Thought I would post quickly this morning as I will be working all afternoon.  Surprisingly, cobalt blue is the color of choice this morning over ultramarine blue.  Back to my brushes.

"If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.  With confidence, you have won even before you have started."  - Cicero

Picked up a piece from the framer today and am pleased with the results.  Got to work on this new painting all afternoon and I finally got paint to paper…although just on a scratch piece.  Trying to decide which combination of colors would work best and I still haven't decided.  Ran out of daylight and had to stop so I will begin again tomorrow.  Still experiencing winter with some freezing rain expected tomorrow morning and more on Sunday.  Hope the weather is better where you live.  Will add a new documentary review soon. Back to my brushes.

"A good novel tells us the truth about its hero; but a bad novel tells us the truth about its author." 
 - G. K. Chesterton

It only took me ten hours to prepare this latest work.  Rather funny considering it is minimalist in design. Editing is paramount.  Probably five more hours of preparation before I can put paint to paper.  As I said, it is a challenging piece.  Full sheet.  Back to my brushes.  

"Too many women in too many countries speak the same language of silence."  - Anasuya Sengupta

Drab day today, perfect for drawing but I am completely out of paper.  I can't believe I let that happen.  I am excited to start on this next piece.  I have kept it in reserve and feel now is the time to tackle it.  It is a challenging piece and true to my aesthetic.  It calls me, even wakes me up at night.  So, the time is right.  Back to my brushes.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."  - Maya Angelou

I've updated my site a smidgen, but no, I still have not added my AWS entry this year or my three latest paintings.  But, since my name is now listed on the AWS Signature Member page, I thought it would be okay to add it on my website as well.  I have added another art documentary review.  This one is about Rene' Magritte.  On my way out the door for lunch date then…back to my brushes.  

"Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging."  - Joseph Campbell

Playing with this little half-sheet painting today.  Having fun with some color combinations.  Not really slated for anything, just fun and adventure.  Back to my brushes.

"I have no notion of loving people by halves.  It is not my nature."  - Jane Austen

I finally added another documentary review.  I love film.  It is a lot like painting in that you can make it anything you imagine.  Starting a new painting today.  Half sheet.  Back to my brushes.

"It is only necessary to have courage, for strength without self-confidence is useless."  - Casanova

Hooray!  I'm painting today!  Still coughing, but feeling better after ten days of mucus misery.  Just the weight of the brush in my hand makes me smile.  Back to my brushes!!

"Flaming enthusiasm backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success."  - Dale Carnegie

Spent a productive evening clearing my lungs,  which was tiring.  I feel like my ribs are broken but I'm definitely improving.  

Happy Valentine's Day.  I think I'm finally coming up out of this murky sickness, although everything sounds like I have a bucket on my head.  Fever is dissipating and my lungs are managing a deep breath without fits of coughing (just don't make me laugh).  Just a reminder to those who are in the LR area, be sure and stop by the Mid-Southern Watercolorists 44th Annual Exhibit which opens tonight at the Historic Arkansas Museum.  You'll meet some great people and see an excellent show.  Wish I was there.  Shout out to all my friends and a hearty congrats to all the award winners!  I'll be back to my brushes soon.