2021 4 of 10 Quirky

Not sure what to say about this one - other than I really need to find simpler subjects!  But I just loved this quirky ironwork.  Asymmetrical, curves, lines - oh my!  Shiny objects too . . . .  

Anyway what a challenge and that's what this 10 in 2 is all about.  Have learned that I need to set up the idea for the next day otherwise it turns into a day of reference photo surfing.  Will just have to cross my fingers for tomorrow.  TGIF!

Terrasse Petit Déjeuner

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 3 of 10 January 6th

What a day. Speechless.  Living near DC has it's "front-row seat" challenges - both good and not so good. Such an incredibly sad day. 

Luckily started this one yesterday evening and managed to get through it somehow today.  No Words, Only Hope for Tomorrow.

Tea time with OJ in one of those deep-cut-crystal glasses.  Super fun making that happen, but not sure it looks like a breakfast drink (mimosa in disguise?).  Anyway, can you see yourself lounging snug-as-a-bug on this patio with a pot of tea?  

Quick pic - A different kind of ironwork. I have one of these cast iron teapots and used it for years.  A delightful Zen moment no matter what the day brings.

How fun was it painting a pillow - i may have to find more. . . .  

Life is joy we make one moment at a time,

2021 2 of 10 Late Afternoon

Okay getting back into the groove.  Forgot how wonderful it is to paint, despite all the hurdles between desire and final product.  Life's a journey tho, so let's get on with it.  

Paris rooftops are amazing - their own form of art.  I think they are made of zinc and take on all sorts of interesting blues in the sun, shade, age, weather, morning, evening, etc.  Impossible to render, but maybe a glass of champagne will fix that!

Again, quick snapshot, real photo and posting for purchase to come in a day or two.

Late Afternoon - Salut!

Life is joy we make one moment at a time

2021 Rough Start 1 of 10

Kicking off the 2021 daily painting/blogging for two weeks project.  Apparently not painting since August is having quite an impact - why did I think I could just start where I left off?  Feels like I've forgotten everything!  Note to self, let's pick something much simpler going forward. . . . 

Regardless, I'm still in love with French balconies and wrought iron. I love how this one looks like a heart - each one inspires something different.  It's quite a challenge as now I have to merge references for the background, the wrought iron, and the "still life" since I've run out of inspiration photos. Always worth the extra effort.  

Here's the result - quick snapshot, real photo and posting for purchase to come in a day or two.  Loving this challenge despite the initial frustration.  

Good Morning 2021

In all honesty, I started last night. Total mess.  So today I decided to finish it rather than do something simple. So glad!  

Life is joy we make one moment at a time

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While you're here be sure and check out all the side-bar options on this page.  Some things you will see links for:

• Art into Accessories where various items are now on throw pillows, aprons, etc.
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Goodbye 2-0-2-0!

What a crazy year - living without any knowledge to navigate a pandemic.  I forget which expert said that, but apparently that's why we're all feeling so exhausted. Nothing for your brain to rely on to face this kind of threat. Cannot even imagine what it must be like trying to suddenly home school AND work from home. But around here, not having to commute - WOW - delightful!

I've been blaming my lack of creativity on COVID, lame I know, but now gotta figure out how to get going again. Been pondering it for a while and THEN. . . .

• Said out loud to myself the other night "I wish someone would just buy a painting, any painting to help get me out of this funk."  Literally within the hour someone emailed saying they wanted to buy FOUR paintings - that has never happened! It was so incredible I thought it might be spam. Delightfully it was for real, now these lovelies are: 

Seriously going to miss the Sushi - how fun was that!

• Three days ago thought "wish there were other artists to challenge me like the old 30-in-30 crazy days." Next day, out of the blue, I get an artist's newsletter suggesting daily painting/blogging for two weeks to kick off the New Year.  Perfect!

• In early December, another artist I admire created a workshop called "The Happy Habit of Painting Every Day" well how could I not sign up?  It doesn't start until February so that has amped up the pressure to just get painting.  Can you hear me talking myself into all of this as I write?

Most of my creativity since September has been wheeling, dealing, researching and learning a different blog format to put on a virtual show for our neighborhood art club rather than our annual in-person event. The 18th Annual RC Art Show - Virtual 2020.  Some artists are not too familiar with e-commerce and some are, quite a mixed bag with a common storefront. Had a great time figuring it all out and it definitely helped pass the time in lockdown.  Hope we continue to do something like this in the future.  Update 3/30/21 changed link to last version of the 2020 show. 

Lastly - I also saw a request to donate art to nursing home seniors to help brighten their holidays.  These sweeties now have new homes and it feels good to "clean out" what i consider favorites that have been left behind. I hope they bring some color and joy to those stuck inside more than I am.

Colorful Gifts - Leesburg, VA

So now I guess I'm ready to wrap up 2020 and run headlong into the New Year, happier knowing many things will be better despite COVID.  We will get through this together and I plan to have a smile on no matter what.  Really looking forward to what comes next. 

Life is joy we make one moment at a time! 

Art into Accessories

Quite the challenge getting in the mood to paint these days, but always hopeful to catch the buzz again soon.  Meanwhile having a great time adding paintings to my Redbubble shop where they are recreated on useables (pouches, totes, phone wallets), wearables, accessories and decor.  So excited I even created a Google Slide presentation that shows what's possible, how it goes from painting to product, and unique ideas for gift giving.  Learning a lot and love having something to learn.  

Paintings added in the last month - after-all this is a monthly newsletter now, but there are many more on RB.  Check them out.  

Golden Heart
click pic to see on RedBubble

Hot Pink Waterlily
click pic to see on RedBubble

  

Hot, Wild & Bold!
click pic to see on RedBubble

Painting to Product - Show Me

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

Johnna

July - August It's All Melting Together

The Heat

We've had record number of days over 90 degrees but finally some rain.  Between the weather, not going anywhere during the pandemic, and the new "normal" boring routine - I guess it's not surprising this blog post took it's sweet time.

On with the good news - actually painted two whole paintings.

The first is a tribute to hot days and ice cold water in the shade!  This is the one I mentioned last month - combining three photo references in one painting.  The heart-shaped ironwork from a lovely note card from a friend, the street+balcony+flowers from one photo, and the super-cool water pitcher and glasses from another.  Whew took forever, but finally happy with it.  Love the strong warm and cool colors but probably a bit "too" much contrast.

click to zoom / purchase
Inside-Out: Refreshing

The second painting went from:  awesome idea - to what was I thinking - to happy artist!  Some subjects just seem overwhelming but once you start, it just falls into place.  Frustrating that there was so much putzing around. Self-inflicted as this was my mini-art club challenge to "paint what you usually paint, but add a twist or something new."  Comfort and challenge.  Wrought iron is one thing, whatever this is - is something else.  I googled concrete fence, balustrade, terrace, etc. but cannot find a name for it! Grrrrrr.  I guess painting it was easier than finding out what it is called.  Anyway looks like a lovely afternoon on The Terrace waiting for The People, The Glasses and The Something to celebrate!  What a captivating inside-out scene.

click to zoom / purchase
Inside-Out: La Terrasse

The Show

Lastly the Loudoun Sketch Club released our Summer show - virtually of course - see link below.  Suggest changing video settings to 2x faster, then sit back and enjoy.  Alphabetic so you'll find me in under the "S" section.

Click below - the floating radish by Brie Dodson is worth the view.

LSC Colors of Summer  

Oh and these two found a home at a nearby friends house last month - on my birthday - best gift ever!

    

Inside-Out: Happy Hour

A Colorful Entry

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

Johnna

June - Time Flies, But Where Did It Go?

Well this is embarrassing - a whole month has come and gone, yet only one painting actually materialized.  Even I'm surprised by the lack of creativity.  Maybe I'll finish the one on the easel - an experiment that's been quite a challenge.  Merging three photo references - what was I thinking, but balcony photos are getting tough to find.  


Anyway, love the way this one turned out - a two-photo-reference-combo which is probably what made me think I could go for a three-fer. By far, this is my favorite ironwork.  Maybe it's looking a bit familiar.  Backlit grapes were fun too.

Inside-Out Happy Hour
click to zoom / purchase

Hiding from DPW Gallery View, but hanging in our front hallway, is the painting below. It is another run at the earlier Beautiful Morning in Paris painting, but on a 12x12" panel.  Scary big to me.

A little backstory.  A few years ago, I joined the local art club (nearly 170 members).  We are having a summer show (virtual) and thought perhaps I should enter this painting. I love it, but the plan is to have the submitted painting on the club website for a year - sounds like a great venue for possible sales and the eternal blatant self promotion.  Oh my what to do?   While mulling it over, DH buys the painting!  What a sneak.  Problem solved!  He is really smart like that and now I know he loves it as much as I do.

Grand Parisian Balcony
click to zoom

Seems pretty unanimous that artists are struggling with being locked down and creative.  Probably shouldn't be surprised because everyone likely feels the same way.  For some reason being trapped in your studio should be delightful, but it just doesn't feel very inspirational.  A new month, a new outlook already in the works!  Maybe trite, but I do know we'll all get through this and be stronger because of it. Smile and look at the pretty pictures, it will make you feel better. I hope.

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

May - Isolating But Emerging

Inside Out Continues

I guess we've all gotten a little too cooped-up and forced to find clever ways to break up the routine - me included.  Admittedly this was my challenge to the art group to paint "your kitchen counter," but it was based on a whole different idea than actually being in lockdown mode!  Long story so I'll skip it for now and just show you what's up for auction this week.  Super fun tackling chrome, black shiny plastic, flatware, ceramic cups, towel, glass backsplash - all with rather interesting under-counter lighting!  Still have no idea how it all fit on a 6x6" panel.  Love this one. . . .  whatever did we do before K-cups and Nespresso pods?

AM-PM Besties
click to zoom / purchase

Balconies

This most recent balcony celebrates the French Apéro (short for aperitif) - aka Happy Hour.  This tradition is to enjoy a bubbly drink, something fruity, reflect on the day, and ease into their somewhat late dinner hour.  A wonderful time when the sun starts to set.  In Paris, the streets quickly become shadowed, dark, cool and somehow smell (delightfully) of history, moist stone, and lives well lived - you can feel the warmth from above at the same time.  A most enjoyable "human" sensation and definitely a favorite memory to savor.  Salut!

Apéro Time
click to view / purchase

The two balconies below sold right away - sure wish I knew why people like them so much. It can't just be the new technique 'cause the still-lifes are still hanging out but the balconies are quickly finding new homes.  I really love them, but thought it was more about being there last summer.  Perhaps they just sweep me off my feet and out through my paint brush at a time when we all need to find creative outlets.

Breakfast in Paris
Manchaca, Texas

Paris Flower Box
Spencer, North Carolina

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - thanks so much for joining me on this journey!