The Alamo, etc.

As I mentioned in my last post, I have a very dear childhood friend name Abby who asked me to do a painting for her. What was going to be one large painting has probably turned in to 4 paintings of various sized and of various scenes. I did some drawings for her so she could see what she might want. She and her husband lived in San Antonio while he was in med. school. She thought that a painting of the Alamo might be something nice to have, as they are now living in Virginia. So this is what I came up with...

Even though she liked the drawing, we both agreed it might be odd to have a giant painting of the Alamo above your couch. So I drew this next...

I thought we had a winner here, but she just informed me that they are moving in a few months and want to see what their new place will be like before I really get started on anything. I might end up doing a set of 4 paintings of different landscapes. I'm really looking forward to seeing what we come up with.

I still have yet to pick up a paintbrush...

Seasons

The other day, my husband was cleaning out one of our closets and found this painting. I started them 2 years ago and forgot about them. I wanted to do a set of paintings that portrayed the four seasons, so I thought I would put a twist on it and do seasons in Florida. The changes in seasons aren't very noticeable in Florida, so I wanted to do changes in weather. One with clear skies, one with white clouds, one with dark clouds, and one with a storm. As you can see, I didn't get very far with it. At the time I felt like I really messed up the palm tree and I didn't even attempt to start the other ones. Looking back on it, I actually like the palm tree. I still want to try to do these paintings. don't know if I will try to finish the one I have or if I will just start over.

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful

So its been a crazy month. I quit my job, had 2 health scares, and got food poisoning within the last few weeks. I haven't painted in a while. I have been bouncing back and forth between anxiety and depression. But I have a new motto and it is to "Be joyful. Be prayerful. Be thankful." It has made a huge difference in my life.

This is something I did when I was a senior in high school. It is probably my favorite thing I've ever done. I don't think I can top it. I guess I reached my peak at 18. I think I was just a lot more patient back then. I wish I could be that way now.

I have picked up that old 12x12 canvas that has already been 2 different paintings. I have to say, I'm not too impressed with what I've done. But I will say, it looks a lot better in person than it does in this picture. I realize it looks a little splotchy and "cartoonish" but I will do my best to fix it!

It's a sea grape leaf I found on the side walk one day when I was walking. Even though I hope to move someday soon, I realize that I am very fortunate to live in a place that has sea grape leaves!

Unfinished Peacock Painting...

It feels like forever since I've written anything, but it hasn't even been a week! This is what I've been working on lately. I am really liking it so far... what a change for me. I had to simplify the bottle because doing it exactly like the one I have turned out to be more complicated that I thought! I am hoping to finish it next week...

Peacock Feathers

So I sadly have to admit that I gave up on the Celtic cross. I really just grew to hate it. I thought it was embarrassing and really saw no hope in fixing it. I painted over it with grey. You can still see the outlines... I'm just putting that canvas aside altogether for now. I think my main problem with the Celtic cross was that I had no idea what I was going for. I did not draw it in advance, which is what I usually do. So learning from my mistake, I drew what I want my next painting to look like. I bought this bottle at an antique store a long time ago... and who doesn't love peacock feathers? I am hoping for the best with this one!

Celtic Cross

This is one of the first crosses I painted. I'm not really sure what inspired it. I obviously am a Freida fan and I have recently started loving all things Mexican. I just love the bright colors I'm really intrigued by those skeletons for some reason! I also have always been fascinated by Catholicism. I think it has something to do with growing up watching The Sound of Music all the time.

That painting of the tree that was meant for the turtle has become this Celtic cross. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now. Its a little uneven and I don't love the colors I've picked. I will keep working on it though. I am hoping it will turn out and I won't have to start over again.

Turtle Painting Fiasco

Last weekend, my husband and I went to an art show across the street from our house. Walking through the different tents, I noticed one with carved wooden Maasai men. As soon as I saw them, I knew where the artist must be from... so I went up and asked him "Are you from Kenya?" and he said "Yes!!" We talked for 15 minutes and it turns out that I had visited the town where he is from. Meeting him made my day! I wanted to buy one of his stone animals, so I got this little turtle. It may be a tortoise. I don't really know. I thought it would be a great subject of a painting.

This is what I started to paint. Then I realized, I couldn't really see a turtle in this painting. I just hated it... so I went over it with turpentine and now its gone. Now that I'm looking at it again, I don't think its that bad and maybe I should have kept it! I will probably paint another cross... and I'll just have to paint the turtle another time.

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Africa

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Kenya. This was one of the best trips I have ever been on. If you ever have the chance to go to Africa, you should go! It was so amazing to see things in person that I had only heard about or seen on TV. Kenya is such a beautiful place and has some of the most wonderful and kind people.

This was one of my favorite pictures I took while I was there. I started a painting of it 3 years ago. As you can see it isn't finished yet. I am too afraid to paint the people! I just want it to look right and I've never painted little people like that before. So who knows if it will ever get finished?!

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