Our balcony

It's wonderful to sit outside & have our breakfast in the morning looking out over the Paris rooftops.

Good Morning Par-ee !

Bon Jour-

The flight was.....well, let's put it this way, I'm here!

As the taxi brought us in from CDG, we were crossing the Seine and there she stood...the Eiffel tower all lit up seeming to welcome us to Paris!

We slept with our balcony doors flung wide open all night and woke to birdsong in the morning!

. The birds know it is Spring in Paris!!! There must of been hundreds of finches & chickadees in our little hotel courtyard.

Blossoms

Blossoms are all around me today. Late yesterday afternoon after I finished packing, I poured myself a glass of wine and went outside to water my lovely little potted flowers. It was a beautiful Spring evening and walking around my garden always has a soothing effect on me. I pay attention to the details. I notice what needs my attention, what's beginning to bloom, I listen and watch the birds, I notice the light changing color and I mentally plan what changes I might make in the garden or in my life. It's a transitioning time between a busy day and getting ready for evening.

Today however, I am trying to embrace this fear I have of flying.  An old habitual fear? Or maybe I'm just overwhelmed with the idea of the chaos of traveling in general? Or the notion of uncertainty?  But whatever it is, I need to examine it and embrace it.  As Pema Chodron says " We are all very familiar with the experience of fear escalating, or the experience of running away from fear. But have we ever taken the time to truly touch our fear, to be present with it and experience it fully?  Do we know what it might mean to smile at fear?"

Today I will walk on that plane with a smile!

I know I have used this quote before but it seems especially appropriate today......

"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."  --Anais Nin

Travel

Why is traveling such a mixed bag? It's exciting to plan and shop for your trip as well as read about all of the places you want to visit. But then a little fear slips in, a little homesickness (even though you haven't even left yet). Maybe it's more of a "what will I miss while I'm gone....the roses will just begin their first bloom and the Wisteria too, I'll miss opening day of baseball, how about what's going on with friends and family, oh and I'll definitely miss my home and Mr. B and my lovely friends, my doggies and my painting classes...... 

 I proceed to not sleep at night because I am worrying about the flight (I'm a very nervous flyer) and I wonder if I'll get to see and do everything on my list. Then... when I'm just about ready to POP, I'll get on that airplane and spend an uncomfortable 19 hours in flight & hauling luggage around airports. 

Then I'll arrive at my destination just giddy with anticipation! I'm here!! I love it! I've left  behind the cooking and cleaning, the bills and laundry, dental appointments and errands. For a few days or weeks I'll have no real schedule. I'll live in the present and enjoy every second! When it's time to head home, I'll be a little disappointed that I didn't go to every museum, park, restaurant or shop that I wanted to. I'll cry a little because I'm excited to see my family and friends but disappointed that the party is over.....at least for awhile.  Does this ever happen to you? I guess that's why I keep going back to Paris. Because I'll never see or experience it all! How wonderful is that?



Sacre Coeur from the d'Orsay



"Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth" — Pema Chödrön

The Eyes Have It

I have been working on a series of farm animal paintings from photos I took of cows and sheep in the Tomales area, also from chickens in my own backyard. When I paint an animal at a distance it ends up feeling more like a landscape to me.  

Odessa

 But when I zoom in close and get the feel of the animal through it's expression, I feel like I have captured something exciting!  I especially love to capture the eyes looking straight at me because as I am watching this amazing animal, he is checking me out.



Charlie



Annie



 He is trying to figure out if I am a threat or not.  The little ones run close to their mother but the older animals usually stand their ground, stop eating, check out the situation, then resume whatever they were doing before I came along.

If I am patient, I usually get some good shots.  In the last month, I have sold three of the "cropped close" paintings and I think it's because of the wonderful energy these little paintings exude. 

"I would like to paint the way a bird sings."   - Claude Monet

Intention in March

I am loving my OLW (www.bigpictureclasses.com) for this year. The word I have chosen is INTENTION.  Mmmm....or did it choose me?   For the first month or so, I wasn't sure it suited me but the more I explored the depths of this intriguing word, the more I have felt it resonates with me.  I have found myself to be more mindful during my days in both action and thought. Once that happens, people interact differently with you.  I feel more connected with myself, others and spirit.

“Then I remember, surprised

I could have ever forgotten,

that I am a part of everything

and everything is a part of me.

Our identities are inseparable.”

--Baxter Trautman “Spirit of the Valley” 

Daffodil Sunday

Today is a rainy day here in the Bay Area and since I am leaving for Paris in a few days, I figured it would be a good day to begin packing.

Wardrobe color - Black - check.....Chic boots - Black - check....Camera gear - check.....Passport - check.....Plane tickets - check....Restaurant recommendations - check....Sketching gear - check....oh my!  

I have several lists scattered around the house.  I think it may be time to pull those all together and cross reference them!







I have been asked by several friends and family as to why I keep returning to France, especially Paris and for me, there is something about the attention to detail that the French people have. 




Beautiful Parks & Flowers

Outdoor cafes and incredible food everywhere!

Boutique Hotels and shopping!!

Petanque in the park

the Kwah-sohn !!!

Open air markets

Museums !



....Amour

"Paris is always a good idea " - from the movie "Sabrina"

And a few more.....

......for my 100 list - (see my post below)

17. See the Pyramids
18. Take the boys to see the Boole Tree in Sequoia National Park
19. Make jam from scratch
20. Have a glass of whiskey in a pub in Ireland
21. Tea in England with my Mom
22. Own a cabin in Tahoe
23. Travel to Yellowstone with Jim and the boys
24. Cross Abbey Road with Jill
25. Watch 50 favorite, meaningful movies with the boys


and I changed numbers 11 & 12 to the following....

11. See/photo/paint Maxfield Parish's "Pied Piper at the SF Palace Hotel

12. Travel across the US in a antique Airstream trailer while I paint and Jim goes fly fishing!

Isn't this a cutie?

 "Don't stop, keep on going. Hitch up your trailer and go." -- Wally Byan (Airstream's founder)

Tahoe - Winter 2011

I spend time in Lake Tahoe with friends or family most winters, summers & in the fall.  Today I am at West Shore with my friend Jill.  She loves to ski and although I once loved it too, now I would rather be cozy and warm by the fire, reading a book, sketching, taking photo's or having an Irish Coffee!  So while Jill is swooshing down the slopes at Alpine, I hang out in the lodge or on good days, out on the deck basking in the sunshine and people watching.  Today I had to stay indoors as it was both raining and snowing!  I pulled my camera manual out and played with the different settings on my new Sony A-55 while sipping a glass of Chardonnay......tough life, huh?

Lake Tahoe

"Learn pause......or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you." - Doug King

100 Things to Do in My Life

Another project that I have been working on is coming up with a list of 100 things I would like to do in my lifetime.  I saw the idea at Karen Walrond's blog www.chookooloonks.com/blog  who was inspired by Mighty Girl (Maggie Mason)  http://www.mightygirl.com/  They both have incredible lists and plenty to say about how to come up with your own list. They were able to sit down and in 2 hours come up with their lists. For me, I need to spend some time mulling over all of the possibilities and see what fits.  You are not allowed to add things that if you don't accomplish, you will feel bad about (like clean the house or losing weight).  You also do not need to complete the list.  They are just ideas and once you write them down, you will find ways of making some if not all of them happen.  They also do not need to be things like going to the other side of the world and doing something outrageous.  Some can just be doing something you may have already done before but just with a different person  (fly fishing with my dad) or multiple times (taking 1,000 photo's of dogs).  I am only up to #16 on my list but everyday I get newly inspired by something and "Ah - that needs to go on my list!" Hope you have fun coming up with your list of 100+ ideas of exciting things to do in your lifetime!

 Here is my list so far -

1. Photograph 1,000 faces
2. Climb Mt. Tallac
3. Stand on the Great Wall of China
4. Eat a Crossant in Paris with my girlfriends
5. Bake cookies with my granddaughter or grandson(some day!)
6. Go to the Smithsonian as an adult
7. Fly fish with Jim in Montana
8. Go to all 50 states
9. Learn conversational French
10. Kiss Jim at the top of the Eiffel tower
11. See Maxfield Parish's Pied Piper at the SF Palace Hotel
12. Travel across the US in an Airstream
13. Go see Mt. Rushmore
14. Visit John Lennon's "Imagine" in Central Park
15. See the rose gardens in England
16 Live in another country for a month

I N T E N T I O N

I have been away for awhile from my blogging as I have been taking painting workshops & traveling,



Tomales



 ...throwing special birthday parties for those I love.....



Calvin's place

and taking so many online classes that I can barely keep up with them (but wow they are so much fun!). Mostly it is because the "camera GOT me"!!  I received a new DSLR for Christmas from Mr. B and I have been exploring all of the joys of photography. 

 

Me and my new obsession



I am taking 3 online photo classes http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/ and one in a local camera shop.  I am also enrolled in Ali Edwards class "One Little Word" where you choose a word that you would like to explore for an entire year.  It is very inspiring to be around all of these incredibly creative people! And I almost forgot, I am taking a "texture" class from Kim Klassen which is teaching me all about Photoshop and texturing my photos. http://www.kimklassencafe.com/ 

My word for the year is "INTENTION" and for me it is about putting more thought and effort into each and every day, as well as setting goals and coming up with a gentle way of attaining them.



"And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."  --Anais Nin

Quiet Gray

Tomales Bay

Last Friday I drove out to Tomales for a painting class and afterward turned down the coast to "Nick's Cove".  It was so calm, quiet & beautiful out there on the water - but very COLD!  It's a charming place to stay or just dine on the waterfront!

"The most difficult times for many of us are the ones we give ourselves."
— Pema Chödrön (When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times)

Briones Park

I am taking a month long camera class ( http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/ ) and our assignment today was "Looking Out".  Getting outside, no matter how cold, rainy or snowy it might be and enjoy nature.  I was busy framing paintings for a new show so I procrastinated on my assignment but by late afternoon, I realized that the weather was not going to change and I had better get out there before dark!  I drove out to Briones because I love the wide open spaces there.  The trees were covered with moss and fog was creeping over the hills.  I was happy to be outside!

Briones Regional Park - Lafayette

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it within us or find it not."  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The First Day of 2011

A good day to relax and remind myself to keep balance in my life! 

"In whatever one does there must be a relationship between the eye and the heart." 

----Henri Cartier-Besson

Twothousandandten

"If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. I’ll always be with you."-- Winnie the Pooh





d.....you will always be in my heart......love - j

In The PINK !

Today is a cold but beautiful day.  I am wrapping up 2010 and reviewing all that has transpired this last year.  It has been a difficult one for me personally but today on my walk through the garden, I spied this last little pink Coneflower (Echinacea) that was braving the cold morning chill.  Somehow I can relate to her. Also, I love this quote by Audrey Hepburn......



Pink Coneflower

 

"I believe in pink.  I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.  I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.  I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.  I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles."

- Audrey Hepburn

Getting Un-stuck!



Narcissus



Iceland Poppy



The last two days I have been working on several new paintings for two new gallery shows.  When I am under pressure to complete something in an allotted time, my creativity doesn't flow naturally and I find myself constantly distracted.  Yesterday I struggled all day long and ended up painting over the portrait that I had been working so hard on!  So I woke up this morning with a new attitude.  I decided that I would take some breaks during the day and before I began to paint, I would have a game plan.  What a surprise, it was a much better day!  I took a break first thing this morning and walked around our yard looking at and enjoying nature.  Then I took three deep breaths and planned what I needed to do to resolve some issues with my paintings.  At noon, I took a lunch break and sat in the sunshine coming through the studio window.  Later in the day as the shadows got long, I went outside again with my new camera and shot some photo's of my garden.  It was interesting that most of the plants that are blooming are white.  Is that because I tend to gravitate towards a white & green garden design or is it because of something in nature where more white plants flower in the winter?  Mmmmm....I'll have to investigate! 



Snowdrops



"The earth laughs in flowers" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Winter White Hydrangea's

Winter White Hydrangea's

I just spent the last few days with my husband and our three son's who were home for Christmas.  As a Christmas gift, I received a new camera and I was itching to get outside and play with it some but somehow with four guys in the house, somebody always wants to eat!  Today I did spend some time reading the instruction booklet and taking some photo's in the garden. I take a lot of photo's during our travels and for studio reference.  I think I may need a class in photography so I don't keep the camera on "auto" all of the time!  This photo was taken indoors from our table centerpiece with the camera set on "A" for Aperture.  I did have fun seeking out interesting photo "op's" and I am very excited to share some more photo's as well as paintings!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

May every heart
On earth
Find peace,
Love,
Harmony,
And beauty.

Winter Wedding

My nephew Sean is getting married this afternoon at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, California. It is a comfortable little boutique hotel just north of Clear Lake. The rehearsal dinner was last night at the Blue Wing Saloon just next door and it was great! Live piano, good food, great service in a very cozy atmosphere! Even my 80 year old father said "Wish they had one of these in our home town!". It's a rainy day, the week before Christmas and after a walk down Main Street, I retured to my room to do some sketching.


www.tallmanhotel.


"It's tough to stay married. My wife kisses the dog on the lips, yet she won't drink from my glass."
Rodney Dangerfield

A Walk in the Park



Yosemite Meadow in the Fall



I love to go to Yosemite in the Spring, Winter and Fall.  In the past I have taken painting classes through Yosemite's free Art Program.  You can go online and check out the various programs, walks, photography, art teachers, etc. If you go to the Indian Museum be sure to stop by and say "hello" to Julia Parker. Julia is an incredible basket weaver and loves to share her art with others.  I especially like to go out with my painting supplies and camera in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is just beautiful!  I caught a photo of this deer resting in the early morning in a meadow amongst the some little yellow flowers.  He reminded me of this holiday season because he kind of looked like a reindeer from a distance! 

"When one tugs at a single thing in Nature, (s)he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

--John Muir

Small Original Art for Sale

There are a group of artists from the Lafayette Studio who have painted together for several years now.  We have also done some group shows as well as an Open Studio.  We mostly support one another and enjoy the comraderie!  We have begun a new venture of offering small works of art for sale online.  Please check it out and enjoy!  Paintings will be updated often and will consist of a wide range of styles.

Bay Area Studio Artists

www.bayareastudioartists.com

Here are my first two posts.....



"Charlie"



"Annie"







Giving Thanks

Mentors maybe our parents, spouse, children or friends.  Certainly we glean much about life from them but my true mentors have been two incredible women who came into my life during a personal struggle.  Both have taught me to see life in a new and exciting way.  Gayle has taken me on a journey to discover my deeper self and my strength.  Marcy has helped me see the light in life through painting and how to find my true passion.  And both have taught me to laugh!

"More than mere teachers, mentors are often emancipators, freeing artists from poor technique, clouded vision and personal uncertainty."  - Paul Soderberg 

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit." - Albert Schweitzer

Weight of Spirit

Yesterday my husband and I went to a friends wedding at the San Francisco Presidio.  It was a blend of cultures as the bride was from Napa and the groom is Nigerian.  The guests were a colorful blend of ethnic backgrounds.  What I found most interesting were the grooms' mother and aunts who were dressed in bright tradional clothing and head wraps.  I have found with age & weight, that I personally have begun to wear "black" as a daily routine.  I never would have been courageous enough to stand out in a crowd!  But these women had weight - real weight.  They had weight of spirit.  They were full of smiles, family, love, courage, pride and - oh yeah -FUN!  Gave me something to ponder.....

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." - The Dalai Lama

The Four Sisters



"Smitty & the Girls"
by Jeanette Baird



My mother has three sisters and even though they are in their 80's, they will forever be "the girls".



"Sisters are different flowers from the same garden." 

~ Author Unknown

Chicken Scratch

"If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens." ~ Grandma Moses 

I guess that I did it backwards as I raised my chickens first and after several years of enjoying their antics, delicious eggs and funny personalities, only then did I begin to paint! 

Owl Moon

Last night I could hear an owl calling from a nearby tree. It reminded me of my middle son Jon. When he was about two, he was enthralled with the book "Owl Moon".  We read it to him often and he had a cassette tape of it so he could listen to it whenever he wanted. Within a few months he had  memorized the story and I remember him playing his tape and reading along with the storyteller word for word.  My husband and I watched him from his bedroom door, sitting on his bed and "reading" along with the tape.  Such a sweet memory. Thanks Jonnie!

"I could feel the cold......But I never said a word. Because if you go owling, you have to be quiet and make your own heat."  - quote from Owl Moon by Jane Yolan

The Pond Gardener

The Pond Gardener at Giverny

Today I am working on a painting of the pond cleaner at Giverny.  I am working at adding some background atmosphere, as it was a overcast Spring day.  Every morning a gardener goes out in a little green boat and maintains Claude Monet's waterlilies.  I am trying to capture the tranquility of the pond as well as the gardener who is intent on doing  a good job in this beautiful place. This is my photo reference and tomorrow I hope to post the finished painting!

"Color is my day-long obsession, joy and torment."  - Claude Monet

Rain and a Comfy Chair

"Playgirl" rose hanging her head in the rain

Today I woke to the pitter-patter of rain on our rooftop. I am glad the garden is getting the water it needs.  Rain makes me feel like curling up in a comfy chair, having a cup of fragrant tea, a warm fire, reading a good book and putting flannel sheets on all the beds.  The reality is that I will probably end up doing a load or two of laundry, cleaning up last nights dishes, feel guilty for not planting those last 50 bulbs yet and paying a few bills. But still the cozy feeling will be with me all day long and I still may jump into that chair for a chapter or two!

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet." - Roger Miller