Whoa, where have I been? Ah, going thru changes, struggling with life, trying to figure out how to navigate this insane world.  My work is shifting a bit, becoming lighter, more playful. I am not going to promise consistancy, but I will attempt to post more often. 

Meanwhile, here is "Bananas"  I was in the mood for yellow...

 

In a world where whimsy dances with the ordinary, we find ourselves enchanted by a delightful tableau of playful ducks, a handful of #2 pencils, and vibrant bananas. This artwork invites us into a realm where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary, a place where imagination reigns supreme.

At first glance, the cheerful yellow ducks seem to swim right off the page, their playful expressions capturing the essence of joy. They glide effortlessly alongside their banana companions, creating a delightful juxtaposition that tickles the senses. The bananas, with their bright hues and curvaceous forms, evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia, reminiscent of sunny days spent in laughter and play. The pencils watch from behind.

The background, a rich tapestry of dark tones, serves as a canvas that amplifies the vibrancy of the foreground. It’s as if the artist has conjured a mysterious landscape, inviting viewers to ponder the stories that lie beneath the surface. What adventures await these ducks? Are they embarking on a quest for the perfect pond, or perhaps seeking the ultimate banana split? What are the pencils plotting?

This artwork is not merely a feast for the eyes; it’s a playful invitation to embrace the whimsical side of life. It encourages us to find joy in the unexpected, to see the world through a lens of creativity and wonder. The artist’s unique voice resonates through each brushstroke, blending friendliness with a hint of mystery and a dash of wit that leaves us smiling.

As we immerse ourselves in this colorful creation, let us remember the importance of playfulness in our own lives. Just as the ducks and bananas coexist in harmony, so too can we find joy in the simple pleasures that surround us. So, take a moment to pause, reflect, and perhaps even let your imagination take flight. After all, life is too short not to embrace a little joy!

New Work a bit late in showing up. Mea Culpa

 There are twelve new paintings coming soon to the website.  I took them down to be digitally scanned and will put them on the website as soon as I can.  Subscribe to my newsletter and I'll let you know when
they are available, and give you a sneak preview of the other new ones. Plus, a discount if you want one of your very own!

 

First:  "Am I Dreaming?"

Daydreams are part of my creative process, and
this gal just dreamed her way onto my easel.  

"Carrots"
I didn't get my garden planted, but I can indulge
in wishful painting, right?
I have a rabbit painting that will go with this one...

"Maxie, Come Back Here"
Is a tribute to every dog-parent who's tried to keep
their dog on a leash. This one is smarter than
the average human, and twice as much 
trouble as a two year old...  Have fun!

 

You can contact me here:
https://www.mselaineyartist.com/contact 

 The cards are here, and available on the website!  I'm delighted and excited to offer them to you. 

check them out on the website. @ www.mselaineyArtist.com

or go directly to the cards:

I  had so much fun painting this. I had my music up loud and was dancing in front of my paint table.  As a child of the '60s and never having really grown up, "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Sunshine of my Love" inspired this work. This is now available on my website, and I am considering adding it to my upcoming greeting card offering. 

 

New Website Giveaway!

 

To celebrate the launch of my brand new website, I’m giving away a 22”x 15” print on matte photo paper of “Deep Shade” (retail value $75)!

ENTER HERE

https://www.mselaineyartist.com/new-website-giveaway

The winner will be announced on April 4th, 2021

I will also be providing EVERYONE who enters (even if you don't win!) a one-time discount to buy anything on my site at 20% off.

Good luck!

BTW – I’d love if you would let me know what you think about my new site in the comments below!

 "Do Cats Dream In Color?"

This is part of a series I'm working on ... Whimsey.  Dreams and humor, life, and things that happen.  I'm drawn to lightness of heart, which we all seem to need right now.  This year has been... (insert descriptive here) for everyone I know, but a new wind is whistling through the trees, and I'm visualizing some calmness and kindness coming our way.  Blessings

During these times of uncertainty and stress, it is Hope, Courage, and our Dreams that keep us going. This country has made it through tough times before and we will do so again. I have personally been gifted by "the kindness of strangers" and will do my best to pass that along where needed. Sending out my love and my faith in the hearts of people to do the right thing.  

March 2021: I am working on turning this series into a book, with other contributors adding writing and poetry.  If you are a writer or are inspired by your own journey, contact me at MselaineyArtist@gmail.com to talk about it. 

The Adventure Continues

-Pale Moon Rising-

The energy is sparking, my ears are perky and copious yellow sticky-notes adorn my desk.  The whole process of getting an on-line presence is more complicated than I imagined, and there are so many details that come into play. The only down-side is that while I am concentrating on websites, FaceBook and Instagram, PayPal and all the other pieces, I'm not doing artwork. 

Marsh

I "know" this will all balance out, and I will be back at the worktable again soon, but that's the downside of coming into this new decade.

If you want to take a look at what I've been doing, here is the website. Take it for a spin, and if you want to be notified when new work is posted, subscribe.  Most likely, you won't hear from me more than once a month, if I am very productive, or have a show coming up. 

- Bessie  15"x22" watercolor -

 I am thrilled.  Recently I discovered a company that scans artist's work and makes it possible to turn them into prints. (CaliColor Fine Art Printing) When I received the results, they were beautiful. 

These are the first of the scanned works, and now I am exploring the idea of putting together a website to make the work available to the public as giclee prints.  

Bright Bouquet and Vase 15"x22" watercolor

I feel a renewed energy, a spring in my step and more laughter in my life.  I love the freedom of watercolor, and have again started taking supplies with me when I travel. 

When I can share the joy and fun I have with others, it adds so much to my life. 

Madden Creek, Tahoe 15"x22" watercolor

Queen of All She Surveys  15"x22" watercolor

These paintings are not only records of my travels, but things that I love, things that catch my imagination, and subjects that feed the fire in my soul.  I'm happy to share them with you, and soon, if you want some of them for your selves, will be making them available. 

Backwards and Forwards - Thoughts on the last few years

I am revisiting this blog after a gap of several years. For long time, I just couldn't write. Losing Jim was more than I could handle, and it's been 4 years now.  I've done some healing, lots of changing and I'm still standing.  Re-reading what I'd written, about the hope, about trying to maintain, it still hits me like a sledge hammer.  One thing though, I'm doing what Jim wanted me to do. ... Paint.
       
I'm neck deep in watercolors, and loving it. Started working with a teacher/mentor and it's given me the boost to expand into a whole new direction. The work I'm doing is bolder, brighter, more lively than it's been for years.  Feel like I'm getting my "sassy" back, and I haven't had that since the early 90's. Artwork is fun again. 

I'm also expanding out into the world again, reconnecting with people from my past, making new friends and being "social".   I'm very thankful for the people in my life, and their acceptance and affection for me.  My glass is more than half full. 

I still feel like Jim is on the edges of my life, and sometimes it feels like he is messing with stuff; I can almost hear his laughter. Things happen, little funny things, and I ask "Really Jim?".  No lottery numbers... drat. and anyway, people are never really gone as long as they are in our hearts, right? 

Don't know how much I will be putting into this, but it feels like it's time to write again. At least there will be plenty of artwork to post.  
Taa taa for now.

Whimsy is the Spice...

Home from a bucket list cruise to Alaska, I sat down and finished the decoration on a quintet of ceramic fish. They'll be a gift to a friend, and I wanted them to be playful and fun.  

Interesting discovery: nail enamels have bright, tough colors and adhere well to glazed ceramics. I'm liking this for non-functional works. 

Each one has a title, and from the top:
"Damnit Harvey, you promised..."

"Does this color make my fins look fat?"

"Look, Dorothy has ruby flippers!"









"Look kid, it's like this..."

Lastly, "What did you call that drink?"

I enjoy humor in my work, puns, both visual and verbal, and can amuse myself for hours in art-play.

Post "Artum" Blues

The paintings are finished, packed in a box to be delivered today. Inventory list has been updated, photographs taken.  So, why am I feeling so strange?  Is this like the depression that occurs after giving birth?  The pressure is off, I should be able to relax, but I find myself restless and out of sorts. 

I'll take a few days to clean up the house and the art mess (well maybe more than a few - I've been just avoiding things for almost two months).  The opening is next week, and then... I'll have to find another mountain to climb. 

The work continues...

It's been a wild trip; painting for this show. I'm almost at the "20" point, and can see that light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, these are in the "resting" stage, that is, the content and overall composition are set, but there are going to be some changes. Colors, lines, & shapes may change, especially when they are all up. The overall impact of the whole group may influence what happens.  I can't say what that will be yet.  




It's interesting, because each of these pieces has invoked the emotion they portray while I'm painting, or it triggers memories that I'd forgotten.  I can honestly say that there have been copious tears. And smiles. 







Each day brings me closer. Part of me can't believe that I'm managing to come up with the ideas, the images... and then translate them to paint. I am grateful for the opportunity, and for the incredible support I've had along this path.  The whole process is healing. I've gone whole days without tears, and I am looking forward more than looking back. Not always, but I can feel the tide is turning for me.  I believe that this is the gift that Jim has given me, the chance to bloom again. He is somewhere out there, with a big grin on his face, watching out for me. 

Working on a Show!

Well, I've done it now... entered a piece into a juried show, and it was accepted.  the show consists of 20 artists (more or less) who will put together 20-25 pieces on a theme of their choice. I have to say, small pieces, they're 8"x8", so not as bad as one might think. However, they have to be delivered in just over a month. Whoopsie.  So, I'm painting like a mad woman.  this came about because I was talking to my therapist (a bereavement counselor) about not being able to paint. 

It's been a long time... from before Jim died. I've cleaned the studio, bought art supplies, but just couldn't bring myself to get working. The therapist reminded me that grief was really hard work, and that it can eat all those creative juices. She also told me that the most famous artists painted their grief, rage, and other emotions... and those paintings are now hanging in museums and galleries all over the world.  Listening to her, something clicked, and the next morning, I dragged my sketch pad to bed, moved the cats over, and mapped out my grief. 

So, I'm painting my grief. It's different from anything I've ever done before, and I'm living the emotions that I'm painting, but this might be the most powerful group of works I've ever done. At the least, it's therapy, and at best, something that will reach out and connect with others.  So, here are a few of them, with the caveat that they might go through some changes before the show.  Just sayin'.