Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Being Fearless

Even when you're feeling totally out of your comfort zone. 

The campground here has been a welcome stop. Our love our neighbors where we stay in Florida but every so often I need an amazing space and SPACE. As you know, this site faces the lake and we feel alone. 

 So this is why I'm out of my comfort zone but I have to say, loving every minute of it.  Watercolor and gouache on 140lb paper that I've not used before.  It was a square format, which I love, so it came home with me.


I wasn't happy with the shadow under the dogs's leg so I needed to wet it and bring the tone down a bit. Also added a pink glaze of color. I like the second version much better. Subtle suits me.


I'm making excuses to do plein air.  Oh it won't dry in time, even though we are here until next Tuesday.  I'm thinking Dear Lord, it's all green out there.  Let's see what the afternoon brings. Sheila, just do it....!


Our friends!



What do we do the rest of the time here? Well, neighbors next to us are from NH so of course we bonded.  Then at 4:00 P.M. it's happy hour and listening to Lola call to me.  Take her out? She doesn't like the heat so she complains and wants to go back in. Oh my word, fussy girl!! Hahaha.




I'm having fun taking photos with the new iphone. Also looking for reference photos!




May you all get a chance to sit and do absolutely nothing today and not feel guilty!! Around 1:00 I'll take Lola for her walk along the lake edge. I'll try and take a video of her bravery!! Shhh, don't let her know I laugh!! She thinks she's really adventurous!!! I just love her to bits!!

Have a great day..more updates soon. Friday it's expected to rain so good day to make new curtains for the front window. 

Warmly,
Sheila

Monday, April 22, 2019

Update From Lake Harmony, Georgia

We rolled out of Crystal Lake RV Park this past Saturday one day later than planned due to a crazy storm coming across. Onto 95 North for a 3 1/2 drive which ended up being about 4 1/2, 5 hour drive.  Easter weekend and everyone was out driving. Jacksonville, Florida was a sheer nightmare with multiple accidents and just insane traffic.

But, before we left....

The first art show I've participated in in years. Wasn't sure if the long flowy thing looked like a robe but it covered those "sins".



The work in the show was amazing and I never thought I'd get a prize of any sort.  

The names were called starting from Honorable Mention towards Second place and I clapped excitedly for the winners. When the First Place winner in Oils and Acrylics was announced  I wasn't sure I heard the name correctly.  My artists friends were there, Roger and my son Jamie and wife Pam had just arrived.  Jamie was texting my daughter, who was texting me..I was teary.. and understood the Universe was sending me on my new journey in art.


Still in shock, my name was called once again for a special award.  And yes, Roger heard the story over and over for days. Ok, a week and a half!!! 


Back to reality! A friend emailed and asked if I could do a quick portrait for her daughters birthday. The fur became a challenge being so many variations of brown.  My friend sent me a video of her 11 year old daughter opening the gift and it was better than any monetary payment I could receive. She actually hugged the painting!!



Ok, back to travels! Well, almost. Our toilet died. It's an electric toilet and for the past month "we" had to ratchet it open and closed to flush.  Friends had one stored after switching theirs out for a pedal flush so sold the electric model to us. Voila'!! And just how many people do you know that show you photos of their hopper!!


One of the casualties of having dogs is one of them has long fingernails. (Note to self, buy clipper)
Ozzie loves to sit and lay up on the front dashboard and in his crazed oh my god there's dogs and people walking by moments, he has torn the plastic. I bought a cheap rug and cut it, as you see, first on the wrong side, to fit somewhat. Velcroed it down and again, voila'. Yes, he also broke our vent cover which I found a replacement on ebay.


Traveling positions. Lola by me.  She only gets up if we slow down or stop. God forbid she misses a chance to speak!!


Then our boys. Ozzie to the left and Sammy sound asleep on Lola's bed. Brought out for travel. 
Sammy, almost 14, always surprises us. He can be slow and "old" but when we start to travel he becomes pretty quick and young again. He just loves traveling!!



We made it. I unhooked the car at the entrance then Roger followed the greeter to our site and she aided him in backing into the site. It's just off the road but our door faces the lake so we don't see anyone. Oh you know I'm loving this!!



 We sat outside last night with a glass of wine to watch the sunset. I'm taking reference photos!!!



CiCiBlue in all her glory. 




Just a few more from this mornings coffee hour. They call them "Snake Birds". Anhenga. 




Roger placed our rockers out by the water. 


In spite of her missing awnings, her scratches, (Beware of flying debris when the lawn guy comes around) her little bulge from water damage, CiCiBlue still looks regal.  I'm making new front  curtains for her this week. and I tell her when I sell more artwork we'll get her a new couch and comfy chairs for Me! People like trading in and up to newer models. Our thought? We have actually put our life savings into getting her running along with friends help, Bless you, and there's no way we'd part with her. (There's a reason people part and trade up ).  CiCi is strong and true and this year learned the correct way to reseal seams so that's on my summer to-do list.  


Ok, a small headache from high pollen count today so I'll close and write more another day. There's an art class here in the park tomorrow. I just may find out more and join up.

Thanks for following along on our journey. Hope you are enjoying yours too.

Warmly,
Sheila


Wednesday, April 3, 2019

The Count Down Starts Again and A Silly Mistake

Yes, the countdown starts again for us to get ready to head north to New Hampshire. This year we are doubly excited since we will be working with 5 other couples at the park that we stay at.
Where Lola's field is!  Wellington Camping Park is heaven. This will be our third year being there, our first working.  We leave Florida on April 19 and head for our next stop in Townsend Georgia. Our plan is to stay a week in a site right on the lake.  I'll be taking you all with us once again and hopefully you will see my plein air attempts!!

So last evening my 6s iphone decided to die. My reference photos are in there, my phone numbers, reminders and what nots. Phone...DEAD. Roger has had an iphone for 8 years and that thing has died many times and as we found out even had it's battery explode. It was time.

Off to AT&T and as we walked through the door I said, "My phone is dead" and I went to show him and suddenly it flew out of my hand and across the floor.  If you know me you will know I laugh at anything, and there I was laughing hysterically. The poor man.  But...the phone came alive.  Short story, we left with two new phones that make me feel like I'm holding a book to my ear if I answer it. 

Second foolish event of the day. With the larger screen I figured I could go into my blog and do some "stuff". One area said, fill this in if you want your blog to show up on Google. Ok, says I.  I start to write in "livingthe artistsdream"  . Then I took a closer look and what I was reading was Living the Rapist Dream. Sweet Mother..NOOOOOO.  It took 30 minutes for me to find out how to change it but if you come across it at any place, it's artists dream.

Our winter...quiet..which I liked this year.  I concentrated on my art and selling strategies to keep us going. CiCiBlue has more issues, nothing that will stop us, but her refrigerator is starting to act up once again. I pulled the handle of our washer/dryer as I went to clean inside, then our toilet, electric, decided to die. Friends replaced there electric toilet with a peddle model so they are selling there's to us. The awnings? Insurance only gave us enough to fix the over the door awning, which we never used but looked nice. We made a decision to have our large patio motor replaced and the seams on our slideouts recaulked. 

So tomorrow I am bringing my three new art pieces to be in my first art show in years, I'm really excited to have them be out there. I'm being pro active so come back often as I will be posting new work more often. Much more. LOL


Cold Wax and Oil 
Under The Desert Moon

Cold Wax and Oil
Living The Rv Repair Blues


Secrets
Watercolor and Gouache

 In Progress
Watercolor and Gouache

A new series....
Because they make me laugh!!

I'm happy to say my watercolor Burro/Donkey series has been going great. I'm finding 72 is'nt so bad after all....It's the new 62 isn't it?? (Please tell my aches that though...)

Ok, so dinner is ready. I'll close but I'll be back more often. Half of CiCiBlue has been waxed, (by me) and I have the other side to get to.  The positive side? It should get me into better shape.  Next on the list is throwing out stuff I haven't used in a year. Just clutter.  I'll get to it.

Thanks for following..get ready to travel and see new art work and crazy views. I still shudder at the though of going over high bridges....with the new phone those photos should be spectacular..LOL

Warmly,
Sheila