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A Bit About The Painting .... (then I'll tell you about the title...)

I had decided not to submit work for an upcoming show with one of my favorite organizations.  Part of my reasons were frustrations and part were simply practical.  The theme of the show seemed too limiting and I am growing weary of creating paintings to fit a theme when they are not necessarily themes I embrace.  Oh, I have enjoyed trying to paint different things... often successfully, but more often than not I end up with paintings that don't really reflect the joy I want to share in my paintings.

Well, the group broadened the theme and I weakened.  I actually had some field studies that I could use to create work to submit.  I worked on two paintings, and while I learned from both, I decided that one just wasn't "cutting it".  I did, however, like the one I created from my plein air study in Eaton Canyon that I did last December.  For the studio piece, I emphasized the sunlight on the top of the sandy bank of the arroyo and played with the colors a bit in the foreground shadows.  I tried to keep the way some of the leaves were in shadow while others were catching the late afternoon sunlight.  I liked it and perhaps the jurors will too.  We'll see.  As always, sometimes your work gets in and sometimes it doesn't.

"Eaton Canyon Sycamore"

About the 42 years...

Well, it really seems amazing to me, but tomorrow will be the 42nd anniversary of my marriage to a wonderful man I met while on a European vacation.  

I have always considered myself extremely lucky.  I had a wonderful long-lasting and fulfilling career as a teacher and principal.  I have had a wonderful family -- growing up and continuing on to the present. 

I now enjoy my "new career" as an observer and artist.  Best of all and perhaps because of my husband, all of that has been made better. 

Gastone and I met in August of 1970 in a glass factory in Murano, (Venice), Italy.  We married in August of 1971 in a beautiful little Venetian church built before Columbus discovered America. 

If you're interested in reading about our

"LOVE STORY"

click the link.

I wrote about it several years back and enjoy sharing that story every August to celebrate our anniversary.  I hope you will enjoy our memories.