Painting My Way Through Life

Every night for the last 10 years I ask my peeps ‘What’s for Dinner?’ The day of the Siege on the Capitol, it was hard to focus on dinner, but I knew that everyone would still want to participate, so this was my image of how I felt about the treasonous day. 

Having socially distanced and masked dinners on the patio with SIL/BIL is such a treat

My studio six years ago

My studio today. Sold a lot of supplies and furniture. A more simple style

This is how I felt following the Siege

Studio close up for another view




We had a lovely weekend of gorgeous weather and I loved drawing and painting outside

Thinks I did and learned while I was safe at home! I got the first dose of the vaccine! So happy!

Kicking Off the New a year Right!

Kicking off the new year with this table project. It’s primed and ready to go onto the next phase

The folding leaves are now a beautiful shade of blue

I also started working on a new drawing project on IG #doodleadayjanelsf @spoonflower and @ellolovely. Day 1 - Baking

6-1/2” square is the size I am working with. There are a list of prompts on @ellolovely and after looking at her profile page, she has done these every month. Day 2 - Best Friends. Yep, during the stay at home order, my best friends are FaceTime and Zoom

I think it will be good to push myself out of my comfort zone and do this. I obviously cannot draw a bicycle, so that’s on the list to practice. Day 3 - Bicycle

Day 4 - Flower Bouquet

Day 5 - Candy Palace

There are many challenges ahead, but I think this will be way fun! 

Happy New Year!

Duncan Phyfe drop leaf table that was my Grandmother Verona’s dining table

It’s pretty thrashed. We don’t use it every day, but it is a great table. Can store with the leaves down. And has an extra leaf to make it larger! My grandmother gave away the chairs before I got the table. Go figure.

I thought the easiest way to begin the prep work was to put it on its side

Using white Gesso, I started painting the legs - 2 coats

Upright with the leaf in, I am preparing the top and sides. Taking the time to let it dry.

This garden bench that I can stoop down on my knees to get the lower portions, and then flip it over to sit on to take the stress of my back

First coat taking shape. The window is open for extra air/ventilation 

Empty Talenti gelato jars are excellent for paint. I am anxious to paint. No real plan, so we’ll see how it goes!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope for a better 2021 with a vaccine and a new President and Administration! Onward and upward we go towards truth, empathy and fairness. I hope to see our kids and grands this next year! Hope is the word!

I am Filled with Gratitude!

I am ever so thankful that I can still paint on the walls, and now these cupboard doors. I lightly sanded the doors first so the acrylic paint would stick!

The beginnings. No really plan, and no pencil. I have a garden bench to sit on

Clearly I felt that I was channeling things/houses/people that I miss. I added quilting elements too

I totally embraced that theme with this painting. The hallway is so beautiful and happy! Pure joy!

Close up of the doors!

A pink polka dot vase of funky flowers. Red house with blue flowers is Bainbridge Island, WA, and the beach below

Yes, I have left my heart of SF with my kids and grands. Sailing. Sunshine.

My town. I am so thankful for this journey as it was very rewarding. Paint, rest and repeat

Merry Christmas everyone! I am thankful for you!

Rounding out of the Year with Reading

I just finished my 80th book and hope I can read 10 more by the end of the year to make it to 100 Books! This is how I choose by reading all of the reviews, Next is The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

My reading list for the last 20 out of 80 books that I have read this year 

Book 8 Moscow Rules

Troubles in Paradise - 3rd in series by Elin Hilderbrand 

Book 9 the Defector

Book 10 the Rembrandt Affair

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

Book 11 Portrait of a Spy

Book 12 The Fallen Angel

Still Life by Louise Penny for NOV BOOK CLUB

Book 13 The English Girl

Book 14 The Heist

80

Book 15 The English Spy

Winter Cottage by Mary Ellen Taylor - family history

Spring House by Mary Ellen Taylor and I didn’t want it to end

Honeysuckle Season by Mary Ellen Taylor - also family history

The Secrets We Keep by Kate Hewitt

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss - just fun!

Book 1 Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Book 2 Shelter Mountain by Robyn Carr

Book 3 Whispering Rock

The Garden of Small Beginnings by Abbi Waxman

My life changed over a month ago when my orthopedic doctor told me that I have arthritis in my entire back, but the lower portion was the part that led me to visit him in the first place. I dislike being in pain. It’s hard to get to sleep and stay asleep. I can sleep in a recliner and have zero pain on my back. I had an Epidural last week which didn’t work, so that’s a little discouraging. I am doing my exercises, swimming everyday, being careful, meditation, using a massager, and a salve of CBD/THC which really helps. Meeting with the epidural doctor next week to talk about my back. Trying really hard to clear out my cluttered mind to be open to what he has to say. 

This is the book I just finished and it was wonderful. The characters, love, grief, sisters, children and gardening! 

It helps to draw and paint in the midst of the unknown. Stay positive is my thing!

I will be spending more time here drawing and painting!

Yep, this is me for the last month

I have started the lower landscape of log cabins, but I can’t finish this in my current state, BUT I am looking at alternative ways to do it without hurting myself in the process. 

And then there are the cupboard doors. They need paint, but they need a light sanding first. Back to reading!

Houses of Whimsy

Now I am painting the other side of the hallway. This project has given me so much jOy!

I have challenged myself to not use a pencil to draw out my designs, rather relying on just free hand painting

It’s a little trickier to paint like this, but I really like the imperfections 

The pink house

The orange and purple house

My favorite house colors are aqua and bright pink!

I am really liking the look of it

I did make a slight mistake and had to paint over some green squiggly lines with gesso

It’s all coming together

Here and there I am adding some fun patterns to the houses

The orange and purple house got some fun added. Patterns on the flowers!

The hallway so far! I encourage everyone out there in Pandemic land to just make something, to start, to take the leap. This helped my anxiety level so much. We have been safe at home for almost 9 months! And wear a mask in public! Happy painting, drawing, quilting and whatever floats your boat!