Despite another allergic reaction happening on one of my arms (what in the world is happening), I spent time working on the side garden bed again this week. The weather has just been too much of a gift not to be outside. I also did some mowing, trimming, cleaning up along the curb, and helping Marshall with power washing. I’m starting to enjoy keeping up with the little things that make a house look sharp, especially when the weather is nice.
I’ve also been working on my usual daily to-dos… writing, painting, and photography. Sometimes running my own business can be stressful, and I wistfully remember the days when I showed up, did my job, went home, and collected a regular paycheck. But then I remember that I get to earn a living writing, painting, and taking pictures, and I’m happy with my choices!
So, here are my four things for this week – Landscape painting, art in all things, I love them all, and studying.
what I’m reading
I want to work on improving my landscape painting (as I share below), so I’ve been rereading and studying some of my favorite landscape art books. I have a lot of favorites, but the one I picked up this week is Landscape Painting: The Complete Guide by Richard Pikesley.
This book provides great foundational information while also showcasing different ways to see and interpret a landscape.
what I’m watching
Jeff and I have been watching Quarterback together, a Netflix documentary following three NFL Quarterbacks through an entire season. First of all, I love football. More specifically, I love Washington football. It’s still hard for me to call them the Commanders and fully embrace it since they’ve been my team since I was 13 years old. As I’m itching for football season to start, this has been a fun warm-up to watch.
Of course, we love Kirk Cousins, who started out as a Redskin before moving to Minnesota the same year we moved. He lives such a great testimony of his faith, and it is so easy to root for him. I like him even more after seeing the meticulous notebooks he keeps!
I think what I appreciate most about the series, though, is how it showcases the art of football. I believe that the term “the arts” has become too limited in this day and age. Art isn’t just music, writing, painting, and theater. Creativity and artistry permeate almost every occupation and pursuit. And there is definitely art and creativity in football.
what I’m loving
“If you love one, you usually love them all. Interior design, fashion, art, architecture. Obsessed with it all. The way light transforms a space. The way fabric carries movement. How color sets a mood before words even arrive. A well-placed object. A clean line. A sudden curve. It is all storytelling through form, texture, silve, and shape. Beauty lives in the details And those who notice, feel it everywhere.” – source
what I’m working on
Most of the oil paintings I’ve completed over the past year have been animals, and I feel like that subject has become a sweet spot for me. But, my still life paintings have been most popular for licensing, and I want to continue to grow in painting landscapes, so I am working on those this month. Here are a few of my recent paintings…
I’ll schedule another original art sale soon. Hopefully for September, but I’ll post a preview as usual.
What have you been reading, watching, loving, and working on this week?
11 Responses
Love the still life pictures!! As for your allergies, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, MD has an Asthma Allergy Building devoted to all thing’s allergies, if you need an appointment call the main hospital number at 410-550-0100 and ask for the Asthma Allergy Building. I don’t have any one doctor to recommend. Hope you’re feeling better!
I just finished reading Theo of Golden-seems like one you would enjoy. Such beautiful read! The author is coming to our town next month-it sold out in a flash-we all want to talk about it!
Oh my word you are so mega talented. I’m curious about how long you typically wait to varnish your oil paintings.
There has to be something in your yard that you are allergic to since you had another flare-up after working outside. My friend had a terrible allergic reaction on her face last week after working outside. Hope it clears up soon, but you are right, the weather has been too perfect not to get outside.
Your gift for painting still life art is outstanding. I love the oranges!!! Your gift seems to go beyond that with your ability to build , construct, paint and install trellis and other objects. Thankful for your willingness to share the results of your gift.
You would love these shows. All British. The Repair Shop, Escape to the Country and Fake or Fortune . I’m not sure what channels they are on in the US however they are fascinating shows.
Something to consider regarding your allergic reaction…..be sure to wash the shoes and shoelaces you wear when you’re gardening. Sometimes the sap from whatever it is that you are allergic to can linger on shoe laces and other items for extended periods, potentially causing a rash if they come into contact with skin later. Hope this helps!
So sorry about your ongoing issue with your arm! I have had a few things happen like that, most recently being diagnosed as impetigo for which they prescribed prednisone. I hope you find out what’s causing it soon. No fun for sure!
Hi I’m sorry to hear about your allergies. Exposure to sunlight can trigger skin reactions with certain medications. Just happened to my sister and she learned this from her physician. Tons of sunscreen if that’s the care. Also, one of my sons get skin rashes on his arms after harvesting tomatoes and peppers from our garden unless when he first comes inside he really scrubs his hands and arms well with soap and water. Hope it gets better!
Hello Marian,
Your still life’s and your animals are AMAZNG. They are your sweet spot. I can imagine the animals keep a smile on your face as you do them.
Long time gardener here and I can highly recommend using garden sleeves. No more bites, bumps, scratches, pokes and they even have UV protection. I get mine on Amazon. Oh, the ones I get even have a cooling gel in them.
You are so talented and I love seeing what you’re up to. I am also a huge football fan. That being said, my heart sank when I saw you refer to Kirk Cousins as a former “Redskin” . I know you are having a hard time with the new Commanders name as you stated but please hear me when I say some of us truly find the old name offensive.I’m not trying to stir anything up, just sending a gentle reminder. The name was changed for a reason.