Break

Much needed creativity break is underway but has included a bit of painting.  Photos below are in support of an event called the Friends of Leesburg (VA) Public Arts and my first public show since moving to this area.  

Hot

The idea is kind of interesting – artists donate 5x7” unframed works that will be sold for $50 to raise funds for the non-profit established to foster growth of the arts in town.  If it’s small, sign me up!  Locals can get more info here.  Show is in late April.  

Juicy

Also started a class with Elizabeth Floyd that concentrates on flowers – that should help.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

What a Week

It’s been quite a week being in the “spotlight” and trying to knock them out of the park each day.  I rarely wipe off paintings or declare ones not-good-enough but have done that a couple of times this week.  Perhaps self-imposed, but stress no matter how you look at it.  Apparently, it gets in the way of being creative . . . .  On the up side, have thoroughly enjoyed making a huge memory out of this adventure and proud of how much has worked out well.  Wouldn’t you agree, the events where you were the most challenged are the ones you remember the best?  Think about turkeys not cooked on T-day, vacations where it rained the whole time, terrifying NYC cab ride, the list goes on. . . . 

Something else I promised myself was to post a collage of the monthly paintings - somehow looking at them all at once causes quite a bit of self-amazement.  It's cool having a way to mark your time in this life.

The lucky winner of the Spotlight giveaway painting lives in Ohio, so What’s Next is on the way north.  It is a special delight when an artist admires another artist’s work.  

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

First Light

Love the shadows and light of this most amazing photo taken by my most amazing brother.  Not sure where it was taken since he travels all over (South America, Asia, Europe, etc.) and lives in the Southwest.  He has a very interesting blog about the birds, butterflies and flowers along his path. Link to his blog is below.  I’ve had this morning glory in my “things to paint” since 2015!  

First Light Morning Glory
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Do you know . . .

I was having a heck of a time figuring out where I got this photo and finally resorted to Google Images – you can just drag a photo into the search box and it will look through the internet for a match and any similar photos.  I do this to find sources for items when I don’t know where to find / buy (think home décor, lamps, that sort of thing).  Google pulled this one up in no-seconds-flat.  How about that! 

FYI you can also search on your own paintings to see if anyone has hijacked them.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Brother Joe's Natural Moments Travel Blog - check it out.

Night Cap

Love the lighting and high drama of this setup.   The photographer is French so guess we’ll have to believe that the keywords have been translated accurately – it says it’s about chocolate liqueur which apparently is good to have after eating dinner.   Once again, chocolate IS good for you!

Night Cap
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Photograh Siala from France

New Homes:  So Happy will be staying right here in Leesburg, Petulant Poppy is off to Hampton VA and Honey Bunny hopped right on down the road to Middleburg just in time for Easter.  

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

So Happy

What can I say, sunflowers make me so happy! Another Pixabay photo that I just fell in love with – the position of the flower is so wide-open to the sky, without a care in the world.  Seems to be pretty happy without any leaves either.  Absolutely love how this one turned out.

So Happy
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Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna

Make the Clouds Go Away

Thought this lovely bouquet of sunflowers would help to encourage some brighter days.  It’s finally a bit sunnier around here, but the April clouds are closing in to help the May flowers get going.  Guess I’m jumping way ahead since sunflowers are a long way off.

Perhaps this would make a great Mother’s day gift – who doesn’t love sunflowers!

Make the Clouds Go Away
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My thanks to Pixabay photographer Oldiefan for this great shot.  

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time – Johnna