Paint overload

I paid a visit to Forstall's art this week to use a 40% off coupon. I came back with all this. The paint is high quality, 70% off, and they were so sweet to throw in the already squeezed tube. Ill take it!

 It is hard to get a good perspective in this photo.  My new brush is on the left.  The brush on the right was previously the largest brush I owned.  This extra large brush will make painting large canvases MUCH easier....


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Magnolia

Ok, folks.  It looks like it'll be awhile before I can work on the painting due to scholastic activities.  But I will leave you with this for now.  I took this the other day and it made me think...a magnolia painting would be fun to attempt!  I already gessoed a canvas in preparation!

City Grocery Update 2

It's been awhile.   Here is a reminder with a few updates from this past weekend.  I forget how long building paintings take me.  Right now the painting is in its ugly stage.  It always frustrates me but causes me to work harder.

I had a little help this weekend from this girl.  (Meet Savannah who belongs to the Smiths.  Savannah's Mom is Julie from my cooking blog!  She might look a little tired because she had just gone on a 2 mile jog with me.  Never mind the fact her legs are 1/4th as long as mine.  I've always wanted a dog to run with!)

Damar Varnish

During art shows I notice some paintings have more of a sheen than others.  Mine always carry a good bit of sheen because I love linseed oil.  That is part of the reason I started and stuck to oil paintings.  I want to be sure to protect my paintings as well (some of which in my house are over 8 years old).  I researched and decided to test out damar varnish on one of my older paintings I do not care for, the child in the pumpkin patch.  It passed the test.  I've applied several thin layers.  (Can I just say this stuff smells? I know it has turpentine in it but I think it actually smells stronger, if that is possible. My whole house smells even with my paintings upstairs WITH the door shut.)

The camera doesn't pick up the sheen well without it being a big flash of light.  Instead I will focus on a picture of the damar I used and save my City Grocery painting update for another day.  (Yes, I am back at it!)

Dean's Nursery Painting - Completed!

Dean's painting is done just in time for him and his family to visit this weekend. I am so excited to meet him. Next up... I am experimenting with a new Hobby Lobby discovery!

Double Decker Arts Festival (Oxford, MS)

My past weekend was spent here:

The Double Decker Festival (Oxford, MS) had a 24 hour delay due to the severe weather that passed through.  We were spared but unfortuantely Yazoo City was not.  It is amazing how beautiful the sky can appear after a storm.  Driving home was the perfect example.   I think this would make a perfect painting. (So perfect that I turned around and stopped the car for a picture.)

And before I forget...I left the show with this...thanks to my parents for the unexpected early bday gift!  It's a magnolia ( Mississippi appropriate).

Stay tuned for some artwork updates. I am motivated!