Update ... or I Need a Break ...

I think I left off here ...

Added some background, to give myself an idea of how dark to go with the car, and to give it a ground

More car color [brown madder]

Some "grass" in front [which looks like it will need some shape change] and a lot of fussy detail work on the car, most of which I can't even see on this screen!


The Boxer Girls have been taken home for the weekend, but they'll be back. Their mom misses them so much; she picks them up Friday night, and then brings them back Sunday evening. So now I have time for my things - Bruno and painting, and some gardening, too.
I still like the old car, but it has reached the fussy detail stage. I needed a break, so I thought I would post what I have so far. I must admit, it has been much more interesting/challenging to paint without a photo propped beside me. I find myself having to think and plan more.
I had a small inner debate earlier - painting or watching an end-of-the-world movie. I LOVE apocalyptic movies. It must be a carry-over from my younger years. I still remember my dad pointing out the satellite "Sputnik" to me, as it sailed overhead. And it was the time of the Cold War, when anyone who had a nuclear or hydrogen bomb to blow up was doing so. I really did have dreams [nightmares?] about trying to run away from some inescapable doom. Sorry, sometimes I get a bit grim!
Back to NOW. If any of you would like to comment, you are more than welcome to leave a note. I love them.  

An Unexpected Day Off

Smoke from my fire

Lucy, one of my barn "helpers"

Pumpkin, not much of a helper, but here she is

My aunt, who drove 50 miles to "play with fire"

Bruno, self-designated Fire Marshall, and me

Not too interested in having his picture taken

Ahhh ... that's better



I was expecting to work today, but the receptionist called yesterday to let me know I was only booked on Friday. So I decided to take advantage of the good weather, and burn off all the old and moldy hay, blackberry bush cuttings and other garden- type waste. Out here, you are still able to burn outdoors in October and April, if you purchase a burning permit from the township. I KNOW it's environmentally a big NO-NO [and I'm so good in most other environmental aspects], but there is something atavistically appealing in burning a large pile of stuff outside. When I was a child, home owners in Vancouver were permitted to burn all the leaves raked from their property. I loved raking and playing in the leaves, and then burning the piles early in the evening in the gloaming.
I started collecting and piling garden clippings, then got to work inside the barn. I had so much hay I hadn't had a chance to get rid of, from previous years. And this last winter there was so much that His Imperial Self refused to eat, though I did manage to give away 30 bales to my farrier [who also owns a boarding barn, and can always use extra hay].
Anyway, there we all were in the relatively warm sunshine, having a good time. My aunt and I worked for 5 fun-filled hours
 I just realized, you probably have never seen me before this. Please do not let yourselves be overwhelmed by my chic attire! I am a high-fashion "barn grunt", and proud of it!!  :)

Moving Along Nicely ... and the Old Car, Too

I'm pleased with how it is developing, and very happy on the decision to "go old".

One I painted about 8 years ago [and sold ... yay]
I will probably do a similar background.

Himself, several weeks ago.


I thank all of you for your questions about Bruno. He had "good drugs" - corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid - injected directly into the arthritic joints of both hind legs. The results have been phenomenal. Physically, he is supple, more fluid and powerful in his movement, and has lost the severe, protective muscle tightness. Emotionally, he is one happy guy - keen and eager to be ridden, and not balky and sulky when under saddle. He really and truly feels like a new horse! We both are quite happy right now.
I also have 2 boarders here for at least the next 6 weeks. One of my sisters had a major flood in her home [poorly done plumbing]. It was so damaging that she and her husband had to move out for the repairs to be done, and the place they are renting for the duration does not accept dogs. So I have the Boxer girls. They are both sweet and well-behaved, but are high maintenance dogs. The cat is tolerating them ... barely. And Bruno can't stand them! He is so very possessive of me, that he charges and chases them if they are in his space, and will put on a show of force - rearing, bucking, galloping, and generally letting the dogs know that he means business! My dear little 3/4 ton green-eyed monster!!! So it goes, here on the farm.  

Distressed ... the Painting, Not Me

Photo taken from this year's Cruise In

Two photos taken several years ago
Cars "parked" in a field

A distressingly-painted car


I liked the photo I took this year, but realized it would be almost impossible to decipher all the shadows and reflections, and their sources. So I decided to wing it, and paint the car as an old timer, rusting happily in a field. Hurray [or "huzzah"] for the concept of artistic license.

... Something in the Air ...

Did this sketch quickly this AM

Been clarifying and simplifying this for weeks

The REAL bun

Beauty of a 1931 Ford, at CruiseIn this summer

I think this is the same make and year

I took these photos 10 years ago, in a field not too far from home



I was reading Carrie Waller's blog post this morning, and found I am not alone in being frustrated with my art. Apparently Carrie is looking for her "style". I found myself so fed up with my art yesterday, I trashed the hibiscus I was working on ... and it felt GOOD! It was a nice photo of a pretty flower with beautiful colors, and that was it. I am trying to find/see some meaning in my work.
The portraits I did of John and Steph were received in a lukewarm manner. Steph made the comment that I should stick to graphite or pencil sketches for "people" portraits, if not all portraits. She loved the pencil works, and thought they would probably be more salable as well. So here I am. Any thoughts or grumps gladly received!!!  

Time for a Big Flower

Washes of aureolin, quin. gold and alizarin crimson

More washes - quin. burnt orange, phthalo blue and alizarin

STILL more washes - phthalo blue, alizarin and a final quin. gold

The unveiling

Original photo


I was feeling the need to do something big and floral, so I checked  the photo library, and found this gorgeous hibiscus.  I did a sketch with the leaves included, and found it to look too cluttered. So I decided to paint a background that would give depth but allow the flower to dominate. I think there must be at least twenty graded washes in the background already, and I must say it felt GREAT to splash on paint with [relative] abandon! I'm not completely happy with the masking I'm using - finding it slightly marking the paper. If you have ideas on masking fluid brands, let me know, please. And, as ever, please let me know what you think ...

A Morning TOO Beautiful Not to Share ...

Willows by the pond

Path to the barn

Field behind barn buildings

Looking back from field into paddock

His Nibs, enjoying breakfast hay

Path between my humble abode and next door

Late-blooming hollyhock

As I went down to feed His Highness this morning, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day. I love the look of the sunrise filtering through the mist. I almost ran back to the house to get my camera, but Bruno was neighing for food! I hope you enjoy these early morning scenes as much as I did.