Donna Vines Studio

Riding the waves

2012-02-01T19:15:00.000-08:00

A few years ago my grandson Nic was here for a visit. We went to Cocoa Beach and he took a few surfing lessons. It was a great day for surfing. A storm front was moving in so there were waves and clouds and it felt a lot wilder than it really was. To an eleven year old it was the pipeline off the North Shore of Hawaii.
I always loved the photo I took of him when he finally got up and "rode a wave" into shore so I decided to do a painting that would show him in action.

Another Direction

2012-01-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you have to change things up a little. It can be something as simple as doing Plein Air instead of staying in the studio or changing your medium. Change can be scary, it is safe to stay with what you are good at or know but change can be good. If you remember that it is only paint and don't take it too seriously it can be fun.
This is an abstract using acrylics. I like acrylics when doing a more free form painting because you can thin it and it has a flow to it. Also the colors can be very rich. Acrylics dry quickly so you have to paint fast which can be very freeing.
This painting reminds me of the Southwest and I have no idea why but that is what I think of when I look at it. That is the fun of abstract it can be anything to anyone.

Sometimes just for fun is the best

2011-12-02T20:59:00.000-08:00

I have just returned from a family Thanksgiving in New England. This is the first time that both of my children, their spouses and all the grandchildren have been together for a holiday, and it was wonderful. I am lucky enough to have grown grandchildren, teenagers and toddlers so it made for a lot of fun, a lot of rowdiness and a lot of girlie stuff.
While I was with my oldest granddaughter she showed me where she had hung a fun little piece I did for her last year. I remember seeing this technique in a magazine by an artist named Vanessa Valencia. For some reason I immediately thought of my granddaughter, so of course I had to try it and of course I had to expand on it.

After collaging a support with quotes and sayings relevant to her, I used a wash and tissue to tone it down. I copied a photo, cut it out, glued it to cardstock, then added her dress using shredded sheet music. She always loved butterflies so I gave her one as a "Fascinator".

Seeing how much she treasured this made me realize that there are many ways to express yourself and sometimes just for fun is the best.

The long way home

2011-11-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

After being on the road in some form or fashion since September I finally feel like I'm home. Of course being home means being around all the things you love and feel comfortable with but it also means doing lots of catch up to get these things you love and feel comfortable with back.
First you have to wade through all of the mundane tasks that make the wheels go round, like the mail, paying bills, doing all the laundry, cleaning up the house, weeding, answering email etc. etc. After all of this is at least given a first pass you get to think about doing some painting. One of the good things that come out of having to go through and reorganize your work space is you come across a piece that you really like or enjoyed painting. This is one of the pieces that I really had fun painting. It was painted during a workshop and I loved the photo and the memories it envoked.

The Great Civil War Tour

2011-09-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

I spent the last two weeks traversing the countryside of Tennessee visiting Civil War sites. I have had a long fascination with this particular time in American history and have visited many battlefields in Maryland, Virginia and Georgia but my husband and I had never been to Tennessee and really wanted to visit that area.
We started our roadtrip at The Cumberland Gap (which is really in Kentucky) through Knoxville, Munfreesboro, Franklin, Nashville to Shiloh via the beautiful Natchez Trace, down into Corinth Ms and over to Chattanooga. Just for good measure we did Lookout Mountain, Chicamauga and Kennesaw Mountain Battlefields on the way back to Florida.
One of the highlights of the trip was an artillery demonstration at Shiloh. The men always come at least the day before and set up camp. They love to talk about their "company", share their feelings about why they do what they do, the importance of being authentic and the respect they have for the soldiers who fought in these battles. You cannot help but be moved when you visit any of our National Battlefields.

Collage Workshop Day 1

2011-09-12T17:33:00.000-07:00

Paper Paintings Workshop, Elizabeth St. Hilare Nelson//follow Paper Paintings on Facebook or elizabethsthilairenelson.blogspot.com

Saturday morning 16 happy, enthusiastic artists, all loaded down with years worth of the most interesting papers you have ever seen settled in for two days of learning and sharing. Elizabeth started the workshop with a demonstration of painting and stamping your own papers. We discussed different kinds of papers, how they reacted, where to find them and using common objects to make interesting designs.

After Elizabeth does several sheets we all gave it a try

Elizabeth's beautiful rabbit!!

Correction and a flurry of activity

2011-09-10T05:41:00.000-07:00

I stand corrected in some of the information I posted about my upcoming collage workshop. Elizabeth does not use magazines in her collages, she feels they wrinkle too much. I am really sorry about that. Of course this news inspired a new fluffy of activity on my part. I started painting papers like a madwoman.
I used all of the methods that Elizabeth suggest plus some experiments of my own. I did lots of reds and oranges for my apple and got a jump start on the blues I will need for my second painting.
I also broke out a new apron for the occasion!! I love aprons and I know this one will keep me smiling.

Getting ready for Paper Paintings

2011-09-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

This week-end I will be lucky enough to attend a collage workshop right here in Viera. The instructor is Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson and her website is www.nelsoncreative.com/gallery. Her approach is a little different in that she not only uses magazines for her collages but she makes and hand colors many of her papers. She also likes to use found and personnel papers that have a connection to what she is doing.
Taking a workshop with such a creative and talented artist is a great oppurtunity and I am so looking forward to it, especially after my unplanned hiatus from art this summer. I am hoping this will get my creative juices flowing again and bring me back to my easel.

Checking my paper supplies

drawing my apple for our first excercise

Blocking in my colors with acrylic paints. This very rough painting will help guide me when it comes to shadowing and lights and darks.

Wetting your feet

2011-09-04T07:13:00.000-07:00

After so many weeks of inactivity it felt wonderful to hold a brush again but after several tries everything I did seemed forced and flat. I felt like I had forgotten how to paint! Where was my spark? When I took out my palette knife to scrape yet another attempt a little light came on, why not use the knife to move some paint around, play a little, put some color on the canvas?
The mind is a strange instrument. Palette knife paintings are just as challenging as using a brush but somehow it seemed to free me up. I began to enjoy myself. I stopped trying so hard and got into the process of painting, looking at blocks of color, moving the paint around and getting lost in the process. Maybe the lesson is if you can't do what you normally do, just do something.

Donna, Carol and Courtney do London and Paris

2011-06-30T19:02:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a wonderful two week trip to London and Paris. I went with friend and fellow artist Carol Schiff and her 16 year old granddaughter Courtney. It was wonderful to enjoy these great cities with someone who had never been and is so full of life and energy.

Something lighter

2011-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

My friend and fellow artist Carol and I decided to have some fun with collage again. We weren't quite sure of what to do so we decided to use a wonderful photograph she had of a geisha and see what we could come up with.. The contrasts between her subtly beautiful silk gown and elaborate black hair were wonderful and the mood they evoked was softness and a feeling of gentleness.

Something completly different?

2011-05-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

I wish I could take the credit for originating this type of collage but alas I can't. I was directed to this wonderful collage artist, Danny Phillips, and just loved his use of textures, subjects and colors so much I just had to try this technique.
One of the hardest things about doing collage is the backgrounds. It is a delicate balance to find the right amount of "busyness". Not enough background can make it boring and too much can overwhelm your focal point. Using paper strips to make a weathered building look, Danny has found a wonderful way to showcase his subject matter. I used his background technique but choose a different type of subject. I love old postcards, trunk stickers, advertising and moves posters, anything nostalgic seems to appeal to me. I used some old advertising to give this a real "old barn" look.

To see Danny's work go to Etsy http://www.dannyphillipsart.etsy.com/

Photo Shoot

2011-05-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is a photo shoot. Saying it that way makes it sound very exotic and professional instead of just saying walking around and taking pictures. Yesterday was a photo shoot day and Carol and I went to the old Eau Gallie area in Melbourne in the early a.m. and clicked away. It was great fun and just brought to mind what a beautiful and intersting area we live in. It was also wonderful to walk the neighborhoods and enjoy a bit of old Florida.
We got lots of great photos and hopefully lots of new paintings. Here is a small sampling of the many photos I took (thank heaven for digital cameras) you never know what paintings or collages will be inspired from these lovely images.

Is that John Wayne behind the Mesa?

2011-04-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting again and this time with acrylics and gels. It all sounds very scientific and complicated but it is simple and fun. All you have to do is spread a gel onto a painting surface and then see what happens.
I wanted to try some earth tones and just started spreading some thinned acrylic paints on the canvas. I let them drip and follow the crevices made by the gel, using my brush as little as possible. As it started to take shape it reminded me of a Southwest desert scene. That is what makes this so much fun, you don't know what you will create.

Add caption

An artist's work is never done

2011-04-12T19:28:00.000-07:00

Our group decided to do some Plein Air painting before the weather got too hot to be outdoors. One of our group lives right across the canal from a rowing training camp. Rowers from all over the world come there to train, including Olympic athletes. So, being patriotic, caring, supportive women we thought we would do some judging along with our painting. Let's just say not much flora or fauna got painted that day.

oh my!!

some very happy painters!!

Experimenting

2011-04-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at lots of different types of art lately. Collage of course, which I really am intrigued by, and some very non-traditional art which doesn't necessarily use paint but all kinds of different materials. I saw some wonderful painted figures with great dresses made out of shredded paper in an art magazine. They were so unique and whimsical I just had to try one.

My granddaughter loves Marilyn Monroe so I thought I would do a homage to Marilyn combining collage and a newspaper skirt. I had just the photo to do this. I also had an article about her and decided to use that for the collage background. If you look closely at the collage you will see that everything pertains to her and there are even some old photos included in the background. I photocopied the old photo, mounted it on card stock and then cut it out. I glued it on to the collage and then did the skirt. I only used paint on her lips and shoes. I decided to use a silver frame with an Art Deco feel for the finishing touch. My granddaughter loved it and so did I.

Tahitierinnen taking a bath

2011-03-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

Awhile ago our group "Pieces of Eight", decided to practice painting the masters for awhile. This was a great excercise for us. We spent a lot of time reading about various artists that we admired and copying their paintings, trying to learn their techniques. It was so interesting to find out how various painters treated light, used and mixed color, picked subjects etc. I think the main thing we learned was that there are as many ways to paint as there are painters. You can copy anyone but that is all it is, a copy. When you really paint or do anything creatively for yourself it is you that comes through.

I'm a Little Teapot

2011-03-21T05:21:00.000-07:00

I guess I am still in the mood for collage. My friend and fellow artist Carol came over last week for a "play date" and we decided to do another collage and just have some fun. I put a teapot on the workbench and we started tearing. We tried to use as many tea related items as possible, including old cook book pages and tea bag labels. I had some doilies and I used those as a place mat for the pot.

Ready for your closeup?

2011-03-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is a closeup of the collage for the quilt show. As you can see I took the Pear Tree part of the title very seriously. I had a lot of trouble with the background, it was just too busy, it kept detracting from the pears. I took it to group and everyone agreed it should be painted with acrylics, Carmen suggested yellow ochre, which I would not have thought of and that was it. Kathy gave me the wonderful orange and brown paper with the great design that really brought the piece together.

Collaborations

2011-03-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

This week the Seaside Quilters, of which are own member of the Pieces of Eight Denette, is a member and one of the originators of this great idea, had their Collaborations Show. The idea was to put together a quilter with an artist and let them decide what they would like to do. Some artists and quilters worked one on one and some artists had two quilters to work with. The result of these pairings was everything from Rhapsody in Blue to Buddha to Mosiacs to Dolls. It was a great show with lots of wonderful ideas and unique displays.

Partridge in a Pear Tree

My display, on the left was a collage. It was a tree made entirely of pears with a wonderful trunk

Chickens!! Best of Show Display

This was a wonderfully whimsical display with not only a wonderful quilt, on the left but also chicken dolls and a really fun chicken painting.

A good way to come back

2011-03-10T11:18:00.000-08:00

I am finally feeling able to get back to the studio and back to my blog. It has been a long time and although I have done some creative projects I am just getting back to that feeling of being back in the groove, whatever that groove may be.
We have a great addition to our group Kathy, who loves to take photos and share them. She took these photos at our group get together on Monday. I decided to do a marsh scene and it felt great. I had really forgotten that wondrous feeling of getting lost in a photo and trying to translate that photo to a painting. I also love marsh scenes. Marshes are so beautiful, they are so many subtle colors and there is so much more going on then your first realize.
This photo shows the snapshot I was painting from and below that is my interpretation of that snapshot. The painting is not quite finished but I hope you like it and thanks.

An apology

2010-11-24T17:34:00.000-08:00

To anyone that has visited my website in the last month or so I do apologise. I have had a lot of personal things going on and have not had time to paint or keep up my website. Hopefully I will be back to doing both again very soon.
Thank you
donna

Happy Accident

2010-09-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is one of the first palette knife paintings I did and it was out of frustration. I had been trying to capture the contrast between the valley of the mountains and the sky. It was very dramatic in the photo and I could not seem to show that in the painting. Out of frustration I scraped the whole painting and liked what was left. Adding texture and contrast seemed so much easier with a palette knife than with the brush. I really like the feeling of this painting

Daydreams

2010-08-24T07:55:00.000-07:00

When it is this hot for so long you start daydreaming about cooler places. I tend to daydream about the mountains or Maine. I have a love/hate relationship with Maine. I love it because it is not just one state but many, with many states of mind.

This is my friend's house in Maine in a small town about an hour from Bangor. It is not quite isolated but pretty close. She has a river behind the house that you can still canoe, kayak or tube on and go quite awhile without seeing someone. That is the love portion. The hate portion is that this playfulness is so fleeting.

Salt and Pepper

2010-08-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the most common objects can make interesting subjects. When you paint your always looking for "set ups", things to paint, tableau's whatever your call them or think of when searching. Sometimes you feel like doing people or landscapes of sometimes you just feel like really looking at something very ordinary and appreciating it's function or design.

It is Hot Hot Hot

2010-08-07T16:34:00.000-07:00

It seems like Florida is not the only hot place this summer, all of the U.S. seems to be in a "hotter than normal" mode. It is sometimes hard to work up the energy to do things you normally enjoy, like painting when it is like this. I decided to paint something cool and juicy to get me going. I used a palette knife for this so I could paint faster and eat up this refreshing treat.

Playing around

2010-08-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have been experimenting with other techniques other than painting and have just finsihed a tile, glass table. I took a workshop with a local tile artist and started the table in that workshop. It was great fun but much more time consuming than I thought it would be. The process can be tedious and labor intensive and I wish I had started with a smaller piece. I did enjoy it and am going to do some smaller pieces on my own.

This is the how the whole table looks

This is a close up of the top.

Finished Workshop Painting

2010-07-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

A while ago I posted some photos of a painting we were doing at Bill McCoy's workshop. My unfinished attempt sat in the corner for quite awhile with many good intentions. I hated that I could not get to it right away and each week that passed made it seem like a futile effort to even start but I finally dug out my notes and photos and went to it. I don't know how much different it would have looked if I had gotten to it sooner but as I was painting I kept thinking back to things Bill had told us and realized that I had actually retained and was using some information without realizing it.

Testing the waters

2010-07-20T08:28:00.000-07:00

I am back and hopefully for awhile. I have been blogging and posting on the Pieces of Eight blogsite and am going to try my own again.
The summer is hot, hot, hot and I have mountain envy. One friend is in the mountains and one is going and I am not so I am looking at old photos and paintings of my own mountain jaunts.
This is Childers Barn just down the road from a friends N.C. summer place. I just love the way it sits in the shadow of the mountain in a field of green upon green.

Part II of Workshop

2010-05-01T06:34:00.000-07:00

Part two of the workshop with Bill McCoy was last week and it went great. We had the choice of bringing in our first paintings to work on or do another with Bill. You could also just bring in your first painting if you were having problems or any questions and Bill would help you.
This painting was simplier but harder in a way. It was just a lone building on a marsh but it also had a buoy. First you had to decide if the building or the buoy were the main interest and how to make a big blob of color look interesting.
It was a wonderful excercise and I am including a few photos of Bill's lecture. His initial drawing and his nearly done final painting.

Along the river

2010-04-15T15:52:00.000-07:00

Painting Plein Air is so interesting. Sometimes there is so much to paint you are overwhelmed. Other times there is not much there or everything looks the same. You also never know what will catch your eye and excite you.
We were at a park that had a wonderful view of a Marina, houses, pelicans and distant views but it was these Palm Trees that caught my fancy. I think I am in a tree frame of mind.

Plein Air

2010-04-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Our group has been painting outside now for a few weeks and it has been heaven. It is so wonderful to be in the breezy shade lost in the feel of painting in the moment. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful places to paint in our area. We were at a small park along the river called Pineapple Park which has many majestic oak trees with wonderful strong forms that capture your eye.

workshop news

2010-03-23T07:07:00.001-07:00

The local workshop I just attended was really refreshing. It was a two day but only 1/2 day each day, which was new for me. I really enjoyed the pace. Usually you are so tired at the end of a day from all the concentration and focus and by the end of the workshop you are a puddle. Doing the workshop this way left you refreshed and wanting more!
Bill McCoy is a good teacher and his demos were great. I learned a lot about color mixing with a limited pallette. The first thing that teaches you is to take your time. A lesson I needed.
The second half of the workshop is in April and I am looking forward to it. We can finish our paintings on our own or bring them back and work on them at the workshop.

New Workshop

2010-03-18T01:03:00.001-07:00

I am lucky enough to be taking a workshop this week-end with a very talented local artist Bill McCoy. We will be doing a landscape which will be a great treat for me.
Looking back on some of my older paintings I found a small landscape I did of a fall marsh, I hope you like it.

Will we ever be warm again?

2010-03-03T06:33:00.001-08:00

This winter has been very cold for us Floridians. Even we newcomers are feeling the chill. It is hard to think of painting seascapes or plein air when you have to wear your fleece and gloves.
I will not complain too much because the northern states are dealing with cold, snow, wind, sleet and ice. I remember those elements all too well.
Here is a summery painting to help us remember spring is on the way.

New Projects

2010-02-23T06:03:00.000-08:00

After posting my beach photo I finally dug out some of my black and whites that I have been saving to color. I really enjoy the process and final result of the photos but it is hard to get started because it takes so long to get to a point where you see results, anyway it is for me.
I cleared an area of my worktable and decided I could do two things at the same time. I am writing this so I will have to follow through!!
Here are some fun jewels to look at while I start my new photos.

On my face was a big smile
when I looked at that sparkling pile
and I knew without fail
if I was offered the sale
I would have traded off Manhattan Isle

What is it about sparkly things?

2010-02-21T19:11:00.000-08:00

I was looking over some photos to post on my blog when I came across some of my hand colored black and white photos. One in particular caught my eye. It was a photo I took in Gloucester, MA. at Good Harbor Beach. It was a day in late fall when the beach was deserted and cold.
I love the colors you can create with the thin oils used for this process. It is a test of your patience but worth it.

Museum Day

2010-02-16T04:39:00.000-08:00

Several of the "Pieces" and myself spend the morning at the Vero museum. We went to see the 19th Century Marine Artist exhibit which was really wonderful. I grew up in Gloucester Ma. and had always been exposed to that kind of art but had forgotten how truly beautiful it was. The colors the "luminostiy" of the paintings and the way Bradford and Lane captured light, fog, sunsets and water were inspiring.
They also had an outdoor exhibit of sculpture, "Food For Thought" by Luis Montonya and Leslie Ortiz. That was playful and whimsical.
Seeing all these wonderful pieces just brought to mind how varying and creative the human mind is.

First Workshop Jitters

2010-02-08T04:54:00.000-08:00

The day is finally here
time to face all of our fear
even though your quite faint
remember...it's just paint
grab your brush, go forth and smear

Still in Workshop Mode

2010-02-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

The workshop has still not worn off. I had several days of downtime with a really bad headcold but as soon as I felt better I wanted to try another portrait of the same person. I am still working on it but was happy that I seemed to retain some of my "lessons learned".
I really tried looking at her face as shapes not eyes or a nose and I turned my canvas upside down and on it's side a few times. It is a wonderful excercise.
I am posting the portrait from the workshop and the still life. I am a slow painter so getting these done as much as they were is an accomplishment for me.

A new week

2010-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Well everything seems to be falling into place for some art time. My workshop is over and my new camera arrived!! I will finally be able to take some photos of my recent paintings for the blog, including my workshop paintings.
This week-end was my long awaited workshop with Sandy Johnson. Sandy is a very talented, well known artist, who lives in Melbourne. This was an oil workshop with a still life set-up the first day and a portrait on day 2. It sounds like a lot and it was but moved along at a doable pace with lots of time for questions and dialogue.
One of the best things about taking a workshop is seeing new techniques. Not just from the teacher but from other students. I think we all feel a little intimidated when we go into a room full of other artists. We worry about being judged, being the worst artist in the group, what will others think of us etc. etc. Once we cross that threshold and start setting up all that seems to go away. You realize everyone is learning. There really is no best or worst because everyone is so different in there approach. Someone may stand out be everyone learns and that's what makes you a better painter.

art show

2010-01-17T08:54:00.000-08:00

I still have not settled down since all my company left. The house is in pretty good order. My studio, of which half becomes a playroom, is all set again. All the paints, turps and strong, smelly stuff back in place. Just having trouble focusing. I know it happens to all of us.
I went to a small art show in Cocoa, Fl. and bought a wonderful little sculpture by Joe Thompson. You can see his work at yessy.com/joethompson.
He does wonderful things with silverware and other metals.

It's funny what catches your eye
when a booth you go stolling by
spoons bent out of shape
a fishy shaped plate
and when you buy it you get that great high

Group tomorrow!!!

Am I really back??

2010-01-15T14:00:00.001-08:00

Well it is a new year and hopefully time to move forward. Here is a little thought for the day as we blissfully start our well planned, well intentioned journey toward 2010

As we happily take our first step
We are full of swagger and pep
Then life gives us a tug
pulls out the rug
and says "hey there, hold on a sec"

Hanging out

2009-09-29T07:39:00.001-07:00

away again

2009-09-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

hi everyone,
I am away again until after the first week in October. Please come back after then and I will have new adventures and new paintings to post.

Surf fishing

2009-08-09T08:58:00.001-07:00

waves

2009-08-09T08:55:00.001-07:00

gearing up

2009-08-09T08:47:00.000-07:00

I actually got to paint on Friday and it felt pretty good. I did some fruit from a photo I took in Maine and a foggy mountain scene. I find that the first painting I do after being away for awhile is the best for me. It is always spontaneous with fun colors and form. I think I am so relaxed about starting up again, I have no hang-ups or agenda, I just want to do something for the sake of doing something. I wish I could capture that when I am painting on a regular basis.
I would love to be able to let go and enjoy the process more. If anyone has any secrets about doing that or being able to quit before they worked something to death I am all ears.
I took some photos Friday of some paintings I had done before I left, which I will post. Group tomorrow at last. Wish me luck

Getting into it again

2009-08-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

I am glad to be home but have been busy all week with the day to day. It seems there is always so much catching up to do when you come back from a trip.
I did finally get to paint yesterday which loosens me up and gets me back to my "fun" mode.
I also have some paintings that I did before I left to photograph which I will do today. I also want to spend some time catching up on the artists I follow, that is always such and inspiration, it really gets me into the mood.
Photos will follow soon.

Pam's kitchen in Maine. Just look at those flowers!!

2009-08-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Smack tab in the middle of the Appalachian Trail!

2009-08-04T07:46:00.000-07:00

North Carolina waterfall

2009-08-04T07:41:00.001-07:00

back at last

2009-08-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

hi outhere,
I am back at last from my travels. We did a wonderful roadtrip from Florida, thru Georgia, the mountains of N. Caroina, to Massachusetts and Maine. It was a wondeful trip where we got to discover and explore areas we had not been to before.
On the trip home we stopped at several Civil War sites (I am not taking sides). I was a former history teacher and just love that sort of thing.
My husband was extemely patient and we druged the battle fields at Antietam, visted Harpers Ferry W. Va, which was is hidden gem both in historical signifignce and beauty. Not to let anytime go to waste we also did Appomattox Courthouse and Andersonville Prison, whew. If you are not inclined sorry to go on but if you are you can imagine how great a trip this was.
We did vist with family and friends, which was the real highlight of the trip or was it eating our way from state to state? I have to say a special thanks for our friends Pam and Bill in Maine. Pam made the most delicious peach pie ever!!
I have not picked up a pencil or brush since I left. It rained on us every day but I am not complaining, the cool air felt sooo good. I have taken lots of photos though and I will be posting some.
I'm glad to be back.

Happy tired

2009-07-08T15:14:00.000-07:00

Pears and Peppers

2009-07-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Still Fishing

2009-07-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

Hi anyone who happens upon my poor neglected blog. What I thought would be an end of June return will now be an end of July.
I am not going to complain, although I miss painting everyday, because I am enjoying two things I really love....My family and a road trip.
I will be taking lots of photos, especially when I am in Maine. I also like to take along my sketch book and my watercolor travel set when I am on the road. When I get back I will post some photos and some sketches of my adventures.
I did get to finish my Pears and Peppers, which is full of color and makes me smile when I look at it. Tell me what you think.
Have a great summer.

Gone Fishing

2009-06-10T15:26:00.000-07:00

I will be away and then having family for a vist this month. I hope to be back posting and with some new paintings and musings by the end of June.
thanks

Frustration

2009-03-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

I thought for sure I would have some more paintings to post by now. I spent a frustrating day trying to finish a still life composed of pears and chili peppers. Sounds so simple. I ended up spending about 2.5 hrs on one of the chili peppers that I could not seem to get right or leave alone. I finally felt pretty good about it and left it. When I came back the next morning it was the pear that was out of perspective not the pepper!!!
Lesson learned.

Gatehouse Ipswich MA

2009-03-20T07:00:00.001-07:00

Cottages Rockport MA

2009-03-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Back on track

2009-03-20T06:26:00.000-07:00

After some delays, on my part, I was able to pick up my handcolored photo enlargements. I was really impressed by the quality of the finished photos. I was a little concerned that the photos would lose their detail, color and clarity as we went bigger but because I was lucky to work with an excellent technician, John Androezi, that did not happen. John is an experienced photographer and a perfectionist so I was in good hands.
Next was the framing, which can really make or break any piece of art. Again we are so lucky in Melbourne to have so many artists and craftsman. Once again Tom Ridley came through. He did a great job of setting off both photos in unique frames. I now have two very interesting, unique pieces to hang.

Back at Last

2009-02-24T06:15:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,
Just wanted to let you know I am back and in better shape than last time. I learned my lesson and bought a warmer jacket, boots and hat. New England gear is no match for Michigan.
We have a new addition to the family James Henry. He is of course beautiful and even though 3 weeks early, thriving. I am very happy to be home but will really miss those babies.
I have settled in and actually got to paint yesterday!! I was with my greatest inspiration and cheering section and managed a cute little 5x7 from a photo I had taken of a friends garden. It was unusual for me to finish a painting in a few hours, I am slow but I felt very relaxed and under no pressure to do anything, I think I may have found an important key for me, just relax. Everyone says it but you know it does work.
I hope to have some new photos up by the end of the week. I am experimenting with my hand colored photos. I am tryiing to enlarge them and recreate them on different surfaces. I will see the photo genius today and we'll see what he came up with.
donna

Off to Michigan - again

2009-01-26T04:38:00.000-08:00

I thought I was settled for awhile until Saturday when I got the wonderful news that my daughter just had a baby boy. We are all so thrilled. He was early but weighed in at 6lb. 19 in. No name yet.
I am off to be a grandmom again and will be back the middle of February. I am going to post the one painting I did get to complete this winter. It is a painting of my granddaughter and her grandfather playing on the beach this fall.
love to all

Fun photo

2009-01-26T04:35:00.000-08:00

This photo was taken on a dressing table just for fun. The necklace had so many colors that could be used.

Hand Colored Photo

2009-01-26T04:32:00.000-08:00