* Mary finally talked to me ...

It's happened with this series of paintings before. Some of the women don't speak for a long time, and sometimes they say little. Others chatter the whole time I'm painting. This morning I've had some time in the studio. I was painting the hearts on her head dress, which she had asked for. Here's what I heard.

"The days grow short my child. Cherish each heart and hold it dear, for each heart is your heart. Another's heart is yours and your heart is another's. Hearts cradle dreams and nurture miracles. Hearts are the seat of the soul. Cherish each one as you would your own for it is yours, my child.  We are all connected. We are all one. Ponder this truth and allow it to be so." 

 That was worth waiting for!  We did some more work today, so here she is.

Thanks for coming on over.  I know it's a bit of a hike and I appreciate it. Sun feels good today though doesn't it?  Worth the trip for you if it's cold where you live.  Sangria is on the terrace if I'm not home.  Help yourself.

Do not wait; the time will never be 'just right.' Start where you stand, and work with
whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along Napoleon Hill

 

* Mary, Mary, quite contrary ...

I know nothing more than I did yesterday. She seems to be the strong silent type. All I know is she wanted the heart she's carrying made bigger and the sheep demanded hearts around their necks. They've been fun to paint. Lots of personality and cheeky too.  My favorite Scottish sheep - well, my version anyway. Didn't get to far today - however progress is being made. Here she is. Perhaps she will talk to you.  HA!

To Marie - yes I am sorry we were piglets!  Next time we will leave you some nibbles.  Lebanese food too ... sorry about that!

Thanks for dropping by.  Let me know if you hear anything.  The rest of the week I have some commitments which will take me away from the studio - so perhaps she will get lonely and want to talk by the time I get back.  Take care.  Go create something magnificent!

This is the true joy of life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. George Bernard Shaw

  

* Mystery Girl

I know nothing. Honest! She showed up on the canvas, carrying a heart, wearing a halo with two sheep following her. Hasn't said a word. Not. A. Word. "Mary had a little lamb?", I asked with a giggle. hmmmmm .... no answer. So, your guess is as good as mine at this point. She is very roughly blocked in. I started with head and shoulders when she told me she wanted to be almost full figure. Ok, so she did say something! Here she is, the mystery girl herself ... TA DA ...

Hope spring is coming to an area near you.  Thanks for dropping by.  Nice to see you here.

Kaethe Kollwitz, German artist

I am gradually approaching the period in my life when 

work comes first. No longer diverted by other 

emotions, I work the way a cow grazes.

Sometimes I actually feel like this when I'm painting!

 

* Princess of the Mist

Princess of the Mist has just given birth to her first child, a little girl, named Princess of the Bubbling Water. Crow, of Tall Red Tree has come to present her with a heart of gold. This symbolic token speaks of love with such strength it can never be broken. As the child sleeps, the traditional dream catcher stops any illness which may try to enter, therefore keeping Bubbling Water free from evil spirits and in good health.

Thanks for coming over today.  Enjoy your comments so much.  Hope all is well and the beginning of 2013 has gotten off to a great start.  Take care.

 

* Another surprise ...

Before I reveal the 'other surprise', I got hooked on the painted hearts which you may have seen in the latest issue of the paper and scissors magazine. This time I made it into a little wall hanging, which I think would look nice in anyones studio (mine included, if I could find some wall space). I'm sure it would look better with some batting in the middle, however I had to substitute paper towel because that's what I had.

Had to go and purchase a couple of canvas's just in case some idea ran through my brain.  I got a couple of smaller ones this time which I thought might be interesting.  Sure enough, as soon as I got the red undercoat on the canvas an idea began to emerge - one that frankly surprised me.  Not because of the subject matter, but just because it is far and away from the Iconic Women which usually show up on my canvas.

I have no idea where this is going.  I just blocked it in today.  She has not spoken with me as yet.  I'm hoping to get some guidance soon.

Nice to see all your wonderful comments - thanks so much for dropping in.  Spring is on it's way here - my bottle brush tree is in bloom, and my hummingbirds are in love.

In life you’ll realize there is a purpose for everyone you meet.  Some will test you, some will use you, and some will teach you.  But most importantly, some will bring out the best in you.

 

* Play day ...

As we all know, Valentine's day is coming, so Pat and I spent the day making cards. Pat brought the feast - Lebanese food (YUM) and I supplied whatever was needed for the cards. We sat in the sun on the terrace enjoying our food before heading up to the studio.

Upstairs, we giggled, made cards and wiled away the afternoon with idle chatter most of which seemed extreemly funny!  A few cards did result from our efforts though.

We both ended up with three (you can tell we worked like dogs)!

This was fun to make.  Instructions are in the last issue of cloth, paper and scissors.  I think I'll try making some more.

Well, m'dears, it's 3:15 AM and no sign of sleep.  Hope you are all in your little beds snoring.  I think I'll write some letters now.  :o)  Thanks for dropping by.  Help yourself to the sangria.  I LOVE your comments. thank you so much.  Take care and care about creating.  It's good for all that ails us. :o)

"When love is not madness, it is not love." 

Pedro Calderon de la Barca

I whole heartedly agree with this quote.  I feel so blessed to have known the madness.

 

* Love is in the Air ...

Still don't know her name. Her messages were thus. "I have come to be with you so you will never be lonely. My essence is part of a past time you experienced in this country. You must never sell the original. This painting is so full of love, it could never possibly run out. When you feel the need for love and caring, come to me. I will always be there for you. The Parrot in the painting makes sure we are supplied and full of love. He strings hearts and makes sure they are close to us so their essence will fill us completely with love. When you are with me, nothing else exists but love.  You are filled with it and overcome by it and will never want the feeling to end.  Love heals all wounds.  Simply allow."

Thanks for coming by today.  Hope you are all well, happy and filled with your own special kind of love.

"You are amazing!  You should never let anyone else tell you otherwise.  No matter what.  ~Bryant Collins

 

* And now for something completely different ...

OMG, whenever I say that, it takes me directly back to the Monty Python years when I never stopped laughing. I miss those guys! I'm not sure humour like that exists anymore, even in Britian. Alas and Alak. I did play in the studio today, however not on my painting. I made a couple of cards for friends, which was a nice break.

Thanks for dropping in today.  Spring will be here soon, I promise. Already my bottlebrush tree is blooming and one of my plants, which I know not what it is, is about to bloom.  All promising.  Hope you are creating wonderful things, as I know you are.  Take care.  See you soon.

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in 

the spring and stay that way later in the fall."  ~Nadine Stair

 

* Keeping on Keeping on ...

Definitely made progress today in the Studio. It's cold here. Had the fireplace on. Amazing. I've done quite a bit today, however still must attend to many little details. Here she is, so far.

Still need more definition between the calle lilies, and I'm not at all happy with the parrots wings.  Need to work on the background behind the flowers in her arms ... just lots of little things, which take a lot of time.

So ... so hope you were albe to make some time to create something today.  Thanks for dropping by.  Always a delight to read your comments.  

A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires. 
Hedy Lamarr 

* In the Studio Today

I enjoyed working with my lovely lady today. She is a delight. Not telling me her name though. Today she asked for a gold ring with a ruby in it - square, surrounded by gold, to fit her second finger. I'm workin' on it. Here to oblige you know. Obviously she is from a fairly well to do family. Here is the progress made today.

Yes, she has a pet parot who's name I have not been informed of yet.  They like to tease each other.  

A long way to go on this painting yet.  Having never painted calla lilies before - believe me it's a challenge to get the shadows and shading right so they will show up.  All the same colouring.  I'e got them blocked in.  Tomorrow I will work with them.

Tomorrow is another day - we will see what happens.  Thanks for the visit and your wonderful comments.  It's still chilly here - I've resorte to my flannel sheets tonight.  :o)  Be well, and be happy.  Looking forward to seeing what you've been up to tomorrow.

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it's destination full of hope. 
Maya Angelou