Colorful conversations Oct 4 - Oct 10 2004

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning colourful people,

A new week can only start with a great new thread.

Link to last week's thread:
Last week (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218958&page=9&pp=15)

Happy painting everyone.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Barb,

I also ordered "The Big Book of Painting" when I saw it mentioned in another thread. But Amazon will take a week or so to deliver it.

Hi Paintsplatter,

What a beautiful cake you showed us. I hope everything went well.

Hi Jamie,

Three great paintings to cheer me up in this grey, rainy depressing Monday. Well done.

Hi Everyone,

The usual coffee will be ready for when you get up.

Kind regards.

Rui

[JamieWG]

Good morning, Rui and all. Thanks for the coffee! Sorry to hear it's a grey, rainy day there this Monday morning. I think it was that way last Monday too!

Carol, how is your composite painting coming along? Can we peek?

Helen, I like your new tinyhead. Sorry you got so sore packing up that second easel. Sounds like it's on its way to Colin! Are you feeling better now? I love the new geo-florals----both of 'em. They must be a charming pair in person!

Barb, that's a very cool painting you posted with your information about the perspective distortion and viewing from the side. Fascinating! I can't believe you're still painting windows on the Hopper. Yikes!

Blu, you must indeed be counting the days until you move. Living in a construction zone is not fun. Glad to hear you're starting to feel better. You've been sick for awhile now. Did you see your doctor? You said, "Marking journeyman exams...." What's that?

Renee, those Halloween decorations are so cute!

Paintsplatter, that cake is gorgeous, and the leaves exquisite. I am soooo impressed! Please let us know all about the wedding!

Well I think I might be just about caught up with everybody now. Geez, is Lori still without power?

I seem to have come down with what my husband has. I'm going to try to get an appt. with my doctor for tomorrow. In the meantime, I have to deliver 6-7 paintings to a gallery this morning for a show and work tonight.

As Helen said, I did manage to finally get out to Bannerman's Island yesterday to paint. I emailed the image to the president of the foundation and he loves the painting....and says I can go again----same deal. I guess that means that if I go, I have to give up the painting again. I kinda wish I could keep it, since I can't go back whenever I want to paint more, and it's a memory of my amazing expedition there. Here's a link to my painting expedition thread:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220396

We went out on Saturday and I got the violet fabric to make a skirt for Sarah in order to pose her for the painting. Should be an interesting experience. Dave didn't reply to my request for an extension, and others are already well underway, so I guess I'm out of the project.

Jamie

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning, Rui and all. Thanks for the coffee! Sorry to hear it's a grey, rainy day there this Monday morning. I think it was that way last Monday too!
As Helen said, I did manage to finally get out to Bannerman's Island yesterday to paint. I emailed the image to the president of the foundation and he loves the painting....and says I can go again----same deal. I guess that means that if I go, I have to give up the painting again. I kinda wish I could keep it, since I can't go back whenever I want to paint more, and it's a memory of my amazing expedition there. Here's a link to my painting expedition thread:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220396
Jamie

Hi Jamie,

It is a very nice painting and it is a pity that you had to give up the painting.

I know that you are a plein air artist so I'll not suggest that you could paint another one from photos. Maybe next time you could paint two smaller ones and keep one for yourself.

The weather has cleared to a certain extent.

Kind regards.

Rui

[JamieWG]

Hi Jamie,

It is a very nice painting and it is a pity that you had to give up the painting.

I know that you are a plein air artist so I'll not suggest that you could paint another one from photos. Maybe next time you could paint two smaller ones and keep one for yourself.

The weather has cleared to a certain extent.

Kind regards.

Rui

Thanks, Rui. My plan was indeed to paint two and surrender one, but I was there for such a short time that I could only finish one. I will see the president of the foundation this morning, and I'll ask him if I can pay something to go there to paint a few times, rather than give up another painting. They are a worthy organization of the donation, and they're trying to raise enough money to restore the ruins to the point where people can go and visit without risking their lives. Right now, there are buildings that are actually being held up by the poison ivy vines growing up the side! This is why the entire island is off-limits to the public.

I also might ask if I can leave a bid on my own painting. I'd rather give them the money and keep that one. Sometimes, it's not about money ;), although in this case they do give the artist half of what the painting brings at auction, so it's the same as a gallery.

Jamie

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Jamie,

I think in this aspect you are just like me.

Although I don't mind to give paintings to family and friends I'll be very heart sore if one day I'll have to sell them. If one gives them to friends (family), one can always visit the friends (family) to see the painting again.

Also sometimes one might like to keep a painting as memory of being to one place or another.

Kind regards.

Rui

[paintsplatter]

Ok, found the new thread and am drinking my coffee while my laundry is going around in circles.

atapaz: " I fondled my pastels" hehehehehe...I can understand where your coming from..hehehe..I'm fondly looking at my studio and can't seem to get in there. I have one piece that only needs a few little things and it's done and another that needs a lot of work.

I couldn't even think of WDE this weekend..

Yes, I'm pooped!! Now doing laundry, having coffee and seriously wanting to go to the gym but have to wash my cloths in order to get there.

I now have to dismantle the cake for freezing...I never want to see another cake until next summer. I have two to do..one in August and another in September. They are both for my nieces. I have a large family on my husbands side. The weddings are starting to pile up. Yikes!!!!


RuiFromUK: Sorry to hear that your day is grey and dreary but I'm in the same boat..lol I do agree that sometimes it's very hard to give up a painting. Considering that your facing it for days and days and really take the care to do your best and then it's out of your life forever. I've actually forgotten some of mine. However, I've made it a practice to keep images of all of them before they leave the house. I've been able to do this more seriously since I have the camera. There are pieces that I will never see again because I didn't have the camera at the time. :mad: :mad:

JamieWG: Oh my goodness, your image is wonderful. You are sooooo lucky to have been able to do that. I too am envious of your treak. It must have been so quiet and peaceful there while you were painting. I can't see why the foundation wouldn't let you paint on the island. It is to their advantage if you offer to donate one piece each time you go there. I am especially impressed that they will pay you a precentage of the costs of the piece that you did for them. We have a group here in Canada..CARFAC..that has precise outlines for commissions, gallery hanging, donations etc. It's a fairly good organization.

http://www.carfac.ca there is the addy. You may find it interesting...I don't know.

[blumoon]

Good morning all. Thanks for the coffee Rui. I need it, as I have to be up much earlier than usual.
Your cake was beautiful, Paintsplatter.
Renee, your Halloween decorations look wonderful. The kids will love those.
I fondled my pastels tonight. Helen, you are silly! :D
Have you recovered from overdoing it?
Barb, did I mention how much I liked that perspective stuff you did?
Jamie, I love your paintings. You did some of those pretty fast. Your Bannerman's island painting is beautiful.
Blu, you must indeed be counting the days until you move. Living in a construction zone is not fun. Glad to hear you're starting to feel better. You've been sick for awhile now. Did you see your doctor? You said, "Marking journeyman exams...." What's that? Yes Jamie, I am counting the days. Doctor? What's that?? Haha. I think it's the environment here that's making me sick. It's gross. It's major demolition they are doing all around me, and it's an old building. Seems my one kitty is sensitive to it as well, as I've had her to the vet once, and they couldn't find anything wrong. I mark the provincial Journey hairstyling practical exams, so I work on contract for the Gov.(Appenticeship and Industry Training) as an examiner. That's why I am up so early today.
Here is my knife oil painting 8X10 on board. It was finally dry enough to scan. My first attempt with the knife. Don't know what the white spot is, as it is not part of the painting.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Oct-2004/38069-impasto.jpg

[paintsplatter]

Oh dear Blue..hope you don't have to deal with all that construction soon. My mom had to deal with it all last year and it nearly drove her crazy..and me..having to listen to her...lol

Hope you can get some fresh air somewhere. And your poor kitty..awwwww..cats really don't like their environment disrupted..they get very upset.

Hope your moving soon..where are you going?? New house??

OH, your painting is wonderful. :clap: ..cool. :clap: .used a knife hey..lol White spot probably a little lint thingy...I discovered one pixel missing on my monitor last night. :mad: :mad:

[blumoon]

Oh dear Blue..hope you don't have to deal with all that construction soon. It's already been going on for about 6 weeks. I can't move until Dec 1, to a beautiful house. Can't wait.
Hope you can get some fresh air somewhere. And your poor kitty..awwwww..cats really don't like their environment disrupted..they get very upset. I leave the windows and door open as much as possible. My one cat that I took to the vet is a feral. She was born in the wild and had a bout of upper respiratory before I got her. She's very sensitive . . . then aren't they all? My other one has had minor effects.
Thanks for the feedback on the painting. :D

[Helen Zapata]

Good morning Kolor Kids!

Rui, thanks for the coffee and for starting up the new thread. It's lovely to have someone who is up nice and early to do this for us! You're a marvelous host!

Hi Jamie :wave: I'm still pretty tired from all my packing up that easel (which was right after unpacking the new one). Good ol' fibromyalgia... you push and push and get all proud of yourself for doing so well, and then the fibro rears it's head and says "Hey, remember ME?" in this evil voice. Hubby gave me a treatment yesterday and that was wonderful. But I kinda screwed it up with breaking down all those extra boxes to throw away. (I didn't tell him though, cuz he would have been mad at me) Oh well. UPS comes today to pick up the big easel box. I have this fear that he's going to walk in and look at it and say I did it all wrong and refuse to take it. I had done it wrong by using duct tape. But the UPS Store man told me on the phone that I could "just bring it on down to them" (hahaha) and they'd tape OVER the duct tape. So I taped it myself. Now I'm worried that the delivery guy will see the duct tape through the clear tape and have a fit. Keep your fingers crossed for me PLEASE, because if he doesn't pick it up I'm going to be extremely upset.

Paintsplatter, you are going to end up being the Queen of Wedding Cakes! More orders already!

Jamie, I'm glad you put up the link to your Bannerman's thread. I don't blame you for wanting to keep the painting. What a neat, unique experience! But it's also really neat to know that you can contribute to the restoration of the place. Maybe someday artists will be going there all the time to paint, and you will have had a hand in bringing that about!

Just refreshed my screen.. oh good, you found us paintsplatter!

I never made a point of photographing my work until about 15 years ago. Makes me so mad at myself.. I know what you mean about forgetting some of them, paintsplatter. Even now, I'll go look at some of photos of paintings I've sold, and I'll go "Oh yeah! I forgot about that one! I liked that one!" hahaha

Blu, your first knife painting looks nice! Such a cold chilly mountain feeling to it!

okay.. now we know that Blu took paintsplatter's missing pixel. It's right there on the screen! Naughty Blu!

Helen

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Blu,

Your first knife painting looks great. Knife painting really gives one a greater accomplishment feeling (when it works right).

Remind me to make you an extra coffee for tomorrow, we need to see more paintings like this.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Paintsplatter, Hi Helen,

It is only recently that I have acquired a digital camera and I know I'll never see some of my paintings (mostly watercolours). Of all the watercolours I have done and that they are no longer with me, I have only got a picture of the last one and that is now in West Virginia (Susan, if you ever see this, just to let you know that painting was specially done for you and I was scared that I would not pull it through (specially when you insisted in videoing me while showing that particular technique) and Micky was supporting me all the way from that morning and kept on telling me to relax because you did not know who it was for and therefore, if it did not work out you would never know about it.) with the others being in Germany, Portugal, South Africa and soon Bulgaria.

Oh dear, maybe I should do a world tour to visit them and take photos.

Hi Helen,

I am sorry to hear that you are still sore with the packing of the old easel. I hope you recover soon.

Kind regards.

Rui

[Helen Zapata]

Thanks Rui, I'll be okay. I'm just "Old and Decrepit". :)

Sounds like a great excuse for a world tour! It's a shame you don't have more photos of your paintings. Too bad they didn't stress documenting our work when we were younger. It never occurred to me back then!

Helen

[Bendaini]

Good morning everyone.

I am sitting here drinking my morning coffee, and eating some toast. Lovely breakfast, no?

I actually got to buy my husband something nice with my own money :) . So i got him a new mouse and keyboard which we really needed. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I did that we had a melt down on the PC... think it got a virus. everything just started going waco on us, and wouldn't let us connect to the net without having a coniption.

So we reformated and spent yesterday reinstalling and updating everything. What fun.

I did draw three pictures, the first pictures I've drawn in a while. But I'm not sure if I am going to post them or not. I was thinking of using them on Ellen Millions Portrait Gallery and one of the requirments for that is that they have not been posted elsewhere on the web... They sell one of a kind prints.

I never made a point of photographing my work until about 15 years ago. Makes me so mad at myself.. I know what you mean about forgetting some of them, paintsplatter. Even now, I'll go look at some of photos of paintings I've sold, and I'll go "Oh yeah! I forgot about that one! I liked that one!" hahaha

Oh, i use to be paranoid about not letting my art go. I had several people ask me for specific ones, like my dad and my mom, but I wouldn't let them go because it was like giving away a piece of myself. Now that I can scan them in, stick them in my online gallery, and save them to CD it is alright. I can remember everything I did.

Still, I gave away oneof my color pencil drawings that I REALLY liked, and lost another one... the best CP I had ever done, and they are just gone. Plus I finally gave in and gave my mom and dad each a rather large piece of art. Well... my mom flat out told me she wasn't letting me take one of them away from her house ;)

Here is my knife oil painting 8X10 on board. It was finally dry enough to scan. My first attempt with the knife. Don't know what the white spot is, as it is not part of the painting.
Probably lint ;) But that's okay. It's easy enough to fix in any photo editing program. You should even be able to fix it in paint... Very pretty piece, and all done with a knife? You're very good with that.

I also might ask if I can leave a bid on my own painting. I'd rather give them the money and keep that one. Sometimes, it's not about money , although in this case they do give the artist half of what the painting brings at auction, so it's the same as a gallery
Oh, if they give you half of what the picture goes for then you can so cheet... you just write down double what you'd be willing to pay and get half of it back...
Lovely pictures, and wonderful painting though. Hope you can find a way of keeping it :)

[bjs0704]

Rui - Thanks for the coffee - it was just right this morning!

I am giving thought to trying their “Jan Van Eyck” method if I get caught up! I still need to finish up to Master of the Month paintings and I started the Bouguereau today.

I don’t think that mine will be true to Van Eyck’s method, but it may be somewhat similar. It is the first technique show in the book.

When you get the book, let me know how you like it. I would be curious.

Jamie - Yeah, Hopper turned out trickier than I thought. I guess that is good. I have always loved his work. Now, I know how tricky his work was to do. He always made it look easy.

I love playing with the distorted perspective paintings. They were always such a blast to do!

I have the charcoal drawing and oil outline of the Bougueareau. (He really has a tricky name to spell!)

Yes, it is sad to think that Lori still doesn’t have power! I hope that things are going OK for her.

I was wondering will Bannerman’s let you take photos? It is such an incredible place!

Isn’t the Bouguereau girl just wearing a long gathered skirt? I think that I made one like it in girl scouts.

Blumoon - I can imagine how excited you must feel to be moving! It sounds like there is some kind of dust or mold that the construction is stirring up.

Thanks for looking at my anamorph painting!

Your knife painting looks really nice!

Helen - Is there a difference between your clear tape and their clear tape? Hopefully, UPS will take it!

I am sorry to hear about your flare up! I hope that it settles back down soon!

Crissy - Did it happen RIGHT after getting the new keyboard and mouse? Maybe there is a compatability problem. The company may be able to help you correct it, if it is. (I am sorry to hear about it. It is miserable to sort out this kind of problem.)

Barb Solomon :cat:

[RawSienna]

Happy Monday everyone!

Helen.....I checked out your easel...and all your trial, tribulations and triumphs! What an awesome looking creature it is! Have you got it dirty yet?

Rui.....well, as long as you got the art materials coming in it's only a matter of time before they overtake your house and you will have no option but to quit your job and use them ALL up! :)

Blu...construction? Have you decided to stay put and not move? Yes...to check out galleries in Cgy, but also a long overdo visit. I haven't been there since they moved from their old house so I'm not exactly sure what area they are in. I will definately give you a dingle when we do that....which is who knows when...lol!

Renee....cute deco's for Halloween.....and your brunch sounds like so much fun! Kalhua and honey helps every situation doesn't it? hehe

Paintsplatter.....thanks! Did you make that cake? WOW! It's gorgeous!!!

Barb......and another erruption today!

Helen......I love your little pinkies! I can amagine that
teensie, tiny painting
on your
great big easel!

Jamie.......great paintings! Love the kitty! Alone on the island? And are you back safe and sound? How was it???

Never heard of the movie Second Hand Lions.....where have I been? What is it about? Do I want to rent it?

I fondled my pastels tonight. :D
Well now!

Speaking of books....I'm waiting on mine. (http://www.livingtheartistslife.com/) I hope it gets here soon!

Jamie....I love how your island painting turned out! Is the deal that if you paint there you can't keep the paintings? How come? (I think I have the answer now...your answer to Rui) Re the picture with Sarah...even if you are out of the event, what a wonderful painting to have of Sarah!

Blu....nice first painting with palette knife...how do you like using it? The white spot is probably some kinda camera thingie, I get them sometimes too and have to take them out with Photoshop. Ahhh...I see that you are moving....to a house. Make sure you show us pics when you get there!


Rui....what a great idea....a world tour! :)

Yesterday was a nice day...got to spend time with family, and some alone time with my cutie pie guy, watched Good Will Hunting again (what a great movie!), made some banana bread loafs, had a ham dinner, relaxing evening....life is good!

And off I go to paint!

[Helen Zapata]

heehee Mickie, I just put them on the easel to photograph. They nearly disappeared! I have four 8x10s on there right now... fits good!

I'mfightingwithmyspacebarrightnowandIthinkI'llgo

Helen

[Helen Zapata]

WELL! The huge pile of unused keyboards in the back room finally paid off. Hubby loves to buy new keyboards whenever a new one catches his eye. I switched out my grubby keyboard that didn't want to work anymore, and this is NICE! ooooo... ahhhhhh!

Well, nobody is around, and Chula is drooling on my lap trying to convince me she's starving to death.. so I guess i'll go feed these guys. (Echo is staring at me from afar)

EDIT: OOPS! I forgot to say what I came in to say! The UPS guy got a little shook up at the size of my big box, but then he wrestled it right out of here. YAY!!!! I'm so glad. Now if everyone would join me in prayer that it survives the trip to Maine, I'd really appreciate it!

Helen

[bjs0704]

Mickie - That sounded like a wonderful day for you! :cool:

Helen - Yeah!!!! NO MORE EASEL!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Barb Solomonhttp://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Oct-2004/11410-38069-Z_puppy3.gif

[Dharma_bum]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that my mother passed away Sunday morning. My sister had arrived the night before, and she, my brother and I stayed up with mom until past three the next morning sharing memories, offering toasts to her accomplishments, and letting her know that it was ok to let go of her warn out body and go on to the next phase of her journey. By that time she was not able to respond to us anymore, but I am hoping she could feel the loving energy that surrounded her. She passed peacefully just after ten that morning, at the age of 81.

Any artistic genes which I can lay claim to came from her. She took art classes in college; she and her girlfriend painted a large mural which still hangs in the entrance hallway to their house, and my sister has a pastel done of her as a baby. I guess that when we came along, that went by the wayside. She used to make her own linoleum block printed Christmas cards, using an old modified bottle capper for a press. I have her tools, and may try that this year. She was passionate about the natural world, and though she hadn't been able to work in her own garden for several years, she was well supplied all summer with flowers from it, as well as from my garden. Her caretakers quickly became friends and often brought her flowers from their gardens also. She was a very kind, gentle woman, and I will miss her.

But life goes on. I am taking some time off from work, hope to get out and paint in this last bit of good weather and fall colors. I think it will be therapeutic. It's a subject rich environment up there, and the rest of the family will be in and out too. Here are a couple of the first pics from the new camera, a toad lilly and rose from my garden. IRL the toad lilly is about the size of a quarter. I think that for a long time, whenever I photograph flowers I will think of her. I hope this isn't too maudlin, but it helps to express these things. Please feel free to carry on as usual, I'm sure I will be back in form soon.

Dan


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Oct-2004/41430-toad-lilly-1.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Oct-2004/41430-mini-rose.jpg

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning everyone,

Beautiful sunrise here in UK. I was just outside one of the London stations when this beautiful red and blue sunrise overtook my senses. Where are my colours when I need them? Gasp for breath...

Hi Barb,

I wish you good luck with the MOM. Lately Bouguereau is one of my favourite oil painters and I cannot wait to see the paintings that are going to be posted this month.

As to the book we have been talking about, which one have you got? The one I have ordered and I already received it is "How to paint like the old masters" by Joseph Sheppard. It gives examples of the techniques and mediums of the old masters and I must get a canvas as soon as winter goes as I paint outside and therefore I don't think I'll start one until Spring. Please let me know which is the one you are reading.

Hi Mickie,

I'll be looking forward to the day I could give up a day job but I have to pay the few not so tiny debts before I even consider it. Although your idea sounds very appealing and I am mad enough.

Hi everyone,

One of my Canadian colleagues told me that she is going home for Thanksgiving and her mom is a very sweet lady to whom I owe her a little 'thank you'. At lunch time I am going to buy her a butterscotch biscuits box and at the same time pick up another one for this thread. I am sure you guys will enjoy them with your morning coffee which I'll also prepare.

Kind regards to all.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning Dan,

I am sorry to hear about your mother. My sincere condolences go to you and your family in these hard times.

May you and your family recover from this loss soon.

Kind regards.

Rui

[paintsplatter]

I'm up early today..good morning Rui..how's your coffee?? I'm on my second cup. :)

Dan: I'm so sorry for your loss. My fathers birthday was yesterday and so I had to console my mother all over again. She is never going to get over his loss and I fear it is having an affect on her health.

Your description of your mother and her creative interests was so very nice to read. Although, I am a serious mush and cried...I remember sitting vigil over my father. I was alone, my mother was so exhausted that she had gone home to rest.

It is so wonderful that your mother enjoyed beautiful things around her and has passed on her love of creativity to you. Now you have the capability to carry on what she passed on to you. How very wonderful.

I too have been contemplating using lino cuts for Christmas cards. I have all the materials but just never got 'around to it'...lol You really don't need a press if you use Japanese paper and burnish.

Oh, and lovely flowers you posted..very nice.


atapaz: did you do a dance and a jig when the easel left the house..hehehehe ....I really had to laugh at RawSienna and her comment about the itty bitty paintings on the huge gigantic easel..hehehehe..must have been a site to see.

Raw Sienna: checked out the book you mentioned. Very interesting. I must put that on my Christmas list. What were the other books that all of you were talking about??? Was it the "Big Book of Painting"??? or something like that???

Bendaini: Oh my, re-formatting over a keyboard and mouse..humm. Whenever things like that happen it usually is the drivers that are causing the problem. They make drivers for specific operating systems. So if you have a driver for a Win98 system and try to put it in a win 2000 or
xp system..it ain't gonna happen. However, if you had xp you would not have had that problem. Anyway, I have two hard drives on my computer..one is for the operating system and the other is my major baby. I keep everything graphic related on the other hard drive exclusively. That way
if anything should go wrong with the operating system..my graphic stuff is safe. Hence, no need to lose things. I still do backup..because I would be in total panic if I lost my graphics. EWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

bjso704: Hummmm, gotta go check out your stuff on the masters site. I've not been there in a long while...thanks for reminding me. Good luck on your Van Eych venture.

I'm off to paint today..Yippie!!! I was able to get to my little painting yesterday..but had enough interruptions to drive a person to throw paint brushes..but I didn't..I just did the..."I'm a river, I'm an ocean" chant and kept going. Today I'm gonna work on my fishing still life.

The cake is dismantle and the top half is sitting on my dinning room table. I'm such a woose..offered to make a box for it and wrap it properly in order to freeze it. I'm never gonna get rid of this cake...Yikes!!!!!

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Paintsplatter,

Yes, I have had my share of coffee for the day. In fact I am so far ahead of you guys that I have had my lunch about a hour ago.

I think we should all support Barb in her MOM attempt.

Enjoy your painting.

Kind regards.

Rui

[JamieWG]

Good morning, everybody.

Dan, I am so sorry about your mom. She sounds like a wonderful person, and I'm sure she was aware of the love surrounding her. Good idea to take time off, and to explore using some of her printing tools for the holidays this year. 'Twould be most appropriate.

I brought 8 paintings to a show yesterday in sizes ranging from 3x5 to 24x36. They are all Hudson River plein air oil paintings except for the two 3x5s which I did at this weekend's WDE and popped into the frames. The opening is Sunday. My son will be home this weekend so I'm not sure I can go. Meanwhile, I have a doctor's appointment this morning to see if I can rid myself of whatever it is that's getting me before it becomes bronchitis. I am trying to be pro-active! Hubby got Sarah off to school for me this morning, so I didn't get up till 7:30. Felt great to sleep late. (Rondo had to go out twice in the middle of the night, and still managed to pee in the kitchen. Grrrrrrrrrr...)

I am still thinking all the time about Bannerman's Island. I can't wait to get back there to paint again! Hopefully within the next few weeks....Soon it will be very cold out there on an island in the middle of the Hudson.

Mickie, I too loved your comment about the little paintings on the big easel.

Helen, four paintings across fit on that easel??? What a sight. I want a pic.

Crissy, I go nuts when mechanical things go wrong. We all have enough problems with things that are alive! :evil:

Paintsplatter, 'best go paint fast before you have to bake another cake!

Barb, yes it is just a simple gathered skirt, but Sarah wanted to make it herself, and she wants it contemporary enough to wear out to dinner, etc, so we chose a pattern she liked. I may start helping her with it this afternoon.

Blu, using a knife is fun, isn't it? No brushes to clean! I haven't done any knife paintings this year. Hmmm....Maybe I need to change that before the season ends.

Dan, I forgot to say....I love the photos. I'll have to go back and see again what kind you got. I definitely need an upgrade.

BBS,
Jamie

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Jamie,

I hope everything goes well with the doctor today.

In my case, I have also started with antibiotics last night and I have been awake since 1:30 am.

Kind regards.

Rui

[FriendCarol]

Well, I'm totally behind in everything IRL, but at least I'm caught up with the Colorful People!

Dan, sorry to hear you've lost your mother's presence. She must have been a wonderful mother, and obviously nurtured you very well. Surely she went in peace, knowing she was surrounded by loving family, and will rest now before moving into whatever wonders await her readiness.

Jamie -- I'm sure I've seen Bannerman's Island, but not sure which one it is. Is it that odd little place with the castle-looking thingie? (Used to ride the train along the Hudson River; even bicycled over Bear Mountain Bridge a few times, in my long-ago, bicyle-camping days.)

Helen, you take a day off all physical activity more demanding than lifting a (small) canvas! I'm the same way, never know when to quit. Quit now!

Others too numerous to mention individually (and get anything else done today) -- I hope to return soon, with news of paintings, etc. Didn't even have a chance to check most of my e-mail addresses the past 3 days, so I have to hustle today.

Cheers!

[JamieWG]

Rui, I hope you feel better soon!



Jamie -- I'm sure I've seen Bannerman's Island, but not sure which one it is. Is it that odd little place with the castle-looking thingie? (Used to ride the train along the Hudson River; even bicycled over Bear Mountain Bridge a few times, in my long-ago, bicyle-camping days.)


Carol, yes, that's the one! It's waaaay north of Bear Mountain Bridge, so you wouldn't have seen it from there. However, you would definitely have seen it from the train line that runs along the east side of the Hudson River. There is a train stop on the shoreline right near the island---Breakneck Ridge. I was even thinking of taking the train to that stop to see if it was a good spot to paint from. I know there's no parking there.

Jamie

[Helen Zapata]

Dear Dan, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. She sounds like she was a lovely woman, and her passing was as warm and loving and peaceful as any of us could hope for. I'm so glad you shared with us. I would hate to think that anyone would be going through such a difficult time and not feel that they were able to talk to us about it. Your flower photos are beautiful. I love the thought of remembering your mother through your photographs. You will always miss her, Dan. But eventually it won't hurt as bad. I lost my parents many many years ago, and I still miss them. But it's a sweeter missing now. I still talk with them both, and look forward to seeing them again someday. I will keep thoughts and prayers for you and for your brother and sister while you go through this time, Dan.

I remember doing lino cuts in high school. I covered mine with hearts, and ended up with the entire class asking me to print up cards for them. heehee. Instant popularity!

Hi Rui! Your beautiful sunset is coming up over here now. :) The butterscotch biscuits are delicious with your coffee this morning. Thanks! It hit the spot!

paintsplatter, I was and am.. THRILLED to have that easel box out of here! But now I'm all worried about it getting safely to Maine. I'm such a worrywart. I picture some guy with a forklift doing unimaginable things to it.

Mickie.... hubby had me to go to Amazon and order him a couple of books, so I slipped in an order for that art book you showed us! heh heh heh :evil:

paintsplatter, I just told my hubby that I want to get a firewire hard-drive to use as my backup. I'm tired of burning CDs when I back up, and an outboard hard drive would be such an easy way to do it. He's got like 9 of them connected to his pc, and I think it's about time I get one too.

haha.. just had to laugh at you not ever getting rid of that cake! Want me to send my UPS guy over to you?

Jamie.. bronchitis? One word... <drumroll>...... CELERY! :evil:

Hi Carol!

Jamie, you want a picture? I took it specially for you just now :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Oct-2004/13900-100204_002.jpg

Helen

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Helen,

You are most welcome.

What is this about celery and bronchitis? Because I am an asthmatic as soon as I get a cold or sinusitis it is almost 100% guarantee that I end up with an infected chest within days and that is why I am once again on antibiotics since last night. Does celery help with bronchitis?

Thank you for showing us your beautiful easel. I see you are not shy in painting 4 paintings in one go. Every time I see it I feel like buying a bigger home and an easel like that.

Kind regards.

Rui

[Helen Zapata]

Yes Rui, celery is VERY good for bronchitis, but you have to eat a lot of it like Blu did.

I'm going to do the backgrounds on these four geo-florals all at the same time. It'll be easy enough to do. Then, since they will actually be two sets of diptychs, I'll tackle the flowers 2 at a time. At least, that's the "plan".. lol

Helen

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for the info. I wonder if my wife knows about it, she is studying phytotherapy and I am usually the guinea pig.

Good luck with your paintings.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RawSienna]

EDIT: OOPS! I forgot to say what I came in to say! The UPS guy got a little shook up at the size of my big box, but then he wrestled it right out of here. YAY!!!! I'm so glad. Now if everyone would join me in prayer that it survives the trip to Maine, I'd really appreciate it!

Helen...am I so out of the loop that I've missed that you are sending the easel back, or is this your old one? I thought I read that you fixed it and that they are sending you replacement pieces. This SPED REDDING is for the birds.....old ones!

Barb.....is was!!!! :)

Dan....my condolences regarding your Mom. I am sorry to hear that she passed, but happy to hear that she was surrounded by those that loved her so much, and that she passed peacefully. I sure does sound like she passed along some mighty fine stuff to you....and the pictures are lovely!

Rui.....the sunrise sounds breathtaking! Did you have your camera? I have a Joseph Sheppard book..."Bringing Textures to Life"....my brother picked it up for me at a garage sale for $2...lucky me! How do you like the one you have? I hear ya re the job....darn it anyway...the time will come!

Paint....I wish I knew what books they were talking about...lol...I'm afraid I Sped Redd through that part...YIKES!

Jamie....take the boy child with you! :) And good for you for sleeping in...AND getting whatever it is nipped in the bud!

Helen: Mickie.... hubby had me to go to Amazon and order him a couple of books, so I slipped in an order for that art book you showed us! heh heh heh
Dat's my girl! One cannot have TOOOOOO many books! hehe

Okay...I see (hard to sped redd past an image :o ) you have your new easel, so I'm guessing it was the old one going to a new home! LOL at your four pics on there....even thought that is 32 inches across it still looks tiny! What a great easel!!

Did any of you see "Renvolate my Family" last night? Now THAT is my kinda house...not too big...not too small. Lots of wood, leather and fabrics....and plenty of space of an easel like Helens!

Happy creating today!

(forget the spacebar...what would I do without my !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! key?)

[RuiFromUK]

Rui.....the sunrise sounds breathtaking! Did you have your camera? I have a Joseph Sheppard book..."Bringing Textures to Life"....my brother picked it up for me at a garage sale for $2...lucky me! How do you like the one you have? I hear ya re the job....darn it anyway...the time will come!

Paint....I wish I knew what books they were talking about...lol...I'm afraid I Sped Redd through that part...YIKES!

Hi Mickie,

The one I have got is great and it is worth getting even second hand. Each chapter describes a master's method and materials (and their equivalents in modern times if necessary). It also shows how to prepare their mediums. Then there is a demonstration (or two) of that particular master before moving to the next one.

My job at the moment bores me to death (sleep, actually) but brings me the money necessary for us to live as Micky has been made redundant and she is going to study full time from next year September.

Like you say, one cannot have too many books as proud members of the AMASS club.

Just curious, what is your favourite raw sienna brand?

Kind regards.

Rui

[Helen Zapata]

hahaha... I'm just as bad with the !!!! key!!!!!! ;) :D I have a good friend who writes me long long letters, and every single sentence ends in !

This new keyboard is so shiny and clean and nice. No paint on it yet. smirk.

Yep, you figured it out. I have the new one :music: :music: and it's lovely. We'll switch out the shelf and one leg thingy when they come. And Colin (from here in WC) is buying my old one. I just hope it gets there safely. He's out of town for awhile, so I won't know for a few weeks yet if it is okay. He said it's a small town and they'll just put the box inside the door. That's cool. I feel lucky if the guy actually rings the doorbell to let me know there's a package! The FedEx guy tiptoes up to the house and hides it. Someday I'm going to catch him in the act!

Helen

[blumoon]

:wave: Good morning all,
Dan, so sorry to hear of the loss of your Mom. :crying: Thank you for sharing with us. I too have inherited my Mom's artistic ablility, and we are very close, so I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you at this time. Sounds like she has passed on a lot to you, so her presence will never leave you. Remember we are here for you, if you feel the need.(())
okay.. now we know that Blu took paintsplatter's missing pixel. It's right there on the screen! Naughty Blu! Oh oh, Looks like I've been found out. Hahahahaha. :evil:
Blu, your first knife painting looks nice! Such a cold chilly mountain feeling to it! Thanks Helen, it's from a photo I took on my little excursion. Of course I don't think it looks anything like the ref pic.
Your first knife painting looks great. Knife painting really gives one a greater accomplishment feeling (when it works right). Very pretty piece, and all done with a knife? You're very good with that. Your knife painting looks really nice! Blu....nice first painting with palette knife...how do you like using it? Blu, using a knife is fun, isn't it? Thanks all for the feedback. I did it mainly because it is so opposite to what I normally do. Thought it might be a way to loosen up a bit. I did enjoy working with a knife, and will probably do more. No more oils 'til I get into my new place, where I will have more ventilation.
I have to do a painting for a breast cancer fundraiser. Just a small one. Any suggestions? Maybe a cat, or a floral or something? I don't know. Haven't done much of that(donating art) so if anyone can advise me on what may work . . . :confused:
Jamie.. bronchitis? One word... <drumroll>...... CELERY! Hahahaha. It works . . . really!
Wow Helen, your new easel seems to be working beautifully for you. I guess it was worth all the hassle you went through.
Mickie, that book is on my wish list.
Only free day this week, so I am going to try to get some painting done. I've been going six days straight so it feels good to be at home. Happy painting everyone. :D

[blumoon]

Oh BTW, I ran across this link on one of the other threads. It may be of interest for those of you who are selling on the internet.
http://auctions.overstock.com/ Looks like some wetcanvas members are using this, instead of E-bay. :)

[Helen Zapata]

Hi Blu, this morning I've been talking with a group that is going to use my hummingbird painting for their grieving parents group. They said it's comforting. Maybe a hummingbird for yours? Or, even better.. a butterfly! New life and all that!

Going to check out that link now. :)

Helen

[blondheim12]

Bless your heart Dan.
Love,
Linda

[JamieWG]

Oh, Helen, I just loooove that easel. Triple-drool! Thanks for the pics. It's so neat seeing all those panels lined up on it.

Doctor's diagnosis: Double ear infection and sore throat! 'Good thing I went today.

Just received an email from the show.....They are hanging all eight of my paintings! :D <dancing> This gallery space is to die for. I'll try to get some pics for y'all. I have six paintings left to deliver to shows in the next 9 days. Now, if only they could all sell and I wouldn't have to go round them all up afterwards! LOL....

Blu, good luck with the fundraiser painting. If it's a local event, you may do well with a local scene that folks will recognize.

BBL.....
Jamie

[RawSienna]

The one I have got is great and it is worth getting even second hand. Each chapter describes a master's method and materials (and their equivalents in modern times if necessary). It also shows how to prepare their mediums. Then there is a demonstration (or two) of that particular master before moving to the next one.
It sounds like a GREAT book....I really like this one of his that I have so I will definitely be putting this on my wish list!

Just curious, what is your favourite raw sienna brand?
My favorite brand of paints at the moment is Gamblin, but I have lots of stragglers of various brands to use up. I don't actually use Raw Sienna anymore, but I think one of the Transparents (Orange or Yellow) of Gamblins is pretty close to it.

Helen...I hear you about the paint...every time I sit down at my computer I have to scrape paint spots of the screen! LOL. Nice to see your old easel being recycled...and just think of all that good artistic carma that is being shipped along with it!!

BTW you guys...if you order that book via the publisher they can arrange for the author to personalize it for you. (Sorry Helen, I should have mentioned that sooner!) I just got a notice in my mailbox that mine is here, but I have to go pick it up and pay the duty charges...so I'm going to eat my lunch and get right down there!

Blu...I never thought about the no brushes to clean up...now THAT would be nice! When I'm rich I'm going to hire me a brush cleaner...lol....and he can clean my house in between brush cleanings! Now, don't anyone pinch me...this is a nice dream!

I love hummingbirds....and have several of them around the house...carved, stained glass, and even a real on in the freezer. I know that sounds weird, but it was found on the ground (poor dear) so Jim brought it in...good for reference.

Jamie...all I can say is that when you do things, you do them with a bang! Never mind a sore throat AND an ear infection....nooooooooo, you gotta have a DOUBLE ear infection (how does one do that?). Now, go lay down and eat some celery and let everyone else do the work around there! Congrats on the paintings hanging.....and wishing lots of buying collectors!!

Will give you a quick review of the book when I get a chance to look at it.

TTFN

[paintsplatter]

Oh gosh..so many things to read..and remember..Yikes!!!

I did finally get into the studio today and really stuck to my guns and stayed there. Whew..I managed to get a lot done today. Yippie!!

Jamie: is that you with the ear infections etc...ewwwwwwww..so sorry you have to go through that. It seems like there are a lot of people sick this month. Guess it's the time of the season.

Jamie: An whooooooooooo Hooooooooooo!!!! Congrats on the paintings in the gallery to die for thingy!!! Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Atapaz: Good for you..and so you should have another hard drive in your computer or out..whatever you like. It's important!! I would just die if I lost all my stuff. I do everything on the computer. Have all my reference photos on here and do a lot of blow up shots when I'm working on a photo. Yes, I work from photos ..not all the time..the one I'm working on at present
is sitting on a tray..I just made up a scene. But sometimes I'll even take a photo of a real still life and blow it up to really look at the detail if it's needed.

Helen: I agree with everyone else here..stop! Smell Roses! Sleep!! Relax!! Do some meditation. :D :D :D

Rui: Your not too far ahead of me time wise. However, I'm not up with the birds..gave that up when I stopped work. Sounds like you had a great morning however. Mornings like that just make ya wanna sing or hummm with a big smile on your face. :D :D :D

Well, I won't be posting on Thursday or Friday because I'm off to do some subbing (Art). I've not done this since last June..Oh boy.. :cool:

Oh, and Blue..since your dealing with women..how about something very feminine...a very pretty tea cup and saucer.

Will try to keep posted but can't promise. We're also going out of town for the weekend..off to Bunyans Cove (my sister-in-laws). Think I will take my pastels with me and try some of that plien air stuff. Will catch up with you all on Monday.

[Helen Zapata]

Just noticed you're in Newfoundland, paintsplatter. Cool. The only thing I know about Newfoundland is that they have big dogs! :D Are you ever going to satisfy my undying curiosity and reveal your real first name? (it's making me crazy, lol) Have a great time painting at Bunyon's Cove!

Glad you got to paint today! Me too! I'm doing the underpainting for the backgrounds on these four canvases. I had to laugh at myself. When I started to paint, I decided to stand up instead of sit. So I reached to adjust the knobs on this easel, and then remembered (DUH).. I don't have to DO that anymore! I just lifted up on the shelf and slide it up easily. Man oh man.. I love this thing!

Jamie, two ear infections and a sore throat! :crying: That sounds purely miserable. Poor Jamie. Are you on antibiotics now? Tip for your throat = L-Lysine. It's good for throats. Not as fun as celery, but I imagine celery wouldn't be fun to eat right now anyway. Hopefully this means you won't get bronchitis though and will be feeling better soon.

It IS nice to have you around so much today, though! And awesome news about all your paintings going up at the show! Woohoo!

Mickie, a brushcleaner/housecleaner sounds perfect! I keep telling my hubby he can have another wife as long as she cleans and cooks and grocery shops and does laundry. ;)

We collect hummingbirds too. We like the glass ones you hang in a window. The spa window overlooking the pond is filled with them, and crystals too.

I got a sweet email after I gave permission to use my hummingbird painting for that grief group. This lady wrote to tell me about her teenage son who was killed in a car accident. She had a lovely story about finding comfort in the hummingbirds that he always tried to entice to their porch. Even though he kept putting out the feeder, they never came. He didn't put it out the year he died. A few days later, they were all out on the porch and a hummer came and kept hanging around the place where her son had always hung the feeder. They ran and put it up, and immediately had dozens of hummingbirds there! They have so many now, they have to keep four feeders up. She believes it was a sign from her son that he's okay. Isn't that perfectly lovely? It made me cry.

Mickie, you have a hummer in the freezer? Remind me not to come to your house for Thanksgiving.

Helen

[Bendaini]

Hey guys, only popping in to say hi and "look what I did last night!" before I am off again... more painting to do.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2773549
Those are teh fantasy ones I did (i didn't want to clutter this forum.)

And here are the landscapes. These are in acrylics... I'm still trying to figure out how to do the greens in layers, i'm not completely happy with them.

[bjs0704]

Dan - I really sorry to hear that your mother passed away! She sounded like a really wonderful woman! I wish the best to you and your family.

Taking a few days to go painting sounds like a good idea!

The flower photos from your new camera are lovely.

I have been looking at “The Big Book of Oil Painting” for “old master” techniques.

Rui - My “Bouguereau” is still at this odd (ugly) grayscale stage. I am sure that I will work it out. I am sure that getting the underpainting is half the work! Thanks for the support and encouragement. I really do appreciate it.

I have been looking at both “How to paint like the old masters” and “The Big Book of Oil Painting” for “old master” techniques. It also covers general oil painting basics.

When people do the MOM paintings, they all start with the same subject. I really enjoy seeing the variations that come about. Everyone seems to interpret the original subject differently. There should be some really beautiful paintings this month.

I am sure that your friend’s mother will love the butterscotch bisquits! (The ones that I had were delicious.)

I hope that your bronchitis gets better soon! Would you like a crudite with your mornings coffee!

Jamie - It makes perfect sense to me that your daughter would want a skirt that she can use. ( I love sewing, particularly clothing! ) It is going to be a really great painting!

(How old is Rondo? Make sure that poor Rondo doesn’t have a kidney or some other problem! )

Bannerman’s seems like such a neat place to paint!

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! ! ! ! ! on the show. It sounds great!

I hope that you get better soon!

Helen - Your latest geo-florals look great on your new easel!

Crissy - Could your landscape use more variety in your greens? There can be light yellow green, dark yellow greens, lt silvery greens, dark blue greens, brown-green ect. The blue green predominate as I look at the thumbnail.

Your fantasy drawings are looking great!

Mickie - I really love Sheppard’s books. I have the book about textures that you are talking about and the “How to paint like the Masters” book. I think I also have a figure drawing book of his.(It is interesting but, not as good as the other two.)

Paintsplatter - I hope that your day subbing goes well. It sounds pretty neat! Enjoy your week end with your sister in law and have a good time pasteling.

I didn't get to paint today - I ended up running errands.

Barb Solomon :cat:

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning colouful ones,

Many thanks for the coffee that was kept for me. It was great. (LOL)
The usual coffee, and a diet coke for Mickie, will be waiting for you guys.

Mickie - Why I asked about your favourite brand of raw sienna was because of your forum name but now you say that you no longer use that colour. (?)

Paintsplatter - enjoy your trip and happy painting. please show us the results.

Jamie - I hope you recover soon from your ear/throat infection.

Barb - I have just ordered the "big book of oil painting" from Amazon US as it was much cheaper than UK's including the difference in postage costs.
Painting like the masters needs a lot of patience and I wish I had some space indoors to do a painting like that. But spring will get back here sometime. Did you see Dianne's interpretation?

Kind regards and great painting wishes to all.

Rui

[Dharma_bum]

Let me start by saying thanks to everyone for your kind sentiments on my mothers passing. We will be having a memorial service this Saturday, my sister found a nice room for it in an old victorian house which was converted to a bed and breakfast. They are closing for the season on Friday, so we won’t have to contend with any guests. We wondered if we would find a place suitable in this small town where she lived, but this will work out just fine.

Rui, you take care of yourself and don’t go getting that bronchitis this time or your wife will have to conduct more experiments on you. Take it easy and learn to paint the the masters while you recover.

Paintsplatter, I was worried about how my dad was going to handle this, as he hasn’t really gotten to know anyone here since moving 9 years ago. Mom was pretty much his whole social world other than us “kids” and extended family. He seems to be doing ok, is talking about starting to get back into doing things in his shop and writing. He has been totally focused on caring for mom for the last few years, wasn’t able to string together enough time for any of his own projects. So it’s good that he is thinking about how to occupy his time now.

Jamie, sorry to hear you are under the weather, good thing you got in to see the doc. Congrats on the show, hope you sell them all. The camera is a Panasonic FZ20. It feels a little strange compared to my Nikon SLR 35mm, will take some getting used to, but I guess all of the digitals are like that. I brought it with me to my dad’s, but left the battery in the charger at home. GRRRRRRR.

Quote from Paintsplatter to Helen:

“Helen: I agree with everyone else here..stop! Smell Roses! Sleep!! Relax!! Do some meditation.”

Helen, don’t just do something, sit there!

Your new easel looks great with those canvases lined up like that. Loved the hummingbird story, thanks for relating that. I had several hummingbirds at my last apartment where I had a big garden, but only saw one this year at my new place. Hope they find me next year. Will post a HB pic when I get back home in a few days.

Barb, good for you for attempting the Bougereau, that would be far beyond my abilities. I have always liked his paintings, have a print of his framed in my living room, the name of which momentarily escapes me, it’s the dark haired girl with the violin, anyway I love the facial expressions he comes up with, they are immediately recognizable.

Jamie, didn’t get to mention this before, but the resemblance of your daughter to the girl in the painting is absolutely uncanny. She is quite charming, and I’m sure the painting will be great. What a neat project.

Well, time for me to call it quits, hope I didnt miss any one. Thanks again for your support

Dan

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Dan,

You are most welcome.

Thank you for spending time to keep us up to date with these hard times you are going through.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Kind regards.

Rui

[paintsplatter]

Dan: I'm thinking of you and your situation. Your dad is lucky in that he can look forward to working on hobbies to keep him occupied. However, he will still be lost..very lost for the first few years. Yes, I said years. Actually, he will never get over missing your mother but the sadness will start to fade over time. My mother lived, ate, slept, cooked, cleaned and worshiped my father...she is really having a difficult time and it is affecting her heath.

The hummingbird story got me crying again.. :( :( I just can't imagine losing a daughter or son. It would be the end of me.

It sounds like a wonderful place where your having her wake. I do know that doing this helps the healing process. My heart and prayers are with you.

[impressionist2]

Dan, My sympathies on the passing of your mother. We've been to two funerals of good friends in the past month, so we know how hard a time this is for you.

I am just checking in to say Hi! Will be back as soon as the hurry hurry of daily life slows down. All is well. Just lots of visits from the grands and projects going on.


The guest room is almost done now. One more wall and it's all painted!

Btw, I think I just got rid of the dog run on Freecycle.org. Two ladies wrote they want it!

Will be back to read all your posts in a little while.

Renee

[JamieWG]

Hiya Renee! I've missed you! Glad all is well and you're just crazy-busy as usual. What's the story with Bob's foot? Did they determine if it's broken or not?

Rui, bronchitis is the pits. I get it so easily, and it stays so long! I hope yours does a quick about-face.

Dan, I made up the mixes for the panels last night and applied the modeling paste/gesso layer (after two coats of GAC100). I've also mixed up the pumice mixture. I think I told you that I bought Golden Fine Pumice Gel, which already contained acrylic medium in it. I figured it was therefore less concentrated than straight pumice. 'Put in one tablespoon of the goop to the cup of thick, DB Masters Gesso. I'm about to apply that layer now. Fun! :evil: I am finding that I like the texture better applied with foam brushes---fewer and less deep ridges.

Dan, thanks for the additional info on the camera. It'll be awhile before I go looking. I don't think I'll need one over the winter, so perhaps in the spring....unless I sell a lot of paintings next week! LOL.....

Barb, you've already started your Bougie? Geez, I'm soooo behind. By the time I'm started, everybody will be done and nobody will be interested....except me! Dianne has already finished hers!

I'm staying home today until I have to go to work this afternoon.

I looked all over for Lorijo's phone number yesterday and I don't have it. This is such a long time that she's without power; I wonder if she even has a working phone. Maybe they can't get to her until they fix her road where she said it collapsed. :(



Jamie

[Helen Zapata]

You guys need to stop telling me to do nothing. I'm WAYYYY too good at that! :) But I'm all recovered from my packing trauma, and back to normal. :evil:

Dan, the memorial at the Victorian house sounds beautiful.

Renee, I'm so glad you popped in. Last night I realized we hadn't heard from you for awhile. Should have known you were playing with Grands.

I had never hear of freecycle.org. So just now I checked it out and joined the Phoenix one. What an interesting idea! We tend to give stuff that we aren't actually "selling" to the charity trucks that come by. Have one coming this morning actually. They are getting my old fax machine and my old toaster oven. Richard wants to drag me outside to find more stuff in our scary shed. :eek:

Jamie, I was wishing I had Lorijo's phone number too. Sure hope we hear from her soon.

Does anyone know a good "ready made" mix that I could put on my canvases to create a whole bunch of texture before I start to paint? I could try that pumice stuff. But I would probably screw it up and store it wrong and it would all dry up on me. (I have such great faith in my screwing up talents)

Helen

[JamieWG]

You guys need to stop telling me to do nothing. I'm WAYYYY too good at that! :)

Helen, do nothing!!! :evil: Kidding. Now that you're all better, we'll let you paint. But nothing else. ;)

Does anyone know a good "ready made" mix that I could put on my canvases to create a whole bunch of texture before I start to paint?

Yes, that's what this modeling paste is for! It's made by Liquitex. I'll try to get you a link. BRB....

http://www.dickblick.com/zz006/18e/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=4993

It is the "light modeling paste".

Jamie

[RawSienna]

Paint...(Mysterious M....I'm guessing Mary)....wtg on getting some painting in.....show us, show us!


Mickie, a brushcleaner/housecleaner sounds perfect! I keep telling my hubby he can have another wife as long as she cleans and cooks and grocery shops and does laundry.
She? A he cleaner/cooker/shooper/laundrerdude would be infinitely more insteresting....oh....sorry....not as a second wife....hehehehe


Helen: Mickie, you have a hummer in the freezer? Remind me not to come to your house for Thanksgiving.
Well now...it could be a humdinger....I could do like that lady on the commercial and make 4 different kinds of brocolli.....AND, I wouldn't have to make much gravy!

I was reading about the letter from the lady that lost her teenage son, and love that your image is giving some peace....what a horrible tragedy to live through, and how wonderful that you are doing that with them.

Chrissy....I'm not sure what a druid is, but I like the top left one best. The simplicity of the line...the flying dragon one. And of the 2 landscapes my fave is the second one! You have gotten lots done!

Rui...I figured you asked cause of my name. I should have explained that when I registered I used that name because I had tryed using Burnt Sienna and it didn't work (can't remember if it was here or somewhere else), as that was a colour I used a lot. Raw Sienna was the first thing that came to mind after that...lol. I don't use Burnt Sienna much any more either, except in doing some underpaintings. All those colors have been replaced by the transparent earth colours that I use now. PSSTTT...tks for the DC!

Renee....let me know when that wall is painted...I'll be right over! You sound like such a good cooker and such a fun hostess. I promise to help with the dishes!

Speaking of cameras (I have a Nikon coolpix), my sweetie brought home a 1.0GB card for it. That sucker holds TWO THOUSAND images! I put it on "fine" and it still holds just over one thousand....and here is one of my recent shots. Frick was laying on the clothes that were getting ready to go into the wash for the next load, I had taken the clothes that had just finished drying to the bed for folding....when I got back, this is what I found...hehe...she was quit proud of herself and all toasty in there:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Oct-2004/11892-FrickInDryer.jpg

I'm on page 60 of the "Living the Artist's Life" book...so far so good, but I haven't got to the real meat and potatoes part yet. It's a small book...about 175 pages and 9"x6" (hardcover is anyway). Reads like a novel. Some pics of some of the work of the artists that are in his gallery, but thats it. I will give a better review (my view) when I've read more!

Happy creative Wednesday everyone!

[Helen Zapata]

Thanks Jamie! That's exactly what I'm talking about. I want to try some geo-florals with a nicely textured base before I ever start painting. I think that would be great fun! I want to smear it around with the knife, and let it break across itself. I went to the link, and then thought I'd better start a Wish List at Blick. I'm also going to be picking up some glassine for my pastels.

Raw Mickie (hee)... what an adorable photo of Frick! She's so pretty.

I can't wait to get my copy of "Living The Artist's Life"! It will be awhile though, cuz I opted for the free shipping, which is slower.

We got the stuff out of The Scary Shed. Glad that's done.

Helen

[blumoon]

Well, if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black . . . Jamie(who never sits still, even when she has bronchitis & a double ear infection) is telling Helen to do nothing . . . hahahaha.
Helen, loved your story about the hummingbirds.
And Mickie with one in the freezer.
Dan, the memorial service you have planned sounds wonderful. I am with you in thought and prayer. I didn't realize you already got your new camera. The pics looked good.
Paintsplatter, NFLD is one of the only places I haven't been in Can, but I've always thought it would be a wonderful place to paint. What part of NFLD are you in?
Chrissy good to see you've been busy painting. Maybe one of these more experienced painters can help you with your green problem.
Jamie, glad to hear they are hanging all of your paintings. Hope you get some sales.
I too, have been wondering about Lorijo. I thought she'd be back by now!
My cats have been occupied for the last 24 hours by a stupid old fly that found it's way inside. Bijou sounds like a wolf howling at the moon, as she stalks it, as it's hanging out on the ceiling. And Autumn is right in there.
Banging crashing drilling all around me as I write this. I try to block it out. I didn't get much painting done yesterday, as it is so noisy. Baah.
Jamie, have you seen that 'ceramic stucco texture gel' from Liquitex. That's the one I was thinking of experimenting with in the gesso, as it has a fine texture, dries to a low luster sheen. Sorry don't have time to find a link. Check their website.
Gotta run off to work soon.

[Bendaini]

Oh look, gang up on Helen and get her to do nothing day! :evil:



Thanks for the comments guys. Yes, I truly need to figure out my trouble with the greens. I've been adding yellow, and browns to the greens to get them into differant shades. White and black too of course. And I have to shades of green... a green, and a moss green. But even so, I don't seem to be going anywhere with them. Yellow seems such a thin color, with very little pigment in it.

I've also been dry brushing yellow and red over the top of the green to make highlights and fall colors and stuff. That works a little bit, but still... need to work on it.

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Mickie,

Thanks for the explanation. I should have tried to register as 'Manganeseblue' or 'Opera' as they are my favourite colours.

Hi everyone,

I am going home early today and if I am feeling as awful tomorrow as I am at the moment I might not come in until Friday. It is now two day that I have been awake since 1.30am and I am completely drained of strength. I am afraid might have to take over the coffee duties tomorrow.

Kind regards to all.

Rui

[Bendaini]

Chrissy....I'm not sure what a druid is, but I like the top left one best. The simplicity of the line...the flying dragon one. And of the 2 landscapes my fave is the second one! You have gotten lots done!

A druid is, in D&D, a kind of nature wizard. They live in the woods, and dress in all natural armor like leather and hide, and they talk to the animals and care for the forest. And they cast spells to protect the forest... ultimate tree hugger ;)

It is the "light modeling paste".
Does this stuff dry hard?
I've been looking for something to put on my sculptures actually... I sculpted something out of foam and its a really light weight foam, so i need to put a hard shell on it... Suppose I should go ask the folks over in sculpture :)

I am going home early today and if I am feeling as awful tomorrow as I am at the moment I might not come in until Friday. It is now two day that I have been awake since 1.30am and I am completely drained of strength. I am afraid might have to take over the coffee duties tomorrow.
Oh, go sleep Rui. Going sleepless for that long isn't healthy for you at all. I know, I've done it. You will feel so much better after a week of sleep :)


Oh, i forgot...
We had to reformat our PC the other day because of a virus, and I am still not completely sure where I got it. I think it was from the active x stuff on a website somewhere since all the programs started out as adware, and just downloaded viruses right along with the adware stuff.

Anyway... we reformated, and set the computer back to rights.... and got another one just like the old one. So before it got too bad I ran AdAware (which I was smart and downloaded this time) and it caught most of it, but not all of it. Then we went and got Zone Alarm... we use to have Zone Alarm a long time ago, but switched to PcCillin. But PcCillin won't update any longer so we switched back and even found a free virus protection service and grabbed that.

Anyway, after all of that we finally ran the virus checker... and there were two viruses on the PC too. Plus all the things zone alarm is blocking... nasty business the net is.

There is still something in the background on this PC, but it's not bothering the PC too much, just popping up an ad now and then, and we can't find it, so we are just leaving it. I don't want to reformat AGAIN so soon.

And the moral of the story: GET ALL THREE, an anti-virus, fire wall, and adaware!

[Helen Zapata]

Rui, you go home and get some rest. You sound exhausted. :(

When you come back, if you want to change your nickname here, you can email ScottB and ask to have your username changed. He's very nice about it and fast too! Do a member search first to be sure the name isn't already taken.

Crissy, you made me chuckle. Maybe I can tell my hubby that I'm under orders to do NOTHING but PAINT today! But no, that won't work. I have a whole pile of errands I must do today. Phooey.

Helen

[lorelou]

Bendaini
Can you tell me what the free virus program is? I have two trojan virus's on my computer.

[bjs0704]

Rui - Thanks for the coffee this morning! It tastes really great this morning!

I am really sorry to hear that you are feeling so badly! I hope that you get better soon.

Diane’s painting is really lovely! The colors for the background and the folds in the girls skirt are beautiful.

“The Big Book of Oil Painting” is a nice all around beginning oil book. It is by Jose Parramon. I have had many of Parramon’s books over the years. Every couple of years, there is another variation. I have always found a couple of things worth knowing in each of them. Often I try to find the old ones in second hand book stores.

Dan - The b&b sounds like a really beautiful place for a memorial.

Thanks! (chuckle) Actually, I have no idea whether I can do the Bouguereau or not! I figure that I am going to jump in and give it a good try. I do have a tutorial from a website for the type of procedure Bouguereau is thought to have used. We’ll see how it goes.

I do like the considered thought out approach that the French Academics developed. After the “paint-slinging” approach so often taught by universities, the “developed” approach of the Academics is a pleasant change of pace.

The facial expressions and hand gestures used by Bouguereau are incredible. They are definitely worth studying.

Renee - What is Freecycle? It sounds like just the place for someone who need to clear out a bunch of old things.

Jamie - Diane is amazing! I think that it took her 2-3 days total to do her “Bougie”. Don’t worry about falling behind! I am sure that there is going to be another crop of people who want to try to paint a Bouguereau. I suspect that there are going to be people trying this for quite a while. So many people really love Bouguereau.

Helen - I am glad to hear that you are feeling good again!

Mickie - As the “country folks” always say “It taste about like chicken”.;) ;)

Blumoon - Those “modeling pastes” by Liquitex do come in some really interesting textures. :cool:

Crissy - I need to look up the colors, but I have a book(Alwyn Crawshaw) that has a really good tutorial on green. It is in an oil book but I think that you can do something similar in acrylic. After I find the book, I will tell his basic color chart. It should get you going.

Your virus story is incredible! :eek:

Barb Solomon :cat:

[Dharma_bum]

Dang, had to drive home 80 miles to get my camera battery, or miss a lot of the fall color for the year. So, as long as I am home, here is that hummingbird pic from last summer.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Oct-2004/41430-hummer.jpg

Gotta run, will check in tonight.

Dan

[bjs0704]

Dan - That is a gorgeous photo! Those little hummers are amazing and beautiful little birds!

I see them every once in a while in my yard. It still surprises me when I do.

Barb Solomon :cat:

[RawSienna]

2:08....I just heard a big boom in the distance......I wonder if it was Mount St. Helens!!!


Helen: We got the stuff out of The Scary Shed.
The Scary Shed? Critters? Halloween goodies? Old paintings? LOL

Blu.....our kitties make a little chattering type noise when they fly/moth/bug hunt...its so cute!

Rui....what is Opera? Never hoid' of that one! Feel better soon...and rest if you are staying home!

Chrissy...thanks for the description....love the "ultimate tree hugger" part! I'm SO glad I have a iMac...so far no virus problems!

Barb: Mickie - As the “country folks” always say “It taste about like chicken”.
LOL Barb...the trick will be to get a big enough bite to actually get a taste!

Dan....the hummer is a beauty....GREAT shot!

[Bendaini]

Bendaini
Can you tell me what the free virus program is? I have two trojan virus's on my computer.
AntiVir... google it, I know you'll find it ;)

[blumoon]

Rui, I didn't realize you were sick. How come you are not sleeping? Do you have too much on your mind? You need some rest.
Speaking of cameras (I have a Nikon coolpix), my sweetie brought home a 1.0GB card for it. That sucker holds TWO THOUSAND images! I put it on "fine" and it still holds just over one thousand....and here is one of my recent shots. Wow, Mickie, that's a lot of images. Will those cards fit in any camera? Your kitty pic is adorable. I cross posted with you this morning.
I had never hear of freecycle.org. Helen, I've never heard of it either. I'll have to see if they have that in Canada. Sorry to hear you didn't get to paint today. I had the same problem yesterday. Oh well, tomorrow is a fresh day.
What the heck is a scary shed? :confused: Does everyone have one but me?
I have two trojan virus's on my computer. Loretta, I wondered where you'd gotten to. Listen, you want to get those trojans off your computer before it affects all your files. I don't know what anti virus is free, as I have Norton, and their firewall. But one thing you can do is go to an on line scan at trend micro. If something comes up (if you have Trojans, they will) it will tell you what is there, and offer removal instructions. You won't be able to install any anti virus program unless your computer is clean. http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/enterprise/products/housecall_launch.php You may find the help you need here.
:clap: Dan, that's a beautiful hummingbird picture. I haven't seen one in years. I'd forgotten how irredescent they are.
It reminds me of a story. The first thing I ever bought with the my allowance when I was a kid was a square brownie camera. I was about five or six. I was getting a nickel a week then, and the camera cost me $1.05 with tax. Of course it only took black and white. I was at my grandparents that summer, and managed to get some shots of a hummingbird, across the tall, tall fence, by my grandfather's grapevine. I was so proud of myself. Before I could get them developed or anything, my younger brother and sister got into my drawer, were playing with my camera and opened it, exposing all the shots, before I could get them developed. :evil: I was so upset, having been the eldest, I had been subject to many raids by my younger siblings. Darn it all anyway. I am sure that is why I like living alone. I finally have my privacy. :) There you go. There's a bedtime story for you all.
I was thinking, when disaster was imminent, the hurricane stories were all over the news. :( Now we haven't heard anything about how many are still without power, and what the state of affairs is in Florida now, and what they are doing to correct the situation. I hope Lori comes back soon. And I wonder how Terri has fared? We haven't heard anything from her.
:cat: My little Autumn had another episode this morning. I forced her to take some Rescue Remedy(Bach Flower Remedy) which is for comfort and to reassure. That wasn't easy to do, it's dispensed through an eyedropper, she tried to get away, but I managed to get her to take it. It seemed to settle her down. I have been looking for a veterinary herbalist, but haven't found one in Calgary yet. There is a holistic vet, but he uses those Chinese Medicines, and I would rather herbs.
Anyway . . .did a wee bit of painting, and I may try to do a little more before bed.
Oh, BTW, thank you all for your suggestions about what to paint for the auction. Still deciding.

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning colourful friends,

Everyone - Being here might show you that I am much better (or that I am stubborn not to stay in bed LOL). In fact I am a bit better and the headache has subsided to a certain extent (that is what caused me to wake up at 1:30am for two nights) as the chest infection gets taken care of by the antibiotics. Being an asthmatic it is not fun, it takes only a little cold for me to get bronchitis. Thank you all for the best recovery wishes.

Other reason, of course, was to come to prepare the daily coffee for my favourite internet group. Therefore coffee, and a DDC for Mickie, will be ready at the usual time.

Let me see if I do not forget all the points mentioned by yourselves:

Dan - Excellent bird picture. I have never seen one of those birdies live. They must be such fun to watch. You are a very good photographer.

Mickie - Opera is a very bright magenta produced by Holbein. On its own, it is probably of not much use (although I have used it in glazes) but it produces beautiful, clean and bright purples and violets.

Barb - I have never bought a book by Parramon (shame on me) although I have seen them widely available in Barcelona whenever I go there and pay a visit to their art shops (as a proud member of AMASS, I am totally incorrigible). As I can read and speak Spanish I should have done it instead of going straight to the oil paints. I have now ordered the Big Book of Oil Painting second hand and it will be with me in few weeks time. That is another that is going to be delivered here to the office and taken home using one of my stealth (Jamie likes this word) techniques (in my backpack). I know I am sad.

Kind regards to you all.

Rui

[Helen Zapata]

Good Morning Glories!

Crissy, we crossposted yesterday, and since it popped mine over to the next page, I didn't see all your computer/virus woes. Glad you got it fixed, but it sure sounds like a major pain.

A program that we recently put on our computers is Webroot Spy Sweeper. Here's the link...

http://www.webroot.com/products/spysweeper/?rc=266&ac=417

I've used Adaware and other spy blockers before and didn't like them because they interfered with things I needed to be able to do. But I like Spysweeper very much. It's free to try out, and then costs $29.95 to keep.

Mickie, holey moley... 1000 images! I am such a Delete Freak I'd probably never use them all.. I can take a lot of pictures on my digital, but I invariably take a few shots, download em and delete em right away. That would be great for vacations though!

Blu, we have three Scary Sheds. They are dark and spooky and I have to go with hubby to make sure that there aren't any spiders or scorpions or other critters in there waiting to pounce! But the only critter <fingers crossed> we've ever found <so far> was a cute little ferret that had gotten lost and was living in our shed. She was so cute. Our friend caught her for us and took her to ferret rescue.

Hummingbirds... we have lots of them. They love our pond and all the flowers we have around it. I always name them "Vanessa" because of a hummer that I used to know back in California. I love watching them play with each other around the pond. Zipping all around and those colors flashing in the sun. Dan, that photo is AMAZING! What a great shot! Blu, what a shame about losing your new pictures when you were little. :( I was constantly raided by my brothers too. They were always stealing my stuff. Finally when I was a teenager I put a deadbolt on my bedroom door. But that backfired on me when I found out it was impossible to sneak back into the house at four o'clock in the morning and unlock my door quietly! Oops! Mom popped out of her room like a jack-in-the-box. Busted!

Blu, this site has a good list of herbs for your pets and what they are for...

http://www.preciouspets.org/petherbs.htm

Rui, I'm happy to see you up and feeling a little better. Asthma sounds like a terrible thing to have to deal with. :( At least you have your new book to look forward to and while you wait for it to arrive, you can perfect your stealth techniques. :evil: I love that word too, and will have to remember it!

I received a surprise present from a friend yesterday... a gift certificate to Jerry's Artarama! How fun!! It came out of the blue and was such a nice surprise!

Helen <enjoying Rui's delicious coffee.. mmmmmm>

[RuiFromUK]

Good morning Helen,

Many thanks for the wishes. Still a bit weak and drowsy but much more awake than yesterday.

Stealth techniques are practiced whenever I practice any of the AMASS club activities as Micky is tired of me bringing stuff that sometimes does not get used or read for a long time.

Congratulations on your gift certificate. At least this time you can practice your AMASS activities without having to practice any of the stealth activities. LOL

You made me thirsty. Let me have another cup of coffee.

Cheers.

Rui

[bjs0704]

Rui - It is really good to see you here! I am glad to know that you are feeling a bit better! I do like morning coffee!

Parramon’s book are good for learning some of the more traditional approaches. The still are in touch with how things are done and why. They do show more modern approaches though.

Helen - (big chuckle) Do you have one of those big Scary Sheds? We have our scary stuff more spread around in this nook or that cranny, but it is amazing what can accumulate over the years! We had a shed in the old house that a neighbor’s kid told my husband was our “spider cage”. Fortunately, there are no scorpions around Chicago.

Mickie- You just have to see Opera! It is a beautiful shocking pink that Holbein sells as one of its watercolors. (I don’t know if they have it as a oil!)

Your camera sounds really nice! I hate taking the digital camera somewhere are then running out of space midway through the trip.

Blumoon - I remember those brownie cameras! My grandmother used hers for years to take pictures of her grandkids.

I love your camera story! (Siblings can be such a pain sometimes!)

I am sorry to hear that your kitty isn’t feeling well again. The poor little thing!

I am still working on the Bouguereau (have you ever tried spelling that name!) copy. I am doing a grisaille at the moment. It is way to dark! I am going to be pushing paint back and forth for a while! The painting has two little "angels" kissing and I am trying to get the clouds that are in the background. It is an extremely light grey sky. It is so easy to get too light or too dark.

Barb Solomon :cat:

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Barb,

You are welcome and thank you.

I'll have a look at the book when it gets here and then I'll see if I should get any of the others. (read AMASS) LOL :D

Holbein does not make Opera in oils unfortunately. :crying:

As to cameras, one of my cameras is an old Zeiss Super Ikonta with belows. I once did a professional job with it and nobody complained with the quality. A company needed medium format slides of their latest hotel and I did the job.

Looking to see your WIP Bouguereau.

Have a great day.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RawSienna]

Wow, Mickie, that's a lot of images. Will those cards fit in any camera?
I'm not sure Blu....I think there are two kinds. This one is called "SanDisk" CompactFlash. Was about $200.00! Yikes! Bet you wish you still had that camera! (or do you?) I have 6 younger siblings...I SO hear you!

Rui...so glad to hear you are feeling better! Opera sounds edible!

Helen....thats what I was thinking....a couple thousand pics of China...but sad to say, the grant did not come through. Well, I haven't heard back yet, but every one of the other girls (some with some pretty impressive resumes) have been declined. Sigh. Ah well....my work still goes, and is part of the show and the book. Next time!

Now don't spend all that money in one place! Oh....you have to....well, have at it!

Thanks a lot Barb!! :wink2: (Adds Opera to the wish list). Can't wait to see your latest!

Oh....takes Opera OFF wish list.

Wishing you all a creative and safe Thursday!

[blumoon]

A quick hello this morning.
Helen . . . WOOHOO . . . thanks for the link. :clap: That's exactly what I have been looking for. I have been combing the internet for about two weeks, and have found limited resources. Thanks again. I will study it later, when I get home.
I found there is a freecycle in Calgary, with almost 1400 members, and it was only started 6 months ago. I was trying to join up this morning, but couldn't complete my application, as I think the server was too busy. Will try again later. It will be a good way of getting rid of some stuff before I move! :D
I'm not sure Blu....I think there are two kinds. This one is called "SanDisk" CompactFlash. Was about $200.00! Yikes! Bet you wish you still had that camera! (or do you?) I have 6 younger siblings...I SO hear you! Wow, I think it would be worth $200. :) Six younger siblings?! I only had three. Yikes.
I love your camera story! (Siblings can be such a pain sometimes!) Barb, yeah they sure can be. :evil: I am sorry to hear that your kitty isn’t feeling well again. The poor little thing! She's better since the Rescue Remedy. :cat: I think she's unsettled with all the construction, and the dust doesn't help.
I am going to be pushing paint back and forth for a while! Haha Barb . . . I know the feeling, I do a lot of that. That's what I've been doing on that landscape. A bit frustrated with that.
Gotta run and get ready for work. It's my late night. Happy painting everybody. :angel:

[lorelou]

Blu,
I used micro trend housecall that is how I found out I had those virus's on my computer.

My son came yesterday and installed a free AVG 6.0 virus scan .

I already have a installed free Ad-Aware

[Bendaini]

Crissy, we crossposted yesterday, and since it popped mine over to the next page, I didn't see all your computer/virus woes. Glad you got it fixed, but it sure sounds like a major pain.
I think we finally got it all fixed. I downloaded Spybot-search and destroy and it got rid of everything (i hope) that adaware missed.

Neither spy detectors interfear with my other programs since they only run when I tell them to scan, the rest of the time they are off.

I think i am going to go get a hosts program too...

Mickie, holey moley... 1000 images! I am such a Delete Freak I'd probably never use them all.. I can take a lot of pictures on my digital, but I invariably take a few shots, download em and delete em right away. That would be great for vacations though!
Oh, *drool*! 1000 pictures. Missed that.

My husband is forever complaining that I take too many pictures and to "save the space". Our digi cam only saves 50, then we have to download before we can get more. 1000 might be enough for a weekend ;)

[RawSienna]

Oh, *drool*! 1000 pictures. Missed that.
It's actually 2,000+ (wipes up drool)...the 1,000+ is when it's on fine...over 2,000 when on "normal". Hard to believe that little tiny thing holds one gig of information! Amazing!

[TauCetiV]

Iammmmmmm BAcccckkkk-- what a head acche... 3 hurricanes and a crazy mother with a balloon mortage due...and a father in his third mid life crisis...I have a hormonal migrane from the whole nightmare. I am going to try to make it to the Winter Park Art Festival on Sunday-- its a big deal around here... last weekend we went to the Lake Mary Art Festival-- its always fun to see so many different artists and art up close. And I have plans to take an art class at a local community center - so as to get me out of the funk and force me to paint again. Hi every body - I missed you all :cat:
terri

[RawSienna]

I have plans to take an art class at a local community center - so as to get me out of the funk and force me to paint again. Hi every body - I missed you all :cat:
terri
Hi Terri! Welcome back! Nothing like an art class to get the creative juices flowing. When do you start?

Hey gang...I have a dilemma. I just finished a painting, and I am trying to decide if I want to crop it...take some of the right side off. I'm going to post the original, and a cropped image (of the original of course). Tell me which you think looks better! Thanks!!

Original Version: 20x30
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Oct-2004/11892-APerfectFit_500.jpg

Cropped Version: 20x? (close to square)
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Oct-2004/11892-APerfectFit_Square_400.jpg

What say you????

[Helen Zapata]

Yay! Terri's back!! Glad to see you! Keep hitting those art festivals.. they'll fix you up in no time.

Mickie, I wouldn't crop it that tightly. You lose the Traditional Mickie Drama. I think I'd crop it just about where your signature starts. I find the narrow point of the shadow a little diverting.

No no no... looking again... I like the extension of the longer canvas (board?). If you cut it off, you'll have that arc filling up the whole underside. But I think maybe it's just that it gets so narrow and pointy right where it hits the right edge. Maybe broaden that shadow a touch there? Hmm.... I dunno. Ask me sumpin easy. :p

Send it over here and I'll study it for you for a few years.

Helen

[blondheim12]

I am going to try to make it to the Winter Park Art Festival on Sunday-- its a big deal around here... terri
Terri,
I am judging the Winter Park Art Festival this weekend on Saturday.

Speaking of hummingbirds... My mother and I have been making hummingbird feeders to sell as a new item for the art studio. They are so cool. I used the small decorator colored glass bottles. I painted them with floral motifs and my mother wrapped them with copper wire and beads. I put sipper tubes in the corks and they hang upside down. I hope they will sell for holiday gifts.
Love,
Linda

[Bendaini]

Original Version: 20x30
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Oct-2004/11892-APerfectFit_500.jpg

I say this one. The cropped version is way too in your face. This one gives it so much more depth, and warmth. I like it much better.

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Mickie,

I completely agree with Helen. As it is in the original your composition is excellent and if you crop it the main subject will move too much to the center for my liking. Also in the original the darker top right corner makes one's eyes go back to the brighter main subject. By the way, this is such a gorgeous painting that today I am going to get you two DDC's for you. Congratulations on this achievement.

Hi everyone,

Much better going on this side of the world with the chest much clearer and I slept very well last night.

Have a beautiful painting day after the coffee that I shall make sure will be ready on time. 2 decaf diet cokes coming up for Mickie.

Kind regards.

Rui

[lorelou]

Mickie, I wish I lived next door to you. I would watch you paint all day! I would do your housework, wash windows, and clean toilets just to learn from you! No Joke.

[RuiFromUK]

Mickie, I wish I lived next door to you. I would watch you paint all day! I would do your housework, wash windows, and clean toilets just to learn from you! No Joke.

Hi Loretta,

And if you needed an assistant to do all those duties I would join you with the proviso that Mickie carried on painting such gorgeous paintings.

Kind regards.

Rui

[lorelou]

Rui,
Ok... we can both fight over cleaning the toilets! yuk yuk! :D

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Loretta,

ROFLOL

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Loretta,

I just had a look at your website. Your 'crawfish' (lobsters or crayfish around here) are really edible.

Will you pass me the naples yellow for mayonnaise, please?

Beautiful paintings you have there.

Congratulations.

Rui

[impressionist2]

Mickie, You are amazing! I like the same one Crissy likes.

Terri, You are a riot!

Glad you are feeling better, Rui.

We spent all day yesterday getting Bob's foot with neuritis, tendonitis and a spur, better. Bought new New Balance sneakers, physical therapy, etc..

Out to lunch yesterday and again today with friends.

The Direct TV is being installed this am. Buh bye, Cablevision! How can optonline be so good and the tv service be so bad?

We'll have TCM and Fine Living and DIY network!! Did you hear that, Loretta?? The Do it Yourself network! Woo hoo~!!~

A new chef painting is in the works.

Renee

[TauCetiV]

Hi Terri! Welcome back! Nothing like an art class to get the creative juices flowing. When do you start?

Original Version: 20x30
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-Oct-2004/11892-APerfectFit_500.jpg

What say you????
I like the original version :)
I am not sure when the next class starts-- I think pretty soon as one just finished and they are having some kind of gallery show. I want to get going though!
Hi Linda are you going to be there on Sunday? I am going to try to get there right at 9AM so I can check things out before it gets to hot and crowded. I cant go on saturday :( I have to go down to my MOTHERS in Zephyrhills.
I am not cleaning ANY toilets YUCK!
Renee- yup I had neuritis -- it sucks...takes a while for it to go away. I followed the DR plan as the dr said I was in for foot surgery next if I didnt-- can you say NOT....
Bendaini I have to run SpyBot at least once a month as well as a full virus scan , scandisk and defragg or my computer is all gummed up... Bye all got lots to do! :rolleyes:

[blumoon]

Good morning,
Loretta, glad to hear you are getting your computer problems solved. Are you painting anything right now?
And Chrissy too. That spyware can be a real pain, even worse than viruses sometimes. Spybot, Adaware both work well.
Terri, glad to hear you fared okay during the hurricanes. Nice to see you back.
Hope Lori finds her way back here soon.
I just finished a painting, and I am trying to decide if I want to crop it...take some of the right side off. I'm going to post the original, and a cropped image (of the original of course). Tell me which you think looks better! Mickie, that's a tough one. After much thought, I think perhaps the original works for me.
Send it over here and I'll study it for you for a few years. Haha Helen that's a good one.
Linda your hummingbird feeders sound interesting.
Much better going on this side of the world with the chest much clearer and I slept very well last night. Rui, glad to hear you are feeling better. Sleep is a wonderful healer.Will you pass me the naples yellow for mayonnaise, please? Haha Rui, there you go again, wanting to eat the supplies.
The Do it Yourself network! Woo hoo~!!~ You are going to be dangerous with that station. A new chef painting is in the works. I love your chef paintings, look forward to seeing the new one.
I am not cleaning ANY toilets YUCK! Haha Terri, you're too funny. Not my favorite thing either.
Can't wait for the weekend. Only two more days. I am feeding a friend's cats as she is away, she has three, so I got home late.

[RawSienna]

I find the narrow point of the shadow a little diverting.

No no no... looking again... I like the extension of the longer canvas (board?). If you cut it off, you'll have that arc filling up the whole underside. But I think maybe it's just that it gets so narrow and pointy right where it hits the right edge. Maybe broaden that shadow a touch there? Hmm.... I dunno. Ask me sumpin easy. :p

Send it over here and I'll study it for you for a few years.

Helen

Helen...I was SO excited when I read this that I put the painting back on the easel and did just what you said. I knew all along that the pointed shadow on the right is what was bothering me. So, I'm thinking...just chop that off! I never thought about extending the shadow!!! So thank you!!! Here is the new version! I think it looks better.....and I can still crop it if I need too!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Oct-2004/11892-APerfectFit2_500.jpg

Linda...the hummer feeders sound lovely...how much will they be?

Thanks Chrissy!

LOL Rui....why thank you...one for now and one for later! Thank goodness you are feeling better...I hope you still stayed home from work today!

Loretta: Mickie, I wish I lived next door to you. I would watch you paint all day! I would do your housework, wash windows, and clean toilets just to learn from you! No Joke.
Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! My dream come true! When can you get here???? Lord have mercy on my itty bitty soul....what I wouldn't do for a house cleaner person! I do it because I have too, but yanno....consider the thought.....WHAT if you didn't have too????? Do you do ovens and windows?

LOL Rui...TWO housekeepers!!! Do either of you cook? Ahhhh...I see it now....what a life!

Geesh...they're fighting already and they haven't even got here yet.....you two better behave cause I have lots of corners in this house, you'll recognize them by the killer dust bunnies guarding them :D

Renee...thanks!.......good to see your smiling face! Sorry to hear about hubbies foot problems....hope he's on the mend! What is Direct TV?

Terri...thanks! I hope the class starts soon for you! How about ovens...do you do ovens?

Thanks Blu! But what about ovens? Do you clean ovens.....it's all about the pies I make.........yanno.......

Well kids...thanks for the input, and Helen, thanks for the great idea! I really like the revised rendition!

Today I am starting one of my biggest paintings ever....a 36' by 36'! I'm so excited! I actually ordered a couple of 48x48's from Curry's, but they emailed me to say that they can't ship them across country like that...too big, the cost to high. Dern it. Oh well...I'm getting most of my canvas from Classic Frames anyhooo....but wanted to order some of the tiny ones in the 3 packs that Curry's sells.

I'm off to Vancouver tomorrow....taking 3 or 4 paintings to the White Rock Gallery. I'm going to see if they will let me take pics this time.

Wishing you all a really creative Friday!

[Lorijo]

Hi Everybody!

I am still alive! The computer died totally, got it back from the shop yesterday. I asked them to try to save my programs, photos, etc. Nope, they totally formatted it. I could have done that myself! I think I have most of my photos saved on disks anyhow. All the hurricane ones are!

I haven't been able to read any posts, the phone line is screwed up. This is making the internet go excruciatingly slow. It took an hour to get on the reply screen. They expect to get the phone lines fixed by the 30th!

This last storm did more roof damage, a tree fell on the back shed. A few shingles are off the garage and the house has loose shingles. We glopped up all the damage with tar, I think I have no leaks, not sure though about the garage though. We lost a lot more trees, no hickory trees left in the front yard. Lost three palms on the river bank edge. We lost lots of ground off the cliff. Hubby has been down there but not me yet, its very steep now. The back yard was so bad you couldn't walk out there because of all the trees down.

We hired some fellows to clean up the yard, they got rid of the big stuff thank goodness! We can go back there now, still a mess but much better. We had a bobcat loader, another big loader, two dump trucks, and various other vehicles at one time.

We did alot better than some on our street, the road to the south of us is totally gone in spots, undercut by the river and collapsed. If residents want to go somewhere they have to drive into people's lawns. We can go north fine, but haven't been allowed to go too far south.

The library is still closed and lots of businesses aren't open yet. Hutchinsen Island across the river from us was just opened a few days ago. Couldn't drive over there. It is awful over there, almost every roof badly damaged or destroyed. There is a mobile home park next to the bridge that is unreal. Horrible destruction. Looks like it was bombed. Big piles of sand all over, swimming pools buried, etc.

I will try to write more later, losing the connection a lot. I sure miss you guys! Lorijo

[RawSienna]

Lorijo!!!

Glad to hear from you!

I can't even imagine the kind of destruction you have described. To have your home re-arranged for you like that...cliffs changed, trees down...etc. You sound good though...positive and okay. Are you actually back in your home now?

I know that everyone has said this, but it is so true....thank God that you are okay, that the only damage was to things, and not you or hubby.

Is there anything that any of us can do to make the transition back to normal faster for you?

Big, big hugs to you and yours!!!

[RuiFromUK]

Rui, glad to hear you are feeling better. Sleep is a wonderful healer. Haha Rui, there you go again, wanting to eat the supplies.

Hi Blumoon,

Feeling much better but I am still falling asleep in the office. I should have stayed at home.

Eat my supplies? That is why I am a member of the AMASS group, I never run out of mayonnaise (cadmium yellow light), mustard (raw sienna), chillies (cadmium red), blue Coracao (manganese blue)... Oh dear these long hours in the office are affecting me.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

LOL Rui....why thank you...one for now and one for later! Thank goodness you are feeling better...I hope you still stayed home from work today!

Oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! My dream come true! When can you get here???? Lord have mercy on my itty bitty soul....what I wouldn't do for a house cleaner person! I do it because I have too, but yanno....consider the thought.....WHAT if you didn't have too????? Do you do ovens and windows?

LOL Rui...TWO housekeepers!!! Do either of you cook? Ahhhh...I see it now....what a life!

Geesh...they're fighting already and they haven't even got here yet.....you two better behave cause I have lots of corners in this house, you'll recognize them by the killer dust bunnies guarding them :D

Hi Mickie,

About me, please just see the message I have just posted to Blumoon. I'll be fine.

We'll not fight, we'll just share the duties but you will have to paint!!!!

Also, yes, I can cook! You might not believe it but I can cook. Micky makes me cook on Sundays if we are going to have fish.

As to the killer dust bunnies, they will be alright as we'll put them to work as well.

Enjoy your painting.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Lorijo,

I am sorry about what you have been going through with the hurricanes, then the computer, etc.

I hope everything settles down soon and that you can start painting again.

Kind regards.

Rui

[RuiFromUK]

To everyone,

Wishes of a great weekend, full of new paintings.

Tomorrow Micky and I are going to a birthday party and staying at our friends overnight so I don't think I'll be able to do any painting.

Will some kind soul leave some strong coffee for me on Monday morning? I think I am going to need it.

Kind regards to all.

Rui

[Helen Zapata]

((((((LORIJO!)))))))))

It's so good to see you! The destruction sounds terrible. All your beautiful trees. :( Be careful with that steep cliff! It's so shocking to see the land changed so dramatically. How did your neighbor fair with their missing roof? Did your piles of "projectiles" get him like he was worried about?

I hate sending computers in for repair. Seems like all they ever do is reformat. Lazy!

We miss you awfully! Hang in there and know that our love and thoughts are with you. <warm hugs>

Mickie, the painting looks so dramatic with the changed shadow! It's so beautiful. The gallery will flip for your newest ones! Oh, I DO hope they let you take pictures! Can't wait to see what you do with that 36x36 canvas! What a cool size! I'm loving both kinds of formats... long and narrow, and also square.

Linda, can we see pictures of your hummingbird feeders? They sound neat! Fun to make them with your mom, huh!

If I can join you guys at Mickies, I'll do the dishes and the laundry. I'll even help with the toilets if I have to , but we'll need someone else for scrubbing the bathtub!

Helen

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Helen,

We will not need to clean the bath tub if we manage to convince Mickie and her family to use the shower instead. By doing so she will have more time to paint beautiful paintings like this one. :evil:

We might even consider order them breakfast to be delivered to her home so that she will not waste any time in the morning until the 'cleaners' come up for their duties and stare at the paintings.

Kind regards.

Rui

[Lorijo]

Aw gee, thanks so much Mickie! I don't think you can get Bell South to move any quicker and there are people much worse off. We have the AC, cable has been back two days now, water was only gone a couple of days this time.

Power was off a week this time, it was getting unbearable the last two days, 90s in the house, no breeze. Mom in law felt sorry for us and let us come and spend the night the last two days. Even with the dog! I gave the dog a bath first and put creme rinse and Jean Nate after bath splash on her!

Helen, (((((((((((hugs!))))))))) back at you! I needed a hug! The neighbor did okay this storm, they had the blue tarps on from FEMA. They put them on good and didn't blow off like the original roof did. None of my piles of debris went anywhere. Most big tree branches don't move once they are down. Contrary to what he thought! Started talking to his wife again, they had a bad smell in the house. There was a dead rabbit stuck in a hole in the wall and a yellow and black striped animal growling at her. Not a cat. I don't know what it was.

The animals are all upset, squirrels are coming right up to us and birds too. Had a one-eyed raccoon in the yard, he was scary. He wasn't scared of us at all, we went inside. I have been putting bread and seed out for the critters. No natural stuff left for them to eat, seeds and nuts blown away and fruit too.

Thanks Rui!

Lorijo

[RawSienna]

We might even consider order them breakfast to be delivered to her home so that she will not waste any time in the morning until the 'cleaners' come up for their duties and stare at the paintings.i
Huh? I though ya'll were moving in?






....I'm gonna need a bigger house....












AND.......









MORE TOILETS!!!

[RawSienna]

The animals are all upset, squirrels are coming right up to us and birds too. Had a one-eyed raccoon in the yard, he was scary. He wasn't scared of us at all, we went inside. I have been putting bread and seed out for the critters. No natural stuff left for them to eat, seeds and nuts blown away and fruit too.

LOL...we cross posted again! Glad to see that you are still online and that the last message wasn't a hit and miss!

When I read the above it really sunk in just how much everything has changed. I never thought of the wind blowing away the food for the animals and birds....one always thinks of the big picture...trees down, people homeless, etc. Breaks my heart to think of them so scared and hungry.

Something good will come of it...I'm sure it has already....

[lorelou]

Mickie do you like Cajun Cooking. I can whip up some real good Louisiana cusine :wave: ! Crawfish etoufee, shrimp salad, Andoullie (sausage with green onions)gumbo. Seafood gumbo, crawfish bisque garlic french bread, french bread with satuteed onions on top........etc. etc. etc.

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Mickie,

I am not sure about a bigger house but definitely a bigger studio to fit all of us watching you paint. Yes, extra toilets might be a good idea. :D

Hi Loretta,

You and I can definitely exchange seafood cooking ideas but we still have to sort out the breakfast for Mickie and her family.

In fact with so many people to help her with the house duties we might have it finished before she even finishes breakfast. Can you imagine how many more paintings could she paint every week?

You might wonder why I am online. Well, the movies showing in the little town where we live are next to useless, Micky logged on to read her emails and I just took the opportunity to be online out of ideas of doing anything else.

Kind regards to all.

Rui

[JamieWG]

Man oh man, I'll never catch up. <sigh> Sarah will be home in a few minutes, Robby's coming in for the weekend within the hour, and I'm off to work soon. This is a quick wave!

LORI!!! I'm so glad you're back!!! Oh, you poor thing. I can't imagine how tough it's been. Now that you have your AC and computer back, I hope you'll be more comfortable and can get your life back in order. Geez! I was so worried about you.

Mickie, I love the painting. Please don't crop!

My latest plein airs:
20x24, oil/stretched canvas:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Oct-2004/13766-100804_20x24_Fall_Trees_by_the_Lakeshore_550.jpg

And a teeny tiny itty bitty in Lori's honor, 2x3", with a Coke can for size reference!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Oct-2004/13766-100704_orange_trees_2x3_coke_550.jpg

Lori, those are the tiny frames I found at Christmas Tree Shops for $1! I haven't gotten back there yet, but I'll look for them again next time I go.

Have a great rest of the day, everybody! Sorry I haven't had time to keep up these past few days.

Jamie

[RuiFromUK]

Hi Jamie,

I am sorry to hear that you are very busy.

You have two beautiful paintings here with those trees so well presented against the out of focus background. And that tiny one it is really well done. Congratulations on both.

Have a good day and happy painting if you have a spare moment.

Kind regards.

Rui

[JamieWG]

Hi Jamie,

I am sorry to hear that you are very busy.

Oh, it's okay, Rui. It's all the "good" kind of busy! :D

I hope you have a wonderful time at the birthday party and can rest up when you get back. Take care of yourself!

Thank you about the paintings. I had a bunch of painting friends over yesterday, so had good company while painting those! The thread about our day with lots of photos is here:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221333

Loretta, I painted that tiny one on my new Louviere box. It's not so new anymore though!

Jamie

[lorelou]

Loretta, I painted that tiny one on my new Louviere box. It's not so new anymore though!
That's nice to know! :D
Tell Robby he can't get out of the house until he finishes your website or else!

Hi Rui, let's get cookin!

Lorijo, glad to hear everything is getting in shape.

Linda, hope that everything is going well with you too.

[Helen Zapata]

Hi guys.. I sped redd earlier this afternoon, and I hope I can remember what I read!

Lorijo, the animal tales sound so sad. I've often wondered what animals do in situations like that. The stripey animal growling sounds scary!

Jamie, what a fun fun time you had at your house! I can't think of anything better than hosting a painting party! The paintings look great, and I loved the photos on your other thread.

My daughter picked me up this morning to spirit me away for a girl day. We went to a mall way across the valley that I've never gone to. And then out to a yummy lunch at Claimjumper's. Yummm. I had baby back ribs which I love! It was just a really nice day with the two of us.

When I got home, I did a bit of work on the logo I'm making for my brother's company. I'm finally getting past the really hard part, and it's going faster now.

But I'm pooped now, and think I'll toddle off and watch TV. See you all in the morning!

Helen

[Lorijo]

Nice paintings Jamie, I like the little frame too. Its fall up there all ready? We keep talking about a vacation up north but we want to get the new computer first.

This one is awfully flacky now or else its the phone line. I keep getting thrown off and the thing is soooo slow. Won't open emails for 5 minutes if it opens at all. Off to watch the debate! Lori

[bjs0704]

T E R R Y ! ! ! ! ! It is good to see that you are back! :clap: :clap:

LORIJO!!!!! - It sounds like such an amazing mess! I am really glad to see that you are back! :clap: :clap:

Rui - I found that coffee when I finally woke up this morning! It tasted wonderful!

Why am I imagining these little scruffy rabbits (dust bunnies) wearing aprons and carrying brooms? :D

Mickie - Originally, I really like the square one best! (My head keeps telling me that rectangles are “suppose” to be better compositions. But I like the square one best!)

It is neat to hear that you are going to be working “big”. I am looking forward to seeing how it tuns out! (Were you able to get the larger canvases?)

But I think that the change that you made in the shadow is really very nice! It looks almost mysterious!

Your colors are so warm and rich looking! :clap: :clap: :clap:

(Is Renee still curled up watching her new DIY network? )

Renee- I am sorry to hear about your husband’s foot! The poor guy!

Loretta - You are making me hungry! It sounds so delicious!

Jamie - The light and color in this newest plein aire is exceptional! I am really impressed! :clap: :clap: :clap:

Your mini is so cute! It looks lovely! :clap: :clap:

Here’s a link to my latest update for the October MOM:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2783134&postcount=142

Barb Solomon :cat:

[Bendaini]

And a teeny tiny itty bitty in Lori's honor, 2x3", with a Coke can for size reference!
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-Oct-2004/13766-100704_orange_trees_2x3_coke_550.jpg
Oh, that reminds me. I have scrap masonite boards I wanted to cut into mini canvases... gotta figure out how to do that.

This is adorable. And that frame just sets it off really well.

Oh... and for the floridians... I thought I might share this website. Hopefuly the winds haven't blown away your sence of humar :D

http://www.jumbojoke.com/

[paintsplatter]

Ok can't stand it...am on my way out the door..lol but had to check in..I've not read all the posts but will when I come back....

Had to write about virus protection. Used to hang around with a bunch of hackers and still talk to them all the time so they know what's up in the free programs situation. I've had my computer for a very long time and have had my share of troubles. I did notice that Trend Macro was mentioned and it is a great site to find a viruses or trojans on your computer..everyone should be using it!! Here are two free programs that you all can get...I'll try to find the sites for them when I get back. I have them on my computer and so far so good!! Virus protection...AVG and a firewall..Kerio Personal Firewall. I wouldn't go on the net without a firewall. I also use Adaware, Spybot Search and Destroy and Spywareblaster. Yes, I know it's a lot but each program on their own only covers so many so when you have several you are bound to catch all of them. If any of you need to know how to manage a firewall or anything else let me know. I can always ask my experts.

Gotta go!! Will catch up on everyone when I get back...

Mitzi (yep that's my real name, not short for anything..lol)

[Einion]

Sweet little painting Jamie :) And I see you're a Diet Coke junkie too!


Oh, that reminds me. I have scrap masonite boards I wanted to cut into mini canvases... gotta figure out how to do that.
Hiya Crissy, if it's 1/8" you can cut it with a strong craft knife or boxcutter. I'd recommend using a nice straight wooden plank as an edge instead of a steel ruler so the blade can't drift and ruin your day! I've seen this happen more than once and just thinking about it gives me the wiggins.

Einion

[Bendaini]

Sweet little painting Jamie :) And I see you're a Diet Coke junkie too!



Hiya Crissy, if it's 1/8" you can cut it with a strong craft knife or boxcutter. I'd recommend using a nice straight wooden plank as an edge instead of a steel ruler so the blade can't drift and ruin your day! I've seen this happen more than once and just thinking about it gives me the wiggins.

Einion

Thanks. was thinking of trying that, but I'm afraid to ruin the blade in the attempt. I just remembered I have a big utility knife though, and it just might work.

[JamieWG]

Einion, are you a DietCokaholic too? I like it almost as much as I like COLOR!

Crissy, are you using the mini panels for acrylic or oil? Be sure to double-seal them with GAC100 on the back, front, and all 4 sides before priming. Einion is right that the 1/8" you can cut with a knife and it's probably better to do so that way if you can stop your straight edge from slipping. I cut them on a table saw; my husband and I run a whole batch at a time and it goes pretty fast, but you do lose a bit with each cut that way. Marc Hanson has a fantastic panel recipe that I just made a batch of and they are totally scrumptious! It is:

2 coats GAC100 or floor polyurethane to seal
1 coat acrylic gesso and modeling paste mixed
1 coat acrylic gesso and fine pumice and acrylic medium mixed

Let me know if you want proportions and I'll find the link to his post for you.

You may want to search out frames before you cut your panels. I cut some mini panels a long time ago to what I thought would be standard sizes, and they are still here, unpainted. I never found frames in those sizes. Since such tiny paintings don't sell for much, a custom frame is out of the question. Now I buy the frames first, then cut the panels to fit. :wink2:

Hiya, Mitzi! <waving>

Helen, 'sounds like a great Girls' Day.

Lori, I am sooo happy to have you back with us. A huge smile comes on my face every time I see a post of yours. I hope you'll be able to paint soon.

Loretta, LOL! Robby still needs to do the duffle bag and garbage bag filled with laundry that he brought home! ;) (Here we go again.......)

Barb, I'm off to check out your MOM........

Jamie

[Helen Zapata]

Mitzi! I thought you were a Mary too. :P Glad to "meetcha" again! :D

Mickie... did you say back there (somewhere) that you were refuse your China grant? I'm so sorry. I guess it wasn't meant to be. Dang it. Well, it was really exciting to think about! One of these days I'm sure you'll be, not only in China, but invited to paint all over the world! Better buy new luggage. ;)

Kolorful Kids... I want to show off my new treasure! Loretta surprised me with a custom made box for my pastels! It fits right into my New Louviere Pochade Box, and holds tons of pastels! In fact, as I was going through my pastels to fill it up, I ran out of colors that I wanted to pack in it, before I ran out of room! I grabbed some photos for you!

This is it sitting inside my pochade box. There is even room leftover for my stretch cords. It sits nicely underneath the clear acrylic palette. The hinged box opens like a book and has a cute little latch.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13900-PastelBuddyClosed.jpg


Now it's open on top of my palette. The blue lids are still on. They are there to keep the pastels snuggly safe inside the two sides, which are lined with soft foam. I can actually use the stretch cords to tie it more securely if I'm nervous about bumping it.


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13900-PastelBuddyWithLidsOn.jpg


I take off the velcroed lids and put them in the lid behind my painting support. And Voila! Two very nice trays to fill with my favorite pastel colors! I broke them down to be able to use more colors (and I like to use them broken anyway). But I could have just as easily filled it with full sticks. Even my fat Rembrants fit in there!


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13900-PastelBuddyOpen.jpg


And here is just a close up of my pastels in the trays. I still have room in there. I need more pastels! lol

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13900-PastelBuddyLong.jpg


Isn't that neat? Thank you SO MUCH, Loretta!! :clap:

Helen

[JamieWG]

Ooooooh, Barb, your MOM is looking wonderfully expressive! It's coming along great!

Jamie

[JamieWG]

Helen and Loretta, (we crossposted, Helen!), that box is waaaay cool! :cool: I love the way it fits right inside the pochade box. You know, Helen, we're expecting to see some pastel work now. Plein air? Heeheehee :evil:

Jamie

[JamieWG]

Oh---I just got a new show 'n tell too. :D I've been doing lots of mini paintings lately, so bid on a set of Simmons mini brushes on Ebay...and won! They just arrived. I'm so happy! Can't wait to use them. I'm having a hard time trying to decide whether to use them just for my acrylics, or let my oils setup have 'em.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13766-Brushes_simmons_mini.jpg

Aren't they adorable?

Jamie

[Helen Zapata]

You betcha, Jamie! Loretta told me she was going to make this for me, and I've been waiting on pins and needles for it. It's SO COOL! She's going to be adding them to her plein air solutions! But I have the prototype!

I did scribble a little while I was outside taking the photos. But the sun was in my eyes and it's still pretty hot out there. (getting better though!) I didn't do any REAL painting. But I have to tell you guys what a DOOFUS I am! I closed up the box and took it off the tripod, picked up the box, picked up the tripod, and TUCKED THE PAINTING UNDER MY ARM! :rolleyes: It wasn't until I got back in the house that I realised what I was doing! hahaha... my arm and shirt were very colorful! :p

Helen

[Helen Zapata]

ooooo.. the brushes are so purty!

Helen

[blumoon]

:wave: Hi ((Lorijo))! Glad to hear you are hanging in there. What an ordeal.The animals are all upset, squirrels are coming right up to us and birds too. Had a one-eyed raccoon in the yard, he was scary. He wasn't scared of us at all, we went inside. I have been putting bread and seed out for the critters. No natural stuff left for them to eat, seeds and nuts blown away and fruit too. That is so sad about even the animals being displaced.
I can whip up some real good Louisiana cusine Loretta, Mmm mm mmm. That food sounds so yummy.
Jamie your latest plein airs are wonderful. Enjoyed the thread about your painting party. That sounds like a good time.
Barb your MOM for Oct is looking good. What do you do with all these after they are done? Do you keep them?
Helen, your girl's day sounded fun. I see you have you pastels organized. Are you toying with the idea of plein air pastelling?
Mickie, I would do the oven if I had to, especially for PIE! Or maybe I could mix up your batches of paint. Is it true? What's going on with the China thing? Can you still go?

:D I am finally on my weekend. My challenge today is going to be to stay awake until bedtime, so I don't screw up my sleeping patterns. Dragged home three bags of groceries in my leather jacket in the rain. My bagette did not fare well. It is Thanksgiving here in Canada. I bought turkey breast which I will stuff, and I will make lemon, garlic, rosemary, roasted potatoes. Having a quiet dinner on my own. I look forward to the whole weekend to myself!

[blumoon]

Ooo Jamie . . . those are awesome brushes. Those are the kind I like for acrylic. I was crossposting with you and Helen.
Helen . . . I see you are venturing out of doors. Good for you. You didn't ruin the painting by putting it under your arm did you? haha.

[blumoon]

Oops . . . forgot to say hi to Einion, and to Paintsplatter! :D

[JamieWG]

Blu, thanks for letting us know that all our Canadian friends are celebrating Thanksgiving. Is today (Saturday?) the day? That's interesting that it's on a weekend. I wonder why ours is always on a Thursday. Hmmm..... Happy Thanksgiving to all you northerners! Your stuffed turkey breast sounds great. Do you have a special stuffing recipe to share? I usually roast a turkey breast too instead of the whole bird. If I have a large crowd coming, I roast two of them.

I love those taklon brushes for acrylics too. They also do very well with oils though, and I don't have as many liner brushes for oils as I need. Life is full of tough choices! :D

jamie

[blumoon]

Hi Jamie. Yes our Thanksgiving is always on a weekend. Most people cook on the Sunday, and the holiday is Mon. I didn't realize the US Thanksgiving was always on a Thur! It's nice here, as everyone gets a long weekend. I do know it's Columbus Day in the states this weekend, as I was in LA once at this time of year.
I do have a famous stuffing recipe. I won't be making it tomorrow, I usually do it when I am cooking the whole bird, but I must share it with you. I am not a cook who measures, so I'll give you approx. amts. Hopefully I don't forget anything.
16oz Bread
1Cup Toasted coarsely chopped Black Walnuts
1Cup Dried Sour Cherries(plumped in 1/2 cup marsala) if desired
scallion (whole bulb) chopped fine
sage
savory
rosemary
parsley
Salt & Pepper
Chicken Broth & Melted butter or olive oil (enough to moisten)
Spice according to taste.

I love those taklon brushes for acrylics too. They also do very well with oils though, and I don't have as many liner brushes for oils as I need. Life is full of tough choices! Decisions . . . decisions, eh?

[JamieWG]

Yep. I know you think I'm kidding, but I'm not! It's a teeny, tiny frog, and it has climbed up the outside of my door and is looking in the window part of the top of the door! It's only about 1.5-2 inches long! I just took a pic to show you. They've done this before too....sometimes a couple of them. Anybody know who these cute little guys are? Peeping Toms? :D

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Oct-2004/13766-frog_on_window_450.jpg

Thanks for sharing the recipe, Blu! That is so smart that Canadians do their Thanksgiving on a weekend. So if you're not doing that stuffing for the turkey breast, what kind are you doing? My son likes a stovetop stuffing best and that is sooo easy. Your recipe sounds great though.

[blumoon]

OMG Jamie . . . you have frogs there? Crazy. They look a bit like those things that go on the walls in Mexico. Is that a baby. Is that why he is so light colored? Do you have a pond in your yard or something?
I am feeling lazy so I'll just do a traditional sage dressing.

[JamieWG]

Do you have a pond in your yard or something?

We're almost underwater! LOL.... Lake on one side and the lake's outlet wraps around another two sides. That's why I paint so many lake scenes. ;) I don't know if this cutie is a baby or not. I think I need to go do some homework about them. Maybe it's a "spring peeper" out of season???

Jamie

[blumoon]

Oh Duh, I didn't realize that you were so close to sea level. I should've guessed from all your paintings. Here we are at 3500 ft above sea level. That's why we are a bit crazy here . . . lack of oxygen! Haha.
He is cute though. I am not too familiar with frogs.

[Richard Saylor]

.....Anybody know who these cute little guys are? Peeping Toms?.....
One of those little critters got inside my house a few weeks ago. It was halfway up the kitchen wall when someone spotted it.

[JamieWG]

One of those little critters got inside my house a few weeks ago. It was halfway up the kitchen wall when someone spotted it.

No kidding, Richard!? Was it really tiny, and did it look just like this one? Do you live by water also?

Jamie

[Lorijo]

Hi everybody!

Helen, the pastel box looks great, sorry about the painting though! Whatever happened with your easel? I think that was about the last post I remember reading before the storm, you had gotten it and parts were messed up.

OOOOO Jamie! Those brushes are super! The little frog is some kind of tree frog I imagine. We have giant tree frogs, right after Frances before the swimming pool got straightened out they were having a grand time laying their eggs in there. My husband has a little boat in the back yard, it is full of water and tadpoles. The frogs and toads had no trouble with the storms, they are thriving. We have been seeing huge flocks of crows and sea gulls, they are sticking together more than they were before.

I will be painting tuesday again if not sooner, I am going to try and get our plein air club out again.

Hi Blu, that stuffing sounds yummy!

Hi Crissy, I loved the hurricane jokes, they had the Christmas one posted at the donut shop here in town. Lori

[Richard Saylor]

No kidding, Richard!? Was it really tiny, and did it look just like this one? Do you live by water also?

Jamie
Tiniest frog I've seen, and it looked just like yours. I live about 1/4 mi from a large pond and 1/2 mi from a river. Maybe it got lost.

[bjs0704]

Crissy - I didn’t know how to cut masonite, but I want to know how it goes. It sounds as if you have an interesting project.

Mitzi- Thanks for stopping in!

Jamie - Thanks bunches for kind thoughts on my MOM!

What is GAC100? I had a prof who used to tell us to coat masonite all over with Kilz. Is this the same idea?

Would spring clamps from the hardware store work?

Since I have had to work quite small on a couple of the MOM’s, I have been looking around at smaller brushes. Let me know how what you think about your new brushes as you give them a try.

We get tree frogs around here that do that! Sometimes in the summer, there will be 8-10 frogs on the window. They only get about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. It could be a peeper.

Helen - THAT IS a NICE pastel pochade box!!!!! Loretta does a really nice job!

Your plein air story is funny!

Blumoon - I have decided that they are great for give aways! People are so often touchy about them being copies. So I am using them as donation pieces. A bunch are going to a church auction in a couple of weeks.

Lemon, garlic and rosemary ... It sounds so delicious! Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Your famous stuffing recipe also sounds delicious.

Richard - Hi, I think that the little frog that we get also lives where you do.

Barb Solomon :cat:

[Helen Zapata]

Lorijo, it's so great having you back with us again. It's like having our lost chick finally back home. :) What a sight with all those birds! Sounds like a painting to me!

Here's the thread where I talked about my new easel...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219216

It's purely wonderous! :D :D I'm so lucky.. new easel, new pastel pochade box. Ahhhh.. life is good!

Jamie, what a cute little frog! I've never seen the little frogs in real life. Just big toads.

Einion and Richard, how cool to have you pop in! The temptation was too strong, eh? :evil:

Richard, I hopped over to your website. Great work! But when I went to look at your photography, all else fled my mind. It's beautiful! I adore black and white photography! And also the "water" photo.. OMG, it's stunning!

Helen

[Richard Saylor]

Richard - Hi, I think that the little frog that we get also lives where you do.
Hi Barb. Apparently they're all over the east coast. It's probably a tree frog, but I had never seen a tree frog that close. They sometimes appear in hordes after a sudden rain shower.
Richard, I hopped over to your website. Great work! But when I went to look at your photography, all else fled my mind. It's beautiful! I adore black and white photography! And also the "water" photo.. OMG, it's stunning!
Thank you for the kind words, Helen. Feel free to use any of the photos for reference images. The "water" one might make an interesting abstract.

[impressionist2]

Jamie, Your painting back on page 8- Fantastic!!!!

You have now simplified and gotten your warms/cools down so well!!!

Reminds me of Haber and Sovek!

Immmmpressive!

Lorijo, How wonderful to have you back!!! Missed you!

We took the kids to dinnerlast evening for their 5th wedding anniversary. The Rose Room at the Fox Hollow Inn, where they were married . Moet waiting for us by the table, when we got there, clams casino, shrimp cocktail, 2 pound lobster, prime rib, and for dessert, Creme brulee, the best I've tasted so far!

Renee

[Bendaini]

Crissy, are you using the mini panels for acrylic or oil? Be sure to double-seal them with GAC100 on the back, front, and all 4 sides before priming. Einion is right that the 1/8" you can cut with a knife and it's probably better to do so that way if you can stop your straight edge from slipping. I cut them on a table saw; my husband and I run a whole batch at a time and it goes pretty fast, but you do lose a bit with each cut that way. Marc Hanson has a fantastic panel recipe that I just made a batch of and they are totally scrumptious!

Umm... I just put several layers of gesso on them, sanding in between. Money is definitly a problom anymore and I can only deal with what I have on hand, which is gesso.


We just found out that they ordered mike's work to start deducting health insurance from his pay checks. On top of child support deductions and everything else we will be lucky to be able to pay electricity and rent... Sigh.. Have to go talk to the lawyer monday. She told us it was illegal for them to take medical insurance if it would put us in destitution, which it will... so have to get that figured out real fast before they take even more...

[RuiFromUK]

Dear colourful people,

I have now created the new thread for this week's colourful conversations

You will find it here:

New week (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221982)

Kind regards to all.

Rui