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:

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”.