Trick or Treat!

“Were the diver to think on the jaws of the shark, he would never lay hands on the precious pearl.”
– Saadi



Happy Halloween!   5″ x 9″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I painted this little scene last year.  Although I did have a little time to paint this weekend, I never thought to do something goulish!    It did feel good to put paintbrushes to paper!

We also put the hardtop back on my little Jeep Wrangler, so I guess that means our summer is over!  It is going to be around 70 today, I think.  That will be nice for all the little trick or treaters.   Eufaula merchants, like me, will be giving out candy between 4-6 today.   I love seeing all the cute little kiddies in their costumes. 

About Saadi

Saadi was a Persian moralist poet best known for Gulistan (The Rose Garden), which combines prose and verse, and Bustan (The Fruit Garden), which includes histories, anecdotes, and fables. He was born in 1291 and lived in Shiraz in what is now Iran. For 30 years, he traveled throughout the Middle East, including Turkey, Egypt, and Arabia. One of his most famous poems adorns the entrance to the Hall of Nations at the UN building in New York. He died when he was 107 years old.

Halloween Ghost (I mean Guest) House

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders.  Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.”
–Antoine De Saint-Exupery



Halloween Ghost (I mean Guest) House – 5.5″ x 8.5″ Watercolor

Welcome to the 2011 Halloween Blog Challenge!  Hopefully we will have links to posts from other artists, with their contribution to the challenge.  I can’t wait to see what everyone does.

My computer will be down for hard drive replacement until this afternoon.  I’ll be around then, to see what you have done.  Booooaaahhhhhaaaaa! 

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry , officially Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger de Saint Exupéry  (29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944, Mort pour la France),  was a French writer, poet and pioneering aviator. He is best remembered for his novella The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Night Flight and Wind, Sand and Stars.

He was a successful commercial pilot before World War II. He joined the Armée de l’Air (French Air Force) at the outbreak of war, flying reconnaissance missions until the armistice with Germany. Following a spell of writing in the United States he joined the Free French Forces. He disappeared on a reconnaissance flight over the Mediterranean and France in July 1944 and is believed to have died at that time.
His literary works, among them The Little Prince—translated into over 230 languages and dialects—propelled his stature posthumously after the war allowing him to achieve national hero status in France. He also earned further widespread recognition with international translations of his other works. His 1939 memoir, Terre des Hommes, was used to create the central theme (Terre des Hommes–Man and His World) of the 1967 international exposition in Montreal, Canada, Expo 67, the most successful world’s fair of the 20th century.

Cat at Lighthouse

“While the right to talk may be the beginning of freedom, the necessity of listening is what makes the right important.”
–Walter Lippman



Cat at Lighthouse – 2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC

This little guy is just a reminder that tomorrow is the Halloween Blog Challenge.  Post your Halloween painting to your blog and link back here, so we can go see your work.  Last year was so fun.  I hope you’ll come by and see what everyone (hopefully) does.

Walter Lippmann (23 September 1889 – 14 December 1974) was an American intellectual, writer, reporter, and political commentator famous for being among the first to introduce the concept of Cold War. Lippmann was twice awarded (1958 and 1962) a Pulitzer Prize for his syndicated newspaper column, “Today and Tomorrow.”

Walter Lippmann was born on 23 September 1889, in New York City, to Jacob and Daisy Baum Lippmann; his upper-middle class German-Jewish family took annual holidays in Europe. At age 17, he entered Harvard University where he studied under George Santayana, William James, and Graham Wallas, concentrating upon philosophy and languages (he spoke German and French), and earned his degree in three years, graduating as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society.

More…

Turkey and Lizard Quiet Evening

“Calm self-confidence is as far from conceit as the desire to earn a decent living is remote from greed.”
– Channing Pollack



Thelma and Bert – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

What?  You say you have never seen a blue turkey and a giant yellow lizard enjoying a cozy evening around the fireplace?  The turkey is Thelma and the lizard is Bert.  For a couple months in 2008, Eyepaint and I had a running saga, featuring these two stars on WetCanvas.  They shared  many fascinating times.  In fact, Eyepaint even wrote a couple books about their adventures.   They were loved by all.

So, if you ever wondered about my sanity… I may have just tipped you toward the “nuts” side. 

About Channing Pollack

American playwright Channing Pollack is best remembered for his work massively redesigning the plot of the film Metropolis after it was shot. He was born in 1880. He worked in every aspect of New York theater, first as publicist for the Shubert family of theater owners, then as a drama critic who was banned from every Shubert theater, and finally as a playwright whose work included the morality play, The Enemy, as well as Clothes and The Fool. He died in 1946.

Pink Flamingos Everywhere

“Don’t assume a door is closed; push on it.  Do not assume if it was closed yesterday, that it is closed today.”
– Marian Wright Edelman

 

Pink Flamingo Watercolor

Yesterday, I was flamingoed!  Yes, it’s true!  Kana Tyler over at Kana’s Notebook  flamingoed me!   Here is her flamingo.



When Kana started blogging, she thought her audience would be only her husband, mom and dad.  When she discovered the joy of community that comes with blogging, she wanted to thank some of us by flamingoing us.   Read her post here and all of this will make more sense.    I have been enjoying Kana’s blog very much, as I do all of you in my blog roll.  I don’t get around to comment as often as I like lately, but I very much appreciate my blog community.

So, consider yourselves flamingoed, too!



Don’t forget that Friday is the day to post your Halloween Challenge post, be it a painting, a drawing, a poem, or whatever makes you happy.   Post on your blog and come back here and give us a link, so we can go see your post.  I can’t wait to see what you do!

My Pink Poppy Flamingo looks like it’s already in costume.  he he  I painted that one in a hotel room,  during a terrible snow storm last February.  Remember? 

Marian Wright Edelman (born June 6, 1939) is an American activist for the rights of children. She is president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund.
In 1953, her father died when she was 14, urging in his last words, “Don’t let anything get in the way of your education.”

She attended Marlboro Training High School there, and went on to Spelman College and traveled the world on a Merrill scholarship and studied in the Soviet Union as a Lisle fellow. She became involved in the Civil Rights Movement, and after being arrested for her activism, she decided to study law and enrolled at Yale Law School J.D. 1963.    More…

From 3500 Feet – Painting In Progress

“When you get into a tight place and it seems that you can’t go on, hold on — for that’s just the place and the time that the tide will turn.”
– Harriet Beecher Stowe



From 3500 Feet – Painting In Progress
6″ x 12″ Watercolor

If you live in Eufaula, don’t look for your house.  It might not be where you expect it to be. 

I am doing the best I can to give this painting some acuracy, but I took the photo from 3500′ in the air, when I was doing a solo flight from McAlester to Muskogee.   ( I still had one hand on the controls, while just holding the camera up to snap this with the other hand.)  It is a much larger photo, area wise, but I am cropping to this view for the painting.  That is Eufaula Cove Marina in the center.  This is a practice sketch, so to speak, for the 2′ x 4′ acrylic painting that I want to do.   I am really enjoying the process!

About Harriet Beecher Stowe

American author Harriet Beecher Stowe is known for her novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a rallying cry for the abolitionist movement. When she met Abe Lincoln in 1862, he said, “So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war!” She was born in Connecticut in 1811. Her brother, Henry Ward Beecher, became a renowned minister. After an unusually thorough education for a woman of the time, she began her career when she won a magazine prize contest. She died in 1896.

Little Houses on the Prairie

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.”
– Tobias Wolff



Little Houses on the Prairie – 5″ x 8″ Watercolor & Sharpie

I flew a bit on Sunday morning, so I rewarded myself with a little art time in the afternoon.  The photo I painted this from was by Jakesgram at WetCanvas.  It was fun!

I also painted my painting for the blogger’s Halloween Challenge.  Details can be found here.  We are all posting on October 28th.  YAY!

About Tobias Wolff

American author Tobias Wolff is best known for the memoir A Boy’s Life, about Wolff’s childhood with an itinerant mother and abusive stepfather. He was born in 1945 in Alabama and spent most of his childhood in the Pacific Northwest. His book In Pharaoh’s Army: Memories of the Lost War recounts his experiences as a young soldier in Vietnam. He is an acclaimed writing professor at Stanford University. He has three children.

Yogi Bear in Oil Pastel

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”
–Eleanor Roosevelt

Oooooo… Good one! 




Yogi Bear in Oil Pastel – 4″ x 6″ Postcard

So I have gone a whole 2 weeks without doing any art.  I don’t know how much longer I can do it.  I guess I just have to get up earlier and paint a little something before I study tomorrow.  I’m going to go fly, too, if the plane is available.  I have to get this done.    Once I get my Private Pilot’s  Certificate, maybe life can return to normal.  Who am I kidding?  Then it will be time for some adventures! 

Eleanor Roosevelt

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

--Eleanor Roosevelt

Although she had already won international respect and admiration in her role as First Lady to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt’s work on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would become her greatest legacy. She was without doubt, the most influential member of the UN’s Commission on Human Rights.  More…

Yogi Bear and Some Real Bears

“It is necessary to try to surpass oneself always; this occupation ought to last as long as life.”
– Queen Christina



Yogi Bear – 4″ x 6″ Watercolor

I was in Idaho, I went to a cool place called Yellowstone Bear World.  I had so much fun there.  I was a tall 7 year old that could drive.  I went in the petting zoo and had a wonderful time petting little fawns and goats and even an albino baby elk.  Yes, I was affectionately calling them all honey.  Then I drove through the wild animal park, where I saw all kinds of critters.

Then, I paid a little extra and got to feed 6 little baby bears, one at a time of course.  That was way cool!  (The last photo of the bear on the pole is one of the babies.)   Here are some photos from that day.

About Queen Christina

Queen Christina of Sweden was the most famous woman of her time, outshining Queen Elizabeth of England. She was born in Stockholm in 1626 during a rare astrological conjunction. Her father insisted that she be raised as a boy and changed the law so she could become his heir. She became the reigning queen at age five. She helped end the Thirty Years War but abdicated her throne in 1654, converting to Catholicism and moving to Rome, where she became a patron of the arts. She died in 1689.

Yogi Bear in Colored Pencil

“The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started.”
– Norman Cousins

Yogi Bear – 4″ x 6″ Colored Pencil Postcard

Scary, huh!  I am not very good at colored pencils.   I did this postcard back in 2008.  It says on the back that it took me 30 minutes to do it, so I feel a little better.  I did this same reference (from my own photo) in watercolor and pastel.  I thought I’d share them on Thursday and Friday.  Sorry there is no new art to share.

I have been super busy at work.  I am very blessed to have a shop full of work and no free time to play, but I sure miss my art.  I am studying in all my free time at home.  I really must finish up and get my pilot’s license.  No more dilly-dallying.

I am not complete when I am not creating art.  This is really hard, being so disciplined.  When I get my license, I’m going to celebrate by painting for an entire weekend… then I’ll go fly! 

About Norman Cousins

American writer and editor Norman Cousins is best known for his book, Anatomy of an Illness, an account of how he used nutrition and positive visualizations, including laughter, to heal from an illness diagnosed as fatal. He was born in New Jersey in 1915. He served many years as editor-in-chief of the Saturday Review, a job he loved. Under his guidance, circulation increased from 20,000 to 650,000. He received the UN Peace Medal for his world activism. He died in 1990.

Spending the Energy

“Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.”
– Sarah Bernhardt



Spending the Energy – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor

Doesn’t this lady look like she is having fun?  I am not much of a dancer, but it’s fun to watch people who truly have a ball while dancing.  My husband is one of those people.  He is just so much fun.    I used to work with a girl named Darla, who was the same way.  Every bit of energy they could muster up was spent in pure joy.

Have a terrific weekend!

About Sarah Bernhardt

Sarah Bernhardt, the French stage and silent film actress known as the Divine Sarah, was born in Paris in 1844 as Rosine Bernard, the illegitimate daughter of a Jewish courtesan. She began her acting career at age 13 and quickly rose to international stardom. Oscar Wilde wrote the play Salome for her. After her right leg was amputated in 1915, she continued to perform onstage with a prosthetic limb. She was very close to her only child, her son Maurice. She died in 1923.

Anonymous

“Perhaps we are saving our best effort for the “big break.” When such and such happens, then I’ll give it my best shot. What we don’t realize, however, is that success comes from doing a lot of little things well.”
–Anonymous



Anonymous – 5″ x 7″ Watercolor Sketch

Since I haven’t been painting, while I hit the books again, I am having fun trying to find something in my stash that relates to the quote.  Today, I looked for something that fit “anonymous”.  This little sketch seemed to fit the bill.  The reference for it was taped to the back, since at one time I had planned to finish it.  It is really busy.  Lots of doors and windows, signs and people bustling about.

I decided that I’m satisfied with the anonymous phase.   Sometimes a restful, quiet image is enough.   Days like that are good, too.  Restful and quiet.

What? Flying Eggs?

“It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.”
– C. S. Lewis



What?  Flying Eggs?  -  2.5″ x 3.5″ Watercolor ATC

Sorry, but this face just belonged with today’s quote.  It just says… “HUH???  I am so confused!” –

Have a great day!

About C. S. Lewis

Anglo-Irish author C. S. Lewis, called Jack by his friends, is best known for his children’s fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia. He was born in 1898 in Belfast but settled in England after serving in World War I. He belonged to a writing group with J. R. R. Tolkien, whom he credited for his religious awakening. Lewis went on to write many Christian-themed books. His marriage to Joy Gresham, who died of bone cancer, was memorialized in the movie Shadowlands. He died in 1963.

Halloween Blog Challenge - Invitation

“If my doctor told me I only had six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood.  I’d type a little faster.”
–Isaac Asimov



Where do Ghosts go for Fun and Relaxation?  (I guess they go sailing) 
5″ x 7″ Watercolor

I loved our Halloween blog challenge last year.  I’d like to invite you all to play again.  Paint, draw, write anything Halloweeny.  It doesn’t have to be scary.  Last year I did cutsy.  Remember Ryan’s portrait of us?  I have a copy handy if any of you have forgotten.    It was so fun!  I have flies buzzing around my head.  he he

Post your contribution to your own blog and comment here with your link.  Let’s post on Friday, October 28th.  I can’t wait!

Asimov was born (officially) January 2, 1920, in the town of Petrovichi (pronounced peh-TRUV-ih-chee), then in the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic (czarist Russia no longer existed, while the USSR hadn’t formed yet) and now in Russia. It can be found at latitude 53°58′ N, longitude 32°10′ E, about 400 km. southwest of Moscow and some 16 km east of the border between Belarus and Russia. Born to Jews in the early days of the RSFSR, there are no accurate records, however, and it is possible that he may have been born as early as October 4, 1919.

By March 18, 1941, Isaac Asimov had written thirty-one stories, sold seventeen, and fourteen had been published. At that time, he considered himself nothing more than a third-rate writer. That evening, he sat down to write his thirty-second story, based on an idea suggested by Astounding editor John W. Campbell the day before. By April 8, he finished the story, titled “Nightfall”, and on April 9 he took it to Campbell. Two days later, he received this letter from Campbell, and the history of science fiction was changed forever.   More….