Day 42 of 100

My mother-in-law gave me an hourglass as a gift. We were shopping together and I was admiring it. She seemed to truly feel joy in the interaction, so I did not try to stop her. I usually have anxiety about giving and receiving gifts, and try to avoid all gift situations.

I do like this. I will bring photos of it when I go to Grand Marais for a painting class.

Day 41 of 100

There are computer tasks for school that need to be done at some point this summer. My plan was to get started this morning,using a computer at school because the software and access to the server is there. School is in the process of being cleaned for the summer, all the furniture is in the hallways. So I went for a walk at Lake Vadnais. So glad. It is a beautiful day. I did not have my paint with me, just a small notebook. 

This evening I went to a watercolor demo at the Northstar meeting. Feeling energized to paint with rollers and palette knives.

Day 40 of 100

This photo is so dark. Rocks in water is something I want to do better so I worked on that first today. I painted at Silverwood Park. Northstar Watermedia was having a plein air event. I did not really interact with the other painters but it was nice to be surounded by others doing the same activity. I felt less odd. I could not decide what else should go in this painting, and then a group of women with toddlers came by. The way toddlers squat to pick things up off the ground is cute, and probably better for your back and easier to keep your balance.

The wind and sun were wearing me out. I needed a break. The park building has a place to buy food so I bought coffee and walked the path through the woods to a lovely gazebo next to an oak tree. I added some leaves to my painting from yesterday.

Oak leaves in the sunlight are actually close to white. I struggle to represent light and shadow. Always more to do. Never boring.

 

Day 39 of 100

Rice Creek. A Hot Humid Day. The parks are getting overgrown. We have had a lot of rain so the plants are very happy and healthy except for the trees n standing water. I wonder why the sudden drop in park maintenance. Budget, most likely, but maybe the weather is playing a role as well.

This painting is not done, I was going to add a tree and a wild plant in the foreground. I took photos so maybe I still will do that. The future is uncertain. I am still not satisfied with the way I represent dense green plants and trees. Something to work on.

Day 38 of 100

School is out for summer. I decided I needed to say hello to my paints again.

I was in Duluth yesterday, so this is timely, although I started it last time I was in Duluth, and finished it just now at home.

Today I was mindful of how I decided what to do minute by minute, rather than trying to think of the whole day at once. Stepping back now to see the bigger picture, I think it was a good day. I am satisfied.

I want to work on rendering rocks. Light and shadow and planes at many different angles. That would be interesting to me. I need to get to where some rocks are.

Day 37 of 100

I started to do the dishes. I stopped. I got out this bridge painting and threw down some sky color. Blotted in some trees. Kept going. It was much more fun than doing dishes.

Day 36 of 100

It is Mother's Day. The weather is beautiful. I painted this while my daughter made a quiche. 

I plan to get back to painting every day. I like to do it.