Cardinals in the Snow

"The Missus"

watercolor on arches hot press

It's my thing to see more color than may actually be there, when I paint and although this female Cardinal is looking a bit tropical, I really see these colors in her.  The male's incredible scarlet color is arresting but the beautiful golden feathers of the female are complimented by dusky purple grays and rusty maroon tail feathers. She really sparkles. 

I'm loving watching all these birds in the snow.

Winter Marsh

"Winter Glow" 

6x6 oil on board

I've been a bit reluctant to write about this but, this blog is about my real life, so I'll share. Little by little, I'm finding my painting mojo again. It's been a hard time and I am consumed with the chore of sorting and tossing and resolving the 'beloved flotsam and jetsam' of my dear Mama's and our family's life.

Report cards from grade school, every card/invite she ever received, newspapers containing momentous news events (Oy), bookshelves full of books and souvenirs. Precious family 'stuff' in the china cabinets. And photos, photos and more photos. 

I picked up some boxes and marked them with the names of my siblings and as I sort, I drop things into each box for them to enjoy along with things I think should be theirs. Because I insisted upon looking at every single piece of paper, they have left me to that and I don't mind except that the volume after 43 years in the same house is, um, voluminous. My dear husband is the God send to this whole task and is also on the receiving end of my prickly emotions :( Without his guidance (lists, lists, lists and advice and more advice)  I'd be lost. He is the left brain balance in my right brain world. 

So, I'm sad but, I'm grateful for my family and my dear friends near and far who continue to lift me up. Thank you all for your continued support.

About the painting. One thing I love about the winter is how the setting sun lights up the tops of the trees creating a beautiful complimentary color scheme. 

3rd Street South Impatiens Study 6x8

SOLD

The Subject

My setup

Thursday is Naples Outdoor Painters day. I've met some nice people. Lotsa Massachusetts gals here. Snowbirds. Today's location was right in the heart of Third Street South and I crammed myself into a corner by a busy restaurant to tackle this complex scene. Usually I avoid locations like this. Too busy. Can't focus or concentrate. This time I was with one other sistah friend who set up near me. We both went to work and the time just flew by. No one was overly chatty and despite the fact that delivery trucks were passing 5 feet from my knees I was really in the zone. That doesn't mean that the painting is exactly what I hoped for but, I finished it. I'd like to try this again a bit larger using this reference. It's way overworked but today was mile stone for me in plein air painting. For those of you who know me well, notice my car is right next to me. You know that's all that really matters ;)

You Say Tomato 5x5

This is a little study I did in about half an hour.

I planted a whole package of Beefsteak tomato seeds (from the dollar store) when I arrived here in January. There are about 25 of them all in different stages of growth. I gave away some of the bigger ones which are already sporting flowers, to my neighbors. Still I have about a dozen left and some are still tiny. I planted one in a coffee can just so I could paint it. I'm entertaining the idea of bringing a few of them home with me in the car when we drive North in May. That's a typical snowbird kind of craziness. As if I could fit another thing into the car, the way I usually pack.