This morning was one of those days - everything that could go wrong.. did. It was supposed to be warm and clear - it was neither, so no plein air for me this morning. But I took Paco over to the beach, where he tries to ingratiate himself with the fishermen, because he is SURE they have cookies. Bait. They have bait. Paco thinks the little containers have dog cookies. OK, then the wind picked up, but I was determined to paint on the porch. I have a couple of little commissions to work on (overdue, of course). But first a dog walked down the street with it's people. Paco turned into Cujo, twirling and barking and strangulating his leg (he was screaming so loud and twirling so fast I couldn't even tell WHICH leg - and getting more and more tied up)... OK, phew, fixed, on to painting.
Did I mention the wind? Please, PLEASE don't email me telling me how much you love wind. I used to love wind, too. But we call this wind eyeball peeling wind. I thought I had anchored myself, my easel, my paints, my water, but things kept blowing back past me (did you know brushes can be like arrows?)
This painting is me, leaning over to see the mirror propped to the side of my canvas. Yup. I'm furious. Wind, Dog, Escaped cat, flying brushes, hair whipping into my eyes, over my eyes, into my mouth (and not wanting to disturb my husband on his conference call inside.... no barette or elastic). My Art Club Class is going to try self portraits as Daily Paintings so I am, too. Lots of fury in these strokes. Much calmer now. Good thing I got Depak Chopra's meditation guide, huh?
