Thank you, thank you

To all my blogging friends both near and far, thank you for all your thoughts, your prayers and wonderful emails.. 
Without going into it, I had a scare concerning my health.. 
 But it's going to be alright.. and hopefully not cause me any problems.. 
 I'll get back to painting, blogging , creating, gardening and all the things that keep me putting one foot in front of the other.
 It's what I do.  It's what I've always done. I'm not going through this life as though walking on eggshells.
 

For my Florida series.

Not feeling well all  this past week and still not good.  So I'm posting one of my Florida pieces that I did just before I started feeling like something is not right. Thanks for visiting and the comments.. 
They always make me feel better.. See you soon. 
Yes, I just added a piece done a few weeks ago. Not mentally ready to paint. But I'll get there. We'll see..  I send hugs to all my blogging friends. 

Conch Cottage #2

Still working and learning on landscapes/seascapes.  
What constitutes a series?  3?, 5?  I sure wish I'd taken more photos of the Bahamas and Nassau when I was there. 
One of the most colorful places I've visited was Key West, Fl. The most southeastern tip of the U.S. and they have the sign to prove it.
Everything you've heard is true. LOL! People, places, and things. 

Conch Cottage #1

Seascape? Landscape? not sure, but it has land, water, and a building.
I've always backed away from landscapes. Maybe that's because I was trying subjects that I'm unfamiliar with such as hills, barns, mountains, you know.... rows of corn.   LOL ! 
I was encouraged by a fellow blogger to try more landscapes and I thought of what I'm most familiar with and that would be tropical scenes.  Palms trees instead of Pine trees, and sea and sky instead of hills and mountains.. If you've ever been to the Keys in Florida you'll see lots of little cottages like this.. they are hardly more than shacks but the sky is so blue and the water so green that even a tent looks good there. !
 Anyway this is my attempt that I finished this morning.. I'm sure there are lots of things a good landscape painter would change.  Yes, I'll try it again.. Barbra Joan

Carmel Ca.

In the late 80's lived in northern Ca. and loved to take drives to Carmel... I took this photo of one of the cottages. 
and painted it yesterday.  I've never been good at landscapes. But that doesn't mean that I don't try from time to time... 

Tulip Time

When I was on my trip out to the Northwest I went to Pikes Market in Seattle... I'd never seen so many beautiful flowers all in one place. Bunches  stacked together.. I took a lot of photos.. and  today I painted a few quick ones. Below is the picture of just the tulips.
Amazing !

An Artists Story

There was a time I painted in oils.
In fact it was the first medium I chose when I  started to paint seriously.  It was the early 80's . Before that it was mostly drawings, and a few attempts at watercolors.
I did quite a few oils , some commissioned portraits, animals, even an old sailing ship on a stormy sea and others.  Lots of seascapes. 
Some sold, some landed in the trash, and I have only one to myself.. 
The violin painting went to a woman whose father was a violoinist. 
 She said that when she would walk home from school she could hear her father playing the violin.. Usually people want a painting because it reminds them of a certain person, place or thing. Unless they're wanting a color to match their sofa.. 
 I  took a 3 year break from any painting, not by choice, just didn't have the want or need for it. At the time I'd lost half my heart.  It just wasn't in me.  
 When I started again I was  determined to try (again) watercolor.. which I do to this day.  Sometimes I look at my oil paints,  yes still have them and  don't care if they're dried up .. can't bear to dispose of them.. There they sit, packed in those plastic bins.. Memories? yes...Maybe one day.  Barbra Joan 
 

3? maybe 5?

Wanting to do a series of fruits and veggies to mat and frame for my kitchen..  Found these on Wet Canvas .. I need one more... maybe a red pepper for a series of three.   
I've also taken the bold step of signing in RED. 

You Know It's Around the Corner When...

Painted this just this morning . It was a quick one and I see lots of
'shoulda', coulda'  etc.  But the whole idea of this painting is that I know when my blogging friends up north, and across the pond,  see the crocus peeking through the snow, they know it's not far from Spring..

 

 

Strawberry Festival Art Show

 

The annual Strawberry Festival starts in 2 weeks. 

 Plant City, Florida is known for it's strawberry farms.  People come from all over to be at the festival.. Of course more than strawberries are there. It's from Feb. 27 - Mar. 9. 

Our art guild puts on an art show, which I've participated for the past 2 years and again this year.

 This year I was asked to donate a painting for the raffle which benefits a scholarship that we support.. So above is my donation. I hope it goes to a good home.. I painted it a couple years ago.. it's matted and in a 16x20" frame.

As for an entry into the judged show I'll be putting in 'Prima' the  ballerina girl. While I'm at it I'm posting another finished piece that I did recently .. (below)

A young Jamaican girl.. I believe I found the photo on Wet Canvas, one of the copyright free sites for artists.. I have another site that I use and can never remember which one .   BJ

 

'Prima' A WIP

 Finished framed and photo... under glass so not so good.. but  read on to see how I got here .

OMG! so here I am back in my Art Hearts Place.
This post is about painting so thought it should be put here.
A while ago I did a quick sketch/study of a little ballerina
I liked it but knew I would do it larger, and on Arches 140 CP paper.  Frame size 18x24.
 I freehand sketched in pencil , then did the first wash of her skin.

Leaving that to dry I started working on the hair and ribbons.
I tend to 'piddle' with hair and hope I haven't overworked it..
So far this is where I'm at and will work on it tomorrow.

It's large 16"x20".  Well for me,  anything bigger than 11x14

is large. It's usually where I get into trouble.

Tomorrow's another day. And you still can visit with me on my 'Journey'  blog ..  BJ

Although not signed as yet, I worked on this today doing the tutu and don't want to 'piddle' too much.  That's a bad habit of mine.
I'll leave it on the easel and look at it for a couple days.. Then decide if it's worth a mat and frame..
It might be that I'll enter it into the art exhibit at the Strawberry Festival here in Plant City, Florida.. Feb. 27 - March 9.

. Life

My bead painting was never so true about life .

Big events, small ones, some bright and shiny and some not so

wonderful.

I keep that painting hung in my bedroom and see it every morning when I wake. I've also posted a small watercolor of a fuchsia and a cover of a journal that I made for a friend. I'm trying to follow that advice.

I'm sure I'll be getting back to this blog at some point.

Right now I need a respite from blogs.

If you care to follow me without much art you can find me at my old blog which is http://artheartsjourney.blogspot.com   

Big hugs for all my blogging friends.

Barbra Joan

Shady Lady 2 and Mr. Elephant

 

 

An older pencil piece  (top).   I hadn't learned the art of softening/blending yet.  And the Elephant is one I just did..
Posting today as I'm not doing any painting except for my walls.. It's tiring and will finish up soon.
  I have the Art Guild Christmas Show in a week, so lots to do..
Missing watercolor painting but will be back to it soon..
Happy Thanksgiving to all.. BJ

Is it Live or Memorex?

Some years back I painted these on a porch wooden floor.

Thought you might like to see them. 

 

 

 

Not Excactly Painting but.....

My friend Peg out in Washington state calls me last night just to see if I were alright. Reason? No new posts.
Your right Peg and that's because no new painting.
I'm painting my walls !!! That's painting right?
   In the meantime I'll post my art/studio room where I live most of the day. Computer, phone, etc.

The hutch that was saved from Hurricane Katrina and brought here just about a month before that storm.. it holds my small journals, sentimental  'stuff' that I can't live without.

Some of  The Journals. Others have found new homes.

One of about 5 shelves of books and other things close to my heart.

Far corner for painting and right hand side for my zillion other ideas, journal making,  mixed media, sewing  etc. At this end a comfortable loveseat, and my computer just out of sight.

I've always enjoyed looking at other artists work places, tools, equipment, etc.  So here's part of mine.. and Peg, I'm still here.!

Fast and Loose

Not making a commitment,  but trying to do a small painting each day. Although Florida is not known for cactus ( too wet) I do have one in a pot and when it blooms has the most colorful flowers.
Kinda like these ... !!!  BJ

Mixed Media

Perhaps the fact that I had a recent birthday, or something in the air, that makes me want a change..
 I paint mostly traditional watercolor. Paint, water and brush.
However, just in the past week I've gotten the urge to do watercolors with some papers, text, etc added. Mixed Media .
So this is Numero Uno .. watercolor flowers, handmade papers, text and some touches of gold .. I had no plan, ( do I ever)? just started with the delicate flowers and so on. 
Yes, think I'll play with this for a while..
I've always had my hand in making tiny journals, glue, papers and so the journey continues.. BJ

Here Kitty, kitty

From a photo by Gary Jones .. Gary does many close-ups of animals of all kinds.. This is a watercolor just 6 " square on a piece of Arches paper that I didn't want to waste . It's signed way down on the left corner ..
A dear friend of mine is not feeling well so it's on the way to her in the form of a card.. Hope it makes her feel better.
BJ

Yes! I WON !

Judging for the art show was last Tues. Here it is Sunday and I just find out I won a First Place award for my 'Sunrise Dancer'. She had already given me a 2nd place last February in another show.

and a Second for 'The Gypsy Princess.

Both photos were taken at an angle at the show today so they're a little off. Sorry for the glare.

The Graphite/Pencil ' Gypsy Princess' shows up very faded and blah when it really has a lot of dark and light contrast.  

I had volunteered to stay at the building for 3 hours this afternoon, and it was very enjoyable... Show is over .  BJ

Up Close and Personal

Art At the Cottage

Although a beautiful place for an art show, weather perfect this event didn't draw the people as we thought it might.
It was the first time held here and we'll definitely do it again.
It's still hot and humid here and drained me even though it was only 5 hours.  It was shaded by huge live oak trees, plants and flowers everywhere.. I could sleep in a tent right there in that garden.
Lotsa creepy crawly things though.. oh here's a pic of one of the trees loaded with Spanish moss...  BJ

  

My Corner of the World

Although this room is a sunporch and large part of that corner is my best spot ... I can see the small lake, lots of light, and quiet.
I'm back from a four day trip to Biloxi, Ms. to see friends and have a little R&R.  Forget about surgery etc... I feel fine... a few little hitches here and there, but I have an amazing Dr. who has performed a miracle on my hip.
This  coming Sat. there is a small art show going on... I'm participating at the Art at the Cottage with my art guild.. the infamous EHAG ... oh come on now,, you know I've told you what that stands for.. Anyway, I feel good enough to do this event for about 6 hours..   It's being held in the beautiful old garden back of the Antique Cottage right here in town.. See you soon and I'll take pics.. to share...  p.s. good to be back ... BJ

Part of Florida

Most artists paint scenes from their local area. 
I used to paint palms, sand, water but haven't done any of that lately..
I live in a more rural area of Florida,  but a short drive away will take me to scenes like this..
I kept the palms loose, not crazy about the sailboat, but you get the idea... BJ

Apple Branch

 

 

Well it's apple time again. Still working on this and needs a few well places shadows. Slow going,  this getting back in the groove, but I'm needing some new works for the Antique Cottage Art Show on Oct. 5.  
 My EHAG  group will be there... yes, yes, I know ... LOL !  That lovingly  stands for East Hillsborough Art Guild.
We take a lot of kidding around about that. !!  
Hoping I'll be up to it.. as it's in a lovely garden setting. I'll take pics and post here. We grow no apples in Florida that I know of , so this was from a photo by Max Hemingway, Happy Sunday all ... BJ   

A Is for Apple

This was all I could do for now, but I hadn't picked up the brushes since the surgery.  I figure it's a start and I'm surprised I didn't paint a pear.. Whenever I've not painted for a while, I paint pears.
Nice to be back.  Thanks for all your words, comments and prayers.

Getting There!

You want a drawing?? ok here it is lol !!!
This is my big attempt , I'm doing good after only 2 weeks today.
Learning to walk like a normal person after a year of compensating for the other leg surgery, I'll get there ...
It takes a while, I do remember that. ! There were a few complications this time that I didn't have last year on the other hip.

I want to thank every one of you .... you've written, emailed, posted on my blog... I was overwhelmed by the nice things you said.
Fear not.... I'll be doing that 'Happy Dance' before long..  BJ

Just For a Few Days

Always have to do something even if it's a small something.
So here's my recipe card that I made for a delicious cold salad.
See you in a few days after my bionic replacement.  BJ

It's A Flower Thing.

I haven't posted in a while .. as we all know life gets in our way...
darn!!! I do come to your blogs and see what you all have been doing.
Yesterday I put this one down on paper.. and wanted to share it with you..  It was just in some flower book not the best,  but better than not doing anything at all......Thanks for coming by and all your emails.
Barbra Joan 

LIFE IS ---

Remember my 'Life is a String of Beads' painting?
I post it to remind myself of the meaning of it . Each bead is an event in my life. Some beautiful, bright  and some dark, somber but each one goes onto the next  and then the next.  And then another. 
  So right now I'm going through some rough times physically  and of course that affects us mentally.
 I'm not sure what anyone would call it but I always think that I'm going to round the corner and it's going to be alright.. something good is right there. So I keep on looking  ahead to get to that corner.  It's just what I do.
 Whenever I had to go through a bad time, my mother would say these words to me .."Make Courage Barbra". I've kept that with me all my life,
( I've always said I should have made a sign or a needlepoint with that quote from her.) lol ! What she was saying was 'face up to it ' so I try to do it .. It helped every time, but once .  
For now, thank you my blogging friends for all your kind words.

Barbra Joan

A Work In Progress.

Tired of looking at the barn?  Me too!  This is a  large  pencil drawing still very much in the working stage .. I was inspired by something I saw on the ship.  ... I want it for my own wall and have been working on it for the past few weeks.  
I'm posting it now because life is getting in the way of my art. And who knows what's to be... Only the Wizard of Oz  and he's not talking. Yet!!
My scheduled July 9 surgery has been put on hold while I have to see a cardiologist. Oh ..  it could either mean a reschedule or other problems.. So for now I'll leave this on here, when finished I'll post it ... BJ
p.s. Sorry but I've lost  your comments as I'd mistakenly posted it on my Art Hearts Journey blog.