2013 was a great year!  Back to my brushes.

"My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it's on your plate."  - Thornton Wilder

Working on some sketches and deciding which techniques I want to incorporate in this next painting.  Should be fun.  Turning a little cold here and the light is cool and gray today.  How happy I am that the winter solstice has passed.  The knowledge that the hours of daylight are increasing each day lightens my spirits tremendously.  For me, winter is like leftovers at the front of the refrigerator; you know there is something better just out of reach.  Back to my brushes.  

"If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."  - Goethe

I accepted an art challenge and this is the result.  "Peppermint Bouquet", transparent watercolor, 9.25" x 10.75".  It took two days.  Eleven hours to paint, I didn't even keep up with the time it took to draw.  Now I must finish wrapping gifts.  Happy Holidays.  Back to my brushes…in a couple of days.  



“Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most and then let each put in his share:  loving kindness, warm hearts, and the stretched out hand of tolerance.  All the shining gifts that make peace on earth. “  - David Niven (in The Bishop's Wife)

Beautiful weather here, but expecting snow showers this weekend.  So I have been trying to catch-up with errands that take me away from my brushes.  I have added another documentary review.  This documentary left me with some questions so I will have to find another source to satisfy my curiosity about Toulouse - Lautrec.  Back to my brushes.

"Never, never rest contented with any circle of ideas; but always be certain that a wider one is still possible." - Richard Jefferies

I won't go into details, but this morning was a nightmare.  If I were a superstitious person I would believe that Friday the Thirteenth lived up to its reputation.  But, if I believed in luck, I would say my luck had turned by the afternoon and I had a very enjoyable afternoon with an old friend.  Upon arriving home I found an acceptance letter for the Mid-Southern Watercolorists 44th Annual Exhibition which will be held at the Historic Arkansas Museum in 2014 (see events page).  I really enjoy this venue.  In fact I would say if you are ever in Little Rock - it is a "must see" destination.  Back to my brushes.

"A wise man fights to win, but he is twice a fool who has no plan for possible defeat."  -  Louis L'amour

So our local meteorologist predicted 1 - 3 inches accumulation.  After a little freezing rain and about a quarter inch of sleet we got 10" of snow.  That was Friday and because the highs haven't reached above freezing, no melting has occurred.  The aroma of homemade bread permeates our home and the chill is replaced by contentment.  Mmmmmm.  I'll have to put my brushes to work capturing that feeling.   Read that the public opening of the American Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibit in Alexandria, Louisiana with a wine tasting event had to be postponed due to weather.  I feel your pain.  The crunching of the snow as a lone car passes my house is yet another reminder that baby, it's cold outside - everywhere in the south!  Back to my brushes.  

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."   - Marcel Proust

Freezing rain, sleet and snow today.  I wisely spent the time cleaning up my studio and doing some chalkboard art.  I made my own chalkboard years ago which hangs between my dining room and kitchen.  It is about four and a half feet tall by 20 inches wide…approximately.   Anyway, it only took a couple of hours to do a new drawing and the great thing about it is that since it is so temporary I can have unfettered fun.  So the "eye" is gone and it is now sporting a holiday theme.  Supposed to get down to -3 degrees this weekend.  Stay warm.  Back to my brushes.  

"Always borrow money from a pessimist.  He won't expect it back."  - Oscar Wilde

I know you must get sick of hearing about the weather here, but it was unbelievably beautiful and warm here today.   Attended a party this evening and even at 10 p.m. didn't need a coat.  Unfortunately, I had so much on my plate today I didn't get a chance to paint.  But the gloom is headed our way and Thursday looks to be dismal, freezing rain and snow with a high of 8 degrees.  My arm continues to give me trouble.  While carrying a package inside this evening, my arm hit the rear view mirror while I was walking at a full clip.  I completely lost my composure and let loose some very questionable language.  So on top of tennis elbow, now I'm sporting a lovely black bruise.  Ridiculous.  Back to my brushes.

"Acting is the most minor of gifts…after all, Shirley Temple could do it at the age of four."  Katharine Hepburn

I finally got this last set of entry materials finished.  E-mail was down all day today so I was happy to finally receive confirmation that everything was completed.  Absolutely beautiful weather today, I didn't even need to wear a coat, but I think I heard as I was walking past the t.v. that the weatherman is predicting freezing rain with accumulation this weekend? Still sketching this latest piece and apparently will have plenty of time to work on it this weekend.  Looking forward to a party tomorrow night and I need to wrap some books.  Back to my brushes.

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say."  - Bryant H. McGill