Go With the Flow #386

"Is it knowing when to stop?"

A really good question, from yesterday's comments.

I think so. . . the more I fuss, the tighter I get and and the freshness is lost - there's a sort of point of no return on those ones. I've been more aware lately of when that's happening and I try to put it down, start a new one quick and go back to the other one only deliberately in one or two areas after I've stepped away from the process a little.

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One Fine Day #385

A little discipline talk in response to a comment received on yesterday's post;

"I'm so curious how you have disciplined yourself to do this.

Do you paint at the same time every day?

At home or in a studio? Has it been difficult to be consistent?"

I prefer to paint first thing in the morning when I get up, so nothing else gets in the way, but I can't always do that - so, I paint when I can fit it in now. BUT at the beginning I made sure I set aside a block of time - predetermined - and stuck to it so I wouldn't miss a day.

I paint in my home - in an extra room set aside for just this, unless I venture outside - I have found it helpful to have a designated area w/my paints and everything set up all the time. I would set up a corner of a room if I didn't have a whole room I could use. It's been really important.

Some days are easier than others - the days I am feeling like there's nothing to paint, are the days that become the most enjoyable, maybe because I don't have a preset notion in my head? No expectations maybe?

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Yoohoo #384

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New, never before seen paintings have been delivered to White Magdelena this weekend in Hingham Square - and now I'm starting on some bigger ones - or wanting to start on some bigger ones. . . any suggestions?

And then. . . it rained. #383

I did it, I got to paint outside before the rain - it was sprinkling a little, but I set up anyway, because as as someone wise stated, as I was talking myself out of painting outside, "you can't wait for the weather."

Oh, so true.

So, I painted beside White M, not in the back, not in the front but right in the middle - that was a good compromise. . .

Other News: No dogs for company today, just some ants and a chipmunk.

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60 South Street, Hingham Square, MA
781-749-0048

In Good Company #382

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Here's a still life set up on the back porch with Brie by my side (okay, in the grass, by my side, in the grass, by my side, then trying to eat paint, wait, no trying to eat paper towels, no, no, wait, the paint was much better, more of a response from the humans, are they mad or do they think I'm cute?) and P.O.P. (painting outside partner) who aided in painting and warding off aforementioned cute, but hyperactive, fluffy dog (good grief).

Somehow, despite someone's (Brie) antics to eat dinner and also everything within a twenty foot vicinity we managed to get two paintings done, combined. We are multi-taskers; painters AND protectors of the fluffy-butt.

Other News: This is only about an eighth of the amount of strawberries I've gathered from my garden this week. I am now accepting strawberry recipes, preferably baked goods, with no more than say, seven ingredients that I can freeze when made. I would LOVE a lesson in making preserves - fyi. . . barter anyone?

More News Still: Painting outside at White Magdelena tomorrow (Saturday) from eleven-ish - to one-ish - If I'm feeling bold, I'll be out front, if I'm in shy mode, I'll be in the back - come on by. . .

Duckpin #381

Here's the painting from the demo for the fifth grade class today.

They had great questions like,

"Do you paint what you feel, or what you see?"

So, in this demo, I managed to do precisely what I told them not to do for composition! HA! I've since improved upon it, but my goodness, I had these little tomatoes lined up just like bowling pins. They were polite and didn't point it out. . . phew!

Have I mentioned the colors they made?! They were fantastic! I saw the most amazing muted pink, a fantastic purple, beautiful grays and OH the greens, because, of course, I brought my favorite mid-century modern GREEN linen napkins.

We used the primaries and white for paint and paper plates for palettes - and someone even cut cardstock down to squares for me - thanks to whoever did that, by the way.

So, this painting is what it is - I am just glad I didn't TOTALLY flub up in front of my audience of twenty-six!

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Jester #380

PEER pressure with painting? Now there's something I didn't anticipate. I don't use burnt umber - I wonder if I'm missing something - everyone else is doing it.

So, tomato stems remind me of jester hats. I thought you should know this. Always have.

Other News: Tonight I am practicing painting. What? Yes, yes, I'm practicing because I'm painting in front of a real live group of people tomorrow, a fifth grade classroom. OOOH, I hope I'm taller than them. Anyhow, all insecurities aside, it's a program called Arts Alive and it's their 10th annual event, "to raise awareness of art and artists all around us."

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Three Daisies, Two Turkeys, One Cat #379

Hey - these aren't poppies - I see a daisy and I just have to paint it, it's that simple.

I've been 'talking' about darks lately - I make my darkest dark using Aliziran, Pthalo Blue and a smidgen of Cad Med Yellow - what's your recipe?

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Oh, Wise One #378

My sage is flowering.

A quarter of the garden is covered in purple flowers.

And don't get me started about the strawberries. I caught Brie playing tug of war with one of the shoots.

Other News: I had a lunch meeting with some interesting creative minds.

More News Still: Tomorrow I paint poppies! Or at least I'll be in their company while I paint.

Lastly: Hoping for a Farmer's Market possibility and keeping my fingers crossed on a summer adventure which is top secret right now.

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Just Plucky #377

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These roses are from my yard. I really can't get over the flowers that just happen here - and today is a big day. I mowed my first lawn ever. I know, I know - throwing caution to the wind again, it really wasn't that bad, it's a small yard ,mind you, even smaller since the garden has that mind of it's own.

Thank you for all the advice on tents, I have a bunch of leads now and I can't wait to get researching! I'll let you know which I decide on -

Other News: thank you to all the new folks who have come on by to visit - I hope you'll come back soon. . .

Behind the Scenes #376

I painted behind White Magdelena in Hingham Square today. I plan on doing this throughout the summer, come on by for a demo. . .

This is only the second painting I've done all by myself outside. I usually paint with other people or lately, in the company of dogs, but not today. Anyhow, what caught my eye was the dark area beside the building kind of under the base of the flag post. That was it, that little tiny bit of dark made me do it!

Other News: I need advice. What kind of 10' x 10' tent can I put up by myself for outdoor art shows? I went to Lowe's, but it was heavy and looked like I might get swallowed up if I tried assembly alone. If I do buy it I would strongly encourage all to attend the pre-show setup for what will most likely be an amusing and acrobatic ordeal.

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60 South Street, Hingham Square, MA
781-749-0048

Across the Street #375

This is what I see out my window. . . those hedges, contain a secret garden, I just know it.

They are so large at the end of the summer, they get trimmed with a chain saw!

Other News: All you Village folk - Ernie has his heirloom tomato plants for sale, $2 a plant - - I just got two. That's his chimney, I think, at the top of the painting. . .

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Go Figure #374

The strawberry patch is back - I have oodles of random radishes and now I have very many strawberries. In fact, I still have some frozen from last summer - I'm not sure what someone is supposed to do with all these. Muffins? Preserves? Facials?

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Boat Boat #373

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Let me tell you something about painting boats;

a. They don't stay still

b. I'm quite sure they weren't this close together in real life

It was challenging, one would move, so I couldn't get the window things right, my composition started off a little different too and then as the tide shifted, well. . . you know.

BUT did you see the cover of the summer LL Bean catalog? It is by Colin Page, I love his paintings! So, I was all happy to do boats, how he did that many on one painting is beyond me, I could only manage two.

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60 South Street, Hingham Square, MA
781-749-0048

Other News:

I keep painting near dogs. Today, it was a WET chocolate lab - fresh out of the drink.

The House in the Middle of Street #372

Back outside in Hull today - this is the house that is in the middle of the street near Nantasket Beach. . .

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