Winter LaneAcrylic on Canvasboard 5x7
It's been too long since I've updated this blog. With the holidays, it seems time just got away from us. We visited my grandson's family, including great-granddaughter Julia for Christmas. She is such a joy! Eleven months old, jabbering a mile a minute, and WALKING already! We had an opportunity to talk to my grandson who is in the Army in Iraq, and that was a special pleasure.
Meantime, we've been trying to clear out excess clutter and belongings in anticipation of putting the house on the market. I don't know that this is a time to do that, but we want to be free to travel more this summer without being tied down to yard work.
We continue with our Friday afternoon art classes, which are always fun and a challenge.
This little painting of a Winter Lane was finished just last week in anticipation of a show of small and large works. Small works must measure no more than 8 x 10 including frame.
I've also been updating my database of artwork, which is way too time consuming in my opinion, but it needs to be done. In the process of doing that, I found some paintings I had not photographed before. Here is a really small one, 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches, done in pastel pencil.
Smoky Mountain Stream
Pastel Pencil on Sanded Paper 3.5 x 2.5
Maybe I should do more this size. Working so small takes real concentration. It's so easy to overdo the work.
I've had the urge lately to try doing some abstracts. I have a large (30 x 40 inches) canvas and just can't seem to make anything come together on it. I've covered it up with gesso twice already, to get rid of the painting I didn't like. Ken says pretty soon it will weigh 75 lbs., just from the amount of gesso and paint on it. (For those who don't know, gesso is an acrylic base for covering old work or for preparing a surface for new work.)
And, as a follow up to my last post, I was awarded "People's Choice" for the painting in that post. What nice "frosting on the cake." It is really motivating to know people like my work.
Finally, a quick and easy recipe for a wonderful panini sandwich:
On a rustic bread slice, place fresh baby spinach leaves, a little crumbled Feta cheese, some cold sliced chicken, a little mayo on another slice of bread and place that second slice mayo side down on top of the chicken. Grill in a panini press, or in a skillet or grill pan (using another pan for a weight) until golden on both sides. Make one sandwich per person. So simple, and so good!
