what a cutie . . .

repost, julie, lisa, jm, bonnie and all and work that defines part 2 . . .

Here is a drawing that I re-posted after I went back and worked on the arms.  Did I want to remove the last drawing?  Yes I did!  Around 9:00 pm I had a strong urge to do so - but I did not!!!


Julie I loved your comment!  I feel the same way.  It also made me meditate about what I mean by 'defines me' so I looked the word up in the dictionary.  The closest definition was 'to make clear the outline or form of'  such as 'the roof was boldly defined against the sky.'  So, I think that I mean 'a work that makes it clear to me what kind of work I want to do'.


Does anyone have that experience?  What was that work!

jm's cake . . .

omg!  I just saw the cake I would send to JM's 100 coffee cup virtual party!  Here is the link for it.  My teeth are falling out just looking at it!  I saw it while reading about fabulous artist  Trudy Gomez' beautiful custom cards.  This is why we blog!!!

old and new . . .

The top picture is my first attempt to draw a woman drinking coffee in preparation for a watercolor series.  My mistake was not sketching in the whole composition - including the coffee cup - all at one time.  Once I got this far I didn't want to add anything else.

The second painting is by artist Sue Valadon.  This is the type of series of paintings that I would like - women drinking coffee.  It also shows how old I will be before I get everything right.

her eyes turned bright when she took a sip of her coffee . . .

Yesterday I received a beautiful refrigerator magnet of one of Janettmarie's beautiful coffee cup paintings.  My eyes were very bright!   I hope she doesn't mind me saying but I hope to order as many of her coffee cup magnets as I can (when they become available) and put them on my refrigerator!!!  What color! What textures!! What joy!!!  I also want a print wall of some of my favorite artists to be admired by guests and friends . . . more information to come!

This is part of my series entitled DELIGHT IN THE EYES OF THE COFFEE DRINKERS inspired by JanettMarie.  Does it show that I have a passion for pencils?

on the inside i'm a jazzy dancer . . .

uh . . .

So - as stated - my goal is to show that I have a passion for pencils.  You've never really seen me draw men.  So much went wrong . . . but so much went right.   Lisa how lovely to see your art.  JM it's almost time for a 100 coffee  cup celebration!!!!!! I think Lisa should sponsor a virtual party!!

a passion for pencils . . .

my goal for this spring and summer is to show that I have a passion for pencils. . . let the games begin.

workin' on my degas #2 . . . ouch!

ouch!
If you're going to do this - watch where you aim that thing!

workin' on my degas

pencil practice . . . 'baby' wants to be a ballerina . . .

Baby will take your ballet shoe
if you leave it on the flo' -
he'll pirouette it all around
and shake it to and fro -
he'll turn his head to the side
if you ask him why it's wet -
he thinks you're complimenting him
for doing his best work yet!

pencil practice #2

dance lisa dance

8x10 charcoal on paper

myra anderson

pencil practice . . .

no one asked for my advice . . .
so let me tell you this . . .
don't let your love for loved ones
ever be hit or miss -
no one asked me to say a thing . . .
so let me just say this . . .
give a flower -
a hug -
an encouraging word -
and seal it with a kiss!

tulips?

the red book . . .

what's in the red book?
what secret does it uphold?
words to make you laugh?
words to make you wise?
words rooted in love?
(or is it just there to hold up the plant?)

sunflower in a pickle jar #1 . . .

sunflower in a pickle jar . . .
thoughts of you not very far . . . 
memories to cherish . . .
future dreams to relish . . .
love!

my watercolor degas #1 . . . and . . . a vision of loveliness

 When I haven't painted for a while I begin again with my happy 'go to' - a degas ballerina.  Again, 'wingin' it' with my watercolors!   This watercolor looks so lovely in person.  I'm going to see if I can take a better photo!  

What a vision of loveliness . . . a picture really is worth a thousand words!  Happy homecoming to Lisa G. and her mom!

lisa g. thinking of you . . .

Here is part of an 11x15 watercolor that I did to begin my great watercolor way.  It's part of my still in development Sunday Hats series. 

What a beautiful acrylic portrait Lisa G. painted of her mother.  I love the colors as well as the textural qualities she brought to the painting.  It's also a beautiful likeness!   It's 'more than Modigliani'.  Lisa may your mother get well soon!

last cup of coffee . . .

'last cup of coffee'

by janettmarie

When it comes to painting a series, the artist Janettmarie certainly shows that she is one of the best.  How many of us starting eating apples because of her 100 apple paintings?  How many of us would like to start drinking martinis after viewing her refreshing martini paintings?   She is currently on #75 of her 100 coffee paintings.

When I had my old coffee maker (may it rest in pieces) I had a formula for a perfect cup of coffee every time - right amount of coffee, cream and sugar all in one pot.  I now have a new model and have yet to brew the perfect cup of coffee.  I am getting close - and JM's paintings certainly keep me inspired.   ahhhh . . . they are so refreshing . . .

Here's hoping that everyone  has a great day!

into the water . . .

I shall do as Lisa and JM have suggested. I will paint using watercolors with pure abandon. After all . . . I buy books for the pretty pictures! The words . . . the words . . . I will let you know when I need to read the words! 

Here is a watercolor video that inspires.

Julie and Jane - have a great day!

hats on . . . hats off . . .

I'm gearing up to start my watercolor series called 'sunday hats'.  Right now I'm sketching out a few ideas with hats on and hats off.   If you remember my previous series you already know that I am not a watercolorist.  I might read a book on watercolors and then again I might not.  I might just 'wing it'.


a hat on Sunday?
it's a fact . . .
I look adorable in a Sunday hat . . .
red hat, blue hat, bonnet green . . .
with the most beautiful flowers you've ever seen


HAVE A GREAT DAY MARTINE!!!!!!!!

in the manner of degas 2 . . .

in the manner of degas?

Here is another one of my previous sketches.  At this point I am practicing with charcoal pencils because I have great difficulty getting the really thin, soft vine charcoal that I like.  I think that I and the charcoal pencils will get along just fine.   


A new neighbor stopped by yesterday and looked at some of my sketches.  'Oh!' 'In the manner of Degas!' she said.  (exclamation points mine).  I was going to ask her to leave - but when she said that - I prepared her some whitefish lightly breaded and pan fried in a little olive oil to a golden brown, fluffy rice and a garden salad. 


'Now, tell me more about me!'  I said . . .

remember the daze . . .

It's been a while . . . remember the days when I was drawing the ballet?  I just unpacked a few sketches.  uh oh!  I'm getting the fever . . . the 'I must draw a ballerina' fever . . . Lisa G - if you can hear me - have a great day!

I'm thinking . . .

Well, this is certainly a very exciting time in my life.  Why?  I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT TO PAINT OR DRAW!!!  That's how I felt last week.  


This week I worked out some of the kinks in my brain and decided that I would focus on my 'women in the garden or on the beach drinking coffee' - in watercolor, acrylic, pencil and pastel - series.  

When I ran across the sofa painting that I was telling you about (painted several years ago) I was intrigued by the title I had given the painting.  It's called 'Sunday Hats'.   'Why did I call it that?'  I wondered.  'What was the motivation?'  I don't remember.  I have no clue.  Nevertheless I am thinking of exploring this concept of 'Sunday Hats' further.  I fascinate me sometimes. 


Today I thought about all of the people who were adversely affected by the unusual tornadoes including Indiana.  JM lives in Indianapolis and I hope that she is okay.

These days we never know when tragedy will strike.  The Bible does say that one day 'all pain and sorrow will be gone and these things will not even be called to mind'.  Ahhhh for the day!


Bonnie have a great day!

coffee beach . . .

Today is the day that I start unpacking in earnest and prepare to get to work in 'studio cubby hole'.  Maybe I should call my studio 'the coffee cup' because of it's size!  I don't know why - or why this move - but this move has given me a greater appreciation for art.  A work of art is a spot to rest your eyes on and refresh you as you go about the business of the day.

This is a 12x12 painting that I did a few years ago. The colors here are the same ones I am thinking about using for my large sofa painting.  The coffee colors would dominate - but I want many other colors as well.  For example the purple mountains in the background.

Okay so no more moving talk after today!  Hilda M.  have a great day!

ahhhhh . . . refreshing . . .

Last night around midnight we FINALLY completed our move.  As Harvey bought the last items up the elevator and down the long, long hallway to our new apartment we constantly heard the question 'are you STILL moving!?!'  This will never happen again!  If we ever have to move from this lovely spot I will cut down more of my boxes and boxes and boxes of  'must have possessions' (or maybe not)!!!

I did this drawing some time ago but it is so appropriate for today.  Moving made my hair stand straight and - I needed several cups of refreshing 'I finally finished moving' coffee.

If you recall, I mentioned that I wanted some color in my coffee color world . . . brown furniture, beige carpets.  I came across a 12x12 painting I did some time ago that I think would be magnificent to reproduce as 'choice#1' for that large sofa painting.  When I find a pencil and a piece of paper, I will draw a thumbnail sketch.  Look for it soon!  Remember - I have three canvases to get it right.  The adventure awaits!  Thank you for your comments and inspiration!

change . . .

This is the last of the ballerinas that I was working on before I had to - as they say on America's Next Top Model - 'pack your bags and go'.  I call this painting 'change' because this little ballerina  (me) is gearing up for the adventurous work ahead!

Change.  I was telling that fantastic artist 'you know who' that my new studio is only a fourth of the size of my old one.   One of my fondest memories was painting in a large 'walk-in closet studio' at a previous apartment.  So, I really can't wait to have new art adventures in 'studio cubbyhole'.

Change.  Since I had to scale down my possessions a bit I shared some of my art books with an artist friend of mine.  Some were old - some were new.  Some I bought if there was a painting I wanted to neatly cut out with an exacto knife.  I hope that she can find something there to add to her treasure of knowledge.

Change.  I told the artist JM that I was sending my dog Tiny to a new home.  When the time came I actually felt a little hysterical  - and couldn't do it.  Even after he tried to chew on JM's friend John and have his toes for a snack.  'Just make it a project to Dog Whisper him' my sister said.  'Okay' I said.

Change.  I would like to paint a lovely large painting for my home.  Maybe 48x48?  I have never done this before.  It will not be a ballerina.  Maybe a garden scene of a woman drinking coffee - with a little dog by her side?  Don't know.  The adventure is ahead . . .

movement . . .

Well, I have just undergone the longest 'movement' in the history of moving.  We have been 'moving' since I last posted on this blog and we will finally be done tomorrow.  Why so long?  We moved a three bedroom house - one car load at a time.  Why?  I don't know.  Well actually, we tried to examine everything we owned and give it a 'yea' or a 'nay'.  Funny - we took so long to move that when I opened some of the boxes I was like 'what in the world is this?!' and 'why did I bring that?!" 

It has been a few weeks since I've done any type of art but I was telling that fantastic artist Janettmarie that it feels as if it has been six months!  I will slowly have to get back into the groove of things - when I find my supplies.  It's funny how you think about and miss the many artists that you share comments with - even though you may never have the opportunity to meet them in person.

This is another one of the unfinished paintings that I was working on.  I believe that I was working on skin tones.  Sorry - I didn't get to 'turn out the lights' on that tutu.  Could it be more bright?  I borrowed the color scheme from one of Degas' paintings of ballerinas.  'See' you soon!!

janettmarie and lisa g.

Right now Harvey and I are looking at apartments.  One place was very nice but as I mentioned to the fantastic artist janettmarie 'after so many years I am no longer a fan of the brown sofa, beige wall, beige carpet club'.  There is nothing wrong with this color combination - but when I saw this color scheme at a possible new location I began to envision jm's beautiful, colorful cups of coffee adding wonderful colors and textures to my coffee color world!  Ahhhhh so refreshing . . . I want three cups of coffee right now!!!!  next part 2 - how she encouraged me . . .

also

I did another of my classical music pastel paintings
(will post soon)

also wonderful and refreshing to paint to

lisa g's 'baby' playing the piano!

two ballerinas . . .

two ballerinas

9x12 oil on canvas panel

myra anderson

Here is one of the paintings I was working on.  As you know, I usually do one figure.  One and a half ballerinas!  I've progressed!

dance lisa g.

Well, I'm packing and not painting but I can still provide an occasional splash of color.  I listened to the beautiful piano concerto lisa graham's son will be playing while I drew this degas style pastel ballerina.  I think her tutu and bouquet look very musical!

ballerina blue . . .

6x8 oil on canvas panel

myra anderson

Yes.  This painting is quite similar to the previous painting.  In this one I wanted to try a different size canvas and frame the tutu in a different way.  Next I will be posting some sketches and maybe some progress on some unfinished paintings.  I won't be able to finish any paintings for a while.  Due to a tremendous rent increase Harvey, Tiny and I are packing and preparing to move to a smaller place. This was not unexpected.  It was nice while it lasted but as I was telling the wonderful Texas artist Trudy Gomez 'I'm looking forward to less cleaning and more painting!' My only regret is that I did not get to do what I really wanted to do . . . invite some artists over to paint - perhaps with live models . . . prepare some delicious gourmet snacks . . . and complete it with coffee and fancy cupcakes . . . hey . . . to the future . . . right?

ballerina . . .

ballerina

8x8 oil on canvas panel

myra anderson

baby wants to be a ballerina . . .

baby wants to be a ballerina!

6x6 oil on canvas panel

myra anderson

back to school - one PAGE at a time . . .

Do you think about personal growth as an artist?  Do you think about how you will - as they say - take it up a notch or kick it up to the next level?  I went back to school - so to speak - got out a good old-fashioned note book.  I've never drawn a ballerina with an ink pen and then 'painted' it with pastels. . .okay so let's do that!  I need to work on capturing skin tones - so let's do that!  That was fun . . . now what about those cupcakes?  When are you going to paint one that looks good enough to eat?  Hey!  I'm working on it!!

page railsback

Speaking of yummy and delicious what a beautiful and inspiring work of art by Page.  I think her use of green inspired my use of green.  What beautiful color and textural qualities.  What about those fire red dots! Artistic genius.  Makes me want to paint!

ballerina lines . . .

One reason I like the ballet . . . the shoes.

stop! goutte! et peindre un degas!

work in progress

otherwise known as

'stop! drop! and paint a degas!'

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

I like this initial block in.

ballerina blue . . .

ballerina blue

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

This was actually a fun weekend where Harvey and I ate very good food - but I didn't cook the whole weekend!!  It was like being on vacation.  Harvey even found this new bakery and bought four LARGE cupcakes.  After all of that eating I thought that I had better get some exercise - so I painted this ballerina.  I think I lost 'point 1 millionth' of a pound.

parfois je pense a pommes de peinture en raison de la janettmarie . . .

otherwise known as

sometimes I think about painting apples because of janettmarie

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

feel better Lisa G!

my first cupcake on a polka dot plate . . .

cupcake on a polka dot plate

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

Oh how I envy those painters who can paint stuff on plates!

my first donut . . .

my first donut (wip)

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

If you had told me this time last year that I would be attempting to paint pastries and writing silly poems I would have said 'get out of here!'   'really!'   'I mean it!'   'get out of here!'  And now a 'serious' poem . . .

Sometimes I'm just like apricots . . .
I'm always in a jam -
Sometimes they call me 'pork and beans'
'cause I'm a little ham -
I'm like the ten commandments . . .
I never tell a lie -
until the day you asked me
to taste your 'pickle' pie!
you said that it was berry
it was -
berry, berry bad!
you were going to feed it to others
which was berry berry sad!
When you came over to inspect
just how much I ate -
I 'tripped' and 'dropped' it on the floor -
and 'fell' on top of the plate -
OOPS!

a ballerina for helen . . .

a ballerina for Helen

charcoal on watercolor paper

myra anderson

Helen T. recently baked a whole bunch of delicious cupcakes.  I gained a pound just reading about them.  In between painting desserts I had better draw some ballerinas so that I don't gain too much weight.  Yeah - that's right . . . I think that's how that works.

my first fruit tart . . .

fruit tart

8x8 acrylic on canvas panel

myra anderson

ahhhh . . .
how wonderfully made . . .
your art of every hue and scent
to savor . . .
made to peacefully come together
in the sweet cream of life . . .
one day you will remove all barriers
that separate one from another . . .
and your art -
your beautiful, colorful art
will stand forever . . .