"Sunshine Dreams" SOLD

"Sunshine Dreams"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Confessions.
I've been gone quite a bit this month.
First a workshop in Mass, then one on the opposite coast (sunny California where I am still hanging out:)
And I am not proud to admit it, but I am beginning to  miss Ed.

I mean-- there's no one to tell me that:

  A.   I am smarter than I look.

  B.  To please clean out his litter box, if he wants to smell bad he'll come back as a dog in his next life.

  C.  That fur doesn't show wrinkles and how it's a shame that I don't have fur.


I could go on, but you get the picture, just the usual abuse Ed dishes out.

I must be losing my mind.
Heaven forbid he should ever find out.

So I checked in with Phyllis to see how things were going.

She said Ed was hanging in there.

"Hang Twenty"

I actually think he looks like he's missing me too.  

Then again, it could just be that he's bummed he's not here in LA making the rounds to all the talent agencies.  He's been wanting his own reality TV show.

The dude sleeps 16 hours a day---I don't think he's gonna get any takers on that one but I have a feelin' that's what he's dreamin' about in the sunshine...:)))

Please Note:  This is No.9  in the Catalicious Series and has earned the prestigious EBSA (Eddie Bill Seal of Approval) award.  

To see the rest , just click here!

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"150 Paintings and Miles of Smiles"

2500 miles (from Paris to Pasadena), 500 lbs of luggage, 150 paintings in 4 days,  148 bottles of water,  the 72nd Artists Helping Artists blog radio show, 60 rolls of Viva,  48 muffins, 30 artists, 24 lavender macadamia nut  cookies, 15 bottles of wine, 4 hours of sleep, 3 coffee cakes, 2 Dogs, and 1 angry Eddie left in Paris.

Whewww! What was I thinkin'??????

But then the girls came bearing gifts and all was forgotten:))

"We Three Queens of ........."

Note:  Box with bow contains bell used for herding cats , er I mean artists...

Artists love to talk shop!!

Nancy  won the prize (a hug) for traveling from afar.....all the way from Singapore:))

My co-host (and amazing artist and dearest friend) for this workshop, artist Leslie Saeta doing her palette knife demo for the group!!

Me with an audience--(albeit a few hecklers in the bunch, sent there by Eddie no doubt.)

Paintings from Musical Easels:))

The Incredible Shrinking Workshop

This is what happens when you remember to take the group photo after the workshop is over---Eddie says this would have never happened if he had been in charge. ... 

Lots of oohing and ahhing as the paintings are stacking up:)!!

and up

and up:)!!!

We even got "framed" with a visit from the King of Frame himself, Randy Higbee.  Randy took orders for his famous floater frames and delivered finished frames the very next day.  What a guy!! 

Great food served up to "starving" artists:))

And two special evenings of relaxed conversation for the artists!

Workshops are rich and hold so much, 

trying to capture it all with words and photos, 

well, 

as Eddie would say....

"May as well try and ...

Never mind, you really don't want to know what Eddie says:)) 

Thanks to Cherry, Susan, Lisa, JoAnn, Tina, Linda, Julie, Silvia, Julie, Kristy, Nancy,

Jean, Susan, Maria, Ann, Sharon, Karen, Kadija, Patricia, Gloria, Lynette, Marie, Fiddy, Paula, Denyse,

Emely, Annmarie, Nancy, Carol, and Jack 

California 2011 Oil Painting Workshop was simply, as Eddie would say 

(and every once in awhile we actually agree)

The Cat's Meow:))

If you would like to come paint with me, you can visit my workshop page to see what's coming up--Click Here!

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"Bring Me Sunshine" SOLD

"Bring Me Sunshine"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Bring me Sunshine, in your smile,
Bring me Laughter, all the while,
In this world where we live, there should be more happiness,
So much joy you can give, to each brand new bright tomorrow,

Bring me Sunshine, in your eyes,
Bring me rainbows, from the skies,
Life’s too short to be spent having anything but fun,
We can be so content, if we gather little sunbeams,

Be light-hearted, all day long,
Keep me singing, happy songs,
Let your arms be as warm as the sun from up above,
Bring me fun, bring me sunshine, bring me love.

Words – Sylvia Dee, Music – Arthur Kent

P.S.  It's been a busy week--I just finished teaching a four day workshop in Pasadena, CA with fellow artist and BFF, Leslie Saeta.   Details to follow:)!!

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"Wisteria Steps of France" SOLD

"Wisteria Steps of France"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Wisteria hugs whatever it touches (including the roses is this one). 

And it continually reaches and grows to embrace more. 

"I will remember my love makes a difference

And try to recall that it all begins with me

Cradle the dream of a sweet ever after

With arms gently curled around the world"

                                                           ~Cross/Meurer/Frankfurt

2012 Workshops --Click Here:)!

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"Table for One" SOLD

"Table for One"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Things get lost in translation sometimes.  The maitre d' probably didn't realize that Eddie was a cat or that his assistant, Phyllis, was a mouse. 

I mean, how could he-- the reservations were made by phone.  And poor guy--when he asked for the name Phyllis told  him to just look for the dude "wearing the tuxedo".....

I would have warned him, if only I'd known.  Phyllis is way too fidgety--she never sits down, so she never reserves her place. 
And Eddie?? 
Well, when he has Phyllis reserve a table for one  he means  a table for one.

One tuxedo wearing cat who will lounge out fully in your fine dining establishment, sucking his teeth, grooming his fur and making attitudinal remarks to anyone who happens to glance his way with "Hey buddy, what are you looking at??  You wanna a piece of this, cause I don't think you do". 

And that's before he's had his first drink.

Just thought I should mention this in case Eddie ever has Phyllis to call and invite you out to dinner.

Be prepared for two things.

A table for one  and the tab.

Yeah, Eddie is famous for inviting people out to dinner then disappearing --sometime between snorkling down several shrimptinis and the tab showing up. 

Please Note: This is No. 16 in the Eddie and Phyllis series. To see more click here.

Come paint with me!  Oil Painting Workshops in 2012--just click here. Pin It

"Love You to the Moon and Back"

"Love You to the Moon and Back"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

Wet sand

Frosted sea glass

Three day old sandwich and a glass of wine

Laughter with new friends

All by the light of the moon

Dogs kickin' up their heels

Crisp breeze blowin'

Hearts made warm

All by the light of the moon

So many treasures in this life we are given.

Shared laughter,

Gifts from the heart,

Memories made

All by the light of the moon.

A special thanks to Cathy, Laurie, and Pat for laughter, sea glass and yes,  three day old sandwiches that tasted amazing in the company of friends:)))

P.S.  This excursion was a surprise from the girls pictured above after the completion of my Westford, Mass. Workshop. 

  For those of you, who like me, may never even have heard of sea glass until this very moment---it is  glass that is  found on beaches that has been tumbled and smoothed by the waves, water and sand, creating smooth, frosted shards of glass in amazing delicate hues of color. 

My newly found sea glass sets in my window to catch the first rays of sunlight in the morning. 

It reminds me of

 ocean,

 good friends,

 and the beauty in things that have been worn smooth by the passage of time

(kind a like me 'n' you:))

Love you to the Moon and Back!

P.S.S.  A special piece of sea glass discovered by me will be sent with this painting.  It's only right to share the love....and the sea glass:)))

Escape to the beach in January with me--Marco Island, FL 3 Day Petite Pleasures Workshop.  To learn more, click here!

Here's a blog on sea glass that I thought you might like to have a peek at:))  Click here. Pin It

"Lavender Light" SOLD

"Lavender Light"

12 x 12in oil on museum quality panel

$550

Still tinged with lavender from my trip to California (you can read the details here), I headed up to Westford, Mass. to teach a workshop this past week at the Parish Center for the Arts.

And even though it was held in what was one time a church...

I fear there was much misbehavin' goin' on:)). 
Someone actually had the nerve to say they wanted their money back (don't want to point fingers, but their name starts with a Lau and ends with a rie)  (she later recanted and said she was willing to pay more...:))

We painted

And We Ate

What does it mean when the chocolate chip cookie is the size of your head??? 

Fearing foul play at work, I taste tested for the safety and consideration of my students.

 

We painted some more

And we ate some more

we laughed, we ate.

...breakfasts of banana bread w/cream cheese, jailhouse potato cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip scones, coffee cake and a, a, --

lunches of.....Brie, apple and arugula sandwiches on toasted rustic bread served with sweet potato fries with Pure Maple Syrup for dipping, oriental chicken salad with homemade buttermilk biscuits, roasted tomato, fresh mozzarella, caramelized onion and basil gallette with baby spinach salad topped with caramelized onion sherry vinaigrette and pine nuts SERVED in a parmesan cheese cup--watermelon and fresh raspberries.

But of course by afternoon we were all STARVING, so the after noon pick me up (or roll me over) included mini butter tarts filled with honey citrus cream cheese topped with glazed strawberry, oatmeal raisin cookies, shortbread, jam streusel tarts, sweet cheese puffs... and  *GIANT TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES (*see photo above)

We were very inspired....

And the paintings just appeared!

These artists had their work cut out for them, what with all the food, er I mean painting, involved:))

Laurie, Cathy, Christine,  Renee, Dyan, Karen, Tressa, Jeanne, Helen, Jungmi,  Sheila, Julie, Sarah, Vanessa,  Kathleen,  Pat and me:)!

My first trip to Westford, Mass was truly memorable in every way. 

Thanks to each of these women who were such a JOY to meet and paint with:))!!

P.S.  After the workshop ended, Laurie, Pat,  and Cathy had a surprise for me.  More story to follow tomorrow.....:)))

My Workshop Page (Click Here)

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"A Walk on the Milky Way" SOLD

"A Walk on the Milky Way"

8 x 8in oil on museum quality panel

$350

It was a magical night. 

No plan--we just naturally gravitated to the back deck

overlooking miles of distant ridges. 

With blanket spread on rough  flooring,

laying flat on our backs,

no city lights to obscure

the heavens came into view. 

a soft band of white arched overhead, like a mystical night rainbow.

Curious thing I had never before seen. 

Silly me,

city girl and all,

it was the Milky Way.

And then the shower started. 

 Just a trickle of sorts. 

First one and then another. 

Diamond lights falling from the sky.

Wishes were made on all.

I stopped counting at 12:))

"When you lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. 

        When you lose touch with yourself, you lose yourself in the world."    

                                                                                                                     ~E. Tolle

                  

                                                                                 

2012 Workshops--For Details, Click Here 

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