My daughter came over with big black wings for her portrait! I may even attempt to do one of my granddaughter, but time is closing in. I'm hanging these on Sunday, and I've got to frame about five studies. Just in case you haven't been following my posts, I'm getting ready to put up a show of charcoal figure studies at Linnaea's in San Luis Obispo on June 1st. The show will be up for a month. I will be back to my paintings on Monday.
My son works for a tree company. Yesterday he posed for twenty minutes at a stretch, but it was tough to get back into the same position. He was moving around a lot and making me laugh. He played the Flight of the Conchords CD, and that made me laugh! I took some pictures and was able to finish today.
My sister, Martha, sent me this figurine with a little note that just read, "sisters". That's us! The tiny drawings of two girls holding hands on the inside flap of our golden book, "there we are!" Being only 13 months apart, we were together most of the time. We shared thoughts and ideas much like twins do--we still do to this day! I'm the one on the left and I see myself as the cat on the left. I feel so thankful to have had and still have that close relationship!
I even have an old rusty stationary bicycle! It was in the yard when we moved in. I use it every now and then. The rust just makes it a little harder to peddle, which is good. My granddaughter only had a half day at her preschool, so I had to finish this painting while she was home. At first I set up her paints beside me, then I was playing catch the hula hoop between layering the paint. Finally she started bringing out all her toys and books and more! She must have made about ten trips. You can see her camping outside next to the stationary bike. I was sort of ignoring the pile up of things, so I could finish. I kept mentioning how she would have to take all this stuff back inside. She said, "It's easier to take it outside than to take it in." How true.
This bee was found inside the car. It must have been in there a while, it was very weak and scruffy looking. I thought it was dying. It hung onto an old paper towel in the same spot for a long time--even when taken outside. Little by little it started looking better. Then the bee started cleaning itself, it got fluffed up, its eyes even glistened. Suddenly it flew off, which surprised me because one small wing was missing from one side. I watched its flight path--very straight! What a recovery!
Here's a figure study of my son's girlfriend. I plan to do at least two more, if I can get two more people to sit for me. This is not for sale since it will go into a show for June.
I'm still working on a charcoal figure drawing of my son's girlfriend, who was nice enough to sit for me yesterday, so here's an oil painting I did about a year ago. This image is from a dream where I was holding a flashlight to direct these gopher like creatures out the door. I believe this dream is symbolic of things that are hidden or buried in my subconscious that I'm now ready to let out, to face. With the news of that family who was released from their father's captivity, this painting could take on a different meaning. I've had that news on my mind since I've heard it, so here's my dream painting. This painting belongs to me it isn't for sale--sorry! I hope to post my figure drawing tomorrow.
My model backed out today, so I painted this collaboration, where my granddaughter put down the paint and I found these creatures within. I'll try for a charcoal figure drawing tomorrow.
Good for big floors!
" Dream flat tires, dream flat tires, dream flat tires"------from Joni Mitchell's song, "You Dream Flat Tires"
Any time you have a hole to dig for a post this is the tool to use, the post hole digger.
This big rusty old funnel has been sitting in the yard with some other big rusty pieces of large engine parts, just crumbling rapidly back into the earth.
An old shovel in the sun--how you spose to git any diggen done.
