Getting Old - er

It's amazing how life just continues moving on -- faster and faster.  I'm considered to be -- (looking around to see if anyone sees what I'm writing!) -- a "senior" now.  How in the world did this happen?  Why, just a week ago, I was thinking that I better enjoy life more, do more, play more, experience more, love my family more, you get the picture -- and now, I'm thinking I'm nearing the end, what is there left for me to do in the relatively short time I have left.  I figure, if my health continues to be tip-top, I've got around 10 good years left.  Notice I said "good years."  Who knows how long I'll live -- or if I'll want to live so long that I'm miserable and waiting for the end to happen.  In my family, you either go early (my grandmother was 56, my mother 77, my father 53) or very, very late (both my great grandparents that I was fortunate enough to know lived into their late 90's.)  I'm shooting for somewhere in between.

Well, reality is what it is.  One of my favorite (and existential, I realize) sayings is:  "What is, is."  It's that simple.

So what am I going to do about my "good ten years left"?   I'm still thinking.  But I can tell you one thing:  It's time to consider very seriously my "bucket list."    Twenty years ago, I lived in France as a graduate student.  It was a really difficult thing to do.  My husband had just recently died, I had a nine-year-old daughter, but I was given the opportunity to study in Toulouse, so despite a lot of reasons why maybe I shouldn't have done it, I did it.  And my only!!! regret is that I came back to the USA.  It's not that don't love the USA; I do.  But I also love the adventure, the thrill, the "being alive" feeling of living in a totally different environment.  And, let's face it, no matter where we go in the US, everything is pretty much the same as it was "back home."

I also had the opportunity to be able to live, albeit a much shorter time than I had anticipated, in Denmark a few years ago.  (The length of time there is another story I don't want to talk about -- or even think about.)  But being there just shy of three short months was glorious.  We, my family and I lived on a small island called Langeland.  I'm hoping that someday before too long, we'll be able to get mended what got broken and I'll be able to go back, at least for short periods of time.)

With all that in mind, I am hoping, and planning, to be able to return to Europe again in the fairly near future.  Remember, for me, the clock is ticking louder and louder all the time.  There are many, many details to figure out for this to work, but it's the highest item on my to-do list, so I just have to make it work.  I will.

It's been a long time . . .

It's been a really long time since I've written anything.  I'm afraid there's nothing much interesting or new to report.  We're (my daughter and I) working away on our ceramic artwork and are really enjoying the process.  We're selling them at art shows and amazingly well online, on Etsy primarily.  We still have several bugs to work out regarding selling them online, but we have a pretty good system going now.  It is just awfully hard to keep up with what's going on and getting the purchased items, which nearly all of them end up having to be made as they're ordered, out in a timely manner.  Closer to the Holiday Season, I think we'll be listing only one-of-a-kind items and not taking any more "custom" orders until things slow down in January.  As it is now, a customer can make many customizations on each piece, so it's really keeping us jumping.

Regarding my new landscape painting venture, I'm plodding along a lot slower than I had expected.  That's partly because I've been too busy with the ceramics work and partly because it's turned out to be much, much harder than I had expected it to be.  Yes, I can copy what's before me rather well; but I don't feel that's enough.  I feel that I have to put more of me and my personality into, well, into what's before me.  I hear that will come with experience, but for me it just hasn't happened yet.  There have been a few times in my life where I have been doing something where I felt a "shift" into another mode of behavior as I was learning something new.  The way it was for me is the shift happened and then some time later, I realized that it had happened.

One instance, oddly enough, was when I was studying statistics both in undergraduate and graduate school.  I was doing okay in the course and found it only mildly interesting; but being a good student, I kept plodding along at the subject, trying to find some "big meaning" in it all.  Then one evening while I was still in undergraduate school, as I was reading something, it hit me:  I saw the "big picture!"  I can't explain it now -- or you wouldn't want me to -- but I suddenly realized that I had, so to speak, put all the puzzle pieces into place, and I fully understood what had been eluding me for many, many months.  After that, I fell in love with statistics and even taught it not only to struggling fellow undergraduate students but to people far ahead of me in graduate schools who had to pass or do well in statistics to get their advanced level degrees.

Okay, that was really off-subject!

Anyway, I'll keep struggling with landscape paintings, and someday maybe I'll be pretty good.  I've put custom pet paintings on hold, as I think I've mentioned before, as well as any animal paintings.  I really needed a break.  I just finished, after a many months' delay, a final custom dog painting, which will actually be shipped tomorrow.  I think it came out quite well, and it's a high note to take a long break on.  He's a mixed breed, beautiful black dog with soulful eyes, and his "parents" love the painting.  That makes me happy.

Oh, one more word:  I am working in oils now on my landscape paintings, and it, too, is a struggle to master.  But I do love the feel of it and the way it moves on the canvas, and I am finally, finally getting a bit of a grip on how to hang onto it -- it seems to want to slip away from my grasp sometimes.  In the end, I think it is a very wise move for me.

Okay, I'll try to get back to keeping you up on what's happening.

I'm changing -- once again! At least I'm not stuck in a rut, I guess.

Well, I realized that I completely burned out doing the long string of large cow paintings in April, so I'm taking a break from animal painting for a while and seriously studying landscape painting, something I've wanted to do for a long time.  Also, I have decided --- yes, once again! --- to work on my ceramic animal masks and whatever else comes up while I'm in the clay studio.  This time, my daughter and I are working together, she on her porcelain projects and I on my earthenware animal masks.  So we're together in the studio but working in different areas.  However, I must admit that her porcelain and stoneware clays are mighty tempting sometimes.  Maybe I'll sneak a few handfuls from time to time to play with those, too!

It's good to be back to doing something that I feel safe with and that isn't so stressful as doing the dog portraits and other animal paintings.  Yes, I will be back to them eventually and will even continue to paint animals of my own choice for a while, too, but I do need a break.  I've been painting animals nonstop since sometime in 2007.

I'm actually having fun doing the clay work now that I have someone to share the studio with me.  Clay work can be very isolating (just as painting can, but paint is so all-consuming that I hardly notice that I'm alone.  Not so with clay work.)

I'm hoping that within the next few months also I'll have a good body of landscape work that I can show off. For now, it's lots and lots and lots of small paintings just to get the feel of working in an entirely new genre.  Oh, and I forgot to mention:  I've also switched from acrylic paints to oil paints and so far, except for the awful messes I keep making, I'm loving them.  With acrylics, I was always able to keep myself quite clean, except for the occasional smear of paint across my face or hair when I accidentally swiped my brush into my face or hair.  But with oils, which dry very, very slowly, I keep getting paint all over my hands, forgetting that the paint doesn't dry within a very few minutes after having been applied, and then I get these really embarrassing smears of paint all over my face, my hair, my clothing, my belongings!  It's quite a learning experience, and I'm either going to have to learn to wear throw-away clothing when I paint or I'll have to get an entirely new wardrobe -- hmmmm, that's not a bad idea!

So, please, if you are at all interested, check out my ceramic pieces as I list them on Etsy and let me know if there's something special you would like for me to make with my clay.

Another of my Seven Cow Paintings

This is another of the cow paintings that kept me busy all through the month of April.  There are five more I'll be showing.  This is a Jersey cow.  The original was 30x40 inches and has been sold.

Following this past month's marathon, I figured this is a good time to take a new direction in my artwork.  So in addition to still doing custom animal paintings, and the occasional animal painting from my own photographs, I am making two very (for me) big changes in my artwork:  I am going to be painting primarily landscapes from now on (suggestions welcome!), and I'm switching from acrylics to oils as my medium.

I've been practicing both the new medium and the new subject matter, and there's going to have to be a pretty sharp learning curve for me.  It's a whole new field (no pun intended!), and I'm really excited about it.  Please, if you've followed me mostly because I have painted animals for years, stay with me and see how my new work is going.  Wish me luck on this new chapter in my painting career.

One more thing:  For those of you who know of my past ceramic artwork, I am once again making some ceramic animal masks and will be listing them on Etsy within the following few months.  There will only be a few each month, approximately 10 per month, because I don't want to make them full-time anymore.  But I must admit that I am enjoying the several hours a week I've been spending in my clay studio; it's a welcome break from "my day job."  If you have mask requests, let me know and I'll do my best to create something like what you want.  I am going to be doing a few different types of animals this time:  In addition to the usual dogs and cats (and possibly a few fish), I'm going to be making some cow and rooster masks.  Should be interesting.

Done! The cow paintings are finished and out the door today

I have finished my group of commissioned cow paintings and am calling the shipper today, so they'll be out of here either today or tomorrow morning.  They'll be gracing the administrative offices of a dairy in California.

It's been a very long, difficult month, but it's done.  I'll be displaying the paintings (seven of them) over the next few days.  The first one is below.

For those of you who have contacted me about commissioning custom paintings -- or who have already received a response from me, saying I'll be starting your painting(s) in May, I'll be back in touch with you right away to get things started.  For those of you who are interested in having a commissioned painting done, I am fully booked for the month of May and am now taking orders for June and beyond.

Curious Jersey

Sorry about the "noise" in the photo; I'll fix it later to remove it.

All of the cows I painted in this commission live at a beautiful small farm down near Corvallis, Oregon, about an hour and a half south of where I live.  With permission, I went out into the field with them and had a most wonderful afternoon, taking hundreds of photos of them.  They were amazingly sweet-natured and very curious about what I was up to.  I guess I ought to have been a bit frightened as I was completely surrounded on all sides by them, but they were so calm and friendly that I was totally at ease with them.  I know I sound like a "city person," but I'm not.  I've spent years and years around horses and other animals associated with farms, but this really was my first up-close and personal encounter with a large number of cows.

Going to be a bit silent for a while

I've recently received a rather large commission, seven Jersey cow paintings of varying sizes, due within a month, so I'm not going to be doing much of anything else besides these Jersey cow paintings.  I've had the order for about a week so far and have roughed in (put down my base coats) all but the largest one, which is around 3 x 4 feet.  Believe me, I'm going to know Jersey cows when I'm done with this project.

Also, I might add:  I am doing extra Jersey cow paintings, too, as I'm finishing up this project, so I'll have some other Jersey cow paintings available for sale to the general public.  They'll be mostly in the 16x20" to 24x30" sizes, on gallery-wrapped canvases.  I'll publish them as they are finished.  Further, I have recently gone on a photo-shoot in a field of Guernsey cows, so I'll be doing some Guernsey paintings as well.  Plus, I was able to get some great photos to work from for at least a couple of sheep paintings.  I'll be going back to the field of sheep for more photos sometime this summer, so I'll be doing more of them.

Yes, I know it seems that my dog-painting business has gone to the ---- cows.  I am still going to continue to paint dogs, but I really, really do want to branch out and do more animals and more varied work overall.  I'm still just dying to do some landscape paintings, and I really hope this is the year I get to do so.  Some of my farm animal paintings, in fact, are going to be part farm animal painting and part landscape.   Painting is soooooo exciting!!!  How lucky am I to have such a stimulating, demanding, exciting career!

A Couple of Precious Italian Greyhound Custom Paintings I just finished

 These two beauties are Pearl and Belle, and I just finished painting them yesterday.  They were commissioned paintings for a special birthday spouse, who I hope loves them.  They were a great pleasure to paint, both being very photogenic girls.

My Neighbor's Yellow Labrador Retriever

This is Harper!  She is a beautiful yellow lab belonging to my neighbor.  She patiently sits every day outside her home to greet every walker. Her "dad" gave me permission to do a painting of her, and I really do appreciate it.  She was a pleasure to paint.

Portland Saturday Market Opening March 2, 2013 for our 40th Year!

I'm back at the Portland Saturday Market starting tomorrow for its 40th season.  While I am a relatively recent market member (I started in 1994), there are many artists/craftspeople who have been there from the very first day back in 1973.   I'm excited about going back again and hope some of you come down to the market and drop by my booth and say hi.  My space number this year is #338, just up the steps on the first row nearest the red information trailer.  The weather is going to be pretty cooperative this weekend, so I'm looking forward to a fun, busy weekend.  I have lots of new paintings, including this beautiful rooster:

I just finished him a few days ago and just got photos taken of him today.  I'm always trying to do too much when there's a deadline looming, such as getting everything ready for the market again after a two-month hiatus!  Anyway, I really like the way he turned out.  He's painted in acrylic paints on an 11x14x1.5" stretched canvas.  He's also being listed on Etsy; so wherever he sells first, I'll remove him from the other venue.

Keep an eye out:  There are lots more farm animals on my "to-do" list.  They're a fun new direction for me.  Now if I could only get some landscapes in.  They're what I'm really, really excited about starting!

A Bichon Frise Custom Painting Just Finished

This is another custom painting I have recently finished.  This is Louie, who is now 13 years old.  Like some of us, he's beginning to show his age a bit, but I think he's even more beautiful because of it.

Louie's painting is on an 11x14x3/4" stretched canvas.

Shih Tzu Custom Painting Just Finished

This is an adorable shih tzu named Chase that is being given as a birthday gift to the spouse of a client of mine.  He's a beauty, I think.  He's on a 16x20x3/4" stretched canvas, acrylic paints.

Just Completed: Guernsey Cow Portrait

This is one of several paintings I have finished recently and haven't had the time to upload.  This painting of a Guernsey cow is an acrylic painting on an 11x14x1.5" stretched canvas and is available for purchase at my Etsy shop (on the right side here) and at Portland Saturday Market (Opening for the 2013 season on March 2!  I'll be there!).

I'm now working on a gorgeous rooster that will also be available as soon as it is finished.  All my original paintings for the rest of this year will be available both on Etsy and at Portland Saturday Market.  If they sell at Portland Saturday Market first, I'll do my best to remove the listing from Etsy just as soon as I can.

A Vizsla Painting Finished Recently

This is a painting of a beautiful Hungarian Vizsla that I finished a few days ago, pre-flu, that is.

I might also mention here that in five more weekends, the Portland Saturday Market opens up again, so I'll be spending my weekends down there.  I'm so looking forward to getting back to it; I love meeting the people who like my artwork and just the general pleasant atmosphere of the place.  It's a great place to be on a weekend -- even when it's raining!  On those days, I just hunker down in my booth, drink lots of hot coffee and cocoa, and am especially happy to see those people who don't think they'll melt in our wimpy rain.  By the way, lots and lots of people from outside the Pacific Northwest even tell me that they like the rain.   Something for everyone here, I guess.

If you live in Portland, OR, (or are visiting here sometime), drop by and say hi.  If you've never visited Portland before, don't miss it; it's a wonderful, beautiful city, with lots of interesting things to see and do -- including, of course, Portland Saturday Market!

Two Beautiful Golden Retrievers

This is a commissioned painting I finished recently for a birthday recipient.  With permission from the client, I have added photos of him as he received his painting.  They are below.

A note to Carol:  I'm sorry I've been so slow getting your painting listed on my blog.  My family and I have all been suffering from the flu over the past week or so -- I can't even remember how long because it seems someone has been sick forever here.  I was the last to catch it, and I think I am about finished with it now.  Listen up, Everyone!  I am a silly person when it comes to shots -- I am terrified of them!  Don't put off getting your flu shots, fear of needles or not!  Flu is not a pleasant way to spend a week; a shot only hurts for seconds.  Don't put it off; I promise you the flu is much, much worse than the shot.

Here's the birthday boy admiring the painting of his two favorite sweeties, Indy and Sadie.

Another shot of the birthday festivities and "the gift."

Yellow Labrador Retriever Painting

This is a yellow lab painting I finished today.  The color is a bit off in this photo, but I'll put up a corrected one tomorrow with better lighting.

The painting is a 16x20x3/4" acrylic painting on a stretched canvas.  Both the original and prints are available.  Contact me if you're interested in the original, and you can buy prints on Etsy.

I'm still busy painting custom paintings, but I have about a week now before I need to start on February's orders, so I'll have a bit of time to do some paintings that I've been wanting to get painted. This beautiful dog was one of them, and I'm hoping to get a few farm animals done (well, maybe one or two at most).    Still loving my little studio.  I spent a couple of days last week completely insulating it.  It was hard work, but it's oh-so-cozy now that I can spend hours at a time in there.