And Miles To Go Before I Sleep

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP 36x43" Acrylic (c)2011 L. Everett Finn
It's a BIG 'un (36 x 43 inches).... There is a two track road that we ski by to get to the park. (Spencer Road) I've always loved this spot...There's something about the tree sheltered pathway across the swamp.

One of the things I wanted to work on this year is using neutrals...so I'm patting myself on the back today. Lookie there... just grayed and neutral colors. I had to sit on my hands so I would not paint a cardinal sitting on one of the branches. (hehehe)

Wine Label...with my painting of the dock on it!

He he he he.... this tickles me... I hope you can click to enlarge the photo so you can see the label... It's one of my paintings of the dock. (and how tacky of me to leave the orange price sticker on there!) My dear friend found the wine in Ann Arbor and got me a bottle. (I have a case of it at the distributor's in Oxford, but I haven't made it downstate to go pick it up.) What fun, eh?

3 Dog Afternoon...

This photo cracked me up.... Major (ours) on the left... cousin KT and cousin Gordon watching for my aunt Carol... the lady with the goodies. She made Major his very own monogrammed travel bag... it's da bomb, or as Major said "Ritz ra romb!"

Re-Fashion Show.....

Re-fashioned dress army uniform and shoes
Crystal Lake Art Center put on a "Re-Fashion Show" last Thursday evening in downtown Frankfort. (At the theater) What a fun event, with all proceeds benefiting the Art Center.

The garments went from the classically beautiful to hysterically quirky and funny! All made from re-cycled materials. Move over Project Runway. LOL

My donation was a re-fashioned dress army uniform... with poppies as my theme... The poppies were made from re-cycled Christmas napkins that had been my mom's.... a REALLY bright red. The rest of the patterning was acrylic paint.  I took off the epaulets and made belt loops to hold a wrap belt, made from the dress pants. I also used the black ribbon trim from the sides of the pants to cover up the button holes of the jacket. The black patten leather shoes were covered in gesso and red acrylic paint... leaving the black patten polka dots peeking through. Happily, the outfit sold that night. Whoo hoo!

The whole evening was a success.... well attended, and lots of fun!

First Victim...

Karen's Teddy ~ 8x8 Acrylic
in my new series "Well Loved"
hehehe.... this just tickles me. He looks a bit startled. I think he's finished though it's not signed yet. Thanks so much Karen for sharing your Teddy's picture with me. If any of you would like to send me a photo of your well loved childhood friends, please do!

I see little leaf-ies!

Yesterday's walk to Loon Lake (in sleeping bear park). I love this particular tree...it has the most glorious twisted trunk. He's (she's?) on the schedule to have her (his?) portrait painted.




 

Subjects for a new series....

Well Loved... a new series!
Many of us have kept our childhood "lovey"...that thing that gave us comfort when we were small. I have my "Brown Teddy" (who is next in line for his portrait) My sister has "Whitey" her floppy stuffed dog. (for two rather creative people...I laugh at the un-original names for our best stuffed friends)

I want to pay tribute to these important parts of our lives. The worn and tattered friends that received our hugs and secrets and tears and joys...the much loved friends that helped us endure those scary nights, and protected us from what was under the bed...and in the closet.
Do you have a stuffed friend that supported you through your childhood? 
I'd love you to send me a photo of him or her. They could be immortalized as part of this new series. 

You aren't under any obligation to buy the painting! I just want to paint your friends. :) The more raggedy the better...
 
Karen's Teddy.... (thank-you!)

Show of violets...

spread of violets on Deadstream Rd. in Honor
This photo does not do them justice... but I'm posting it anyway. I'm paying tribute and celebrating this gorgeous purple bonanza of violets down the street from me. Does my heart good to see such loveliness.

Quote of the Day: "It's only possible to live happily ever after on a day to day basis."  ~Margaret Bonnano

Re-thinking your scheduling

This morning's walk was one of those walks where the ideas come at me faster than I can get them recorded (on my phone)... Tons of good painting ideas... I was fired up and ready to go! But the schedule I'm trying to stick to is walking first ..doing other household stuff and other exercising (trying to lose a bit of this winter coat)
THEN making my way down to the studio around 10...less fired up than I would have been right after my walk.

So now I'm re-thinking that schedule.... I should be taking advantage of the creative momentum gained right away and head down to the studio immediately! Most of you are probably thinking... "well, duh Lauren." But how often do we stop and think if there is a better way to go about things.... I guess in my case... not enough. :D


From today.... loved the figure 8

Royally Hopeful and Happy.... I needed that.

I didn't think I was interested in watching the wedding...but then someone on Face-book mentioned "the hats" and I had to have my coffee with the Royals. It was a delightful way to break the day. I was struck by what a hopeful event it was... Beautiful and happy... I really needed that. Thanks Britain...much appreciated.


And on another hopeful and happy note...lookie here!  The Riverside is getting ready for all the canoe and kayak river riders! I do believe this is a sure sign of spring....Yee Haw!

When you think you're finished...but you're not.

decided it was not done (signature was put on with Photo-shop)
I thought I was finished with this one last week....But this morning, I saw that the right side needed something for balance. After I painted on the circle...then I got out the paint pens... and I have a hard time quitting once the paint pens are out...so a few more somethings were added. I think it's better now....And it's in the truly finished pile waiting to be varnished.

I'm superstitious about signing my work. If there is any doubt as to whether a painting is finished, I hold off. I want my signature to be the very last thing added. This baby is actually signed now. :)

"Doubles" ~ Acrylic on Yupo ~ 6.5x6.5 inches

Sight for my color starved eyes....

Crystal Gardens, Frankfort MI
Bopped around the garden center yesterday.... in 2 layers of coats and hat and gloves. I was rewarded with this trailer full of spring time glories.... My eyes did the cartoon "BO-ING" thing. They just didn't know what to make of all that glorious color. AND... after I purchased a couple of things...they gave me a free Easter Lily.... How about that...  Thanks Crystal Gardens!  Happy Easter to you too!