Seems like August never happened. I know it must have — I had a birthday.
At the end of July I collected a blue ribbon and my paintings that didn’t sell from one art show, and hustled them to another town a few miles east of me for a month-long exhibit. In September I moved the non-sold ones again. To a main street storefront window in yet another nearby town, where they’ll stay another month.
These things do not take up large amounts of time, but preparing for the displays, being sure I have enough paintings, paintings people will enjoy and hopefully buy, printing, matting, framing, backing and labeling, recording each piece with titles and sizes and prices — these are the things that use up huge chunks of my energies. I am not a marketer, you see…
I’d rather doodle than paint for a show. I’d rather write in my journal than compose a piece for submission. I love it when something I’ve worked on comes together and I can call it a finished painting, or file it away as an essay-to-use-somewhere-someday. It’s always a surprise, but it does happen…
 |
 |
 |
| Liquid pencil doodles… I have many such pages. | Pen and ink doodle, of a candle glass on my table. | Liquid pencils, then watercolor, of my friend painting at her easel en plein air. |
Maybe now, as the fall air begins to chill and long sleeves are again comfortable, I can quiet my spirit. Maybe now I can write, paint, and read, as the smells, sounds, and sights turn crisp and my head clears to think.
I painted this in watercolors, remembering so many years ago when I sat just like this on a chilly fall day, watching the water foam slightly and break. Listening to the sounds of a day soon to close. Relaxed and simply enjoying…
Before I painted in the little girl, I had this in the throw-away stack. Some artist friends wouldn’t let me pitch it — they set it in front of me and said, ground those rocks. Lift out some whites on the water. And I painted me — so long ago.
This painting sold at the art show in July…
But where did August go?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Barb,
I LOVE how your site looks. I guess being an artist my eye sees the design and layout of anything before seeing the content. But the visual leads to the content – right? I have questions to ask you but will save for the class blog course. One question – what day is your birthday? I am guessing there are a lot of us Leo’s in the class.
Thank you Adele! I’ll check the class board to see your questions. Meantime, My day is the 19th. I have five grandkids and a sister-in-law all with birthdays within 2 1/2 weeks of mine. So it’s a busy month that way too.
It’s also the month both my parents passed, and I think all my little ones’ being born in August more than expands the sorrow into joy. 
Barb
I took August Barb, every single second of it
I love your painting of you, watching the season roll in, really beautiful.
Anita
Ahhh… it was YOU!
Thanks for fessin’ up, Anita. I have taken myself to task for missing it — I want so much to be present in my present. So I’m being conscious of September…
Wow! You are a great artist. I’ve always envied people with such talent. I also think it is something you are born with, not something you can really be taught to do.
I have to agree with Adele…your blog design is lovely and it beautifully frames your writings and your artwork. I always enjoy your blog, Barb. And OH, our birthdays are only a day apart. Mine is on the 20th.
I love your sketch book images. I am curious as to what liquid pencils are. Water soluable? The watercolor image is really nice.