Saturday, December 31, 2011

10 things I know to be true about 2011:

1. I fell in love with the man of my dreams.
2. Valley Creek Church rocks.
3. I spent a great 5 days painting at a Robert Burridge Workshop
4. Spent the most consecutive days away from my boys while they went on vacation with their grandparents.
5. Had the funniest dating experience that I have ever had in my whole life!
6. Watching my boys grow in everything they do is fun and such a gift.
7. I missed going to Wimberley this year. The beach is so windy.
8. It was the hottest summer since the 80's but we didn't break the record of the most days in triple digits.
9. Refugio Bobcats are the 2A State Champions! What a fun game and fun friends.
10. We got a dart board for Christmas. Can't wait to play in 2012.

Journal - Happy New Year

2011 has been a great year.
A really great year.

It was full of ups and  a couple of downs, creative moments, laughter, some frustrating moments, I cried a few sad tears but mostly 2011 was full of really good loving. The last 201 days were really good days of loving.

That sentence makes me smile.

2012 will see some changes for this little creative blog of mine. It's still a creative blog but 2010 and 2011 have taught me that my painting is sporatic and undisciplined. When it goes well, it goes well but when it doesn't it is non-existant. I'm not a full-time painter and though I love painting, I'm not 100% that just painting is my passion. At 42 years old, I'm still trying to figure it all out. Well, at least I haven't given up on discovering.

I finally finished my journal that I bought when I was 30. It only took 12 years.

Hopefully it won't take 12 years to finish this one:


Or, this one:


Happy New Year!!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Music Monday - Somewhere Over the Rainbow

This is the last Music Monday in my Year of Love and what a wonderful year it has been.

It truly is a wonderful world when you choose to see it that way. Be grateful for all that you have and for all that you are because if you dream it, you can be it.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Fifty Second Sunday

A strong man
stands up for
himself;
a stronger man
stands up
for others.

- Ben the Cow,
from the animated
movie Barnyard
is it silly that i love this quote?

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Journal - Signature Page


Holy Crabby Patties! It only took me 12 plus years to finish this journal! And, I love it. I love the way it has developed. There is one white half page that I thought I would go back and paint on but now I think I'm going to leave it white. 2011 was a great year for Love. I found the love of my life, I love my boys, my family and friends so much, I'm going to church again, and I'm loving my art. Love, love, love. Thank you 2011 for being such a great year. Merry Christmas.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Music Monday - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

This is my favorite Christmas song! It's cheerful and fun.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Fifty First Sunday

I took a
deep breath
and listened
to the old
bray of
my heart.

I am.
I am.
I am.

- Sylvia Plath

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Journal - Double Rothko


I was copying a Rothko painting that I like. This image reminds me of a window with the sky and grass.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Doodle inspiration

In 2012, I'm playing with the idea of posting doodles that I draw. This was done on a post it note- where most of my doodles are drawn. Yes! I've decided I will post doodles next year. And look! I can post them using my phone. Technology is grand!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Music Monday - Merry Christmas from the Family

I am something of a Scrooge at Christmas time so here's a funny song to try to get me in a jolly mood. Note: This is not for you. This is for me!

Bah Humbug!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Fiftieth Sunday

Today is
your day,
your mountain
is waiting,
so get on
your way.

- Dr Seuss

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Journal - Bob's Trees in Green.

I worked on most of this while I waited for an oil change and tire rotation at the dealership. It's a good way to pass the time.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Music Monday - Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer

It's the second Monday after Thanksgiving, the first Monday in December and I'm sure you have already been inundated with Christmas decorations, music and more. I have exactly 3 Monday's until Christmas so I guess I'll jump on the band wagon. And maybe, just maybe, it will help me get my Bah-humbug-self in the mood for some Christmas cheer! Hey Rudolph! That's my favorite part of this song. :)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Forty Nineth Sunday

It doesn't matter
where you come from,
what matters is
where you are going.

- Ingrid Munro

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Journal - Guitar Heart


I'm loving the brick pattern lately. I drew a heart and in that heart I drew a C and it reminded me of the tuners of a guitar. So I drew the headstock in the heart. I love the sound of guitar.

Friday, December 2, 2011

10 things I know to be true about my day job:

1. As soon as I throw something away, my boss always needs it.

2. I conquered the 200g heavy bonded glossy paper and the Ricoh machine producing some awesome flyers.

3. I don't like answering the main phone line during my lunch hour or when Margaret is gone.

4. I don't think it's professional to call your co-workers love, darling, sweetie or any other intimate nickname whether you are male or female.

5. The view I see out my interior office window are of an eagle with a dead catfish, some hawks and bird dogs. The eagle print is most prominent.

6. I'm grateful for the Internet.

7. I love when my cell phone chirps and it's a text message from Chris. It makes my day happy. Happier.

8. I wish I could go back to my old routine of working out and eating a peaceful lunch alone in the real estate kitchen.

9. I feel lucky that my office provides lunches on Monday and Thursday which I stretch out to all week long. Salad on Monday, Sandwich on Tuesday, Soup on Wednesday, Lunch on Thursday splits in half to provide for Friday.

10. I know how fortunate I am to have an on site fitness facility and fitness trainer that I can utilize during my lunch hour.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

December First

Today I was inspired by a post that my friend, Claudia, wrote at House of Shine.

She shared this video:


And just like that I am renewed and hopeful and inspired.

Do they show TED videos at schools? They should!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thinking of a plan... 2012

31 days left of 2011 and I'm thinking about 2012. I have paintings at home that need to be finished and I'm thinking about what kind of project I want to take on in 2012. Because, honestly, I know there won't be much painting in the next month. But, I want to do something different for this blog next year.

I'm craving a new blog project that will challenge me creatively but not overwhelm me.

I want a new project that let's me post what's inspiring me, touching my heart, using different mediums but not too chaotic or unfocused.

I want there to be structure but not too much structure.

I want to be able to create some posts in advance but keep it fresh as well.

I'm over analyzing and complicating the plan.

I'm thinking about subjects like: hearts, guitars, trees, flowers, fish, portraits, and words.

I'm thinking about words like: jubilee, caramel, love, happy and roulette.

I'm thinking about mediums like: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and writing.

I'm thinking about schedules like: hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly.

What if I pick a monthly word and a quarterly subject or a monthly subject and a quarterly word? Maybe I'll post by the hour on some weeks and weekly some months. Do you see my quandary? What's the plan? Do I just draw it or do I sculpt it, write about it, and sew it, too?

You know all of that will not happen because holding myself accountable will be excruciating.

Discipline.

It all comes down to discipline. And, what I want out of my days. Do I want to work out everyday at lunch? Can I discipline myself to paint everyday? (I know the answer to that one is no.) I'm lacking passion but I'm feeling passionate about wanting a new project.

2012: Project ?

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Magic of Floating

I feel a sense of magic
when I float on
top of the water.
Whether it is in
a lake, a river, a pool
or an ocean, there is
magic in that moment.
My body is limp and relaxed.
My arms and legs hang in
any direction that I move them.
I take a deep breath in
and hold it.
I float higher
and the sun is
there to warm me.
I exhale and sink
but my spirit remains high.
My long brown hair floats
around my head
like a feathery crown.
I am alone with my thoughts
but not alone.
I look to the sky
and there I float.

And think.

And relax.

And soak in the magic.

~cew

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Forty Eighth Sunday

Every day
is a new
chance to
choose.

- Ishita Gupta

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Journal - School of Fish

Happy Birthday JB! You are such a sweet, creative, smart boy! I love you.



I have drawn a lot of fish. Unfortunately, many of them were stolen from my car in Park City, Utah. It was a sad day for me when I realized my portfolio was gone. I might pick them back up again.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Photo: I Miss Summer


Taken in Fall of 2008 or 2009. Can't be sure.
My pool.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Music Monday - Family Portrait

I'm a big P!nk fan and could have picked a number of her songs but I love this. It has so much of her soul in it. I love that not only does she have the showmanship that it takes today to put on a concert but that she has the voice to back it up.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Forty Seventh Sunday

What
you
seek
is
seeking
you.

- Paulo Coelho

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Friday, November 18, 2011

Photo - A Very Large Tree


I think it was the summer of 2009 when Claudia, Katie and I set out on a Serendipty trip for House of Shine. At the alotted time we ended up in an old, overgrown cemetary. This very large, overgrown tree was there. I love this photo.

I might also mentioned that Katie and I were the recipients of some mean chiggers. Claudia wore pants that day so she escaped the little skin munchers.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Poetry - da mi basia mille

There is a famous Latin poem written by Catullus and it goes like this:

Vivamus mea Lesbia, atque amemus,
rumoresque senum seueriorum
omnes unius aestimemus assis!
soles occidere et redire possunt:
nobis cum semel occidit breuis lux,
nox est perpetua una dormienda.
da mi basia mille, deinde centum,
dein mille altera, dein secunda centum,
deinde usque altera mille, deinde centum.
dein, cum milia multa fecerimus,
conturbabimus illa, ne sciamus,
aut ne quis malus inuidere possit,
cum tantum sciat esse basiorum.



There are many translations of the poem some more literal translations than others but this is the one I like best:

Let us live, my dear, and let us love,
and let us count the opinion
of others as just one penny.
The sun will set and rise again;
Our time together is brief
so before that light has fallen for us
and we must sleep a never ending night,
give me a thousand kisses, then a hundred
then another thousand and a second hundred
then a thousand and a hundred
over and over again.
We will have kissed many a thousand times,
even we will not know how many.
and no one who wishes us ill because he is envious
can hold against us the kisses he cannot count.

I came discovered the poem in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon. The husband inscribed the words da mi basia mille in his wife's wedding ring. I've always thought it was lovely.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Photo: Pool Shadow

Taken in November of 2008. Or 2009. Not sure.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Monday, November 14, 2011

Music Monday - Remind Me

I still can't get enough of you. Even on day 154. Or 5 months. I never want to lose this feeling. I'm so happy. So, promise to remind me.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Forty Sixth Sunday

The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.

- Vincent van Gogh

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Journal - Unconditional, Appreciation, Honesty, Presence, Grace


These are the things that we should all have in our relationships:

Unconditional Love - I will always choose to love you. No matter what.

Appreciation- I won't take you for granted. I will appreciate you for all that you are and for all that you give.

Honesty- I will always be honest with you. Kind, but honest.

Presence- I will carry you in my heart always. Your presence will be felt even when you are not present.

Grace- I will forgive, forget and extend to you grace. I will always try to make your life better.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Photography - A Rose by Any Other Name...


This is not the best image or composition but here's what I like about it:

1. I like the curve of the stem.
2. I like the brick pattern on the right background.
3. I like the leaf hanging down from above.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Photography - You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden


My one rose bush in my backyard went crazy blooming in October.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Photography - One last kiss


I love this photo of the tulip that was reaching out of the vase. Nature really is a wonderful place to gather inspirations for artwork.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Music Monday - So Pure

I always liked this song but I fell in love with the video.

I broke the country cycle. But, it probably won't last long.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Forty Fifth Sunday

Life is short,
but there is
always time
enough for
courtesy.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Journal - Many Hearts Create One Love


I saw someone elses illustration of something similar to this and had to draw my own.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Photography - Kisses


Tulips & Irises from Chris.

Or, Hugs & Kisses from Chris.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Photography - Hugs & Kisses

Oops. I've run out of paintings. Because, I haven't been painting.

Chris sent me flowers in October. It was called the Hugs & Kisses arrangement and they were beautiful. I enjoyed them at work and then brought them home to enjoy. I took this photo because I liked the way the tulip reached out to the right reminding me of the cantilever design compisition so I think I'm going to paint these one day. I will simply the background to be more of solid.



I'll leave out the kitchen water spout, too.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Flying Heart - Deep Peace


Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

The collage portion reads:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the infinite peace to you.


Deep peace of the running waves to you,
Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
Deep peace of the smiling stars to you,
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you,
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Music Monday - Take a Back Road

5 weeks of country music...

Happy Birthday, Drew! I can't believe 11 years has gone by since I held you in the blue light of the cloud lamp in your first bedroom. You were such a sweet baby and you've grown into being such a sweet boy.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Forty Fourth Sunday

The world is but a canvas to the imagination.

- Henry David Thoreau

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Friday, October 28, 2011

Flying Hearts - I Know


Acrylic & Collage on paper.
Size:

It's wonderful to simply know that you are loved because you feel it in every fiber of your body.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Hearts - In blue color study


12 x 12" Acrylic on panel board

Color study

Monday, October 24, 2011

Music Monday - Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not

I love the phrase "Shut up and kiss me" which is not in this song but I still love it. The End. Now enjoy the song.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Forty Third Sunday

The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.

- Walt Whitman

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Journal - Bob's Trees


I'm such a hug fan of Bob Burridge and all of his paintings. His landscapes of trees are some of my favorites. I feel so fortunate to have been able to learn from him and to watch him paint. It is truly a beautiful thing to watch.
His painting below is one of my favorites because the trees are forming hearts. The way he gets the light to shine through is amazing. So beautiful.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Hearts - Shut Up & Kiss Me


6x6"Acrylic & Collage on Canvas

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Hearts - J26


6x6" Acrylic on Canvas

This needs work and I'll probably paint over it but it's kind of sweet. I traced JB's hand on the canvas before I went to the workshop.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hearts - Moon Hearts

Much like yesterdays post here is a study I did with the heart being the moon.

I had them all looking exactly the same with the heart moon moved in the one but Bob wanted me to make them more different. I didn't change much in them as you can see but I'm not really that in love with them so they'll probably all change.


Below is the 6 x 6" version.


And now 8 x 8" version.


12 x 12" version.


And finally the 24 x 24" version


And now all together.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Hearts - Black & White

Look at these four hearts that I painted at the Burridge Workshop this past August.

They look a lot alike, right? And they are.

Except the one below is 6 x 6 inches.


And the one below is 8 x 8 inches.


And this one is 12 x 12 inches.


And my favorite one is 24 x 24 inches.

I like this on best because I like the way it runs off the edge.


Here they are all photographed together.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Forty Second Sunday

Just tell yourself,
"Duckie, you're
really quite lucky!"

- Dr. Seuss

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Journal - Bricks


I needed a break from my watercolor pencils so I broke out just my regular pencils.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Hearts - 6x6 Black & White

Bob Burridge does small studies of pears. Watch this video to see what I mean.
I struggle with lighting so I decided I would do my own version of pears but with hearts.

Below is a 6x6" canvas painting I did while at the workshop and next week is going to be all hearts. Most of them painted at the workshop.

I will most likely go back and add color to this one but right now I'm enjoying the simplicity of it.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Guitars - Dueling Blues Revised. Again.


Acrylic & Collage on Paper
Size 15x22"

This painting won't go away and seeing where it came from and where it is now it's still not done. Where will it go next?

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Forty First Sunday

Do more than belong:
Participate.
Do more than care:
Help.
Do more than believe:
Practice.
Do more than be fair:
Be Kind.
Do more than forgive:
Forget.
Do more than dream:
Work.

- William Ward.

Saturday, October 8, 2011