If a regular visitor to my blog, you might recall that every Thanksgiving my family gathers around the table and puts together a puzzle.  This year the choice of puzzles was a "revenge" puzzle.  Revenge puzzle you ask?  Yes, chosen for its complexity and number of pieces for the time given to complete the task.  This year the subject was Klimt's "The Woman in Gold" (Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I).   I hear it was chosen in retribution for the "circle" puzzle.  It was aptly chosen, but our family motto (spoken many times this evening) should be formally recognized as No Quitters Here.  I'm sure it would sound better in Latin.  Let me just say that those little swirly bits and the bottom of the cloak were merciless. I have never studied the work as diligently or as thoroughly as I had the opportunity to do last night.  I feel I would admire it in person from a new perspective. I have to agree with my cousin that it is most unsatisfying to finish a puzzle with only 999 pieces.  Although it is not unknown for someone (you shall remain nameless here) to "accidentally" walk off with a piece in their pocket, I remain convinced the dog should be blamed. 

Upon returning home I had the opportunity to watch an art documentary "The Great Masters of the Italian Renaissance:  Disc 3.  I have added the review to my documentary review page.  I have seen this before, but felt it warranted a new viewing.  Hope you had a joyful Thanksgiving and scored a zero at Thanksgiving Bingo.  Back to my brushes. 

"I find the family the most mysterious and fascinating institution of the world."  - Amos Oz

Opened these as soon as these hit my porch a couple of days ago.  Have been trying them ever since on my latest painting.  This was part of my NWS award:   the Combined Donor Award VII.  I had the choice of what brushes to try and I picked these smaller brushes because I use this size regularly.  I go through a LOT of small brushes.  When they are just beyond use I can usually use them for frisket work.  Which brush am I most excited about?  You might be surprised, but hands down it's the calligraphy brush! Back to my brushes.

"There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we just hunger after them."  - George Eliot

Look what turned up on my front porch!  Looks like I'm going to be trying something new (well, new for me anyway) and I can hardly wait to rip these open.  These were part of the Combined Donor Prize VII awarded my painting at the National Watercolor Society's 95th International Exhibit.  If you have seen my painting you might agree that this just might be the perfect product for me...and I can't wait to find out.  A super big thank you to Salis International Inc./Dr. Ph. Martin's for providing this part of the award!  I'll let you know how it goes, so check back soon.  Back to my brushes.

"People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself."  - Ernest Hemingway

I got home last Friday, tired from the drive which was achieved mostly in the rain.  Luckily the weather cleared for the last third of the journey, but not before I tweaked my neck from the stress and tension.  Anyway, when I arrived home I found this wonderful gift from Joe Miller of Cheap Joe's!   Although we have been in the same room a couple of times, we haven't had the opportunity to meet...yet.   So until then, written words must suffice:  Thank you Joe for this autographed brush holder and its contents - such a wonderful and useful memento.  I look forward to breaking out the brushes.  I appreciate the thoughtfulness and am thankful for all you do for the art community.  Back to my brushes.

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind, but the goodness of a person spreads in all directions."  - Chanakya

That's right.  Get away from your paper and enjoy the outdoors.  It is such a beautiful time of year here on the Arkansas plateau.  We have a predominance of hardwood trees that delight the eye with beautiful autumnal colors this time of year.  If you time it just right, you can take the train and enjoy some wonderful vistas.  My youngest and I took a turn on our local trails a couple of days ago ending at the Square.  We popped in at 21c to see the newest exhibit, choosing another trail by which to return.  Beautiful day!  So, put the brushes down and get outside for a day.  With the time change I am reminded that colder weather is just around the corner and I will shortly have no desire to go outside.  For your enjoyment here is the view from my parents home.  Back to my brushes...soon. 

"The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision."  - Helen Keller