Sunday News

I have news this fine rainy and chilly Sunday.  I saw on my calendar last week a notation about BA Museum on June 1.  Could not remember exactly what it was but thought it was a show.  Linda and I were supposed to have a two person show over two years ago at the Broken Arrow Museum but Covid stopped it from happening.  Then last July or so the director contacted me about a show in September but again I was hesitant because of the pandemic and because I could not even think about it with my hip pain and needing to have the surgery.  So I put it off until this June.  I forgot about it.  Funny thing is I got an email from the director asking me if we were still on for the June show!!!  Ah-ha, there it was the nudge to the memory.  I told Linda about it and she said, "well alrighty then!"  We are on and painting up a storm.  I originally talked to the director about doing a self-portrait theme and am still on that path but I will add florals and landscapes to the mix.  We meet with her in a couple of weeks to get a sense of the space and how many paintings we can actually have.  That may nix a few of my larger self portraits as I really want to showcase the other stuff, and possibly sell some.  No one is going to buy my self-portrait stuff but it's fun to show off.  Plus it was a fantastic challenge for me.

I will post here later the dates exactly and the opening date we will have.  I hope everyone in the vicinity will be able to come out and check out our work.  Linda is of course doing a lot of cowboy stuff as it is Broken Arrow and she paints to the audience alot, I paint for myself.

Weekend Happenings

The weekend began fairly early Friday with me doing payroll and then off we went.  First stop was Grand Lake for The Hubby to do a bit of electrical work for a friend and his newly purchased house on the lake.  Little did I know I would nearly lose my breakfast on part of the drive.  There is a reason we do not have a place on Grand Lake as a good part of the houses are on BLUFFS!!!  EGAD, we drove and drove and finally got to the drive we were directed to and suddenly we were nearly straight up and down driving to his house on the bluff.  A panic attack was almost had by me.  I didn't even want to get out of the truck but managed to after I calmed down and went inside.  We ended up staying there for HOURS, and I mean hours.  I had my IPad and Kindle and read a bit.  There was little to no cellphone usage but I was okay with that, had to be.  I mostly sat as far from the window that looked out to space and water and waited as The Hubby and his friend fixed outlets, the microwave issue, etc.  It was much like in the early years as I watched him work on anything.  After awhile the friend fed us a sandwich at about 2:30 and then it was back to work.  They then went to the dock that was on a mechanical lift down to the water while I waited again.  I drifted off to sleep while they were gone, nearly an hour.  The wife was on her way from Tulsa so I was by myself and my thoughts for most of the day.  Finally she arrived and we visited a bit and then we were off to the cabin.  

The day was mostly cold and dreary so the drive was too, mostly.  They sun popped when we were nearly there and I was able to snap a few photos, hopefully to paint.  I love the clouds.

The weekend was pretty quiet as our crew we hang with were either in Portugal or just busy.  I did have a drink with Lesa Saturday afternoon before the big bonfire and weenie roast on the creek for the entire club.  The weather warmed up nicely and it was wonderful to see everyone.  Tons of peeps were in attendance, some I haven't talked to in probably a year at least.  We had yummy hotdogs, a bit of drink, enjoyed the creek and the fire and mostly the friendship.

Sadly, too soon we were headed back to Tulsa for at least 3 weeks.  Next weekend being Easter and other stuff happening. When we finally get back to the cabin I can't wait to hear from the travelers and their trip to Portugal.

Snicklefritz Weekend

What a most glorious weekend we had with Snicklefritz.  Honestly, I so love having her with us.  She is helpful, pleasant, a good eater, and loves just learning about birds, and fishing with her Granddad.

Saturday morning early, I mean early, like 5:30 a.m. her Granddad woke her up to get a good breakfast, slather in bug spray and sunscreen because they were going on a journey.  They were off in the canoe up the creek to what is called Blue Hole to net chub or bait for fishing.  I was a bit nervous because, well, she would be out of my control and under the supervision of her Granddad and that has always caused me to be wary.  He's a guy and guy's just don't have that gut feeling like a "mom" or a Granny has, but all went well and they had the BEST time ever.  She loved going up stream and admitted that she was a bit scared but wanted to go again.  It was probably the last hurrah for the summer with her because on Thursday she begins school again and we will only be able to visit with her via Zoom.  I'm terrified for her but it is so important for her to go to school and be a part of that world.  She said her favorite meals were pizza and spaghetti and I guess I made her quite happy because that is what we ate.  She was very proud to eat the salad because she got to use the sharp knife to cut the lettuce.  Memories were definitely made this past weekend.

I did finish this little jewel last week.  I've really enjoyed taking a lot of landscape photos and hopefully will be painting many of them like this one.  

"Let's Go Fishing" 

16x20 oil

The drive home netted this beautiful snapshots of lots of roads and clouds.  Gosh I love northeast Oklahoma.

My Painting World

The weekend is here...YEAH!  Honestly the week just seemed to creep by and I'm not sure why, probably because of the nasty snow.  I am NOT a snow or winter person at all and that may explain my desire to paint green, lots and lots of green lately.

Red House in the Country

Fishin' Hole

It's funny that I felt stuck with my art stuff but I think it's evolving because look what I've been doing lately.  Of course, lots of green but look closely, it's kind of more impressionism than realism and it's landscapes.  I'm finding myself drawn to create them lately.   

Hay Time

My studio partner, Linda and I have a show coming up this September in Broken Arrow and I felt I needed some collections, sets, a focus.  It's always been flowers before and I know I'll do that but I think I've already got a collection going here!!!  I just realized that this morning when I was looking at what I've created lately, and I am going to continue, if I can find some more pictures to work on.   

Moss Mountain Farm

 Hoping this spring will give me tons of stuff to do and MAYBE I just might get outside and actually plein air paint!!!!

Remembering Charlotte

 I will continue the portrait stuff but I'm struggling on those and need to find a portrait class to take.  Actually, Linda is going to teach one and I told her I am first on her list!!!

Plus this spring we will take a workshop in Tulsa from a guy named Patrick Saunders.  I'm not sure who got him to come to Tulsa but I am VERY happy about that. 

Gotta run and PAINT!