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 ;)

Imposter

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Don't think I'm above using the same painting on two blogs, 'cause I'm not ;)  This was painted for the Girls Just Wanna Paint monthly challenge and will also be posted there along with paintings with a 'telephone' theme done by some of my other 'gal pals'.  We have a lot of fun at the monthly challenge 'meetings'. I had another painting in mind but because I needed good weather to paint it, it didn't happen. Spent the day in my studio and got two today!

Wanna Salsa?

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Okay, I had to think up a clever title although I'm not sure tomatillos are ingredients in salsa. I'm also a huge Dancing With the Stars fan and Salsa, of course, is a Latin dance. I was hoping Mya and Dmitri would win but Donny Osmond took the mirror ball trophy last night! He was really good and his partner Kym Johnson is adorable and has never won before, but Mya really knows how to Salsa! 

Open Studios

Always a wonderful time. Here are some shots of my visitors and my studio. Look closely at the Toyota Scion, ingeniously dressed as 'Toaster' by Holly Hamilton and Maggie MacLellen. See the plug resting on the hood and the little knob on the back to push the toast down? Love it!!!

Next photo is Katie May McElwain from Ipswich, a sweetheart artist I met through my blog , her daughter Claire and my bestest gal pal Kelley MacDonald and the well known pug, Paco, who has his own blog! Well, his mama writes it because his toenails are too long to type, but he's got plenty to say. It's a dog's life and one to envy!

Hot Sauce

SOLD

Finally, I've done my Girl's Just Wanna Paint Challenge subject, Hot Sauce. It took me forever to compose my set up and then I wiped the first version of this and started over. Don came over to help me put up some shelves and I kind of pooped out after that, but when he left, I got my second wind and finished it. This one is for sale this weekend along with many 'oldies but goodies', for my usual Open Studios bargain prices.

Open Studios

I am seriously behind in my painting, cramming for Open Studios. Here's a shot of my building late at night. See those lights along top floor? See me in there going like a madwoman? Come one, come all!

Saturday and Sunday 11-5. For directions and links to participating artists see our website 4thfloorartists.org.

Furnace Brook Middle School Demo

Last Friday Sally Dean and I did a demo in the lobby at a local school. That is that last time I was free to paint since I left right after that for New Hampshire to see my little boys, Ryan and Colin. It's Ryan's 6th birthday today, but the party was on Sunday. This is my demo which needs a tweak. The kids were great as usual. I've been tied up with yard work and Open Studios prep but I'll be painting soon!