Well, the season of glitter is done.
We had a lovely holiday this year, Ariane and Bruno here for the week, lots of good company, food, friends etc. Plus, this year, we are having the weirdest, warmest ‘winter’ ever. Several days have been record setting high temperatures. Since the beginning of December, it is just around freezing. The snow we had has mostly melted, so the poor plants out front are pretty exposed. We may get some more this week. I can’t believe I am saying this, but snow would be good right about now. Just enough for a blanket on the gardens.
This is out the front window this afternoon. Just an old pile of snow from the driveway. My ice stars have melted a lot. Last night I dreamt that the roses and petunias were blooming.
I must say that this is making winter very tolerable! I am sure we will get some yet though, but it can’t last!
Tomorrow begins the real return to routine. Painting group tomorrow and piano on Wednesday. It is only about 3 months until our group show in April. My, but it sounds good to say that. April in less than 3 months! Time is going to fly by.
I have a lot of ideas I want to work on painting-wise, so I really need to get in gear. I plan to do some more with the mixed media/metallics. And I want to do some more of the watercolour from Alvaro’s workshop. I have discovered these new wood panels that one of the local art supply places (Art Placement) carries. They are birch panels, like a deep canvas. Great for the mixed media work. Just gesso and go! You need a solid support for the mixed media. Canvas flexes too much. Putting various media, metal leaf, paper etc, needs something inflexible. These panels then can be hung as is, or framed with a shadow box frame. Nice and simple.
Well, I need to get my stuff ready for painting tomorrow. Print off some reference materials etc. Tonight is the beginning of the second part of ’Downton Abbey’. Must be ready for that!
So here goes the new year!
