First Forsythia, 6x8 Oil, Plein Air

This is a wimpy photo (the blue of the water is much richer in person and the yellow stands out in more contrast, but I've fiddled and fooled around with the image I'm practically cross-eyed. I have been stuck in a storm of technology, appliance and auto crises, and I can hardly THINK let alone paint! Yesterday, on the long stretch of Metacom Avenue through Bristol and Warren that leads me to my studio, I kept hearing what I thought was a plane flying low overhead. Then I noticed I was hearing it every time I had to stop at a red light. Rolled down the window, and realized it was MY CAR. By the time I got to the studio it was making this grinding noise all the time, not just when I was stopping. So I crawled home at 20 mph (SORRY, anyone who was behind me!) and dropped it at the mechanic. The list of things that was wrong with my brakes went on.... and on... and now I'm car-less for a day. Sorry to unburden!

When I got home it was a gorgeous day - like a wind storm on the back side of the house - calm as can be on the front porch - so I hunkered down on the front steps and painted this less-than wonderful painting of an old forsythia. Behind the forsythia is the road, about 3 feet lower than the grass, and the sea wall that keeps the river from my steps. Bear in mind that it is the FIRST plein air attempt of the year!

Aqua Chicks, Acrylic 6x6 on canvas block

These little chick salt & pepper shakers were at a little shop in Boston's North End, just waiting for me. When Tim looked at me, one eyebrow raised - like "What would you use THOSE for?" (because where I live salt gets all hard asap due to the humidity) I knew I had to do a Daily Painting (or more) of them. I like them on this purple background, too.

If I'm a little scattered, less reliable for my daily paintings these days it's because 1) I'm getting ready for the Vineyard Show in a week, and 2) see below - this is what I see when I go to my studio these days. The demolition of the building is imminent, even though we were told it would be after the 1st of the year (next year). They said we could continue to occupy the building while they tear the asbestos shingles off.... I don't think so.... so I'm frantically searching for (and dreaming of) new studio space.