Good News!

I just heard yesterday that my application to the Copley Society of Art in Boston has been accepted! This is especially good news because I had applied four years ago and was rejected. I've always tried to keep in mind that "rejections" can be good; they make you work harder and get better!

That said, I guess I need to get painting!  

Eye Ball Plant

At my garden club meeting last week, the owner of The Crystal Lake Garden Shop brought us dozens of unusual and interesting "easy to grow" plants to show us. My favorite was this "eyeball plant"! It's an "Historical medicinal herb with unique acorn-shaped orange-yellow flowers. An unusual container or flowerbed plant. It has striking cone-like flowers with no flower petals, but instead, exhibits golden 'buds' with a rust-red center! Quite an eye-catcher. "

How funny! No petals, just those cool eyeballs, (that can also look like olives, depending on your mood and/or time of day).   

This is a small watercolor I did while sitting on the deck with my artist friend Sally Dean. She was painting it too for her 365 flower blog. Check it out!  

Out of the Box

Warm weather painting by Cathy Woo 

The North River Arts Society in Marshfield, MA has a show in August called "OTB" where artists are given an 8 x 8 board to create something in a style that is totally unlike what they usually do. People bid on the work without knowing who the artist is, so I can't post the piece I will be submitting, but I can share with you where I got my inspiration! I saw an article in The Artist's Magazine last month about this contemporary abstract artist, Cathy Woo  from Seattle. Check out her blog! 

Her paintings "create a conversation between organized structure and organic dissociation"; something that is totally Out of the Box for me.   

My new "studio"

I painted today in my new "studio". It's the most wonderful spot! Under the deck, out of the sun, a cool breeze and a view of the ocean! What more could you want? Except maybe more time to paint! Geez!

As nice as it was, I struggled a bit as I haven't painted in a long time. I was using a new board that didn't have as much tooth as I am used to, and I ran out of white paint so I couldn't put on the "dessert"! To me, it was just a blast to be painting again! 

6 x 8 

Busy Beach Day 

New England Goes Caribbean

It's been so hot and sunny here in New England, I feel like I'm in the Caribbean! Even the water is unusually warm, so folks are really getting out there and enjoying it. I'm not sure who is enjoying this kayak trip more! 

6 x 8 

(I'm trying to think of a clever title for this, any suggestions? ) 

"Gone Fishing"

I'm going on vacation tomorrow for a week. No internet. No TV. 

I can't wait! 

Wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July celebration. 

I'll be painting this in my head, for sure.