"Open House" by Irit

This painting is for Angela

I painted this from a memory I have from an open house that I went to, I love going to open houses in my area.
In this house all I remember is lots of red in the kitchen. Red is  my favorite color.

This painting was almost finished when my grandkids were visiting us and one of them ,by mistake, put a book on the fresh paint.

I tried my best to save this painting but unfortunately the result was not exactly what I was hoping for.

My Stuff - Dominique Eichi

                                                      8  x  10      Oil

Well this one is for Adebanji's Moleskins and his theme is Homelessness / Poverty.

I've been thinking about this book for months and I like painting faces so I've been taking pictures of different people I see around my city (San Diego) wanting to get one that represent what I hoped to portray.

But it seems that something else was in the works for me.

A few days ago this picture jumped at me walking downtown with Tiffany. I thought it was striking as it was making this homeless stuff so in your face with the lights and shadows.

So I've been thinking about it and it seem as we all consider Our stuff to be very important, yet we will not be able to take it with us when we die and most of our children do not like our stuff so they will sell it as soon as we're gone to get their stuff. So, I guess this reminder is for me, to take my stuff with a light heart and be ready to give it away to those that might need it more than me, after all it's only STUFF.

God doesn't bless us to increase our standard of living.

God blesses us to increase our standard of giving.

He gives us money to check our hearts. If you love money you will use people. If you love people you will use money.

DO-SI-DO for Edward

8x11 oil on moleskine sketchbook

Until I read Edward's introduction in his book, I had no idea what I was going to paint for his music theme. When I read "people dancing", I knew immediately I would attempt this painting.

At my school, after studying Pioneer times, 2nd grade has a day where they celebrate the Pioneer life of long ago. The children are dressed in period costumes and have fun experiencing Pioneer times. One of our grandmothers dresses the part and tells "stories" of her travels West. After her stories, she plays her autoharp and the children dance. This is Jules dancing with one of our parent volunteers. I don't have favorite students, instead I have a whole school (250 students) of favorites. Jules is special, she loves art and I love her!

Here is a short video of my school, click here, you can see a real quick shot of Jules drinking milk in the dining hall and then later eating a sandwich. As sad I as I am for my summer vacation to end, after watching this video again, I cannot wait to see my students!

Liz's Front Porch for Irit

my front porch
mixed media sketch

Irit's journal theme is local places.  Since my travels are more restricted these days, I figured just out the front door would qualify.  Our home was built in 1920, and has a long, covered porch with a swing at one end. When the weather's not too hot, it's a (relatively) quiet place to relax.  So relaxing, in fact, that it wasn't until I'd finished this piece that I realized I'd done it upside down in the book. My apologies, Irit, but I've cut it out, and glued it in right side up.
xoLiz

Santa Barbara Mission-Dean H.

This is acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper approx 9.75 x 6.5 in.

Here is my entry for Dominique's moleskin. Her theme is gates...pathways...passages.
I thought this fit her theme perfectly...with the mission and illuminated cross symbolizing the most wonderful journey of all.

Hope you like this one, Dominique, and thank you for inviting me into this wonderful group of the Flying Moleskins.

Adebanji sent both Michelle's and Dominique's books to me in one package. So that is how both of these will be sent to you, Vern. They will be on their way today.

The image for this painting comes from the A Day Not Wasted painting challenge for July.
It's hosted by a great photographer and artist, Lee Brown...check it out.

Gone Fishin'-Dean H.

Close ups

This is acrylic approx.5x8...on two pages.

This is for Michelle's book. The theme being favorite things...places...memories.
I used to spend more time than any human being should, trying to figure out and many times catching the great large mouth bass. Doing this painting revived many pleasant memories of being wrapped in nature-studying all her many moods and creatures. I feel the experience works it's way into my paintings.

Hope you like it, Michelle.

This and Dominique's book will be headed your way Vern!

His Glory - Dominique Eichi

                                                   8  x  10  Oil

Well first off I have to admit I'm not very good with my own deadlines combined with my job makes for delays, so sorry for the late entry. It's on it's way-> to you Michelle.
This is for Dean's moleskins. I knew what I wanted to paint but to do it with out fear in someone else's book and in oil,  yikes !!
Hope you like Dean.
Isaiah 6:3  The whole earth is full of his glory