Malachite Bowl

I was a volunteer 'Booth Sitter' at the Naples National Art Festival on Saturday. It's a juried show with a great mix of quality work from 286 artists. It was such a blast meeting the artists while covering their booths so they could take a break. I probably had more fun than anyone there, and along the way I almost lost this little stoneware dipping bowl due to my own indecision, as to whether to buy it in the first place. While I was admiring it a lady picked it up along with another and held them both while she sifted through the basket of bowls. I stood there silently repeating to myself, 'don't take that blue/green one'. She didn't and as soon as she put it back in the basket I dove in, knocking other customers on their butts (just KIDDING) to grab it. I've already started a second painting of it.

I will be adding a PayPal button in the future instead of listing on eBay. In the meantime, just email me if you want to buy this for $100 plus a small shipping fee.

Trip to San Francisco

Right, I didn't really GO to SF but, inspired by Bill Guffey I visited via Google Earth and did this watercolor of a building on Barbary Coast Road, which is a main drag in SF. So here it is.

Another thing I have to do is repost my Sunshine Award which I was supposed to pass on to 12 other bloggers and which I received again from Kelley MacDonald. I only listed three but no matter, since I have a file of links that I've collected from my travels through the blogosphere. Stay tuned.

Watercolor Wednesday

It just happens to be Wednesday which turned out to be great for today's title! I'm focusing on a series of small watercolors to mat and deliver to my Gallery, The Art Boutique at Tin City. They SHOULD be scenes of Naples and really, I'll get to those but, to digress....I was given a Sunshine Award for creative and positive blogging by Bonnie Heather from Kelowna, British Columbia and also by Mitzi Easley from Austin, Texas. SO, while meandering around their blogs I came across Bill Guffey, who does a very unique blog challenge where the artists "meet" somewhere around the Globe, courtesy of Google Earth (is there a more amazing program ANYWHERE?) and you can paint a 'street view' of ANYTHING you see. Well, let's say I spent more time (virtually) in San Fransisco today than I did in Naples. I did this scene on Barbary Coast Trail in the heart of SF. I'm passing on the Sunshine Award to these fantastic bloggers. 

http://moniquestraub.blogspot.com/

http://verysmartgals.blogspot.com/

http://kohlene.com/

"A Spoonful"

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I found this great sugar bowl and spoon at Flamingo Island Flea Market recently. There's a booth there called Rockefeller's Attic run by a very funny lady. I always find something good there and she always gives me a deal and a good laugh! Priceless. Thanks to all my readers and followers for your comments and encouragement! It keeps me going.

Humpty Dumpty

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I'm obsessed with white. Can't stop trying to 'get it', and continue to collect white objects at second hand shops and flea markets. Finally, after 3 wiped off paintings this week, I managed to work this one out. I should probably give myself more credit for what I do accomplish rather than fretting about the ones that elude me, but that doesn't seem to be my nature.

Pass the Salt

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I recently picked up these little 1940's S&P shakers at one of the many consignment shops here in Naples. These could have been on my Nana's kitchen table along with some of the other items you'll see at Girls Just Wanna Paint. 

The Escape

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Often, when I create the setup I look at it and imagine a scenario and a 'tongue in cheek' title to go with it. Thus, in this one all the onions are those little flat cippolini ones except that white one in front which feels like he should get the heck out of there before they all figure out that he doesn't belong to the tribe. This and painting keeps me out of trouble;)

Nova Scotia Farm #2 6x6 on Arches 140lb CP

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Over all the weather here has been quite nice. Cooler than the locals like it but great for the snowbirds. A couple of days were about 83* and humid so I cranked up the air conditioning :) Then the cold front returned and I opened the windows. I confess to hitting the pool, too even though I put my pool robe on backwards yesterday and stuck my arms through the sleeves to read :D it was kind of brisk!

On Monday I browsed the many thrift shops on 10th Avenue South and picked up a sweet porcelain cow creamer!! So, stay tuned for it to be featured in a painting. Also found a sweet pair of S&P shakers from the 1940's with red plastic tops, a couple of white items and a clear plate from the Good Will store.  Sweet! 

Here's another version of this farmhouse. More to come.

Nova Scotia Farm

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This house sits in a vast open field overlooking Five Islands, Nova Scotia, one of my favorite places. I finally was able to break out the paints and do some watercolors after spending some time settling in and visiting with family. For me, watercolor is about letting the paper do the work. Another version of this will be up tomorrow.

Blast Off

We're off very early this morning for our annual trek to Naples, Florida where today it will be 41 degrees. You heard me correctly. The deep South is gripped in an Arctic blast that has resulted in SNOW in Orlando. Again, you heard me correctly. SO, it will take us a couple of days with one stop in Virginia and another in Georgia. Should be pulling into Naples sometime Monday and I won't be able to paint for a bit so I am putting up a few links I've collected in my travels through the Blogosphere for your enjoyment.

http://moniquestraub.blogspot.com/  beautiful pastels that look like batiks

Kohlene Hendrickson  beautiful abstracts in ochres  

http://wishartglass.blogspot.com fused glass

http://www.centredeverre.com/ Fused Glass Supplies

I would fix all this font craziness but I have to go. 

Basking Clementines

This is for the Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge. Check out the work of my fellow artists as they present their take on 'Lamp'.

Treasure

You know how things that are old are more precious than things that are new? This little vase is made of recycled glass from Egypt and was a Christmas gift from my dear friend, Teak.  So, it's new but it's old, too. Today is a snowy, cozy day at home painting in my pajamas :D listening to Dan Gibson music on Pandora radio. I could not be happier.

Happy New Year

Karin Jurick hosts a blog featuring weekly challenges in which she supplies a photo and participating artists interpret the photo any way they choose in the medium of their choice. Here's my contribution. Happy New Year to all of my friends and supporters.  

Follow Me

After 10 days without painting, this did not come easy. I love these little flying saucer onions and will take another crack at them.

Bundle Up

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Another example of white not being white. White asparagus!

Wendell Picks the Winner

I tried to get Wendell to pick the winner of the painting give away yesterday morning. I was all ready with the camera when someone walked up our front steps and Wendell made a bee line for the stairs and was unsettled for the rest of the morning. No way could I coax him down. So this morning we did it and the winner is Janet McCarthy of Kingston, MA.  Congratulations, Janet!

'Pretty in Pink' Painting Give Away

WINNER: Janet McCarthy of Kingston, Massachusetts

Just to illustrate the power of the Blogosphere, I hit a milestone Sunday when my profile view turned over to 10,000. In January of 2007 it was 148. This blog has connected me in a way that nothing else can. To celebrate I'm going to give away this 5x5 painting of a white carnation on Gessoboard to someone, just for commenting on this post. I will put all the names into a 'hat' and have my hubby draw the winner on Friday. If you are not a registered blogger, make sure you leave your first name in your comment and send an email to me at WENDL15@verizon.net with "painting giveaway" in the subject line. I will include a tiny easel to set it upon. 
Good Luck and thanks for all of your support!! Merry Christmas.

Wiper or Study

I tell people that every painting cannot be fabulous and that there are lessons to be learned from each one. So, Instead of being so quick to wipe this off I'll add it to the lesson pile and try again.

Leaning Left

 By the time you read this post, this painting will have been wiped for a fresh start. I admit that it has some good points, but it doesn't meet my expectations. You win some and you lose some ;)

"Cuppa Tea"

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 I have a 'thing' for white pottery because it reflects the light around it and is never really white. Today, I stocked up on Christmas 'props' at the Dollar Store and browsed the produce section for intriguing items like white asparagus. 'Tis the season, so expect more paintings of white stuff (could even be snow) and Christmas 'tchotchkes'. I love that word ;)