NO MANDARIN IS AN ISLAND

Let this be a lesson, young (NOT) lady. Here is a perfect example of the need to start with the end in mind. Last week I had a couple friends over for a fun painting day. Between playing hostess with the mostess, turning my dining room into a painting studio, getting the girls set up, making lunch, etc. I didn't pay attention to the fact that where I set up to paint this mandarin orange the leaves were positioned behind the fruit, which wasn't the best view. Then I quickly drew my mandarin and plate while standing, ran off to make lunch, ate and when I came back to paint I was sitting, which changed the vantage point. Forgot to take a photo of the mandarin on the plate before putting it in the frig for the night. As a result, I had a heck of a time. 

So I basically started over on day 2, but with what I already painted the day before. Turned the orange so the leaves looked more interesting and this time took a pic for reference. 

1) Take a reference photo

 Once I moved past reworking the leaves and plate and reshaping the mandarin I liked it better, but then realized it could have been painted much larger or at a more interesting angle. I had too much empty space and it bugged me…and bugged me…

2) Fill up more canvas or choose a dynamic angle

If a dozen people said it was fine, I still had to fix it for me. So I draped some striped fabric over the back of my vignette, painted it and voila! I can sleep now. And by the way, painting a glass dish, especially at that angle was way hard. I was a bad "instructor" (free, but still bad) for thinking the clear glass would be easy to paint. And for not spending more time experimenting with interesting angles beforehand. Overall, we had fun painting together, but I learned more than they did. Better planning upfront and having a procedure to follow may possibly help avoid reworking and correcting during the painting process. In my defense we did talk a lot about the color wheel. Imagine that.

3) Start with the end in mind

That poor little mandarin sat alone on that clear glass plate for way too long, so I named it No Mandarin is an Island.  

GALLERY WALL

Last week I created a gallery wall as part of a submission requirement to an art show. Well, by golly, ya do what ya gotta do, right? I basically robbed Peter to pay Paul. Anyone even remember that saying? I have a couple blank walls now with nothing hanging but a nail. It worked as I was accepted and for right now I'm going to leave the wall as is. However, this turned out to be a valuable exercise; there actually is a thread of continuity to what I create! Can you see it?

SUMMER AT THE BEACH

SUMMER AT THE BEACH  11x14 acrylic on heavy paper

This was painted on the beach in Maui awhile back where I was taking an abstract plein air workshop. Pulled it out this week and added just a few touches. I'll probably stare at it some and might just add another dab or two. And before it's deemed finished I also look at my paintings in different rooms at different times of the day to see if I need to lighten or highlight any areas. 

My friend Lisa Chin has invited me to participate in an art challenge on Facebook. I'll be posting artwork for 5 days and nominating another artist each day to do the same and fill Facebook with beautiful art. Here's Day 1.

UPRIGHT PATH

UPRIGHT PATH I

UPRIGHT PATH II

UPRIGHT PATH III

Part of organizing my studio in preparation for my anticipated stellar year, I revisited three unfinished paintings. Added several more layers until the paths were formed and the direction became clear. Very pleased with the "direction" my Plane View Series is taking.

Also revisiting that website that continues to hang over my head. There will be a self-imposed completion date, young lady! I have had such a rough time downloading images..until I switched browsers. Voila. So glad I didn't throw my 2 Macs out the window after all. 

QUILTED FIELDS

QUILTED FIELDS 12x16x1.5 acrylic on canvas

Might just be finished with this one. Oh maybe a tweak or two, you know me. Combined my love of patchwork and aerial views to add to my Plane View series. 

First thing I did to ring in the new year was purge and organize my small studio. Added some narrow shelves to hold some of the small pieces that get in the way. 

Then I PAINTED like it was my JOB! Imagine that. When I wasn't painting I was working on the website, which is similar to pulling my eye teeth, but I'll be ever so happy to have that task behind me. 

IKEA HACKATHON - CHALKBOARD

It's no secret I love Ikea. Okay, maybe I am mildly obsessed. On a recent trip to Ikea I noticed this Norrlida frame and immediately thought of several uses for it and at $9.99 I snatched it up. I thought it would make a cool tray but decided the perfect use would be a chalkboard over my bar cart. I took it apart and painted the backboard with chalkboard paint. When I put it back together I just put the glass behind the backboard so it would have the same thickness. Tim did need to add a wire hanger to the back. I do believe there might have been some inhaled chalk dust in the process, but I am really liking having it above the bar cart. After the holidays I'll use it for drink recipes or menus.

MERRY PELLEGRINO

The shelves came from Target and bar cart is from Crate and Barrel. All ready for the holidays!

More Ikea hacks and love coming soon.

TURNS OUT MR BIG SHOT REALLY IS A BIG SHOT

Awhile back I posted about the making of MR BIG SHOT, a mixed media painting of my father-in-law when he was a young whipper snapper here and here. Well, he got accepted into the Summation 2014 juried show at the Escondido Municipal Gallery and received an Honorable Mention. It was one year ago that I entered my first art exhibit and the director of the gallery purchased New York, New York. I just have to smile a little.

UPDATE:

Me and MR BIG SHOT

PAULA'S KITCHEN REMODEL - THE BEFORE

AND SOME AFTER…..

Please excuse the metaphor, but we just gave birth to a beautiful, brand spankin new kitchen. And boy are we proud..and exhausted. I was so over the plastic drop cloths on the furniture, layers of construction dust and tripping over tools I was pushing for a finish date of Thanksgiving. It's 95% complete and the last few days we find ourselves just staring in amazement at the results of our many months of DIY hard labor. We've been taking a boatload of photos, grinning ear to ear and rubbing our sore muscles.

There were many times I wondered if this would ever become a reality. I have shared a little along the way about this fixer-upper we purchased three and a half years ago. We spent the first couple years mostly repairing and dealing with the more serious issues. Lots of scrubbing, painting, tearing out and replacing HERE and HERE and much more I haven't shared. But the kitchen was by far the biggest eyesore. The previous owners slapped lots of lipstick on this pig to no avail. And lest you think I exaggerate; here's what happens when the seller slaps latex paint over oil. Looks okay until you wash it and the paint rolls off. 

The wood cabinets and pretty much every other surface was also painted using latex paint with the same results, but with the added touch of dog and human hair mixed in. I'm sparing you those images. You're welcome.

The counters and floors had ugly beige/brown 70's tile with dark, thick grout that looked dirty no matter how much bleach was used: 

tile changes between kitchen and breakfast room

chips in tile

Not grossed out yet? No problem. Take a gander under the drop-in cooktop. We had to take it apart and fix some burners just to use it. 

cooktop grime

Same with all the appliances. The refrigerator melted the ice and froze the fruits and veggies. The oven door was so filthy it didn't even shut. The sink had never been caulked and sealed, so when we turned the disposal on the sink shook violently. Some of the kitchen knobs were stuck onto the drawers only by the paint, no screws, so they came off in your hand. 

inside drawers

The kitchen drawers; I promise that is as clean as I could get them. By now you get the idea. As an interior designer who loves to entertain I dreamt of a remodel. I planned, researched, saved my pennies and collected ideas on my Pinterest Board, just waiting for the day we could pull it off.  

        WELL...WE PULLED IT OFF

Lighting isn't the best and I took these with my cell phone. I'll be sharing much more in upcoming posts, as I share what materials I selected and some DIY's. But I was just so excited to finally show you what McGyver and I have been up to. We were literally putting finishing touches Thanksgiving Day and had guests for dinner. A huge accomplishment and it felt so good and rewarding.

NEWEST LOVE AFFAIR

Okay, first of all, I FINALLY changed the blog header. I haven't done that in so long the rules for size changed and after trying like a dozen times it finally worked but is, um, huge. Too bad. I'm so over it.

Windsor & Newton Cotman Watercolours

Lately, I don't stop long enough to post what I'm doing. With the kitchen remodel I forget and lately have been painting walls and trim. But I MUST show you this adorable itsy bitsy watercolor set I gifted myself. I shared it on Facebook and Instagram already but I love it so much I'm posting it here. It fits in a small purse and travels with me. Just need a little water and a napkin. Okay, kinda sounds like a substitute for a cute little puppy. BY GOLLY, I think it is. 

Look at the cute brush. I did buy that wonderful hot pink separately, just cuz I love the brilliance. Sure beats that Prang set I've had most of my life.

I recently painted this bouquet while on a flight and during delays at the airport. It was a bumpy ride and I had to keep grabbing my water so it didn't spill, but boy did the time pass quickly. I can take a pic on my phone then paint it. Stop the madness!

I took a pic of my daughter's shoes during a visit, came back home and painted them as a gift for her hospitality (and amazing style).

My friend's bird, Bella

I'm liking this watercolor stuff, a lot! After years of thinking it would be hard, I am looking forward to learning what else I can do. I'm thinking of offering some commissions after the kitchen is complete. Any interest?

ALMOST HOME

ALMOST HOME 24X30 acrylic on canvas

Another larger painting based on my Plane View series has experienced a great deal of transformation, evolution and is at last possibly complete. I tried taking a few photos with my cell phone this evening. Don't know why but each one I took is lacking in clarity and color so I took a couple close-ups to show better color, texture and detail. I must admit I am loving the close-ups which got my creative wheels spinning. 

For those that know me, as much as I love, love, love abstract art my brain revolts each and every time I make an attempt. Experimenting, permission to play and trying new things is a rewarding process. It reminds me of our kids repeating over and over as we barely left the driveway, "Are we there yet?" We tried to point out the beauty and new experiences along the way, but they only had the end in mind. Wisdom and experience says enjoy each step along the journey. 

I am on a journey of sorts with my Plane View studies. While others choose to read or snooze on flights I prefer to sketch little studies from my window seat. I recently made 4 of my Plane View pieces available as prints in my Etsy Shop. 

PLANE VIEW #4, 11, 12