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Never thought I would refer to myself as "An Old Dog", but that is how I am beginning to feel during this virus quarantine.  No it's not the pains waking up in the morning, or the news talking about seniors over 55, 60, 65, etc.  For me it's having to use Zoom, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.  Like when my doctor said we would have a virtual appointment.  How did that work?  NOT.  Finally relied 

on the good old telephone to just talk.  Happy nothing serious was wrong.

The exhibitions and museum shows are all virtual too.  Which brings me to the "New Tricks".  I would not say I am a tech genius.  Wow, I can hear my kids laughing in their offices 30 miles away.  But if truth be known, I am more savvy than many, many people.  Websites, blogging, scanning, saving files and work in the cloud, entering competitions, loading and revising images all take some element of technical skill.  This ends my tech bragging

The quarantine and closure and limitations the virus has imposed has forced artists, as well as other businesses, to be creative in marketing

and communications.  This has required me to go to social media and online galleries.  I find myself spending as much time at the computer as I spend at the easel.  Frustrated?  Oh, you bet.  I ask for help where ever it is offered which, sometimes, really does help me figure things out.  I must admit, however, that the air around my desk is at times quit blue as I say nasty things to my computer.  For example, I wasn't able to preform a certain marking function and asked for help online.  The reply was a full page of instructions starting with #1 going to #9.  After reading #1 and not understanding what it said (might just as well have been an alien language), I sent it to my son in-law.  He was able to communicate with the alien and got the problem straightened out.  

In spite of the previous complaints, I have gained an appreciation for the things/tricks I have learned over the past several months.  I have discovered new art sites.  I can see new art works from all over the world.  I have entered competitions that I normally would not have entered.  I have expanded my websites which resulted in me communicating with other artists in other states and countries.  I have found so many online workshops that are available to me,  in addition to art web seminars.  One exciting social media post even had virtual tours of art museums in cities in the United States, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. 

Don't get me wrong.  I am constantly stumbling, frustrated, and being impolite to my computer.   In no way do I get the joy working at the computer that I do working in my studio, so I try to save the office work for late in the day or early evening. But, the art community has changed for sure, and I know that I must change too.   How can I tell?  Because it's all there on social media, email, blogs and newsletters.  

I am not going to start this  by complaining about the virus.  Everyone is doing that.  In fact, I'm not going to complain about anything.  It's nearly Halloween, which I happen to enjoy.  Someone told me I love the fall because it is my birthday season.  I'd never thought about that.

I love that the hot weather is gone and the really cold weather isn't here yet.  I sleep so much better now than in the summer.

I looked out my windows the other day at the water and the Olympic mountains (with a light dusting of snow) and was enthralled with the beautiful big thunderhead clouds.  The sky is a bright blue, made brighter by the whiteness of the clouds.  We have lived in this house for 18 years.  The yard had many trees when we moved but because several were close to 100 years old, we have lost many of them.  I am so glad we replaced them with various maples.  I am not one of those people that can remember the English or Latin names of trees and plants.  I just point at something and say, "I like that one, let's buy it."  But my house is surrounded by gorgeous red, gold and yellow trees that I can enjoy from nearly every window.

OK, the gutters will be full of leaves that will have to be removed, but the ground is covered in a golden carpet of leaves.  The air smells fresh, with a hint of wood smoke.  My studio is very close to the street and in my neighborhood people walk right past.  Now they are bundled up a bit against the wind and cool weather.  My cat, perched in the window, loves to watch all the dogs being walked even if he is disappointed that I won't open the window for him.

This year we are being encouraged to stay in and stay safe.  Instead of feeling I am missing out, I think looking out at the world can introduce us to new sights.  If people cannot see clouds, trees and leaves, there are still people.  If there are not people to see, then there are buildings and windows.  The reflections on the windows and the colors of the buildings change all the time.  We can lament the passing of time or we can study and observe the passing of time.  Soon the fall colors will pass away and in their place will be the reflections of the rain on windows, streets, roof tops.  I will paint the things I see.  If I were a poet, I would write about them, and if I knew anything about music, I'm sure I would try to compose.  As it is, I can't carry a tune in a bucket so I will just turn the volume up and listen to someone else's observations while I go back to what I know.  That I love red, orange, yellow, gold and blue skies with white clouds out my window or on my canvas.

Several friends of mine have lost their husband this year.  To me the number in this group is unbelievable.  I watch as they deal with

this life changing occurrence.  I never know how to convey my feeling of loss to them.  The depth of their grief is so much greater than

what I am experiencing.  Yet, several of these men were so dear to me that I miss them every day and cannot believe that I will never see

them again.

One lady, turned to her love of photography, nature and gardening.  She regularly posts images of her garden and photographs.  I have

watched her progression over the months and seen these images become more beautiful and polished.  Sunsets, water images of the

Northwest, her flower garden, blossoms, her new home.  Each reflects her new life, her new beginning.  I am so glad she has chosen to

share these images with her friends.  And, I am glad that this new path is things of beauty.

I asked if I could paint one of her photographs that particularly spoke to me.  She said I could.  Now I knew that my painting would not

be able to duplicate the beauty I saw in her photograph so I did my interpretation.  In "Reflections Impression"  I tried to capture the

tranquility of the water and colors of the reflections.  

My hope is that each of my friends will ultimately find the peace of mind in their new world and move forward in their own way.

I just posted a painting called Kite Dreams.  It is of one of my son in-laws and one of my granddaughters flying kits on the beach in

front of a small beach house we've owned for many years.  4th of July is a special time for our family and one of our favorite holidays.

We all gather together at the beach with invited friends, go to the community pancake breakfast at the lake, take pictures and get

ready for the BBQ and fireworks later.  

Over the years we have welcomed new in-laws, babies and watched the kids grow up.  Sand toys and water pistol have given way to kites

and footballs.  The kids have gotten taller and the parents have gotten mellower.  The beach chairs have multiplied to accommodate

those that just like to sit and watch.  The house is crowded with photographs and memories.

This year was different.  Three of the families decided to go to the beach, but several of us elected to stay put.  The pancake breakfast

was cancelled, and one couple wisely elected not to fly in to visit.  Texts and photos flew back and forth, and the weather was beautiful

which is not always the case in Washington state.  My husband, an artists friend and I gathered at home and had our ribs, and potato

salad.   It was quiet and peaceful, but oh how we missed the chaos, noise and confusion.   

Everyone needs something to look forward to.............so next year,  back to the beach.

Like everyone else, I am in lockdown going on three months.  I am not complaining because I have gotten a lot of painting and cleaning

done in that time.  My husband and I love to cook and we have enjoyed some meals that surpass what we would buy in a lot of restaurants.

We haven't filed for divorce yet, and as a matter of fact he told me the other day how happy he was to spend another day with me.  I miss

spending time with my kids and grandkids but they are healthy and we talk on the phone and text a lot.  So, I call myself very lucky.

I do miss planning for our semi annual trips, however.  I find myself watching travel programs and movies that show beautiful locations.

I also started going through my photographs of past vacations and decided that if I can't travel that I would do a series of paintings of

places that we have been.   Our last European vacations was to Scotland, and I have done several paintings of the Isle of Skye.  "Touching

the Clouds" is the third painting I have done of this spot.  I can't tell you what the spot is called, but I can tell you it was windy and cool.

I loved Scotland wind, rain and all.  Being from the Pacific Northwest sure helps when you travel because we are not intimidated by the lack

of sunny, warm weather.

Painting my travel photos is a joy that puts me in a happy place.  I relive and revisit my experience in that place.  We had a wonderful time and met some great people in Scotland.  For example, we had a driver who sang the theme song from "Outlander" while we were driving through the Highlands.  And he did it well.  Now when I watch the program, I get to experience that memory all over again.

I highly recommend using your photos.  If you have taken a picture of a place where you had a bad or frustrating experience, use it to

come up with a story that will make you laugh about it.  There was that apartment we rented in Vienna !...…….Oh Yeh.  But I will save

that story for another time.  I'm in the middle of another painting; good times. 

If you are a lover of art history, as I am, you've no doubt studied several artists' works

through their painting lifetimes.   They started out in one direction and often changed their

style completely by the time they died.  Picasso's early work was very conventional, easy

to understand and followed the traditions of his education.  Van Gogh's early work was

dark, and I thought, crude.  But then he was learning his craft as well as who he was.

I think of these two artists, not because I compare myself with either one that's for sure,

but because their work changed so dramatically.

I have now been painting full time for nearly 30 years.  I began working in charcoal and

pastel doing portraits and figures, my early loves.  I traveled through water color, oil, oil

bar and unbelievably settled into acrylics.  Subject matter doesn't seem to hold me back 

as I set a goal for each new work.  For example, with Blue Mystery my goal was to work on

values using limited colors.  Of course, I wanted the painting to hold together and be interesting

but not overly realistic.  My more recent works have followed this same mind set but are

more abstracted.  

So how does this relate to Picasso and Van Gogh's painting journey?  Well how often have 

you had someone, a spouse, partner, friend, gallery owner say, "Well that's different for you."

Meaning what?  It doesn't look like your work?  Why aren't you painting like you use to?

I like what you use to do?  Or, wow I like this new approach.  I believe our work should change.  

It's normal.  How boring would it be to continue painting the same way and the same things

year after year, decade after decade.  Besides if you compare works, there usually is a link; colors, brush

strokes, textures.  It indicates growth and learning.

While I may create some really questionable pieces while I experiment with new ideas and materials,

I think I will welcome "Well that's different for you."  After all, if it was good enough for Picasso and

Van Gogh, it should be good enough for me too.

 I feel like I'm peeking out from under the covers wondering if I should actually come

out of this nice warm place.  It's winter, it's cold outside, and I'm trying to motivate

myself to create.  I've done several paintings in bed, and they have all been really great.

Of course, they have only been done in my head, but they're great.

OK, so I'll get up, put on a couple of sweaters and run to the studio in the rain and actually

work.  I'll deliver paintings, cards, catch up on correspondence attend meetings and

make commitments for future shows.

I don't know why I complain.  I love shuffling through photos, prepping canvases and working

out drawings to get ready to start a painting.  I love what I do and where I work.  There is

nothing better than slopping around in paint and pacing back and forth to get a better look

at a work in progress.  Some pieces will work and please me and some...……….well, gesso and

a large paint brush will take care of anything.

It's a new year and a new painting experience.  I'll try new things, discontinue some old things

and see what happens.  Hopefully I'll see some different places and meet some new people.  One

thing about art, you never know where it will take you.

I have spent the last 9 days trying to get my email back and working with my website.

Thank God for my kind and knowledgeable son-in-law.  He not only got the job done,

but he saved me from a nervous breakdown, heart attack and stroke.  He probably also

saved my marriage.

Although my kids think I'm completely helpless, I know that I'm more knowledgeable

than many, many of my contemporaries.   I appreciate modern technology in so many

ways, such as healthcare, travel etc.  But, why does it take 2 to 4 tries to turn on the tv

even with a universal remote?  Why do we have to have passwords with 47 characters

and then another pin number? Never mind, I know the answers.  I don't like the answers

but I know them.  

But now everything is up and running.  I know it is only temporary, so I will appreciate

this quiet lull in the chaos.  I will only answer the phone if I know who it is, I will watch

a program when I darn well feel like watching it,  I will check my emails and post my blogs

but most importantly, I will paint.  No buttons, keys, passwords or pins, just me, the brushes

and the paint.

I just finished watching the 10 part series about Pablo Picasso based on a book I had read several years ago. 

It was very well done, and Antonio Banderas was excellent as was the actor that played Pablo as a young man.  

It was very interesting watching this artist struggle through his personal challenges to create something new

and unique.  I particularly liked hearing the comments from the public, the press, his fellow artists and

his friends about his innovative works.  So often these comments were really critical and derogatory 

especially when his work was so revolutionary and cutting edge.

This series is titled "Genius".  The first season was about Einstein.  I think Picasso certainly fits the title.  Both series

captured the personal challenges to follow their own passions.  Picasso's passions, both personal and artistically, definitely

intermingled and at times interfered with each other.  His women, wives and lovers, seemed to be the inspiration for so

many of his works.  

I continue to be intrigued with the complexities of the man whose mind could continue to create these works of art.

I also struggle to understand many of his paintings; what world was he seeing through his eyes or in his mind.  And,

is it necessary to have such an enormous ego or as many insecurities to be great, because he really wasn't a Mr.

Nice Guy.  What I enjoyed with this production was seeing the frailties  of a true artistic  genius.   I found a bit of

comfort in that as I work in my own studio and throw my hands up with frustration, or stare at a painting that 

I have worked on for days or weeks and wonder why.  Well, I have the insecurities down.  Maybe I just need to

work harder on my ego.

I like artist groups and have belonged to several exclusively for women for many years.

My favorite is a critique group that has been meeting monthly for about 10 or 12 years.  I've

written about this group before and about some of the interesting histories we have.  We've

lost several ladies because they moved away to be near children and grandchildren, or

because they took on additional art responsibilities.  But recently, we said good bye to

one of our founding members.

Pam Harold  moved back to Canada to be nearer to her family and because her health demanded

that she not be on her own any longer.  Pam was a true original, and she will be sorely missed.  She

was a terrific watercolorist.  She put herself through art school, then took off for Europe with a girl

friend experiencing adventures that she amused us with stories about years later.  When she and her

husband moved to Nova Scotia, she taught school while living through freezing winters in an old house

in the country.  She traveled the world, painting and recording her journeys in beautifully illustrated journals.

Pam and her 2nd husband, Bill, sailed the waters of the Northwest, and Pam had beautiful paintings to prove

it.  When she nursed Bill through and lost him to cancer, she continued to produce art in the wonderful studio

he built for her looking out on the Puget Sound.  She fought a good fight against the mountain beaver in her yard,

that amused the critique group, but frustrated her.  When her hands began shaking to the point that she couldn't

do some of the fine work she had previously done, she changed up, switched gears and continued working.

I am happy to say that our art community displayed several exhibits of her work around town in appreciation

before she left.  

We will miss you Pam.  We will miss your poetry, your helpful suggestions regarding our work, your only slightly

smutty jokes, and your wonderful Christmas critique luncheon.  I know that you are only a 2 1/2 hour train ride

away in Vancouver, but it was always nice having you so close.