My friend Katherine took me to the California Poppy Reserve for an unbirthday present.  (I had a big deadline around my actual birthday and didn't get a chance to do a real celebration.)  We had a glorious day looking at the poppies and wildflowers that were rampant!  Because we had so much rain in California this year these spectacular flowers were the result!

The contrast of warm colors, orange and yellow, against a brilliant blue kept reminding me of Maxfield Parrish, one of my favorite artists. 

Everywhere I looked each vista was more beautiful than the other. So beautiful, almost surreal. Here is a slideshow of only a few of the photos I took. 

Cashew Nut is one of The Three Mixed Nuts, which includes me, and Peanut!  My little rescue dog has been afraid of everything!  Water dishes, food bowls, dangerous corners, and frightening doors!  But, he has been getting braver. I'm always telling him to be brave and now he knows what I mean and tries his best. Recently he has overcome a lot of his fears. 

I'm learning lessons from my rescue Chihuahua Mr. Cashew Nut.

Below is a video of Cashew warning my printer to be quiet!  He used to leave the room when my printer started up. Now he is confronting the danger!  This was his first brave moment, printer wise:

Celebrating my friend Katherine Zwers Francis' birthday at the Hollywood Bowl.

​We were there for the Dixie Chicks final performance on their DCX tour. Packed a picnic and ate before the show.  Then saw an amazing performance! Such a great evening!  I always love live shows!!!!!  

Katherine wrote the text for A STAR IN THE PASTURE, my first picture book! 

Recently my dogs Peanut and Cashew Nut, my constant companions in the art studio and guardians of the "weendo" (window),  had to have their teeth cleaned.  In the process they had quite a few pulled.  My sweet little Peanut now has a new look!  The tip of her tongue sticks out most of the time. Personally, I think she's even cuter!!!!

The Orphan Works Act is back.  It will never die, because it will be so lucrative to unscrupulous companies.  They want to steal our art and use the images free of charge. The fact that we have created these images is of no importance.  They want to be able to make the prints, cards, and t-shirts from our work and take the profits.


Letters must be written by  July 23, 2015 to try and keep this from happening.


Here is the link:
http://copyright.gov/policy/visualworks/comment-form/

Write your letters today!

I've just learned that today, April 8th,  is Draw a Picture of a Bird Day!  This is an annual event so I hope to post something every year!  

Here is my painting of a little sparrow to commemorate the event!

I just wanted to wish all my friends a very Happy Easter and a joyful Passover! 

I remember purchasing my first Pantone guides to match Bugs Bunny's standardized colors.  This was a coloring book assignment for Golden Books. 

I was given the Pantone numbers, and I had to match them to the pink in his ears and mouth, the grey of his fur, blue of his jacket etc. At the time, an interesting and new challenge for me.

I've always been inspired by Maxfield Parrish's complimentary colors. He's one of my favorite artists.  So I decided to use that same combination in my garden.  
I'd started with a planting of Orange Clockwork flowers.  I liked it, they were beautiful by themselves, but I decided to add a complimentary Blue Morning Glory to make the planting more vibrant.   Now I love it! 

Here are three examples of Maxfield Parrish's work using cool backgrounds, and warm toned figures or details in the foreground.  They are so amazing. Makes me want to paint, in the studio, or outside in the garden!

Below is the wall next to my computer desk.  It's decorative, but utilitarian.  The white framed boxes, underneath the Create sign, open to hold reference or items of inspiration.  I can easily change them out whenever I want.

Inside the boxes I've included words of inspiration, ideas for stories, and of course a picture of camels.  There is an owl's feather a friend found on a walk and gave to me.  

When I was in college my father and I had a jewelry business.  We cut stones, ground cabochons, and cast settings in silver and gold using the lost wax technique.  In the upper corner of the first box are the testing needles we used, along with a touchstone, to test the karat of gold samples.  

I also love the beach, and so I have seashells scattered all over my house, including over the top of my shadow boxes.  

I keep my drawing pencils, pens, and etc. organized in an antique sugar mold from Mexico.  I love mixing rustic with modern, not to mention goofy with practical.  I have good luck troll dolls my mother gave me, next to highlighter pens, next to a frog princess wand, and a dragon pen.  

At the very end are crow feathers I've collected.  I use them to paint marble veining and other textures.  

Everything is handy, useful, or inspiring.  I think you have to surround yourself with things you love or that give happy memories.  They all help you to be creative.

It's been awhile since I mentioned a fantasy project I've been working on.  Part of the reason is it's a personal project, and I'm working on it between assignments.  The other reason is, I'm also writing a lot and that takes up quite a bit of time!

Here is a detail of my painting in progress.  I'm working in acrylics on canvas using a mostly greyed palette, which is something new for me.  I've also started working with several Jo Sonja colors, especially the Vintage Collection.  I also use a mostly dry brush technique. Maxine's Mops are the brushes I use for my figures and portraits.

I'm having fun painting this project, as well as sketching out ideas for other pieces in the series.  I hope to finish it soon so I can reveal the entire canvas!