2016 in Review

Most of 2016 I spent working on the house.  I painted the kitchen cabinets, removed the carpet in the living room and hallway replacing it with a hardwood laminate.  It felt so good to throw out the old carpet.  The dogs were sliding so much on the new flooring that we have added lots of throw rugs for traction.  Here is my favorite home project from last year:

The stairs make me smile now.  I am still undecided about painting the stairs a different color.

2016 Wedding

We started off 2016 with the happiest of occasions.  Paul and Aisha Moritz married and we celebrated the union in NYC.  Alison, Shad, Seth, Vara and I flew in before snowmageden arrived.  Being from Colorado, we took it in stride and had a wonderful time.  Here is the beautiful couple:

We were able to meet all of Aisha's family and are really looking forward to getting to know them as the years unfold.

Garden Post

A dear friend and I have been working on a garden post to put in our yards this spring.  It reminded me that I haven't posted in my blog for a long time.  How could a whole year go by so fast!  This is a garden post I made last year for a good friend and neighbor:  It was my first attept, but I think it came out pretty cool:

Ornament Rabbit Hole

Forgot to document this rabbit hole I went down just before Christmas - Domino ornaments.  As fast as I made them, they were given away.  Unfortunately my drill bit broke and I had to stop making them.  This is the lone survivor.  It was a fun project and a great way to use up my stockpile of jewelry bits.   I hope to make more .......when the spirit moves me.........

Cloth Journal Pages

Have several journals going.  These 2 pages are going in the cloth journal.

2015 Resolution

New Year's Resolution:  PRACTICE.  Draw, paint, screw up - anything, but put in the time......
It feels good to be back in the art studio working.  Although I am very rusty after 6 months of literally doing nothing creative......

Thanksgiving Pic

So good to have everyone home this year.  And so nice my sister can photoshop so we could come out with one pic in which everyone looks good.  Love the age of technology :)

Summer Project

It did take all summer, but feels great to have a freshly painted, clean house.  The ladders were the hardest part as the rungs were thin and to balance put a lot of pressure on my feet and knees.  Boy did they hurt!  I was grateful that Shad and Janet let me borrow their tall ladders and were so patient with my turtle-like speed in making progress.  I think I did a good job!  So glad I'll never have to do that again...................

Seth's Continuation

Look who's finished middle school!  Seth will be going on to Chatfield High School next year.  This young man will have no trouble making friends and navigating the social complexities of high school.  Hang on Shad and Jane, these 4 years are going to fly by!  By the way, doesn't Shad look great in hats?

Xena and Chloe

Paul went to England to spend time with Aisha, so guess who came to stay?  Chloe!  Xena and Chloe are getting to be best buddies.  I don't think we can let Paul have her back............

Nice Pic of Paul

Paul is in his 3rd year of medical school and will be applying for an intern job in the fall.  This is his application pic - nice one!

Summer Project - Painting in a whole new way

Finally after years of talking about it and looking at it, the house is getting a face lift.  Sometimes you just have to jump right in and start; don't think about it too much.  It's taken a month to get this far!  I'm just going square by square and here we are with 2 sections done.  Alison occasionally comes out to help with the fun parts - the trim!  This house has an abundance of trim.  I am so joyful to be done with the roof.  Now let's see if I survive tall ladders..............Ignore the ugly blue door.  That will go away very soon.

Grisaille of Alison

Have spent hours trying to get this grasaille of Alison to look good, but finally gave up when it dawned on me that I wouldn't get the right look with the craft paint I was using.  Good enough for now.  I can work off of copies of this and try some different techniques using glazing.  The photo was taken of her in Thailand by her friend, Lisa Harrington and I feel it pretty much captures her.

Xena

Xena, Warrior Princess - this dog is so not.  I can't believe our good fortune in finding a dog that is sweet, snugly, beautiful, playful, friendly and quiet!  The only thing I can find wrong with her is that she needs a dental appointment. She is such a pleasure to have around.  As I get to know her better, I'm sure you will be seeing a whole lot of her :)

Lady in Red

This was an attempt to be more "loose" when painting.  The technique is to scribble water soluable pencil and blend with gesso. It's really fun!   I did this on the skin and love the freshness of the look. The rest of the piece is acrylic, collage and stencil. 

Snow Goose

This one was a total blast.  I'm using a technique taught by Judy Wise called Found Image.

Geraniums

This one started out as a practice for a bigger painting.  I like it enough to frame it and hang it in the bathroom.  Kind of cheery and of course LOVE red flowers!

Globetrotters

Nice pic taken of Alison and Paul as both return from overseas trips.  Alison has been living in Thailad for an entire year, and Paul went on a long weekend to England to spend time with his sweetheart, Aisha.  It's wonderful to have all my chicks in Denver again!

Dreaming

I really like this little painting.  I might make it into a journal book, or maybe it will just be tucked in a small spot as a surprise!

Woman in the Window

I've been in such a fog!  More of an introspective, internal journey than focused on art.  Time to shake off the cobwebs and get back to work.  My goodness, I have become rusty.  This piece came out OK, but far from what I wish I was capable of.  Need lots of help with painting hair.  And of course I always wish I was a loose painter and not so tight.  But, it's a start...........