How I Wrenched My Back

It all started out oh so innocently. I had this great idea to do a painting of some sweet Souvenir de la Malmaison roses that amazingly are blooming in the shade at the edge of my driveway. They are antique roses that I grew from a cutting that I got from my parent's house.
Then I did this cool set up in my kitchen under the over head lights to get some down lighting on them. Realizing that I might not get them done in one day, and roses change quickly, I decided to take a photo to preserve the information. Well, that didn't turn out so hot. I readjusted to get better color and shot again...
Here is the second adjusted attempt. Yuck. I knew if I wanted to get a good color reference I was going to have to get out the tripod, meter the light and adjust the white balance, etc… Ugghh. That was just too much work so I decided to just paint from life, which means paint fast.
Well, I painted as fast as I could but life got in the way and I had to get new roses and repaint and so on and so forth. (I have 8 kids) But I got it done. Whew!
Here is a close up. You can just feel the softness. Okay I (again) was too lazy to get the tripod or haul it outside to shoot it.
Then, on the day needed it to be at a friend's house to drive it to Utah, I decided to paint and silver leaf a frame. Luckily I didn't have to MAKE the frame as that would have been a disaster. I had my friend Steve make it. He can make anything! After I worked all day priming, painting, glazing, sanding, sanding, gilding, sanding, etc. it was well into the night. Then, I decided I needed to re-gild it with more silver. At this point it is 10:00 pm. So back outside I go with more lacquer and more glaze and more silver.
But, I think it turned out great. Now, you are probably wondering how I wrenched my back. Well, after I finished the frame at midnight, I had to put the painting INTO the frame. You really should pre-drill the holes where the clips and the hangers go, but I didn't have a drill. So I hand screwed all the screws into the hardwood frame. That did it! My body said ENOUGH! and my back went all wonky and spazzy and all. I could barely take pictures and place it in the box.

So, now I know why custom handmade frames are so expensive.

Painting with Art Girl

Art Girl's first oil painting- available

The other day, I thought it would be a good idea to teach Art Girl to paint an abstract landscape. A little blue...a little green... voila! We had a blast and the best part is, it was done in one day!

I realize that the public school teaches the kids art. And my kiddos have come home with some pretty sweet stuff. But there is just something about sitting down with your offspring and making something you will treasure forever. Sappy. I know. You should try it.

Look how intense my little monkey is.

My studio is pretty sweet! I have floor to ceiling windows and a 6 foot grand piano for mood music. Okay, okay, it is really the living room. But, when I painted in my closet studio I could never be with my kids which meant they weren't being supervised, which meant ... trouble. So I moved into the living room. It kind of has a Ralph Lauren feel to it with the giant easel and all.
Art Girl getting her brush strokes smoothed out. She wants to sell this on Etsy or if any of you want it, it is available. Just send me a note. We will even frame it for you. It is a 12x16 .

This was my painting. I love it. Way fun. I think I will do some more. Let me know if you want one.

Don't worry. I am still doing portraits.