I have to admit, I have had a hard time getting started each day. Seems I think about what to paint, longer than it takes for me to actually paint. Haha. Indecision. Not procrastination. I have a folder full of images, cacti, that I would like to paint. I just have a hard time deciding.
I guess that’s not a bad problem to have. I would like to start earlier. And finish before midnight. Tonight I set a goal for myself. To complete the piece in 2 hours. I wasn’t sure I could. I haven’t been timing myself. I stop for breaks and get distracted. Sometimes. But I sat down to work and didn’t stop until I was done. I had 2 minutes to spare.
Did you know cactus spines are actually highly modified leaves? This helps to prevent water loss from the surface of a leaf. The spines can also provide shade for the cactus and reduce airflow around the plant.
I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent; curiosity, obsession, and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism have brought me to my ideas. Albert Einstein
Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory. William Barclay
I love how the sky turned out. This is the inexpensive paper I bought from Hobby Lobby. This time, the texture is really noticeable. Love it! The key is using a sedimentary color.
A work in progress. I think. I need to add shadows. And the sand feels too… something. Too orange, too red, too busy. Too hot. Scottsdale was extremely hot the day I took this photo. And what are those rocky shapes along the edge?? And why does the sky have horns? Haha!
Still, I would say that I am happy with this piece. I had fun working on it.
I haven’t found a name for this plant. I think it is an Octopus Agave. It looks like a giant air plant. Most of the Octopus Agaves grow out from the center. This one was shaped more like a mohawk.
I want to paint this again. I used the photo as a reference for the shapes, but for some reason, I didn’t use it for the light.
Day 19 Reference Photo, SMD
‘The Creative Habit’ is basically about how you work alone, how you survive as a solitary artist. ‘The Collaborative Habit’ is obviously about surviving with other people. Twyla Tharp
Luck was on our side. Roads were clear, and my brother and his wife were able to spend Thanksgiving with us. The snow started early on Friday, and by noon, it was sunny and calm. Perfect weather for a snowball fight before they headed back to Phoenix. I watched it from inside the warm!
Neighbors Perfect Pines. SMD 2019
We had about 4 inches, Prescott had double that.
Saturday Snow. SMD 2019
These hills are almost back to green now. I love how the snow reveals hidden details. Mingus is still covered. The roads are dry, and the yard is half melted. It doesn’t last long, usually. My kind of snow!
Now for the Mo’
I am having a fabulous kick-off to December! I was featured in last week’s ALL ABOUT YOU. Janine Vangool’s weekly newsletter. It is always chock full of creative inspiration. Color me happy. 🙂 Click on the link if you would like to sign up. She has open calls for submissions. Share YOUR art! Thank you, Janine, for all that you do to support artists!
All About You, 11 24 19.
Friday I opened an awesome surprise email. My good friend Chandra Lynn honored me with a feature on her blog, Pics And Posts. Along with my piece of art, she shared her own, and also one by my good friend Christine Brooks! Tres Amigas! Chandra’s posts are always heartwarming, inspirational and often gorgeous. I have learned so much from her and sometimes find myself in tears. The GOOD kind. Thank you, Chandra, for sharing your JOY!
Last week I took part in Louise Gale’s “heART Exchange“. I sent out three handmade postcards and will receive 3 in return. I was having so much fun, I made a couple of extras for friends.
I am so in love with these colors right now. I kept playing, and a have a handful in the works. Haha. I also spent a couple of days on a small tree. Just some creative late-night play. I am almost out of Green Gold. Haha.
