Monday was an awesome day.  Thanks to our host Sueli, who took on the role of our very own personal driver, we spent the whole day out.  We first went back to the little center of town near where they live, Embu, and walked around for some [...]]]>

weekend arts and crafts fair in Embu, SP

Monday was an awesome day.  Thanks to our host Sueli, who took on the role of our very own personal driver, we spent the whole day out.  We first went back to the little center of town near where they live, Embu, and walked around for some wonderful pics, and also we became the proud new owners of a handwoven, authentic hammock, that should hold the whole family!!

Then we went to an orphanage named Lar Batista.  This orphanage was one which my grandpa had been very involved in while he was alive.  We had lunch there, and the boys sat together with some other boys, and managed to have some sort of conversation in Portuguese, while they ate.  They also showed us around, and explained a little bit about what they do, which includes a sort of After school program for nearby children who live in one of 5 nearby shantytown/slums.  They teach them music, English, art, amongst other things.  They also feed them lunch.  At the orphanage currently, they have 24 children in this particular facility, but there are 4 other facilities that are supported by local baptist churches….  More on the specifics later.

We then went to a park I used to go to as a kid. Parque do Ibirapuera.  Unfortunately, it was cold and cloudy, with temperatures hovering the low 50’s, so we didn’t stay as long as we wanted.  It was good for the boys to run around.  They did get in trouble for speaking English out in public, though.  We are really trying to get Phoenix on board.  He is still being stubborn.

Going backwards, Sunday was possibly just as good, if not better.  We spent the better part of the day, after a late start, in the center of town, walking around and enjoying an arts fair.  It goes on every saturday and sunday.  It takes over the whole town.  It made me want to live here, just to be able to show and sell my work on a regular basis, in a place where value is given to it.  The art and artisan/handmade stuff was amazing, and so inexpensive that it made me feel really bad, in that they weren’t making any money.   We  drank coconut water straight from the coconut.  We then had a pretty late lunch and went to their night services.

Other random facts:

We’ve been having  brasilian coffee around the clock!  We’ve seen more than a few dogs that have no owners and just roam the streets.  Sao Paulo has much more traffic than NYC, and we spend large parts of each day in the car.  Seeing family is fun.  Poverty is a very real concept, and it makes me crazy that we have so much.  Having fresh squeezed and natural juices is part of the norm.  Yum.  A roast pig has too much fat and too many bones to make it worthwhile eating.  All my family seems to love handmade stuff, so I guess I’m not so weird after all!

Yesterday, we had the privilege of serving along with the friends we are staying with, at a church and community outreach project to neighborhood kids. We were the “guests of honor” whom the kids got to hear from, as an “american family”.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             We showed them a slideshow of some of the day in day [...]]]>

Yesterday, we had the privilege of serving along with the friends we are staying with, at a church and community outreach project to neighborhood kids. We were the “guests of honor” whom the kids got to hear from, as an “american family”.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             We showed them a slideshow of some of the day in day out activities of life in the states, and then we got “interviewed” with some questions. We then got to share a little about our faith in Christ, and Fabio felt a strong leading to share a brief description of his testimony, which he did all on his own in Portuguese. While he was sharing, the often rambunctious kids were extremely riveted to what he had to say, and you could hear a pin drop! I am exceedingly proud of my love, who did an awesome job sharing about God’s love for the first time in Portuguese. He’s amazing!!

After that the kids spent a large part of the time playing. The boys playing soccer, and the girls doing a sorta dance/choreography to music. Both Willik and Phoenix joined in and played soccer along with Brasilian boys, and had a super time. The kids loved asking us to say stuff in English, and asking about America.

We then had lunch with them, where they insisted in hearing Fabio pray in English, while I translated. Willik held his own, and started to make friends, and develop his Portuguese. Phoenix is still being a bit stubborn, and is not saying much at all in Portuguese. He’s going todo it at his own pace! We gave them FBC High Seas Day Camp tshirts, and they loved it! Many of them gave me hugs and kisses, thanking us for bringing the shirts. It was really sweet!

Tomorrow we will be going to an orphanage. I can’t wait!

I seem to enjoy a bit of torture, when it comes to coordinating projects for church. I take on a huge project which nearly kills me with the amount of time and [...]]]>

right click on this picture, then click on "view picture" then use the + magnifier to look at each piece more closely.

I seem to enjoy a bit of torture, when it comes to coordinating projects for church. I take on a huge project which nearly kills me with the amount of time and effort it takes to get it done.
The last few weeks have been exactly that.
I was asked by the pastor last year, if at day camp this year, I would be willing to do art, instead of craft. I was thrilled with the request, even if part of his reason was to save money.
He talked of a mural, or something big….
Fast forward 6 months, when the planning for day camp started. After talking some to the children’s director, we came up with this idea of individual canvases joining, but having each child’s art, with one big drawing to connect them all…. And that’s what I did.
Unwrapping 350 canvases that were double wrapped was a lot of work, as was doing a number grid system on the back of all of them. I was blessed with many hands, which helped to lighten the work.
Another able-bodied carpenter made a plywood wall that would hold all of these canvases spanning 19+ feet across and 10 feet tall. But then there was the issue of how we would get these to stay on the wall.
We’d agreed on velcro, so my wonderful husband gave up many evening hours by standing on a ladder, and putting 190 feet of velcro to accommodate all the canvases and he made sure that the lines were straight. We also had many hands putting velcro dots on the back of the canvases.
When the wall was up against it’s “permanent” home, then I went to work putting all the blank canvases on the wall. I projected my original drawing and stood on a ladder for several more hours to draw the whole thing. Then 350 canvases had to come down off the wall, so that we could pack them all for the children.
All during this, my parents were kinda enough to keep my boys with them in NYC for the week, so I could do all this prep work.
The moment of truth came last week, when we then started to have the kids paint.
They painted in the black shapes/lines which I’d drawn for them. They were only given black acrylic. Many had never painted on a canvas.
The black dried overnight, and we then had color out for the children. They were artist, and could choose to paint their canvases any way they saw fit, except that they had to leave the black alone, and not leave any white on the canvas. They followed my instructions perfectly. But at this point, I still did not know how it all turned out, and how things would all line up.
Wednesday night, when everyone else was gone, we had about 6 or 7 people who came out to help me put the canvases up. Many hands again made this go quick and smooth, with a lot of good organizing by my sister Raquel, who came up from NYC for a couple days to help me, along with Diana, who is the kinda person I need to have on every large project from now on.
As we put the canvases up, it was amazing to get to see the “mural/mosaic” wall unfold. The pieces were all lining up. Even some colors lined up. The black lines were there, and they met up with the next canvas.
The children did not know what the “BIG PICTURE” would be, but I told them I was going to be surprised as well, with how it turned out. And I was.
I could not be more pleased with it. It was a joy and a pleasure, and all those hours of planning, prepping, worrying and prepping, and planning were worth it.
I hope the children do continue to think of themselves as artists, and I’m glad I had a part in helping them see that we are all part of something bigger, and God instilled creativity in all of us, because He is the greatest artist ever!!
Here are some pics of the mural. If you’re in PA and want to see the real thing, drop me a line, and I’ll take you to it. It’s much better seeing it in person. But make it quick, because I don’t know how long it will be on display.

Oh, yeah! When this was over, we also made sketchbooks and had drawing lessons on shadow and light, and drawing a friend!
It was a great artistic week for 300+ children! And I loved every minute of it!!

I think I did..

People have been asking me if I am taking a break, and the answer is: No Way!!

For one, I’ve learned how much I can do, and I don’t want to lose the momentum.

Also, I have 3 [...]]]> Now the voyeurism is over, and I’m back to creating art on my own, and hoping people come and look….

People have been asking me if I am taking a break, and the answer is: No Way!!

For one, I’ve learned how much I can do, and I don’t want to lose the momentum.

Also, I have 3 art -related projects I have to work on.

First, I have to finish a commission piece I started before the 30dayartist thing.

Second, I was “commissioned” to do a small mural at the church library, which has to be done by the time school is out.

Third, I am running the art part of day camp for 400 children.

So, there will be no rest, and plenty of art, and for that I am grateful.

In the meanwhile, I will post progress, and updates and sketches.

If you think of any ideas of how I can display my art from the 30day run, I would like to hear it…

Most importantly, my husband comes home from a trip yesterday, and that makes me ecstatic!

The goal was to create 40 pieces in 30 days.  A daunting task, considering I’m married with children, and still need to take care of my family’s needs.  A bit of laundry went undone, and I didn’t do many complicated meals this month.  My husband [...]]]> For the past month, I’ve been the featured artist at 30dayartist.com

The goal was to create 40 pieces in 30 days.  A daunting task, considering I’m married with children, and still need to take care of my family’s needs.  A bit of laundry went undone, and I didn’t do many complicated meals this month.  My husband spent a bit more time with the boys, and I accomplished the task.

I figured I’d learn some lessons along the way, make some discoveries about the process, likes, dislikes and such.  I was not disappointed.  I did learn and discovered many things.

One exciting and encouraging discovery was that I can paint quite quickly when under the gun.  I used to think of myself as a bit slow in my process, but now not so much.  Sure, some pieces need to “take their time”, but not everything has to be that way.  And if I can do 28 finished pieces in a month, then I certainly can do 10,  just as well, and still keep the family happy.

I continue to be drawn to many styles, and don’t intend to box myself in, but I was reminded of  how much fun the mixed media pieces are, especially when I incorporate drawing and my own photos into them.  They keep me engaged and  “not bored”.  And they give me license to continue to improve my photography habit!

The one desire that hasn’t gone away is the driving desire to show my art in public.  It’s nice that so many people can look and see everything online, but looking at it online, and looking at it in a room, seeing the size and paint textures are completely different.  So now, all the more reason to pursue venues and ways to show my art somewhere, anywhere.  If anyone in or near Bucks County has any ideas of places I might try, or places that will take art, please let me know.  I’m even toying with the idea of renting a storefront  or some other space, and making my own gallery showing…

If you haven’t seen the art I’ve been making, go to 30dayartist.com where you can go thru my month of art backwards, with all the blog entries.

If you’re interested in buying something, contact me via the contact page, and I will give you a price, per individual piece. Depending on medium, framing needs,  the prices will vary.

Here’s a quick picture of all the work I created this last month.  Soon to become part of the gallery page.

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and  not for men.” Colossians 3:23[HCS]

Completing 40 pieces of [...]]]> ”The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the  place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a  passing shape, from a spider’s web.” Picasso

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and  not for men.” Colossians 3:23[HCS]

Completing 40 pieces of art in 30 days is a big task.  Some might call it impossible…

Come and see what I’m doing this month at 30dayartist.com

What I’ve been thinking about is, inspiration.

Where does it come from, how do you get it, what do you do with it?

And what happens if you don’t feel inspired?  How can you paint/draw/create?

Rebecca Finch wrote a really interesting piece about inspiration last year at this time, when she did the 30dayartist run with some beautiful oil paintings.  She talks about going to the studio even when you don’t feel inspired.  I think I’m beginning to learn this lesson.  I’ve had glimpses of this, but now I’m starting to understand.

Inspiration can come from anything.  A friend mentioned being amazed and in awe of how weeds have beautiful flowers, and that is inspiring.  One might be inspired by hearing a beautiful song.  Or being in love.   Or reading a great book, or seeing a movie.  But I know I won’t have that everyday. Nonetheless, I need to draw or paint everyday, in order to keep my skills sharpened, and my mind creative and motivated.  Inspiration will come, and on those days, I will probably make the kind of painting that sells.  But even if it doesn’t, it won’t be a day wasted.

My last blog’s name was “Seeking the Muse”.  I truly want to seek the Muse. My Muse is God.  I want to know Him more, and love Him more, and I know that if my art flows from that, it will truly be Inspired.  I don’t mean to say I will paint “christian” art, but my art should be an outward flow of my love for Jesus.

Accountability is great, and I hope those of you who are joining me in this journey will check in with me and ask me how I’m doing with my art when May is over.

There are a few things that have inspired me lately.

A podcast of an interview with an art family.  This family, who I’ve “followed” for a whole is truly living the kind of life I hope to live.  They are not working for “The Man”.  Listen if that interests you…interview with Beerhosts .

Also, Danny Gregory, has been a source of inspiration for a long time.  I credit him partially with getting me back into making art regularly.  I have several of his books, and I want one of his latest ones,  An Illustrated Life,  if anyone is feeling generous.

I am also inspired by my kids.  Sure, I have those moments when I wanna pull my hair out, but I also love when they are creative(see their artwork below), and cute, and kind.  I want to inspire them to do great things.  I want them to be inspired by my being diligent and doing the best I can do as a mom, a wife and an artist…okay, as a housekeeper too….

“The music  that really turns me on is either running toward God or away from God. Both recognize the pivot, that God is at  the center of the jaunt.” Bono

“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”
Picasso

“Inspiration is for amateurs;  the rest of us just show up and get to work.”
Chuck Close

Join me in the journey over at http://30dayartist.com

Leave your comments and feedback there.

I drew a cat.  Our newly rescued cat– “Trick”

See it here.

I’ve done a little bit at a time, waiting for parts to dry, and giving myself some time in between, to make sure it looks like I want it to look.

I’ve been building up the foreground and background.  Today I hope to start on the main area.

Here’s the progress [...]]]> So, I’m working on my commissioned piece.

I’ve done a little bit at a time, waiting for parts to dry, and giving myself some time in between, to make sure it looks like I want it to look.

I’ve been building up the foreground and background.  Today I hope to start on the main area.

Here’s the progress thru pictures.  The pictures aren’t the greatest because of lighting challenges.

Today, we got a cat!

Actually, I’d been wanting a cat for a while.  I’d always said that when we got our own house, I had wanted a cat. We’ve now been here for almost 2 [...]]]> Last week, we had a mouse in the kitchen.  Fabio promptly caught him within a half hour! (My hero!!)

Today, we got a cat!

Actually, I’d been wanting a cat for a while.  I’d always said that when we got our own house, I had wanted a cat. We’ve now been here for almost 2 years.  It was time.

Also, I now have my studio in order, and ready to be there regularly, and it will be nice to have company while I make art.

The boys are very happy as well, and truthfully, they made the choice on this cat, more than I did.  We did like one other cat at the Bucks spca, but he wasn’t as playful and friendly, and this guy clearly won all our hearts.

His name was Patrick, and we’re changing it to “Trick”.  We figured this was a nice transition, and shouldn’t scar him for life, plus I have to admit, I’m not a fan of animals with human names.  It doesn’t seem right.  He also was full of tricks and playfulness at the shelter, so it just seemed right.

He is a 3 year old male.  He was in a home before, but they gave him up because apparently they had too many pets.  He’d been there for about a month and a half, and although shy at first, he’d definitely had come around. He chased every toy the boys put in front of him, and even thru all the commotion of many people in the “cat room”, he was still playing.

He is a mix, with some tabby and possibly some Maine Coon in him.  He is big, and gentle.

Right now he is too scared to come out from behind the toilet,  but I’ll be excited to share many pictures, and hopefully get a few drawings and paintings of him too.

All day today, I spent preparing to paint.

I laid out all the elements, and played around with placement.

I glued the quote strips onto the board.  Made sure all the papers were flat, no bubbles, and then I had to wait for everything to dry.

While that dried, I worked on a drawing which was an additional [...]]]>

All day today, I spent preparing to paint.

I laid out all the elements, and played around with placement.

I glued the quote strips onto the board.  Made sure all the papers were flat, no bubbles, and then I had to wait for everything to dry.

While that dried, I worked on a drawing which was an additional element to the piece.  Figuring out the best size and placement was probably the most creative of today’s efforts.

After everything was dry, graphite paper was my friend.  I transferred a large enlargement onto the wood panel, making it the final step before painting.

It’s been an interesting day.  Several hours spent doing lots of tedious steps which will make it into a great painting.  I’d almost forgotten what it takes to get ready to paint.  On one hand, there’s this overwhelming desire to just be able to put paintbrush to paint, and go at it, but my logical side knows what a difference having everything in the right place will make in the end.

Tomorrow, I hope to start putting some color in.

Tonight, some quiet, and maybe a little ice cream.  Skinny cow ice cream.

In the midst of some other longer/larger project, this was just the ticket to get a painting done lickety split.

Essentially, you block a part of the paper with a masking fluid, let it dry, and then paint the rest of the [...]]]> I came across a cool tutorial on craftster.org, and I thought I’d try it out.

In the midst of some other longer/larger project, this was just the ticket to get a painting done lickety split.

Essentially, you block a part of the paper with a masking fluid, let it dry, and then paint the rest of the paper in whatever color you want.  It’s fun, quick, and purely about color.  The hardest part of the project is waiting for things to dry.

Here’s mine:

Fabio and the boys had gone several times, and I had missed it…

I had heard much about the bird blind, and how you could see tons of birds, but I didn’t know what to expect…

the web definition for bird blind: is a shelter, often camouflaged, [...]]]> We finally went to Peace Valley as a family on Saturday.

Fabio and the boys had gone several times, and I had missed it…

I had heard much about the bird blind, and how you could see tons of birds, but I didn’t know what to expect…

the web definition for bird blind: is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife, especially birds, at close quarters.

Well, I got tons of nice pictures of birds.  At the time we were there, they were mostly cardinals, and a couple woodpeckers.  It was really exciting to be able to get so close to them.

If you want to see some more photos of birds, and other wildlife, come check out my photoblog :

http://photos.glauciamir.com/

Soon, I will be drawing or painting more birds!  Come back and check on me and keep me accountable.

The only bad thing of the day was that in the evening, there was a tick on my head, which my husband graciously removed for me.  EEEwwwwwwww!!!

When you think of “the country life”, what images come to mind?

Any answer is valid…. Please leave me your comments.

In the meantime, here’s one of the paintings I’m working on.

When I think of living in the country, climbing trees comes to mind.  It’s not something you see in the city.

It’s a watercolor, [...]]]> I’m looking for suggestions….

When you think of “the country life”, what images come to mind?

Any answer is valid…. Please leave me your comments.

In the meantime, here’s one of the paintings I’m working on.

When I think of living in the country, climbing trees comes to mind.  It’s not something you see in the city.

It’s a watercolor, 9″x12″.

First layer is done.  Now for all the details….  I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, leave me your comments about the country life.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was more like summer than spring. After the boys came home from school and got their homework done, they went to play outside. They were there a long time, as I started to get dinner ready. All of a sudden, they both came in and brought me tons of flowers they’d [...]]]>

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was more like summer than spring.
After the boys came home from school and got their homework done, they went to play outside.
They were there a long time, as I started to get dinner ready.
All of a sudden, they both came in and brought me tons of flowers they’d collected.
Here’s what I got…

Here it is…

This was a challenging project in more ways than one….

I started this “Country Life” Series last fall, and once the weeks [...]]]> I finished the barn painting.  Boy, did it take forever.  I’m embarrassed to admit it has been a few months since I started.  You can check my past blogs and count the months…

Here it is…

This was a challenging project in more ways than one….

I started this “Country Life” Series last fall, and once the weeks started leading to Christmas, I learned to crochet and completely abandoned my paintings in ordered to make crochet Christmas gifts.

It was also challenging because I had nowhere to paint.  If I painted on the kitchen table, I had to move everything else that belonged there.

The last thing which was hard to overcome was one concerning the material.  I was trying out a new kind of board.  It’s sorta like an illustration board, with a “texturey” clay surface. I thought it was going to be really great, but while it was super sturdy, the texture didn’t work too well for watercolor.  It didn’t flow very well….  I don’t think I will be using it again for watercolor, but I am happy with the end results.

So, this painting, as well as all the other pieces in the gallery are available for sale, unless they belong to a collection.

If you’re interested in one, or would like to talk about a commissioned piece just for you, drop me a line.

The premise is to create [...]]]> So, for a long time I’ve been a fan of .
This site was a way for the creator to sort of “dive into the deep end” of what it means to be an artist.
It’s a trial by fire aspect of making yourself make art, and get some exposure while at it.

There is so much, that you don’t even know where to begin.

Yesterday, my day was no different.

I was invited by a friend, to go to the Barnes Foundation.  I know, it doesn’t sound like a museum, and [...]]]> Going to a museum for an artist, is like going to a an all-you-can-eat-buffet for someone who is starving.

There is so much, that you don’t even know where to begin.

Yesterday, my day was no different.

I was invited by a friend, to go to the Barnes Foundation.  I know, it doesn’t sound like a museum, and truthfully, it’s not a normal one, either, but  it was so much more, and for this “starving artist”, it was just the right dose of inspiration.

If you’re not familiar, you can read more about the Barnes Foundation at an art  + history blog I found.

Apparently, it’s in some trouble, because some people think it should be sold, but that goes directly against the wishes of the late Mr. Barnes.

This place is an estate, a school, a gallery and a museum all rolled into one.  It makes me think of  The Frick Collection, in New York City.  Barnes intended for people to learn about many aspects of art, by comparing art from the ages, and lots of different kinds of art.  He assembled each wall with care and thought.

The most frustrating about it, is also it’s asset.  There is too much art on each wall. Yeah, right?!   Well, things aren’t all at eye-level, making it difficult to really look at the art.  But, at the same time, it’s nice to see a renoir, a van gogh and  a modigliani on the same wall, and compare and contrast them.

It was mind blowing.  It’s no Met, but yet it has hundreds of Renoir’s, and dozens, literally, of Cezanne’s.  My favorite piece yesterday, was “The Postman” by Van Gogh.  What I loved about it was it’s colors.  I don’t remember having seen this one before.  There were tons of color on his beard, even though when you step back you see gray.  it also seemed unusual for it to be a head-on portrait.  Van Gogh seems to have more 3/4 views of his subjects.  But the most unusual thing was the “art noveau” style background, with flowers and his name “vincent” almost thrown there.

The biggest surprise was the work of Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot(the piece to the left was not at the Barnes, but it gives you an idea).  I’m sure I studied some of it back in art school, but I loved the work.  Many of the paintings were little, maybe 8″x10″ in oil, portraits of women, reading , and they had incredible detail and realism.

There were also Picasso’s, and Matisse’s and many other things.  If you’re in or near Philadelphia, go and check it out, before it all goes away to other places.

Now I have to make some art too.

I’m almost done with the barn and corn watercolor.

I spent some late night hours painting today, and it was fun.  Sometimes it takes me forever to get to the “drawing board”, but once I’m there, I love it so much, I wonder why I do this to myself.

Another thing about this painting is that, [...]]]> Getting close.

I’m almost done with the barn and corn watercolor.

I spent some late night hours painting today, and it was fun.  Sometimes it takes me forever to get to the “drawing board”, but once I’m there, I love it so much, I wonder why I do this to myself.

Another thing about this painting is that, I am using a new surface.

Instead of the typical watercolor paper, I am using an aquabord.  It’s a composite surface that acts like watercolor paper, but it’s mounted on a masonite board.

I’m still unsure whether I like it or not.  It sure is different than paper.  The good news is that it doesn’t buckle.  The other thing is that if I do it right, I don’t even need to frame this piece.  The thing that is hard is that the surface allows you to go back into the color and lift it up.  But it doesn’t soak in the water and pigment, and so it takes some getting used to.

Here’s what it looks like as of now:

After some coffee and a nice shower, I had renewed spirits and strength.  I decided to paint, and film myself in the process.

Of course, after watching it back(I didn’t even finish watching), I was bored to tears, and decided that if anyone [...]]]> Yesterday I felt a brutal headache, and didn’t think I was gonna accomplish much.

After some coffee and a nice shower, I had renewed spirits and strength.  I decided to paint, and film myself in the process.

Of course, after watching it back(I didn’t even finish watching), I was bored to tears, and decided that if anyone would want to watch it, it would have to be much, much shorter, and speedier.  Enter video editing, where you spend too much time accomplishing nothing.

I finally got it done last night, and it’s now ready for publication.  So, if you want to waste (you’ve been warned!) 2+ minutes of your life, and see a little bit of the process of it coming together, here it is.

If you don’t want to watch it, that’s totally okay as well.  I’ll even put a picture here, so you can still feel like reading this post wasn’t a waste of your time.

Here is a not so great shot of where I stopped yesterday.  I need a few more “go’s” at it before it’s done.  I’m liking it, although I’m not loving the surface.  More on that later.

This morning, I was once again thankful for the joys and beauties of the country.

Willik and I had to stay home, due to his everlasting fever due to the flu.  Last week Fabio stayed home with Phoenix, this week, I stayed home with Willik.  I hope his fever will finally subside, and he will be [...]]]>

This morning, I was once again thankful for the joys and beauties of the country.

Willik and I had to stay home, due to his everlasting fever due to the flu.  Last week Fabio stayed home with Phoenix, this week, I stayed home with Willik.  I hope his fever will finally subside, and he will be back at school by tuesday.

Anyway, since I was here, enjoying my coffee, and getting to enjoy a mostly rain-free morning, I was taking the time to look out the window, and enjoy nature right in our backyard.  Within the hour, I saw tons of birds, and some 7 species.

We saw:

• cardinals
• blue jays
• titmice
• sparrows
• house finches
• robins
• woodpeckers

Again I was amazed at God’s creativity, and my ability to experience it.

So, it is also another reason why I will continue to work on my country life series in November.  Not only did I make very little progress in October, but I want a chance to continue to experience and extend the joy of the life around me.

What birds did you spot today?

This post is a long time coming.

This month I intended to make four paintings at least, of a theme I called “the country life”.

While I have tried to use any spare moments to paint, I found myself doing a myriad of other things, meaning I’m way behind.

The beginning of the month was taken up with [...]]]>

This post is a long time coming.

This month I intended to make four paintings at least, of a theme I called “the country life”.

While I have tried to use any spare moments to paint, I found myself doing a myriad of other things, meaning I’m way behind.

The beginning of the month was taken up with some prep and some research for this theme.  I spent several hours driving around, getting pictures of the  country life around me. That was pure delight.  Unfortunately, morning would turn to noon day lighting, and that would be the end of the shooting.  Rain and overcast days also kept me from more photography.

Other things came up, such as working on a sculpture I’d committed to paint for our church’s kids’ choir, weekly bible study, helping with some kidztown stuff, graffiti retreat weekend, and today, a sick kid at home.

I’m excited to be done with this first painting.  It was a joy to paint, although interrupted far too many times.   I look forward to your comments and criticisms.

I’ve already started working on the next piece, and promise to put a progress update on here soon. Hopefully it will get done much quicker.

If you are interested in purchasing  this piece, or any other, write me and we can discuss prices.

If you would like to see more of my work go to gallery and click on individual pieces to get a closer look.

I also  do commission work.  Drop me a line if there’s something you would like to have as an original piece of art.

Mondays are for errands… but I managed to get some inspiration amidst the mundane. I drove for a couple hours, in probably a 12-mile radius from our house. Unfortunately, it got close to noon, so it was just getting too bright, and I was getting less of the beautiful morning light, but I managed to [...]]]>

Mondays are for errands… but I managed to get some inspiration amidst the mundane.
I drove for a couple hours, in probably a 12-mile radius from our house. Unfortunately, it got close to noon, so it was just getting too bright, and I was getting less of the beautiful morning light, but I managed to catch some things. Most importantly, I have enough to get started on a painting today. I am excited!
Hopefully there will be another update this evening.

Fun question: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
My answer: In the mountains, right by Asheville, North Carolina or somewhere in Italy.

P.S. If you’re reading this on facebook, can you take the time to go to the actual blog and leave your comment? Since I’m not on facebook this month, it would be easier for me to see all your thoughts on my own blog. If this is your first time leaving a comment on the blog, click the link “leave a comment” or you could click on “(#) comments”.