The Real Me

The Real Me

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Day 100

Wow. Day 100. Seems to have gone by VERY quickly. And yet not so much. Like life. Art and life. More writing in the days ahead. For now, sleep, Christmas shop, enjoy the weekend with friends and loved ones. God bless every one of you who have read this. With great big gratitude from me. xo

Day 99

Oh my gosh - almost DONE!!! 100 days!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Day 98

Oh my - only two days to go. Has been quite an interesting ride. Though I think I will save the waxing poetic until AFTER Christmas. Snowed today. And the puppy got to see her first. What fun!!!!! Digging through it, running around in it, little furry black face turned white. Good pup she is. xo

Sunday, December 19, 2010

DAY 97

The week before Christmas. My favorite, I think. The four Sundays in Advent are past, so as a liturgically based church musician, it means that I get to cut loose now and go Christmas wild in my practicing! Nothing quite like playing "O Come All Ye Faithful" full tilt on the organ... or Silent Night on the piano with a violin and guitar to join in. Such beauty. Such love. I am soooo blessed this year. Thank you to each and every one of you . xo

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Day 95

Ok - I'm not sure what happened, but this was supposed to end up with Day 100 being on the day of the party - December 22. But that's actually Day 99, unless I goofed somewhere in the entering of blogs. Oh well!!!!!!!!! See you all on Wednesday here in the gallery from 5-7pm! xoxo

Friday, December 17, 2010

Day 94

Great little painting session today on a Christmas gift for a dear friend... so unfortunately I can't show it to you yet! xo

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Day 93

93 days of painting and blogging and I'm still not sure that anyone really paid attention. But it's been fun. And I've learned a lot. Party next Wednesday night to celebrate. Knee deep in gratitude for so much GOOD and WONDERFUL things in my life in the midst of my transitions. Thanks be to my amazing friends... and to God. xo

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Day 92

oh my goodness - only 8 to go! WHEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! xo

Monday, December 13, 2010

Day 91

The reality of closing the gallery hit me today. Quite sad. I know that it's the right thing to do right now, but I will dearly miss this special place. xo

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Day 90

Oh my - only 10 days to go. Wow. The habit has been good, though the quantity hasn't been nearly what I had intended. All worthy goals and reasons to continue. xo

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Day 89

Knee deep - no, make that head over heals, up to my eyeballs, in gratitude today. xoxoxo

Friday, December 10, 2010

Day 88

And then sometimes... just when we feel like our patience has worn out.. the miracle. xo

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Day 87

Amazing stories of courage in the face of adversity that I heard today - my own problems become so trivial in comparison. My life is blessed - art, animals, AMAZING friends. Thanks be to God. xo

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Day 86

Ahhh - the waiting is done - and now the work begins!!!!! All good (and if this is cryptic to some of you - so be it - and to those of you who know about the transition that I've been in the midst of - you will understand!). Fa la la la la - God is good!!! xo

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Day 85

Just sold my old piano. Mostly grateful - hugely grateful - and just a tiny bit sad to see her go. BUT to a good home... quality people ... so all is well. xo

Monday, December 6, 2010

Day 84

Back to work today on that VERY large piece... 36" x 80" piece of masonite. An image that was supposed to be a commission that didn't close. So I am painting it anyway, because I put a lot of work into prepping the scene with sketches and photos. Will be an impressive piece when it is done - perhaps to sell to the original potential buyers, and perhaps to someone else. In any case - it's painting!!! xo

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Day 83

New painting underway - smaller, different view of one that I've already painted - but this time from a new perspective. Feels good. Looking forward to a creative week that may even finally give me answers to some transition question... xo

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Day 82

Only 18 more days to go til it is 100! wow... xo

Friday, December 3, 2010

Day 81

Movement and change. Welcome and fun, though often meaning letting go of some things. I may have just sold my piano... I know that I need to do it, but I also know that I will cry when she leaves. Who knew.. waxing philosophical about a piano on a painting blog? That's what you get on Friday afternoon! xo

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Day 80

Trite but true - attitude is everything. I have decided to move from feeling anxious about the uncertainties in my life right now to being intrigued as I watch the pieces unfold. Much more peacefulness in that than the other way!!!!!! xo

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Day 79

A quote from my book "Mimi's Joy" - I am quoting it because I need to remind MYSELF about it!

From a page titled "Surrender" -

Let go of your worries


Do you really think it is up to you

to solve all of the world’s problems

single-handedly?


Stop trying to make it all turn out

the way that you think it should be.


Believe in the wisdom of the universe,

of higher consciousness,

of God.


It doesn’t matter so much what

you call it.

Just know that it is there for you.


Know that when you let go,

you will be supported in

beautiful ways.


Feel the relief when you finally say

I surrender.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Day 78

Paint paint paint. Walk walk walk the puppy. Exercise. Eat. Sleep. Paperwork. Play piano. BREATHE. xo

Monday, November 29, 2010

Day 77


More work today on a house portrait of my old home in Gettysburg. A lot of focus on the concept of "home" for me right now. Interesting to be spending time in this way with this one.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Day 76

It's far too easy to get caught up in what we feel is "missing" in our lives.. .when right in front of us, beside us, and around us, there is so very much good, and so much for which we are grateful. xo

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Day 75

Though I know that my decision to close the gallery is a right choice - it's starting to hit me now, and even as I consider the time flexibility I will gain, there is some sadness over the loss of this beautiful space in my life. Such sunshine pouring in through the windows today... time to go paint. xo to all.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Day 74

I am debating whether it is best to finish up old pieces already begun, or start new and fresh? thoughts? xo

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 73

Thanksgiving. I am grateful... for so very many things. For art, and painting, and music, and God, and friends who love me for who I am. Blessings to each and every one of you and all of you. xo

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Day 72

The drought is over! Not one but THREE paintings went home today with a happy new owner, and I have a deposit for the bank on Friday. Hallelujahs! Thanks be... xo

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Day 71

The block is unblocking. There is flow again and it feels oh so very, very good. I am deeply grateful for many things this Thanksgiving week, and beyond. xo

Monday, November 22, 2010

Day 70

I sense movement beginning... been in a bit of a painting slump... on the other side of the slump there is usually a binge. Here's to the binge! xo

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Day 69

Announced the gallery closing in an email late yesterday... interesting to hear the responses. STILL figuring out where I go from here. I trust God will guide me if I 1) do the work and 2) pay attention! xo

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Day 68

"A change would do you good" Sheryl Crow.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Day 67

CHANGE... can be exhausting AND exhilirating in the same breath. xo

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Day 66

So I wonder what qualifies as a great painting... and who gets to decide? Rejected from yet another exhibit, I find myself licking my wounds, questioning my technique and subject matter. Then someone tells me how moved they were in seeing one of my pieces in my storefront window - one of the very pieces rejected just a couple of days ago by an arts association juried exhibition. So, I will paint on. For myself. Maybe for someone else. When I teach the Artist's Way class, I tell people that art is about the PROCESS. One needs to enjoy the making of the art, rather than focus on the finished piece. I wonder - have I done the very thing to my art that I said I would never do? I think that maybe I need to find a couple of part time "real jobs" to earn the rent, etc that life requires of us. And allow my painting to once again become pure and simple play. Or maybe not. The plan is to close the gallery doors on December 31, 2010. I'm not sad, really. I'm viewing it as an opportunity to move on to something else. Maybe even free myself up for a new level of creativity that having a formal gallery has taken away - or rather I have allowed it to take away. 100 days of painting. I am learning a lot. The brushes are calling... xo

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Day 65

Lots of change in the air... has me a bit distracted. Looking forward to good easel time tomorrow - a BIG new painting that I have in mind to start. Going to gesso the piece of masonite (36" x 80"!) now... xo

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Day 64

The pendulum swings. After the solid four hours yesterday, today is slim on the painting side. And includes rejection (or perhaps said more mildly, not accepted) into the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod's "So Big" January exhibit. Still ouchy to not be accepted into a show. Part of the artist life. xo

Monday, November 15, 2010

Day 63

FOUR STRAIGHT HOURS OF PAINTING from 8am to noon this morning. YES!!!!!!!! xo

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Day 62

A beautiful weekend, spent a great deal in the midst of wonderful, loving, caring friends. Yet I find myself also very much looking forward to Monday and the start of another "workweek" - I guess one of many joys of embracing a life of creativity. xo

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Day 61


Intrigued by a whole new way of layering in leaves, etc in fall landscapes. Not sure you can really see it here or not since it has a depth to it that a flat photo will probably not properly show. Not really THAT new to me - but am allowing myself to get a little more carried away by it. Stippling, really, would be the artistic "technique"... I think I will call it "nature inspired impressionism"! xo

Friday, November 12, 2010

Day 60

Today's blog will be titled "And now for something completely different...".

I started out this morning working on the round driveway painting that I posted yesterday. Introducing more yellows and golds. Then my eye was caught by a beautiful yellow tree right across the street in a neighbor's frontyard, and I decided to paint that. On a tiny canvas - about 1" x 3" - and it ended up going into abstract and texture! So then I went BACK to the driveway painting and allowed myself to loosen up some more on how I am painting that. Both here for you to see. The big round still a work in progress. The little abstract - well, it's just gotta be seen in person to be fully appreciated. I love it! (am I allowed to say that about my own work?!) xo



Thursday, November 11, 2010

Day 59

I promised new images today and here they are! First... two small 8" diameter rounds of lighthouses on Martha's Vineyard. Second - a different sort of pet portrait of puppy Rosie the first time that she saw herself in a mirror. And the third - a newly started painting that is an 18" round of a driveway scene in late fall. There will be lots of golds and oranges in this one. FUN! xo


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Day 58

GOOD stuff today. Off to bed now. New images tomorrow. I promise! xo

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Day 57

A good day of painting AND pastels. New ideas. Finishing a few small pieces that a gallery has requested. All good. All moving forward on the "career artist" thing! Thanks be to God. AND I also thank God tonight for some very dear friends who amaze me with their love and support. You know who you are. Thank you. xo

Monday, November 8, 2010

Day 56

Day 56. Just a little over halfway. This has been an interesting adventure - the 100 days of painting. I find that there are days in which I can't wait to get to the canvas, and when I do, I don't want to leave it, and others where I just don't even want to go near it. But the commitment is honored. And always when I DO show up, it is much more fun than I anticipate. I still haven't gotten to the 20 hour week yet, which seems kind of ridiculous, but the rest of life - and work - seems to intervene. Will give it another try this week. I'm feeling more balanced in general, and perhaps that will enable me to keep focused. For those of you on the gallery's email list, you know that there are potential big changes afoot. I actually feel energized by the idea, even as I realize that a move will take a LOT of my energy and attention, but it feels like it will be moving ahead to something even better, so that holds it's own excitement. Still lots of questions around it, but I'm ready to move forward. AND to paint more!!!!!! xoo

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Day 55

Ok - so it's YOUR turn!!! Anybody out there? Please email me at mimi@mimisart.com to let me know if you are reading this... I feel like I've been talking to myself for 55 days!!! xoxo

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Day 54

I apologize to those of you who have been following that I have been writing very short, not very deep entries lately. More to the story in a few days, but suffice to say it's been a busy week. Changes afoot - good changes - and the painting has been sporadic though yes, still daily. All in all a VERY good discipline that I have a feeling I will want to continue well beyond the 100 days. Thanks to each of you who read this... peace and blessings of love and beauty to you. xo

Friday, November 5, 2010

Day 53

Submitted three pieces to an Arts Foundation juried exhibit today! Fingers and toes crossed - will know next week!!! xo

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 52

Working today on a piece to be entered into an exhibit sponsored by the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, called "So Big" (The exhibit, that is.) Third time for doing this image... I just love painting it! This time about twice as big as the first, with a green background (trees) rather than water and sky. An interesting experience to paint the same subject more than once, with different emphasis. Shown here. (and the first version above, at top of blog!) xo

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Day 51

I must post earlier in the day so that I write more. Going well. Painting starting to feel like it is going in new directions. More tomorrow. xo

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Day 50

HALFWAY to 100!!! An excellent painting morning, but too tired now to write. I'll do more tomorrow (is anybody out there even reading this?!) xo

Monday, November 1, 2010

Day 49

Excellent painting this morning. Doing some portrait work - but not far enough along yet to share (yes, I'm being shy tonight). Almost halfway to 100... this is a GREAT commitment. xo

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Day 48

Almost HALFWAY! Yikes - still a LOT of painting exploration that I want to do. Gotta get back to larger hours tomorrow. A busy week this week so it will be a challenge, but I'm excited to get back to it. xo

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Day 47

Played some with acrylics today instead of oils. And pastels earlier this week. Using different media shakes things up a bit, and gets one out of a rut. MORE FUN. xo

Friday, October 29, 2010

Day 46

It's been a REALLY good week of painting. Thanks be to God for this amazing and gratefully accepted gift in my life. xo

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Day 45

And after a painting blitz, comes the mess left in its path. I spent two hours tonight cleaning paint tubes, putting order to the clutter. A fresh space in which to paint again tomorrow. I LIKE this. A lot. xo

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Day 44


Almost halfway. LOTS of painting happening this week - which also means that the rest of "life" isn't getting much attention. Balance... balance. Anyway... finished the BIG Nobska lighthouse painting today. Very fun, and different for me to paint on such a large scale. I enjoyed it so much that I went to the lumber yard and had a 4' x 8' piece of masonite cut into four 2' x 4' pieces, for future paintings. More fun. xo

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Day 43

Wow - LOTS of painting time today! I have already put in more time this week than I did all of last week... and it's only Tuesday night! GREAT energy flows from more quantity, too. xo

Monday, October 25, 2010

Day 42

One hour last night and four today means 5 hours in already this week. A good start! xo

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Day 41


Art supply store = toy store = GREAT FUN and NEW INSPIRATION! Dabbled in pastels today - did the sketch shown here, from the same source photo as the painting/print with which some of you are familiar - "The Real Me" that I use as my logo piece.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Day 40

A fun artist's date sort of day to day... off to the north shore of Boston for lots of inspiration and photos for future painting, AND a detour through the city to the big art supply store on the way!!!!! fun!!!!!!! xo

Friday, October 22, 2010

Day 39

100 days painting commitment. GOOD. Quality time at the easel. GOOD. Quantity time at the easel. AWESOME. Playing with color and brushes and canvases. MESSY. Messy painting time - WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Day 38


Had fun today finishing a "pet portrait" started quite a while ago, of our dear beloved Bert. Many of you knew him. Spending time on the painting put me back in touch with him, and his memory. What a gift to do a portrait for someone of their pet, either still living, or passed - as it helps to capture the essence of the animal in a timeless way. We all miss you, Bert.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Day37

Pastel sketches of the new commission today. Sitting lakeside on a stool observing the light and colors. Such a peaceful part of my day. Such a lovely gift to be able to pay attention to the world of nature, and attempt to capture it on paper. xo

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Day 36


Wow - painting outside IS so fun! Two little guys on location... one at the north end of Chappy Beach, and the other at the Bourne Farm. Quick little studies. 4" squares. xo

Monday, October 18, 2010

Day 35

Started work today on a potential new commission piece. Outdoors on location. Reminded me how very much I love doing this sort of work. To seek to understand a vision someone else has, and put it to canvas for them... that, I think, would be the ideal "art business" for me. Nothing to show here yet... but know that Mimi feels content tonight in considering the potential for this direction. xoxo

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Day 34

Monday tomorrow - and a chance to tackle a 20 hour week again. Here we go!!!!!!! xo

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Day 33

Not feeling terribly inspired about writing OR painting today (ok, being honest - too honest?) Did do some painting, though not much today. Gallery open several hours in the afternoon. Went on a morning run with the puppy that was awesome. I guess today was more "real life other" than artist production. 20 hours didn't happen. HOWEVER, a new week starts tomorrow... a NEW commitment to spend 20 hours painting. Fresh start. Grateful for that. xo

Friday, October 15, 2010

Day 32


Still a good way to go to complete 20 hours this week... if I extend it to include Sunday I MIGHT get it done! Painting feeling REALLY good today, though it took me way too long to get to it. More work on the house portrait that I started back on day 17. Take a look - both here, and there. xo

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Day 31

Well, I don't like to admit defeat, but it's looking less and less likely that the 20 hours is going to happen. I'm NOT giving up, though. A rainy windy day tomorrow means not a lot of foot traffic through the gallery so I will throw a massive effort at the canvas and see what happens! xo

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Day 30

So, even as I continue to paint daily, and the volume of my work increases, my mind wanders to the idea of this "business" of art, and wonders what it takes to turn the corner to becoming truly successful, if success is defined as one's art paying one's monthly expenses, and then some... anybody out there with answers to that question?! xo

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Day 29


Wow. FIVE HOURS spent painting today! I want and need to say that again - FIVE HOURS! And it wasn't tedious - it was glorious! Amazing flow, and interesting to see how much gets produced in that time. Started two new paintings (too new to share at this point) and finished another (see here - though the color and texture are not good in this photo. Refer to Day 20 and Day 16 for earlier photos of this painting.) Now... onward to 20 for the week! Thanks be to God. xo

Monday, October 11, 2010

Day 28

Short entries on a long weekend. My goal is to paint 20 hours between now and next week at this time. Aspirational given my current time spent, but I figure that if I tell you (those of you reading this blog - oh who are you?!) then I am going to need to be more accountable to it! Here goes...
xo

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Day 27

And some days, there is, quite simply, more paint than others. xo

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Day 26

I find myself quiet this evening. In a good way. Feeling blessed to have this opportunity to spend time painting. And even more blessed by the love of so very many beautiful, generous friends in my life. I wonder... is painting more regularly... feeling the flow... bringing me to a more serene place in my life that I do not have as much need for the external chatter? xo

Friday, October 8, 2010

Day 25

The more that I paint, the more that I want to paint. Enough said. xo

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Day 24


Lighthouses everywhere! Nobska light now has a top on it! (see image here). And several other much smaller ones just begun (too early to show). I'm feeling this thing in wonderful new ways... more on that another time. xo

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Day 23


Time marches on. Almost a quarter of the way to 100, and so VERY many other painting ideas not even yet begun! But I am starting to really FEEL this effort, in all very good and positive ways. Worked some more on the large Nobska lighthouse piece today. Fun! xo

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

day 22

Got caught up in some paperwork that has been on my guilt laden to-do list. Not a whole lot of painting today. But will make up for it tomorrow! xo

Monday, October 4, 2010

Day 21


A really lovely painting morning. Spent several hours - completed a small lighthouse painting (6" x 12" - shown here), worked some on the house portrait started last week, and also finished the long overdue commission piece. Here's to time spent at the easel! messy and sloppy and WONDERFUL. Thanks be to God. x

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Day 20


1/5 of the way to 100. That's truly amazing. Just completed a GREAT evening of painting. And a little proof that the daily commitment makes all the difference.

It's a quiet Sunday evening after a very social day. My plan was to work on organizing what I am now referring to as "the messy room" - a room with a door that closes it off to the public, so I have allowed myself to toss stuff in there without worrying about it having a "right place". But I needed to put in a little bit of painting time, so stopped by the easel for what I thought would be "briefly." Then the thought ran through my head of "if I am truly committed to being a successful artist, what is the best use of my time right now?!" Well, I'm happy to say that I just completed TWO HOURS of painting, straight through. To that, I simply say... YES (and thank you, God.) Here is what I did... more work on the NH stream. LOTS of dots of foliage. Please refer back to day 16 if you want to see an earlier stage of this same painting. So fun!!!!!!!! xo

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Day19


So VERY good to be back at the easel for REAL painting time today. Feeling inspired and enjoying what I am working on. Also took the time for a long walk on the beach with my puppy... good for the soul for both of us! Here she is - Rosie (yes, this is a photo, not painting - at least not yet!) - looking VERY happy! (as is her Mommy). xo

Day 18

(written Saturday morning about Friday). Not a day for quantity in painting. Hosted a big reception in the evening in the gallery, so most of the day was spent in preparing for that. Ready to get back to it - really much preferred the output of several hours a day.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Day 17


An interesting day. Painted some on location in a restaurant in Woods Hole (painting to follow - not ready to share yet!) and then some in the gallery, too. Started a sample house portrait (yes, I must tend to the business side of art as well as the "just for the fun of it" part). Interesting, in that I am painting over a partially painted canvas, and some of the lines are lining up just right, at least at this point. The first painting on the canvas was an open window, overlooking Sippewissett Marsh, and the second is my old home in Gettysburg, the one that still feels like "home" in my heart in many ways. I don't mean to say that Cape Cod isn't home - it certainly is - but as far as houses are concerned, this one was very special. Life IS interesting, isn't it? xo

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Day 16


And then today real life intervened, and things took too long everywhere that I was, and painting... well... frustrated Mimi tonight that painting didn't happen in the way that I would have liked today. Only a little bit tonight - though it was fun. I started a landscape yesterday, from photos taken on a trip to New Hampshire in July. Tonight I spent a little time painting some rocks with palette knife. I think this is going to be a very FUN painting! I also picked up some back issues of American Artist magazine at the library, with the goal of reading a little bit each night before I go to sleep (place it in my brain to feed on while I sleep) and first thing in the morning (start the day with the art intention.)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Day 15


Definitely out of the slump. Setting a larger daily goal is bringing larger results. Already sketched plein aire (outside) for an hour, and ready to dive into the paints with several projects in mind for the next several hours A pastel sketch done while sitting on a bench at Surf Drive Beach, looking south toward Nobska (at left - 4" x 6") The wind is blowing somewhere between 20 and 30 mph. Was exhilirating to sit there and not only see it all but feel it, too. And working with pastels, my prevailing thought is... that the business of making art is quite a messy business. Pastel dust covers my hands, and now my cell phone. Paint drips on the floor (yes, I use a drop cloth) and spatters onto my stereo speakers. Messy, old clothes are a requirement, not a fashion statement. My car is always full of odd assortments of things. I continually strive for more organization and "clean" but it just doesn't quite get there as I'd like it to. Quite simply, making art requires "stuff." And so I am surrounded by my stuff. Having spent the past six months tossing and sorting in the midst of moving, I like to think that I've significantly lightened my load and simplified, but I am accepting that I will likely never quite live up to the standards some others might set. Yes, I will put out the trash on a regular basis, and clean out the refrigerator, and keep my bathroom hygienically safe. I will vaccum the rugs periodically, and keep the litter box clean. But there will also likely always be piles of books (I can't read just one at a time. Just doesn't happen.) And dog and cat fur dust bunnies. And canvases with unfinished paintings still, at least theoretically, in process. Some call it bohemian. I call it "real life." When I leave this earth, I hope that for whoever has to sort through my "stuff" there are smiles, not frowns, for it will be the tangible evidence of the joy that I am experiencing each and every day, through painting, music, reading, playing with the animals. A blessed life to be certain. Thanks be to God. xo

Monday, September 27, 2010

Day 14


The lesson from today's painting is that quantity begets quality! I did it - four hours of painting. It took me 8 hours to do it, as there was a wonderful flow of visitors through the gallery! I'm not complaining - sales were great today, AND I painted a LOT! Completed the commission piece that has taken me far longer than it should have (refer back to Day 2 for an earlier image of this painting) and also made progress on some other pieces. I think I'm really really really liking this! Thanks be to God. xo

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Day 13

Is this a weekend slump?! Looking forward to at least four hours of painting tomorrow, maybe more. xo

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Day 12

Quantity hasn't happened yet today - but it's still a worthy goal! Keep at it...

Day 11

(written on Saturday, as reflections on Friday's work) Painted first thing this morning, rather than waiting til later in the day. Was a glorious thing to do! So now after 11 days, the "habit" is created. But I want to step up the AMOUNT of time that I spend painting. My goal is 4 hours a day, five days a week. That's 20 hours, which most people consider only a part time job. But it will signify a huge difference from what I have been doing to this time. I pray for direction, and perseverence, and yes, quality as well as quantity! xo

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day 10

Did a VERY cool outdoor pastel sketching adventure this evening! I'd post the sketch, but just realized that it is in my other camera and not as easily downloadable and I'm tired and want to go to sleep now sooooooo.... more tomorrow, art fans! xo

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Day 9

Today was spent with a lot of paintbrush in hand time, but more the "painting walls" type painting than on the canvas, sprucing up the gallery. That's ok - it all involves color (changing some things here) and flow and lots of creative juices flowing thinking of other things that I want to paint. Which is not to say that I didn't paint on the canvas at all! I did - just more of the other type! No new image today... will save that for tomorrow. xo

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day 8


Well, I've made it an entire week! Starting to feel some momentum. Painted earlier in the day today, which is a good thing. More work on the large lighthouse piece that I started yesterday. Measures 24" wide by 48" tall. Still a lot of painting to be done on this one. Will start a smaller companion piece in the next 24 hours. Same lighthouse, different view. Stay tuned. xo

Monday, September 20, 2010

Day 7

Wow - the painting binge has begun! A GREAT day of painting. Started with an outing to Nobska lighthouse in Woods Hole, where I sat and sketched a small pastel, and roughed in a large piece that I have had in mind for several weeks. Then back home to work on starting the large one. Am attaching jpgs of the sketch here, since someone recently said "oh, your work on the blog all looks so good and finished!"... well, these is most certainly NOT! The sketch's purpose is simply to make me more observant of the details, so that when I get home, I remember it. More tomorrow - I am excited! xo


Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day 6

And on Day 6 - mostly she rested. Not much painting today, just a little. A beautiful September "bonus" summer day. Some time on the water and in the sun, recharging. That's ok. This week, as it stands now, looks fairly open - so there should be a LOT of painting time - though I'm almost afraid to say that, that something doesn't get in the way! Here's to a binge week ahead! xo

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Day 5

Writing today BEFORE I paint. Just posted yesterday's painting effort. And realizing that I'm taking a bit of a risk in publishing paintings that are not yet completed. But I figure that if I want this blog to somehow be inspiring to others, it should be true to the process of creating, by showing what things look along along the way. Though I wonder if anybody is actually READING what I am writing, or am I just rambling on for myself?! Oh well, I'll stay with it in any case, as the discipline is good for me. If there are those who need to see it, then they'll find it! On to the easel now... xo

Friday, September 17, 2010

Day 4


Continued to work on the commission piece and met with the buyer for final tweaking ideas. Also picked up where I left off on some Martha's Vineyard pieces. Feels REALLY good to be doing this. And curiously enough, I am also finding the focus to clean up some other areas of my life that have been a mess for quite a while. All good! Happy Friday. xo

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Day 3

No new painting to show today - but continued to work on the commission that was posted yesterday. Settling into a groove now. It's lovely to have the EXPECTATION that I will be painting every day. And looking forward to it from the time that I get up in the morning. So far it's been an afternoon activity, but I would like to shift it to first thing in the morning, before the other pressures of the day interfere. Thanks to each of you who has offered words of support and encouragement. It's going to be a fun ride! xo

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Day 2


Day 2 somehow feels more like day 1! Yesterday was easy - the first time of painting "on the record" and the first blog entry. Now, the discipline/fun begins! Hung a new light over my painting area today - made SUCH a difference in my ability to see what I was working on, and capture more of the detail. Feels really good and lovely to be doing this. Exciting to have an "excuse" to be able to take time to paint each day! At left - a commission piece nears completion! xo

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Day 1!

Hello dear friends!

I am about to embark on a 100 day journey. Or should I call it a commitment? Or maybe binge is the right word? Anyway - I am committing to painting - quality painting - each and every day for the next 100 days, starting today. That takes me to December 22... just a few days before Christmas. Who knows... if it works, I may extend it to a full year!

And I figure what better way to make me stick to my commitment than to publish it. I'll tell you more about the "why" in the days ahead. For now, I simply invite you to sign in and share the joy of this creative journey with me. I'll post my thoughts about the process as I experience it, and yes, will share images of painting progress as well.

May the work that I do in these days ahead inspire you to thoughtfully consider how you might honor your own creative callings!