One Month,14 Days

Ok, that is bad!! But in stead of ruminating over it let’s just move on…or shake it off.!!! Don’t you just love Florence and The Machine!!! My daughter turned me on to her, them, and instantly fell in love. I play her new CD constantly while I play.

The new studio is working out fantastically!!  I go daily and paint away. I took Sophie with me one day and she loved being with me. She slid allot on the wood floors so after awhile we left and I took her to the beach. Brevard county here in Florida just agreed to open a beach for dogs. Ok, it’s like walking on the deck of a ship, a small ship.  Really small but at least we got one. The waves knocked her over. Poor girl. Her rear end is so weak. Then she got the “runs”. Thankfully I had a plastic bag as I scootched behind her picking up piles of sand.  Then we had to get up a flight of stairs. She did ok with me boosting from behind. Since then I have had her come in the pool with me. She hates it but I hold under her stomach and make her use her rear legs. The panic on her face is heartbreaking but she needs to exercise.

Of course I started a series of “nudey” paintings of Sophie at the beach. I loved how the sun hit her fur and the wind in her ears. Then I especially loved the shadows.

This one is a 12″ x 12″

Then when not doing these I am working on commissions. I started doing a daily gratitude, blessings listing. I downloaded The Magic by the author of The Secret on my Kindle and started following the 28 day program. Wow. Magic does start happening. I recommend reading this book especially if you are stuck in one spot. Even if you are not.

The next thing that was exciting that you will be seeing more is mixed media with colored pencil. I was at my studio one day and chatting and my studio mate showed me a book that she loved. Painting Radiant  in Ink,Watercolor and Colored Pencil.

Then I did..

I think I may have found my medium.  I love drawing and I love pencils!!!

So, I extended my network to include all art. artlabs.ning.com   Please pop over and see. We have been alittle quiet, big surprise lol, but I think if we can get more interest it could be a fun and interesting site.

Ok..dinner time.  Chat again soon. I’m working on a new mixed media piece. Here it is in progress.

“The Fisherman” in progress

Re-Inventing

Every so often one needs to do that and that’s what I have done. Really Sheila?? What have you done??

First, I rented a new studio space! A haven just for me of quiet solitude. Wasn’t that a song? I hear the guitar music. Hmm.  Then joined Daily Paint Works on line. Not just my lab art but all different pieces and they are on an auction.

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/45461

Then, I got a student at my studio so I’m teaching and painting. Then, thinking once more, how do I get a larger audience, have fun with other artists and pet lovers, and teach?  Why, start your own social network. haha..not quiet a facebook but still fun.

www.artlabs.ning.com

Capturing The Spirit.  So joining is free and we will be having monthly workshops for a small fee of $20.00. Guest instructors also to add interest will be part of it.  Tomorrow afternoon, since I went out tonight and didn’t get home in time to finish, starts this months workshop. Drawing The Labrador Retriever in graphite. I did the demo video today so that’s accomplished and I have the game plan ready. getting up early to finish it and get it live on the site.  (my son’s first musical gig was tonight and I had to be there, so proud!!!!)

So there you have it…I have been busy. (plus on a new focus med that really has me channeled)

Working finishing some new commission work at the studio. I just love being there. We at the Gallery Studio are planning a Tea for a charity benefit for the end of April. Victorian in theme. I found a great two piece outfit at Goodwill that will be perfect. I actually wore the top for my welcome video on Capturing the Spirit.  Wearing both pieces at the same time makes me look like your mothers couch!  So the visual is your mothers couch with a floral arrangement on top since we need to wear hats! !I’ll take pics.. maybe,

Good to be back..missed you all. Please go see our new network and if you like come aboard!!!

Warmly. Sheila

AHHHHH……CHOO!

Holy cow the allergies are attacking us here in Florida. I thought it was me. A couple of weeks ago Roger and I went to beach side to do some photography and the wind was blowing from the ocean. My sinuses exploded and soon after came a case of laryngitis.  The cough?? Non stop.

Today I did plein air with the group and Bill was sneezing and coughing just like me.  He lives beach side.  Something  is blowing in off the ocean. Really Sheila??? No really. When we get Red Tide you can feel it right away, but it’s not time for it yet.

I’m excited today. I ‘m going to rent a small space to do my watercolors. It’s a working studio/Gallery in a house on the river.  Half a room.  It get’s me out of the house and in a fantastic area, plus other artists.  Oozing with inspiration.  I’m meeting the owner/artist on Thursday.  I feel I’ve manifested this space.  Can you feel me doing the happy dance here?? From the room my space will be in looks out to the river.

 

So what have I been painting?? Let’s see.

I’ve been doing  new “here’s how I do it” series.  This is where I left it last so need to get back to it.

I painted this piece with a plein air technique.  12″ x 9″ oil on canvas Masonite.  I put it on my blog but as yet it doesn’t have a new home.  I’ll take it to hang at the new space!!!!

Sophie, my black Muse, goes into the Vets tomorrow morning to have her eye taken care of.  Please special thoughts. It’s a small surgery but i still worry about my girl. She got a shower today with me.  After it was over I looked like I so needed to shave. I had dog hair from one end to the other.  Ok..that was a bad visual. haha.

Warmly, Sheila

OZZIE’S NEW FRIEND

Last week a friend came to visit and brought her new 5 month old Cocker Spaniel.  Up until now Ozzie and Sammy have been connected at the proverbial hip. Enter, Artie.  Cute as a button.

Everyone sniffed, barked, growled at first then the dynamics changed. Ozzie became the big brother to Artie.  Ozzie’s appearance, as strange as that sounds, changed over night. He seemed older, more confident. They were inseparable and Sammy was lost.   That first night Sammy came into bed and rolled onto his back to sleep with his head, oh yes, on my pillow.  I crawled in, wiggling in to get a spot started to relax.  That’s when Sammy rolled and placed his head on my shoulder and his paw over the top of me.  That’s how he slept for the entire night.  I told Roger is a volcano erupted and we were suddenly  covered with lava that one day the future generations finding us would think we were into some weird stuff.

No, It was just Sammy’s sadness.  The next day Ozzie and Artie played all day and every so often Sam would try and interject himself in the group but they ignored him. Ozzie was in charge.  He’s on to being 6 months so I guess they need to rethink their relationship.

Artie left the other day and Ozzie went over to Sammy who, yes you guessed it, ignored him!

However, today, we have this!!

Life as we know it.  Maybe a rite of passage.  So, people say, dogs have no feelings, no sense. Really!.. Not what I saw this past week.  Ozzie, the young pup, carefree and insensitive and Sammy, depressed and in pain. Interesting week…and I had fun since my friend is an artist too.!

Tuesday and Plein air day… We all met at the Eau Gallie Yacht Basin and painted. Everyone faced the harbor but I faced the opposite way.. you’ll see why.

 

I need to finish it tomorrow but in the street a beautiful yellow dog is laying there and waiting for his master to come home. Much more interesting to me than a boat!!!   I used a palette knife with this piece and just had so much fun. I think I may be hooked!!!

Warmly,

Sheila

 

 

 

 

Plein Air, I Love It!!

Today I joined the Plein air group here in our area. They meet once  week at a different location and we paint.

Today was at the park by the Causeway Bridge at the Inter-coastal waterway. About 7 artists in various spots around the park. I chose a spot near the water and started to paint a small area rather than a scene. Suddenly a beautiful white Crane flew in and stood on a rock right in front of me.  I grabbed a small brush and got him right into the painting before he flew away. He turned first and stared at me, turned again and relieved himself, then flew.

“A LITTLE CORNER OF MY WORLD”

I painted the panel first with a thin coating of red/orange acrylic so as I glazed the color would shine through. I was pleased with the first oil in a while.

I was so excited about being with other artists, I tend to be a hermit, painting and being outdoors that I put my setup in the back yard and painted again. This time with a painting knife.

My backyard at 5pm with Labs running amok.  The Bougainvillea grows up and over the roof and out front the tallest palm ever.  The yellow lemons and a huge Bird of Paradise to the right.  12″ x 9″ on stretched canvas.

Well I feel successful tonight. A good day!!!

Warmly, Sheila

A Drawing Lesson

I have been painting ,drawing daily to put on my 365 2012 paintings a day blog.  Today is day 29.  Two have sold.

Honest time? I’m discouraged. No, confused. Then I thought, hmmm, Sheila? maybe the Universe is telling you something.  Time to expand and do your own work. Do paintings YOU love. not what you think people will buy. I will say the small artwork I have been doing is nice. Then I think, how many Lab paintings can people hang on their walls. ?

So the other day I set up my easel and painted out doors.

I so enjoyed painting this.  Acrylic on Masonite, 12 x 9.  Tuesday I will be going with a group.

Then I thought, I’m tied of doing the same thing day in .day out.  So I started a drawing of my Muse and sweet girl Sophie. It will be a continuation each day til finished for my daily painting. I love doing this. Showing the process.

I

So this is where I am today. To read about the process please go to

http://paintingonpaper.blogspot.com

2012, a year of COURAGE for me. Roger and I are also starting a design project which we will unveil soon.

So for all my discouraging days, new things are appearing.  It’s exciting.

The two hardest jobs in my life? Raising children to be successful and great adults (They are..and I have the lines on my face to show for it) and second, being an artist and making a living solely with it. I will say I totally love both.

The Labs! They are great. Ozzie is at that stage where he knows he does not want to be in any crate. That’s a challenge. He’s still chewing and my fear is that I come home to see the couch is shreds. Then Ozzie knows if Mum has here shoes on it means she’s going out the door. Maybe just trash so it’s not alarming. Mum with shoes and purse?? Ozzie wants to go and tries to get out the door. Mum goes in another room? Ozzie comes along. Can we all say VELCRO??  I asked Roger to bond more so today he took him in the car to the Post Office.  Then after they walked around the block. Result? Ozzie started following Roger.  I take him places with me in my car.  He’s great.  Loves watching where we are going. Obedience school starts soon.  Daily obedience has already started.  Ozzie being our 4th Labrador I think I have a good feel for it now.

Well off to bed with tea and honey. Scrabble and word with friends then sleep.

Warmly, Sheila

Whoopey!!!!!

I am so excited. I just ordered the Sienna Podache Box, it’s tripod and the extra supply shelf that goes with it.  Thrilled. Roger has really gotten into photography and I thought, he can photograph things and I can paint.  Perfect.  I would love to do a series in maybe watercolor of our inter coastal waterways. Stretch my wings so to speak!!

I have been doing my daily paintings. whew. While working on finishing the 40 x 40′s.  I had me appointment with my Dr about focus meds so we’re trying new ones.  We’ll see how that goes. Tried it first today in the afternoon and was really focused to finish a painting that I had been struggling with.

I.m really pleased how it came out seeing I don’t have a yellow Lab. Well I guess that’s the job of an artist though isn’t it. Haha.

 

A quick study piece of Sammy on my red comforter.

Looking at it reminds me I’m tired so til then…have a great night…I’ll be back tomorrow..really..no..seriously…come on…;-)

Warmly, Sheila