Looking at Life Upclose

Georgia O'keefe did it.....and she saw beauty where many of us just glance and say, "how pretty", without really looking closely.

Whether it be the zinnias that I grew last year in my garden, where everything else was lost....

 Scattered amongst the weeds, tall grasses, and a few "volunteers", my zinnias were proof that they are hardy, yet lovely.

Everything I've learned about color is from Mother Nature's pallet...(okay, there is the color wheel, and how complementary colors work...), but, Nature got there first.

Yesterday, at the check-out counter of our market, there were lovely, blush-pink roses for 50cents each...It graced our table last night, and was as lovely as a dozen, expensive roses.  It's not about the cost, it's about the beauty.

 I'm pretty sure Georgia would have loved to have painted this.......
Look at something, until it looks back at you......

"Finally, Spring"....Fine Art Show, That is...

Remind me to never, never, never chair a committee again..or at last not while showing our home, still recovering from a concussion, and taking care of my 92-year-old mother-in-law (who is really darling, and the care thing is minimal).

 

I did the colored-pencil drawing, (about the third try in this medium), and a wonderful friend and fellow Art Guild member did a great job on the rest of it....Had it not been for her, I would have lost it before I finally did lose it.  I think I now have it back....

 

Do you think God punishes you, if you happen to bring a few of your neighbors (we live in a resort area, and these people only come during the summer...they leave their leaves -live on a lake in the woods- all year round, which blow into our property..these were right on the line, and yes, God, I did liberate them. I just couldn't help myself..I never stepped on their property...honest.

   I started this painting awhile back....and am determined to enter it in the show....does the subject matter look familiar?  I've never attempted reflections before, so it is a challenge, along with chairing the show, and my list from earlier (do you detect the scent of burning martyr?)...

 

Having no formal training in oil painting (or any other medium, other than some photography courses years ago) can make things challenging, but, I find that if I don't get too frustrated, and put some classical music on as I paint, and look at some really helpful (and not so helpful) tutorials from You Tube...along with a little help from my friends, it's actually fun....I feel sorry for people who say, "Oh, I can't draw, paint, write, whatever"...they don't know until they've tried...and tried... and tried...

 

This is my mother-in-law in (as it says on the poster - I believe it was for a beauty salon) 1946....what a beauty...she still colors her hair, puts on her make up, and dresses beautifully...it saddens me that she is now in pain, and it's getting worse...it also shows me that beauty is truly skin deep..she's still beautiful in my eyes.

My mother was also beautiful, but, sadly in March of 1985, she passed away at the young age of 60, which is why I'm saying...be grateful for the privilege of growing old...not preaching here...it's just that, as I said earlier - Things are changing, along with this blog...it's not all about design, or art, or how to make a pillow...it's about living, loving, and appreciation of our friends and each day we have.

Whoa!  Just what you needed...a sermon..no, it's just me...muddling through life.

 So, don't feel old...put on your party dress, take off your shoes, and run towards life...not away...

 

Things Are Changing

They say the only thing guaranteed in life is change....I have been holding on to my "old life", and after having an accident (really bad fall, and a concussion), I decided it was time to change - my goals, my dreams, and my life in general.

For example, I love photography, and I've made a point to never put anyone's photos up on my blog except my own.  For one thing, I think it's an infringement on other people's creative works, and I don't want them to do it to me, (although, I think that has happened) and for another, I love photography....
With "Smart Phones", digital cameras, etc., just about anyone can take a wonderful photograph.  For example, my 92-year-old mother-in-law took this portrait of my husband, Robert and me.   

Not that I don't love the photo- I do, but, you see what I mean?  Also, with photo shop and all the bells and whistles, I remain a "purist"...(does that make me ancient?  Probably)
If I see something wonderful, of course, I grab my camera and shoot, but I need another direction.  I have no desire to sit at the computer, and change a photo until it is "perfect".  Nothing should be "perfect".  

 

Years ago, I was hired by the Federal Government to dress in the attire of a Civil War widow ("Widow's Weeds), and photograph reenactments all over the country.  I lived in an officer's tent, and after shooting, I would go home, and spend the night in the dark room, producing prints, which I would take to the next reenactment....the "soldiers" would say, "Let's go down to the Widda's tent, and see if we have photos of ourselves".  I did this for several years, but, it became too much for my husband to drag all that stuff all over the country, and stand there, dressed as a "Sutler", (someone who sold to the soldiers) wearing ticking-striped trousers and hob-nailed boots...he did look good, though.  

So, change....

So, we moved to Wisconsin from North Carolina, and I opened a gallery in an 1850's restored school house.....
                                      Change....

 

I became a faux-finisher, and an interior designer for the next 20 or so years....which is why you may "pop in" to this blog, to see what I've done (you've pretty much seen it all at this point) and to get some advice on interior design, etc.

Change....

After the renovation

 Before the renovation

My husband and I moved from Texas to Tennessee, where we have spent nearly a year, (and a ton of money) renovating this house on a lovely lake in a lovely spot (Fairfield Glade, TN)

Most have you have seen the process and the befores and afters...

We got the house on the market late in the fall, and with this horrific winter, not many people were willing to brave the sleet, snow, and cold to view homes...hopefully, with SPRING coming, there will be a ....

(say it with me)

Change...

After the thrill of selling a few paintings, I realize this is my direction in life (at least for now)..hey, I'm nearly 66, so, I'd better start painting....oh, and writing...I've been working on two novels and a children's book for years...but, never had the time or energy to pursue it...so here I go...
                                         Change...

My first watercolor (that I actually finished)....

Not only did this fall (and concussion) blacken my eyes, but it also opened them...life can change on a dime...one second, you are here, and the next, you are who knows where we go when our number is up???

My husband took this photo of me this weekend...the black eyes are gone, (and the fur is faux), and I'm ready to dive in....
I hear people saying, "Oh, I just am so bored, I don't have any interests"...I just can't imagine that...

So, if you decide to stop in and see how things are going, that's great...I'm excited!   I want to pursue all the interests:
(Not necessarily in this order):

 Painting
Cake Decorating
Art Dolls
Sculpture
Writing
Making....all kinds of making...
and, to make time to help someone (there are many) less fortunate than I)...
Hope you will stop by and see what's cooking (oh, did I mention cooking?)
                                      

I encourage you all to follow/find/reinvent your dreams....life is short.