Thursday, March 30, 2017

Working on my horse goals

 
Just wanted to share my progress on some
of my horse goals I have been working on. Not
the best pic's but you get the idea. 
Thankfully I have a small  indoor riding arena
at the barn where I board Hottie.  This really
helps out on Michigan rainy or snowing days.
 
 
One of Hotties issues is she doesn't like
things next to her.  So this is just
an exercise we are working on so that
she trusts me and does what I ask her to do.
 
 
At first she would not go through those
scarey looking things but now we can
with no problem.

 
Another scarey thing for Hottie
was tarps.  She used to spot them
way off in the distance and
would snort at them from fear.

 
I worked with her on the ground.  She feels
safe when I am next to her and lead
her over it or drape it over her back.  However with
me on her back she wasn't brave walking
over the tarp.  So we finally were able
to walk over it with me riding her.
Yay! As I pet her and tell her what a good girl she is!
 
 
We'll keep at the tarp. 
There are more things I want to be
able to do it.
 
We have come so far over
the 15 yrs that I've owned her.
She will be 19 yrs. old next month!
I love my horse!
 
 

Thursday, March 23, 2017

New Painting Progress

My Dad is having health problems with heart and
kidney failure which is stressful and leaves you feeling
sad and helpless.  Art is a great stress escape.
I haven't painted in a while so I thought time to break out the brushes.
   What better subjects that these two big sweeties.

Boo Boo (Benny) & Hazel 

I cherish everyday with Boo as he is 6 yrs old
and I am told the average lifespan for a
Flemish Giant is about 5 yrs.
They truly are gentle giants and I want to capture
them on canvas. This is my progress so far...


you can see the picture I am working from above



The background has been filled in. 
The dark colors are the first layering of fur colors.


Here you can see the red under colors appearing



A few close ups


I'm happy with his progress so far.  Lighter shades
will be added over the darker tones.


My plan is to do another canvas of
Hazel laying in the opposite direction.




Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Where it all began...

I wanted to share my very first paintings.
  My Dad was in the US Military so we traveled and
 moved through out my childhood between the US and Europe.
  We lived in Zwiebrucken Germany
 from 1977-1981.  It was a lovely place.  Kreutzberg Kaserne
was an Army base situated at the top of a big hill above Zwiebrucken.
It no longer exists.
 
 
I found this picture online.
The DYA was a Defendant Youth Activity which
was for the children of the soldiers.  They had
activities for kids.  Different sports teams, classes, dances
& field trips.  So it was here I took my
first oil painting class in the 3rd grade.
 
 
This was my very first painting.
I always colored and drew but never painted
before this.
 
 
 My mom was thrilled and had them framed
 
 
My 3rd grade signature
I bet the lady who gave the class
who was most likely a Military
Wife that gave the class to earn
a few extra dollars had no idea
that by doing so she would open
such a significant door in my life.
I now cannot imagine not
making Art! 
 
 
They hang in my studio as a memory
of when making Art truly began for me and of one of my
most favorite places that I ever lived.
 
 
~Another view from the opposite side~
 I was happy to find these pictures
online.   The Elementary school is to the left of the DYA.
 
I wish you a Wonderful Weekend
where you can make
great Memories!
 

Friday, March 10, 2017

My Easter Decorations


There was a time I didn't decorate for Easter...
What was I thinking?
A time to display Bunny Stuff all over the house!



 
I decorate my Easter tree with real eggs that I
have blown the yolks out through a small
hole that I poke at the top and bottom.  
The ribbons hide the small hole.  This is
a German custom I grew up with.
 
 
I then also made these bunny ornaments. 
I created a paper pulp with old paper
that I mixed in the blender.  You can find
different recipes on Pinterest
 
 
I then poured the pulp  it into metal
chocolate molds that I collect.
I painted and decorate the tails
with fluffy feathers to add some flair.
 
 
 
 
This lovely bunny was a find in
a small out of the way gift shop
my husband got me on a weekend getaway.
 
 
I love the little basket he carries on
his back. 
 
 
A little spring display on the coffee table.
The bunnies a gift from
my step son Cameron. 

 
I love cloches!  I put one of the
nests under it.  The big eggs
I made out of Paper Mache.
 
 
This pretty little glass house was a gift
from Cameron too.
 
 
The Easter door wreath I made.
Again these bunnies I made using one side
of a mold similar to the one below.  I used
plaster of paris for these.  They are heavier,
but show more of the mold detail than
the paper mache.  You can also
set wires in the plaster so you are able
to wire them  to a wreath.
 
 
My front door as you walk up.
It's still cold here and snowing
out as I type.  I made
a the little purple wreath to
put around my bunny statue
by the door.
 

Nothing is green or sprouting so cuttings
are still in my dirt filled pots.
I just removed all the berries and pinecones. 
I use evergreen, boxwood
and different greens I trim in my yard. 
 
 
I am looking forward to Spring!
and hope you  have a Great Day!
 


 

 

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Bunnies & Nests


I have been busy.....working on Artwork which I will share in
future posts.  I redid my Blog header
and background - Did you notice? I am
working with my horse and training goals I have with her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I made some spring nests to use in my Easter decorations
and I laid them on the floor to take a picture of them


Hazel hopped over to snoop and nibble on them.
I thought, ohhh that would make a
cute Easter picture....my big buns and the spring nests


Hazel is such a good girl and give her
treats and she'll sit there


Benny or Boo as I call him is another story.
He takes the treat and hops away to eat at a safe
location where no one can get it from him.
He has always been an extremely timid guy. 
He doesn't like anything
out of his comfort zone. I find now that
he is older the slightest thing will
scare him and he flattens himself like
a pancake or runs into his cage for safety so I don't push him.
He is 6 yrs. old  which I am told is very old for a giant.


He was not cooperating.  He wouldn't scoot
over in front of the backdrop!



This was the best I could get of them together


and for fun with a filter




Hazel was more cooperative


She is just the sweetest big girl
and sat there.


So I gave up.  Then Finn had to come in
and be nosy and I got these
beautiful shots with my cell phone


I love this one!
He's so beautiful!


So even with Boo being uncooperative
I did end up with a few great pics!