Today I met Robert Skaggs and was lucky enough to see his newest work.  I picked out the piece I would purchase...if I had any money.  He explained some of his thought processes while painting these pieces and I enjoyed that little glimpse at what inspires another artist.  

Got my piece for the Small Works exhibit back today.  The mat is weird, but it will fit the frame they provide.  Also, found some more inspiration at a store downtown. 

Finished my last pot to hold my watercolor brushes - that makes three.  Two are sitting in the windowsill now.  Back to my brushes.

"All the pessimists in world history are nothing against reality."  - Elias Caneth

Still pondering this last piece, it may be my best work.  Of course we always think our latest piece is the best thing we've done, right?  I'm questioning one little thing about it.  When I have resolved whether it needs changing, it will be done.  It still sits above the fireplace waiting for my stamp of approval.  Back to my brushes.

"Having stripped myself of all illusions, I have gone mad." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Ta da!  Here is the first pot I made to hold my watercolor brushes.  It fits perfectly on the sill next to where I paint and is more pleasing to my eye than the plastic cups I have them in now.  My youngest made two a few years ago, so now I have three and will finish with six.  That should be enough. 

Received the news yesterday that my work was juried into the Arkansas Arts Council's Small Works on Paper 2013 touring exhibition.   It will travel to ten locations throughout the state:  South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado; Lyon College, Batesville; Arkansas State University, Jonesboro; University of Arkansas, Fort Smith; Arkansas River Valley Arts Center, Russellville; The Fine Arts Center, Hot Springs; Searcy Art Gallery, Searcy; Guachoya Cultural Art Center, Lake Village; Hendrix College, Conway; and Henderson State University, Arkadelphia. 

"Affirmation without discipline is the beginning of delusion." - Jim Rohn

Light is great today and I will be painting all afternoon - so don't call me.  I have a collection of great vintage phones and I really enjoy the sound of a dial rotating and clicking.  They are not sitting in boxes, I actually use them on a daily basis.  My favorite is an old white (uncommon) business phone from the 40's with the original three prong plug.  I actually change out the kitchen wall phone (circa 1960) to suit my mood.  I love the classic black, but the red, yellow, and green get in the rotation in the spring.  One year I gave my youngest a fantastic turquoise bedroom phone with "modern" push-buttons.  It is a bedroom phone because it does not ring.  Very clever in my opinion.  Most visitors are startled by the ring either because they have never heard one, or they have forgotten what it sounds like.  They are quite loud and easy to hear even with my headphones on while I'm working.  Ironically, I despise talking on the telephone.  Well, back to my brushes.

"A man who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back on the crowd." - Max Lucado

Painted for eight hours yesterday, and yet didn't get very far.  Frustrating, but enjoyable.  Of course today the light is fantastic but I had other obligations.  Did hear a funny story on the radio this morning on the way to a presentation.  The hosts were talking about "scooter packs".  Specifically, male scooter packs.  Dudes, take note, the consensus is that you are not winning any points with the ladies.  Pack mentality is not attractive.  So....spread out.  Again, no painting today but here is my quote du jour: 

"Righteousness cannot be born until self-righteousness is dead." - Bertrand Russell

It took me almost 11 hours to draw this latest piece.  I then moved it onto tracing paper and edited.  My eyes are still tired this morning.  It is a very busy piece, but should be a lot of fun.  I was thinking about the color combinations I want to use as I fell asleep last night. 

While you are online today, check out the new painting on the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society's Facebook page.  Love it!  Don't quite have that view here in rural Arkansas.  I long for an industrial muse.  Construction is as close as I get.  It is raining here, and the sound is quite soothing.  Horrible light though.  Back to the brushes. 

"Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present." - Jim Rohn

I have been taking a short drawing class lately and really enjoy the instructor.  He also controls a pottery class I'm taking.  I say "controls" because everyone does their own thing and he helps you get where you want to go.  How great is that!  No, I'm not changing direction...I just wanted to make some pots for my watercolor brushes.  I have quite a collection of brushes.  So, why not make the pots myself?  

I'm still in critique mode on this latest piece "West of Eleven", but I have signed it.  So, today I will be starting a new painting.  I've taken some photographs worthy of turning into artwork.  I know, I know...your photographs ARE artwork.  Trust me, mine are not.  I should probably take a quick class in photography, but since I use them for reference it doesn't matter how well they turn out.  Back to the brushes.  Here is the quote for today:  

"I spend shockingly little time thinking about real-world stuff." - Trey Parker

     Received the prospectus for AWS.  Trying to complete this piece.  I have it in front of the fireplace and spend a good deal too much time in critique mode.  I'm convinced that if you show it to me a year from now, I'll show you how I would make it better.  Where is a time machine when you need it?  
     I finished four more books recently and picked up another while I was out of town.  Learning is central to growing.  Well, back to my brushes.  

"When nations grow old, the arts grow cold and commerce settles on every tree." - William Blake

So you're wondering about this new work?  It appears centered but is about four inches off center, a beautiful effect to pull off.  At first glance appears square, but it is not square to the viewer.   It is timeless.  It has no symbolism (well, it is not the focus).  It is pure composition.  Okay, back to my brushes.  

"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field." - Niels Bohr