Splendor in the grass
Round the corner, view roses
Hot summer big blooms.
Art Prescription: Despite the heat I mowed this morning. I love to mow. It’s like waltzing across the yard getting a close up view of all my flowers. Yes, some weeding is involved. Fresh water in the bird-bath invites blue birds. They flash their cobalt blue wings as they take a dip in the cool water. Hope this pair will build again in the box. I sanded my new painting to pick up on the many layers. Excited to show soon…
Reality, goals
Self-actualization now
Contentment with life.
Art Prescription: Life is a challenge. We all go through the ups and downs of daily life, family crisis, the air condition quit and it’s a 100 degrees outside. But never fear, lest we get caught up in the things that don’t define our lives, just a few days. According to Maslow, and this is my translation, if our perception of reality matches our expectations in life, then we are happy. We accept simplicity and accept ourselves and others. It really is about the day in and day out moments that make up a whole…how did you spend your day?
Maslow lists the following characteristics of self-actualizers
1 more efficient perception of reality and more comfortable relations with it
2 acceptance (self, others, nature)
3 spontaneity; simplicity; naturalness
4 problem centering
Independence Day
Cookouts, fireworks, mosquitoes!
Red, white, and blue time.
Art Prescription: Mid-summer celebration!
Sweltering, fiery
Sultry July comes in hot
Hazy thick moist air.
Art Prescription: It is July, but dog-gone it’s HOT! 99 and above is the forecast. Flowers need water almost twice a day, especially in pots. I’ve had two uninterrupted days in my studio and playing with some new mixed media, modeling paste and collage. Very experimental and I’ve painted about 5, really, paintings on two matching canvases, not satisfied yet with the results. I’m always amazed at how much time it really takes to create! It takes time to day dream, sketch out ideas, think about composition and color, and at times it’s really hard to manifest what you have in your mind onto the paper or canvas. Always remember to work, step away, look at your painting from a distance, go for a walk, and come back with fresh eyes!
“Five more minutes.” “Two.”
“Four more minutes.” Two and half.”
Four…wonder who won?
Art Prescription: Oh my gosh it’s HOT! Temperatures topping 100 this weekend. Had to water my garden almost twice a day to keep them from withering. Of course the most sensible place to be in weather like this is the pool. As I walked by on my evening jaunt, I heard a familiar bargain going down at the pool. Kids are always trying to get just a few more minutes of pleasure. For them five minutes means the world. As we get older we tend to measure our time differently…always looking ahead, planning, racing with the clock. Perhaps we should think like a six year old this summer, and wager for just five more minutes of doing something we love!!!!!!
Big fat bumble bees
Buzz Purple Veronica
Land bloom after bloom.
Art Prescription: Breaking records here in NC, heat wave. Supposed to be 105 degrees with a 115 degree heat index this weekend, wicked hot. Home from work I ventured out to make sure all my pretties were well watered. No matter what, my time outside brings me peace. The bees seemed not bothered by the heat as they flew from bud to bud drinking sweet Purple Veronica nectar. For me a bit of nature time helps me decompress from work, gives me time to think and examine nature, life.
Wine glass beads with sweat
Refreshing French white wine cools
Tingles on hot day.
Art Prescription: It is almost July, but wow it’s getting hot. Here in NC the forecast for the next three days is 105 degrees. Looks like outside activities will be early morning or probably just the pool!! Today’s quote comes from Tao Te Ching:
“See the world as your self.
Have faith in the way things are.
Love the world as your self;
then you can care for all things.”
Cool clear blue sky morn
Spring-like temperature, June
Nice “cold front” surprise.
Art Prescription: What an unexpected wave of cool temperatures! Almost needed long sleeves for our morning walk. A perfect day for plein air painting. Nothing makes me happier than being right in front of the plant I’m drawing, trying to describe its personality and curves with line and paint, so much richer than working from photos. This brings me to a conversation I had with a friend yesterday…we talked about how different people are in how they choose to live their lives. Some people live just on the surface, never diving into a deeper meaning for their circumstances. For me and my friend, depth is important. Each and every day we seek to find meaning and purpose and if we can express this creatively! bravo!
Here are the paintings I’m working on:
Precious beyond all
Who can find a good woman?
She is his reward.
Art Prescription: Saw my little female blue bird again in the yard. Will she build another nest? Started two new paintings today with lots and lots of layers, kind of like a relationship. Started off with big broad strokes of many colors, then added a dimensional coat of just red. Then I painted the whole canvas white. From there I sanded the areas of red that I want to stand out. Big plans for these paintings!! While all that was drying I did a little sumi-ink painting of the Spice bush Swallowtail I saw the other day!
New minty green walls
Bright white trim, two coats, team work
Next stop bamboo floor!
Art Prescription: Sam and I have been working on our home improvement projects for two solid weekends now. The painting is done! Next is the bamboo floor, which has to “rest” in the room for 72 hours before you lay it so the wood can adapt. We work pretty good as a team…a bit of irritability here and there, but overall we both enjoy a little hard work for the reward at the end. As with the many facets of life, you get back what you put in…Oh, and while doing this kind of painting, an idea for a new series came to me and I can’t wait to get back in my studio…stay tuned!!
art prescription 