Well, this is as far as I've gotten tonight. Just sort of blocked in values and some color. Will likely not get to work on it tomorrow since it's my day to work at the River Art Gallery, but maybe a little in the evening.
'Night, All.
Caldo for Lunch
Sketch of new painting.
Hmmm. Well, after pondering much and arranging, then rearranging possible elements, I've sketched out a new painting to be done from photos I took in a Mexican restaurant in October. I felt like a spy taking these photos but was afraid that if I asked permission, the fellow with the hat might change his posture. I was so taken by his classic look. The fedora, the beard, the cigarettes in his pocket, the eating lunch from the huge serving-bowl type caldo bowls. The backlighting and the contrast of the young couple to the workers in the foreground, all made it interesting to me. In taking the photo, I got a close-up of Kim Roberti's plate and crumpled paper napkin and think it might be interesting to just include them. Anyway, this is the next project. Will post images as I go. This will be a pastel on 24"x18" Kitty Wallis sanded pastel paper.
Sweet dreams, friends.
Susan
Finish? of painting of Mo.
I think I'm going to call this one done. I'll look again at her foreground fingers later, though. Something may not be right there, not sure.
Now on to the next one.....
I got word today that all three of my entries in Austin Pastel Society's annual member's exhibition got in!!! I'm doing a pastel portrait demo for APS on Thursday evening.
Tonight I worked more on the little 12"x12" oil-on-canvas painting of Morgan which I'd started during a portrait demo in Seguin last week. The camera sure does odd things to the colors sometimes. The pink of the lips shows up far brighter in the photo than the painting, for instance. Still have lots to do on the hands and the book, but the face is fairly far along. I'll look at it again tomorrow and see what needs tweaking.
Watched History Channel's program on Lincoln while painting tonight. Well, listened, mainly. Fascinating stuff.
The big brush pick up for our neighborhood is Monday, so I worked long and hard this afternoon cutting back all the dead branches and old growth on salvias and coneflowers and, well, anything that needed cutting. The pile by the curb is enormous. I'd gotten indoctrinated in the "wisdom" of replacing lawn with native plantings with the thought of reducing the use of water and energy. HA! The plantings have taken far more water and attention than I ever gave my grass. What a crock. Chopped down an ugly tree, too, while I was at it.
My sister sent an email today from Africa on her first day there. I'm so proud of her for going and reconnecting with her childhood friend, Sandow, there. What an adventure!
Will work more on the the little painting of Morgan tomorrow and maybe start on a larger painting for entry into San Antonio Art League's annual exhibition. I have an idea for it. Will see how it goes.
'Night all!
Two finishes... Providence RI's Roger Williams Park
These are two plein air pastels I did while visiting my friend Joan in Providence RI this summer. I rarely paint outdoors. I do try to be a good sport when folks are getting a "Paint Out" together, mainly because I love the company while I paint. But I did these sitting in the grass, warding off geese, bugs and the sun. Joan was good company, though. These have been sitting under waxed paper in my studio since then. I'm doing a big declutter excavation (Flylady of Flylady.com calls it a Super Fling Boogie) of all the surfaces of my home. My house looks Mahvelous and half-finished projects are either getting tossed or finished. I decided to finish these, for better or worse.
I went with Becky (www.BeckyHicksArt.com) to the New Braunfels Art League Gallery last night for the artists reception for all the artists-of-the-month for that organization. Becky was December's and also got First Place for Pastel in the annual members exhibition. I got to catch up with a few artist friends there and spend time with Becky there and at her home studio. We should all have studios like Becky's! Overlooks the Guadalupe river through a huge window in the brightest, happiest studio ever.
Sure would appreciate a comment when you drop by. Feel like I'm talking to myself.
Enjoy your day, ya'll.
It's Done! It's been submitted! Yea!!!!
Done!
I've sent the file on to the exhibition chairperson who will forward them all to our judge this year- Susan Ogilvie
http://www.susanogilvie.com/index.html
We'll be notified which paintings got in to the competition and those we deliver to Austin on March 5th. So I have time to get these framed. I submitted this one- "Morning Flight", the one of Libby's living room I call "Her Grandmother's Chair", and the one of my nephew Jake swimming underwater, called "Submerged Dreamer." I submitted that one in reaction to it being rejected last year by our judge, Doug Dawson. Nice man, flawed ideas. He told me to only paint young beautiful women and old grizzly men, as that's all that really sells. In reaction to that I painted the large, 'ordinary' woman reading in the library and got first place in Pastel at the Coppini in October. So there! (Did you see the fists on hips and the stamp of the foot?)
Well, now I need to put my house back in order. I have a stack of dishes in the kitchen, laundry on the sofa and a guest room to excavate in order to welcome an overnight guest on Friday. This painting took over my life the last week or more. Anyway, thank you all for cheering me on. Kisses and hugs to you all.
Decided on the title of this one... "Morning Flight." Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Ok, I'm getting closer. Time to start on the 'outhwest sign. Think I'll leave out the No Smoking sign... just to keep it all as positive as possible. May have to turn it upside down to keep the rain of dark pastel from leaving tracks on the people. Small prayer: Let me remember what sort of time this painting is taking when I consider anything else so detailed.
Amen.
Oil portrait demo
This is a a little 12"x12" oil on stretched canvas start of Morgan reading which I did during an hour and a half in Seguin yesterday as a demo. I worked from a photo I printed off from some shots we took the night before. It's just sort of blocked in.. lots more to go, but it makes me want to get back to it sometime soon. In the meantime I'm still working on the airport painting.
Linda, you asked the dimensions of the airport painting. It's 24" x 18" on Kitty Wallis sanded pastel paper. Back to painting!
Many more hours later.... Still many more to go, but it's shaping up. Worked on the group in the left background and refining the foreground group.
Tomorrow morning I'm doing an oil portrait demonstration in Seguin and need to spend some time putting my supplies together and deciding what image to paint.
The gathering in Marble Falls was very nice. Met some good people and got to spend time with Kim and Bob. Got stopped for speeding on my way back through Bulverde. Sigh. But the nice copper gave me a ticket for my expired vehicle inspection sticker rather than for speeding. Ain't that sweet? Got my inspection yesterday and will clear up the matter this week. Been a long time since I'd seen those bright lights blinking just for lil' ol' me. At least I don't have to sit through defensive driving school. Whew!
Nighty night ya'll.
Still more
I liked the look of this last fellow in the row right from the first time I saw the photos, but there's very little in the way of detail in the photo, just posture and gesture. There's someone on his far side, but all you see of her is hair and jeans. Getting the podium and strap barrier in was long hard work surprisingly. Also worked on the hand of the woman holding the red cup. More to go. Much more. I think I'm saving the young woman on the far left (not shown in this crop) for last because I think I'll enjoy what her hands and the bag do for the overall painting.
Today I painted in oil at the Coppini. That's it for me. Yet another painting of a woman posing with a flower. There's quite enough of that stuff in the world. It's always good to practice painting from life, but the subject matters. I'm self-important enough that I feel responsible for what I put into the world. So, I'll arrange my own models or share with individual artists.
I'm going up to Marble Falls tomorrow evening at Kim Roberti's invitation to check out a new surge of interest in art there spearheaded by an architect there. They're starting out with a "First Friday" monthly event with music and visual arts. I'll let ya'll know what I discover.
'Night folks.
More on the Airport Gate painting....
Tonight's work on the painting. It's going slowly, but I'm liking what's happening. Let me know what you think.
First day of color on the airport gate painting.
It feels so good to take my time. Well, I do have the deadline in mind, but the old imperative to have a painting done in the same day it was started is not present. I've come to have affection for these people I'm painting. They seem so patient, it's rubbing off, I suppose. I've rearranged a couple of things from the photos to make a better composition. A lot of the intensity of color of these first strokes will reduce as I go along, FYI.
Today I took 22 paintings to Seguin to hang at the community center there. What a nice space! And the woman who invited me to be their artist of the month, Ann Leithead, is just terrific. Feel like I made a new friend. I haven't seen so many of my paintings hanging in one place since my last Garden Party Art Show. Next Monday at 10:30 a.m. I'll be doing a demonstration portrait painting there for at least two hours. Not sure what or who my subject will be. If anyone out there would agree to sit for that time, speak up. Otherwise, I suppose I'll work from a photograph.
Thanks for posting comments, Ya'll. I appreciate it! Nighty night.
Beginning of a pastel with multiple subjects
First, further refinements on the painting of the living room. Then....FINALLY decided on the subject- actually, many subjects- of a new pastel painting. 24"x18" on medium-toned Kitty Wallis sanded pastel paper of a scene I took photos of in the Phoenix airport, Sky Harbor. I was waiting for my plane to arrive and noticed these people arranged so appealingly in their wait for the plane. I admit I didn't ask permission, but just took a series of four photos as though I had. I did ask permission to take photos of a woman sitting alone reading a magazine. But these were more interesting, I thought. I've never painted this many people in one painting before, so will just have to see how it goes. I'm racing a deadline, so will know soon enough. I'll post progress pix as I go. This is the rudimentary sketch. Will sketch a bit more until I'm sure where everything will go, then will dive on in.
Sure appreciate it when you leave comments!
Happy New Year, Ya'll.
two finishes
I think I'm done with the commissioned kitty. Waiting to hear from the buyer about whether the chair is ok. Since the evening was still young, I tracked down the reference photos I took when it was clear I couldn't finish up the one of the interior in the amount of time we had, and revisited Libby's nice living room perched high up over the Hill Country. The drive to Ingram and back today was nice. One of the staff asked if I might consider teaching a workshop out there this year. Nice facility! I'll try to put together a proposal for them and see what happens. I sold a small painting at River Art Gallery on Tuesday while I was working there. Very nice. Love those gals I work with.
Have a great New Year's eve!
Pastel self-portrait
Ok, I'm sleepy. Did this on between midnight and three am last night. Taking it out to the Self-Ish Show at Ingram in a few minutes. I just called and it's not a show with awards! Oh well, it got me playing in the pastels again. The reception for it is on the 14th, in case anyone wants to go out with me to see all the self portraits of artists. Patty came over at 10 pm last night and we took lots of photos, trying to come up with references for a portrait. There are a couple other photos which have potential, too.
Further development of the kitty painting
Well, I'm a little further along on this baby. I'm liking it better. Still more to go.
Nighty, Aphrodite.
Beginning of commissioned painting of cat
This is the underpainting of a commissioned oil I started tonight. Watched Project Runway on Bravo and painted this evening. The chair needs to be redrawn, otherwise it's a good start, I think. Will post others as I progress.
Night, All!
Home from Phoenix
So great to spend time with my folks these last few days. On the flight home I got lots of thinking done about the next few paintings and organizing my thoughts about the deadlines and competitions ahead. Even snapped a couple of photos of travelers waiting in the terminal, thinking there may be paintings there, too. I see that I need to cut back on anything that isn't painting for the next couple of months. A simple, sweet Christmas, a YaYa party, and a Goddess Salon brunch. All else will be art-related for the next few weeks. I'll post images as I go. eBay may not get many new works from me for a while, but I'll try to keep it going in a minimal way. Two auctions ended while I was gone yesterday. Shipping them out on Monday.
Time to settle in with flannel jammies and a glass of wine.
Good to be home.
Susan
Time Warp
My daughter and I are visiting my parents in Phoenix. My daughter's 24th birthday is today and I've been swirling between memories of her birth and my circumstances then vs. now, and between ideas of my current age and the age of my parents... 77. We went for a walk tonight and they outpace me easily. Their lives are full and busy as mine is now. My sister dropped us at the airport yesterday and we had a short conversation in the car about how big changes can happen easily in your life if you stay tuned to the flow. I'm mulling on that as it seems I'm on the edge of some significant transition. Art? Location? Career? She's heading to Africa in January to visit a man we knew as children there, all due to an amazing series of synchronic events. Magical things seem to happen if you state your desires clearly and then get out of the way and let the universe do its work to bring them to you. First order of business- stating desires clearly.
Feel free to comment.
New portrait start
This is the start of a portrait of Gene Watchful Hawk, a fellow who modeled for us at Coppini yesterday. We only got two hours with him, but I took some photos and hope to do justice to his beautiful spirit with the completion of the painting.
What was I thinking when I said I wanted to finish the novel this month? Cancel that. Put a nice black line through that item on my list, as it's not a-happenin'. I'm going to just try to get through this month sane and smiling. Quite enough of a challenge if you ask me.
Our Texas Ambassador of the Portrait Society of America sent out an email today with a link to my ebay auctions. For the first time in months I had no paintings listed! So I raced around and listed the one of Harry in Red. Whew! Of course, the auction now ends in the middle of the day, so who knows? It's not a great time for an auction to end. Folks are at work, usually. I'll add on a little landscape or two later tonight.
Wednesday I drove down to Corpus Christi to visit with an excellent painter, Kimberley Dow. She was extraordinarily generous with her time and helpful energy. I wonder at the fact that I stayed so solitary in my artistic efforts for so many years. I've gained so much by being in contact with other artists these last three years, and I hope I've offered as much support as I've received.
If you read this, please take a moment to leave a comment. It's disheartening to write these blog entries and not know if anyone cares that I did.
Enjoy your holiday preparations!
Only now beginning to catch the spirit,
Susan
Two starts at the Paint Out
The profile is 9x12 oil on canvas panel of my friend Kat. The blue background is not nearly so intense in real life. More of a pale, washed out blue. Don't know why my camera punches up the blues like that. The landscape is a 16 x 16 oil on side-wrapped stretched canvas from a photo of an online acquaintance's land in West Virginia. Still very much a work in progress. The barn may have to go, for one thing. I'll look at it again tomorrow. Such good conversations with the other artists there! Perfect weather to be outdoors, too. Now sleep is asking for me.
Painting at Coppini
As you can see, I didn't have time to get the hand painted, but I took photos and will try to finish up here at home. And, I do see that I've painted the light side of his neck too high in value, so much may need to be adjusted and tweaked as I go. Thought I'd show you all what I have so far. Harry was a great model today. Very relaxed, it seemed. If you're seeing this, Harry, THANK YOU!
Fast and Fun oil painting tonight
Well, this photo is of very wet paint in a room with fluorescent lights, so it's not showing up well, but had to show you how I spent my evening. Fast painting over a canvas I bought at a garage sale. Had the beginning of a seascape on it. I basically took a warm black and scrubbed in the background around the figure first until I had a reverse sillouette. Then I painted the figure in over the seascape underneath. This is of Harry, who's going to be the model at Coppini tomorrow, too.
Nighty night, All.
These three 12" x 9" canvas on rigid panel (Pintura) oil paintings were begun in Myra Knapp's landscape workshop early this month. It took me this long to get back to them and finish. The first two were from photos I'd brought with me, the last from one of Myra's photos. Another artist in the group chose that photo to work from, too, and had such a different look to hers from mine. Anyway, thought I'd show what I worked on last night. Hope to start something new this evening. One more patient, then I can start.
Back to painting!
So far I've just been finishing some starts I'd made, but it's good to get a brush wet again.
Thank you for the nice comments, folks! I still break out in happy dancing to think of getting those 50,000 words written in November (yes, you'd be embarrassed for me if you caught me at it!). I'm going to give the writing a rest for a few days then get back to it until it's done. Then Steven King says (in his book On Writing) to let it sit for 6 weeks or so before beginning the editing process. So, well, he's the King, so I say yessir. Six weeks it is.
I listed a couple of precious still life paintings on eBay today. They're scheduled to go on around 7:45 if I've figured correctly since you have to do it Pacific Standard Time. They're both ones I did after the photo session Becky and I did with her vintage pitchers and crockery and my fruit and sunflowers. Very tight and detailed. I love them. But eBay had a half price sale on the "Featured Plus" option which puts your painting in the first few pages vs. buried in the back 100. I figured this overly-frugal artist would use it as a sign to list them in auction.
Another thing I'm doing these days is putting my CDs on the computer so I can upload them to my way-too-much-fun new toy... my photo iPOD. Yes, I've become one of those people. Right now the music from the Garden State soundtrack i s playing and I've got happy ears.
There's a sale on a four day cruise to Cozumel out of Galveston January 16 for $219. in case some fun artist friend out there wants to go on a painting trip with me. It's a one-day sale, so speak up fast!
Susan
It's true. At 3:30 a.m. I uploaded my novel of 50,020 words to run it through the official word counter. I am a winner. I have the pdf file certificate printed here on my own printer to prove it. Sleep is mine again. I may not sit down for three days. But half the weekend is still ahead. Life is so good.
Time to get back to visual, 2D art now. We're talking paintings, friends. Haven't painted since last Thursday, and that's just plain wrong.
I need to sweep up some of this confetti and and make my way through the champagne corks and find my bed.
Night night.
Susan
Nice Thanksgiving
Hope you had a love-filled Thanksgiving, All.
Mine was sweet.
I was up late into the night getting the novel organized and back on track. I've got a long list of scenes to write now and a workable order for them to be placed, moving toward the conclusion. Such a interesting puzzle for my brain. At least my word count is on track. Not much ahead, but not behind.
French Vanilla coffee and an iPod full of music on Shuffle. Can a morning be any better?
Go make something, Ya'll.
37059... Eight more days of writing to go
My neck is better today. Still a bit limited, but not making me cry. I'll keep icing and will try not to spend too much time at the computer today.
I need to start bringing the story threads together and weave them into a coherent ending soon. The advice in "No Plot? No Problem!" is to get all the major parts written by the end of the 30 days and do any leftover fleshing-out in the editing process. I think it would feel better to do that, too. To have brought your characters to a conclusion. I'm rather far from that, actually, so I need to let go of some details and 'write down the bones,' as Natalie Goldberg has put it.
One patient today (and ONLY one, with any luck) and then I'm all about cooking, writing and painting.
Life is good. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
All caught up on word count
Stayed up way too late last night and got my word count up to 33581. That's 241 words over. Trouble is, it's like doing the dishes. You get them all done and there are more to do in a few minutes. Now it's just 1667 per day, though. I'll try to work ahead to diminish the likelihood of sheer panic when life derails me, which it has a tendency to do. Just nine more days!
I'm liking my characters better now, thank goodness.
Woke up this morning with a neck that wouldn't bend without sending lightning bolts into my brain. Days like this, I know I'll be worse off than any of my patients, but it does have the effect of keeping me empathetic toward those in pain. That's a good thing, right? Right. Ouch.
Going to try to put the finishing touches on the little landscapes and get them listed, and maybe list the other one of the model, too. The painting of the Girl resting on her Schoolbooks went for way too little last night. That'll teach me to start auctions off on a starting bid that would hurt my feelings to sell the painting for. Sigh. But someone out there is going to love that painting and I've had my turn at loving it for two years now, so it's time for it to leave the nest now. Live and learn.
This week's paintings...
The painting (commissioned) of the couple was done from a black and white photo from 1974 for their 30th anniversary. 11x14.
The painting of the dog (also commissioned) was done from a jpg attachment to an email. 14x11
The two of the woman were done at Coppini on Thursday. Same model, but when I got the paintings home I played with the faces until they looked less the same. Both are 9x12 on panel.
I'm eager to paint something strictly of my own choosing now. Although I might go ahead and put the finishing touches on the three unframed landscapes from Myra's workshop first and list them.
Overslept this morning...up way too late. Going to a later Harry Potter showing.
The oranges from our tree are magnificent this year. Had FOUR before bedtime!
-Susan, Orange Glutton
Past 30,000!
30515, to be exact. Less of a deficit. 1168 behind. I'll make it up tomorrow and try to be ahead from here on out. The story is getting stronger, the characters more interesting. To me, that is. Who knows about to anyone else. Can't think about that at all.
Got to spend good time with Kim and Bob today. Listed a small painting. One ends tomorrow evening. Showing the eBay ropes. The few I know, anyway. Looking forward to more time with both of them. Good, good folk.
Harry Potter tomorrow. A deserved break to be simply spectator, absorber, enjoyer. Mmmm.
To sleep, perchance to dream.
Catching you up
Ok, so I'm just past the halfway mark of my 50,000 words goal. Trouble is, we're three days past the halfway mark of the month. Deficit. Where have we heard that word recently? The good news is my friend, Karen, had drawn some new connections and directions I hadn't imagined for my obedient characters. Bless you, Karen! Most of them are still being way too good, but at least some horrid things have happened to a couple of them.
I've painted a lot, as well. A double portait commission in oil. A miniature dachshound in oil. Today was a good day at Coppini- two small portraits. I listed on eBay a painting I did two years ago and loved so much I hadn't been willing to let it go... the girl resting on her schoolbooks.
I'm beginning to get some kind of grip after an unexpected reaction to Texas' vote regarding Proposition 2. It was a bit like going to Mexico without thinking to shield one's tender soul in preparation for the level of poverty. I woke up to the results of Proposition 2 and hadn't prepared myself for the quantification of the level of hate in this state. It hit me hard. There are people in my sphere who are going to have to go. Indiscriminate niceness on my part is a thing of the past. If you voted yes on Prop. 2, cut and run now. It isn't going to be pretty.
Four Small Landscapes
I've just completed three days of learning to love painting landscapes under the kind, discerning eye of Myra Knapp. http://www.myraknapp.com/
These aren't the best images.... taken under fluorescent light of wet paint... but I had promised to post them, so here they are. The framed one is 8"x6", and the others are 10"x8" all on panel.
I'm very pleased with what I learned and can't wait to put it to good use in the next landscape.
Sure enjoyed the good company of the other workshop participants this weekend.
Now I need to catch up with my word count quota on the novel. www.NaNoWriMo.org, in case you want to jump in and write like crazy, getting 50,000 words down by the end of November.
I've met someone locally, Terrie, who has well over 38,000 words already! http://wbyw.blogspot.com/ Blows my mind.
Go make something, ya'll.
Up to speed on the novel
Ok, so I was asleep, right? First time in days that I was going to get anywhere near eight hours. And in my sleep I remembered I needed to add to my word count on my novel. So, 45 minutes later, I'm now 68 words past my quota for 7 days worth. I really need one of my characters to do something naughty soon. They're all so dang GOOD.
I'd been piling up plastic containers on the kitchen counter to wash (Heloise? Can I put Glad storage containers in the dishwasher?) and hadn't made any real food in a few days due to my schedule lately. Tonight I washed everything and made a big batch of super tuna salad to live on another day until this workshop is over. I'm going back to bed and hope my brain doesn't discover anything else I forgot to do.
Night night.
Painting landscapes... a new love.
I did keep trying. I have to seriously give myself credit for that. And today it happened. I got it. I got why it's exciting. I got why it can be as challenging as a portrait. AS A PORTRAIT. A place, a simple representation of a place, can evoke strong emotion. The rhythm of the elements and the color harmony or disharmony can stir a person. Wow. I was a portrait chauvanist, I'm ashamed to admit. I see the light. Literally. The light washing across a field, being interrupted by a copse of trees and continuing just beyond can be breathtaking. I've painted three small landscapes in the last two days and have gotten the pounding heart and rapid breath which let me know I was completely involved. Old dog. New trick!
I'll post those and perhaps another tomorrow. The girl's cookin'! Can't wait to show you.
Go make something.
Walk right in to the Write-In!
Tonight was a laugh fest. Kathy came, and I got to meet Terrie, another participant in NaNoWriMo, and those two had me whirling and grinning trying to keep up with their quick wit. Robert with the beautiful smile joined us at our booth and we got to meet several other relatively mature participants, too. The majority of participants are under 22, it seems. Terrie had brought along an extra laptop for me to use so there was a moment there when we all were writing companionably in silence. Didn't last long. Someone would say something silly and off we'd go. I think i only added 500 words or so to my word count there. Added a little more when I got home.
Packed up the "Beautiful Man" portrait tonight as I found I'd received payment for it while I was gone. Also listed the painting of Morgan the model today. Today, too, I got a commission to do a small oil of an adorable miniture dachshound. Should be a fun project.
Oil landscape painting for the next three days. I'll post pix as I go along.
Got the Halloween decorations put away today. I get them out and hate to put them away so fast. Same with Christmas, too, come to think about it. Lots went right today...got gas for $2.07 a gallon, returned a chair without the receipt (where could it have gone?)... amazing. Made a new friend. Wonderful.
Go have fun, now. Y'hear?
Paint Out in Dripping Springs, Novel progress
Terrific day today. Drove up to our Austin Pastel Society president's house high on a hill north of Dripping Springs and played in the pastel today alongside some of the nicest folks around. Good conversations, much mutual encouragement and a great lunch, besides. I worked indoors on an interior scene which included a view out her hilltop window. My friend Becky rode up with me and barely survived my driving. Nervous little Nellie that she is! (Uh... Hi Becky!)
Have been tapping away on the novel, too. May attend a "Write-In" tomorrow with some of the other San Antonio would-be novelists. Paint Outs and Write-Ins.... pretty much sums up the weekend!
Hope everyone out there is busy creating the life they envision.
"Beautiful Man" sold on eBay for the highest yet!
Big excitement. The painting of Harry looking down, a 16x20 oil painting on rigid canvas panel, sold on eBay for $258. last night. I listed it at a starting bid of $95. and in the last two minutes there was a little bidding war which zoomed it up to $258. That's the most any painting of mine has sold for yet on eBay. I'm delighted and encouraged.
I did SO paint today!
Who needs to run marathons when you paint from live models? My heart races, my breathing quickens, my endorphins are flowing... it's exciting!
This is about 2 and a half hours of painting like a house afire... Three hour session with model breaks and a set up period.
Good thing I took photos so I could finish it at home. Great model. Same name as my daughter's.
Back to noveling...
then back to painting....
Novel Progress
6360 words, my friends. This I've learned: Writing a novel leads to flat-butt. Serious flat-butt. I'm going shopping for a cushy chair tomorrow.
My characters are charming me. They glance toward me every so often and wink. I think they may have something wicked in mind, actually. I suppose I'll find out in Chapter 7.
Painting tomorrow.
Really.
No, really.
I'll show you what I painted tomorrow evening.
Really.
Novel Writing Progress Note
This is a copy of a comment I left tonight in the San Antonio forum on www.nanowrimo.org. "Well, it's a good thing I don't work for someone else. I'd have been fired today. I've logged many hours in this chair today. This writing thang is very seductive. These people I've created are starting to do things on their own. I had a little taste of this experience when I used to do "Sim City" back when it came on floppy disks. Most of you can't remember back that far, I realize. I would build this town and the Sims would move in. Then I wouldn't be able to leave the computer because I worried about them. I was responsible for them. Sure, they would slam me, their faithful Mayor, in the polls. My popularity would wane for unfair reasons like fires and crime rates that they were causing, not me. But I worried about them, my little Sims. I eventually had to wipe them out and erase the program from my computer in order to be free. Hey, if this writing thing is going to be anything like THAT, what the heck am i doing? Need sleep first. Will think about that tomorrow."
Actually, I'm absolutely absorbed. So far, so good.
Nighty Night.
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