Art on a Monday

With the TV off, I fell asleep for the entire evening. Waking after 11 PM, I was surprised it isn’t morning. I missed all the Sunday night PBS shows. What to do!?

Putter? Watch YouTube? Snack? All three are good. Near 2 AM, I want to change up and do the sketch on this week’s new painting from an old photograph. The funny thing is, I don’t remember where the photo is. 

Back tracking, ( a few times), I find the hard copy folder of printed out photographs it was with. I went through them 2 or 3 times making sure it isn’t stuck to another paper. I give up. 

Sitting there clearing my frustration out, I see a white piece of paper sticking out of my catchall basket on the bottom shelf of a side table. I pull it out.

TaDaaaah! It is the photo I’ve been looking for!

🥳😂

Lake Champlain

Photographs of people. I do not take or post identifying photos of individuals without their permission unless the person is a public figure or celebrity. Even then, if they are on their free time, it is highly likely I will not take a photo. 

I will post pictures of people when the subject is a crowd, a gathering, an event. Even then, I will edit features, change colors, blur numbers and such. 

My people photos are figure studies like the one posted above. 

Note, I also ask owners for permission to take pictures of their dog. 

About the scene. Space is the celebrity in the landscape. An 11 x 14 inch canvas is not the ideal size suited for the painting’s story. I have images of the area to use. The canvas will be the study for a larger artwork. 

Missing Bloggers

Strange. There are bloggers over the years that disappear, slow down or just stop blogging. Years ago, I stopped cleaning out the dormant blogs I follow because of mishaps losing a blog or two. Some of the blogs I read moved to places that require a sign in to leave a comment. Add that to Gmail doesn’t save my emails anymore, a few favorite blogs are very difficult to find once lost. 

Senior years living on the lake, is one such blogger that despite many tries, search engines won’t give up showing me senior living facilities search results. 

So, if I read your blog and haven’t commented in a long time, say hello, please.

Thank you 

Moving Out From Under Shadows

Winter Shadows

 What will this week bring us in the news is becoming more predictable that something will shake our core. The issues are so big, it is easy to feel powerless. How we hold on is amazing. 

Ways that help me is to look at an issue from both sides. Considering both views without the emotional bias, can be very difficult. Being informed through multiple sources eases the difficulty. Instead of turning away from the news, lean into it, learn from it and support decisions with facts. 

An old subject like this is worth repeating. Decluttering emotions is as important as organizing stuff.

🌹🪻🌸🌺🌷🌻

In the beginning of a week, I think of what I want to do, how to organize the days ahead. My to do list is much longer than my done list. This week, instead of the olde list of many, a single theme will be interesting. 

I found a folder of photos I printed out to paint from going back to the early 2000s.  One of them inspires me to make this week ‘s theme, Art. Whether paint, pencil or using glue, daily creating is a must. The week feels brighter already. 

What theme do you like for your week?

Day 45 of Week 7 February 2026

 Happy Valentine’s Day to All Y’all!

❤️

********************

Every footstep absorbs a tiny vibration from inner Earth that Spring is near. A gauzy blush hovers over hearts ready to bloom as eager April flowers. 

The tea diffuser I ordered arrived. A small object brings this blogger a large thrill. No longer will I have to use a coffee maker in order to fill one cup. No more wasted coffee. No more messy clean up. 

Have a thrilling weekend!

Read about root crops

Sow a seed indoors

Watch an old movie

Tell a chair a silly story 

Draw a bicycle

Call an old friend

Count the corners in your kitchen

Learn to make a vodka sunrise

Stainless Steel Tea Diffuser

Winter Photography: The Outdoors & Indoors