PAINTING HOLIDAY

I'm back from a cruise in the Caribbean with all my grandchildren and as usual, I've learned a great deal.  I brought each of them a watercolor set up and after beautiful leisurely days on island beaches we would relax painting on the balconies of our shipboard rooms.

I use the word "relax" to describe some wild painting sessions (fortunately watercolor pigment scrubs nicely off teak decking and shipboard hand towels).  Children are wildly expressive artists and never seem to be at a loss of what to paint next.  I envy them in that respect.


Above is a portrait my grandson requested I paint of him. The main subject is the carved wooden turtle he is holding in his hand (or so he believes).  We had several great discussions
while he sat for this picture and I really felt fortunate to be able to bond with him in this way.  Just another plus in my creative life.


My eldest granddaughter and I painted each others portraits.  I really loved her stylized portrayal of me.  You rarely know what young eyes are perceiving.  How flattering to have someone paint my portrait for a change.  Unfortunately I can't share that with you as she kept both pictures.  Memories of vacations past.  What could be sweeter!

NEWS FROM THE GARDEN

As I paint from the Highlands Community Garden I am being reminded of the power of a painting as opposed to a photo.  Every time I enter the garden things are different.  The plants grow and produce vegetables and flowers.  The light is a little different depending on weather and time of day.  But some days I am working on the same painting I started few days before.  As an artist I am afforded the luxury of having both the tomatoes and the flowers blooming at the very same moment in my painting even though they may not totally synchronize time wise in reality.  The photographer knows there is a season for everything.  The painter can take a few liberties. Viva la difference!