DWELL ON DREAMS. Can one feel good about themselve, but still want to improve?

A merry day after Christmas, and I'm back to work; planning what New Years resolutions to resurrect from last year. Diet, exercise, and a tidier house are usually on the list, and I can honestly say I am getting better at these things. Isn't that what life is after all? A big self-improvement workshop? 

Dwell on Dreams
oil on linen 4 x 4"
$75

A DIFFERENT PATH FOR NOW. Winter landscape oil painting

The Favored Trail

oil on linen  8 x 10"

I have made a lot of changes in my art and my business the last few years, but have neglected to update my marketing as well. The blogs and daily painting sites worked so well for a time, but I've come to the conclusion that I need to shake up my marketing plan, just as I've shaken up my painting skills.
Thank you to all my readers and comment-ers. You have no idea how much your interest and support means to me.

A JOYFUL DANCE (SOLD) flower watercolor painting

A Joyful Dance (SOLD)

watercolor  7 x 7" in 12 x 12" frame

Because we all need pretty flowers and to dance with joy every once in awhile.

THE BEST THINGS IN WINTER chickadee watercolor painting

Woodland Chickadee

watercolor  5 x 7"

What are the best things in Winter?

My immediate response is a trip to San Diego!

Living the cold Northeast for the last 21 years, I have yet to acclimate. I have learned to appreciate being indoors, appreciating my warm shelter and work space, and taking advantage of (painting) my beautiful surroundings. 

ART IS ALL THAT MATTERS - Is it a blessing or a curse?

Jewels (SOLD)

watercolor  10 x 23"

I am back in New York after an week of emotional upheaval with my family in California. I love them, I love Calif., I love the sun and warmth, but thank goodness to be back in my studio. Creating is my meditation, my therapy, my prayer, my sanity. I wish I were a more complex person, but there you have it. I am my eyes and right hand, with a bit of grey matter and heart in between. Is it a blessing or a curse?

This painting is being offered in my Vintage art sale:

www.BarbaraFoxArtStudio.blogspot.com

It's one of my favorites. Colorful, cheery, yummy; all in all, a darn nice painting.

WELCOME SPRING still life Tulip watercolor painting

Welcome Spring

watercolor  15 x 6"

PINK HOLLYHOCKS watercolor flower painting

This is one of my favorites. A touch of pink in any room is always a good thing.

Pink Hollyhocks

SUNNY ROOSTER (SOLD) watercolor painting

Sunny Rooster (SOLD)

watercolor  6 x 7"

I just love this little rooster, he reminds me of my wonderful trip to Ireland a few years back. He was scratching around Bunratty castle with his flock. It was a rare sunny day, and his feathers just glistened in the sunshine.

He is offered here as part of my Annual Vintage Art Sale.

See more original paintings:

www.BarbaraFoxArtStudio.blogspot.com

VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS AND OTHER LOVELY TREATS annual vintage art sale at Barbara Fox Art Studio

Yummy

watercolor  5.5 x 9"

Time for my annual Holiday 'Vintage Art" sale.

Every few days until Christmas, I will post several pieces of art from my "collection" of original paintings and drawings. These are all good work, they just haven't found the right home yet, and space is tight in my studio.

This is a great time to buy a gift of original art,

 and I hope you see something that will bring beauty and joy for yourself or a loved one.

CHICKADEE PERCH (SOLD) bird watercolor painting

 Chickadee Perch (SOLD)

watercolor  5 x 6"

One of my new bird paintings, framed and ready for the Open Studio this weekend.

WHAT FRESH HELL IS THIS?

Came home after a wonderful day painting en plein air to discover that my husband had driven his truck into the garage. And not through the door. Time for wine and ice cream. And more wine.

GOD GIVES US ALL A SWING, SO DON'T JUST SIT THERE

I had a dream last night that I sat on a swing and began swinging. The situation was: I was outside on my swing, and there were lots of people all sitting on swings all facing one direction as though we were going to watch a performance. After swinging for awhile, I noticed that everyone else was just sitting quietly in their swings. I was the only one swinging. So, I immediately tried to stop myself (remember how hard that is?) and tried to look like I had NOT been swinging, and had no idea how that had all started. I felt compelled to be a part of the un-swinging crowd, but I could not stop my momentum.
Now, knowing my dream is not about what swinging is a euphemism for, and considering I've always been a good girl, not a trouble maker, I analyzed this dream to be about my life spent doing what I am passionate about, despite how difficult it it is to find support for the arts in our society. I feel compelled to be someone I am not (a sales person, a techie, a schmoozer) in order to show and sell my work.
But creating? It is a joy, a prayer, a dream, a ....gift of a swing.

SUNSHINE GIRL portrait watercolor painting

Sunshine Girl

watercolor  11 x 11"

BILLIARD BALLS pool balls still life oil painting

Billiard Balls

oil on panel  6x6"

FLOWER OF RICHES peony oil painting

Flower Of Riches

oil on canvas  30 x 40"

I just love pink.

BEAUTY, PEACE, AND ORDER ramblings from an artist with a messy house

I am preparing for my open studio November 1 & 2. 

I hope you are one of those lucky ones who can make a trip to Western New York to visit the 4 studios of East Otto Country. Or, sign up for my newsletter, and I will keep you apprised.

(I am Mill Street Art Gallery)

I always have new paintings, so my list involves vacuuming, dusting, and framing. All very un-loved activities, especially framing. But, I do love a clean space and well presented art. 

It's funny, the annoying things we have to do to get the results we love. I am not one of those people who think the mundane chores of life are meditative and enjoyable. They are just a means to the end, which for me are: 

BEAUTY, PEACE, ORDER, CALMNESS. 

I wonder, if I can keep these my goals, instead of more tangible things like a vacation, a possession, or some artistic accomplishment, I can find the time and energy to do the un-loved chores.   

KISS (SOLD) candy still life oil painting

Kiss (SOLD)

oil on canvas  4 x 4"

When things are slow, march out the old successes. Chocolatey goodness.

PETE'S POND #2 (SOLD) landscape oil painting

Pete's Pond #2 (SOLD)

oil on canvas  8 x 10"

Last weekend spent painting at my friend's cabin. Day 1 was very overcast. I painted the pond using the muted colors I saw (see previous posting). The next day was as bright and beautiful a Fall day you could ask for. I tried to be a little more decisive painting alla prima, and this rather 'Fauve' painting is the result.

PETE'S POND landscape oil painting

Pete's Pond

Painting en plein air at Carolyn and Pete's cabin yesterday. It started out grey and overcast, but when the sun came out later in the afternoon, so did all the bright colors! Lovely, lovely spot.

THE COLLECTION watercolor still life marble painting

The Collection

watercolor and gouache  19 x 10"

Another recent "finish". I think I started it about 18 months ago. The marbles were a breeze, but I struggled with the background and the cast shadow. It was a good lesson that sometimes you have to stop looking at your subject and just try to figure out what would make the painting better.

CAMELLIA STILL LIFE flower watercolor painting

Camellia Still life

watercolor 12 x 8"

I've been working on a few watercolor paintings, trying to finish them for entry in the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society. I finished this one. Nice, but I wound up entering a portrait and a small wispy landscape with a bird. Not my usual thing, either of them, but I am all full of daring these days. Painting in oils will do that to a watercolorist I guess.

WET SPRING landscape oil painting

A Wet Spring

oil on linen  7 x 5"

It has been a wet Summer here in New York.  I cobbled this painting together from a Plein Air attempt in the soggy field, and an old photo of the buildings.

WHITE QUEEN PEONY watercolor flower painting and print

White Queen Peony

giclee print on canvas 24x26"

Here I am with one of my White Queen Peony giclee prints on canvas. I am so happy with the way they look. We printed them substantially bigger than the original, at 24 x 26", but my printer (a wizard with photography and printing) made sure they came out crisp and vibrant. I will only have 25 of these prints made, both in this size and the original 14x15". Check out my website to order, or email me.

www.BarbaraFoxArtStudio.com

BERRY BUSH CHICKADEE (SOLD) bird landscape watercolor painting

Berry Bush Chickadee (SOLD)

Finishing up some small watercolors and beginning some more ambitious paintings this week. I need something new for the upcoming Niagara Frontier WC Society National show.
Plus, new demos are on my list of things to do (still).

Berry Bush Chickadee

watercolor  7 x 8"

WELL BALANCED marble still life oil painting

Well Balanced

oil on canvas  24 x 20"

I just took a batch of paintings to Rust Belt Books in Buffalo for an exhibition through September. Not sure why I greed to it, as the place is not really conducive to my kind of artwork. It is very funky, messy, and well, Rust Belt-y. I'm mostly concerned that my beautiful paintings will be safe there. The oils on canvas are much more fragile than I expected. The edges scrape up very easily, and they can get a dent if anything rests against them. 

TUFTED TITMOUSE (SOLD) bird watercolor painting

Tufted Titmouse (SOLD)

watercolor  7.5 x 5"

PINK ROSE WORK IN PROGRESS flower oil painting

Pink Rose 

Work In Progress

oil on canvas  30 x 40 "

I am having such fun with this rose. I love pink anyways, and the hints of orange, magenta, yellow, blue, and red just make it all luscious. Balancing the detail with the vague is the challenge now, but I think I am almost finished.

WORK IN PROGRESS rose oil painting

Work In Progress

oil on canvas  30 x 40"

_______

I am off to a family visit and painting trip in San Diego for a week. I will be bringing my watercolors, but am wondering if my plein air box will fit in my suitcase....

hasta la vista