Animal Wednesday with Robin

What a wonderful week Robin and I spent together getting to know one another in person. She was a delightful guest! I just took her to the airport where she'll be getting back to her life in San Francisco. Just like when Marianne left, I miss her already.

Here I am photographing her photographing a seagull!

She was fascinated by everything here, even the ordinary.

This photo was taken at Colt State Park in Bristol.

We strolled through the gardens and arboretum at Blithewold and I discovered a pond which I had never seen before. It was fun sharing something new with her.

These koi were coy! They just wanted to stay beneath the surface although the sun was calling them.

We had a wonderful lunch here in Newport.

Most of the shops have water and treats for doggies that pass by!

Lions and griffons on my favorite planter at Blithewold.

And this sweet little Viceroy we saw on the Cliff Walk.

And here's the gang at Coggeshall Farm. One burro, one horse, and an entire family of heirloom cattle. They are massive and gorgeous!

Lilac Robin is scouting for more wildlife.

Looking for shells...

The adventurer!

Marco!!! Polo!!!!! Marco??? Lolo????

And so she continues to sleuth along the water's edge.

I'm told she loves it here.

I'm sure she'll be back ;)

xo

lo♥

My latest paintings

This guy is my latest little miniature, 4"x4". I painted two at the same time. I gave the other one to KJ and JB for hosting me last weekend in Provincetown.

He's supposed to go to YART but I also listed him on Etsy.

First come, first serve :) 

I was commissioned to paint this Casablanca Lily for someone wo owns two other pieces of mine. I struggled with this! It's only 6"x6" on masonite. I painted it with acrylics but I just couldn't get the blending to work. I thought I'd take a chance and work in some colored pencils knowing I could ruin it. I think it helped, so rather than overwork it I called it finished. And she's happy with it, that's what matters!

Have a great weekend!

xo♥

Provincetown Part 1

The long drive to Provincetown was a breeze this weekend. It's as if everyone waited to go later. Honestly, I had the open road the whole way and the sunshine followed along.

A little squirrel acted as my escort, showing me the way up the stairs.

Ah, but I already knew my way!

This is the view from the outdoor dining table where we shared wonderful meals and conversation. It's such a charming place!

A calm greeter.

The sweet windowbox on the shed. Their neighbor has wonderful special touches everywhere you look. What a green thumb he has!

This was the view from my window at the restaurant we went to for Sunday brunch.

(remember, $12.95 all you can eat at Fanizzi's!!)

hahaha, KJ was telling everyone that all day!

The three of us went to the beach Sunday afternoon and just chilled for a couple of hours. It was heavenly and peaceful and nourishing.

Look at this sweet little free-spirit!

Our tired feetsies :)

It was a lovely day. A perfect weekend, really.

I took so many photos that I'll have to do a series of posts. The next one will be on the houses and gardens, and then Wednesday will be some dog photos I took on my walks.

This is just a short post for now so I can get caught up on things around here.

It's amazing what falls apart when I'm not here, but I have to say Bri did a great job taking care of Emma and Bliss, and that's one huge worry off my mind.

I hope to visit all of you real soon!!

Thanks KJ and JB.

I'm still glowing♥

Animal Wednesday: Gull-ible

Robin started a theme on Animal Wednesday today after seeing Mim's post so of course I felt the need to follow!

Here's a photo I took while living in Monterey. I call it "My Gullfriends."

And here is a very large painting I did called "Centering."

I was inspired on a walk at Asilomar one blustery day and this seagull just hovered in front of me, bracing against the wind. I knew right then that I'd go home and paint him!

I was lucky enough to have Asilomar right in my neighborhood.

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Illustration Friday: Adrift 1 and 2

Awww, I know what you're thinking. How sweet! He's reaching out to her.

Here's how it's really playing out.

"Hon, toss me the sunscreen would ya?"

"Whaaaaaat?? I thought you brought it!"

Being adrift at sea can make you just a little pink.

Just a little ;)

 

This is an ATC I did for my friend Mim in our trading group, ABC ATC's Around the World.

This is "D" is for Dinghys.

Adrift, of course!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Animal Wednesday: Double Take

This is another photo taken in Provincetown in October when KJ, Debra Kay and I got together.

I did a double take when I saw this bird until I realized it was wood! I just love the white on white motif and the calmness the photo has.

Seems appropriate to use all this white today seeing as we're being snowed in!

Happy Animal Wednesday to my two-footed, four-footed and feathered friends.

Illustration Friday : Breezy Encounter

Many of you know I live near the ocean, a place that centers me and nourishes my soul.

One breezy day I was trying to walk off the blues. This seagull hovered not a foot away from my face and looked me right in the eye as if telling me to leave all my cares right there.

As she hung in the breeze, she brought me down to earth.

(I posted this painting 2 years ago, but not for Illustration Friday.)

acrylic on canvas 36"x36" click to enlarge details

Animal Wednesday: Prayer in Motion

When I was seeing what I had on hand for this week, I came across this seagull from a large painting I posted last year called "Centering." I remember walking the beach on a blustery, Winter day and seeing this seagull hover right before my eyes just a few inches from me. I knew it had to be in a painting! I painted him larger than life to give him a sense of a powerful presence. Click to enlarge him so you can see the detail. There is much more to seagulls than we see with a quick glance. So, remember to stop and take a deep breath every now and then in your rushing about, and get centered. Happy Animal Wednesday!

IF : Chasing away the blues

I could have posted several images today seeing as I always use blues in my work. This is a painting I did called "In the Moment." I remember I had the blues one day and went to my favorite place down the street, Asilomar Beach. My heart was as heavy as the fog on the bay. I saw this lone gull just sitting and looking into the ocean as if all of his troubles were being washed away. He wasn't trying to be anywhere else. He was here, just as I was. He reminded me to be in the moment because that's all we have. So for a while I let the waves carry my blues away and my heart felt lighter.

The ocean is my sanctuary, my chase-away-the-blues place.

Thanks for coming along with me. Here's a photo of Asilomar, so you can see why I love it so.

acrylic on canvas 48" x 24" click to enlarge

Centering

" Centering is meditation in action. When you are centered, you are in a state of clarity, focus, peace and balance."

This is my latest painting I hung in my little gallery. This too, was inspired by one of my many walks along the ocean. It was a chilly day and a gull was just hovering in front of me. It was like we shared a moment or two. I painted it large, 3' by 3' square, meaning for it to be hung so the viewer and the gull are eye to eye just as we were. People who come into the gallery all seem to say that my work has a spiritual feel. I must be doing something right because those same nice people have been buying my paintings. I pretty much pinch myself every day!

Thanks for looking. You should be able to click on it for a larger view.