Round the Campfire ~ April

[Fredrix 45]

I love the quote from Carl Jung, thanks Kate. I am not a morning person but I did manage to exercise a bit and straighten the house and now for the rest of the day:

I have a small touch to an oil painting for The Virtual Paintout before I publish it on their blog. I am also working on copyrighting my art, using the governments on line system, but I am not sure of the sizes, they say 3"X3" but what's the DPI?

I also visit my sleep apnea doctor today for my biannual check up, thank God for my CPAP machine, it saved my life. At 5 we head out for Bible study, we are studying the Psalms.

I have my goats drawn for the quick draw, I should finish the painting quickly now, in watercolor. Having the house up for sale is putting a crimp on my oil painting, thank God for watercolors. We have a lock box and people can call at any time to see the house, we give ourselves 45 minutes to an hour to put away stuff and clear out. Lucky for us most people make appointments a day ahead.

Too windy here today to photograph my paintings outside, I have a few more to place on my website. My daughter just revamped the whole website and I was able to place over 200 more works of my art on the site, I love it! My New Website

Just another day in the life of an artist.
Good Day to you all , Aleada

[Catherine1]

Good Morning..

Yes.. Technically it still is morning for a few more mins. Though when I send this in.. lol.. It will be dinner time.

Sorry to have been so quiet, been busy with the studio. Walls are done.. flooring is down and we are moving things into the studio. Except for trim and shelving its done. Since its not critical we are waiting on a sale to come along before forking out big bucks on hardwood trim. Hard part is deciding where to put everything and how to arrange all the tables. May take a few days but I'll get pics up soon.

Kate Thanks for the wake up and breakfast. I do feel your pain with the dramatic re-arrange and clutter. Sounds like you had a bit of a frustrating week.. but its great that you have had lots of fun thrown in too.

Robert.. I enjoy your progress shots so much! Each time you post one its like a whole new work. You have such a sense of balance to your work.

Jim.. Stretching does not sound like a great way to spend the day, but I hope it helps.
Oh.. Yea.. CONGRATS!!! I was checking out the OPA listing for works accepted into the show and what did I see? A Lil' Piggy that I recognized right off as yours! Again congrats!

Donald.. Hope her boots have softened out by now. Neats foot oil can be found at the bigger farm stores or a saddle shop.
Glad she loves her archery. Oh.. I too was looking for TF. Hiding behind the waterfall? Good job on it.

Jen.. I love the elegant curves to the line work Its stellar!!! Beyond that I am at a loss for words!!!!!

Cindy.. Fishing and getting back to nature.... Though the shower was a bit over the top.. I'm glad you enjoyed the day..

Hi Jo.. Mental blocks are not fun when when you get them, are they? I'll bet when you get back into the groove, (and you will!), those little bumps push your art up a notch.
I always hate playing on a fast internet connection and then come back to mine. Makes me nuts sometimes with the satellites 7 sec lag, though hubby says that can't happen cause I'm already a bit nutty.

Hearty Hello! Deb.. Lisa, Ron, Linda, Don.. (Miss ya!)... Have a great week everyone!

[jennaboo88]

Hello everyone!

Hi Donald. I hope that you feel the urge to write some of Two Feather's tales sometime.

Hi Robert. It's always great to get the cleaning over and done with! That drawing is outstanding! Have you got plans for this piece? Being so large, it will really made a statement on the wall! Looking so great!

Hi Ron. Funny how art can keep us up all night, isn't it? Can't wait to see your pastel piece! Thanks for the very nice comments on my scratchboard.

Hi Jim. Full City roast coffee? Is that allowed at the Campfire?

I really hope you continue to get help for your back. It sounds like it really interferes with your life. Thanks for the nice comments! Glad you like it (...for a cat)!

Hi Kate. Glad to see you back! I've wondered where you've been. I should have thought of your rose garden. Roses are so beautiful. Nothing is quite like taking photos, is it? It's one of those things I cherish. I love wandering around outside with my camera. Thanks for breakfast!

Hi Aleada. I hope you have a good Bible Study. The Psalms are among my favorites. They are beautiful and so comforting. I can't wait to see your goat painting!

Hi Catherine. Your studio sounds so close to done now! You must be just about giddy waiting for it to be done so you can move it and grab your brushes. I can't wait to see pictures of it! Thanks for the very nice comments on my scratchboard.

I went to see Titanic in 3D last night. I'd never seen a 3D movie. That was a lot of fun, and more impressive than I'd have imagined. Not too much else is new. Still waiting for kittens. The mom cats are so round it's just comical.

[objectivistartist]

well, while am hoping to get this finished in a couple more months, showing it prob will not take place until the November Temple Terrace Arts Fest, where i usually have a tent for the two day weekend... and it will cover one wall, being 'the WOWSER'...

otherwise will be seen online here, and other places... any place else will have to come to pass, as nothing in mind at the moment...

[Lisa M]

Hi all--and happy last week of classes!!!!! I've missed checking in over the past couple of weeks. I took a bit (quite a bit) of time to catch up yesterday.

Catherine--I hope your bird tires out soon. I've never heard of one being such a pest!

Jenna--Your comments about the kittens remind me of childhood on the farm, when my sister and I would stalk the momma kitties for hours trying to find their babies. We often failed, and when we did find them, they usually got moved right away. You asked about the cats here--I was referring to wild feral cats, not wildcats, though we did see some cougar tracks just outside a neighbor's shed a couple of weeks ago, photos confirmed by an expert. They're well confirmed to be living around here now, but they don't really concern me much I guess.

Deb--When will you ever stop adding new things to your hobbies list? I don't know how you have time for it all. Your recent running excursion sounds enticing despite the weather. I wish I had a fitness partner like you do! (My boyfriend might get on the bicycle to join me for a horseback ride, once in awhile.)

Good luck with your marketing ventures. I'm sure you'll get it figured out. Good luck with the bees, too, and post your painting results for the boxes! The only ones I see around here are white, and sometimes I walk up the long hill leading to their colony so I can run like he** if I have to get away from them. In all the years, only once did I seem to disturb them and they got tangled in my hair.

I'll also try to get some more photos of foals on campus; I've seen 4 total now, but last week we had gale-force winds and lots of clouds (and wonderful rain ).

Jim--I didn't realize quite the extent of your back troubles. Arggghhh!! I can relate to taking two minutes each to lie down and get up, though it lasted for just a few weeks for me after I was bucked from a horse a few years ago. I didn't think I'd ever walk normally again. There's hope!

Cyntada--Cormorants = danger. You were brave going anywhere near them.

Well, the police and Game, Fish and Parks personnel are looking for someone who shot a whooping crane, speaking of birds. What a piece of scum. I hope to hear soon of an arrest.

Aleada--I like your website, so much creativity, wow!

Ron--How's the big project at the VA going? Also I love your bronc rider; I should have posted but I thought I was going to hurry this morning.

Congrats to all the young sharpshooters! I enjoyed it during Basic Training, and did well enough, despite being legally blind in one eye. (Good thing you need only one to aim. ) It is a calming sport, ironically.

Take care, all, and hello to everyone! I'm staying focused on work through the end of next week (finals week) and will then turn efforts to the yard and gardens. I'm contemplating not planting a veggie garden this year because we may go on a long (8-10 days) vacation in July, right when most items are in full production and need lots of daily attention.

I'm off to work! Can't wait 'til (next) Friday. . . .

[jennaboo88]

Hi there everyone.

Hi Robert. Well, this piece is sure to wow the crowd in your tent at the Art Fest. It will be such fun to see it finished!

Hi Lisa. I was thinking you must have meant a feral cat, but wasn't sure. Guess what? We got some kitties today! Five of them! I've got some photos that I'll post. They are so adorable!

I've yet to see a cougar in the wild, but they're around here. People see evidence and see the cats themselves from time to time. Your long trip in July sounds like so much fun! We didn't have a garden last year, but I hope to plant a small one this year.

Hello to everybody! There are kittens here at last. We've got five of them, and boy are they cute! I haven't been able to see new kittens for a long time, so I'm all grins today.

Unfortunately, Mama Cat decided to have them under the grill on our deck. It's her first time, she must not have planned ahead. That wouldn't work in the long run, as one of the little ones was crawling dangerously close to the deck's edge where he might fall. We made a little nest for them with a box and an old rug. I had to carefully, nervously, move them into their new home. I did have to snap a photo of one of them, who was curled up asleep in my hand in the few seconds I was holding him. Talk about cute!







Oddly enough, the tan cat is the mother, but the calico in the background here (you can see her face by the tan cat's shoulder) is acting the part of a mom, too. And she's still pregnant. I guess she can't wait for her own.



Have a great day, everyone!

[Catherine1]

Hey everyone...
Not much going on here at present. Though I have gotten a few things painted.
Jen.. What darling little kittens! A few more weeks and its snuggle time. Patches is getting read to have hers.

Lisa.. Nice to see your still about! The bird finally got the memo that a cat lives here. The cat got the memo that a tasty bird is playing tap tap on the window. So its a lot quieter. I am so glad that its solved for now because the bird has made a splattering mess on the railings and such. Its amazing how much poop they produce.

Best get off of here.. Hello to all!!!

[KJSieloff]

Howdy to all!

Been crazy-busy at home still...self induced mostly. Have Chula Vista Gardens (translate this into my back yard) up and flourishing beautifully. And been working slowly and diligently on my colored pencil drawing for the exchange on the CP forum.

Work's been totally wacko, so gotta get off here. Have a super afternoon gang!
Kate

[mtnrunner]

hey everybody!
sorry I've been MIA for a bit.. just lots of work, and no time!
My goodness, you all have been busy!
Robert, it's looking fantastic. glad the apt. passed inspection. Red tape is such a drag...
Jenna... they are sooooooooo cute. Oh my gosh! What little sweeties! They are going to be pretty cats - you can tell already. what in the world will you do with all of them???? and the scratchboard is just wonderful. I was at the art supply store this week and almost bought some because I love the way yours turned out so much.
Catherine, is it done yet? Floors in? Stained? we want photos!
Jim.. I sure do hope this works for you - nothing worse than back pain - cuz then everything hurts.
Lisa... I hope I don't end up with bees in my hair. I have briefly thought of decorating the hive... but time is so short, I will probably just paint them to cover the bare wood for now.. but some more artistic endeavors might come later... however, now that I think about it.. painting them with bees in residence probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Donald...I get those pads of loose canvas sheets.. you can get canvas or linen, in several different brands, and they are probably about as cheap as your watercolor paper, and then, if something turns out good, you can adhere them to a panel and frame! How are you liking the class? I can never attend them because of when they are scheduled...
ron - how's work?
Kate - what are you cooking lately? You're always in the kitchen it seems.

I know I'm leaving somebody out.. sorry.. I can't keep up with all of you.
this weekend is our first big race of the year. I am a little apprehensive because this one has a strict time cut-off at the midway point. (if you don't make it by their cut off time, they pull you from the race) I do better starting real slow and then ramping up the pace a bit later (or really, just not slowing down so much as others) so having to worry about time cut offs doesn't suit my running style. This one is a 50 miler up in the Collegiates in Colorado - but we're only going up to about 9500 feet, so it shouldn't be too bad.
On the way home, we're going to stop and pick up the hive. yay!
And double yay- I was at the Dr's office this week and my oxygen saturation is finally back up to normal!!! In the car accident I had a pretty massive lung contusion, and they told me it mgiht take a long time to get back to normal. I have been at 94% for about a year, but it is finally back at 99%...
I was finishing up a still life today and took this shot of all the little 5x7's I'm donating - there might be one more. maybe... who knows?

[rugman]

Aleada-hi, glad to hear how things are for you in your part of the world, I need to go see your website

Deb- those all look great together, wowser

Jenna- more cats! oh no! LOL

Lisa- good to hear from you and lifes good in your world

Work is going good. So far I have tiled 50 rooms, 47 exam rooms and a few storage rooms. By the end of this job I will have installed a mile of rubber cove base (literally, not exaggerating)....so I am spending a few days here installing that in the rooms I have tiled.

hi to everyone, I better run..later..

[Jo Castillo]

Well, good afternoon. Haven't made the morning coffee in a while. Sorry.

Ron, I can't even think of tile in feet, much less miles!

Deb, you have so much energy. The donation paintings are outstanding. Guess I will have to check your blog to see the New England ones. Ha.

Hey, Kate! Good to see you. I saw a recipe for roasted strawberries the other day and thought of you. I tried it, but you roast them for 45 minutes. I can cook them on top the stove in 10 or so right? Couldn't see any big difference either. It was a waste of time and electricity. Ha.

Catherine, glad you are getting a bit of painting in.

Jenna, kittens again. Wow!

Lisa, will be nice to have a break from classes. Hope your non veggie garden does great.

Robert, your painting/drawing is a wowser for sure. Congratulations on it, coming along in an amazing way.

Aleada, I tried a CPAP and could not take the noise in my head. I told the folks and they said the machine is not noisy. I told them, I know that but the wind whistles in my empty brain. They couldn't believe me. I gave it up after a year of no sleep with the machine. I'm sure glad it is working for you. Yay!!! Your website and art looks great.

Jim, love your coffee, but it is a bit old by today, eh? Hope you are doing better with the back.

Donald, you sound awfully busy, too.

I did a little 8 x 8 painting from wetcanvas images. Someone named Cbrooks. I should have used Lisa's. Oh well, next time. It is just for me for practice, Pastels on the new pastel cards from Multimedia Artboard ordered from Dakota Pastels. I like it, similar in feel to Colourfix, Art Spectrum, paper.



Later, all y'all.....

[jennaboo88]

Hello everyone. I hope you're enjoying weather as beautiful as here. In the 60s and sunny. Beautiful.

Hi Catherine. "A few little things painted"...what, that's it? You're not going to show us? Thanks. They are sweet little things. More came last night to another mom cat. We have a total of seven kittens here between these two moms who insist on sharing their space and their families. Cute!

What fun that you'll be getting kittens, too! I hope to see pictures of yours, as well.

Hi Kate. I'd love to see photos of your garden/back yard! I love that you've named it. It must be beautiful!

Hi Deb. Thanks. Well, we'll keep them (all, I know) I suppose. We started with this group of cats to control mice around the farm. What can I say? The mice will be extra-controlled now. Thank you so much for the very kind comments! Scratchboard has been a lot of fun. I'd love to see you try it out.

I'm sure you'll enjoy running a race again. You must just love to run. And congratulations on having your oxygen saturation back to normal. You're getting well more and more. I'm so glad for that.

What an excellent set of paintings! That fundraiser is lucky to have you! Excellent paintings, each and every one!

Hi Ron. Yes, more cats! Brace yourself! Whoa! You're moving right along at your job. Great work!

Hi Jo. Yup, more kittens. What a great painting! Those background colors are so cheerful and really complement this young colt well. Great work!

Hello to everyone else out there. I've counted seven kittens between these two mom cats, and the moms are sharing the same home, so these cat cousins will be more like cat siblings.

[Lisa M]

Aww, Jenna!!! You couldn't fake a photo like the one with the second momma looking over the shoulder--that's a classic! Only two from the second one? Probably a good thing; she can concentrate better on them, or maybe not given their current co-habitating. . . . I've seen them join up at older ages, but never at the efforts of the mothers at birth. They can keep each other warm. Keep sharing photos! I LOVE kitties!!

'Tis the season for babies! I snapped a few more photos at the Horse Unit yesterday, and will post a couple. The mares like to stay in the far corner, and the babies were mostly lazy, though one wanted to be either in my camera or running away at full speed. I'll try for more again soon.













This last one is the oldest. He whinnied when I turned to leave, and then did a few fast circles to show off for his buddies. There were four of them (same one in the third and fourth), but one was shy and never came close at all.

Jo--I love your little foal! Feel free to use any of these as well. . . though I'm not the best photographer. Moving targets are difficult!

Deb--I am just dumbfounded at your running 50 miles at that altitude. I have been thinking about running our veterans honor marathon again this fall. It'll be 3 years now since I did it. I'm sure you'll do great!

You are very fortunate to have healed up so well from your accident. Are the dogs used to getting in the Jeep again? I remember that one of them became terrified after the wreck. The painting collection has a lovely harmony, and your generosity is unsurpassed.

Hello to all. . . . I must be getting on the road to work.

Just strong Seattle Style Dark coffee today, for the last day of classes. Did I say YIPPEEE!!! Now for the 1,000 or so pages of reports and essays to review. . . . I am ready for a little vacation.

Have a great day, all!!!

[rugman]

Jo- great little painting! There are so many new pastel papers that I have yet to try.....

Jenna- cool photos, I promise to post our chicken/chick photos soon

Lisa- 1000's pages to review.....yuck! You definetly deserve vacation! Great photos of the foals.

Catherine- is your new studio up and running yet?

Hi to everyone, hope your day goes well

[tuzigoot]

Hi all - just a quick check in here - but I have to say that the baby pics of the kittens and foals are worth the price of admission!
Deb, those pieces are wondrous, as is your generosity.
We managed to escape up to Zion again - friends in from Oregon to visit the sun - so we took off for what is becoming a regular haunt.

Here's a shot of the area around Emerald Pools:




And Mt Carmel hwy:




Also - just got a note from Michael C Johnson about a painting retreat he's organizing in Taos for next spring:
www.paintnewmexico.com

Should be wonderful!

Greetings to all the rest of the campers!