A dreary day for weather, but another exquisite day to paint - so I shall.  Happy New Year!

"I think in terms of the day's resolutions, not the year's." - Henry Moore

After a holiday hiatus from my brushes, I will paint today.  It is puzzling that after a brief respite I feel as though I have never painted before.  Until I actually get the paintbrush in my hand the level of self-doubt is almost overwhelming.  I fear I will be wasteful.  Like most, I have finite limits on money, paper, paint, and always at the edge of my thinking...time.  Stifling.   So what gets me past that point you ask?  Music.  Specifically, Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones.  There can be no self doubt when listening to Jagger.  Period.  

"The first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves." - Walter Anderson

The view from the front the day after Christmas.  Treemageddon!  The damage to the trees was substantial after the first recorded blizzard warning in Arkansas.  Some family members still without power.  We were lucky and were only without power on and off for a few hours.  

"Natural abilities are like natural plants.  They need pruning by study."  - Francis Bacon

"I know that I am but a poor substitute for a canary-bird,--a gross and sorry companion for one of ethereal mould. I can supply seed and water and conch-shells, but what do I know of finchy loves and hopes?"  - Gail Hamilton aka Mary Abigail Dodge

When my father was shopping for an umbrella for his patio years ago, we got into a discussion about shadows when I told him to purchase a darker umbrella so that he would enjoy a darker shade.  Clearly, at the time I didn't get my point across because he purchased a very pale cream umbrella - scoffing at my advice.  Well, who doesn't like a pale umbrella...before it molds, very pretty.  I had mentioned as a point of reference the wonderful tree I planted in my backyard, which has a canopy of large dense leaves that produces the most wonderful deep shade in the summertime.  In fact, we took down our umbrella because this tree provides a cool shade unparalleled.   When it was time to replace that umbrella my dad said that he now understood the idea of different grades of shade and purchased an extremely dark green umbrella which my parents enjoy to this day.  So remember this when you are painting...not all shadows are the same darkness.  Back to my brushes.

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."  - Jane Austen

I painted this little painting for a friend of mine and it turned out pretty well.  The photographs were blurry and not close-ups, so I'm not sure if this even truly looks like the subject.  I had to use my magnifying glass because the subjects head in the photo is about 1/4" tall.  But hey, who doesn't like a challenge?   So, I tried using color to add emotion and personality.  Again, kind of hard when you don't know anything about the person.  All I know is that on this particular day she had a lovely smile.  Not a sunny day either, so shadows are vague in the photograph.  As I say the painting is quite small, 6" x 8", but I'm hoping it will touch my friend's heart and that is what gifts are all about.    Here is my quote for the day:

"Happiness is not something ready made, it comes from your own actions." - Dalai Lama

Another beautiful day!  Cold and clear, perfect for painting.  I woke to the sounds of hammering down the street - an ardent alarm clock.  I have four paintings in progress right now.  I don't like painting this way.  I feel guilty when I am painting on one, and wishing I were painting on the other.  

"Life is too short to be small." - Benjamen Disraeli

Beautiful, brisk weather today - but no time for my brushes.  BFF's enjoyed a great long lunch and family gathered.   

"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."  - George Harrison

Painted on this newest piece till 9:00 p.m. yesterday.  It's fresh, like the cold weather we experienced this morning.  Back to my brushes.

"It's hard to argue against cynics - they always sound smarter than optimists because they have so much evidence on their side."  - Molly Ivins

Again this morning the light is not optimal.  So I plan to clean up this latest drawing today if I get the opportunity.  Check out the Camden Daffodil Festival facebook page.   My painting "Chance of Snow" is the poster and t-shirt this year for the 20th anniversary, and also the header on the facebook page.  Fantastic!  As soon as they post where you can purchase these items, I'll post the information here.