Painted Bunting!!! Tuesday January 19, 2010

I was so excited when this wonderful bird appeared in my binoculars I let out a yelp and off they flew! But luckily I saw them nearly every day. The colorful stands out easily but the female was always nearby so more easily identified. They look like many other tropical birds. What a thrill!!!! A surprise addition to my life list.

These were some of the biggest pots I have ever seen. Many variations of them dotted the grounds of the very lovely Pilgrimage Village in Hue, Vietnam. Each morning the water was refreshed, and in some of them, flowers were floated. I could have been kept busy sketching here for a week!
I could have sat on this lounge chair all day on the beach at Nha Trang once the sun came
out. Unfortunately I had a 4 hour bus ride ahead of me, far up into the mountains of Vietnam to Dalat. Each new place offers fresh delights, however, and we always want to see what is around the corner.

Burritos Revolution #40 Monday January 18, 2010

Behold the origin of the best burrito in the world! While sitting and waiting for the handsome chef to make our burritos I penciled in this tableau. On the wall is a framed original of Barak Obama and the word "cambio" (or change for you gringos). This place is always busy . . . can you hear the sizzling of the grill, the smell of beans and rice in the 85 degree air.

What keeps us from Creative Growth? By Lenall Siebenaler

Complacency, satisfaction and the ringing of the cash register are three devils that hinder creative growth. The perpetual student does not stray far from the path of invention and re-invention. That's where real satisfaction lies. That's the real motivation that keeps you at it. "We are created creative," says Maya Angelou, "and can invent new scenarios as frequently as they are needed."

In my mind if I can't play I can't stay...

I used to be more serious about art. It seems during the last few years I've reverted back to childhood. The girl just wants to have fun...

I stopped painting exclusively in Watercolor. Why? Was it because I can't compete with my Watercolor friends? They create wonderful masterpieces recreating pictures in nature that they took themselves. My paintings never really looked real--more unreal, in my mind... It got serious.

Yes, I've been juried into shows and even twice to the Watercolor Society of Oregon. Once a serious painting and the second time a very odd but interesting painting.

I think that maybe I need to go forward doing what I do best. Playing. Playing means change. Playing means no rules. Playing means it doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Playing means "What if?" Playing means anything I want it to mean. Playing encourages growth. I love to dabble in a lot of different media. It is so much more fun. What do you think?

I've added two paintings above that got into a Watercolor Show. What do you think?

Lenall

Beach Umbrellas January 16, 2010

Looks like midgets! But they were actually further in the distance toward the beach. Can you tell it's the ocean in the background with waves breaking on the beach below!!! Lots to learn.

I sketched while we waited for lunch on the beach in San Pancho, just a little north of Sayulita. Then painted later.

Triad of Heartz

An Early Valentine
I've been having fun filling in these heart templates with the Zentangles. I like to start out my day with one or two, just to get my brain in the mood. Enjoy!

Dinner at High Tide Jan 16, 2010

Since I don't know how to paint things in the dark of night yet, picture this drawing with a crescent moon lighting up the surf as well as low light from the beach side restaurant. The night before big winds blew in from shore, stirring up huge waves and lots of rain. They were still shoveling sand out of the kitchen at dinner time, after "4 meter waves" that pummeled the beach. While we were eating, the couple at the red table cloth and we nearly had to run with our dinner as a wave lapped at the table legs. What did we have for dinner? Freshly caught huachinanga (red snapper) and shrimp.

El Mesero Jan 15, 2010

Sayulita

We finished our first week with my in laws and now we're on our own with time to paint. Thom and I played around with an art duet, both drawing this. He's much better with people. I'm trying to loosen up and sketch a little more.

Pictures for Give Away

Sorry, the pictures for the give away seemed to have disappeared into the ether. Here they are again. You can leave comments on this post or the previous one to be included in the drawing. You can also double your chances of winning by leaving a comment on my blog by clicking here. Thanks for looking!

Lime:

Rust:
Navy:
Navy close up:
Black and Tan stripe:
Close up:
Polka dot:

Give Away Time!

In celebration of finishing all my hearts for two shows, and in appreciation of those of you who visit our blog, I am giving away one of my large hearts this month. These are 5"x12" and have a bent wire hanger on top, which I've cropped out of the photos.

All you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment and tell me which heart you prefer. I'll do a random drawing on Feb. 1 and announce the winner here. I am also doing a separate heart give away on my blog, so leave a comment there too to double your chances of winning! (Portland Art Collective members are not eligible to win on this blog, but you can enter on my blog.)

There is no light in Portland right now, so I had to use flash and colors are a little off.

Lime:

Rust:

Black and Tan stripe:

Navy:

And Polka Dot:

If you are in the Portland area, my hearts will also be on display throughout Feb. in "The Heart of the Matter Show" at Guardino Gallery and at Portland Central Library in the Friends of the Library gift shop. Thanks for visiting!