Free at Last

As many of you know, my home has been in an uproar since last December when we had a flood in our basement.  My computer used to be down there.  Since the flood, the whole house was affected.  My paintings went upstairs into the den (above).  And I couldn't even set foot in that room with tripping over them.  The basement is slowly getting restored and the paintings are happily back in their racks in a new room in the basement.

As a result of this, my computer is finally upstairs near natural light (yay!).  I bought a new Mac router so that the computer can go anywhere in the house.

Believe it or not, for a while my computer was in the bathroom which is currently under construction.  It was in there since last January.  Yes, right next to the loo.  Not exactly inspiration for writing blog posts.

Silent Evening

Silent Evening

Oil on Canvas

18x24

Silent Evening is a painting I did in early February.  There is so much to catch up with for me.  My house is still in a state of partial disarray due to the flood we had last December.  Since then we have had numerous workmen in the house, from jack hammers to painters.  Needless to say, there has been lots of dust too!

Our house is slowly getting back to normal.  As a matter of fact, it will probably be in a much better state when everything is finally done, since the basement will now be a lovely family room with new carpeting.  Until then, my art helps me feel "sane".  While I'm painting, all is right with the world.

Cure for Cabin Fever

Van Gogh

We are still in the midst of having our basement reconstructed after the flood from December.  Everything had to be covered or brought upstairs since they are still working on the drywall.  And the dust just seems to float upstairs through the heating vents.  Needless to say, this has had an impact on my painting.

So a little inspiration was in order.  Going to the Art Institute of Chicago always fills my creative well.  These photos were taken on my brother's iPhone.  I can't believe the great quality.

Claude Monet

Mary Cassatt

Henry Twatchman

My paintings patiently waiting to be put back in my studio  

My computer desk 

I hope your February has been a beautiful one, filled with inspiration.

Feeling Right At Home

I have been looking for the right gallery to put my work in for quite some time.  I found American Artworks Gallery last fall when my brother, Joel, told me about it.  He thought it might make a good fit and he was right.  This gallery not only has paintings, but also has beautiful handmade jewelry, textiles and many other original craft works.

This is one of my oil paintings sitting on a beautiful wooden ledge.  The building was actually a pharmacy at one time and the woodwork was part of the store.  It's hard to believe that a pharmacy was so elegant with all the architectural amenities.  My, times have changed.

American Artworks Gallery is located just east of Chicago and right next to Oak Park, Illinois.  Maybe you are familiar with Oak Park.  This is where Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio are.  Also there are many  of Wright's original homes and other buildings.  This area is an Arts and Crafts paradise.

My paintings feel right at home in this wonderful gallery.  That is, until it is time to go to a new home.  Thanks for taking these pictures for me, Joel!

No Computer Eeeeeecccckkkkk

I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  Also Happy New Year.  Last week our basement flooded with four inches of water.  Luckily, my computer wasn't affected, but is  disconnected.  At the moment I'm using my son's little Acer. 

We had the water remediation people in, carpeting and tile torn up and two feet of drywall taken out in order to prevent mold damage.  The good part is that we got rid of tons of  "things". I've been wanting to purge the house of possessions for a while.  Be careful what you wish for, ha.

Joy

Joy

12x16

Oil on Stretched Canvas

This is my latest painting called "Joy".  I've been away from the easel and computer lately because I'm involved in a different painting project.  Not my favorite though.  I've been prepping and painting the master bathroom.  It's not nearly as satisfying as painting oil paintings:)  

I find that when I can't paint at the easel, I'm still painting in my head.  I'm looking forward to getting back to doing what I love most, which is painting oil landscapes in my little sun room.  

Abundance

Abundance

Oil on Stretched Canvas

16x20

The month of November is the month on abundance.  It's the time of year when we celebrate Thanksgiving and think about all we have to be grateful for in our lives.  I love the simplicity of this holiday.  It's time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other in the spirit of peace.

We miss those who are no longer with us, but choose to reminisce about the good times.  And it seems every year there is someone new who comes to the table, be it new friends of my children or just someone who is far from home and has nowhere to go.  

When we think about what we have to be grateful for, we're rich beyond measure.