11 Weeks and Counting

I started a new canvas today. Its 11 weeks and counting till our exhibition opens, yikes! I found a picture of houses in Santorini. Ok I found the picture in a magazine in the hospital waiting room while I was waiting for Bob. I was so inspired by this picture I silently tore it out in a really sneaky fashion and put it in my bag. Its a picture of those white sugar cube houses with blue doors and window frames. I'm going out on a limb with this one. Its not my usual type of painting as I usually paint everything bigger than life size. I've got the usual fear happening. The fear I have at the beginning of every painting and I don't feel confident with the outcome. Anyhoo, like Laura says, I'm turning up to the easel and we'll see what happens. What's the worse that can happen? If the painting doesn't work out I can just gesso over it and do something else, right?

I'm also in the planning stages of work depicting Zoe's dangling legs. I have a series of photos where she's wearing striped tights, little white ankle socks with black shoes etc. In some she's got her ankles crossed, another her toes are turned in etc. I thought they would make a nice series of paintings. Children have really expressive feet and legs. Just by changing the position of the feet you get a whole different feel. Anyway its in early planning stages at the moment. I will have to see where it takes me.

With autumn here I also have the urge to photograph a big Queensland blue pumpkin. I can then paint it and make a batch of pumpkin soup too. That should keep me off the streets for awhile.

So Much To Do

My daughter took photos of my work yesterday so I can put better quality images onto my Red Bubble site. http://www.redbubble.com/people/utam Julia is a professional photographer so her camera is so much better than my point and shoot. The better the quality the images the more variety of reproductions can be sold on Red Bubble. Anyway now I have to crop all the photos and enhance the brightness/contrast etc. on photoshop and then put all the new images onto Red Bubble. Still haven't finished a painting that's been sitting on my easel for some time now, have to work on my exhibition invitations, start altering the board books I bought the other day, buy a new canvas for the painting that's swimming around in my head and above all I must do the washing today. Luckily I cooked up a large pot of chicken vegetable soup yesterday so dinner is taken care of. Means I can work right through. Only stopping to eat and watch Sunday Arts on tv this afternoon.
You can see Julia's work on http://www.redbubble.com/people/jewelstorm

Date With Myself

Yesterday I took myself out. Went to the Lion's Club Garage Sale. Haven't been in awhile so I thought I would have a look if I could find any treasures. Walked out empty handed. Then went op shopping and bought myself a very nice scarf. The weather is getting colder and there's nothing like a scarf to compliment your outfit and keep you warm.

It was soon lunchtime so I swung passed the supermarket and bought a crusty wholemeal roll with poppy seeds on top, some roast turkey and a tin of tomato soup. Haven't had tinned tomato soup in years. Took my supplies home and added some milk into the tomato soup as I was heating it. Makes it extra creamy. I watched Golden Compass while I had my leisurely lunch.

After my very big lunch I went out again in search of children's board books. I'm sanding them back and then will use them to do some of my artwork in. Maybe some collages, paintings and photos. I had to buy new ones because all the second hand ones were too well loved with worn edges and creases in their pages. I do really love artist's books and its been on my "to do" list for a long time. I'm finally getting around to it.

In the middle of my design for the invitations for my exhibition, still need to finish off a painting I started over a week ago, want to start on the board books and I have an idea for a new painting swimming around in my head. Looks like a huge creative time coming up.

Pulled back a little from my art work this week. I felt I needed some time off to refill my well and feel all the better for it.

My Friend is in Town

My friend Kris is in town. Don't see her often so its good to catch up. She's in town for the whole week and tomorrow we are going to visit Kris' sister who lives near Callington. The main reason for the visit is to take photos. Kris' sister has an old 1939 Chevvy with broken headlights and smashed rear window. They will make great images for my collages.
Callington is a really old town in Australian standards and some of the old cottages have lovely old doors with peeling paint. Of course my camera will be running hot and I'll have some nice new images to post on my blog as well.