Gordon Laite, once again nodp

I'm working on a commission, so my revisited painting is of this page in the golden book,
'Toads and Diamonds II' I just may do more! It was a lot of fun to try to paint these illustrations--I remember, as a child, just sitting and staring at every page!

And More Gordon Laite nodp

Today's revisited painting is a copy of this illustration by Gordon Laite,
'Toads and Diamons after Gordon Laite'
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Gordon Laite, illustrator of 'The Blue Book of Fairy Tales ' nodp

Nope, that's not what the horned beast wanted to hear! The painting for today is another copy from this Little Golden Book, 'Beauty and the Beast after Gordon Laite'

Golden Book nodp

Helping to clean out my mother's house a few years ago, I came upon this book--it took me back--way back--I just had to try some of these great illustrations for myself--so once again here is my tribute to Gordon Laite--thanks for the wonderful mind and dream altering illustrations!!
My revisited painting for today is a copy of this illustration by Gordon Laite:
'Rapunzel after Gordon Laite'

Paperweight nodp

My granddaughter painted this paperweight--shhh... we're getting ready for Christmas--this is one of her hand made gifts---I'm not telling to who, but I bet you wish you were the one! I have lots of paper, bills, drawings, lists... that stack up fast. My solution? Top it with a rock!
My revisited painting for today is a collaboration and one of my favorite ones called:
'Sunday's Collaboration' This collaboration reminds me of the illustrations of one of my favorite illustrators, Gordon Laite. Stay tuned for more Gordon Laite.

A Tangle of Kelp II

Another seaweed painting.
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed

For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

BLowing sand nodp

A very windy day at the beach. Sand is blowing back into the water, while not too far from here, the city of Morro Bay is dredging the harbor mouth so the bay remains a bay. An endless cycle!
Today's revisited painting is, 'Cypress'

T-shirt yarn and weaving nodp

I love T-shirt yarn. You make it by cutting up unwanted T-shirts into a continuous strip after taking off the bottom edge. Then stretching the strip so the cut edges curl in--simple. I've used this yarn when teaching kids how to use a knitting knotty.
I've been experimenting weaving with this T-shirt yarn--wish I could say I'm making something more interesting than pot holders, but I was very discouraged to buy this pot holder loom for my grandchild and use the loops that came with the loom, only to find out you can't actually use the pot holders! It says in the instructions not to use near heat or open flame!! The loops are synthetic, yuk! so are very flammable---how silly is that?
This cotton T-shirt yarn works better for pot holders. I'm trying this out, so I can put my granddaughter to work on making usable pot holders!
Today's revisited painting is, 'Hair Stick II'

Mackerel Sky nodp

This is yesterday's mackerel sky--what a beautiful sky! What does this mean again?---rain? I think so. Yes, it at least means moisture in the air. Holy Mackerel, what a sky!
Today's revisited painting is, 'Hair Stick'

November Light nodp

Each year the light surprises me as it slants through the windows differently with the changing seasons.
Today's revisited painting is, 'Jasmine'

A Tangle of Kelp, watercolor

I love the way large bunches of kelp wash up on the beach--it lands in a tangle that looks like the motion of water, waves and wind.
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed

For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Halloween 2009 nodp

My son the tree, (costume made by his hippy tree hugging girlfriend). My granddaughter dressed as Mary Ingalls from 'Little House on the Prairie' Pumpkins carved by grandpa and granddaughter. Fun!
Today's revisited painting, 'Very Big Beads'

Morro Bay breakwall nodp

Big waves this time of year!
Today's revisited painting is the collaboration, "Protect"

Clementine Candles nodp

Awhile back, a friend of mine sent me directions for making these candles from carefully skinned clementines. The wick is just a bit of the softer white lining in the skin right at the center. It took me awhile to make one that burned nicely, but it can be done! But, if you make one of these--don't leave the room! It will burn down through the skin to whatever it's sitting on!! Put it on something fire proof!!
Today's revisited painting is, "Self Portrait with Lisbeth's Snow Flake"
Do check out Lisbeth's snowflake mandalas being sold on my sister's Etsy shop, here!
Also Happy Birthday Lisbeth!!!

Seagulls in Flight III

Going after the same crumb.
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed

For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Sewing nodp

My granddaughter will be Mary Ingalls from 'Little House on the Prairie' for Halloween. I'm sewing--from a pattern and making some of it up--adding on cuffs and a rounded collar--her design--her choice of fabric. Sewing is much more expensive than it was back in my day, so I'm hoping to make this a dress she can wear to school--to play in--maybe everyday!
Today's revisited painting is, "Dead Moth"

Baking nodp

It all started with one zip lock bag of Amish cinnamon bread starter that was brought into my house! After a few days of mushing the bag you add flour sugar and milk, mush a few more days, then add to it again---save a bit to put in FOUR zip lock bags to give away with the recipe. Then there were FOUR bags--that weren't being given away!--the day came to add---I added--then to bake---I baked, but didn't save the FOUR bags each, or that would have been SIXTEEN bags of starter!!!
Now I've got to tell you, I don't like this starter because it just has so much sugar and is made with white flour, but I've gone along with it out of curiosity---I've never used a sour dough starter before.
I put all the fermenting bags in the frig and have been trying to use a cup here a cup there and then freezing half of what I make. I'm down to one bag left in the frig and two new bags that I could give away, (why did I save the two new bags!--I ask myself), but I think I'll just use up the stuff and be done with it!! Everything is coming out good though! I only put a little in each recipe--then cut back on the sugar and use whole wheat flour. This morning I made brown bread ( steamed in a bread or pudding mold), My great grandmother's coffee cake, made with real coffee and ground raisins--(who ever grinds raisins?) She did! And whole wheat bread rising. I never do this much baking--makes me feel like a real grandmother!
Today's revisited painting is, "Cotton Candy or The Fireman"

Seagulls in Flight II

You are the wing beneath my wing---couldn't wesist!
Watercolor 7"x 7"
$120 matted / $160 matted & framed

For international or expedited shipping, please contact me prior to purchase.

Jade Festival in Big Sur CA nodp

Click on the photo to make this larger.

The ground after our dry season and right before the rains of winter--just amazing that any thing can grow from it--these vines must be very hardy!

This little guy was moving around so fast--and the jade was moving so slow--that stuff is heavy!



Big Sur beach


Dancing...

Today's revisited painting is, "Pumpkins"

Young Boy with His Dog

Commission time! A sweet hug for a big dog!
Watercolor, 7"x 7"
NFS