VINEYARD SKY

VINEYARD SKY 6x6 acrylic on board

This is one of the only paintings I've completed since I last posted. But I must admit I'm liking this one enough to turn it into a larger work. The 5"x5" and 8"x8" prints are in my Etsy Shop here.

I've been busy turning another year older, traveling to Indiana to visit family and friends, be surprised by a, um, surprise birthday dinner filled with several of those precious people I did life with for many years in the Midwest. We drove to South Bend to have a little memorial for Tim's mom and afterwards visited the University of Notre Dame so my grandson could dream about his future possibilities. 

I had a plein air paint and play date while in Indiana with my friend Kelly. She's fairly new to painting, especially plein air but pulled off a very impressive piece and I think she was pleasantly surprised at her abilities. Sorry I forget to take an after picture.

Upon returning to San Diego I arranged another painting day here with my friend Suzanne to celebrate our birthdays together. She, is very new to painting and I chose her favorite vineyard as the subject. What a joy it was to pop her painting into a frame and watch her expression. I did get a picture of her posing in front of her finished masterpiece. See, she is still glowing.

Friends are coming to visit this next week so I won't be painting, just socializing and enjoying every moment of this gorgeous weather. xo

SHOP OPENING

Well, last time we spoke I was working on building a new website.  But just to be an overachiever I was also building a shop on Etsy to offer art prints and my out of print stash of fabrics.  The plan was to finish the website first, but while my MacGyver husband was helping me with a problem he hit the OPEN SHOP button.  I thought no one would notice I was there yet and quietly kept plugging away.  Wrong.  A gal from Australia found me and Facebooked her Aussie friends.  BAM!  Love those Aussies.  So I just officially added my Etsy shop in the sidebar to the right and invite you come on over.  I'm still listing items, so if you have a particular art print or fabric you don't see, please ask.

In other breaking news, Tim and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary; it rained once here in San Diego and we ran around trying to save the rain water in buckets and trash cans; AND I broke my own record of 6 hours straight in the dentist chair!  

Oh, and I finally broke away for lunch at Cafe Merlot with an awesome friend and it was so much fun to play hookie from the routine.  Sure beats pita chips, garlic hummus and talking to myself in front of the computer.  Must try this again sometime.

MY FRIEND GWEN

Say hello to my friend Gwendolyn.  She's one of my Nashville buddies (sang in our wedding a hundred years ago).  Lately, she's has been hanging out on my easel for longer than anyone should hang.  But more oral surgery put me out of commission for a few days, then a boatload of yard work and changing my mind about the background has delayed progress.  Alas, I am back on track and wanted to show you the various phases I've put Gwen through to get her this far.  I still have a couple tweaks and then she's good to go.  Here's the progress so far:

The underlayment actually made me happy and in many cases would be considered done.  But it's difficult for any painting to get out from under my brush that easy.  

The original photo (above left) was taken on the beach and against my better judgement I tried to add the beach background and hated how distracting it was.  Let it sit thinking it might grow on me, but it didn't and I quit trying.  In the end my Mr. MacGyver was able to cut the rectangle canvas to a square and now I'm off to add the finishing touches and signature.  Thank you Gwen for such a joyful smile and golden glow.   

SUNSET IN PROGRESS

Have you ever had the incredible experience of catching the sun setting?  I say catching because it happens almost instantaneously.  I have been known to jump out of a moving vehicle just to snatch a quick photo of the brilliant sky works as the sun hits that horizon.  I was given an amazing opportunity to experience this phenomenon when I joined Tim on a work project in Hawaii.  Tim would make it home just in time to change clothes and I would have our glasses of wine waiting on the edge of the counter as we headed out the door for our short walk to Kai-Lani beach.  Many people converged and within minutes the sun did it's daily magic of switching out colors like a turning kaleidoscope as it fell below the horizon.  We all bid farewell and headed back to our homes, promising we would spend the next eve together, even if it was only for another 20 minutes max.  Can you imagine capturing this in a plein air painting?  I would still be setting up as it all disappeared into darkness before my eyes.

So this is a recent study I worked on in the Alla Prima class (meaning wet on wet, done in one sitting).   Each student worked from the same photograph (below) of the Santa Ysabel Valley and it was incredible how each of our paintings turned out so very different.  i can see some things I would have done differently, but working faster and looser is the goal.  

SANTA YSABEL VALLEY 

On a slightly different note, if you follow my blog you should be familiar with my friend Barbi of 40+ years.  Well, she came for a visit in January.  We galavanted all over San Diego; the beaches, Balboa Park and Coronado Island, soaking up all the golden glow with the purple highlights that is something I hope never to get used to.

BEACH BUDDIES

Here's just another path; one of many we've gone down together.

SPANISH VILLAGE

 So many fun photos from that visit, but I will refrain.  I did receive this awesome book from Barbi afterwards.  It is a precious source of inspiration from a precious friend and I will treasure this book...like forever.

SHOW + TELL CARMEL KITCHEN/FAMILY ROOM

Hey friends, I wanted to show you this amazing home I worked on back in Carmel, IN.  It's getting ready to go on the market so you are getting the inside scoop.   There are many more images, but as a designer I know where the heart of the home is and the first thing people want to check out. 

Right after I completed gutting and remodeling my own kitchen HERE, I got a knock at my door from a neighbor who ended up not only hiring me to remodel their kitchen, we became and remain dear friends.  I've been in this kitchen and home for many a gathering since it was completed. 

This mudroom is right off the garage on the way to the kitchen.  The door you see was nothing more than a plain, flat metal security door so I had an artist paint it to look dimensional!  People have to touch it to believe it's not flat.  There are built-in coat racks and storage on the left of the door to coordinate with the cabinets on the right.

Recognize the painting inside the cubby above?   I painted that for Nancy without having the vase or roses to work from.  Here's a CLOSEUP along with a closer look at some interior shots.

As you can see the kitchen, breakfast and family room areas were completely opened up.  I added three sets of french doors that lead out to a huge outdoor space and and fenced yard which adds to the spacious feel.   

Guess you can tell how much I love this home, the cul-de-sac, neighbors and Carmel, IN.  It's a coveted area, as you might remember from HERE  So I am just spreading the word to you.  Let me know if you are interested and I'll be glad to help.  Somewhat selfish, as my dear friends will be moving closer to our neck of the woods.  

15 MINUTES OF PLAY

Victoria Findlay Wolfe is one of those people that the very moment you meet her you find yourself instant friends.  We were actually blog friends first and her passions drew me in.   When I lost my son she called and emailed regularly to check in on me.   Anyone who knows Vic will have similar stories, I'm sure.   So when I received her newly released book in the mail, at first I was surprised, then overwhelmed with her amazing generosity.   I sat and read it cover to cover in one sitting; and that my friends is nothing short of a miracle.  I am a picture looking visual kind of gal and only when I am drawn in by the image do I choose to read more.  I read it all.

This is what I found inside the cover:

 And here is Page 22.  This fun quilt is exclusively my fabrics (love her more):

Victoria and I hanging in my booth at the Salt Lake City Quilt Market in 2011: 

Her timing was impeccable, as I had just sorted through and organized all my small fabric scraps into jars, by color of course.  They are awaiting an inspirational project and Vic's book is filled with those!  

If you don't already know this inspiring lady then please check out her sites:

http://www.bumblebeansinc.com
http://www.15minutesplay.com



Here is how I organized my fabric scraps for future inspiration:

NANCY ROSE

  

Remember my friend Nancy?  I simply adore her.  She was my neighbor in Carmel, IN.  Oh. a side note: Carmel IN was recently voted the best town to live in right now.  Here to say they do not lie; it's an awesome place to live filled with lots of people like Nancy.  Anyway, her middle name is Rose and her birthday is July 5th.  Her favorite colors are red and blue and her style is country french.  I know all this because I was her interior designer.  The one area I never completed was a very cool cubby in the great room that needed just the right artwork so we just hung a blue and white plate up there....a few years ago.  But alas, I just painted this vase of roses for her birthday and hand delivered it to her.  I didn't actually have this coveted vase or the roses in front of me...just made it up.  

Yes, she is just as beautiful on the inside.  So I was able to accompany her to the framers but missed seeing the finished piece so she sent this photo of how it looks it it's new location.   

It took a few years but I finally found the perfect piece of artwork, right?

THE LAND OF LOONEY

Since I last posted: another painting, another birthday.  Yup, I've been busy.  First, the painting.  Told you I was obsessed with ranunculus lately.  And to think just a few months ago I couldn't even spell the word.  Photos are dark due to our May Gray/June Gloom.

I know I've said it before, but I sure do enjoy getting back into painting on a regular basis.  Anticipating what I want to do next, but absolutely must get some long overdue projects completed.  We have torn out the disgusting carpet on the first floor and installed hardwood in several areas.  Oh, what a wonderful change.  This place is beginning to feel like ours.  My studio is completely torn up though and I am in the middle of painting the living room, entry and hallway before I can get to the studio.  So I'm back to painting where I shouldn't be and we are back to eating at the coffee table.


Then I had me another one of them there birthdays.  I guess that's better than the alternative.  I was in the midst of wallowing in a vat of sadness leading up to that day because moving here hasn't always been easy for me.  Here's the story about why I was in such a terrible funk leading up to my birthday.  Fair warning: if you don't want to hear my sob story just skip to the last paragraph.  This is my journal and it includes all things Paula; the good, the bad and everything in between.


Okay, so remember the garage door I posted about here?   Here's a closeup reminder of the before for the visual drama.  Promise.  That is exactly what it looked like before.  No joke.

ACCEPTABLE old paint color(s)

So, guess what?  We have to repaint.  Yup.  Not just the garage door but we had been scraping and painting ALL the trim because it was as bad as the above photo.  Unfortunate for us, we asked the only neighbors we knew on either side of us if there were color palettes to choose from for the neighborhood.  We were told no, which is a true statement.  However, we failed to ask enough questions to know we were required to submit our color choices for approval by the HOA.  The day we got "the letter" we also went to a small gathering, excited to finally meet some new neighbors.  Just about everyone we introduced ourselves to said, "So you are the people with the garage door".  One lady referred to it as "unique".  I told her I wasn't sure how to take that, as unique isn't always meant as a compliment, and I sensed she didn't intend for it to be taken as such.  She didn't change her attitude and restated that it was indeed unique.  Turns out they live two doors away and her husband is on the board, as were many of the others at that small gathering.  Scratching my head after that little event I googled the title on the header of the letter and found the rules on their website.  That prompted us to dig deeper and finally found the rules buried within 164 pages we received upon closing on this place.  We went through the required hoops but as I suspected, the decision had already been made. 


Apparently, the old color was much less offensive, or at least that's what I heard in my deeply rejected state of mind.  I took this very hard.  My life revolves around color.  I thank God constantly for color and I'm not exaggerating either!  I hold high mass over my color choices because I believe our personal colors reflect who we are.  So to reject my color choice is the same as rejecting me.  I immediately found myself wandering around in the Land of Looney.  All those years of being an interior designer, all the awards, the national publications featuring my designs, sitting on the board of directors for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) in Indiana; all flushed down the toilet.  Not really, but that's what happens when I go to that forbidden place.  I thought the old paint was hideous, but my color choice was worse!  Sob. In reality I do get the point, just wish there had been a more neighborly way to go about it.  Thank goodness Tim never visits the Land of Looney with me and was just happy they weren't making us remove the new garage door, which they could have done.  In the meantime I AM working on the Love Thy Neighbor thing.  I'm dragging my feet, but I'll get there.

UNACCEPTABLE  new paint color

Now, back to my birthday.  I received several phone calls and emails from friends and grandkids back in Indiana and Tennessee from morning till night.  It was just glorious to laugh and chat with the people in my life that really know me, accept me and can instantly pull me out of that nasty place.   


Look at this flower cake I received from a dear friend back in Indiana...because she knows I love flowers even more than cake.  I am welling up just thinking about it.  She even wanted the lime slices on the top because I love lemons and limes.  I had a day filled with friends, family, love, a little color and perfect timing.  

SCOTTSDALE GETAWAY PART 2

THE ONE TIME WE FORGOT TO ASK "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO WEAR?"

This is my dear friend Nancy.  We were neighbors and friends back in Indianapolis and were thrilled to join them in Scottsdale recently.  But as I went through the photos taken, it was the same problem we always seem to have...photos of us were blurry, out of focus, or just plain bad.  Out of frustration, I still wanted to capture this one funny moment.  Nancy and I have a history of asking what the other is going to wear, except for this one evening.  We both stepped out of our bedrooms to realize we dressed almost identical.  I recreated the moment with paint instead.

Nighttime in Scottsdale was filled with color, good eats, great shopping and a full moon.

Have a colorful weekend!

SCOTTSDALE GETAWAY PART 1

If you've never been to Scottsdale I highly recommend it.  We got back recently and my mind is still swimming from all we took in while there.  We decided to drive the 6 1/2 hrs from San Diego and watched the purple mountains, valleys, hills and landscape change before our eyes.  The highlight of our time in AZ was to visit friends, but we took in a few sights as well.  We did a day tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West and I am still seeing everything in color ranges from blues to purples and oranges to rust with a little pop of greens and aquas; a delightful combination.  

I admit that this is not my first choice of architecture or landscape, but the attention to detail, materials, colors, the arts and how Wright orchestrated it all into the landscape is amazing and I am so inspired by the experience.


You know how I love doors?  Well, Scottsdale did not disappoint.  Here is just a couple doors I spotted leading into a courtyard.  Oh, I am so intrigued by what's behind those doors.  No door-to-door salespeople, that's for sure!

  
And there were fruit trees EVERYWHERE.  Literally, while on daily walks there were oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes and an occasional grapefruit just laying on the ground or sidewalk.  We would pick up a few and when we got back to the condo Tim made us fruit smoothies.  Yup, since we were driving we brought our Vitamix to impress our friends.  I think we succeeded.  More on that later. 

Another treat was a luncheon with my dear fabric pals, Jona (left) and Bari J (middle).  It was so good to laugh and get caught up while stuffing our faces.  I had just come from a long walk, then blew it all with a ballion calorie meal.   Somehow thought I'd just suck it all in for the photo..didn't work.  Just looks like I quit breathing.

This has been a glimpse of Scottsdale during the day.  Scottsdale at night is also rich in color, foods and friends.  Part 2 coming soon.    In the meantime, I hope your Valentine's day was filled with a few warm fuzzies and none of these prickly hearts!

TOUGH COUPLA DAYS

Today would have been Jonathan's birthday.  No matter how bad he was doing, I could always count on him resurfacing around his birthday.  I've been dreading September 10 knowing I'd have to face another reality.  Three days ago I actually got an email from Jon Prass.  I sat there and tried not to freak out.  No words, just an attachment which I would not open.  Tim investigated when he got home and some freaks used his email to sell Viagra.  Jon would've chuckled.  Maybe he still did.  But the timing sucked.  It all sucks.  Got on his Facebook page late last eve and saw the messages his friends were leaving him.  I laid awake all night.

One of the friends I met through Facebook and Twitter is the amazing artist, Laura Zarrin.  Right before this past Mother's Day I got a surprise package from her with this artwork she made for me.  It about brought me to my knees. 

A GIFT FROM LAURA ZARRIN

Thing is, others thought about me on Mother's Day and along the way sending notes of encouragement or just offering a word or two.  Wow.  That's the kind of amazing friends I have.  And I, on the other hand, have been so lame to not share these blessings with you.  I'm making a promise to do better.  I swear, I take pictures and jot notes down about what I want to tell you all, but then I just feel like the wind gets knocked out of my sails.  I have so much to share and I just need to do it!  Maybe in smaller spurts.  I can do this! 

Jennifer and I hung out on Skype today.  Both on our sofas without makeup and talking for what seemed like a couple hours.  2000 miles apart.  We were barely off the phone when flowers appeared at the door..from my girl.  Aren't they beautiful?  Isn't she beautiful?  Only thing better would have been for us to be together today and tomorrow....we're sure we would've shopped.  

Tomorrow is another day that will forever bond Jennifer and I closer together.  See, Jennifer was on business in downtown NY on 9/11.  It was the worst several hours until she could call to say she was okay and days before she could get back home.  It's was such a sobering time when she got back and the memories come flooding back every year, esp. on this 10 year anniversary.   I'm so thankful for the social media on days like these.

Speaking of social media, we were in that  royal blackout that affected 1.4 million people here a couple days ago.  Our cell phones weren't even working.  No internet, TV, nothing.  It was a stinkin 100 degrees too.  I always like the initial adventure, brought candles and a lantern to an elderly neighbor we met right there on the spot.  She is quite a delightful lady and we might not have met so quickly.  We made a very interesting dinner and ate outside by candlelight.  With all the lights out EVERYWHERE the stars were brilliant.  Then we hopped in the car and drove around, both for the breeze and the radio news.  The news said families were forced to spend the evening together, neighbors grilled out,  sharing food.  We should all have mandatory random blackouts, don't ya think?  Well, unless you're in an elevator or on an amusement park ride....then you're exempt.  Anyway, everything came back on here 12 hrs later (in the middle of the night) which set off the house alarms.  With all the windows and doors open for air that sat us straight up and outta bed before we were awake!

 

Since I haven't been a good friend I haven't told you that I was asked to participate in The Creative Connection which is, OH MY, like in a few days!  I am on a panel for a Pitch Slam.  When they asked me I was a bit reluctant since I don't really work out.   However, after better understanding I learned I am not required to do the pitch slamming.  Instead, I'm on a roundtable listening to people pitch their designs for the Gift Industry.  That sounds much safer, doesn't it?  I'm truly excited to be a part of this roundtable and rub elbows with my fellow Demdaco buddies.  I do license my artwork  for fabrics and artwork, as well, so I think I have something to bring to the (round) table.  I am so needing to get out and be amongst creative peeps right now while passing along the knowledge I have gained.  So, are any of you attending? 

Last on my list of "I'm going to do better":  We found the pillow for the giveaway that the movers played Scramble with.  I am not announcing the winner, however, until I find the post office.  Love you!