Spring In The Air

It has been a wonderful week in Michigan. I can't believe how beautiful the weather has been. Today is was over 70 degrees with clear blue skies. It doesn't get any better that this. Both of my dogs sat in front of the open windows in my studio and snorted in the fresh air. The only drawback was their barking at the neighborhood kids running around down by the lake. I enjoy my solitude. I hope that isn't an old people thing. A year ago this week we had a terrible ice storm that snapped tree limbs and left many without power. That is more normal for this time of year. But not this year. I feel like we jumped from Winter to Summer. Well, it is certainly motivating me to get a lot of painting done. Both of my galleries sell the bulk of my work in the Summer, so I need to push forward.
I have posted two paintings I completed this week. The flower garden I call Up Market. It is 3 x 4 in acrylic. I know, Up Market doesn't really apply to the scene. The street behind the hedge happens to be Market Street and it is heading up the hill. When I took the reference photo for this piece, I was standing along the shore of Lake Huron, with the Mackinac Bridge behind me. Just a breathtaking view for the person who lives in the house behind the garden.
The second painting is called The Grand, and is 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 in acrylic. I have done several pieces of the Grand Hotel and will probably continue to do so, because it is a popular subject on the island. The Grand has the longest porch in the world. We have stayed there several times, but really prefer and small B&B on Market Street, because it is less formal. My husband and I swore when we retired, we would never again dress up. Well, most of the time we live up to that promise. When staying at the Grand, one MUST dress formal by 6pm or not appear on the main prominade or porch. Its fun once in a while. They have a band playing during dinner and later you can go up to the portico which is a piano bar and watch the freighters traveling through the straits of Mackinac. It is a wonderful view!
Well, back to work. I think I am going to be putting in some long hours for a while.
Till next time,

On The Dark Side

The name of my latest piece pretty much sums up how I have been feeling the last week or so. The weather in Michigan, like a lot of the country has been downright crummy! We have had nothing but black skies and snow and rain. I always feel colder when it is above freezing and wet outside. It seems to go right through me the older I get. I have been living in my studio keeping away from the weather. That is OK. If I was still working I would be getting up at 4:30 to face the crummy weather!
I always feel inadequate in my posts because my life is much the same from day to day. No events to describe in colorful detail or observations on life in general. I could lament about politics, but I think most of us are downright sick of that. Not that I am complaining. What that means is there are no crisis, illness or other problems in my life. Boring is good.
I am really looking forward to spring and we had a glimpse of it today. The sky was blue, and the sun was warm. For the second year in a row, we have a rabbit living under our porch and I have been watching him (and he me) from our lower level kitchen. He is obviously enjoying the warmer weather. He watches me with nervous attention waiting to see what I will do. When my daughter came home from work she exclaimed "baby bunnies!" I freaked out. I thought we had a clutch of little rabbits all living under our porch. I had visions of our golden retrievers chasing half dozen bunnies through our yard. False alarm. She didn't realize we had ONE rabbit, so she was all excited.
Daylight savings time has added time for me in my studio. I really enjoy painting in the daylight although I always use additional lighting. More hours in the studio and less time to snack! I have recently eliminated sugar completely from my diet and reduced the carbs. Till I get used to this new regiment I am craving sugar like mad. Keep painting Keep painting.
Till next time
Gail

A Week For Patience

This has been a week for patience. I have just completed the above painting I call The Essence of Mackinac done in acrylic and is a miniature that measures 3-1/2 inches by 2-1/2 inches. When I think of Mackinac Island, this is the kind of image that comes to mind. This is one of the many historic homes on the island in all its glory! It is a piece I started several months ago and put on the shelf. Sometimes I lack patience. But as I said before, this has been the week for patience or is it patients?
My daughter had surgery on Tuesday and as I always suspected, it is easier to be the patient than the caregiver. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being the caregiver, but I think it is exhausting. My daughter is 27, but had never been in the hospital before, let alone for major surgery. I stayed with her overnight in the hospital sleeping on a recliner they provided. I am pleased she is doing well, but she is anxious about every little ache or pain, so I must constantly reassure her. She has been quite content to be waited on hand and foot, so I finally started making her get up and do simple things on her own. I know it is better for the healing to move. I was unable to paint for a couple of days and it felt good to pick up a brush late in the week.
Today was quite warm for Michigan this time of year and I sat outside with my coffee this morning and just soaked up the sun. It felt sooooo good. I was energized for the entire day. I am really sensing the changing of the season and I can't wait!!
Plan on spending considerable time in my studio this week and hope to complete several other half finished pieces on my shelf.
Till next time,

The Ultimate Test

Well, in the past couple of days I have been working on the above painting. I have been taking gouache out for the ultimate test drive! A lot of the paintings I do are highly detailed architectural landscapes. I have found it difficult to get the level of detail I have desired-thus one of the reasons for experimenting with gouache. I found this painting to be a challenge, especially since it is only my 3rd in gouache. All in all, though I was pleased with where the gouache is taking me. I had a very intense day in my studio as I really wanted to complete this piece and post it. Tell me what you think! It is called Autumn on Bogan Lane and is 3-1/2 inches wide x 2-1/2 inches high.
Cheers, from gloomy Michigan
Gail

More Adventures in Gouache

I spent quite a bit of time in my studio this week and continued my adventures in gouache. One painting I turned into a frisbee out of frustration, one I finished (shown above) and I will complete another one tomorrow. All in all not bad. Its like anything else, there is a learning curve to working in another medium, not matter what the change is. Paint was too thin or paint sunk into the paper and disappeared. I'll get it eventually.

I am really getting anxious for spring. I don't mind the snow and cold, but the dark days without sunlight are making me want to sleep. The only advantage to this time of year is not having to spend time gardening. I like gardening, but it takes time out of the studio. So much for a balanced life!

Till next time,

Gail

p.s. the above painting is called Hidden Retreat and is 2 -1/2 x 3 -1/2

Adventures in Gouache

Well, I felt like my art was at a bit of a standstill. I think most artists are never satisfied with their work. I have been struggling to get a softer, more detailed look with my acrylics with the emphasis on stuggling. Don't get me wrong, I have been fortunate enough to win awards for my work, but I am dissatisfied! Last week I decided to paint a gazebo scene using gouache (opaque watercolor) and the end results are posted above. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and found that I could get better detail with the gouache than acrylic. Some of my fellow miniature artists have given this piece high marks. Although it still looks like my work, it is more detailed. Let me know what you think!

It was very cold and damp in my studio today. Even my dogs were piled up against each other looking for warmth. My husband was doing computer work today, in anticipation of taxes ,while wrapped up in a quilt. No wonder retirees move to Florida! Anyway, I did start a second gouache piece, but its too soon to tell how it is going. I finally quit painting and wrapped up in a quilt of my own. Oh well,there is always tomorrow.

Till next time,

Gail

We're Baaaack!

Well, all good things must come to an end, I guess. My husband and I arrived home from Florida very early Sunday morning. It was a smooth but long drive of 20 hours. We were staying at Disney World Old Key West resort for a week. We purchased a timeshare there many years ago and go at least once a year. Above is a picture of the condo and below is the view from the patio. As you can see many of the trees and tropical foliage were greatly damaged by the heavy frost that blasted through Florida earlier this month. I thought I was in a time warp with dead leaves flying around. Is it January or October-who can tell.

While in Florida we attended the Miniature Art Society of Florida show during the collectors preview day. It was fun saying Hi to Wes and Rachelle Siegrist who were working the show as well as Bev Abbott! Everyone's work looked great and the show itself was well assembled. Sales were brisk that day with collectors lined up Saturday morning waiting to pay for art!!! I was having so much fun, I forgot to take pictures, sorry about that.

Mid January is a great time to be at Disney World because the crowds are way down. Although we go every year, my husband and I decided to visit the parks a couple times just to soak up the atmosphere. I was wearing a pedometer during the week and was pleased that I was able to log 20 miles of walking. This is a real milestone for me as I have been recovering from 2 surgeries and at one point unable to walk even half a mile without considerable pain.

As you can see, the weather was beautiful. The one thing I dislike about Michigan is the lack of sun and blue sky in the winter months. I could get used to this Florida living!

On another outing to the park we visited the Germany Pavilion at Epcot where I said hi to Jutta, a full time Disney artist who paints miniatures on eggs. She is the reason I am now working in miniature! Jutta is originally from Germany and has worked at Epcot for a number of years. I buy her eggs and she buys my paintings. If you are ever at Epcot be sure to look her up and see her wonderful work.

I am back in my studio this week and working on a painting of a gazebo. I am thinking Summer.
I must admit it feels really good to get back to painting. Vacations can't last forever.

Till next time,

Gail