It's Yellow!!

I just started a new class "Explorations" with Laure Ferlita. This is my 4th class with Laure and it's awesome. One of things that we had to do for the class was pick a signature color. That wasn't easy. I narrowed my colors down to 3: Cobalt Green (aqua), Opera Pink and Isoindoline Yellow. The pink was eliminated first but then I couldn't decide between the aqua & yellow. I asked a couple of family members for their opinion. They both said aqua! (because currently it's my favorite color) In the end, I picked the yellow. Why? I've always, always loved yellow. I couldn't not pick it. I have to use yellow in all the work that I do in the class. Yikes! I'm doing ok so far but I think it'll be challenging.....

Painful Experience

Something happened last week that was very painful for me. If I tell you what it was, you will think "it's no big deal". It was for me. I actually had a pain. It was the pain of embarrassment, of feeling like a fool. The pain/feeling stayed with me all weekend. It was there. Actually it's still there but I've accepted it and I'm living with it, waiting for it to go away. I'm also adjusting my thinking about it. Anyway what I really want to say here is that I decided to paint how I felt. As soon as I put the brush to the page I felt better! The feeling flowed with the paint and there was some relief. I feel very blessed that I can paint.

An Upgrade

As you can see from the photo, I recently upgraded to the iphone4. I tried to pre-order it but the order didn't go through. On launch day I went to the Mall and waited in line for about an hour. They ran out quickly and I was put on a priority list. Four days later I got an email that my phone was in. I was dismayed to read about all the problems with the "death grip". After a couple of days I realized that I needed a case for it. Even though I love the feel of the glass, I could see myself either dropping it and/or scratching it. I haven't had any problems with the reception except in the AT&T dead zones. My only complaint so far is with the camera. I took a picture of some beautiful purple clematis (photo above) but phone read it as dark blueish color. The phone is a lot quicker and I have a some of new apps. More about that later.....

My Year So Far

Tomorrow is the end of June and the start of the rest of the year. I've been taking painting classes with Laure Ferlita since January. It's been amazing. I love watercolors! My grandmother was a watercolorist and I remember her painting flowers. She took classes at the New York Botanical Gardens and every week she'd come home with a new painting. My mother was an artist too, but she preferred oils and pastels. When I was a child everyone was painting!

Marilyn & Uncle Bill

I painted this from a photo that was at my uncle's memorial service. It doesn't really look like them but I love the photo. I've been thinking about them a lot...

Happy Days!

Today summer begins for me! I love all the things that it brings, especially the heat. (I know you must think I'm crazy) I love to sit on the deck and drink iced tea. I love to feel the soft breezes from the ceiling fan. I love to watch the birds, and from a distance the bees, and all the little critters that wander through my yard. I am thankful for all the blessings that I have received in my life and for another summer day!

Le Citron

I am currently taking a Journal Class with Laure Ferlita. This page was one of the assignments. It was really challenging for me because one of my biggest struggles as an artist has been with making the darks, dark! Could the lemons be darker? Probably, but I think they look ok. I have a new appreciation of lemons!