A Day Out!

Dear hubby and I were out and about yesterday enjoying some time together. We went first to the Swedish Institute in Minneapolis to see a Scandinavian woodcarving exhibit which was SO much fun to see. Hubby said- "Makes you want to get out your knives, doesn't it?" People new to the former mansion the museum is housed in don't always realize WHAT they are seeing. Just to go into the former home is phenomenal. The woodwork is everywhere and EVERYWHERE is carved! (That's NOT the carving exhibition.) Just the music room has I don't know how many cherub angels around it, each different! For a pair of carvers like us it is just breathtaking to go in and see. OK, so then on to Como Park Conservatory to see the Sunken Garden room. It wasn't as spectacular as it was a couple of weeks ago, but given a few more days will be again- some areas had "bloomed out" and been replanted. Here are just a few shots for you. Hope you enjoy.

I always try to get a photo of Dear Patient Robert waiting for me to take my photos. This time he was doing some "people watching". :)

This is always such a beautiful spot to come and enjoy.  We had a fun and relaxing day.  Hope your get to do something like this- it's good for the soul!

Peonies- my first floral/still life

I love peonies and I have a few plants that I got from my grandmother along with several others I have purchased. I can never wait for them to bloom each spring and they are gone all too soon. So a year ago I decided to take some photos, and recently decided to try painting them. Here is my first attempt. I think I will be cutting more this spring for more photos. :)
The background looks nearly black in real life. I can't seem to get it the correct true color here.

The size is 2 5/8's" x 2" - inks on board

New Fun

I've started "playing" with my paints and ideas of sewing and embroidering- so I can work at nights or when going somewhere. I've been having fun with it, altho I have no idea what I am doing. I've been purchasing books to learn some new things- I LOVE books. :-)
I have my own library of art books and now I'm starting one on sewing and embroidery! Even if I never really do anything with it I am finding it fascinating. Some of the work I am seeing is just beautiful. It has opened up a whole new world for me to explore. I always love learning new things. I've always felt one can never end their learning experiences no matter their age. It's what keeps us young and interesting. I'll try and update this assuming I can figure this all out! It may end up in the scrap bin! It will be a slow progression because this is play for me so must happen when I have a bit of spare time.

Long, Cool Drink

Just finished a colored pencil piece I will be sending off soon to one of the miniature shows. The piece is 2.5"x 3.5".  I really enjoy the cp's and intend to do more in the future.

I saw this lady along with a number of others in Illinois on a motorcycle ride with my husband. I nearly always take my camera when we ride if we're going where I may find "reference". :-)

I just finished this fellow last evening.  It's done in casein on white clayboard.  3.5" x 4".

A "miniature" wall and some new work

I ran across some small plate holders at a huge discount and thought they would work well for my miniatures when they are home between shows and for my tiny new miniature art collection. It will grow. :-) We had the eagle all alone above the couch and he's HUGE, but that wall still needed more. He always looked forlorn and lonely. I am much happier now. I think I will go and see if they still have any long ones left and put up 2 more. :-)


I've also been working on a couple of other new pieces. This eagle has been sold to a collector but he's still with me waiting to finish curing so he can be varnished and go to his new home.

Another eagle...

A miniature raccoon done in casein and scratch on white clayboard (WIP)

Eagle mini, hippo scratch WIP's

I have 2 going at once, the eagle is nearing completion, the hippo is in the UGLY stage! LOL.

The eagle is 4.5" x 4". It's done in caseins on board.

Here is the under-painting start.

More layers.

Starting to refine things.

Now for the ugly stage hippo- done in scratch and acrylic inks.