NEEDED PIZZAZZ

PIZZAZZ  6x6 Acrylic on hardboard

Lots of irons in the fire lately, but in between some art commissions and all of our bathrooms rebelling at once, I just had to escape and paint me some hydrangeas. I used my light box this time to control the lighting and contrast. Being a fabric designer comes in very handy when I need to pull colors for the backdrop. I love how this coral and periwinkle complimented the white flowers causing the colors to bounce off of each other. I'm so happy, I will paint these hydrangeas again! 

SUMMER SCRAPBOOKS

I folded up my studio for two weeks of fun in the sun with my grandkids.  Our dining room table is covered with plastic and Art with Mimi is in full swing.   I found these little scrapbooks at Target many moons ago in the $1.00 section.  Now wish I'd bought the entire stock as they are ideal for so many projects.  The kids are recording their vacation with photos, paint, stamps, markers, glitter; you name it, if it sticks, won't rot later (lizards) and the book will close, it's fair game.  They are having so much fun.  I think in several years they will get a kick out of their scrapbooks filled with movie tickets, photos, miss-spelled words and lots of first's and happy memories.

MISSING IN ACTION

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth and I'm not in a witness protection program.  I have been painting the summer away.  I have now painted the majority of the main level of the house from top to bottom while Tim has been installing the wood flooring, replacing baseboards and updating electrical, just to name a few projects.  The one thing I couldn't bring myself to paint, er... repaint, is the garage door.   Tim relieved me of the task and I avoid even looking at the "unofficial" clone tan by clicking on the door opener as I round the corner.  Up it goes, I slide in and close it behind me (it is a common practice here anyway).  And who says color is not emotional?

I have been painting interiors most of my life and must say it's getting old.  Truth is I do it better and cheaper.  Just when I thought I was ready to throw in the brush...I mean towel, I was able to escape an spend time with friends and family.  In May/June we met friends Jerry and Lisa in Kauai, Hawaii.  All the pics of Lisa and I turned out much like my past trip to Hawaii where hair is either in your face or blown straight upward.  Remember this past photo of me impersonating Nick Nolte?   Why was my hair glowing orange? Anyway I have plenty new Nolte look-alike photos that I'll skip for now.

I was able to get a few other shots that represent the beauty everywhere.

Hanalei Bay

Patchwork Farm

How Coy

How the birthday boy spent his day

Bike Ballet

View from our lanai

Below is a photo of the Lihue Lutheran Church which has special meaning to my friend Lisa; as one of her past relatives (a German immigrant) helped build in 1885.  The 6 month trip on board the ship around Cape Horn is reflected in the architecture.  The floor slants like the deck of a ship; the balcony is the captain’s bridge; the ceiling is like the hull; the lights are ship lanterns; and the pulpit the forecastle.  It burned to the ground and has since been rebuilt, trying to keep as much of the original.  

Lihue Lutheran Church

So as a gift for the invite and the MANY other blessings Lisa has bestowed on me and my family I painted this for her.  I usually prefer exaggerating colors and contrast, but made a decision to paint it just as we captured it that day.

Lihue Lutheran Church by Paula Prass

I find that I do much better painting what I see so this wasn't difficult, just detailed.  Abstract is still hurting my brain. I have been working in acrylics but am going to try oils soon...yikes!

Guess it's been way too easy to become reclusive here behind that garage door.  Promise to put the brush down to spend more time with you.  Thank you so much to those who have emailed to check on me.  It means more than you know, trust me.  

LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS

I seriously have the best neighbors.  I don't want to brag, but I'm just sayin.  Just a for instance: We had just returned from the Farmer's Market today and stopped to talk to our next door neighbor and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy a feast at her zinnia smorgasbord.  I confessed to her that I covet her flowers and sometimes come and take photos.  Tim wanted to buy me a bouquet of zinnias at the Market, but I told him my house was in such disarray with projects strewn about that they'd just get lost.  A few minutes later she came to the door with these.  Aren't they wonderful?  Isn't she wonderful?

 

My other neighbors are out of town and asked us to pick their tomatoes for ourselves.  Sorry, I didn't wash them first but they are fresh off the vine.  They'll be so yummy with basil tonight and we'll eat on the back porch (the only solid surface still available in the house) and pray our neighbors gardens grow even bigger and better.

SUMMERTIME BLUES AND GREENS

One of the many storms that rolled through and knocked out the electricity also knocked out the air conditioner.  With the temps in the 90's and humidity much higher, instead of hitting the mall like any other normal person, I moved outdoors to paint.  This is my overdue housewarming and birthday gift to Jennifer. 

Other photos of her lovely new home are on her blog. 

We kept the kiddos recently so Jennifer and hubby could celebrate their anniversary...alone.  As any grandparent will agree, grandparents don't just "keep the kids".  We are a mini holiday.  So this event included a cookout where the kids are the cooks and we are the kitchen help, carving sticks,  making the fire for s'mores and setting up the tent!  Us girlie girls opted for the master suite and let the guys have the tent.  While they made up scary stories til the wee hours, I read Dr. Seuss and Fancy Nancy and gave back rubs til my eyes crossed.  Finally wore that cutie out.  Next day was the usual special breakfast and then to the pool/water park.  By the time Jennifer picked them up she said she was barely on the road and heard both their heads conk on the car windows with mouths hanging open and eyes rolled behind their heads.  That's how we know we did our job. 

Gosh we love those kids.  Absolutely head over heels adore them.  They say things like, "You're the best Mimi ever" and everything I cook is the best they've ever had.  Okay, they might lie a little. 

Give me s'more.

Bathing beauty

SPARK ATTENTION WITH THESE TREATS

As we head into the 4th of July weekend let me share a treat that is so easy, yet quite the showstopper.  I just made these festive covered strawberries for a 4th of July gathering.  The tables were filled with desserts, but these were the first to disappear.

Strawberries, melted white chocolate and blue sugar.  That's it!  I tried to make some blue sugar using food coloring, but it looked like a pastel bluish-green, so I opted for the ready made version.  I melted the white chocolate in the microwave, dipped the strawberry in about half way, holding the strawberry by the stem.  Let the excess chocolate drip off, then dip the end of the chocolate covered strawberry in some blue sugar.  I placed them on parchment paper to cool before transferring them to a tray.  Voila. 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

SUMMER KICKOFF PARTY

Here are the pics of last weekend that I promised. Sure beat the severe weather all this week.

1) Jennifer & Joe; friends since HS and now married 10 yrs. 2) Talitha; HS, Vacations, College, wedding, births, forever friends 3) Loree; HS, Vacations, College, Weddings, Births, photographer, owner of the hottie in 4) w/the black-t, obviously trying to claim some prize.

Check out: http://www.loreealayne.com/store/Default.asp Thanks for the great pictures.

Such Posers! The Three Musketeers. Forever friends. Inseparable gals and can't go anywhere w/o a bathroom photo..even from famous hotels.

Okay, who crashed this party? Wyatt and Amelia (my Mia) came bounding in from their "clear the deck of kids" attempt. Wyatt and Amelia flew through the door, took a look around and squealed when they saw Tim and I. No greater joy on earth. my friends. Nothing more complete.

COMING UP FOR AIR

I know I said I am buried in designs, which is totally true. We are really working around the clock to finish all the designs. However, I must halt all work to show you a recent pic. Fortunately, my daughter Jennifer (my trusty cohort) has a bit more of a balanced lifestyle than I do right now. Her and Joe had an awesome gathering this past weekend on their patio.

These glasses are from Pier 1 Imports. So cool for everyone else. I'm usually the one who says "Hum, this is my glass," which comes the reply, "Na Uh, my glass has more in it", to which I say, "Finders, Keepers, Losers Weepers". So now, Pier 1 has figured me out. These glasses have a mini chalkboard w/chalk to write your name to keep track of your own glass. Here's mine, and it needs a refill!! Much more to come...after much sleep!!