Reef Dreamer

Watch Me Paint~ Series: Christmas Ornaments:)

2011-12-08T12:20:00.003-05:00

Well they posted backwards...

BUT, I am painting!!! I'm doing pet portraits on Glass ornaments!!!:)

$50 ea.

OK, I know, Marc Adams should be the one doing these, but I'm doing it:)

Marc, you could make a FORTUNE!!!!!!<3

LOOK!!! I did some art!!!!!!

2011-09-19T12:32:00.002-04:00

This is a portrait I did this week!! Her name is Angel. She has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but her parents are getting this....it's a surprise!!!!:)

Flamingoes

2010-12-29T17:03:00.003-05:00

18" x 24" ~ Oil on Stretched Canvas ~ $600.00

Melanie.....done.....

2010-10-23T14:13:00.002-04:00

I don't know what came over me today, but I finished this portrait. Now I just have to find a mat that will work with it. I'm waiting to hear what her favorite color was....then I'll just go from that.

Thanks for you patience......

This belongs on the following post...

2010-10-07T14:49:00.003-04:00

OK, so I can't do art of my own. Can't put my signature on anything...SO...I got this!!!!!

What I do not get or understand at all is how I, ME, could not notice that the "i" is NOT dotted!!!!! Next time, I'll have my tattoo man do it!!!!:)

I've done hurt myself....

2010-10-07T13:01:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry for not posting in so long. I have injured my left knee. My docs are all in FL, so I have been staying at my Mom's. Do not have a clue why I didn't bring my pastels here, that is something I could do, sitting down, and it would sure help pass the time between Doc visits.

My knee is bending every which way but the right way. Friday, Oct. 8th, I am having an MRI done. Then back to the doc on Monday to see what is wrong with it.

I really want to go home to GA. I'm beyond ready. BUT, the brace I have on cuts off circulation to my leg while driving. I can't see me driving for 2-2 1/2 hours with 1/2 my leg asleep!!!!

Anyhow, I will try to get my pastels down here so I can finish "Melanie".....I miss her:)

.....Melanie.......

2010-08-24T13:51:00.001-04:00

OK, so here I am working on "Melanie" again....She's getting there and starting to look more real. BUT,........This is hard. I need to add the color to her, the pinks. She's just so cute!!! I need to do her makeup and finish the mouth. Then I'll go in and do the loose strands of hair.

My camera fogged up a bit when I took this pic....I went outside for natural light. But, I think yall get the idea......at least I hope so!!!!!:)

I talk to her the whole time I'm working on her. I do feel that she is close by and helping me.

Melanie......

2010-08-10T13:09:00.003-04:00

I am still working on this....I just get so frustrated....I'm using like 15 different pics of her to do this. I start...Nothing looks right, so I put it away. Not really away...I put her on my easel, then I can look at her everytime I walk thru the house. I've been trying today and feel MUCH closer. It's not like a regular portrait...I'm SO feeling pressure for this one. I WILL get it right, and I will post it once I'm done!! Thanks for hangin' in there w/ me for this.....
Pegi

Portrait of Melanie.....

2010-07-25T12:43:00.004-04:00

I've just started this....and all I had to go by were some very pixelated sepia photos. One close up of her eyes. I finally got into one of her relatives FaceBook pages and printed out 8 photos, so I have something to go by for "skin tone"....she's not quite there yet, but I think she likes having a bit of a tan.

While going thur these photos, I realized how much she loved life. She was also an artist. So, as I'm drawing her, and as always, I talk to my portraits...I feel like she is w/ me on this one. I think it will turn out ok. It will be MELANIE!!! Happy, captive eyes, w/ a twinkle in them, for her love of life. It is very sad to do something like this, but, I think she would have liked it. I hope so. And I will do my VERY BEST to make her happy.

Sorry it's taken so long to start it, but I just needed to know MELANIE. Looking at her pictures has so brought me there.

I'm almost there....

2010-06-28T17:13:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm starting to feel the need to paint. Even if I have to rearrange this house to do it...I need a REAL studio. That tiny dining room may just not work for me. I have room outside.....

I have a new portrait to do. Of a girl that was killed in a car accident while TEXTING!! OMG!!! That scares me so bad. My daughter is so bad about that!!!!!! Anyhow, I only have copies of a pic of her, very pixilated??? Pixilized??? There is no real detail. And she has glasses on in the pic. I have to do this w/out the glasses. Somehow, maybe thru FaceBook, I have to find a clearer pic of her. I need to see the detail, I have to see her eyes. The eyes are what make the person, their soul. I know I'll figure something out, and I really want to do this for her family. I love doing portraits, but this one feels like something I HAVE to do.

I hope I can start it tomorrow. I'll share it here.

Thank you to my "Followers"....you kinda keep me going:)

Pegi

I'm sorry.....

2010-06-16T11:33:00.002-04:00

I just want to try to explain why I've posted NOTHING on here in SO long. We moved, it's kinda been a hard thing for me. My whole fam, including children are still in FL. I am happy here with my George. And my kids come here a lot. But I think all artists can relate to "feeling down = bad painting"......I am starting to feel a bit better about everything....and I know I will be painting again soon. I have to finish the "Flamingos"...all that's left are the eyes. OK, that's like WHAT??? 15 mins. of painting????????? SOON!!!! I promise. I think if I post this on here, I know I HAVE to do it. That is actually why I started this blog. So that I would HAVE to do things. I do NOT want this to just go stagnant. How totally uncool would that be??????

So, I shall paint soon!!!! And maybe I'll get a few sold!!!!!!:)

Thanks for your patience....I think.....LOL

I have moved......

2010-04-19T17:35:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I am now living in GA. I have a room about 1/6th of the size of what my studio was. Interesting.... NOT!!!!!!!!!!!! But, I will soon get things set up and be able to paint again. I have to finish the Flamingo's and get some more started. Please don't give up on me, I'll be back at it soon!!!!:)

Moving.........

2010-04-07T14:31:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted anything new. I'm working on the flamingos. BUT, we are moving to GA. So, I can't paint for a while. I need them to dry, be able to move them, then finish them once I get my studio set up. OH, BELIEVE ME, it's not a Mark Adam's studio. Just a little room in the new house. But, it will work. So.....

STAY TUNED!!!!

Soon I shall post new pics:)

I just want yall to see this like I see it.....

2010-03-01T14:27:00.003-05:00

I am loving the depth...and the realism!!! Just thought I'd share that with you!!!:)

Flamingos growing feathers...LOL

2010-03-01T09:47:00.001-05:00

This are starting to get some depth to it. More to come.....

Watch Me Paint...FLAMINGOS

2010-02-28T14:17:00.001-05:00

These are FUN!!! Just starting the necks...MORE TO COME!!!!!:)

2010-02-25T17:22:00.002-05:00

Flamingo Painted Started

2010-02-19T11:57:00.001-05:00

So, this is the beginning. I truly hope I can NOT touch the background again...it will SO make the Flamingo heads just POP out!!!!! I'm going to let it dry for a while, so I don't drag any of that black into the birds!!!:)

More to come........

Tarpon Portrait..?..

2010-02-16T11:07:00.007-05:00

I'm trying to make him look silver...I just don't know if I am accomplishing that!!!!! But, here it is.

OK, I just added another pic to this....the TOP pic is the finished painting, without a Liquin coat on yet. I had the "chin" wrong and the underside, so the shape wasn't right. What the heck, it's kept me busy today!!!:)

First Oil Painting ~ Tarpon Portrait

2010-02-05T11:30:00.005-05:00

I got this far....now I need to let it dry a bit. THEN I will add more white to make it all look silver. I have another drawn out, FLAMINGOES, that I will start soon. I do believe that I LOVE oils!!!!!! Sorry about the light reflection on it....I'll get a better one once it's done!!:)

This is 18" x 24"....as are the Flamingoes. I do have some small, I think 8" x 10" Gesso Board w/ Canvas coming in the mail VERY SOON!!!! I wanna be Mark Adams when I grow up!!!LOL

Hope for Haiti Series

2010-01-28T14:28:00.010-05:00

Group shot framed

Haitian Mother and Daughter

18" x 24"

Pastel ~ Matted and Framed

$425

Haitian Boy II

16" X 20"

Pastel ~ Matted and Framed

$350

Haitian Boy I

16" x 20"

Pastel ~ Matted and Framed

$350

Haitian Girl I

16" x 20"

Pastel ~ matted and framed

$350

Haitian Girl II

16" x 20"

Pastel ~ Matted and Framed

$350

I did this series of Haitian children at the end of 2009. These are the real faces of kids that live on the tiny island of Ile La Vache, off the South West edge of Haiti, in desperate need of a school and everyday things that we take for granted. A HUGE portion of the proceeds from the sale of this work WILL BE DONATED TO THE CHARITY to build this school that will also serve as a hurricane shelter and help the children. I do not know if these children, or all of the children from this area, are ok since the earthquake. But I do know that they need help. This is where these children are...

http://www.goodsamaritanofhaiti.com/school.htm

If you click on "The School" you will see what their school is. I'm pretty sure that since the earthquake they are in need of help....

I got the photos of these children with the hope to raise $$ for them from

http://www.windinmysails.com/

click on

"Heard About our recent mission to Haiti?" and you will see the work that they are doing. It's just FABULOUS!:)

If you are interested in My work or just helping...Please email me at

reefdreamergallery@yahoo.com

Sooooooon......

2010-01-21T13:07:00.003-05:00

I have gotten some oil paints to start using. With the help of Mark Adams, I think I have everything that I need to start painting. VERY SOON I will start something. I'm thinking a "fish portrait"....it's rather bland, so I am thinking of getting creative and using different colors to do this. As I'm sure you are, I can't wait to see it!!LOL

I haven't used oils in probably 21 years. And then I only did 2 paintings. This should be very interesting:)

Caymus Framed:)

2009-12-18T18:50:00.001-05:00

Caymus...again:)

2009-12-12T08:59:00.003-05:00

So, it seems the pic I had of Caymus, his ears appear short...I didn't think that was the way I remembered him, but I followed the pic. THANK GOD his dad sent me a pic of what his ears REALLY look like. I must say, now he looks like CAYMUS!!!!!:)

Famous Caymus

2009-12-11T14:58:00.002-05:00

OK, I think that this is done!!! The first pic is after Photoshop, but it loses the softness of his fur. The second is just off the camera, and you can see the softness. What's a girl to do????LOL

Now I'm just waiting to hear back from the frame place and it will be GOOD TO GO!!!!:)

More Caymus

2009-12-11T14:14:00.002-05:00

Got his eye and nose almost right.....I tweeked the color and contrast in Photoshop and it kinda took away the details....But, You get the idea....

Still a work in progress!!!!!:)

Caymus

2009-12-11T08:34:00.004-05:00

This is a pastel, 18" x 24", that I am working on for a friend. His dog, CAYMUS!! He's such a gorgeous boy, I am obviously not done with him yet tho. The eyes and nose aren't even started, SHOOT, it all still needs work. But, See, I am working on it!!!!:)

Ordering mat and frame for it today!!:)

Art Show

2009-11-23T15:42:00.003-05:00

Well, I did it. I took my paintings, I set up a tent and displayed my paintings for all to see. I didn't win anything, I didn't sell anything. But, I reached my goal. I FINALLY entered the show that I have been wanting to be in FOREVER. I had too much fun!!!! I met so many artists that were just wonderful. Sales were really down this year, yet I had nothing to go by, I've never done it. But the other artists were telling me how BAD this show was for selling. I didn't care, I was there and I was happy. When the other artists got depressed about sales, they would come to me for some HAPPINESS!!!!!! :)

I had a GREAT TIME!!!!!!:)

I'm ready for the show....

2009-11-17T13:30:00.002-05:00

My frame guy called this morning, ALL of the frames are now done. I just have to pick them up and paint them, put the canvas's in them and I am good to go!!!!!

The show is Saturday and Sunday. My spot is #96, in a good area nearest to where most people park. I have my kids and George & George's son to help me with set-up, which starts at 6am. Show starts at 10am.

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!!

I'm nervous, but I have faith that this will be a good show!!!:)

Haitian Boy II

2009-11-15T16:24:00.004-05:00

I tried to take this so there wasn't so much glare on it...it's framed and of course I forgot to take a pic first!!! He's my little "alien boy"...LOL He did turn out good tho. Well, I think so. Now I have 4 single portraits and then the Mother and Daughter. They will look better, being an even amount, in my tent NEXT WEEKEND! I'm in tent #96...it's a good spot. I think the paranoia has subsided and now I'm just excited!!:)

Haitian Mom and Daugher...

2009-11-10T13:15:00.001-05:00

A bit clearer...I hope.....

GOSH!! It still looks cobbed up!! WTF???

DONE!!!!!

2009-11-07T13:32:00.002-05:00

I got these done today. But I did just notice under the Mom's sleeve, the pastels are smeared....I'm thinking MY CAT!!! All I have left to do for the show is a bit of work on the Surgeon Fish. Yes, I am leaving the daughter's face like it is. I have 2 photos of her, and this is what it looks like. I realize at the show, people will look at it and thing I messed up....but I don't want to change the way she looks. SO THERE!:)

Next pic down.....

2009-11-05T15:21:00.003-05:00

This stupid thing wouldn't let me add more type, just another pic....so...the next pic down....

OK, the first image is the LAST one. I obviously need to put it down, do NOT look at it again til tomorrow. There's just too much going wrong with the whole thing. BUT, the good thing about that is that it is ME doing it and I WILL get it RIGHT!!!!! Just thought I'd show that I'm doing something..... ALSO, the little girl has something wrong with her face, and I'm not catching that right. I have 2 pics of her, and both show the same thing.....I'll get it right tho...JUST NOT TODAY!!!!! I REFUSE TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN TODAY!!!!
And the more I look at it, the worse it looks!!! SO NOT GOOD!!!!
YEP, I keep looking at it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mother & Daughter from Haiti

2009-11-05T12:20:00.010-05:00

So, here's the mother and daughter...Mom is NOT done...I need to do some work on her face still. I've started the daughter...obviously. It appears that the father may be the Amego Man!!!LOL I don't think I spelled that right. But, hopefully yall remember the movie!! I will be getting detail into the daughter's face today. Just waiting for Puppy Naptime!!!:)

Just another one for my show!!:)

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!

Print of Hawksbill Reef

2009-10-31T12:13:00.004-04:00

I ordered a print of this painting, just because I'm using a new printer and I need a copy for the show. I must say, I'm very VERY impressed!!! It got delivered to my home in less than a week. The colors are outstanding. Now, this is a Giclee, a print on CANVAS, and it comes already stretched and READY FOR FRAMING. It is 24" x 30", so that is a size that you can actually find a frame for. You don't neccessarily have to have it custom framed. For more info to order prints, scroll down to the next post. BTW, the colors are EXACTLY as shown on the next post down...

THANKS!!!

I haven't been doing a lot of painting, because of the Show coming up. I've been ordering frames and framing my pastels. I have a man making the frames for my paintings, and they are looking wonderful. Since my surgery I've had some problems and have been on complete bedrest. That just SUCKS! I'm hoping to be well enough soon to get that dang Seahorse done. There's not much left to do, but I'm not allowed to stand for any length of time. I have enough art for the show with out the Seahorse, but I'd just really like to have it there....Time will tell.....

PRINTS AVAILABLE!!

2009-10-15T13:16:00.005-04:00

Hawksbill Reef

30" x 24"

Giclee stetched, ready for framing

$250

Email me at reefdreamergallery@yahoo.com for more info.

An old painting....

2009-10-13T17:54:00.004-04:00

Here's a painting I did YEARS ago....but the parrot on the right had it's wings clipped. When I painted it, I knew nothing about birds. Then I CAUGHT Ikaika...my Severe Macaw. Yes, I caught him, and now I know that he was a SHE. The bird on the left is a Severe Macaw. I was at my Ex's hunting camp and my son came and got me, 'cause I'm an animal freak. She wanted my bottle of water so bad, she was so thirsty. That is how I caught her. Filled the lid up w/ water, set it in the grass and she started drinking. I had GIHUGIC leather gloves on and just grabbed her. I had her for years....then I had to move and gave her, my Ikaika, to a man that raises birds. I've talked to him since, and he says she is the meanest bird he's ever seen. Maybe I should call him and see if I can get Ikaika back.... I so do miss her and she loved ME!!:)

ANYHOW, I had painted this with the wings clipped. I've painted them UN-clipped. Much better:)

This is actually a pic I took myself at "Silver Springs"....these birds were gorgeous!!:)

I'm painting!!!!:)

2009-10-13T13:17:00.002-04:00

Ok, I've got Tina Turner blasting and I am PAINTING!!!:)
I love the colors in this seahorse, I just am having a hard time NOT making it look too cartoonish!! I want it life like!!! Ah, I'll get it!!:)

Lonnie, my frame man, called today and he is going to help me to get all the paintings framed for the show!!! I could not be any happier than I am today!! Isn't life just ALL GOOD???!!!!! Heck yeah!!:)

I'll be going home on Saturday...

2009-10-08T20:20:00.002-04:00

I'm just not ready to face the real world of my home. I know I will want to clean, and I will overdo it. So, I'm staying at Mom's til Saturday. I'm sure I will be more than ready to be home by then.

I did get some good news today. My best friend, Diane, well, her dad has done alot of wonderful wood working. I thought of him today when I was thinking of HOW am I going to get my paintings framed!!! I THINK he is going to help me. I know he can do a fantastic job and make everything beautiful and very professional looking for the show! I've known him since I was 11 and he has always been so positive about my art. It would be an absolute honor to have him frame my work for the show!!!

So, Lonnie, YOU HAVE TO DO IT!!!!!!!!:)

I won't be painting for a little while...

2009-09-28T21:08:00.002-04:00

I had surgery last week and after 5 days in the hospital I am now at my Mom's recouperating. I still have time to get myself ready for the show....so, I will be painting ASAP!!!

Til then...IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!!:)

And some coral.....

2009-09-18T12:00:00.003-04:00

I've added the "branches" that the Seahorse is hangin' out on. It's a type of Coral w/ polyps, but I don't know what kind it is. SO, any of my knowledgeable diving friends, what is it??? I hate not knowing what I am painting. The color is not exactly right in this pic, but it's just gonna have to do for now!!:)

Seahorse Painting

2009-09-12T13:21:00.003-04:00

I've had this one drawn out for about 2 weeks and have just been dying to do the background on it. The Sea Horse is BRIGHT yellow w/ some oranges. Then the limbs of the coral are whites and tans. I think this will be beautiful...I sure hope so. It's an odd size...16" x 46". I'll start the seahorse real soon. :)

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-11T15:13:00.005-04:00

Dear Pegi Sue,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected by our jurors for inclusion in the 17th Annual DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, which takes place on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 2009. The Board welcomes you to this year’s festival!

An artist information packet including artist events, a festival map, your booth location, designated artists’ parking, set-up procedure and Festival guidelines will be sent to you in late October.

Please join us on Friday, November 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for a special evening to welcome artists and meet the festival’s patrons and sponsors. Detailed information on this event will be included in your October packet. No booth set up occurs on Friday night.

Please check in, pick up your booth sign, and additional artist information in DeLand on Friday evening, November 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center, 600 N. Woodland Blvd. or at Gold Leaf Gallery & Framing, 110 N. Woodland Boulevard, downtown DeLand starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. All booths must be set up by 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. A photo ID will be required at check-in.

We are continuing to grow our Patron Purchase Program for the Festival. To assist, we request that you share your patron mailing list with us so that we can invite them to become patrons of the Festival. Please forward any lists you may wish to share to: The DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts, P.O. Box 3194, DeLand, FL 32721-3194. We promise that any lists that you share with us will not be used for any other purpose.

Thank you for your submission to our festival and in helping us to make the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts an important part of our community and the arts in Florida.

Sincerely,

Board of Directors
The DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts
P.O. Box 3194
DeLand, FL 32721-3194
(386) 738-5705

______________________________________________________

I AM IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't read the info right...imagine that!!LOL

2009-09-07T09:45:00.004-04:00

So, I just read the info for the art show and the jury. I will find out the WEEK OF THE 7th if I am in. A few more days of waiting....

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!:)

Artist Challenge #16

2009-09-01T10:19:00.001-04:00

http://www.theartistchallenge.com/2009-08-29/the-art-challenge-16-anonymous/16-pegi-sue/

I FINALLY entered a painting in The Artist Challenge. The comments I am getting from other artists are just fabulous and really make me want to create more!!!!!:)

Simma down...I'm working on more!!

2009-08-28T14:30:00.002-04:00

Last nite I got another pastel ready to work on. It's one of my Haitian one's. This one is a mother and her daughter, at church...an open air little lean-to kinda thing. I just love the mother. She is so at peace and beautiful. I'll be posting pics soon.

AND, if I feel like painting, I have a seahorse drawn out on a canvas. This one's gonna be beautiful. The colors are wonderful in it. Can't wait!!!

I still have a few more days to wait...ok, so it's really like 2 weeks, before I hear about the art show. I just really need to know....I have no patience.

Anyhow, yall will get to see some new stuff soon!!!!!:)

Have a beer, sit back and relax...I'll post something soon!:)

Still working on this....and more...

2009-08-24T18:09:00.002-04:00

Hawksbill Reef

5' x 4'

Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

I looked at the turtle today and realized that I need more wrinkles on the top of his neck. Tomorrow I will do that, then put the glaze on it.

I'm working on an 8 x 10 painting of another turtle and should have that done soon. I may have turtles down soon!!!:)

And, I have a seahorse drawn out to start and get done for the show....if I am "in"....still waiting to hear about that.....

I have entered a SHOW!!!!

2009-08-16T12:23:00.003-04:00

Well, I got everything together for the "Jury" for the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts. It is November 21st and 22nd. I will know by Sept. 7th if I am "in". I have secured a tent already... Now I just have to paint and make frames til the show, if I am "in". I have ALWAYS wanted to do this, but I didn't do any art for so many years, it just wasn't possible. When I was in HS I always had entries in the "School Section"....I did good there!!:)

I'm probably going to work on another pastel next. After finishing a painting for a friend...LINDA!!!!:)
Then it's all about the show. If I am "in".....

The 7th seems so far away right now!!

http://www.delandfallfestival.com/

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEXT!

2009-08-11T18:33:00.003-04:00

OK, it still needs some work, but it is almost ready for the "Jury"!!!!:)

TURTLE SHELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-08-11T14:00:00.002-04:00

Oh, I'm LOVING this!!!! Now I know I have to get rid of some of the blue, especially on his "beak'!!! That looks rediculous.... But this shell, that is NOT done is lookin' GOOD!!!!!

I'm EXCITED!!!!!

The Turtle....

2009-08-11T12:26:00.002-04:00

First, I can't get a good picture of this. Next, I have 2 days to get this done, make a CD with images THAT ARE GOOD to send to the Jury for the show in November. Got to have that delivered by the 14th. The turtle is going good, but I don't like that back fin that is the farthest away....it's only paint, I can paint over it. Right now I'm starting the shell.

I've had the hardest time painting this turtle. IT'S BLUE!!! I don't paint blue turtles. BUT, it is at 60 ft. and you lose color there and all color turns to blue, so I have a blue turtle. If I do it different it won't work with the coral. My major concern right now is the "beak"....I just DON'T like it. It's paint, I can paint over it!!!!!:)

Goodness, I'm just stressing myself out here!! I guess because I've got 2 days and I want it PERFECT!!! I guarantee I WILL get it!!!LOL
I'm too anal!!:)

Coming Soon.....

2009-08-05T20:43:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted lately...but I have NOT been painting. I will finish this painting HOPEFULLY tomorrow. Then I will post a new pic of it!!!!! I REALLY want to get it done and enter the DeLand Fall Festival of the Arts...that is in November. But the entry date is August 14th. I am really cutting it close with this...but I HOPE & PRAY that I can do it:)

Almost....still needs the turtle....

2009-07-23T15:05:00.001-04:00

COLOR!!!!

2009-07-23T10:47:00.003-04:00

I'm working on the coral that is closer and where the flash from the camera hit...

More to come, I don't seem to be able to stop today:)

Gnarly Sponge

2009-07-20T08:49:00.003-04:00

This tube sponge is very rough with little spikes all over it. I spent all day yesterday painting spikes...and I'm STILL not done!!! But, I am still having FUN!!!!:)

Hawksbill Reef

2009-07-19T09:44:00.003-04:00

Still goin' at it....working on the coral now...tube sponge & Elkhorn coral...then lots of highlights. THEN the turtle!!:)

This is TOO fun:)

2009-07-17T15:14:00.003-04:00

Hawksbill Reef

4' x 5' ~ Acrylic on Stretched Canvas

This is going REALLY fast!!! Definitely the most fun I've ever had painting!!!:)

I LOVE PAINTING BIG!!!

2009-07-17T12:41:00.003-04:00

I just started paint this, and I'm liking it already. The reef is probably around 60' so you lose a lot of color and get lots of blues. The edge of the reef is the farthest from you, so it's just different shades of blues. As I paint closer I'll add more color to it. I think I'm gonna have to buy more paint tho!!! This is a GIHUGIC canvas!!!!:)

New Painting ~ Hawksbill Reef

2009-07-11T09:25:00.004-04:00

I'm starting a new painting!! This one is 4' x 5' and I just love it. A beautiful reef with a Hawksbill turtle swimming over it. I can't wait to put some paint on this canvas!!! It's huge and should be nothing but fun!!!! I'll post pics as I go, for my "watch me paint" followers!!

Photos are from Derrek Emmett:)

Haitian Teenage Boy

2009-06-29T13:55:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I painted, today I broke out my pastels!!:)

This is the Haitian boy I started before we moved. I think he is now done. There's a watermark on the side from our leaking roof!! I did not know it was leaking in my studio...THAT has to be fixed!!!

I'm working on getting all of my half-done art finished. It's a goal!!:)

SurgeonFish with Coral Rubble....I think it's done....

2009-06-28T16:14:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I painted all day and I think this is done... I just don't know.... I do know that I will not go near it again today!! I had a hard time getting a good picture of it, because it's so big. That made it very hard to get the lighting on it even. So, there are definite darks in the lower left side...they just aren't showing up right.

It is 48" x 36" - Acrylic on stretched canvas:)

So, I've been playing in paint again....

2009-05-27T10:23:00.004-04:00

I've actually been working on the Surgeon Fish. He's not even close to being done, but he looks a bit better than he has for the last few months of just sitting there by himself...:)

Since I haven't posted any art lately, I thought I would post this painting. I just went thru all of my older posts and somehow I NEVER posted this one. I don't know why. It's where the whole "Reef Dreamer" stuff comes from. That would be my dive gear, waiting for me to put it on and head to the reef!!!:)

I still have the Haitian Boy to finish, a small painting of a Hawksbill Turtle to finish for a wonderful friend. I have portraits to do of 4 children from Bonaire that are just gorgeous!! I promised their dad that I would do these portraits and send them to him. AND I WILL!!! I just need to get caught up on all the things I had started so long ago.

I am quite excited about my art that is at Donna & Giorgio's on Bonaire. Yesterday I got an email from Donna and one of my prints had sold!!!!!! THAT makes me HAPPY!!!!!!!!!:)

So, now to go work on something that needs to be finished.

Thanks to you all....

And of course my "On Painting" buddies that give me such encouragement!!!! Love yall!!:)

RULIAN.....

2009-05-11T17:22:00.002-04:00

Please scroll to the bottom and look at older posts and you will see a few of my portraits!!! I can not wait to do your children....THEY ARE GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pegi

I'm on island, yet still painting!!!!!

2009-05-11T17:06:00.003-04:00

Ok, so here I am on Bonaire, yet I still am painting!!! I did a wall for my friend, Debbie, that owns the condo were we are staying. There's another small wall around the corner of this one that I'm gonna put a palm and a flamingo on. I'll post that when I get it done, let us pray, tomorrow!!!!!!

Also, I have moved my art fom Chat N Browse to Donna & Giorgio's restaurant, here on the island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She has a wonderful restaurant, we're George and I got engaged on my Birthday, Friday, and she has lots of local art there. She wanted my art there, so we dropped it off today!!!!!!!!! Very exciting!!!!

THANKS DONNA!!!!

OK, hugs to all!!!! Cya soon:)

From PegiSue, engaged on Bonaire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

We have FINALLY moved!!!! YAY!!!!

2009-05-04T18:54:00.004-04:00

MY STUDIO

OUR NEW HOME

So, finally we have finished moving. Just in time too. We leave for Bonaire Wednesday morning at 4 am!!!! I am just so happy with this house. I can't wait to get all the boxes out of my studio so I can start painting again and finish up my "Haitian Kids" portraits. When we get back, that's the plan!!:)

So, to everyone, thanks for your patience if you are following this blog. And I'll be posting more art soon!!! Right now, the ocean is calling me!! I must go back to my island!!!!!:)

We move on FRIDAY!!!!!!!

2009-04-27T14:41:00.002-04:00

We found this house, 4bdrms/3baths, and a GIHUGIC Sunroom that will be my studio. It's an old Victorian that used to be located at DeLeon Springs, then they moved it to where it is now. It was considered THE estate of DeLeon Springs for a long time. All the big parties were here!!
Well, it's ours now!!! and it's only 1 block from Mom!! See, everything does work out in the end!!! It's everything and MORE than what we wanted!!!

I'm so ready to just move and have that overwith...we leave for Bonaire in 9 days. So, we will get moved in and then go to the Caribbean for a week!!

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!

On Moving...

2009-04-23T11:14:00.003-04:00

OK, so we have this great idea...Mom is going to buy a smaller house for her to live in, 2 houses away from the home she lives in now. I am going to buy the current house from her. We will be close together, I can take care of her better...it's just all good!!! Until you get a bank involved!

Mom has now gone all out and is going for an Academy Award!! She has cried, she has yelled, she has gone for pity...all with the bank. I think they should be quite impressed with how she can make them feel like shit, because, well, they are!!

We have both been packing up our houses for 21 days. We are living out of boxes now. Which is probably better then living IN boxes. That could happen soon, if the BANK doesn't get with the program. I'm thinking a nice refridgerator box, under an overpass on I-4. We can add on as needed, find another big box, break out my trusty blue box cutter that I always carry in my purse, cut a new door in, use duct tape and attach them together. We can find lovely items in dumpsters to decorate. I saw some real nice, good, used shag carpet the other day!! For beds, I have a beautiful "Bratz" sleeping bag, and a "Princess" bag from Disney!! Ahhh, what I'm picturing is just a wonderful colorful new home!! Not to much to clean. I won't be needing my Kirby, I can just make people take their shoes off before entering my box! I usually do that anyway, shoes are a little too distracting and show that it's just a quicky visit!!!LOL

I'm going to miss my pool. BUT there are really nice retention ponds on I-4. I'm sure I can just walk down to one, set up my lawn chair, get some sun, maybe have a cooler of beer.... With the people that I have considered idiots w/ their stereos SO loud, Well, now I could learn to appreciate that...I'd have some music. If I put up signs saying "98.9" maybe everyone could get on the same station and I could hear a whole song, instead of bits and peices....I'm pondering this!!:)

Well, I'm off to locate my basil...seasonings are in a box here somewhere....

I won't be posting for a while...

2009-04-03T16:14:00.002-04:00

Or drawing. Sorry. But I will be packing and moving in the next 19 days!!! Then we go to Bonaire in 33 days!!:)

I'll be moving to a much bigger house. Hopefully I can figure out where my studio will be. I think I know, but I'll have to see once we get everything moved. This is a very important move for me. I will be closer to my mom, so I can take care of her. And, God willing, this will be the last time I ever move again in my life!!!!!!!

If anything of interest comes up, I'll post. And if by some freak of nature, I actually have time to draw before I pack up my studio, I'll post.

Thanks,
Pegi

Haitian Teenage Boy....

2009-03-22T15:26:00.002-04:00

OK, this is not even close to being done....but as I'm working on him, I'm falling in love with him. He is so beautiful. His features are all so perfect. I know, they don't look like that now, but you will see what I mean as I get more of him done. I need to name him, instead of refering to him as "him"....Um, for some reason the name "Jerome" comes to mind when I look at the drawing. It's a strong name and he seems like a strong person.

More to come......

Will post more soon....

2009-03-16T12:38:00.002-04:00

I'm working on a teenage Haitian boy right now, but he's been put on the back burner for a few days. We are taking a "Roadtrip of Diving!!!!" Just driving around Florida and diving springs!!:)
So for the next 4 days I won't be drawing....I'll be diving and taking pics to paint.
I thank all of my followers and everyone else that stops by here.

I promise I'll post more art soon!!!:)

Haitian Girl 2...

2009-03-10T11:19:00.006-04:00

Haitian Girl II

Pastel on 80 lb. Strathmore

12" x 18"

Here is my second portrait in my Haitian Children series. When I look at it here, it looks like I may need to do more work on her top lip. Just a touch of white blended. And it seems to be a bit "hazy" across the eyes and nose area... I know, I am my own worse critic!! Drives me nuts.LOL

Any how, here she is. I didn't name her, I just call her "baby girl"...Yes, I do talk to my drawings, especially when they are children.:)

Haitian Girl 2

2009-03-08T10:33:00.004-04:00

Here she is, still NOT done, but getting there. I'm having a problem with my white pastel pencil...it's not coming out WHITE. I'll have to use the pastel stick. There's still TONS of work to do on her, but she's coming along:) I have got to do something to make her more of a baby. She is just a baby...I'll get it...just give me time:)

OK, this is SO "in the works"...but I know some of yall like to follow as I go in what I call "Watch me Draw!!"

This child is so adorable. And VERY unsure about what's going on. I SO hope I can capture that innocent unsure look that she has.

I'll do more today on her and post as I go!!:)

Right now it looks like something out of the "Omega Man"...that's just scary!

Haitian Girl

2009-03-04T15:00:00.010-05:00

Haitian Girl I

Pastel on 80 lb. Strathmore

12" x 18"

This is what I have done today. I found these gorgeous pictures of these children in Haiti, and I really want to do a series of them. Then, somehow, maybe use the drawings I do to raise some money for the village that these kids live in. It's a goal I have. I am so in love with the pictures of these kids. I HAVE to draw them. They are all so gorgeous.

I need to get in contact w/ the man that took the pictures, and works w/ the Rotary Club of Tortola to see if I could actually do something to help them. I just want to draw them, they are so beautiful. I'll try getting in contact w/ him once I finish "Belle" (I named her that), so he can see what I am doing.

But, for now, this is what I've done:)

I reposted the drawing. I did the corner's of her eyes, but I just feel they need more. When I do eyes they HAVE to look real. Her's aren't quite there yet...

I actually did a "Different Strokes for Different Folks" drawing...

2009-03-02T15:08:00.009-05:00

http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/

I'm so amazed at myself for just doing this.:)

I think they are all personalities of me!!LOL But I'm really the blonde w/ the L'Oreal Seafleur lipstick!! Then there's the girl from the Breakfast Club down there toward the bottom. They are supposed to be manikens w/ wigs. The one at the bottom definitely looks like a wig, and she's confused. Miss Neatness w/ the red hair and Miss Niceness up top, next to me.LOL

This was a lot of fun and kept me busy today.:)

Note to self: Don't do pastels with big long sleeves on. WHAT A MESS!!!!

Bas ~ Pastel

2009-03-01T15:02:00.003-05:00

I believe this is done now. I messed with it a bit more today and the leg was actually cut off by the elbow, so I added some "sheet" there and that kinda helped. It's the first one I've done in a long time and well, I like it:)

It's 12" x 18"

I got MORE of these fabulous Conte pastels and 48 of the Conte pencils to go w/ them. I'll be working on more and posting them here.
Thanks for stopping by:)

Blend, I MUST BLEND!!!

2009-02-22T14:51:00.004-05:00

So, I sat here looking at this pic of Bas, I just had to make it softer...
Now for some detail...

I'll keep posting as I go:)

Here it is done....I cannot get his foot right!!!! But, the rest is ok. It's been a good "refresher" for me...:)

Pastels...

2009-02-22T11:12:00.008-05:00

I finally got the Conte Pastels that I've been wanting. I used these in High School and for years after, to do portraits. Well, I haven't used them in like 20 years, so this is my first attempt with them. It is a portrait of Bas, my baby boy. But in this one his eyes are too close together, and I think his nose is too small.

Can we say "waterhead retard" here???

This is my second attempt. I did this one in an hour. The eyes are MUCH better. But I am having the hardest time with his foot!! It looks like a "club foot"...but it's hard to get right since he does have more toes than most cats. And in the picture there is no separation from his leg and his neck. It's all just blended together. I know I'll try it again!!LOL

Normally when I would use pastels the colors would be blended together for a very smooth clean look. But as I was doing this, I liked the loose feel of the strokes, it made it more like fur and is more like I would do in pencil.

Next I think I'll do a portrait of a person, so I can do the blending and see if I can make it more realistic, like I used to do.

Oooo, after looking at it on here, I need to fix the left side of his nose too!!:)

I LOVE EBAY!!:)

2009-02-20T09:37:00.004-05:00

Let me start by actually posting some art. This is a drawing I did of Kayla when she was 2!:)

Well, the BrickFish campaign for Artist's Choice Round 2 ended w/ my entry in 2nd. Now the BrickFish people pick the top 2. I don't know what this means, if there's another contest for these 2 to be against each other, or what. I guess I will find out in time. I have some amazing friends who did some serious voting and reviewing for me!!! THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!:)

Now, about EBAY! George has gotten me hooked on it!! I have gotten some great things from there lately. I now have, totally by accident, 2 Paasche airbrushes. I still have to learn to use them. And I found a set of 48 Conte a Paris, Conte crayons (Pastels) on there for $11!! I used these in high school to do portraits, and that's how I made $$ back then. I don't know what happened to my sad, wore-out set of 24 that I had back then, but I've not been able to find these anywhere. Well, I found them on EBAY!! And a beautiful brush holder, made of wood, that should be arriving any day now. Right now I use this cheap plastic brush holder, and if you bump it slightly, my 100+ brushes go everywhere!! I hate that thing! Because I keep my brushes all in certain places by size. If they all fall, I have to try to get them back in order, or I can't paint right!LOL

Well, now that I have all these great things and my studio is looking like a FABULOUS place for an artist to spend the day, maybe I'll start doing that and posting some art on here soon!!!

5 days left!!!!!

2009-02-12T19:08:00.005-05:00

Please vote for my painting. I'm in 2nd and the campaign ends in 5 days!!!

Artist’s Choice - Round 2
Brickfish
Vote | Share | Details

THANK YOU!!!
Pegi

BrickFish Artist's Choice Round 2

2009-01-21T15:53:00.003-05:00

I made it to Round 2!! Please vote:)

Artist’s Choice - Round 2
Brickfish
Vote | Share | Details

THANKS!:)
Pegi

Blogging about things that DON'T have anything to do with art....

2008-12-29T10:40:00.004-05:00

BECAUSE I CAN!! It's MY blog...I can put what I want here.:)

But I will say that I got an airbrush for Christmas!! I had one years ago. My grandfather bought it for the two of us to learn to use together. Then he died and we never got to. Well, I finally did teach myself. I'm pretty excited about using this for the backgrounds in my underwater paintings. Even though I love painting the big backgrounds with brushes and getting the colors to blend.
It will be fun using the airbrush. I can get frisket paper and block the drawings out and just have a blast!! It's been so long since I've used one, I looked online and found a GREAT Tutorial on Airbrush lessons.. http://www.howtoairbrush.com/airbrush_lesson_1.htm ...I will be getting the paint today and I'm gonna follow the lessons and get my groove back!! This will be a fun toy!!! THANK YOU GEORGE!!!:)

I still have my other paintings sitting here staring at me. They seem to be saying "Get your a@@ over here and throw some paint at us!!!" Maybe I will. Now that Christmas is over and I can have my studio back. (It has a tree in the middle of it and that aint right!!!)

I am working on a deal with the museum here in town to show my work. THEY asked about it. Not me. That is nice. Makes me smile!!! They saw some of my work in G's office and were impressed. Again, THANK YOU GEORGE!!!:)

So, I have too many reasons to start painting again and get over this slump I've been in. And I have new brushes coming in today also, which will always make an artist feel better!! Again, THANK YOU GEORGE!!!!:)

Dang, look at myself...posting about art! What was I thinking???LOL

IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!

HEY GEORGE, I WANT THIS!!!:)

2008-11-15T08:20:00.006-05:00

This is a painting by Mark Adams. I just love it!!! I love how he paints oysters, and GOODNESS, there's a beer in it too!! This is just a great painting!! I want it. BAD!!!!

Mark is just amazing to me and I love his work. To see more of his work, go to my profile and there's a link to his blog there. I hope you enjoy him as much as I do!!!!:)

Oh heck, here's a link!!:) http://markadamsstudio.blogspot.com/

OH, if you scroll down there are links to the Brickfish contest that I'm STILL in. There's like 40-something days left of that!!! I wish it would just END!!! Anyway, if you are on here, you might as well scroll down and click on the brickfish link and vote!!! THANKS!!:)

09/05/09 ~ BTW...I have this painting now in my home!!!!! Thank you Mark!!!:)

WHERE HAVE I BEEN??? WHAT AM I DOING????

2008-11-11T18:26:00.002-05:00

I don't know...LOL

I haven't been on here in so long, it just took me forever to log on! I forgot my password, then I realized I was using the wrong email address! I'm blonde. :)

I have not been painting. I have not been doing much of anything at all. Certainly nothing worth "blogging" about.

I did change my Primary Care Provider/doctor, so I will finally get to see someone new. I just did this today, so I have to wait til next month to go to the new doc.... Maybe this will help...rrrrrright. Well, a girl can dream!!!

I want to paint. I've got everything sitting right here, just waiting for ME. But I have to find ME to be able to do that. Hopefully this will happen soon. Or I'm gonna just go crazy. Or have I already???

Thanks for voting for my paintings. The French Angel is doing good. I've slipped back to 10th, but that's ok. IT'S ALL GOOD!!!!!

The "Backyard" in progress...

2008-10-06T11:24:00.000-04:00

I have been painting!! Right now I've kinda hit a "hurdle" I must get over to continue, but I will. This has nothing to do w/ painting, because I really want to finish this. My heart and hands are working together, I just have to find the place & time to do it...

Anyhow, right now I am masking off the frame of the porch so I can get the lines very straight and clean. It makes it much easier & faster!! I like how this is turning out...finally!!!

It won't take too long, once I am able to get at it. I will keep posting pics as I go. And it won't be long before I post another!!! IT'S ALL GOOD!!!

Backyard Painting

2008-10-03T10:30:00.001-04:00

I got the Honeysuckle done. I like the way that has turned out. I may have to do more work on the tree though. It's a little childish... But, I was sitting out there this morning and Spice got up on the table and layed there. Then Sabastian got up & of course had to investigate things. So I got him w/ his nose in my paint water jar. Very cute!! So, I have added them to my painting. I just wish that Calypso could've gotten up there too!! There's not really enough room for him, but I probably could've made it work!!LOL It's ok, got my kitties to paint now too. I haven't painted an animal in a long long time, but I think I can do it...

It's only paint, I can paint over it!! I don't think I'm going to have to. I'm really enjoying doing this one. Sitting out there painting is EXTREMELY relaxing. Maybe I'll break down today and actually lay in the sun out there by the pool for a while. I'm getting ghostly!!! Ewwww!!!! Gotta fix that!!:)

I still haven't decided anything on the DSFDF painting this week. I did go check out the blog and Karin's is FABULOUS!!!! Pressure, Oh the pressure!!! IT'S ALL GOOD!!!:)

DSFDF-Week 5

2008-10-02T12:06:00.001-04:00

OK, so this is the pic for Week 5 on DSFDS...Hmmmm.....Interesting? Very. What am I gonna do w/ it?? Don't have a clue!!! I'm thinking of taking a section (to be determined) and doing it in colored pencil. I just don't know yet. This REALLY is like Art Class all over again!!!

I better get a good grade, I want to go to Prom this year!!!LOL

Folk Art...Why am I painting something that looks like FOLK ART????

2008-10-02T11:48:00.000-04:00

This is just a section of the painting I am doing. I know, it's pretty dang crappy, but it's for me and it's my backyard. It is the view from where I sit every morning and drink my coffee.

I don't understand the "Folksy" feel that it has. Why am I painting like I'm in 7th grade again??? Who knows..but it will change as I add more to it. Hopefully for the better!! The dark green bushes have a million leaves that I have to add. It's Honeysuckle vines that have grown and been trimmed to look like bushes. So, I think the leaves will help that part. Then there's the pool, then the porch and the table in front of me. I think I may put Spice on the table, just laying there. It will be just like I'm sitting there...

I gotta add some skydivers into the sky, since they are always jumping right there in the backyard. It will be interesting, if nothing else. Something fun to look at....

Who cares....I'M PAINTING!!!!:)

Link to comments about "Caymus" by Mark Adams...

2008-10-01T14:14:00.000-04:00

http://www.bonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/23830/377765.html?1222876039
This is a site where divers, snorkelers, non-divers, WHATEVER, people that love the island of Bonaire, get together to talk about their trips, lean on one another, chat, just hang out together. Bonaire is a beautiful island with gorgeous reefs, cactus & donkeys. It is in the Netherlands Antilles, known as the ABC islands. There's Aruba, Bonaire & Curacao. The reefs of Bonaire are the most beautiful in the world. And Bonaire is known for the fantastic shore diving. So, we all love Bonaire....
Anyhow, I've made friends with everyone on BT and I've met a lot of them. Just a bunch of wonderful people & the best friends I've ever had!! And now I've got them all hooked on Mark Adams painting!!
:)

White Pumpkins

2008-09-28T11:45:00.001-04:00

8"x10"

acrylic on canvas

$125

Here is my painting for this weeks photo from "Different Strokes For Different Folks"

http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/

OK, so these things were NOT easy. I had a hard time w/ the shadow coloring on the pumpkin itself. So, what I ended up doing was painting, covering that, painting it again, covering that up, over and over. Finally I just dragged a dry brush w/ some white over the whole pumpkin part and there ya go!! I do not like that, I wanted them to look very realistic. I didn't get that effect at all, but from far away, I like them. Like from the other side of the room, a dark room...LOL

Hey, I painted and that's all that matters. And I'm posting a copy of my painting. I'm almost happy...

M.A., the exorcism almost worked!!!!!LOL

Different Strokes...Different Folks....

2008-09-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

This BLOG is just not looking like it's about painting AT ALL!!! You will have to scroll back to see that I have done some painting in the 2 months that I've had this thing.

I did paint today. But as someone that I truly admire said to me today "Sometimes my hands don't listen to my heart. Art is a seeing and feeling process and sometimes a complete mystery to me." My heart wants to paint, but my hands just aren't working with it.

What I'm painting is from the http://differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com/ blog. Every Wednesday a new photo is put up to draw, paint, whatever. Then you do it, send a copy in an email and she will post your work along w/ everyone elses. VERY COOL! It's like art class. You have a project and a week to do it. I loved art class, so maybe this will help me get back into it...So far, I suck!!!LOL

I have told my mom about the DSFDF blog. So now, hopefully, she will do it too. Then maybe we can hang out together and paint. And we will be doing the same thing, so we can get inspiration from each other. Mom, please do this with me...Pretty pllllllllease....

I just want to be able to pick up my brush and stand in front of my huge canvas and be happy again. One day....

I think I'm getting back to being ME!!!!

2008-09-12T09:26:00.000-04:00

I'm sorry that I've posted so many depessing things on here lately. AND NO PAINTING!!! I am feeling better, so I'm thinking about picking up a paintbrush and going at it again. It really makes me feel better to go to other blogs where the artists are painting EVERY DAY!!! Especially Mark Adams. He just makes me feel good. I can go to his blog and WOW!!! He just has such a postitive effect on me. Even if I wasn't an artist I would love his blog!! His paintings are fabulous!! And he seems like such a happy man...Someone I'd just love to know personally. But I'll stick to his daily painting and his great words that make me smile!!!

I hope one day I can be like that again. I'm trying, I really am...

Now to see what today brings me as far as not being depressed and not just staring at this Surgeon Fish!! He wants to be done and hang out w/ the French Angel. Maybe they can hang out in a gallery downtown!!! Well, that sounds almost like a goal, doesn't it??? I haven't had one of those in a while!!!

To everyone, LET'S JUST HAVE A GOOD DAY!!!!:)

Mean People Suck

2008-09-03T10:14:00.000-04:00

I haven't been on here in a while... I just haven't been able to paint AT ALL!!! I look at the painting sitting right here next to me, and I have nothing. I've just been depressed. I can't get out of it. I know it will pass, so that is good. I'm sick of rain and hurricanes. I don't like stupid people that put you down thinking that they are better. People like that really piss me off!!!!

I had to leave my son's birthday party because of STUPID PEOPLE!!!!! I just couldn't handle the way I was being talked to. I try to stay out of confrontations, I was by myself enjoying the day, and out of no where BOOM!!! I got verbally attacked by some idiot that has nothing and is nothing. I know I should not let things like that bother me. But it is bothering me. I wish I didn't get so nervous when shit like that happens & I could've stood up for myself. Instead, I left. I will NEVER go back there. Not til my kids have full ownership of the camp and kick those fat asses OUT!! Then, I will go back and hang out w/ my kids and relax.

If you are ever in a position where you think someone is not as good as you are, remember, everyone has a story. Everyone has something going on in their life. Some things are not good, and maybe they don't need you to tell them that they are nothing but a piece of shit. It's NOT RIGHT!!!!!!!!! No one is better than anyone else. Except ME!!! I am better than that fat ass! And I will NEVER take that again. At least my son stood up for me and understood why I left. He puts up w/ it all the time. They are always saying crap to him. And he does not deserve it. I wish I was more like Rafe. I love him. Thanks Bubba:)

Yeah, so much for my lovely "Painting Blog"....maybe one day it will be back to normal. But I need to get there first. Sorry for ranting, but I'm still pretty dang upset.

"The Reef" Print

2008-08-14T22:41:00.001-04:00

The Reef

24" x 30"

GiClee - Print on Canvas

acrylic

Signed and Numbered

Limited Edition - 100 Prints made

$250

Email for more info - address on profile

Click on picture to view larger.

"Juvi Drum" Print

2008-08-14T22:27:00.000-04:00

Juvi Drum

16" x 13"

GiClee - Print on Canvas

acrylic

$150

E-mail for more info - address on profile

Click on picture to view HIDEOUSLY larger!LOL

French Angel

2008-08-14T22:00:00.002-04:00

French Angel

Original

36" x 48"

acrylic on canvas

E-mail for info, address on profile

Scroll thru blog to see from start to finish and how it came to be...

Click on picture to view larger.

Tomorrow's the 15th...

2008-08-14T20:46:00.000-04:00

and the deadline for getting in the application and the digital image presentation for the artshow. I am not entering. It feels better knowing that now I can not stress over it anymore. I'd rather sell the paintings, but then I want to have them for SOMETHING. I don't know what. I'm trying to figure out a way for them to be seen, other than this, but don't know what to do. I don't think having them in some "small town" artshow is what I want. I guess what I really need to do is JUST FRIGGIN START PAINTING AGAIN AND NOT WORRY ABOUT ANY OF IT!!!

Since things have kinda gotten back to normal around here, I guess I can start again. It's just too hard when you never know when you are just going to have to stop and leave right in the middle of something that you just can't stop while you are doing it. And I want to get this fish done, so I think IT'S TIME!!!!!LOL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANE!!!!!

My Family

2008-08-11T18:24:00.000-04:00

Mom(Jaci), Sister(Teri), My Man(George), Me, Daughter(Olivia),

Son(Rafe), Niece(Sarah), Daughter(Kayla), Niece(Lulu)

Here is finally a group photo of my family. When we were putting together the collage for Dad's Memorial, we realized we have NO family photos. Right then Kayla decided that she did not care what the occasion was, we would always take a group photo. And the fact that we are all dressed up, well, this may be a one and only like this.

I look gigantic, and George looks so little. G & I are actually the same height, but I am wearing heels... The camera was down low on a table...so, we are not the sizes we look. Kayla set the timer on her camera and ran and got into the photo.

It was a very nice Memorial. There were quite a few of Dad's friends there from the News-Journal, lots of family (not all in the pic), and friends that came because they are friends. I just wish I had known that the reverend was going to ask people to speak about Dad. I was not prepared for that, my mind started racing a million miles a minute, thinking..... what do I say? what order do I say these things? Then I got so nervous about speaking in front of a crowd and it was too late. When I was driving home, alone, I said all the things I would have said up there. So, I think it's ok. I just wish I could've said it to everyone there. I'd like them to be able to see him as I do. To know what all he has done for me, and how, at the end, when I would help him up, we would dance. I'd tell him "You hold onto ME, not the towel rack, it'll break!!" So he'd put his arms around me and I'd say "Now, we dance..." And we would. Then I would thank him for the dance. It was special. And I'm smiling now thinking about it. I'm so glad I have these memories.

One day soon this "Blog" will be about painting again. I keep looking at the Surgeonfish and I know what I want to do to it next...I just need to DO it!!! In time.....

My FAVORITE Picture!!:)

2008-08-08T08:21:00.001-04:00

Well, this has been a pretty rough week. There's so much to do, and so much to deal with. I can honestly say, I'm not dealing well. I felt better yesterday, because I spent the day w/ my mom getting things done that had to be done. I think most of my problem has been that I sit here in the house, alone. Being alone right now it not a good thing. I don't handle things well.

My sister is staying at Mom's right now, so I know she's ok. But, we do much better when we are together. They have been doing things and I felt more like I was in the way than anything. So, then I sit here, alone, and upset that I'm not w/ them and it's just crazy. Poor George. He gets these phone calls and I know I'm not coherent at all. I've got to quit doing that to him.

Anyhow, my point, and I do have one... I am putting so much pressure on myself w/ this painting and getting it done in time for the Art Show Committee to see. I'm just not doing it. I'm not entering this show. Right now it's just too hard to put that much pressure on myself. And it's making me not paint right. I'm like some water head retard w/ a brush! It's like I've forgotten how to paint. I just can't worry about that right now. Life is too important. If I paint it has to be because I want to, not because I have to. There, now I feel better.

So, now that that pressure is off of me...Today I will go to Mom's and she and I are going to put together a collage of pics of Dad to have at the Memorial tomorrow. We will enjoy doing that together. It should be interesting because we are both so creative and strong willed (stubborn & only WE can do things the right way!)...it's gonna be interesting!!

One day, I will just have paintings done, find out where there's a show & enter it. It won't be a stressful thing. Hopefully I won't have to deal w/ all that I am now. I don't ever want to do this again.

Painting=Therapy

2008-08-05T14:19:00.000-04:00

I just squeezed paint onto my palette and started...It feels good.

Here is just the start of the fish. I like it, it has some depth, perspective. Now it needs the detail and it should be ok. All of the rest of it has quite a bit of detail. The fins, eye, mouth, gill, tail. I have the music blasting and lots of coffee. Let's see what happens now....

Remember, this painting is 3' x 4'

Painting resumes...soon....

2008-08-03T09:08:00.000-04:00

I haven't been on here or painting for some time now. My Dad has had cancer for 15 months and passed away on Friday, August 1st, at 3:15 AM. I have been staying w/ my Mom & Dad for a while, as he has been having a hard time. He's been very weak and needed help getting around and it was a 24/7 effort to care for him. My Mom & I took care of him every second. We made sure that he had everything and anything that he needed or wanted. I never left his side. I walked away from my "life" for him. And I'd do it again in a second! There would never be enough I could do for this man. I promised him that I would take care of my mother, so, that is my new job. And I gladly accept it.

In the end we had Hospice there around the clock. What a Godsend. These people are amazing and made sure that he was comfortable and went peacefully. I thank them with all I have and all I am.

I am home now, and it seems very strange. I feel like I don't fit in here. Maybe it's just the change from the one household to the other. And I am tired. Everything will fall into place. I will be going back to Mom's today to get the rest of my things. (My sister is there now.) Tomorrow we will be making all of the arrangements for the Memorial Service. So, we will have another rough day...but together we will do it.

I hope that I can get enough time to get this painting done so I can submit it to the committee for the art show by August 15th. If not, there is always next year. And other artshows. So, it's all good.

Thank you to everyone for your kind thoughts and prayers for my family and myself.