Chinks In Our Chain

"Number 16" - wip
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Oh boy.  Last weekend, while I was starting on this little painting, my husband was apparently experiencing some weird flashing in his eye and cloudiness.  He assumed he just had something in it.  (Men.)  Long story short, he was diagnosed on Monday with a detached retina.  While this is still rather serious, things could've been worse, so we are grateful that it's pretty "fixable." Unfortunately though, it's not entirely clear how much of his vision will be recovered as it was a significant tear.  They're pretty optimistic that he'll regain about 85% which at this point, would be a vast improvement as he has a rather large blind spot right now.  It's a good thing he's not a goalie.  :)

So for the past four days, we've been traveling from doctor's office to hospital, to home, etc.  It's been crazy.  And we live in the country, between two cities and thus, two different hospitals.  It can be a little daunting, as our primary care is out east while our eye doctor is connected to facilities out west, so we've been all over the Massachusetts map these few days.  Although, I must say, even though there were a few bumps, Dan couldn't have had better care -- so it's all worth the extra bit of travel -- we love our doctors.  :)

And what does all this have to do with my blog?  Well . . . this is why I haven't been around.  I had had plans to make this a really productive week:  painting and working on more preparations for my upcoming Open House (www.backroadsstudiotour.com -- Oct. 4th & 5th).  I guess I should be glad I was in pretty good shape before all this happened, because now I'm back behind the eight ball (the story of my life).  Sigh.

The 30 Day Challenge?  Well . . . I'll be happy if I can finish #16.  And hopefully that will happen sometime in the next week.  I'd also like to get a quick newsletter out but who knows?  I have more matting and framing to do, arranging the studio, cleaning etc. And I really need to clean my house.  (I'm hoping to put a dent in my crazy laundry tonight.  I have so much to fold and put away it's not even funny.)  Then I have more work to do on the outside gardens.  Tomorrow is the first day we don't have anywhere to go, so I'm hoping to get a lot done.  Of course I have to keep telling myself that my poor husband on the other hand, has to lie in bed on his side until next Thursday, so that the retina can re-attach itself!  I can't even imagine.  He literally can only get up for 10 minutes every few hours.  Ugh.  He's not really a bad patient and I don't think I'm too bad a nurse, but already I can tell this is going to be challenging to say the least.  I just hope I don't smother him with his own pillow.  Ha!  :)

So that's the story here.  Sorry to bore you.  I'll be in touch when I can.  Thanks for stopping by.

#15 - Top View

"Top View"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to purchase.  Starting bid:  $75

Another short post . . . had an unexpected, busy day.  Luckily I had started this one over the weekend and only had to do a little final touch up.  Have a good day!  Thanks for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Painting #14 - ZigZags

"ZigZags"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to purchase.  Starting bid:  $75

I love redware pottery with yellow slip.  I don't know why . . . except perhaps it reminds me of hot dogs with yellow mustard.  :)  This is #14 in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge.

Have a good rest of your weekend!

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Lucky 13!

"Hallie"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

I think my sister-in-law, Hallie, gave me this jug a few years ago.  Or else I bought this when I was with her.  I can't remember exactly -- all I know is that it reminds me of her every time I look at it.  On second thought, perhaps it is just because it is tall and slender like her.  Ha!

This is #13 -- Thank you for visiting.  

(what this painting could
look like when framed)

Tweaked and Sprayed

#13 - work in progress

so far . . . getting sprayed

I'm working on #13 . . . I'm not sure that I'll have it finished by tonight, so I thought I would show my overall progress in the challenge.  These are the first 12 still life paintings for Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 Challenge.  I'm hoping for 25 by the end of September, but I'm not going to kill myself to get there.  Quality paintings are more important to me, than just the quantity.

Below is the "tweaked" version of my "Blue Pitcher" that I posted yesterday.  The blues are uploading weird to blogger on my computer, so I don't know what you're seeing, but while they are vibrant, they are not neon and more a true blue than purple.  Anyway . . . I'm feeling really good about this collection.  I think they look pretty sharp all together.  :)  Thanks for popping by.

"Blue Pitcher"

Back At It - Painting #12

"Blue Pitcher"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I've been traveling and haven't been home much this week until today.  I have a client who may be interested in purchasing this painting, so I'm not putting it up for auction unless they're not interested.  This is my #12 in Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."  

Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Painting #11 - "Yellow Slip"

"Yellow Slip"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

This is a piece of redware pottery decorated with yellow slip made at Old Sturbridge Village.  I love redware pottery and have a small collection.

I know I won't be able to post a finish painting tomorrow as I have a hectic schedule, but hopefully I'll see you on Tuesday.  Have a good start to the week!  Thank you for visiting.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Painting #10 - "Big Blue"

"Big Blue"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord) 

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

This is my 10th painting in Leslie Saeta's "30 Day Painting Challenge."  Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Back In The Saddle

"Bittersweet"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

As you know, I finished my commission and my client picked it up this morning.  It's a gift, so hopefully it's well-received.  Now that that's complete, I'm back at the 30 in 30.  Here's my #9.  Now I'm out of sync with the dates and have to keep telling my OCD self that that's okay.  Ha!  :)

Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

We Interrupt This Program . . .

"Azul"
8" x 8"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Well today's painting is not exactly part of my planned "30 Day Challenge" paintings, but I finished it today nonetheless and will post it on Leslie's blog.  That counts right?

This is the commission I've been working on. It's a surprise, so shhhhh . . . (I think it's a safe bet Azul's parents don't read my blog, so that's why I'm posting it even though it's a surprise).  This isn't the best photo of the finished painting as it's dark out and I just couldn't get all the colors to read well nor could I get good clarity -- but I think it's much better in person.  The staining in the background works much better in real life.  I really enjoyed working on this gentle little lady.  I hope her Mum & Dad will be pleased.  :)

Thanks for popping in.

#9 - Work In Progress

In between working on these small "Challenge" paintings, I'm also working on a commission.  So I haven't been able to finish this 9th painting yet.  I may not even finish it tomorrow, as I have a deadline looming.  Like the title of master watercolorist, Chris Beck's blog states: "I'm Painting As Fast As I Can."  :)

Have a great day.

Day off

My plate is really full this month and so I've given myself permission to take time off from Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge if I need it.  Even God took a day off, right?  Although I don't know that painting a painting a day is equivalent to creating . . . well, EVERYTHING.  Ha!  But seriously,  I think 25 paintings would be perfect actually, because I love the square.  My paintings are square and 25 would give me a 5 x 5 square of paintings.  :)   

So instead here is a recap of my paintings so far. I like them all together.  Yippee!  See you tomorrow.

Thanks for swinging by.  

#8 - "Monday Moonshine"

"Monday Moonshine"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Thank you for viewing my work.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#7 - "Chatting With Kathy"

"Chatting with Kathy"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

You may be wondering about the name of this painting. Well, ​I was on the phone with my friend, Kathy, while I painted this. I got a late start on this one, and technically finished it at 1 in the morning on Monday. I could've named it "Missed Due Date" but I thought "Chatting with Kathy" was a nicer memory. This is #7 of Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."

Thank you for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#6 - Uncle

"Uncle"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on paper)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

You're probably wondering why I've named this painting "Uncle." Well, I'll tell you.  I was very close to calling Uncle" on this one before finishing it.  I really feel like I've lost my painting mojo.  The last few paintings have really been tough.  And it's early in the game . . .  oh boy.  

Thank you for visiting.

(what this painting could
look like when framed)

#5 - Corked

"Corked"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

I struggled with this one (just like the last one) . . . but managed to finish it up just before I headed off for dinner with my husband's brother, sister-in-law and two nephews for a fun evening.  Those little boys crack me up.  One of them had me scratching his ears like dog, to which he responded:  "aaaah, that's the spot."  Ha!

I'm back now -- uploading my images and ready for bed.  Thank you for visiting.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#4 - Little Brown Jug

"Little Brown Jug"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Tonight's post is going to be brief.  It's past my bedtime.  I struggled with this one today.  Got a late start as I had some other obligations to attend to and then it gave me trouble.  Thank you, little brown jug.  :)  I think I'm finally satisfied.

Thanks for stopping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

#3 - Brimfield Mini-Pitcher

"Brimfield Mini-Pitcher"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Brimfield's back!  If you haven't heard of it, it is one of the best and largest antique markets in the U.S.  It's running now, the first week of September and is just a few towns over from me.

Back at its July show, I purchased some miniature redware vessels.  I knew I could use them for little floral arrangements and in still lifes. This one is a miniature (about 5" high) pitcher.  So in homage to the Brimfield Antique Market here's painting #3 in Leslie Saeta's "30 in 30 Challenge."

Thanks for popping by.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Day #2 - "All Scratched Up"

"All Scratched Up"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid:  $75

Day #2 -- so far so good.  Thanks for taking a peek.  :)

(what this painting could look
like when framed)

Painting #1 - Verbena

"Verbena"
6" x 6"
(watercolor on aquabord)

Click here to bid.  Starting bid: $75

Oh boy . . . here we go:  the first painting for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge."  Thanks for stopping in.

(what this painting could look
like when framed)