one little two little three little fishies...

Our last lesson was a lesson in trust for the art clubbers.

First they painted their entire pieces with warm colors and designs.

That was easy enough.

 But then I asked them,

"Do you trust me?"

 and I told them to paint out most of their paintings with cool blues 

and only leave at least 3 fish shapes.

 "What, but why didn't we just paint the fish shapes to begin with?", they asked.

 A hard lesson to take, but they had the 'ahha' moment finally

when they saw those hidden fish come to life before their eyes.

"Hello there little fishies!"

 I first learned this technique with Jesse Reno at art fest...

 and it was torture -

 covering over your art and not knowing if what you put on top

will be better than what is there.

I still think about what I covered up in one of my paintings 

and wish I had let it be.

I think these guys are more adaptable 

and not yet set in their ways like us adults.

If only they could keep that trust and spontaneity through out life.

I like to think I am helping with that just a little.

let's merry!

well I am trying at least.

showed up to the gallery opening
(see the previous post) 

to find 3 of my 4 paintings were missing.

hmm... we hunted for them.

looked high and low...

and discovered they were already SOLD!!!

I really couldn't believe it -

oh me of little faith.

I can't tell you what that did for my spirit. 

I was thinking if they did not sell here this month

then I might as well give up.

so now I have a renewed joyfulness 

that I can be me!

you know what I mean?

and there is lots being prepped in the studio

 for the art clubbers

 to play with

 and you gotta have some bells

and here is one of the samples they will be making 

to reflect this advent season.

I will share them all later.
hope you are having a blessed season!

art opening tomorrow - come join the fun!

it may not be serious after all...

I should say that and 

then repeat it again and again.

 this newest piece is for sale here -

at the gallery, not the saloon btw

 along with  a sensible arrangement in the window

 see it in the middle below

 and it is kept company by the other four in the series

 and they could each come live with you for $45.

the opening party is tomorrow 

and the small 6"x6" pieces will be for sale all month.

might you suggest santa pick one up for you?

bundle of brushes

sorry my friends...

life has gotten a little too hectic.

here is a favorite photo to tide you over for awhile.

nothing makes me happier than a 

'bundle of brushes'

just waiting to be dipped in paint

to depict the best of 

our imagination.

random behavior

hmmm...

came home to find the closet open with this note.

 that would be pretty random 

because our cat, Matteo,

really likes to sleep in his cozy chair.

He is there literally 95% of the time -

a cat who likes routine and a fine chair

which does not smell too much like dog.

the other habit we can count on with him

is that he will come and greet us whenever we come home.

Zoe taught him this -

and she taught him that this behavior is done without exception

every time the masters return.

most often he is sitting with Zoe at the garage door

with half open eyes and a yawn on his lips 

as he greets us and saunters back off to his chair.

but lately he has been an explorer...

 case in point - 

see this pine dresser above which holds our linens

in the kitchen.

well a couple of weeks ago he disappeared for 3 whole hours.

we called outside and swept the neighborhood 

as we were sure he had gotten out when the garbage was taken out.

needless to say we were wrecks 

as our neighborhood is frequented by coyotes and such.

but twice I heard scratching and all 3 of us 

(that would be our dog Zoe as the third detective)

went looking.  

I was sure he was in the wall...

could not tell where the noise was coming from.

 but eventually we narrowed it down to this bottom drawer.

I opened it and out he jumped.

sheesh...

he has never done anything like that before.

he jumped into the bottom drawer

 while my husband was fixing a knob on the third drawer down.

and Doug put the drawer back without seeing him...

and he stayed there three hours without letting us know.

now today he hid out in the closet 

and I just got home and he did not greet me.  

instead I found him sleeping under the table peering out at me...

do I sense a mutiny in the works?

 naw, it must be the wind and rain howling outside.

smart cat - maybe I should join him.

duck, duck, goose

You may know by now that I have a thing for Canada Geese...

wish they were tame and I could have a potty trained pet in the house

that would curl up and sleep with my cat and dog - 

maybe put his wings out for them to sleep under,

and they could run around chasing each other and 

the goose could fly through the room

yelling "duck, duck GOOSE" as they played tag.

Oh well I must be really losing it, 

but don't you enjoy daydreaming?

 I think the kiddos really enjoyed some daydreaming with these mixed media geese.

 First we drew with crayons for some wax-resist.

 Then we used cake tempera for the background...

 and we pulled out the texture templates 

 for the wings.

 I made templates of the geese which they painted and cut out.

 Stamps were used for background texture.

 Feathers and geese were glued to background...

 and feet and tails painted and background touches added.

Love these artists and their creations!

I can just hear the geese flying overhead in a V-

QUACK, QUACK, HONK HONK...
almost forgot - I got the idea for the project here.

any owls flying your way?

want a fun project that will keep the little ones 

focused and happy?

then collect those toilet paper rolls and begin...

one with a shield,

a samurai,

notice the crown,

and some love.
 hoo, hoo I love you!