Sunflower Symphony

"True friends are like bright sunflowers

that never fade away,

even over distance and time."

~ Marie Williams Johnstone

Sunflower Symphony 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" See more information about this painting here.

Sunflower Symphony

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10"

See more information about this painting here.

The cheerful sunflower is one of the best flowers that you can gift to someone who is in need of a friendly pick-me-up. Put a smile on a loved one's face and brighten up their life with this permanent bunch of lively sunflowers that will never fade away.

"Keep your face to the sunshine

and you cannot see the shadow.

It's what sunflowers do."

~ Helen Keller

Flea Bitten Grey Horse Portrait ~ SOLD ~

"The wind of heaven is that which blows
between a horse's ears."
~ Arabian Proverb

Flea Bitten Grey

SOLD

I started this painting yesterday morning and thought I had it finished by dinner time. Then I fussed around with it again today. It started out being a chestnut color Morgan but kept changing and evolving until it turned into this flea bitten (a horsey color term) grey Arabian. Go figure! I'm blaming it on the Yupo paper and on my inquisitive "what if?" attitude. More often than not lately, my paintings seem to have a mind of their own. I just try to go with the flow and give it what it needs and wants. Does that make any sense? Does it ever happen to you?

 I hope you are enjoying nice weather in your neck of the woods. I'll be going into Philadelphia tomorrow to meet with a couple of friends, do lunch and visit the art museum. I can almost feel the much needed cultural enrichment already! Thanks for coming by. Happy Spring to you and have a great weekend.

Hugs and Nickers,

and the horses

"In my opinion, a horse is the animal to have.

Eleven-hundred pounds of raw muscle,

power, grace, and sweat between your legs.

It's something you just can't get from a pet hamster."

~ Unknown

Gypsy Gold Neighs In The Dark ~ Sold

"Gypsy gold does not clink or glitter. 

It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark."

~ Irish Proverb

Gypsy Gold

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SOLD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Today's horse painting is the Yin, negative (black) female of yesterday's Yang, the positive (white) male. In these pieces, with expressive brushstrokes, I've tried to interpret the flow of chi within the equine's body. The Yin Yang symbol, with a dot of the other color in each, suggests that there is always a trace of the other present in any situation and nothing is ever entirely Yin or completely Yang. To me, this relates perfectly to living with and caring for horses and without a doubt, to the art of riding them.

"My horse's feet are as swift as rolling thunder
He carries me away from all my fears
And when the world threatens to fall asunder
His mane is there to wipe away my tears."
~ Bonnie Lewis

A Lovely Horse Is An Emotional Experience ~ SOLD

"A lovely horse is always an experience.

It is an emotional experience of the kind

that is spoiled by words."

~ Beryl Markham

A Lovely Horse SOLD •

A Lovely Horse

SOLD •

Here's one of today's paintings for all you horse lovers out there. Horses were never just a phase for me. I share a bond with them that I will never outgrow. I bought my first horse over forty years ago when I was fourteen. My parents told me that if I saved enough money to buy my own horse, and payed for all its expenses, I could get one. At the time, I don't think they knew just how serious I was. I saved two years of babysitting money and bought my first large pony, a 14.1 hand Arab cross, Cocoa. Since then, my love and obsession for them has just continued to grow stronger. They are, always have been and probably always will be a big part of my life. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Follow my new "Horse Crazy" board on Pinterest.

You know I'll be adding more to it frequently!

Wishing you all something to be passionate about!

Hugs and Nickers,

& Rudy & Rita 

“What these horses do for us is incredible.

They become part of our family.

They really change our lives.

It is a sport we choose because we love it

and it is a sport we choose because

we also love the animal."

~ Eric Lamaze

Today's Experiment ~ A Looser Direct Approach to Watercolor

"With experimentation

comes surprise and discovery."

~ Kim Lee Kho

Today's larger watercolor was painted directly on Yupo paper with transparent watercolor without any preliminary pencil lines or even a rough thumbnail sketch. For the past year, since I shattered my ankle last April Fool's Day, I have painted primarily smaller works while seated. Today, while standing and painting larger, I rediscovered a whole body, dance like rhythm that's more freeing and relaxing. I don't think I could have done this same painting while seated.

I'm fairly happy with it, but I have a dilemma.

Do I leave it as is?

11.5  x 14.5"  ~ 16" x 20" Matted size

SOLD

Or should I add a little more to it? (foliage and/or vase, more pink and blue flowers in the upper left and/or lower right, etc.?)  I could go back in. It's easy enough to do on Yupo, unlike traditional cotton rag watercolor paper. Sometimes it's hard to know when to stop though. I'm always hearing that little voice saying; "less is more".

Cropped to 12" x 16" matted size

Or do I just crop it and move on?

I'm seeking the help of some of you awesome artists out there! Lately the feeling of isolation from other creative types is starting to get me down. Your camaraderie and suggestions for improving this piece would go a long way in cheering me up. Thanks for your time and input in advance. I love you guys. You know who you are!

P.S. I hate to be a pain, but I'm also looking for suggestions for a title for this one. ☺

X ♥ O

Brave Little Survivor

"In wilderness, I sense the miracle of life

and behind it, our scientific accomplishments

fade to trivia."

~ Charles A. Lindbergh

Brave Little Survivor Rufous Hummingbird See more about this painting here.

Brave Little Survivor
Rufous Hummingbird
See more about this painting here.

Today's painting's reference photo was taken on March 26th at the Palmyra Cove Nature Center at the foot of the Tacony-Palmyra bridge on the Delaware River. There I witnessed a very rare occurrence - A young Rufous Hummingbird that wintered here in Southern NJ! She showed up at the nature center shortly after Superstorm Sandy and it was believed she may have been blown off course because of the storm. ( In the olden days, they weren't even seen east of the Mississippi.) I thought it was a hoax and had to go see for myself! So at the spur of the moment, I took a field trip over there. She hangs out around the center. I spent some time visiting and shooting her. What a ham! She is quite famous. She was very used to people and seemed to like my company. What fun! 

Yesterday I visited the nature center again, as I had an appointment with the gallery curator about having a solo show of my work there in April of 2014. After my meeting, I watched and waited, but was disappointed that I didn't see the little Rufous Hummingbird again. Perhaps she has moved on and will resume her 'normal' migration habits from here on in. I will keep her in my thoughts and wish her well on her arduous journeys.

The weather here has been totally crazy. It was almost 85 degrees here the past two days! Good thing my horse groomer came on Monday to give my wooly 33 yr. old horse, Rudy, a body clip! He's much cooler (in more ways than one) now. He looks and feels 20 years younger and it seems, just in the nick of time for summer!

Rembrandt, aka: Rudy - after his full body clip 4-8-13

In other news: On Saturday afternoon, I was enjoying a beautiful day here in the pines with my horses, Rita and  Rudy. They both got a grooming, lots of TLC and a ride. It was all really nice except for two old WWII biplanes that kept circling again and again directly overhead, zooming in really low. Amazingly, it bothered me more than the horses. The pilots had been at it for hours and it was really getting annoying. They fly real low, just above the tree line and those old things are so loud, everything seems to vibrate.

Come to find out later, the forest service was doing some controlled burning nearby and it got out of control! By the end of my second ride, a thick layer of smoke had settled over everything. Fortunately they finally managed to get it under control, but there was a short period of pre-panic when we realized that there was a possibility that we may have to evacuate. Geez, I really felt like a heel. There I was, getting aggravated about the planes and they were working hard to save the forest and our house!

Anyway, thanks for hanging in there and reading my newsy post.  I hope all is well in your world and you are enjoying this winter/spring/summer weather. As always, I really appreciate your comments.

X ♥  O

Hummingbird Migration

"Spring is nature's way of saying,

"Let's party!"

~ Robin Williams

Hummingbird Magic 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" Signed and Certified See Purchase information here.

Hummingbird Magic

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10"
Signed and Certified
See Purchase information here.

The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds

are on the move.

They may be at your house soon.

One has just been spotted in North Carolina.

See their 2013 migration map here!

The Crocus Among Us

"Springtime is the land awakening. 

The March winds are the morning yawn." 

~ Lewis Grizzard

The Crocus Among Us 5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" Signed and Certified by the artist See purchase information here.

The Crocus Among Us

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10"
Signed and Certified by the artist
See purchase information here.

I've been listening to Leslie Saeta's Artists Helping Artists radio shows while I paint. I listened to yesterday's show today.  I was so fascinated and impressed with Carolyn Anderson's interview that I had to play it twice. What an amazingly accomplished and articulate artist she is! I was very impressed with her philosophy of art as well as with her fabulous interpretative oil paintings. I love what she writes in "Thoughts About Painting" ~ "Realist painting comes with its own set of parameters and craft can certainly be one of them. But I have yet to agree that craft alone will make a great painting. Craft without creativity is only part of the equation. When we make judgments about what is acceptable, or not, what is good, or not, and what “realism” is, or is not, we end up narrowing the possibilities of what our paintings can be.  Painting is about learning to see  - and hopefully, sharing how we see and what is visually important to us with others. We share a responsibility to interpret, not to try and re-create. We need to be open to the adventure of exploring, visual information. If we accept that what we paint can never be “real”, then we should be able to take our “reality” and see it in new and interesting ways." W O W! I would really love to take a workshop with this lady!

Well folks, spring fever is upon us! It's a time of rebirth and awakening that influences us whether we realize it or not. Don't you find that the longer, warmer days tend to renew your passions? Doesn't this season seem to interject more energy into your life? Do you find enthusiasm for new projects, inside and out? Am I alone in feeling that springtime produces a kind of kick in the pants, jump start or jolt effect? For me, it's almost a kind of urgency. For what, I'm not really sure. Maybe you have some ideas and could help me out by sharing your feelings about springtime here.

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"  ~ Mark Twain

Wishing you a great weekend

and all the blessings of spring!

Spring Giveaway Winners Announced!

“It is spring again!

The earth is like a child

that knows poems by heart.” 

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Spring Has Sprung

 • SOLD

The winners of my Book Giveaway

and my original Tree Painting Giveaway

were chosen today by Random.org.

Go to: SandySandySpiritart

to see who won!!

Winners have 24 hours to contact me

to claim their prize!

Happy First Day of Spring!!

Ah, Ha! Checks with Sunflowers on Them . . .

Although, I've had over 3,200 of my images downloaded from iStockphoto, I know where less than a dozen of them were used. I just came across these cool checks online with my sunflowers printed on them. Are you getting ready to order new ones?

Too bad I just ordered new checks last month!

They are not nearly as pretty as these

and they were much more expensive!

Darn, I would have really liked to have these

as my personal checks.

They also offer matching check book covers

and mailing labels.

I even think paying bills with these sunny flowers would make me smile!

You can order your very own sunflower checks here.

My original sunflower painting that these were taken from.

Yahoo, my parents are visiting us from Florida this week!
I will be very busy doing art projects with my mom
and going on day trips with mom, dad and sister, Denise.


Have a great week!
♥

Where Do I Begin?

All is well in Sandy Land!

Opie Darling III
5.5 x 7.5" watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8 x 10"

As it turned out, I found out on Friday evening that one of the kittens that Jerry and I were keeping as a girl and had named Betty Boop, was actually a boy. I was disappointed. I wanted a boy and a girl cat. (What parent doesn't?) I had already promised the two calico girls to my blogging friend, Robin Larkspur. She was coming the next day, 300 miles, all the way from central NY with her husband, to fetch them. She had already named them, Pixie and Pyewacket. She even started a blog called PurrrSnicKitty about them. One of the calico kittens that Robin was taking, Pye Pye, was trying very hard to be my favorite. She wanted to be with me, purring and talking and jumping up on the cage when I came into the room. She reminded Jerry and I so much of our little Princess as a kitten who had just passed a couple of weeks ago at age seventeen. It was heartbreaking because Cutie Pye was quickly succeeding. She stole my heart away from Betty Boop. Then, when I found out that she was a he, I had no strong feelings left for him/her at all. 

Bobby Boop?

I had already cried for days thinking Cutie Pye and I would have to part, however I knew I would get over it. I was going to stick with the plan. After all, a deal is a deal. I couldn't do that to anyone, let alone a kind good friend like Robin. 


We all had a wonderful, short, pleasant visit on Saturday into Sunday morning with Robin and her husband, Jim.  They are the kind of people you feel like you've known and will know forever, in this, previous and subsequent lifetimes. Robin is such a magically sweet, loving person. The time went by way too fast. I couldn't sleep at all on Saturday night, knowing my favorite kitten would leave me in the morning.

Princess Cutie Pye

It was a beautiful morning. We had breakfast, enjoyed the wildlife here at the Sandarosa and took some snapshots. All too soon however, it was time to put the kittens into their travel cage. I put Pixie in, no problem. Then when I lifted Pye Pye up, tears immediately shot out from my eyes and I began to sob. "I didn't want to fall in love with you," I said; "but I did". To make a long story short, Robin graciously traded Cutie Pye for her new Pyewacket, (or Pye Man) and everyone is going to live happily ever after!

Princess Cutie Pye and Opie Darling III

Thank-You Robin, Thank-You Universal Mind!!

Exciting things are happening here in Sandy Land everyday.

Stay tuned, updates coming soon!

Hugs and Purrs,

"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat,and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch."  ~ Leo Dworken

More Hydrangea Paintings in Watercolor

Here is my second set of hydrangea paintings from my personal challenge on www.SketchingEveryday.com.

Hydrangea Painting #3

5.5 x 7.5" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 8 x 10"

Painting #3 was done wet-in wet with minimal pencil guidelines. Here I totally wet both sides of the paper with clean water and used mostly a dry brush with plenty of pigment.

Hydrangea Painting #4 - Step-1

For painting #4, I wet the back of the paper throughly, then wet the background, carefully going around the flower and stem area. Wetting the back allows a longer workable half-wet period and allows the painting to dry flat without taping or stapling it to a board. You can see the nice edges of my painting in these two photos. I crease and tear my sheets to achieve this effect. This gives one the option of various mountings and mattings.

Hydrangea Painting #4 - Step-2

After step one was completely dry, I wet the back of the paper first then wet the leaves with clean water, carefully going up to the edges.

Hydrangea Painting #4

5.5 x 7.5" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 8 x 10"

After step-2, and the paper was throughly dry, I dunked the whole sheet in water and let it get real wet. I took it out and placed it on cardboard so it would dry flat as I worked.

I'm thinking I want to go back on #4 and do some calligraphy and detailing like in the painting below. What do you think?

The Spirit of Summer

11 x 15" - transparent watercolor on Arches 140lb. C.P., matted to 16 x 20"

The comments on these challenge paintings have been most appreciated.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to comment or email. You are awesome!

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback.

Which one(s) do you like or dislike and why?

Thanks again for reading and have an inspired week!