challenge CHATTER - 2012

Fred, I like your Venetian Red mono watercolor.  The rock formations are very convincing and you've achieved a sense of depth by getting progressively lighter.  The lone figure looks to be sporting some kind of pack on his back.  Could he be a hiker?

WOW WOW   I have been locked out now for almost a week.  I couldn't log on for the life of me.  I finally called interweave and the gal helped me out....  what a bummer,  I could read your pages but I couldn't talk to you....  I was lonely..........

Thank you all for your very nice compliments, 
Sam - I did continue to ride up until I got pregnant with my 5th,  then I gave my two horses to my girls for them to take care of….  then we raised pigs for FFA until the girls were out of high school ,   Now my grandkids are raising pigs like their mother did.   for FFA and 4H.  Keeps them busy.

Fred, I love the value practice very nice.  reminds me of the San Juan straights in Washington state on the way to Victoria.  I could get corney but I think Sam and Jen took care of that,   blue hoo.    maybe you can hang it at the "Blue Note" ..  ooopps corney!

Now your HOT HOT HOT!!!   great monotones.  good depth in the front mountains,  try adding some depth to some of the way back mountain range.   This would be a fun challenge for everyone,   to have each of us try some monotone paintings.   good idea Fred

Jen - where ever you hang your flock, folks will definitely enjoy and admire it.   Great Job….
great idea of taking pictures of your loving teachers art work.

Monday night we had a music reunion jamm with a couple of the terminally ill musicians and they were able to play and visit with friends.  Sort of a Living Wake.

I will be thinking of you on today

Sheila - I'm glad I could reprise your memory as well,   that is a good thing.  where did you grow up?

Sandi - I took your advice and made her (my) shirt red and brightened her hair,  I was always a dirty blond, now I can see me as a real blond.   what I was complaining about mainly was the camera photo wasn't as sharp and clear as the actual painting.   but you advice was heeded.  thanks. 

Sal - When are we going to see something new from you ....  you always inspire all of us. 

Holly - you are quiet,   how is your hanging out at home doing????

Trepredation -  yup  cool name,   welcome....

Joyce -   where are you these days and how are you doing

The temperature out side right now on our patio is 102....   yuck!  las vegas heat has arrived...  from now until September,    I would like to pack up and leave here....

Marsha, it's so good to hear from you.  It surely must have been difficult to be locked out of this forum.  There has been very little activity lately and I truly was delighted to see that you posted something today.

I finished my daughter's portrait last week and am taking a break from art this week supposedly to get some paper work done but I'm in so much pain with either tendinitis or an inflamed or torn rotator cuff that I didn't get to the paper work at all.  My shoulder is very tender and my arm aches big time.  The pain also goes up into my neck.  I'll see the doctor about it in the morning and hopefully get a cortisone shot or something to relieve the pain.  I'm sensitive to anti-inflammatory meds and need an alternative.

We leave next Thursday for a trip to the mountains of NC for my hubby's annual family reunion.  We have several other stops going and coming.  A lot of family lives up that way.  I hope that I feel up to the trip.  If it was this Thursday, today, I would not be willing to go.

Well, that's enough whining for now.  I'm going to go get some cheese to enjoy with my whine!!!

PS. Yes, I miss Holly, too.  Hope all is well, Holly, and that we hear from you soon.  I'm eager to see your oil paintings.

Fred, I am amazed at the infinite variety of paintings you put out in very short order. This one has a magical quality with a touch of danger. MARSHA I am so sorry you were shut off from us . How frustrating. I am glad all is sorted. I love the idea of a living wake. What a very special and precious time you must have had together. Thank you all for you kind and supportive words about my beloved teacher. Her memorial service was today and it was lovely. She was a potter as well as a painter, pastelist and she made the urn her ashes were in. She Was surrounded by colourful flowers she loved. Photographs, and her wonderful paintings. Nearly all her currant and many ex students were there all colorfully dressed many in her favourite purple and then someone came round witha box of her famous hats. She hated wigs and we all doned one! Three of her students who sang with her during the Wednesday class sang two of her favourite hymns acapella (sp) that brought a few tears. Some got up and told funny stories that had us all laughting.At one point all the students who took up all of one side of a good sized room stood up and the family applauded us. There were tears smiles but mainly it was what the family and Lois wanted a celebration of her life.after some of went to lunch and talked about her for hours. Thank you all for your kind words about the much abused sheep! SAMMY I hope you can get some help for that arm. As one who suffers from a torn rotator cuff I know the trouble and pain one can cause. Get well soon. I hope I can settle down and paint agiain soon.

Jen, it's sounds like you had a really good memorial service for your teacher with lots of good, happy memories.  I'm sure she would want you artist to continue meeting on Saturdays and creating wonderful art in her memory.

Marsha, I'm glad that you got to celebrate your friend's lives while they are still living.  It's so good that they were able to participate in the music.

My diagnosis is tendinitis and after rubbing an aspirin type cream into it, icy and resting it, I am feeing some improvement.  I should be able to go on the trip next week.

Fred-  You are still  doing well with your creativity no matter what color, mono or multi. Pretty soon I expect you will be printing another book, way to go Buddy.

Jen- You must be busy with keeping your promise to your teacher to keep the place going. I think that's a good way to occupy your time so you won't have time to the sorrow too much. Are you getting someone new in to teach or just keep it as a place for artists to hang out?

Sammy- Hope you will be in good health by the time you go on your trip. Enjoy it and come back with a lots of photos for memories.

Marsha- Glad you retouch your painting. Do you think you can post it again for us to see?

Yes, Marsha, we would love to see your retouched springtime painting.

I was diagnosed with tendinitis, was given a gel to rub into the area along with ice and I am feeling much better.

Hi all This is my attempt at at a volcano using nujabi 200# med rough paper 1/2 sheet. I find this paper very difficult to use. I bought several sheets when I first started to do watercolors and kind of forgot why I stopped using this brand.
Fred

Fred, that is one fiery volcano.  I love the colors, the ash laden sky and the lava on the left.  I also like the color of the volcano in the bg.  Pretty cool!  I stand corrected.  I should say, "Pretty Hot."

Jen - I love the drawing of your mum….   it was spot on.    I should try one of my mother.   I have several old photos…   yours is so nice.

your swan is beautiful…. 
Sandy -   your fishing boats are so inviting and colorful.   looks like they are outfitted for fishing and already to go.  nice ocean color and very nice sandy beach,  reminds me of Monterey bay…  hmmmm homesick again…..


Fred you are just to HOT to handle.  your volcano was remarkably WARM choice…. 


Sammy_  I am so very sorry to hear about your tendinitis,   I have had shoulder problems years ago I couldn't even pick up a christmas ornament and put it on the tree,  they wanted to do surgery but I said no.   I don't want to say How I cured it but it was very very painful.   I don't like anti - inflamatory drugs either.   but sometimes you just have to take them.  There are many out there maybe you can find one that isn't so bad.  I love the ice,  it is my best pain killer.  and a couple of asparin.  the good ole wonder drug
Now I just deal with the occasional pain in my arm that was broke,  I can't make a fist anymore, it has just tightened up,  I'm glad it is my left hand …. in November I had a cortizone shot in my wrist and it helped for awhile.  you are probably in the Mountains in NC. Take lots of pictures….  Our daughter in Law and two grand kids live in NC,  we have never met them.  and now I am so married to the music scene here I can't leave.   We added Sundays to the jazz days and I booked and set up 4 shows in three days Sat, Sun, and a Spring Affair Show on Monday night with decorations to the 10's…  great show.


you know we all need a little cheese and whine now and then,   we deserve it…


Jen - I'm glad your memorial turned out to be nice.   Our little  gal singer's memorial was today and over 1000 people were there.   she sure will be missed.

Sandi and Sam - ok I got the camera out and took a picture of the clothing change on my Crab apple/tire swing/tree fort / horse picture.   I Like the suggestion of the color change in the shirt,  it made a lot of difference.  I tweaked a couple of other things but not much.     I should have added my bicycle in it as I used to ride it to my fort, oh well I'll put a bike in another picture.  This photo came out a lot better than the first posting I did.  

I posted my Spring picture on the April Challenge page.  

Everyone please stay healthy....

Marsha, thank you for posting this delightful paintings again.  The addition of bright colors for your hair and clothing does make a big different.  You really stand out now and are the definite focal point.  I still love the wonderful textures on the tree trunk and the foliage.  This is a really good springtime painting and a great memento of your childhood.

We leave in the morning (Thursday) and expect to be gone for a week.  We will spent time in both Franklin and Asheville NC, Greenville, SC and Greensboro, GA both going and coming home.  We will see a lot of family and are looking forward to it.  Will miss you guys.  Please keep painting and posting.   

Sam, Have a wonderful trip. I just have to share this with my friends

Fred what a wonderful accolade and what an interesting life you have lead. You are obviously a treasure to the art association and much loved and appreciated. They are very lucky to have you as a volunteer.

Thank you Jen, Now back to the world of fantacy " Up There Be Carefull " 1/4 sheet arches rough

Fred, what a frightening creature in such a dismal setting.  Yikes!  That red creature is smack dab in a sweet spot and he most certainly is the point of interest.  That's a brave man and bear!  I hope they slay the beast but then I hate to see such a beautifully colored creature put to rest.  Maybe they could tame the beast!   Now there's a story.