Sneak Peak of Nizzy

We'll see if this somewhat neglected blog gets any hits with a sneak peek of this work which I've not yet posted on Just Painting. Yesterday, I did this painting of my cat Nizzy who passed November 1st. She was such a beauty. Her white fur just glowed in sunlight. After this one, I did a very inspired version of the star fruit which I'm holding back until after I post this one. I'm being very disciplined because I have a show coming up in November. Very motivating. All new work. It will be in the lobby of Tishman Speyer Properties again. 125 High Street, Boston

Winter Wonderland

Birches

The Harbor

Wind whistling off the roof

Easy for me to rhapsodize about the beauty of the snow and the brisk winter air because I'm spending the rest of the winter in Naples, Florida. Here are some local scenes after a beautiful snowstorm. Yes, I did shovel snow, so I know where of I speak. The great thing about the internet is it doesn't matter where I really am because I'm always here :D

Red Rock Balloon Adventure

I can hardly be seen here being encased in fleece and tucked beneath Don's arm. I was dressed properly for this.

The fun began pre dawn when Captain Mark Stewart picked us up and right away had us laughing with his witty repartee. To our surprise, we were the first of 15 people who were going that day.

Setting Up

We arrived at the launch site, sky still dark, where the Balloon Posse began setting up the intricate Basket & Balloon rig. What a sight. The balloon itself weighs 750 lbs and has to be inflated by two high powered fans while the crew assists at different points. The basket, which was custom made, to the specifications of Captain, Mark Stewart, can hold 20 passengers in 4 compartments. The center compartment holds the fuel tanks and Captain Mark. He also had the sides made 6" higher than usual, for which my 6'2" husband was thankful.

leaving the launch site

This TOAT-LEE ROCKS!

Incredible view Optical illusion

WOW

beautiful desert landscape

Mark Fires up the Flame

The Crew Follows Besides the fun balloon ride, the Captain and his Posse, are entertaining us with their routine over two way radios, as the crew follows us. Stand up comedy as we fly up and over the tops of the red rocks for a hour or so, the lights of Sedona, twinkling on the horizon. Interestingly, the overhead view renders the big red monoliths camouflaged as though you are seeing a flat desert landscape. But the concentric rings are visible. REALLY COOL! Mark likes to land on a lightly traveled roadway if possible, as to avoid damaging the balloon or having the customers truck through prickly cactus among other hazards, and he did make a text book landing. From the air we'd been able to see the crew as they tracked us and they were waiting.

The Posse comes to assist the landing

I LOVE my job (Captain Mark) Don enjoys his pipe !

The Toast

To our surprise (we didn't read the whole brochure) we were taken to a nearby circle of rocks where a table was set up with breakfast goodies including fruit, muffins and champagne mimosa's (or not) for whomever wanted them and we were toasted with the Balloon Flyer's Prayer and given our certificates, attesting to the fact that we had all broken the bonds of gravity. Neither of us had a bit of trepidation about doing this and we are so glad we didn't miss it! For those in the New England Area, there is a Hot Air Balloon event in June 2009 in Vermont, which I plan to attend. Hope they are giving rides too.

Red Rock Balloon Adventures

Open Studios Heads Up

6x6 Oil on GessoBoard bidding starts at $60

I'm slacking a bit here but I've been traveling. First to Nova Scotia Oct 4th-11th, and then this past weekend to New Hampshire and Vermont. Saw peak foliage as beautiful as it's ever been, set against impossibly blue, distant hills and mountains. Spectacular! This morning I've been updating my mailing list and attending to the business side of art. First aspect of business. 4th Floor Artists's Annual Open Studios will take place on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 & 23rd, from 11-5 at the Sandpaper Factory and the ET Wright Building. They are two blocks apart and there is plenty of free parking. I am in the Sandpaper Factory at 83 East Water Street in Rockland, MA. Fourth floor, top of the stairs, on the right. My studio looks out over the Street. Click on the above link or search Google for www.4thfloorartists.org for directions and a list of artists. I will be sending out a mailing about my First Annual Studio Liquidation Sale. You heard it here. Paintings are going to be slashed in price. I am removing many from frames so you may have seen it before at a considerably higher price. I will still have my $35 & $50 'bins' to pick through. Also, new this year are a number of matted original watercolors, and some note cards with images of my paintings on them. I'll update with photos and such on my Just Painting blog. I also, listed some 6x6 paintings on eBay which I "priced to sell" since they are stacking up around here. We are in a recession, after all. Or haven't 'they' made it official yet?

Monty of Dennisport

What can I say here? His name is Monty and don't even THINK about walking your dog OR parking here! (just kidding, he was really sweet)

Beach Days

Ryan 4 and a half Colin 3 years old Last weekend was the official end of summer here and although we still have plenty of good weather to come, there's a chill in the air. Ryan and Colin are growing up so fast. I just love them to pieces.

Summer Rain

Yet another of what have been daily thunderstorms just blew through here about an hour ago. This has been our typical weather for about the past 6 weeks and is unusual for New England. Here are some shots from my 4th floor Studio last Saturday. The flash flooding created a difficult situation for the passing motorists and turned our parking lot into a raging river!

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Provincetown is a very special place. I remember driving there with my sisters when I had just gotten my license. We drove up through the East end past all the beautiful cottages with gardens in bloom. I thought I'd never seen such beauty. It still hits me the same way every time I go.

The Bird Window

The "bird window", as we've dubbed it is a beautiful custom bow window which replaced a single double hung Cape window after 18 years of talking about how it would open up the room ;) We don't rush into anything :D but now we know what we missed. While I painted today on my 12x12 spider mums painting, I had a front row seat to the grackles and squirrels decimating the newly filled feeders of sunflower seeds. Only sporadically were there any songbirds, which are abundant here. The cardinal and his partner are always in evidence but the chickadees, yellow finches, purples finches, junkos, and tufted titmice and some other wren species were intermittent. Watching from the sidelines probably. It was a picture perfect summer day here on the New England shoreline. The breeze was straight off the water and the smell......delicious!

If I own it, It's for sale

Way out on Two Islands road is a steep drive that is lined with signs for antiques, tires, china and even a mobile home (they aren't mobile)! You have to love this person. This is the main sign!

Nizzy and Wendell in Parrsboro

Nizzy looks out over Cape Blomidon as Wendell decides to duck into his carrier for a nap.

Baby Robins

Is there anything as sweet as robin's egg blue? Maybe, just hatched robins.

My Back Yard

I've mentioned this before. Where I live is vacationland, USA. 25 miles or so South of Boston and right on the ocean. But, I drive to Maine, Nova Scotia etc., and get out of the car oohing and aahing over the scenery which would include little harbors with lobster boats in them and craggy rock lined coasts. You know what they say about the grass being greener? This is my backyard. DUH!