Fairy Door

“A man is what he thinks about all day long.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Fairy Door
6″ x 10″ Acrylic on Raw Wood Fairy Door

This was a fun little project.  The elements were there already, so all I had to do was paint it and add a few embellishments, like the flip flops, flowers and sun.  I made it for a girlfriend who loves all the little outdoor fun things.  It is coated with polyurethane to weather proof it.    I hope she likes it.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is truly the center of the American transcendental movement, setting out most of its ideas and values in a little book, Nature, published in 1836, that represented at least ten years of intense study in philosophy, religion, and literature, and in his First Series of essays.

Born in 1803 to a conservative Unitarian minister, from a long line of ministers, and a quietly devout mother, Waldo–who dropped the “Ralph” in college–was a middle son of whom relatively little was expected. His father died when he was eight, the first of many premature deaths which would shape his life–all three brothers, his first wife at 20, and his older son at 5. Perhaps the most powerful personal influence on him for years was his intellectual, eccentric, and death-obsessed Puritanical aunt, Mary Moody Emerson. Yet Emerson often confessed to an innate optimism, even occasional “silliness.”  more….

Marv, the Alpaca Wool Salesman

“Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.”
– John Updike

 

Marv, the Alpaca Wool Salesman
4″ x 7.5″ Watercolor

Marv is the greatest alpaca wool salesman for miles!  He does have a little proplem with poor dental habits, so suffers from a little bad breath.  There are rumors floating about that he wears a toupee, too! 
 
My friend Mary,  in Ohio, has kids who raise alpacas, so Marv has gone to live with them.  Maybe they can help him with his bad breath problem.

The reference photo was from Crystalline174 at WetCanvas.  This painting was inspired by the alpaca’s teeth.  I know…. I’m weird!  *big grin*

Does he remind anyone of Herb on the old television series WKRP in Cincinnati? 

About John Updike

John Updike, the Pulitzer Prize–winning American novelist known for his careful craftsmanship and small-town settings, has published more than 60 books to date. He was born in 1932 in Pennsylvania. As a child he suffered from stammering and was encouraged by his mother to write. After college, he joined The New Yorker as a regular contributor. He is best known for his series of novels about a fictional alter ego, including Rabbit, Run and Rabbit at Rest. He lives in Massachusetts.

Puppy Puzzle

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
–John Wooden

 

Puppy Puzzle
5″ x 7″ Acrylic on Wooden Puzzle

I think this puzzle will probably get something else.  Remember when I said that about the Innocent Cat?    he he  That cat became quite a hit on facebook.

I had the most amazing flight last night!  I did a bunch of really good landings and I feel a solo coming.    Then this morning I got word that I am the official sign company for Carlton Landing.  I am thrilled about that!  It is a wonderful opportunity and I am very blessed!  Whoo-Hoo!!

I love this big wonderful life!!!


In looking for a biography on John Wooden, I discovered that he was an amazing person with a long, rich history.  All of the biographies were really long, so please click on the links here for more info.  He said some incredible things in his life, such as:

“Be true to yourself.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.”

John Robert Wooden
Born: 1910-10-14
Birthplace: Hall, Indiana
Race: White
Religion: Protestant
Field: Basketball
Famous for: Winningest-ever college coach
John Wooden Offical Website:
http://www.coachjohnwooden.com/

My Jeep Wrangler

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
– Theodore Seuss Giesel

I LOVE that quote!


 

My Jeep Wrangler
4″ x 4″ Acrylic on Ampersand Artist’s Panel

I think my little jeep is just the cutest little thing.  I often let out a woo-hoo or two when I drive it.  Mostly I have to drive my boring old F150 work truck, so the jeep is really fun.



I think this would make a neat holiday card with a pine tree in the back.  I especially like the little trees Leslie White has been painting.

You can see them here and here.

About Theodore Seuss Giesel

Theodor Seuss Geisel, the beloved Dr. Seuss, is renowned to generations of children as the author of Green Eggs and Ham and other deliciously absurd picture books. He was born in 1904 in Springfield, Massachusetts. His first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected 27 times. He wrote The Cat in the Hat after Houghton Mifflin asked him to write a children’s primer using fewer than 250 easy-reader words. He died in 1991.

Aquarium View

“When you encounter difficulties and contradictions, do not try to break them, but bend them with gentleness and time.”
– St. Francis De Sales

 

Aquarium View
7.5″ x 11″ Acrylic & Watercolor on Watercolor Paper

I started this painting with acrylic, as I intended to do a watercolor wash to finish it.  I could have used masking fluid, except I don’t get along very well with masking fluid.



So here it is after I completed the acrylic.



And after I added the watercolor.

I had a lot of fun painting this, except when I got a little dizzy from painting all those leaves.  It was almost like doing pointilism.  It makes my eyes go cross-eyed!

The reference photo is by Crystalline174 at WetCanvas.  The funny thing about this painting is that my husband actually likes it.  That’s weird.  he he 

About St. Francis De Sales

St. Francis de Sales (1567–1622), known as the Gentle Saint, was bishop of Geneva. His motto was, “He who preaches with love preaches effectively,” and his religious texts, including Introduction to the Devout Life, have resonated with many non-Catholics. Pope Pius IX proclaimed him a patron saint of writers. Some consider him a patron saint of the deaf; he invented a form of sign language to teach a young deaf man how to communicate.

Whimsical Self Portrait

“Do your work; not just your work and no more, but a little more for the lavishing’s sake – that little more which is worth all the rest.”
–Dean Briggs

 

Whimsical Self Portrait
9″ x 12″ Linocut Block Print

I was in a printmaking exchange back in March of 2009.  We all did a whimsical self portrait and traded them with each other.  I can’t say this looks like me, but it was fun to do since I had never done a self portrait.  Linda,  over at Linda Halcomb’s  Blog has presented us with our fall project.  We are all going to do a self portrait and post it to our blogs on September 21st, linking back to Linda’s blog.   I have been wanting to do a self portrait again…. that may even look kinda like me,  so I’m in.  Are you?



Part of the linocut process. 

About Dean Briggs

I enjoy craisins on my salad. I feed on thunderstorms. I see the world in watercolor. I write like a I paint. I compose on a Mac. I delight in my family. I have eight children and every one of them is special. I have a beautiful wife, a widow like myself, and I’m lucky to have her. I have simple tastes. Coffee is a gift. Laughter is even better. Once upon a time, I played basketball. As a wild act of faith, I installed a basketball goal at my new house, in hopes that I might again. A good late night snack is Raisin Bran. Loyalty and patience are admirable qualities in anyone. The Book of Names, and the additional titles to come in The Legends of Karac Tor series, are my gifts to my four boys after the death of their mother, as we have sought to live well in this strange, new world.

Blue Shoes

“Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”
– Will Rogers

 

Blue Shoes
4″ x 4″ Acrylic on Ampersand Artist Panel

Don’t you know the reference shoes were plain old ordinary black?  I had such a good time painting this!  All the little shadows that give the laces form are fun to play with.  I added all the light I could muster up, just by playing with the shadows. 

Don’t you love Will Rogers!

About Will Rogers

American humorist Will Rogers was considered the Mark Twain of his generation. He was born in 1879 in Oklahoma, of Cherokee descent, and left school early to become a cowboy. In South Africa his showy roping skills won him a job in a traveling Wild West show, and he quickly switched over to vaudeville and film acting roles. He wrote six books and 4,000 syndicated columns. An avid flier, he died in a plane crash in 1935.

Yellow Shoelaces

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.”
–Langston Hughes

 

Yellow Shoelaces
4″ x 4″ Acrylic on Ampersand Artist Panel

This was fun!  I did a series of 24 shoe ATCs in watercolor for an exchange once and it was really fun.  I painted this from looking at a closeup of a white shoe with white laces.  But of course, I had to add color!    I’m thinking of a new series in acrylic.  A girl’s just got to get her giggles, I say!

My second newsletter goes out today, so if you have already subscribed, be sure to watch your email.  If you haven’t signed up, look for the link in my blogroll.  I’ve been giving stuff away and you don’t want to miss that, do you? 


Today is my husband’s birthday and President Obama’s birthday.  I’m going to celebrate by taking a flying lesson.  One of these days, I’m going to get to solo.  I have 15 hours, but the lessons have been spread too far apart because my CFI is such a busy guy.  He’s promising to give me more time, now that summer is waning.  I hope he does.  When the lessons are closer together, my retention is better.

Langston Hughes

(February 1, 1902 – May 22, 1967)
Born in Joplin, Missouri, James Langston Hughes was a member of an abolitionist family. He was the great-great-grandson of Charles Henry Langston, brother of John Mercer Langston, who was the first Black American to be elected to public office, in 1855. Hughes attended Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio, but began writing poetry in the eighth grade, and was selected as Class Poet. His father didn’t think he would be able to make a living at writing, and encouraged him to pursue a more practical career. He paid his son’s tuition to Columbia University on the grounds he study engineering. After a short time, Langston dropped out of the program with a B+ average; all the while he continued writing poetry. His first published poem was also one of his most famous, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”, and it appeared in Brownie’s Book. Later, his poems, short plays, essays and short stories appeared in the NAACP publication Crisis Magazine and in Opportunity Magazine and other publications.  Read more…

Country Church

“Visualize your fears as being drained out of your mind and the visualization will in due course be actualized.”
–Norman Vincent Peale

 

Country Church
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard

As soon as I saw this photo, I knew I had to paint it.   It’s so cute!  The roof is actually pink, but my scanner darkened it some.  I enjoyed the process of painting this, slowly and methodically.  It was fun to play with my watercolors.   


Norman Vincent Peale

This quote came from my little book, “Positive Thinking Every Day”.   I love this little book!

“This book is written with the sole objective of helping the reader achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life.” — Norman Vincent Peale

The Power of Positive Thinking has helped millions of men and women to achieve fulfillment in their lives. In this phenomenal bestseller, Dr. Peale demonstrates the power of faith in action. With the practical techniques outlined in this book, you can energize your life — and give yourself the initiative needed to carry out your ambitions and hopes. You’ll learn how to:

• believe in yourself and in everything you do
• build new power and determination
• develop the power to reach your goals
• break the worry habit and achieve a relaxed life
• improve your personal and professional relationships
• assume control over your circumstances
• be kind to yourself

Translated into fifteen languages with more than 7 million copies sold, The Power of Positive Thinking is unparalleled in its extraordinary capacity for restoring the faltering faith of millions. In this insightful program, Dr. Peale offers the essence of his profound method for mastering the problems of everyday living. You will learn: How to eliminate that most devastating handicap—self doubt How to free yourself from worry, stress and resentment How to climb above problems to visualize solutions and then attain them Simple prayerful exercises that you can do every day, through-out the day, to reinforce your new-found habit of happiness Eliminating all the negative thoughts that prevent you from achieving happiness and success, The Power of Positive Thinking is an inspiring program that will help you create a positive change in your life. –This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Cockatoo Toys

“Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure.”
– Jack Lemmon

 

Cockatoo Toys
4″ x 6″ Watercolor Postcard

This cockatoo lives in this tree and greets all visitors to Currumbin bird sanctuary, in Australia. He is free to come and go as he pleases.    With all the little toys they have attached to that tree, I can see why he keeps coming back.  It was a reference by Crispur2005 on this weekend’s WDE at WetCanvas.

I had a great time playing with my watercolors Saturday.  I also played with my acrylics and have several new paintings to share. 

About Jack Lemmon

Jack Lemmon is best known for the poignant sweetness he brought to comedic roles in movies like Some Like It Hot and The Apartment, but is also remembered for his dramatic roles, including the struggling alcoholic in Days of Wine and Roses. He was born in 1925 into a wealthy Boston family and knew by the age of four that he wanted to become an actor. He won two Academy Awards and was known for his collaborations with director Billy Wilder and costar Walter Matthau. He died in 2001.