CLOSING TIME

There is something beautiful in the ordinary...reflections on a long day, a good time, light flooding through the open window.

VAL D'ORCIA

This little painting depicts the beautiful Tuscan countryside where we painted late last spring.  My cup runneth over.

MONET'S GARDEN IN SPRING

We had a beautiful afternoon in Monet's Garden when all the other visitors had gone.  The tulips were especially spectacular.

LITTLE FRIENDS AROUND THE TEA POT

Here are a few more of my paintings from recent months.  With gratitude, I am painting and painting, looking for moments to record and to savor.

"There are many things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go on your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won’t stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get.”
—Annie Dillard
from “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”

This sums it up for me today.  I have found the beauty in a plain scene.  In painting with the renowned Calvin Liang, I have seen his creations on this dreary, soupy day become little works of inspiration and beauty.  Let us all cultivate this simplicity.  I will post my painting later...

In the Parlor, 15 x 30

Please come see our exhibition at Scooter's in South Austin.  Nina Brodsky, Deborah Thomas have our paintings on display there for a few more weeks.

You Are My Sunshine

Dear BlogWorld.  I am going back to fill in the blanks since the time when I left you. I have not been idle.  If not a daily painter, I am surely not a daily blogger.  I prefer to talk about not blogging.  And to paint.

At Orange Beach

This is my darling little grand boy at the beach.  It's funny that the beach is Orange Beach.  My painting is a little orange-ier than the other, but it was a sun-filled morning.  I loved painting little TPT as he made a sand castle for me.

Morning on Lake Travis

It was a beautiful morning with a clear sky above the lake.  Loved painting at this beautiful spot.  Backlit trees and a wonderful view across the way.  Many thanks to the PAA group for such a great location.

Lemon and Tea Cup

Back to my paintings with this little 6 x 6 done very quickly.  Ellipses make me spin.

En Pointe

Confident and a little crooked, these little teaspoons are ready for the dance.

Creamer on Cream

Try as I may, the daily painting is more like weekly. Wonderful day when the oil flows over canvas.

Spicy

This little painting, 6 x 6, shows the spices of life. We have an affinity for Tabasco!

My Little Peony

more brush mileage. my little peony after dark.

"The Little Peppers" was done on Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's to everyone. This is part of our dinner.

THE FOUR SATSUMAS

Today I'm joining the daily painting movement, guaranteed to frustrate, exhilarate, move a painter from point A to point B. Am eagerly looking forward to some point out there, B or not!

It's the perfect day for studio work. Here is a painting I did recently on just such a day.