Just one of those days...

... where nothing I painted today is any good, my cat has growled at me all day (we're down to one kitten), I've not been the least bit happy with my hair and I feel fat. I just want a "do over". Don't you wish you had the option for a couple of "do overs" in your life? When it comes to painting I try to look at it as getting the bad stuff out so the good stuff can come and hopefully it will come tomorrow. I painted the two boys this past week just before Milo went to his new home. Ralphie is the only one left and he loves to torment my cat. He's not afraid of her anymore, in fact he chases her around and has jumped on her several times - not to be mean, he just wants to play. And quite simply Baby Kitty is NOT a playing cat. What an ill tempered cat I have. How did that happen? I've enjoyed painting these little guys. Such cuties...

Yippee Skippee!

Today actually felt like a day of work. After being a good foster kitten mom and giving the kittens their food and morning kisses, I spent the better part of the day on the "business of art" which essentially means I worked but I did not paint today. But the hard work at the computer paid off. Because I have my shop at ETSY up and running again. This time I am able to sell prints at very reasonable prices and I must say they look FANTABULOUS!. The giclee prints are on this great textured paper and it's hard to tell the print from the real McCoy. That's exciting enough, but I'm even more excited that I'm not the one making the prints. I was able to find a local printer and framer so I can stick to what I do best which is paint and not spend hours on the computer. Aren't you glad we live in a world where everyone has different abilities and desires. I sure am. Let me know what you think!

Tornado Drill

Because I grew up in Ohio, I was familiar with tornado drills. But it's been 20 years since I found myself grabbing the cat, and in this case, cat and 2 kittens (yes, one has a new home) and heading to the basement. I was painting and trying to get my ETSY shop set up (soon, but not yet) when I heard the alarm sound outside. That's not a pleasant sound. It's very unnerving and I found myself looking at the sky more than anything else. Oh well, at least the washer and dryer is in the basement and I can do some laundry. But I did get these this piece done and soon, very, very soon you will be able to buy giclee prints of these and many other painting you've seen here on my blog. I'll keep you posted.

One is Cute, but Three...

... just might have been crazy thinking. I'm referring to kittens of course. They're having a ball but both Baby Kitty and I want to lock ourselves in the bedroom and keep them out. And, I feel for my mean old cat. She can't go anywhere without at least two of them following her. They eat from her bowl, use her litter box, eat her kitty grass, play with her toys, sleep in her favorite chair. They've take over and I'm sure she's wondering what she has done to deserve this. This morning she whined and whined to be let in the front hall of our apartment building. Currently she is sitting right smack dab in the middle of my downstairs neighbor's doormat that reads "WELCOME". That says it all.
I'm still seeking good homes for these kittens. You can just have one. They're sweet, funny, litter trained and soon to be fixed - all for FREE!!!! How could you pass this up? You can contact me or StrayRescue.
This little guy is my favorite - if that's at all possible to have a favorite kitten, he's the runt of the litter and is the sloppiest eater I have ever seen. Also, he likes kitten soup. I have to take dry cat food and soak it in water for a bit because it's still too hard for him to chew it all up.
But I know you aren't here to read about kittens - I mean there is LOTS more to life and LOTS more that inspires me... like cupcakes. I mean who ISN'T inspired by a good moist chocolate cupcake? Yesterday I had lunch with one of the owners of the new cupcake bakery here in St. Louis call The Cupcakery. She's a sassy single gal and such a hard worker. It was so cool to hear her story and how life looped her around to where she is right now. And what fine yummy cupcakes. I had the peanut butter one.
Then later in the day, my new artist friend Mary Beth Flynn called me and got on to me about staying disciplined and focused through this art endeavor. I have to admit, I'm so not a woman who can stay on task - my head goes in a million directions and I just like to jump on the next great idea. But right now, I really need to be more right brained or I won't see anything happen. It's frustrating because this is not my natural state. And it also explains why my lovely little "GerAmyUm" book isn't finished. Mary Beth has been painting house portraits (and supporting herself) for over 14 years and I know much of her success comes from being diligent, on task yet still taking risks. I really hope she rubs off on me!
Also, I've discovered this amazing new blog that inspires me greatly. Check out decor8.

Peace and Peonies

Last week I finished and sent off a commissioned painting of three stages of a blooming peony to a man getting married in Florida. Over the past year we've been in contact over a peony painting for his girlfriend who became his fiancee and now his wife. Three stages - much like the painting itself. Originally he wanted this painting last year, but I ended up selling it, then he wanted one at Christmas time for her, but I was moving to St. Louis when he needed it. This past weekend he presented it to her as a wedding gift. What perfect timing for Julie and Gary. My friend who attended their wedding e-mailed me this morning and told that Julie loved it and cried when he gave it to her. I've not met the couple, but after learning she had an affinity toward peonies and he knew about it and sought them because they made her happy, I was thrilled and honored to be asked to paint for them. Besides, I "get" the woman who is drawn to one particular flower - look at me with geraniums.
I have to admit I found it a bit difficult to start this painting. I love painting. I love peonies. I had a deadline! What was my problem? Painting commissioned work is so different mentally than doing my own thing. When I'm working on a painting for a specific person, I think a great deal about that person and what this work means to them. Before I even put brush to paper, the work has meaning which makes me both happy and overwhelmed. Here I was sitting at my painting station, trying to get through another grey, rainy St. Louis day and I'm in turmoil because I'm both happy for the couple but also struggling with my own "singleness." I'm painting a gift of love with Gary's hearfelt words writtten under each stage of the peony -

Journey... Awaken ... Love

and I feel intensely how far I am from this love. For the next couple hours I have to enter into this personal place of fear about my own desires while I paint. What a delicious smell a peony has. How it opens so quickly with all its fluffy layers and in all the best shades of pink. Much like love! Yet, inside I wonder if I'll ever experience this blooming. So you see, painting is not always technical. Sure practice is part of creating a skill. I work at it every day. But there are strong moments when the spirit/the heart/the soul moves you to work in ways you don't think you can. When I finally finished, I have to say, I didn't want to let the painting go.