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When we think of building a house, we often think of lumber, nails, and blueprints. Often, our inner house is neglected. Sometimes we are completely wiped out and gutted by life. If we're going to build a house (or a soul) that endures, we need to use the right materials.
Lately, I've been compelled to remodel.
Have a wonderful day. I'm thinking of you.
Until next time,
I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! I've been busily painting in my studio. I pulled out another photo from my Longwood Gardens archives. I was so taken with these tulips. I've never seen them open like that before. They looked so dramatic.
Open Tulips
Watercolor on 140lb. cold press paper
In a day or two, I'll have photos to share with you from a charming place called St. Peter's Village. Keep on creating!
Until next time,
Hello to all of my Pink Saturday friends! I hope you are all well. For all things pink, click on the Pink Saturday icon in my right sidebar. You'll find plenty of good things to satisfy your pink craving. Most importantly, let's let Beverly at How Sweet the Sound know how much we appreciate her hosting our weekly event! Also, pay a visit to Francie at The Scented Cottage. She's sharing a wonderful tutorial on rewiring a lamp.
This has been a rough week in the studio. I was determined to complete this painting for today, but it was definitely a fight. After a few false starts, I finally came up with something. While kayaking, I shot quite a few photos of the waterlilies on Hopewell Lake. They inspired my painting this week.
Pair of Water Lilies
Watercolor on 140lb. cold press
I spent a few late hours, but it was worth it! Have a wonderful weekend!
Until next time,
One of the most important things an artist can do to develop a unique style is to let go of fear. When we're afraid of making a mistake, or afraid that others will not approve of what we do, we become cautious. Our work can become stiff and uninspired. Worse than that, we may stop creating altogether.
Over the weekend, I had the urge to break out of my usual method of painting. I've been feeling confined and unwilling to take chances. I've been playing it safe. The problem with being safe is this: you will never find out what you are truly capable of. Unless you are willing to loosen your grasp on the familiar, you will do the same thing over and over, and wonder why you're not happy with the result. (Did I hear the definition of insanity in there?)
I don't know about you, but I have a real fondness for "getting it right" when it comes to my art. I want to control my materials like a military officer conducting field drills. If you've ever worked with watercolor, you're probably smiling. Controlling watercolor is a bit like controlling a cat-the cat's going to do what it wants and then laugh behind your back for thinking you can train it.
It is far more productive to become familiar with your materials, observe their behavior, and then use what you know to your advantage. I've been making a real effort to study the properties of my paints, i.e. flow, transparency, intensity, etc. Understanding how they will behave leaves me free to experiment, rather than control. The result is a freer, less contrived piece of art.
White Blossoms
Watercolor on 140 lb. cold press
I hope you are inspired to set your creative spirit free. God bless you, and have a wonderful day!
Until next time,
Hi everyone! I hope your week was productive and not too stressful. Happy Pink Saturday to all of you! I had a difficult time coming up with something pink for you. The only thing that stuck out to me, was the walls in my pink painting place. I have a few photos of what I was up to in there today.
When the table gets too cluttered, I move to the easel :) My supplies seem to multiply from day to day.
It amazes me that I actually accomplish something amidst the clutter! It's not pink, but I thought you might like to see it:
Josiah Hess Bridge
Watercolor on 140lb. cold press
The Josiah Hess Bridge is one of eighteen covered bridges in Columbia County, Pennsylvania. It was built in 1875 by a local farmer and sawmill owner. I photographed it on a sweltering day last week while on a camping trip. Since it was at least 100 degrees and humid, I didn't stay outside of our air-conditioned vehicle for long!
I visited Eileen over at The Pink Home this week. She has a beautiful inspiration board to share. Soon, she will be moving, and she still found time to share with us. Good luck with the move, Eileen!
If you would like to visit all of the wonderful members of the Pink Saturday clan, just click on the Pink Saturday icon in my right sidebar. While you are there, please be sure to thank Beverly of How Sweet the Sound for being our hostess.
I love the color purple. Purple fabric, purple flowers, purple people (purple people?). Do you remember the song: "He was a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater..." If you don't remember it, I'm showing my age :) When I was a teenager, my bedroom was wall-papered in purple tweed with a purple flowered border. There were purple flowered curtains, a purple flowered bedspread, and even a purple bookshelf.
I know...what's the point? My sister has some beautiful purple flowers in her gardens.
What color makes your heart beat a little faster? I'd love to hear about it!
Have a wonderful day.
Until next time,
While taking photos in an old churchyard in the mountains, I came across some lavender flowers. My painting was inspired by them.
I'm not entirely happy with the result, but I can't quite put my finger on it. I guess we can't be thrilled with every piece we produce!
Until next time,
It's that time again, and this week is special. Someone will be receiving a package of pink goodies this week for my Pink Saturday giveaway.
The winner is: Marie at SallyLee By the Sea. Congratulations, Marie!
I want to thank all of you who signed up to subscribe to Comfort Cottage. I treasure every one of you!
I have been away on a camping trip in the mountains this week, so I didn't have too much time to look for pink. I do have some photos of my sister Lorrie's lovely flower garden to share with you.
Her peonies were amazing.
I just adore petunias!
The roses are red, but that's close to pink, isn't it?
Now I have to run and get caught up on my laundry! I'll have photos from the camping trip later this week. If you would like to visit all of the Pink Saturday participants, please click on the Pink Saturday icon in my right sidebar. While you are there, please thank Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for hosting Pink Saturday. Have a wonderful weekend!
Until next time,
