>Survived hosting duties and Cool Gig on the Radar

>My visiting brother is in Nashville for the morning; the dinner last night was great; and I am relaxing in the cool of my white-trash, window-unit air-conditioned upstairs office.  The dogs, resigned to going yet another day without a trek to the park, are sprawled across our king-sized bed downstairs.  No painting in my future today, unfortunately.

But back to the dinner:  thanks to my visiting brother Brian, we served a great meal including barbequed chicken, teriyaki beef and veggies, a really kickass Quinoa Pilaf (if I may say so myself), and raw veggies and crackers and dips (including my first attempt at Lucilla’s Poor Man’s Caviar), followed by a fruit platter and a childhood family favorite:  chocolate cookie & cream ice box cake that put a huge grin on my cousin Katie’s smiling face. It was a wonderful evening and I could feel the stress of the past 24 hours evaporate as I licked the last remnants of chocolate and creme off my dessert fork.

The afternoon’s “career-making” meeting went amazingly well.  I was pulled into a project with a screenwriting friend and, long story short, have been asked to tell the amazing true story of an urban pioneer.   I liked him immediately upon meeting him, fell for all his charms and tried to keep up with his quick wit and ricocheting manner of storytelling.   The setting drew me in the minute I crossed the threshold, and while 104 degree temperatures do not usually encourage trudging through raw industrial spaces, I was so hooked the sweat dripping down into my eyes was but a minor inconvenience and I could’ve explored for hours.  Still, I was very glad to get back into the heavenly high-spaced air conditioned office our subject has and hear more of his stories.

My task now is to come up with a proposal for my work, including renumeration, expected time involved and estimated total budget for a final project.  I know it will mean a lengthy and time consuming process, but my semi-retired brother says he’s willing to pick up some of my consulting business slack and help me along this journey, which, if all goes well, will include a wonderful studio in which to paint and perhaps show, there, as well, since there’s no way in hell I’m giving that up.

>Painting, gracious southern style at Lynne’s

>I was in one of those moods.  The dogs knew it and stayed out of my way.  With out-of-town family arriving that night and a long-lost cousin joining us for dinner the next, and sandwiched in between a possible career-making meeting, I was dreading the next 48 hours.  So much to do!  Still, I wasn’t about to give up my sanity-restoring opportunity to paint with my friends. 

And so it was — like facing the waves, taking in the fresh sea air and breathing deeply with the cool blue surf’s waves kissing one’s bare toes helping to forget the here and now. As agreed, our painting foursome met Tuesday for our third “private” painting session and as this journal’s title hints, we were hosted by our resident Southern Belle, Lynne. With one of those melodic gentle voices with a honey-sweet drawl and ever-present smile, to know Lynne is to be in the presence of sunshine and honey, and all things sweet and pleasant.  Really. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’ve never been to her home before and she is very modest, but as I drove through the gracious old-South charm of Belle Meade, the palatial homes, verdant and sprawling country club and well-kept lawns set the tone. And pulling into her place, I wasn’t disappointed…  Lynne’s home is a lovely breezy affair with a huge deck (alas, it was way too warm to paint out there) and maze-like interior that winds its way through wall after wall of Lynne-produced whimsical and serious art.  A huge bookcase in the dining room belies the secrets to her success and her genius: years of practice and study.  I regret I didn’t take more photos, but, with an abbreviated day on my part, we didn’t waste too long looking around before settling in to the important task of painting at her dining room table, the deck’s sunlight pleasantly spilling into the room and occasional barking by her little dog bringing us occasionally back to the here and now. 

Margot worked on a lovely stone structure she’d photographed while on her trip to Turkey a short while back.  Lynne, amid hosting duties, worked on a beautiful landscape as Lucilla and I tooled around painting flowers. 

At lunch time, Lynne laid out a truly gracious Southern style luncheon complete with shrimp salad, tiny champagne grapes, cheese crackers, and more.  All on fine china with a dainty rose centerpiece (which I couldn’t resist painting it was so lovely).  As we dined an painted, it struck me how cherished these women are to me.  True sisters.  An idea that was affixed permanently in each of our minds when, early on in the day, Lucilla presented each of us with a lovely ceramic “painting” of green leaves on a bone background.  She explained that they had been a gift to her years ago and she had no use for them now and wanted us each to have one.  I was so touched and it now hangs in a special place of honor in our front room. 

It is hard to believe I have known these women for such a short time and yet feel so deeply for them, and cherish them so much!  I can’t explain it, but perhaps working together on our art, we feel safe enough to share our vulnerabilities.  They sure know about my dramas!  And as we learn more about one another, I think we each feel more protective of one another.  Like family, wanting the best for our loved ones. 

All I know is I feel truly blessed to know these dear, sweet souls and think that as much as I grow in my painting ability in their presence, I grow as a person too.  We have plans to strengthen our alliance in a more formal way.  I hope we can bring our plans to fruition and will do what I can to ensure it happens! 

After the darkness, light

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After venturing into the dark territory of the oil spill, BP’s greed and such, I had to find something of beauty to process.  So I dipped into my photos of the morning fog from the other day and came up with this lovely work.  It wasn’t hard to do this, especially with my own Crape Myrtle Trees blossoming right outside my studio windows!  Who could resist, I ask you?

>Grumpy

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BP Can Go Eff Itself! 

The news headlines about the Gulf Oil Disaster have been weighing me down for weeks and I didn’t realize how much it had dominated the news until I sorted through the stack of newspapers I use for protecting surfaces in my art.  There were so many heart-wrenching headlines and I got more and more pissed off, so I tore them all out and figured I’d process them somehow.  At the same time, I had some remnant acrylic paint that kind of looked like the earth from up in space – green forest, blue water, and such.  I had been mulling it over with the intention of using it in some abstract or another. One thing led to another and … Voila!  I think I feel better! 

>Foggy Morn

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It was one of those magical moments when everything comes together just right.  The dogs and I were in need of a good long walk after being cooped up in house for days because of the intense heat.  There was a thick layer of fog that lent our small universe an air of mystery on this day. The 35 mm digital camera was beckoning to be used for more than just photos of my artwork, and I accepted its challenge, capturing the Creator’s grand design as the dogs curiously sniffed and padded along in the dewy fields.  

>Home to roost

>On a personal note, the situation with my loved one is getting precarious and I am very worried, though trying to trust in God on this.  As I search through my own actions  as to how things have taken this ugly, dark turn despite my trying to set a positive and good example, I recognize seeds sewn decades ago that I ignored and worse, denied but should have prevented.  Hence, the title to this entry.  It is so damn hard to get out of the way and not rush to fix this!  All I can do is hope for the best outcome for my loved one. 

I will have a good long cry and seek solace in some mournful music today.  The gorgeous Sand & Water album by Beth Nielsen Chapman beckons.  Keep us in your prayers and thoughts, okay?

>Another wonderful day painting with "the Grey Ladies"

>I think that’s a kinda catchy name for our little foursome of painters who’re either retired or over 50 or both and I’ll gladly introduce you to the other girls if I get their permission.

Today, we painted at Lucilla’s home in a quaint old neighborhood in West Nashville.  Described as a “little jewelry box” by Lynne, even the gardens are adorable here.  And as I walked into the house, Lucilla explained that when she bought there some eight years ago, the home had a lawn but no shrubs or flowers or anything.  Today, lovely paths wind their way to the front and throughout the lovely shady backyard, with fragrant flowers harkening back to a simpler era before microwaves and home computers. 

I brought my watercolors and a pad and played while Margot gave Lucilla an acrylic lesson on painting skies.  Margot’s famous for hers but I have to say, the one Lucilla laid down was a close second.  Lynne joined us an hour or so later (note to world:  her parents warned me when I met them that there’s “regular people time” and there’s “Lynne time.”  She thought our painting date was tomorrow.  Nevertheless, she came through with a pair of sugar baby melons to accompany Lucilla’s fabulous vegetarian spread consisting of “Poor Man’s Caviar,” Capanota,an Italian Rice Salad, wonderful cheeses, and more. Warning:  the links I’ve included are for recipes I found on the web for these type of dishes, but Lucilla shared with me the real heirloom recipes and are far better than these, from what I can tell.

Speaking of Lucilla, I won’t give all the details about this lovely woman unless and until I get her permission.  Suffice it to say I love her dearly.  Aside from her constant habit of denigrating herself, I’d say she is close to flawless in character and I am so happy to have her in my life.  She is brilliant in ways that matter (to me at least), well-traveled, cultured, and willing to take risks and push envelopes and say what she feels.  A gem of a person for whom the little “jewelry box” of a home is perfect.

I would fear that these painting dates could become perverted by friendship, food and fun as have my Germantown Bridge dates, but we all marvelled at how much we painted and accomplished on our respective canvasses and papers by the end of it.

Next week, we’re headed to Lynne’s home.  Lucilla or Margot dryly warned her we’d be there at 5 a.m. to make sure she was ready for us.  Lynne sweetly smiled and said that’d be perfect, we can all wear our jammies!

>Commissioned memorial painting

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A client fell in love with my 36 x 48 “Druid Tree” painting that was up at the Mad Platter Show in May/June.  It has returned to it’s place as centerpiece of our home’s cathedral-ceiling’d living room, hanging over the fireplace once again.  She thought of that painting when a dear friend of hers died and she commissioned a smaller version – different in format, as it’s taller and more slender, but the colors and everything else were to remain the same. 

I completed the piece this past weekend and am struck again by the simple beauty of the design.  I don’t know if the ethereal shimmer comes through, but in person, it seems to take on a spirit-like existence of its own, reflecting differently wherever you move. 

My client hasn’t picked up the painting yet but I’m looking forward to her reaction.

What’s the difference between a Flat and Bright brush? Anyone?

I just opened a sale flyer e-mail from Artist’s Supply Warehouse and was introduced to a new line of brushes by Liquitex – apparently their first ever brush line.  The offer intrigued me, of course, and the prices seem not too bad.  I’m in need of a couple of brushes so thought I’d investigate.

But I have to admit to some confusion and pose the question… what is the difference between Flats and Brights?  I came across the description below from Connie Nelson’s site at this page and thought I’d share with others interested.  Thanks Connie!

BRIGHT:  “They are shaped flat on the end and slightly rounder in the middle. Bright brushes are ideal for painting landscapes, flowers, etc. When pressed sideways, they create broad and bold brush strokes. Or, you can hold it up and use the sharp edge to create thinner lines. Or simply drag them across the surface to create a even sweeping layer.”

FLAT:  “This type of oil painting brush looks very similar to bright brushes, but the difference is that the hairs are   longer. This allows for you to hold slightly more paint with each brush stroke than bright brushes. Otherwise, there is not much significant difference when it comes to brush strokes. They are good for landscapes and still life.”

One thing I noticed with Flat Brushes is that if you get just enough paint on it, the bristles can divide and produce some perfect multiple lines or waves in one stroke.  Nice for laying on texture, or defining grasses, lines in architecture, woodgrain or what have you.  It’s got to be just right, however, so test it on newspaper first.

Are you an artist or art lover? Join me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest to extend the conversation! I’d love to hear from you.

>Four artists, my house = a great day of painting

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Can I just say I was in my element today?  I mean, there I was, painting, in my home, with three of my dearest friends painting along with me!  Oooh!  Heaven! 

Lucilla, Margot, and Lynne that I paint with at the Centennial Park Gallery and Art Center joined me for the day since it’s “Summer vacation” there in that program. 
We spread out on the dining room table and all worked on watercolors together.  At the start, Lynne gave Lucilla and I a lesson in loosey goosey watercolor work on sunflowers.  You can see her gorgeous rendition in the photo above.  After we picked her brain clean, we started in on Margot who shared with us her style of painting mountain landscapes.  I’ll post a photo of that at the bottom after I’ve finished working mine to publishable status in the next day or two.  But it was just a grand time with the girls.  While Margot was teaching us, Lynne moved her stuff to the floor.  She says she finds it more comfortable spreading out that way.  In the lower left of the photo you can see another fabulous – I mean truly grand – floral watercolor she did right there in about 2 hours time.

At lunchtime, we dined, perversely, in my studio on a card table set up there so we didn’t have to move a thing.  I had prepared a Chicken Broccoli Braid (and putting the link here is a test to see if Lynne really does read my blog since she’s been after me for the recipe).  We also had some great watermelon and a fantastic roasted stone fruit and rosemary dessert that was to die for. 

There, together, both painting and dining, we all discussed the merits of certain paint colors, the different manufacturers (Lynne is a huge fan of and exclusively uses American Journey by Cheap Joes now with the exception of one – Shadow Green, produced by  Holbein), our favorite brushes and even paper too.  Ironically, for not having to pay a workshop or class fee, I got far more out of our day of “studio time” than many other times.  And it occurred to me, Lynne would be a tremendous spokesperson for American Journeys. 

I am whipped now, though, so, as Lucilla would say (and squeeze her fingers together and spread them out), Caiou! 

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