He's Back! / Our Resident Chipmunk Returns

Jerry and I  had another "Signs of Spring" Surprise! We hadn't seen our chipmunk, Chippie, since the fall and feared the worst. He had become quite brazen with his food gathering expeditions.  Considering the cats and all the other critters that routinely patrol our property, it's a miracle he actually did survive last season. Jerry had built him a canopy over his hole by our deck so that it wouldn't get flooded out when it rained. He also reinforced it with P.V.C. pipe, so that the landscaping stones wouldn't keep tumbling in on him. The last we saw of Chippie was in November, but as of last week, he's back! He is just the cutest little thing and I'm afraid the cats think so too. He seems more cautious now, though. Maybe he had a close call and learned his lesson. Let's hope so, anyway!

"Chippie's Back!"

Signs of Spring #7 - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Watercolor Painting with pen & ink

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame.

*SOLD

Magical Crow ~ SOLD

I am feeling a little better today, although I'm still moving pretty darn slow. Jerry has been a doll and is taking care of the ranch while I recuperate from Sunday's mishap.  Since my chores are now minimal, I spent most of the day painting. I am 2/3 of the way through my color studies for Father O. and I am fairly satisfied with how they are turning out. That's a good thing. Perhaps I am starting to see some light at the end of my long commission tunnel.

I've been wanting to do a crow portrait as a part of my "Signs of Spring" series, so I also did this painting today. Our crows disappear over the winter. I don't know where they go. Crows don't migrate, but they sure don't stay around here. As soon as Spring rolls around, they all come back. We've got a dozen or so now and they really love to make a ruckus. I know some people don't like them because they eat other birds' eggs and offspring, but I like having them around, talking to me whenever I go outside.

"Magical Crow"

Signs of Spring #6 - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Watercolor Painting with pen & ink

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame.

*SOLD

A Challenging Commission and a Bum Knee

For the last month, I've been working on a commission for a Ukrainian Priest! It's an involved project and at times I'm wishing that I had never agreed to do it at all. The Father came to my studio in December, loved my Spirit Art and bought an original watercolor. At that time, we talked about his ideas for a commissioned piece. He said, no rush, he just wanted it by Easter. So I didn't think much about it in January and February. Then all of a sudden, we were half way through Lent!

Sketch #1

His idea is to portray the soul (my interpretation here) ascending, with an angel holding a flaming sword in battle with the grim reaper or death (his interpretation). It is going to be big  (20-24" to 24 x30"). He's been thinking about this painting for a very long time and has many ideas. In Sketch # 1, I was thinking very loose and symbolic. Mostly monotone on the angel and reaper with minimal detail. The soul is the star here so it would be in bright yellow, orange and golds with a touch of blue for the eye and soul center. We agreed that the emphasis would be on the soul. Father O. liked the soul very much but thought the figures looked too cartoonish. It was tough understanding him over the phone with his thick accent, but I wrote down all the changes he wanted. In the meantime, I recruited the assistance of my friend, Judy, who had sent Father O. to me from her church. Judy owns a large collection of my work and that is where he first saw my paintings.

Sketch #2

Here is a color rendition of my second submission with all the requested revisions. It was done on tracing paper, Zeroxed and then colored in with pencil to give him an idea of the colors I had in mind. 

Sketch #3

Via Judy, Father O. wanted more changes, which I executed in sketch #3. Changes included flipping the image and multiple alterations to the angel and reaper.

Sketch #4

This is the last sketch I am doing, although Father hasn't seen it yet. It is full size. I have decided to do 3 small painting studies (soul, angel, reaper) so I can figure this out before I go large. I've only been doing small paintings lately and am afraid I'm rusty at working big. A painting of this size, done in transparent watercolor, with all the components involved, takes methodical planning and confident execution.

When I'm working on an illustration like this, I often use tracing paper, then resize elements on my copier and play around with the placement and scale. These are working drawings. They aren't pretty and don't photograph well. I was reluctant to even show them at all, but had time to kill and  thought maybe someone would be interested in seeing the process here.


I am writing this post on my laptop. My knee is on ice, propped up with pillows on the blow-up bed in the studio. Yesterday, I stepped off of the second rung of a tall ladder thinking it was the last step. Twisted my knee, leg, hip and ankle. Yes, it's a doozy and the clock is ticking on this commission. It's another lesson learned the hard way. When am I going to start  paying attention to what I am doing? Sometimes I feel like such a klutz! Do you think it is in my genes? If so, there is a possibility I get it from my dad.

Stay safe and unlike me, pay attention to what you are doing. Comments, feedback and suggestions are always appreciated here, my friends, thanks!

Bluebird Bliss

"When nature made the bluebird she wished to propitiate both the sky and the earth, so she gave him the color of the one on his back and the hue of the other on his breast."  ~ John Burroughs

We have a half a dozen bird houses up on the property and over the past week I have seen the bluebird couples courting. Another sure sign of Spring! Around here, they make their nests out of pine needles. The male impresses his sweetheart with his nest building skills, taking needles into various homes. Once she settles on a spot, he lets her take over. It's no different than with most human couples, where it's usually the female that takes charge of the home and its' interior furnishings. He can offer his opinion and feedback, but the final decision is almost always hers. In this painting, a smitten Ms. Bluebird is dazzled by Mr. Blue's nuptial gift and amorous overtures.

 

"Bluebird Bliss"

Signs of Spring #5 - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Watercolor Painting

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame. 

 SOLD

Today's painting was done using the same three primary colors that I used in my last painting, "Spring Mare". All colors were mixed by using only Red Rose Deep and Gamboge by DaVinci and Turquoise by Lucas. Limiting your palette like this insures a harmonious color scheme. Here you can see the primaries with their shadowed primaries. You can read my previous post's comments if you would like more technical information.

Thanks again for reading, friends. I'd love to hear from you! Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the beautiful (unseasonably warm here) Spring weather!

"My favorite weather is bird-chirping weather."  ~ Terri Guillemets

Spring Has Sprung!

Happy "official" FIRST DAY OF SPRING! 

"Spring has returned.The Earth is like a child that knows poems."  ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

 

"Spring Mare"

Signs of Spring #4 - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Watercolor Painting

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame.

I wanted to give this pony another workout using the glazing technique.  Starting with an under-painting of spring colors, yellow, red and blue, I first wet the paper on both sides, like my usual wet-in-wet approach. The background wash was done at the same time as the first glaze of pastel colors on the horse, as illustrated in step one of my previous post. I let the paper dry and then followed the advise of my friend and accomplished watercolorist, Carmella Tuliszewski. You can read her very thoughtful and informative comment on my last post. I mixed my primary color's compliments into the base color, using only the original three colors, for the shadow areas and eliminated the neutral grey wash entirely. This was actually done in only two steps. It is much closer to my vision for the piece and I am considerably happier with today's results.

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day." ~ W. Earl Hall

Mare with Spring Colors Turns into Midnight Mare

I've been getting inspired by all the great artists and different techniques that people share here online. I decided to try a different technique today using glazing. This is totally different from my usual wet-in-wet direct approach. I decided to try to figure this out. I wanted to use an under-painting of spring colors for my "Signs of Spring" project this month.

Step 1

I admit that I am flying by the seat of my pants here. It started off OK with this somewhat random under painting of pastel colors in step one.

Step 2

In step two, I added some facial detailing and darker values using a neutral grey.  I think this is where I started to go wrong. Too dark too soon?

Step 3

In step 3, my background really got away from me. It is way darker than I had wanted. Then I started darkening the values of the horse more than planned. This didn't come out how I had envisioned, but I learned a lot today. Yes, I'm going to give it another go, Kathryn! As photographer, Mike Wallace said;  "You have to try to figure things out. You have to fail with a purpose."

Any critiques, suggestions, instructions or comments on this would be greatly appreciated, thank-you, friends!

My "Rabbit with Spring Colors" that I posted on March 6th,  just got accepted into the iStock collection, so I thought I'd add a companion piece today. I call this one "Bunny Buddies".

I went to A.C. Moore yesterday and purchased six new MICRON fine tip pens. I'm really impressed with their performance. They are much better than the old Rapidiograph pens we used to use in college!

 

Signs of Spring #3 - "Bunny Buddies"- $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Ink and Watercolor Painting

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame.

SOLD

 

More Warm Weather and Longer Daylight Hours

As the days grow longer, more daylight is a major sign of Spring! While sleeping last night, we essentially skipped over the 2:00 am hour!  Shifting from 1:59 am to 3 am, our satellite powered clock changed to Daylight Saving Time completely unbeknown to us. I didn't even realize it had happened until I began working at my computer!  So if you haven't done so yet, be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour today. YAY !

The Magic of Spring -SOLD

My Daffodils are starting to bloom!

The wild turkeys are constantly on parade here now. The males have become somewhat of a nuisance. There is a lot of fighting and jockeying for position going on. The most annoying behavior however, is the frequent pecking at the chrome on our vehicles and at their reflections in our basement windows.

The toms are prime examples of raging testosterone and all the females seem quite impressed.

 

The Easter Bunny - A Sure Sign of Spring

Signs of Spring #2 - Spring Rabbit - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Ink and Watercolor Painting

This piece ships with a foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

and is ready to fit into a standard frame. 

SOLD

 

Welcoming March and Signs of Spring

Welcome March, welcome Spring!! I know the vernal equinox and the official start of Spring is still a few weeks off, but here in the North Eastern U.S., Mother Nature definitely has other plans! Meteorologists generally define the seasons in sets of three months. March through May are defined as Spring, the season after Winter and before Summer. In the Northern hemisphere, it is the time of year when vegetation begins to reappear, hibernating animals emerge and birds pair up and become more active.

My Daffodils think it is Spring. They will be blooming very soon, most likely before the official start of the season.

 

The resident bucks are shedding their antlers early. Some are done. Others now sport only one.

Signs of Spring #1 - ROBIN - $45.00

5" x 7" Double Matted Original Watercolor w/ backing

sold •

To celebrate the kickoff of this wonderful season, I'll be doing some "Spring Influenced" original watercolors and offering them here at a special price this month. They are ready to fit into a standard frame and make unique gifts for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, graduations, anniversaries and birthdays. Requests to render your special subject are always welcome.

Song for a Wolf - Our Guardian Spirit

 

I've been here by myself, quietly studying and relearning Adobe Dreamweaver (software for building web sites). The version I have been using on my old G4 Apple computer for many years is so ancient, I decided it was time to "bite the bullet" and cough up the $$$ needed to buy new software, compatible with my new OS and machine. The first step was retrieving nearly 8,000 files from my hosting site and finding them a new local home on my iMac. Going through some of my old Spirit Art Paintings and files truly rekindled my enthusiasm for Native American spiritual beliefs. As often happens to me while on the computer, one thing led me to another.  Before long, I was searching the web for spiritual inspiration and guidance.

Among many others, I came across some great words of wisdom from Chief Dan George, "(July 24, 1899 – September 23, 1981). He was a chief of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a Coast Salish band located on Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was also an author, poet, and an Academy Award-nominated actor." I found this story here.

Song For A Wolf ~ Chief Dan George

"I wanted to give something of my past to my grandson. So I took him into the woods, to a quiet spot. Seated at my feet he listened as I told him of the powers that were given to each creature. He moved not a muscle as I explained how the woods had always provided us with food, homes, comfort, and religion.
He was awed when I related to him how the wolf became our guardian, and when I told him that I would sing the sacred wolf song over him, he was overjoyed.

In my song, I appealed to the wolf to come and preside over us while I would perform the wolf ceremony so that the bondage between my grandson and the wolf would be lifelong.
I sang.
 In my voice was the hope that clings to every heartbeat.
I sang.
 In my words were the powers I inherited from my forefathers.
I sang.
 In my cupped hands lay a spruce seed-- the link to creation.
I sang.
 In my eyes sparkled love. I sang.
And the song floated on the sun's rays from tree to tree.
When I had ended, it was if the whole world listened with us to hear the wolf's reply. We waited a long time but none came. Again I sang, humbly but as invitingly as I could, until my throat ached and my voice gave out.

All of a sudden I realized why no wolves had heard my sacred song. There were none left! My heart filled with tears. I could no longer give my grandson faith in the past, our past.
At last I could whisper to him: "It is finished!" "Can I go home now?" He asked, checking his watch to see if he would still be in time to catch his favorite program on TV. I watched him disappear and wept in silence. All is finished!"

 ~ Chief Dan George
Chief of the Salish Band in Burrard Inlet, B.C.

===<<>>===

 "Wolf is the embodiment of protection and wisdom and according to some native legends, the tribe's greatest teacher. Being the most intelligent and expressive of all the canines, it lives in a close-knit family group where every member knows their place. Because of this, wolf is often seen as kin to man in that our priorities of family and cooperation are similar. When a wolf howls, its ancient melodies can connect us to a primal power and spiritual energy, also known as original memory. Helping others to understand life better and to find their calling, wolf will bring you the strength to become the teacher as well as the student. As you establish a connection with your own inner leadership, wolf medicine can help cultivate healthy bonds with friends and family." ~ Sandy Sandy Spiritartist ~ Animal Spirits book

 

"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." ~ Chief Dan George

Time Spent With Cats Is Never Wasted

 "Time spent with cats is never wasted."  ~ May Sarton

I'd like to thank everyone for their condolences on the unexpected passing of our fur baby, Tommy. My sister, Denise, brought me a CD of photos she took of Tom as a kitten. Wasn't he the cutest?

 

"Kittens can happen to anyone."  ~ Paul Gallico

 

"It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens."
  ~ Cynthia E. Varnado

 

  

"Kittens are angels with whiskers."  ~ Author Unknown

 

"I love cats because I love my home and after a while they become its visible soul."  

~ Jean Cocteau

"When I play with my cat, who knows if I am not a pastime to her more than she is to me?" ~Michel de Montaigne, Essays, 1580

 No heaven will ever heaven be

Unless my cats are there to welcome me.
~ Author Unknown

R. I. P. Tommy Two Step

Tommy The Terror

July 4, 2004 - February 13, 2012

 

We woke this morning to the shock of finding our 7 year old silver tabby, Tommy, dead on the living room floor. We got him as a kitten at an art show in the fall of 2004. We were told he was a feral and had been hand raised as the litter had been taken from the mother at a couple of days old.

Although he was a biter and not always the nicest cat, we are very shocked and saddened.  When he was a kitten, we called him Tommy Two Step, because he loved to knead you when you held him. As he got older, his named changed to Tommy the Terror because he got  destructive and would rip up papers. That's when I had to ban him from the studio, which fueled his bad temper even more.

Last night Tommy played with his favorite toy for the last time with Jerry. They played for a good fifteen minutes while I was in the shower.  When I got out, Jerry said Tom was really getting into it; jumping and playing just like he did when he was a kitten. He sat on Jerry's lap the rest of the night as we watched a movie, very content and happy.

We can only guess that he must have had some kind of congenital defect. He must have had a stroke or a heart attack in the early morning. He had not been showing any signs of illness and he was certainly feeling very perky last night.

 We buried him in the yard under a big pine with all out other deceased fur babies. 

Even though he was a bad boy, my heart is still aching.

It seems so quiet without him running around, getting into trouble and causing commotion around here.

Our Friends and Ancestors

"Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time."
~ Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society
 

"Every creature is better alive than dead, men and moose and pine trees, and he who understands it aright will rather preserve its life than destroy it."  ~ Henry David Thoreau

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one thread within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connect."  ~ Chief Seattle, 1855

"I realized that Eastern thought had somewhat more compassion for all living things.  Man was a form of life that in another reincarnation might possibly be a horsefly or a bird of paradise or a deer.  So a man of such a faith, looking at animals, might be looking at old friends or ancestors.  In the East the wilderness has no evil connotation; it is thought of as an expression of the unity and harmony of the universe."  ~ William O. Douglas, Go East, Young Man, 1974

The Spirit Of Trees

I went out to take down my "Art Spirit Show" yesterday. It was another delightful spring-like day right here in the middle of winter. Although nature's palette is mostly somber now, graceful and enchanting tree skeletons dot the countryside everywhere. I believe there is true glory in every season and naked trees are one of winter's crowning jewels, if only we would take a few moments to really see them. 

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."  ~ Andrew Wyeth

Of winter's lifeless world each tree

Now seems a perfect part;

Yet each one holds summer's secret

Deep down within its heart.

~ Charles G. Stater

Fruity Artist / Photographer M.I.A.

My friend and college classmate, Carmella Messina, has just started a a blog called Persona. 

She said she came up with the name because of the many hats she wears. Believe me, I can relate. These days, I find I am a house keeper, nurse, wife, photographer, artist and equestrian; not necessarily in that order.

For the past two weeks, in addition to my nursing duties, I have been shooting fruits and vegetables to upload to iStockPhoto. When I get going on a project, I tend to get obsessed, that I will admit.

I think I've spent over $250. on produce so far. Thank goodness for my walk-in, screened-in porch fridge

This is one of the images that has already been accepted and added to my iStockPhoto Online Portfolio.  I just had a piece of one and it was delicious!

These days, my studio looks more like a farm market and smells like citrus and garlic.

The deer and horses here aren't complaining either. Nothing is going to waste. As I shoot and discard, I think the critters here at The Sandarosa are truly enjoying the abundant treats and vast variety of fruits and vegetables in their daily diet. . . They just don't realize how spoiled they really are.

Part Time Nurse By Chance, Not Choice

I know I have been M.I.A. here lately, but I've got a new part time job here at Sandy Land.

My husband has had another illness starting on Saturday morning and continuing through the weekend. First thing Monday morning, it was off to the ER again and an emergency operation to drain three abscesses. This time it was a condition at a totally different end from the head problems he had just one month ago. It's not in a place you can easily blog about, but it does give a new perspective and deeper meaning to the phrase, "Pain in the ass".  I'm doing the best I can to be a good caretaker. I am not the best or most sympathetic nurse, I will admit. But my husband has got to be one of the worst patients I have ever known! The current situation reminded me of this little illustration I did many years ago. I can see it as kind of a self portrait right now. 

Every Winter

Every winter,
When the great sun has turned his face away,
The earth goes down into a vale of grief,
And fasts, and weeps, and shrouds herself in sables,
Leaving her wedding-garlands to decay -
Then leaps in spring to his returning kisses.

~ Charles Kingsley

We Have A Winner!

"Your mental attitude attracts to you everything that makes you what you are." ~ Napoleon Hill

The winner of my "Little Christmas" Holiday Hummingbird Original Watercolor Giveaway was picked today at 3pm. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw who it was! Well actually, I could believe my eyes, because Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor is one of the luckiest and most positive people I know. She is always winning contests and experiencing the most awesome successes and adventures! Of course, other than the luck of the draw, I believe her powerful attitude has as much to do with it as anything. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she told me she was already envisioning winning the piece. I'm a firm believer in "What you think about comes about".  Jennifer is a dedicated blogger, artist, photographer and gardener. She propels herself with her winning attitude and puts 110% into everything she does. Congratulations Jen! Your painting is on its' way!

"Our attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force." ~ Irving Berlin

"Attitude will always define who we are in life." ~ Mark A. Brennan

LOVE

Burr, it was a good day to be inside today, so I've been working on some new Valentine's Day images for my iStock portfolio. February 14th will be here again before you know it!  It's always been one of my favorite holidays. How cool is it to have a special holiday in honor of LOVE, now really? Since my birthday is February 17th, it has always seemed like an extended one too! That, and we still continue the tradition of celebrating birthday week here in Sandy Land. I always try to plan something special for my special honey on that day. Even the critters usually get an extra treat or two. What do you usually do on St. Valentine's Day? Do you have any special memories or traditions?

And a Reminder: I am having A  Painting Giveaway this Friday at 3pm EST. Be sure to leave a comment and enter the contest if you would like a chance to win my little "Holiday Hummingbird" watercolor!