September 21, Cooper

Day 21

30 in 30 hosted by Leslie Saeta.

I have a lot of support; my husband, my kids,

my family, my friends.... a lot of support. 

They are wonderful and I wouldn't be painting like I do with out them. Cooper, my studio manager, is always there for me too. He's always happy to see me, he's never too tired to get up in the middle of the night and go paint. Whatever it is, Cooper's up to it. I probably would still be painting without him but, it sure would be a bit more lonely.

So here's to Cooper. 
What's our favorite studio song?
Ho Hey by the Lumineers

"I belong to you,
You belong to me,
You're my Sheltie!"

Don't tell Cooper that's not the exact words.
And yes, he actually has a jumper suit like that except it's black and orange.
(We're both very into Halloween.)

Cooper

Alcohol Ink and Pen

8 x 10

Not For Sale

Christmas in August, Pastel of the Dogs

Ever have one of those weeks where you just want to shut yourself in your studio and crank up the volume on the I pad? 

I'm having one of those weekends. (I should say my next free weekend is October 17th.) I want to savoir this weekend - this summer. But most of all I just want to paint. Maybe add a dip in the pool on this 90+ degree day.

I've started this year's Christmas card which features Spike and Cooper getting their big bone on Christmas morning. This pastel still has a long way to go. I haven't decided on the background. I think it needs to be darker.

This will be a busy week;
Katie's Cup Monday
Plein Air at Nicholas Tuesday
Rockton River Market Wednesday
Glen Ellen show Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Still to do: Finish Christmas card,  get 4 to 5 pics ready for 317 Studio and Gallery by the 28th. (I'll be doing another Artist at work on Sept. 4th.), submit works to Professional Artist competition. (Have you heard about it? ProfessionalArtistMag.com/BlankCanvas) and enter Beloit, Wi. competition "Faces" by Sept 25th.

And I'm loving every minute of it!

Living Life at the Speed of Summer

 The Speed of Summer

What a busy summer! What's next? Today a wedding reception for my nephew Paul and his lovely wife Heather. The next two days; move my daughter out of the apartment she lived in while at college and bring her home. Then Wisconsin followed by my first gallery show on August 22nd. I'm excited about the show but I am realizing that I have a lot of work to do before it opens including finishing a painting.
So that's my excuse for the poor blog schedule. No excuses... I did miss you though.

My garden is at its peak! I have taken many new photos for lots of new paintings .

For the first time that I can remember I am longing for the cooler days when life slows down a bit and there is more time for painting. Am I nuts! Don't I remember last winter?  I just want to paint more. I will be starting another 30 in 30 on September 1st. I can't wait! Why don't you join along? There are over 350 artists from all over the world signed up already.  Join Leslie Saeta and the rest of us at http://30paintingsin30days.weebly.com/ .

I started a new painting this week. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to paint all day while Mark and Matt were at the Oshkosh air show.   

I had my trusty buddy, Cooper at my side.

I went inside when I heard the thunder. Really? Rain so hard when the sun is out? It was beautiful though, and I was able to resume painting at the kitchen table.

Coop helped pick out the colors.

Cooper, my Studio Manager, Hard at Work Today

Say hello to Cooper. He's my Wonder Sheltie; he's always there by my side and a darn good studio manager. Cooper makes sure I get down to work.

Cooper takes a short 45 minute break. Keeping me on track is hard work.

No Loafing allowed!!!! Cooper makes sure I can't leave the studio without him knowing it.