego, about hearing of certain beach communities in L.A. County: “In an effort to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, Long Beach residents who get the jab at a pop-up clinic next week will get a free marijuana joint.” (Article posted on local TV in Los Angeles.) I guess in areas of the world, this has been an incentive (one of all kinds of incentives) for at least the past six weeks. You’d think the greatest incentive to going through with a vaccination would be the prevention of illness and death!
I heard about that just recently. It would work well at Ocean Beach, where Don and I met. There are a lot of regulars there who would go for it.
Stay safe, Vicki!
Your paintings carry such a lovely calming energy Claudia!!!
Your thoughts on Monet and artwork in general do reflect mine as well.
No sign of rain here in B.C. ….things don’t seem very balanced these days .
Hope you feel better!
Perfect way of describing it. Everything is out of balance.
Stay safe, Grace!
Your vase series is wonderful! Those colors have to cheer you up. Maybe that’s why you choose them for this rainy weather you are having.
I can’t believe this is your first attempt at painting. Good for you!
Thanks so much, Kay. I like to think Dad is smiling down on me.
Stay safe!
The last one is my favorite. You are amazing as always.
Thank you so much, Brenda. You are very kind!
Stay safe.