This pastel painting is just about at the finished point. Hours....I'm telling you...hours were spent on it. While not entirely satisfied I am intrigued by this piece that forced me to stretch my artistic skills (beginner that they are). This piece might be the focal piece for that gallery show in March. We'll see....

Have I ever told you how much I love abstract art work? I must have mentioned it from time to time (grin). Anyway, last night I watched a video that I 'rented' from here. The video was "Acrylic Abstract Painting: The Evolving Image - Virginia Cobb". It amazed me as to how similiar my acrylic painting techniques are to hers...although Virginia is much more accomplished than me. I was inspired but instead of painting (it was late and I didn't want to clear off the paint table!) I grabbed a piece of breakdown printed cloth, some scraps and started the piece above. Nothing is stitched yet...but it will be.

Silk charmeuse scarves - breakdown screen printed and then over dyed. These scarves take a lot of time and effort to make. I was hoping to have 10 for the show next week but think I'll be very happy with only 5. I'm learning to not push myself quite as hard as I have in the past....trying to get keep joy in journey.

Yesterday while looking for one thing I found some scanned Santa images I had from years ago. Just about as many years ago Dixie, an old Ebay buddy (Ebay use to be fun and a meeting place for many creative people who joined 'groups' that were similiar to chat rooms), was kind enough to send me a box filled with these shirting samples that she thought I would appreciate. Appreciate them I did but never used them until yesterday. This small 4x6" card will be offered for sale next week at the art/craft show...there are 6 more in line to be hand stitched while sitting watching movies or listening to music. I can't think of a better way to spend time off from the day job. Well, except - maybe - finishing the surface design on those scarves I also started yesterday....and....spending alone time with Steve....and....working on a pastel painting.....sweet.

Catskill shack.

A glimpse of the past.

Pastel painting on sanded paper.

This is finished - I guess. It's hard for me to know when enough is enough, when enough is too much, when it's not quite enough. I've read other art blog postings and heard the same lament at art classes so I know it's a common theme that plagues other creative souls. Sometimes when I'm working on something I have in my mind that if I just do A, B or C it will transform the piece from boring to not. The problem always lies with figuring out...what is the A, B or C perfect touch? Is that something that is pure inspiration or does it come with knowledge, education and practice? Perhaps it's a combination of both of these things? If anyone out there has the answer please share it....or sell it via PayPal on your blog - you'll make a million dollars.

Egg, fruit or portal? You decide.

Only 2 days in that other life this week (you know, the one that helps to pay the bills) and then it's lots of cooking, eating and arting! Have breakdown screens drying in the garage now.