Reflecting On Orange

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First of all, the style of my blog has completely changed and I have no idea why. I'll fix it when I get home. Second, a quick update on my class here in Massachussets. They got a little testy these last few days since it's been fairly hot in our studio (that and the push-ups didn't help), but it should be better now that it's cooled off. I can't complain too much about them though because they've been very gentle with me and my new ... "homeless condition", they even laugh at my fire jokes (because I told them they had to so I didn't feel so pathatic). So all-in-all they are a good, supportive bunch. I will post photos soon.

Lastly, I want to unveil my new idea and get some feedback, and hopefully help. I've been wanting to paint people for a while. I've done a few figures, and some small portraits, but I have this hankering to do a whole series of small, silly faces. I figured it would be perfect for the time being since all my props were lost, and I don't have a shadow box, light, studio, etc. I want them to be cropped close and silly, kinda like my self-portrait below (reposting this in case you missed it the first time). So, if you would like to help, please send me photos of yourself, your kids, your grandkids, your friends, anyone, making a silly face. It would be best with no flash. Natural light is good, so go outside. Stick out your tongue. Get silly. Then email me the file. Thank you so much!!!

Considering Everything

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I pulled everything together enough to make it to Massachusetts to teach a workshop, which starts tomorrow. It's late and I need to get to sleep, but I wanted to write real quick and say - things are ok. My husband and I are planning to relocate to Oregon. To read more about it check out the Daily Paintworks blog.

I still haven't made it through all my email (I have about 700 more to go, and that doesn't include Facebook messages). I continue to be absolutely blown away by the kind words, stories and support flowing in. It's almost made this experience ... easy? Ok, not easy, but WAY WAY WAY better than it would have been otherwise. Ya'll don't even know how much you've helped. Really.

As I mentioned a week ago, I managed to salvage all my small paintings, so I'll post until they run out. I have an idea formulating for what happens after that, and I'll run it by you in my next post. Stay tuned ...

Before the Fire

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Today I have some pretty serious bad news. We're about 95% sure our house burned down. At around 2 this afternoon a neighbor came by and told us there was a forest fire very close and we needed to evacuate. We didn't really believe her until we went outside and saw the huge billowing orange cloud just down the street. So we grabbed a few things and hit the road.

What on earth do you grab when you think ... maybe ... your house will burn down??? I grabbed:

1. my computer
2. my purse (with new iphone)
3. some clean underwear
4. all my small paintings

My husband also had the very good idea to drive both vehicles, and pull the camper while we were at it, just in case. So now we are camped at an RV park in Austin and have been listening to every bit of news we can come by. They say our neighborhood is completely gone. So we are pretty sure. They haven't contained the fire yet, and since there are multiple other fires burning at the same time around Texas, taking up all the other fire-fighters' time, they aren't even sure when they'll be able to put it out. They say about 300 houses have been lost, so far.

The good news is, we have fire insurance. I'm trying to think of more good news, but that's all I got. Oh, I got my little paintings out, so all the auctions are still good. And I was even ahead, so I can still post for a couple of weeks. Meanwhile I'll be searching for new brushes, panels, paint, etc. Not to mention a new studio.

Bowl of Sunshine & Tomato Lover

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UPDATE: Unfortunately the painting below is no longer available - I didn't take any of my larger paintings before the fire...

The painting below is 12x12 inches, on gessoboard. I am putting it in the Daily Paintworks, Help the Children of Africa auction. They say hundreds of thousands of children are starving because of the current drought. I know it's half a world away, but children are children. If you can help by donating or bidding they would be very grateful!

Chaperoned

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See, the flower and the apple are in love, but they can't be trusted alone, so the brown bottle is chaperoning. And what's the fork there for you ask? Uhhhh...

Nothing To See Here

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What are these sneaky flowers doing with this innocent apple? The flowers look sweet but their showiness is suspicious to me. Why are they making so much noise, I wonder. And what does the plate have to do with it all? Hmmm....

Hogging the Spotlight

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With these flowers I was really trying to suggest the 3 dimensions with some fairly broad strokes first, and then redefine them from the outside. I feel I've gotten a little too picky with them lately. I love the loose feel of them.

Piled in a Corner

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When I was in college I had visions of doing paintings of things in a corner. I know, kooky huh? I think I did one and then moved on to other things. I am now revisiting this concept. I decided for a pile of apples one "wall" needed to be red. I love the feel of it.

Empty Bottles

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David and I have just launched a new fundraising Challenge on Daily Paintworks. Similar to the Help Japan Challenge, for which we raised just under $30,000, this one helps the children of Africa, who are dying by the hundreds of thousands in the midst of a devastating drought. You don't have to be a member of Daily Paintworks to participate and 100% of all proceeds will be donated. Please help if you are able, either by submitting work or bidding. Thank you!

Fractured Bottles

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I am away visiting family for the weekend. We stayed up too late last night chatting (and drinking wine, of course) and I didn't have the wherewithal to post. So here is a belated post of one of my favorites of late. I especially love what you can see through the bottle in the foreground.

The Kitchen Sink

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This painting has everything except ... you guessed it, the kitchen sink. I have to admit, it is sometimes quite difficult to come up with new titles, especially after 1,420 of them! My husband helped with this one. Thank you, sweetheart!

I Ain't Afraid'a You!

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I'm giving this cow creamer another shot. It's a tough one, but I think I finally captured it's personality. Come to find out it's a bit skittery. Imagine - being scared of an apple!

BUILD A BLOG CLASS - Taught by my good friend Jennifer, this weekend. If you want to get a blog up but are intimidated by the idea, this may be for you. Find out more ...

Class Snack

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I enjoy stacking apples. That's all I got today.

Ganging Up On Glass

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I think I got my apple values more correct here (vs. yesterday's). The glass was tough because the bottle's a bit dimpled ... so I just squinted a lot. All-in-all I'm quite pleased with this one.

The Mothercup

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For some reason I saw this scene as 3 apples introducing someone (the viewer) to their mother, the cup. Hence her title - the mothercup. I have a hard time getting the values right with green apples (shhh, don't tell my kids). I tend to paint them too light. I think these are even a bit too light, but I like it anyway.

Fork You!

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Ok, so I realize this title might be a bit riske' - therefore I apologize in advance for any offense that might be taken. But do you see the two apples, and the two reflections of the apple in front? I live for details like that. Call me weird.

Rioting Apples

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I'm back to my old tricks again - my old comfort zone - apples and forks and plates and bowls. I am very happy here for the time being.

We had some recent cancellations for my upcoming Jacksonville, FL workshop and a spot opened up. The dates are October 17-21, 2011, and you would need to contact Eileen if you are interested. Thanks!

How Many Cups Do You See?

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My husband began wearing reading glasses recently (he is 12 years older than I) and is constantly losing them around the house. And every time he does he asks "have YOU seen my glasses?" in a distinctly blaming tone, as if I was the one who misplaced them. And until he finds them he is a grumpy-pants. That or until I deposit him on the couch with a glass of wine. Either will make him happy.

WORKSHOP - Here is one more workshop for 2012, in Toronto, Canada, Aug 27-31, email Marina to register.

Ditched

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I have this one painting leftover from what I painted in Germany. The image is from the Gold King Mine in Arizona, and one of my favorites. I think it's rather jaunty with the door open.

WORKSHOP - I have just listed a new one, in NY, June 11-15, 2012. Register

Where Are My Glasses?

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I found these cool old glasses at a Flea Market in Germany. My brother-in-law was with me at the time and I'm sure he thought I was crazy buying glasses I couldn't "use" but maybe this will reassure him.