Day 59 Just doing it

I haven't been writing a lot in my last few blogs because as I have mentioned in other posts- this daily creation has trickled down to other parts of my life. It got me questioning why do I make sure I have time to paint now (when i didn't before) and work through all the issues that might arise, but won't do it in other aspects of my life? And suddenly movement has been added in my life, healthier eating, increased meditation, and purging of things I have been holding on for years both  materialistically and mentally. The biggest lesson so far is, just doing it and not worrying if I am doing things perfectly or even correctly. And it has made a world of a difference in my life and it has only been 2 mos (tomorrow).  I am excited to see what I will discover on the 12th month. :D
Venetia

Day 58

Sneaking a post as I am watching the Oscars...

flames ~ watercolor

Based on a dream I had last year.
back to the Oscars.
Venetia

Day 57

Here is today's painting. I am totally exhausted because I worked and had to squeeze in some exercise time. Painting was my relaxation.

My Tools - watercolor

Venetia

Day 56 Testing skills

Another gloomy day here

So today I decided to test my skills to see what I have learned- so I painted the memory piece from Jan 23 again.

Thessaloniki, Summer 1987  (feb 25 '11)

Thessaloniki, Summer 1987  (Jan 23, '11)

I am happier with the sky and I see improvements in my water too.
Yay!
Venetia

Day 55

I had a long day today. Work was good, the evening spent with loved ones.

Good times- watercolor

My Daffodil plant is officially ... :( 

*sigh  life goes on.
Venetia

Day 54 World events

I don't like watching the news...but its tough to escape it at this time. Too many changes happening globally- whether its in wars, government issues, natural catastrophes or energetic shifts. I can feel the shifts,and not being a crier to release the sadness I just feel off balance. So today's watercolor is about that. How I wish i could heal the pain of others everywhere.

if my tears could heal-watercolor

I debated on putting a reflection of something in the tear that the hand is holding, but since I work on my paintings in a limited time, I opted not to.
Venetia

Day 53

Show me the way- watercolor

Today's painting was from my imagination. The actual painting has deeper colors. It follows the "little girls" series  with the full moon and bare trees. The whole point of these painting is to evoke the fear and loneliness one feels when at night. And yet.. with the full moon there is a light to guide you and find your way, even if it is done slowly and may have obstacles in the way.
Venetia

Day 52 Bad weather

Argggg More snow!!!  Today my dad had off from work, so he came to "clean" the laundry room. We had saved paints from the last move, so we got rid of those and some old tiles. And since he was handy, we hung some more paintings on the wall  and re-arranged furniture. Place is looking  lighter :) but still have more purging to do. 

tribute to my dying  Daffodils- watercolor

Moving the plants to their new spot I noticed that only one daffodil remains open, 2 are almost gone and the fourth one never opened.  So I did a quick painting from memory  :)
Can't wait for spring.
Venetia

Day 51

Long day. Coffee maker at work is broken, so I had a cup as soon as I came home, in the coffee mug that my sister hand painted for me. Warms the soul :D

Cup'o Joe

Have switched to drinking my coffee black after having cream and sugar in it for a few years.First week was rough but now, its tasting yummy.
Venetia

Day 50 The Dream

Last night I had the same dream I had  almost a year ago. Both dreams started the same.: I walk into a house, and its really bright with oak hardwood floors. The windows are open and the curtains are blowing from the nice spring breeze and you can smell spring. Happiness. I take a deep breath of the aroma when I hear a little boy laugh. I open my eyes and look to my right and there is this boy about 2yrs old with bright blue eyes and brownish hair and a big smile with red lips just laugh and tease me to catch him without saying a word. I went to catch him and he giggled and ran towards the staircase. I huffed ...and gave him the "oh come on ..don't make me go upstairs " look when he started up the stairs. I heard a man's voice say " Listen to your mother"  (in the original dream there was a specific man there- this time I just heard a deep voice but didn't see who it was). I looked to my left and saw a little girl around 2 ( the boy's twin) holding a spoon , standing on a stool at the breakfast bar and a bowl of cerial.  Both kids were wearing a white tee shirt that came down to their knees. Both were barefoot. The first dream stopped there. But this time I turned around and followed the boy upstairs. Again bright colors, the smell of spring, the sound of curtains blowing around  and the sound of childrens laughter. The boy ended up in what was the master bedroom. A gorgeous bright turquoise color on the walls, and a big 4 post bed with white  covers and deep blue shams. Some toys scattered around. A painting of the twins on the wall. The boy was jumping up and down on the bed, so I hopped on and grabbed him  and pulled him close. At that moment the girl came running up and jumped on my lap too. I said to them: where have you been? And they both said (without even speaking) We have been here, and don't worry we are here and we will wait till we can be with you. And with that, they both got in my lap and I hugged them so tight... and felt tears streaming down my face cause I was so filled with love and happiness.  It felt so real and it shocked me into waking up.
Took me a few min to recover.

"the dream"  my favorite moment- hugging the children

 It was a dream filled with hope. Especially for someone who is single and looking for Mr. Right.
I can't wait.
Venetia

Day 49 Waiting for the sun

And it finally is here, but it was very gloomy earlier in the day. Weatherpeople claimed that we would hit 70's today, and of course we are in the 50's- which I think is warm enough... anywho - I decided to paint my daffodil plant with the 2 flowers to brighten up the day.  Right now the plant is loosing thing the one flower, and it looks like the 4th one probably won't open :(  Wish they would last a bit longer.

the daffodil plant

2 daffodils and a bud - watercolor

I am still finding myself holding back on using color!!!! Why?
Venetia

Day 48 Bright night

Today was springlike. You needed something to wear but not a coat, though some people went out in shorts...  It was beautiful so sis and I parked further away from our friends house to walk in the sunshine before we got to visit Foofy :)

Foofy enjoying his water

So by the time I got settled down it was getting dark and I decided to wait for the full moon to appear so I can snap some pictures.It had a ring of burnt orange and a small halo that appeared a lot bigger in the picture. And of course I decided to paint the moon.

Full Moon - Watercolor

I also took pictures of the daffodil plant that has 3 flowers and the fourth one should bloom tomorrow or Sat the latest. I will probably work on those paintings in the following days.
Venetia

Day 47 Sunny day

It's a beautiful day today. Warming up, feeling almost like spring. My Daffodil plant has another  flower and a 3rd one is  ready to bloom too.  So with this beautiful day I was deciding what to do, and I decided that I still need to work on my acceptance of Yellow. I know- yellow has lots of fans, because it reminds of sunshine and summer and happy feelings. But my association to yellow is tied to sickness, medication and a  yucky yellow pill  that I had to take as a 6 year old, while using a yellow tuperware glass. So anytime you see me using yellow, know that I am working on allowing the color back into my life, and reversing its meaning to the universal happy one.

Lemons- watercolor

Lemons on my happy plates. I decided a while ago that life is too short to save the good china for when company comes around, that I am special enough to enjoy them everyday :D Happy plates and do you notic the hint of yellow on them ?
Venetia

Day 46 making the time

Once again I didn't get up at 6am... I smacked the alarm clock and turned over, using the excuse that I was tired. I still get my painting in, but I think I enjoy painting in the morning. Gives me a sense of satisfaction. Today I decided to paint my snack :)

Yummers!- watercolor

Now to plan tomorrow!
Venetia

Day 45 Going with the Flow

Happy Valentines Day especially to us single ones out there. I spent most of the day with family - for us everyday is Valentine's (with some ups and downs) Also today was the World Sound Healing Day where I meditated to the sound of Ah for 5 min thinking only of peace and love for the world.  
So because of the day being all about love.. here is today's painting

Sending Love - watercolor

Wishing love and happiness to all.
xox
Venetia

Day 44 - Its a process

I so want to rip it.. and re-do it.  But I will have my sister hold on to it , so I don't destroy it.  I was counting on the daffodil plant to take at least a few days to open up, so i can just paint how it opens. Nature though had a different plan in my warm place. Yesterdays painting though good, showed lack of color. Like I was afraid to use anything more than pastels. So today I decided to be bolder. Use some colors. And I did. But I forgot that i might have some issues with depth perception. Oh well. I managed to save it, and play with it.

My blooming Daffodil

Watercolor daffodil

Why do I become so impatient? ( I have to retake the pic in the morning light to show the colors)
Venetia

Day 43 Gratitude

I am so grateful for the wonderful family I have. Today when I came back from work, sister, parents and birdies had a card for me and a daffodil plant saying how proud they are of me for sticking with my creating daily and encouraging me to keep on going strong. :D 

the surprise

watercolor daffodil

So i decided to paint it.  :) Daffodils are my favorite!
Venetia

Day 42

Woke up early but refused to get out of bed...then changed my mind 150 times on what to create. The Angel won. It has a light that changes colors, and if you haven't figured out what my favorite ones are... the blues won!

Lit Angel - Watercolor

I have sketched this one 100 times. It was fun to actually use color. 
Venetia

Day 41 - I did it !!!

In January, when I first decided to do the daily creation, I ran into this gorgeous bridal picture. Danagonia (her artistic name)  is one of the teachers on Eni Oken's site (www.jewelrylessons.com/)  and she creates these beautiful copper pieces. So I asked permission to use her picture and she said yes!!! that was on January 3rd...  Today I couldn't hold back any longer and gave it a try.

Danagonia - wedding picture

 "Danagonia Bride" watercolor

Re took picture in daylight

I will take the picture in the sunlight tomorrow as the lamp is washing out some of the colors. This was my watercolor attempt. Eventually I would like to recreate it in acrylics and in oils.
I am sooo happy!!!
Venetia

Day 40 _overcoming pain

I have been aching for the past week - especially the hand but yesterday I was experiencing muscle aches in my arms, back and legs. I focused on my art, as when I am creating I can tune out the pain. Today I looked through my pictures and found one of the 2 parakeets (Damian and Sabrina) who are no longer with us. I wanted to make some jewelry pieces but the pain interfered. 

an old photo

the adorable pair _watercolor

One of my favorite photos of the lovely pair.
Venetia

Day 39

Was out most of the day, with work and a luncheon. When I came back I wasn't feeling good and hoping I am not getting sick again I took a little nap... that lasted 3 hours! ugh. Was able though to take a better picture of yesterday's painting (check yesterday's blog) and then worked on today's.

Photo Reference

happy dolphin!

day light picture of dolphin painting :)

Again, I will take a picture in the morning so the true colors can show.
Venetia

Day 38 - Staying focused

Work has been stressing me out. Not work itself but people... that aren't honest. I have new paper..Strathmore cold press 140lbs 9x12. It was a welcomed bonus in my day. Sister surprised me with it, and some canson paper too.  I found a happy flower to paint - thank you Andrea for the Picture!

photo reference

yellow flower

Actual colors :D

I will try to take a picture in the morning again as this lighting isn't helping me.
Venetia

Day 37 - 24 hours, not enough?

Stress is not a good thing, and it caught up with me this morning. I woke up at 6:30 am only to say.. sorry no way... and off to sleep I went again. Then work, then Zorbas, then help my friend. But I made time to paint, and it's done

The Red lamp

:) YAY!
Venetia

Day 36

Loved working on this today.

still life_ watercolor

Venetia

Day 35 - Looking for inspiration

How to pick what the next subject is? Did I pick the right one?  Will it work or not... can I  paint it or will I struggle? All these go through my mind every day... every time I put that blank piece of paper or canvas in front of me. And then it hit me.... It's another excuse. Another block in my growing experience of the path of being an Artist. 
I took a deep breath and created anyway.

Artisan Tea mugs

Venetia

Day 34 Getting over Myself

Once again I am in my own way. I try to control the water, color, drips.. everything. Grrr In this daily painting I let loose just a bit, but then you can see where I panicked and started dictating .

Icicles from my balcony

One day at a time. So now I have some decision to make, serious ones. I am either going to embrace the fact that I am an Artist - or choose to ignore it and be a regular person. I want to chose the Artist path but I am so scared. I put up my excuses- I don't have a degree, I don't have training, I am not as good as  (fill in the blank with anyone else who is an artist here), my hand hurts... And it has hindered my growth. About 6 years ago I had these vivid dreams that woke me up and I sketched out. They were all based on the pain and suffering I had due to the injury I had sustained.  I then transferred these onto canvas. All who saw the work in progress started saying "oh when you are done with this, please let me be the first to see it so I can buy it".I freaked out. And stopped working on them.  So today I am posting the sketches and work in progress of the 2 paintings (I had a 3rd one but it got destroyed in one of my moves) the goal is to have these done the latest by mid March so they can be dry by June and I can participate in the Art show we have in our building (plus work to complete the series and maybe I can be brave to show at a gallery?)

Nightmare1

Nightmare 1 - work in progress (will be renamed)

Nightmare 2

Nightmare 2 - work in progress (will be renamed)

Nightmare 3

Nightmare 4

So today I am going to apply linseed oil on these to paintings to prime them again for painting, and get me started on completing them.
Venetia

day 33 - Sad...

You know those days that you know from the get go ... it's going to be one of THOSE DAYS?
*sigh* it so was...  I got a text from my friend that his pet iguana died last night... I was very saddened by the news and was glad that I had chosen to take a chance and paint Fluffy and give it to him for his bday in September. I hope it brings him some comfort.

Fluffy

And I allowed the sadness to affect my creations. I painted a pillar candle that was ready to be tossed and it was as if I was afraid to use color.

the candle

quick pen sketch of Maria

I want to just be wild with the colors and not care about drips and staying in the lines...
Venetia