More Snow
/I'm not even trying to embrace all this snow. I've had enough. I don't mind if other people enjoy it, have at it! But I am going a little bonkers.
Bunnies and Coffee go together, like...
/Well... I don't really know what they go together like... but while I am working on notecards, I put Flower Bunny on a mug! In case anyone needs a little something to get through this latest winter storm... it's available through my Zazzle store (link below!)...
Moms just know...
/My Mom is pretty awesome. And she is the best when it comes to surprising me with Much Needed Happy Things. While chatting online this morning she nudged me to check the mailbox (the mailman's schedule can be a little erratic, so I hadn't gotten it yesterday)... so I wandered out and found not only a small painting from her (I haven't taken a photo of that yet!) and a surprise squishy package of two pairs of mom-knitted Spring Equinox socks... my toes are wriggling with joy! These will get me through this latest snowstorm...
The Boys Are Back in Town!
/Well... maybe a couple of girls, too. Yesterday I saw a flock of Canada Geese flying overhead... heading south... which doesn't seem like a good omen. I found them on my walk today, and we all had a good discussion about the temperature (comfortable), the fact that there was open water (much better than ice jams), and that there was more snow on the way (they appreciated my passing that along, they don't have wi-fi out in the field). They seemed to be swearing quite a bit, I got the feeling this may have been their first return migration.
Spring Card Sale!!
/I have new cards in the works (bunnies! starry skies!) and need to make some room for them, so it's time for a little spring cleaning! I have 10 packages of 8 random cards (including many not in this photo!) for $20 each including shipping (this is $10+ in savings!). Please note that these will not be in plastic sleeves but will be in a fun colored paper bag :-) They are all blank on the inside, and include brown kraft paper envelopes.
[simple-payment id="3571"]
Well, that escalated quickly...
/
All six Starry Skies originals have new owners. I hadn't anticipated them going so quickly! Next week there will be cards and prints... and in the months ahead I anticipate working on more of these night scenes.
Thank you!
Starry Skies... the originals...
/Another edit! These 6 have all been spoken for and are heading to loving homes!
6 (edited: 3 have sold already!) 3 Starry Skies original watercolors are now for sale! This post is for purchasing original art, but I will have prints available next week (slightly smaller size, in 5" x 7" mats). Please email me if you would prefer to not use the PayPal link: abrah.work [@] gmail.com
Starry Skies: Peacock *SOLD* Original watercolor painting “Peacock Names the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Starry Skies: Bear *SOLD* Original watercolor painting “Bear Ponders the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Starry Skies: Trout *SOLD* Original watercolor painting “Trout Flies in the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Starry Skies: Sheep *SOLD* Original watercolor painting “Sheep Counts the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Starry Skies: Heron *SOLD* Original watercolor painting “Heron Walks in the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Starry Skies: Mole *SOLD*
Original watercolor painting “Mole Smells the Stars” — in 8″ x 10″ mat. Price includes shipping/handling.
Technology...
/I flipped on the office light today and my Muses were busy worrying about my new computer. "It's smaller?" "Where's the DVD drive?" "There are only 2 USB ports?" "We are so confused..."
I reassured them as best I could, in between sneezes (this cold is lingering, I am really not a happy camper), that yes, indeed, this computer is BETTER than the last one. Faster, and able to run those RAM hogs that Adobe is churning out these days. Then, feeling better, they all reassured me that I would be able to make up this unexpected expense in no time, and summer will be here soon, and really, everything is fine. Group Hug.
So, yeah, I finally upgraded from my old Beast, a 17" Mac Book Pro, which Apple had stopped making years ago, to a sleek, new-to-me 15" creature. I have to admit, the retinal display is pretty awesome, and the lighter weight will be easier in my backpack. We're getting to know each other, and the lady bugs (or, well, those bitey Asian ones anyway) seem to have not noticed a difference and are climbing all over it. (Side note: If you are in VT and have Mac questions, I highly recommend MacNurse!)
Don't just walk by the flowers
/Always take time to smell the flowers. Or at least be gracious when someone forces you to.
Peacock Names the Stars
/Today was A Very Good Day. All things considered. I'm actually a little sickly, and the weather is blustry... but I packaged up the last of the "Without Measure" prints (to be mailed tomorrow), worked on a little hedgehog for my cousin, and was inspired by a post on Facebook to paint this peacock. The Starry Skies series is moving right along, and I am loving working on each and every one.
Precious... Rambling...
/I didn't do well in college, for all the reasons that are probably going through your head. But one phrase, from my painting teacher, really crushed me. She said I needed to "stop being so precious." I've heard it in my head now for years, my go-to phrase meaning "you aren't very good, so don't bother." She said it loudly, frustrated with me, and my sad attempts at painting on large canvases. I didn't understand that it was okay that I didn't really "get" being an expressive painter, throwing my emotions on the canvas and splashing around. I didn't understand that she was actually a pretty poor teacher. I knew that I liked small. I liked intimate. I liked friendly. (Okay, I was also lazy, but let's not get into that.) There were no classes on illustrating (this wasn't an art school)... and I was distracted by being 19 years old, so I never bothered to figure out that there might be other mentors around. So today I was feeling frustrated. I had started 2 more starry skies last night, a hawk, and a horse, and neither worked out. I told myself that was fine, practice is good... but since these are small, and yes, "precious," I heard that same voice in my head and started wondering why I was bothering trying to do a series. Today, this mole popped into my head, a shiny little fellow poking his head out to sniff around at the stars. (Mole Smells the Stars)
While working on him, the calm settled on me, it's become obvious to me that I've picked the right animal when I feel happy while painting. According to Ted Andrews, mole "shows us how to dig out our own treasures in life through our own efforts." I think he's precious. Hopefully you are all on the path to finding your own treasure as well.
Soothing
/I've started a new series of small paintings, with starry skies, and they have been absolutely meditative to work on. It's been heart-warming seeing the responses to them on Facebook, and once I have a few more completed I'll have a little reveal on here. I've decided the originals will be for sale, and probably cards or prints as well.
This is a closeup of "Bear Ponders Stars."
Without Measure...
/UPDATE: these prints are sold out! Thank you all so much, it makes me smile knowing they are headed to good homes.
A little reminder for selfcare... I matted and packaged these 5x7 prints, and a few are heading out the door... if you'd like a little reminder on your wall you can either contact me at: abrah.work [@] gmail.com or use the PayPal button below. They are $8 each plus $4 s/h.
[simple-payment id="3478"]
February
/February is, in general, my least favorite month. It's gray, and nowhere near time to start fantasizing about Spring. I'm feeling stressed and should have known not to listen to VPR on my drive to the office this morning. They were reading the names and stories of the children and adults that died in the Florida shooting. I only made it through 4 of them before I started tearing up and turned it off. My mind and heart can't balance listening to the horror and platitudes and political nonsense that is out there while driving through my small Vermont town, where sometimes my biggest worry is whether the store will have the bulk coffee I like. I read some headline news at lunch time, and it felt like like my aura just dimmed to the point of being gray. I'll pack up my backpack and walk to my car; stop at the store for some coffee and head home. I'm trying to feel grateful but I just feel inadequate. Hoping you all find color and kindness in your day, either give it or accept it, however it finds you.
The Morning Blur
/Every morning feels the same. I like routine but I was thinking this morning that these first few hours have turned into something like the movie "Groundhog Day." Maybe it would help if I had my alarm set to random tones? This was my morning sketch, trying to do something with my hands and brain before settling into the grind of work.
Accept, and Give, Love Graciously
/
Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!
Remember to stop
/I dragged myself into the woods for a walk today, it was a brisk 10 degrees out. I usually glimpse a handful of the herd of deer that live out back, see their tails bouncing along. Today I caught sight of them heading down the hill so I stopped to watch. And squinted. And squinted some more. Then zoomed in with my camera and found this gal squinting back at me.
Sink Spider
/There's a small spider living in the kitchen sink. Usually I see her at night and she manages to scuttle down the drain before I can do anything. This morning she was up bright and early while I was making my coffee. She's a little bossy. And a little scary looking.
