SOUL MATE

As usual, much has happened since my last post. We were visited by wildfires, heat, wind, smoke and ashes, sirens and helicopters hovering. And all while we had friends visiting from the Midwest and Northwest. A bit preoccupied as to whether we would need to evacuate and what to pack in the car, we didn't spend as much time with our friends as we had planned. I recorded all the drama in images on my Facebook and Instagram pages. 

After that little adventure, I have been painting with more regularity and since my animal menagerie seems to be a hit on Etsy my painting repertoire now includes roosters with attitude and a close up of a horse I titled SOUL MATE. This painting was inspired by my sweet grand daughter starting therapeutic horse therapy and absolutely falling IN LOVE with "her" therapy horse, Prince. After a phone call with her gleefully describing how they became instant friends, I was thinking about how amazing animals are, how accepting and loyal. I asked my husband if he thought horses could see into a person's soul and he immediately responded with a resounding YES. Eyes have been the focus (haa haa) of my recent paintings, so I concentrated on a close up. This is what I put on the canvas to start off. Somehow, I liked these first strokes the best. But kept going, and going until this Saturday. I finished it in time to submit it into a local art gallery show, otherwise I would have done more; much more. 

SOUL MATE 20x20 acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas

Promise to share the roosters tomorrow.

SOLD MY FIRST PAINTING

Due to lack of sleep I sold my first painting! It's very normal for me to lay awake and stare up at the ceiling all night long.  One night I finally gave up and decided to clean out my inbox.  I know, I know.  In doing so I saw an email about an upcoming art gallery exhibition.  The receiving for the artwork submissions was the very next day.  I have never submitted artwork before, but the longer I thought about it I decided it was about time to get off my art stool. The next day I delivered my pieces and later got word they were accepted. Tim and I attended the reception, then moved on to all the holiday travels and festivities.  Then I got this call from the gallery saying one of my pieces, NEW YORK, NEW YORK sold.  AND the gallery's Chairman for the Board is the one who purchased it.  That's pretty cool for a rookie, right?   

While I have sold numerous pieces, they were always made for giclee's or reproductions and I own the originals.  This is a new experience for me and I must admit I have conflicting emotions.  I really liked that painting.  Makes me wonder; do artists hold a personal attachment to each piece?   I guess I better get over it, because I currently have seven paintings in various stages of completion.  I have poured hours over each one and they kinda grow on me.  Guess it's better to give them a new home than to enjoy all of them and be a starving artist, right?

Over the holidays we hand-delivered those pieces (here and here) for our grandson.  Here's what the whole group looks like hanging over his bed. 

TIM'S DAD AND HIS PLANE  WWII

He was genuinely excited, but Tim practically had him sign a Right of First Refusal in case Wyatt ever wanted to move on to another theme.  

So I started RUNNING this week using the Couch to 5k app!!!!!  Please, hold the applause.  Save it for when I actually finish.  What helps is there's a Brit that talks to you and I'm a tad bit embarrassed that she's talking when I'm within earshot of others.  I try to time it to get past people before or have even turned around to run in the other direction when I couldn't avoid passing people in time.  Now I can truly say, "gotta run".  xo

PAULA'S NEW KICKS

LASTING LIGHT

LASTING LIGHT  6X6 OIL ON BOARD

This photo is a tad bit blurry.  Don't feel like setting up and retaking the photo, sorry about that.  Pretend you are on a brisk walk on the beach and then it will look fine.  I sure haven't been painting as much as I'd like, but have a few "almost" done.  I often let things ruminate on the easel and most likely add or subtract a tad before giving the nod.

On the other hand, we have completed the collages for our grandson and here are the rest of the pieces:

I can't wait to see our grandson's reaction and have them all finally hanging above his new bed (as opposed to on our family room floor).

MAKING LASTING MEMORIES

Oh, you know how I've been telling you about all the old photos and ephemera of Tim's family?  Well, our grandson has been into vintage airplanes.  He saw my blog post and photo of Tim's dad with his fighter plane called Queen Jack and thought it was so cool.  So we are surprising him this Christmas with a grouping/collage of images from his great grandpa's flying days.  Here's what we've completed so far.  Lots of staining, sanding, printing, glueing and sealing.     Some grandma's knit sweaters, what can I say?  Just hope he likes it and I remember to get a good photo of the whole shebang once it's hung.  

DATING YOUNG

Well, the grandkids are gone.  Just like that!  For two weeks we took turns wearing each other out and packing in the memories.  We did planned things and things that didn't turn out as planned.  

ONE NOT PLANNED MEMORY OR YOU'LL LAUGH ABOUT THIS ONE DAY

Tim rented a sailboat.  Kids were not impressed.  They wanted a speed boat.  Papa doesn't do speed boats.  Not a windy day.  We slowly meandered around Mission Bay.  After awhile we noticed we weren't moving and it took Captain Papa some time before he admitted we were stuck in muck.  A coastguard boat came kinda near and asked if we were okay.  Captain Tim says yup, we're okay.  What!!!???  Is that the same as we're not lost in the middle of nowhere?  They left and we sat and sat.  Tim has this idea that we should all lean way over one side of the boat.  No one else liked that idea At All.  And it didn't work.  Thank God for cell phones, right?  Unless the rental people take their phone off the hook!   So the highlight (for me) was watching Papa strip down to his skivvies, jump in and basically dig and pull us out.  In his defense, Tim had no idea things were so shallow and there were no warning signs.  When we returned to the dock the guy said he was told by the coastguards we were stuck but was too busy rescuing others.  He says, "Oh people get stuck in that area a lot" and showed us a map hanging on their door.  So, being the caring person that I am, I made a few helpful suggestions.  Stuff like if you're going to have the phone off the hook maybe show people this handy dandy map as you are taking their deposit and you might have less rescues...just a thought.  We had a few laughs with the guy and all is well.  Not sure the grandkids are any fonder of sailing though.

Wyatt and Tim spent much time off doing guy things while Amelia and I hung together.  On one of the last nights together we switched things up and did something we did with our own kids when they were growing up. DATE NIGHT.  We love the opportunity to show them what might soon be a lost art.  Amelia was all in; picked out the perfect outfit and felt like a pampered princess.  Wyatt quickly stepped up and remembered that Papa always holds the car door for me (even if I'm the chauffeur).  He tried to imulate everything he remembered Papa doing at a restaurant and handled himself like a real gentleman and engaging date.  It gave Wyatt and I  time to talk uninterrupted: really Talk and Listen about hopes and dreams; past and future; whats funny-or not.  I will cherish this time as much as I did with Jonathan.  Priceless.  

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.

I'M THE GRANDMA I ALWAYS WANTED

Since my last post we had more house guests; our dear friends from Indiana.  This time my entertaining and sightseeing skills were put to the test with a toothache that was a 7-8 on the pain scale (childbirth being a 10).  I hugged my guests goodbye on the last day of their visit and took off for an emergency root canal.  It took six shots to numb that sucker and wasn't back home until almost 5 PM.  I'm not sure why people say they'd rather have a root canal than some horrible event because the root canal for me was actually a relief.  I don't even want to discuss all the trouble I've had with my teeth since arriving in San Diego.  Let's just say the dentist office is my second home (and second mortgage).  I got back in enough time to do some laundry, throw some clothes in a suitcase, stare at the ceiling for a couple hours before getting ready to fly out at o'dark thirty for Indianapolis.
  

I got to play grandma for a week while Jennifer and Joe took a little vaca.  It has been my goal to be the grandma I always wanted and I take that role very seriously.   We cooked together....how many kids do you know that beg for salmon, couscous and edamame?  We played Uno, Sorry and were going to play Monopoly until I realized I'd have to be the banker.  We laughed a lot and had our mandatory art day...all favorite things to do together.  Their nickname for me is The Meemster.  Not as in mean, but as in Mimi (at least that's what they tell me, hmmm?)  I adore those two and am so very blessed to know their love.

We each painted 3" mini canvases among other projects.  They both took advantage of a "technique" I showed them by using the end of their paintbrush to add or subtract.  A. added polka dot snowflakes by dabbing the end of the brush in paint and W. created circles by layering the paint on the canvas, then drawing with the end of the brush.  They couldn't wait to present their mini masterpieces to their mom and dad when they returned. 

My 3" canvas was painted in the style of a favorite piece of art by Peter Wileman.  I took photos of all three pieces with my iPhone so really don't know how mine turned out so closeup and rectangle instead of square.  Oh well.  Wonder how large Mr. Wileman's paintings are; bet bigger than 3" and much better than mine.  I'll make mine real big here to impress you, but you better go see his art to really knock your socks off.  

So I am back home now with no plans to travel anytime soon and am shutting down the B&B until May.  Guess that means I should post more, huh?  Oh, alright.  I have some tutorials coming soon and more pics of the work we've done around here.  And thanks so much for your messages and encouragement.  

TICKLED I TACKLED

It hit me that 5 years ago I started this blog as we were celebrating Amelia's 3rd birthday.  She turns 8 today.  I had not seen her for six whole months until Christmas, so there were lot's of "squeezing the stuffins" out of each other.  We always plan an "art day" whenever we're together.  Us girls spent a chilly day indoors cutting, pasting and painting.  I chose to tackle Amelia's puppy looking up at her longingly.  I have never painted fur and wasn't sure I could.  I guess I could say I was tickled I tackled this twosome.  Happy birthday my sweet girl.

I was able to make more progress on this painting of Amelia that I shared here.  I am trying to work much faster; not sure that is working for me yet.  

Remodeling has been coming along nicely and this place is actually starting to grow on me.  I kinda promised a lot more than I delivered on my blog last year.  Life takes over and I frankly think it's not all that interesting.  I thought I could catch up on tutorials in the Fall but in October I received a surprise licensing contract request which I accepted.  It took twice as long as I anticipated and I barely stepped away from my computer until Christmas.  A total computer crash didn't help.  No more art classes, Christmas parties, grocery shopping, sleeping....nada.  Tim and I spent the entire Thanksgiving holiday alone in front of the computer...no turkey and mashed potatoes or pumpkin pie for us, whaaaa whaaaa.  I guess Tim could have taken a photo of me dozing off with my head on my desk, but thank goodness he was too busy taking up the slack.  But alas, I did skid in under the deadline with some exciting products which I can't share until Fall.   

2013 already has lots of company lined up for us.  Jenn, Joe and kids just left, our dear friends are flying in from Nashville in a couple days, then other friends from Indiana will be here before I go back home to spend time with the fam..   Maybe I can do some bloggets??

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.  

SPRING BREAK

Flowers from the yard are adorning the house.  I just realized that I have not taken photos of my new Demdaco line as I was taking this photo of the tray.  I'll just need to take more photos later.  Not now because Jennifer and the kiddos are here for Spring break!  The weather is beautiful and we are taking full advantage. 

My two favorite guys heading in

WINTER BLAST

I am so behind on blogging, as you will see.  I have excuses, but who cares, right?  But I come with some pictures as a peace offering.  My new line of picture frames, pillows and mirrors had their debut at a few Demdaco showrooms.  As much as I wanted to I did not make it to the huge Atlanta showroom, but Tim and I drove to Chicago and visited my new line there.  So, as we were approaching the showroom this is what we saw!  Schweet, huh?



THE PAULA PRASS COLLECTION
 FRONT WINDOW DISPLAY



ANOTHER DISPLAY





LOTS OF PILLOWS



Since I didn't get to the Atlanta showroom I only have a couple pics that were taken from someone's cell phone.  It certainly gives me an idea of what I missed, huh?

THE PAULA PRASS COLLECTION
DEMDACO'S ATLANTA SHOWROOM



I am hoping to redo my website soon (easier said than done these days).  When it's complete I'll be offering these goodies for sale.

The weather seems to be a non-stop source of conversation lately, especially here in the Midwest.  The ice storm put a thick, hard layer of ice over several inches of snow and everything else, which pretty much closed everything down around here.  Then this morning we woke up to snow, snow and more snow over the harsh ice.  I realized that I have only been viewing all this "weather" as added work and inconvenience.  I caught myself doing it again today, then looked out my family room window and this was my view.  How can I be so blind to the beauty all around me?

I love the hints of pinkish coral the sky left on the snow.  It's been grey for so long, I almost missed the added color.

Speaking of all pink and beautiful, I didn't blog much during the holidays but just had to show you how cute my little Miss Amelia was for her holiday dance recital.  I must admit we were all quite pleasantly surprised at how well she did during the performance.  She is just way too busy to constantly pay attention, ya know?  We all glanced at each other like, "What? She's been holding out on us?"  

   

POSING AFTER MAKE-UP

TOTALLY FOCUSED

Afterwards we all went out to celebrate.  The restaurant manager came to the table to chat and commented on Amelia's recital (obvious by the outfit).  He asked how she did and her brother Wyatt piped up and said, "We were startled at how good she did!"  Startled?  Wow, that's our new word and we enjoy using it whenever possible.  Love those kids!!!

While I feel badly that I'm not blogging more often are all very understanding and forgiving.  Your wonderful notes continue to warm my heart.  Thanks xo

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Christmas is going to be very different this year.  I have admittedly been very nostalgic.  I'm sure there are many more photos packed away in shoe boxes that I just haven't gone through yet, but here are some Christmas photos we scanned in before Jonathan's Memorial.  The first three are so precious to me because I was a single mom back then and many of the toys and clothes under the tree were actually hand-me-downs donated from families.  But look how happy Jennifer and Jonathan were.  I'm almost sure this was the Christmas that someone brought a used doll for Jennifer that pooped it's diaper when you fed it food.  It didn't take me long to figure out why they were so eager to pass it down to us.  The doll ate real baby food that turned rancid inside the doll.  Ah yes, wonderful memories.

This next photo was taken on Christmas eve while visiting our friends in Pittsburgh.  The kids were so excited and didn't want to miss a thing, esp Santa.  Isn't this so precious?  Jennifer still gets that glazed look just before bedtime.

And I'm particularly fond of this beauty.... me decorating Jonathan.  Yes, we were an odd family.

Here we are dressed in our holiday garb and me practicing a kinder and gentler choke hold, which came in mighty handy during those teenage years.

Not the best picture, but one of the last Christmases with Jonathan.



 My heart aches, but I have so much to be thankful for.  We had some great times of love and laughter and fond memories.  I've been remembering the time we heard a big crash and raced in to find the Christmas tree over on it's side and Jonathan as white as a sheet on all fours behind where the Christmas tree had been standing.  He knocked it over while sneaking to see if the gifts tucked behind the tree were for him.  And another time he unwrapped his presents to see what he was getting and not so carefully re-wrapped them.  If that wasn't bad enough he then commented on the gloves Jennifer got him before he opened her gift.  And how about the time he "accidentally" sucked all the water out of the tree base with the vacuum hose? 

Once the Pee Wee Herman Show told the kids to get some pots and pans and go wake up your parents on Saturday morning, but we were already awake so Jon decided to wake Jennifer instead.  We had to peel her from the ceiling. 

I had my fair share of mischievous behaviour.  When Jon was a teenager I had a friend spending Saturday night and we had to sit on the floor because Jon fell asleep across the sofa and refused to go up to bed.  So I painted his nails red.  Next morning he hopped in the shower at the last minute before church and we all heard a scream.  Running late he had to keep his hands in his pockets all through church.

We need those playful, fun memories.  Otherwise the difficult times would be too unbearable.  So this Christmas I'll be making some new memories with our grandchildren.  Maybe I'll go buy me some bright red nail polish. 

Have a wonderful holiday filled with all that matters most...each other!

WINNER OF WOODLAND DELIGHT

Sorry for not posting the winner of the 4 yards of Woodland Delight fabric, but things finally got crankin, uninterrupted, with that bathroom remodel and I didn't stop til I fell into bed.  I had another killer workout this morning and am just now back in the studio.  I'm here now, but you have to listen to me talk about the grandkids...again.

We had a wonderfully busy Labor Day weekend, filled with several trips to Lowe's Home Improvement.  We spend so much time there we actually know more than some of the employees.  We have been known to help perfect strangers.  We run into friends and neighbors and after several chats we barely have time left to install what we bought. 

The highlight of the weekend was spending some time with the grandkids.  The weather was beautiful so we had a cookout over at their house.  Papa brought his banjo and we danced and laughed and played til we wore them out (it's our job you know).  

Have I told you how much more fun it is being a grandparent?  They get so excited when they know we are coming and we can't wait for the hugs and love.  Parenting is way too stressful and worrisome.  Being a grandparent is all fun and games and then we go home.  But the ride home is filled with talking about how blessed we are.  Tim and I did not have great memories of our grandparents.  Tim's were indifferent and mine were downright mean.  Our goal is to be the grandparents we wished we had. 

Thank you all so much for your comments during this giveaway.  I plan to take some of your excellant advise.  Wow, Google Reader is hands down the preferred method for following a blog.  Why did I think we had to use Bloglines?  See, now I'm asking more questions.

                                            

Many of you are not only reading my blogs but following me on Facebook and Twitter.  How do we ever get anything done?  Because I was counting each "follow" I decided to turn it over to my math and spreadsheet guru (Tim) to find a winner.  Drum roll please.

Tiff said "I follow your blog via Google Friend Connect, Twitter, subscribe and like you on Facebook.  Why?  Cuz I loves ya!  I'm hooked on your fabric and you are such a neat woman.  Seriously, I'd give my eye teeth just to get to meet you in person".

Okay, I'm cracking up.  Eye teeth?  Hold on to those Tiff.  Frankly, I'm not always that neat.  But thanks for being hooked on my fabric.  Just email me your address.  And for the rest of you, I plan to have more giveaways so stay tuned!