The Rose

9" x 12" Watercolor

Last Tuesday, when I was lamenting about not being able to find inspiration, Pat looked at the shirt I was wearing, and said "Paint your shirt!" So, this weekend, I did! Below is a picture of the shirt I was wearing. What do you think?

Waterway

7" x 10" Watercolor

Another little practice landscape a la Tom Jones. Started this in Tuesday's class and finished today. More could be done to it, but I'm just too tired.

Stuck!

Went back to my Tuesday class today. We always do "Critique" first thing. Most of the time I'm happy with my work, but today - I was just in a downer mood. I do fairly well on practice pieces that I copy from other artists' books. I do my own take on them, and usually they turn out ok. But where I fall apart is when I try to paint something from life, or from a photograph. It seems I just don't know what to do with it! I feel that I'm ok with color, and some technique -- but when it comes to composition, I just fail.


So, while I was whining, my instructor was saying some very complimentary things about my painting style. But because I'm so stuck, I couldn't even hear them. Also other students were complimenting my work - and it just didn't sink in. ARRRRGHH! Does it ever get better? Do we ever find ourselves liking our own work? How can I get out of this depression and start learning what it is that I need to know? Can you learn to become creative?

Blue Chair

7" x 10" Watercolor

Just a little something that I painted in class today! It was Marilee's birthday, so we gorged out on cake, cookies and everything else! Some days, it seems that we're there for all the food and goodies instead of the painting lessons!! But, that just makes going to class all the sweeter! Couldn't ask for a better bunch to sit and paint with.

I'm halfway through my recovery time - so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don't have to wear the collar as much now - I take it off to sleep, swim and shower, and also when I'm just sitting around watching tv. Still can't drive, though. Just 3 more weeks!

Mountain Stream

12" x 16" Watercolor

I started this painting on Monday in class -- then came home and lost the momentum to finish it. It's a practice piece from Tom Jones' latest book. Then, yesterday on Facebook, a friend mentioned that now Tom has free lessons on his website. So, I've been watching a few, and got re-inspired to finish this painting!

I love Tom Jones! I took his workshop a couple of years ago, and really enjoyed him and his style of painting. He's from Florida, so he comes to our Watercolor Club often. Such a nice man - and his wife, Bonnie - and they're so generous to our club. Always giving books and DVDs for our library, and lets us raffle off original paintings that he does in his demos!

Anyway, it feels so good to be able to go to class again and to paint!

2 Weeks Later

Just thought I'd show you the torture chamber I'm in for the next 4 weeks! I do get to sleep without it - and shower! Today was the first day that I even tried to do anything with my hair. I've got a bit of cabin fever, so I think I'm going to plan to go to painting class on Monday. I'm so impatient -- I really need to get back to normal!

Garden Pots

7" x 10" Watercolor

After not posting any paintings for the last few weeks, I'm a little embarassed to post this one! I started it several weeks ago, and let it sit. I know that everything's a little off kilter, and there's other stuff I don't like in it -- and if I could go to class, someone would tell me how to fix it -- but I can't, so I'll just start another painting! The main thing is, that I felt good enough to paint today! YAY!

This is getting out of hand!

My sister, Barbara, and her husband, David, left today for an extended month-long visit to Michigan and parts unknown. So, these lovely and very frangrant flowers came to me late this afternoon from them - to let me know that even though they can't be here, they're thinking of me and wishing me a speedy recovery! Hmm - I'm beginning to think that I should do this surgery thing more often!! (NOT!!!!)

More Good Wishes

Wow! I haven't had so much attention since I don't know when! Today's mail brought more "Get Well Wishes" from friends and family, including another hand-painted card from my friend, Libby Rothra! This is all so special to me!




Of course, I forgot to report that my surrogate Mother, Donna, showed up just hours after the surgery - fresh from our Monday's painting class, with this adorable balloon, a card signed by all, a beautiful arrangement of Gerbera Daisies, and the most precious of all - 2 bottles of Publix Diet Sweet Tea! I swear, you just can't get better friends than these! I can't wait to get back to painting classes to see everyone!

Home from the Hospital

How lucky am I? Just got home from the hospital yesterday, and today I received a beautiful hand-painted card from my friend, Laurie Kansky! Just one of the many perks of being in the painting world!

The surgery went well - right now I have the most god-awful sore throat (from them going in the front, and moving everything around) that I hope will dissapate soon, and of course, the dreaded "collar" that has to be on my neck 24/7 for 6 weeks! Trying to sleep in it is a trick in itself!

Don't know if I'll be painting anytime soon -- we'll just have to see after this sore throat thing ends. Anyway -- thank you all for all your prayers and good wishes! It definitely helped!