MaryLou's News

"MaryLou's News" 6x6 
SOLD

MaryLou's News is a chain of coffee shops started and grown by the entrepreneurial Mary Lou. The "Best Coffee in Town"  is the slogan and the pink awnings and big pink cup signs are the local answer to the ubiquitous Donut Giant! You can find them all over the South Shore. 
Check out the  February Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge,  'storefront'. 

Drive By

6x6 oil on gesso board

This is the shadow of our car against the concrete barriers as we pass through Providence, Rhode Island on our way to Naples. The hardest part of the entire trip is packing and leaving the house the day of travel. So many loose ends. It makes me tired just thinking about it. 

Coincidently, it's time for bed.

Painting A Day at the Von Liebig

Debbie who hasn't painted in years really 'got' it.

My first Painting A Day Class at the Von Liebig was great. My students just happened to be snowbirds from Massachusetts! I did a demo of the slices of lime and then they did their paintings which turned out very well. Of course we knew some people in common and my girls were very good about bringing their sense of humor and leaving their inner critics AT HOME. I was impressed and we had fun which is the main thing. 
We all have an inner critic telling us how 'not good' we are at what ever it is we might be trying when we step out of the box.  I emphasize shutting down any and all doubt immediately and enjoying the process. Life's a journey not a destination ;)

My next session is in two weeks. Click HERE to sign up and be sure to check out the supply list in the sidebar to the left of the class description. Actually, I put in the link to make it easy.
Be nice to yourself today and enjoy life!

Chris 'kicked it' by including the translucent cup of limes.
Very Brave!

Narcissus in Brush Pot

16x8 Narcissus on canvas panel 
SOLD

This cool pot made of recycled brushes and glazed in ceramic was a Christmas gift from a dear friend who knows me well. I painted this on Sunday but haven't been able to edit it and post it until tonight. I am running around last minuting in preparation for our scheduled Saturday departure for Naples.

Don't forget to check out my Painting A Day class beginning Thursday the 19th at the Von Liebig Center for the Arts in Naples, Florida. It's only $25 and is a three hour lesson on how to complete a small painting in a 1-2 hour session. Bring your sense of humor and leave your inner critic AT HOME!

Jackson and Reagan- 12x12 commission

I picked up my new MacBook Pro last night and I am making my first post from it. I really LOVE it.

::::sipping the kool-aid:::::::::: and I think I'm going to like it more when I see what it can do :D

This commission was done for a lovely woman who befriended me while I was on my Painting Safari by the River last September. Lots of people walk their dogs there and I met them all.
I delivered it yesterday and she was very pleased.

New Years Day

Corita Kent's 'Rainbow Swash' 
Iconic Landmark Gas Tank on Boston Harbor 
8x8 oil on cradled panel 
SOLD

Happy 2012. I wish every one of you,  along with my dearest family and friends a fresh outlook on life, more kindness given and received, more moments lived in the 'now', more compassion for all living beings, more satisfaction with the 'little' things that happen daily and joy from inside. 

I am blessed with much yet, sometimes I see the glass as half empty when it's half full. Why? It's human nature. I don't believe that it's realistic to be happy, happy, happy every moment. Life's a tapestry of good stuff and not so good stuff. I have to remind myself to look at the gifts I've been given in the people I care about, the world I live in, and the gift of being able to translate light and form into my vision of what I see.

I so appreciate the journey that this blog has taken me on and I am delighted at all the comments and visits I received and the relationships that have come from being a part of a global art community. I wish for all of you to find your bliss, whatever it is and let it light you from within. That's the only happiness that's lasting and satisfying.

This iconic Gas Tank at the edge of Boston Harbor was painted in 1971 by Corita Kent and was eventually torn down and rebuilt. Each company, the latest being National Grid, has elected to repaint it as she did. The GJWP December Challenge which I chose, was Local Landmarks and I am impressed at what the girls came up with!! 

Also, My MacBook Pro is on order and I am still limping along with my Dell which runs for about 6-9 minutes and freezes or crashes. Slow going but I'm about to join the Mac Cult. Pass the kool-aid please :D