Dawg, finished cat, and an owl.

Finished 8x10 cat commish.

Finished 6x8 inch dog. (Not commission, just example for an upcoming show.)

And last but not least, a 5x5 owl.
El: "Why does the owl have a leaf on its head?"
Me: "Because it lacks opposable thumbs. Duh."

Cat'n'More flowers.

Last Saturday, volunteered at a local craft show (at the Science museum of Richmond), then went out to listen to Diana Nyad speak at the Altria Theater. Sunday was spent a the in-laws, where we were given much food and where El did computer fixings. Then we went to Strange's florist and I got Christmas cacti! (Originally wanted just one, but El liked the pure white-flowered ones they had, so we got a little one of those, too.). It was a good weekend.

Also, here's an 8x10 cat named Houdini from today. Commissions are funny. A week goes by without a single one, then suddenly everyone and their brother wants a painting, and they want it yesterday.

A little magnolia 4x4 from last week that I forgot to post for whatever reason.

Edit: also, an 8x10 dog from today.

Gesso issue and other things.

7.5x9.5 inches; motif with magnolia, honeysuckle, and gumballs.
In somewhat related news, it looks like myself and a number of paintings (this one included) will be participating in the Holiday Boutique at the Collegiate School on December 6th.

I tend to use Jerry's Art-a-rama for my board and paint needs. The most recent order had a quart thing of gesso with a broken lid. Contacted them, and they sent out a replacement. Am pleasantly surprised.

Meanwhile, we haven't had heat for 2 days. The studio never got under 63 degrees, despite it being in the low 20s during the nights. Am also rather pleasantly surprised about that. Thee central heating is fixed now, which is a relief.

Meanwhile-meanwhile, here's a first ever rectangular braided rug. Will be making more.

I've found that the way my mind works changed quite a bit in the past few years. It is no longer this wild, roaming mountain stream, but kind of like a full river- placid, except for occasional floods and turbulent excitement about various topics. Not sure if it's a sign of growing up or dedicating yourself to a discipline; regardless, it's interesting to observe. 

5x7 cat commission

This falls somewhat into the category of studio critters. A number of years ago, Josh and I volunteered at the garden of the Fields-Penn House 1860 Museum Out back there grew a very impressive vine with fruit that looked like something out of a horror movie. (Possibly involving aliens).
Before we left Abingdon, we gathered a few seeds from it and, finally lo and behold- A baby chocolate vine all of our own! (The stringy things behind it are daffodils, and the thing in front of it is a rogue potato. Not sure how either of them got there.)

From today.

Actually.. most of today was spent on edging, board prep, and talking to interesting people.

However, here is a photo of a favorite brush to make up for it.
(Seriously. 've been using this guy for 4 years, and the bristles are almost worn out.)

Orchids and logos.

A pair of 4x4s from today. (Showy Lady's Slippers)

And the work on the logo/sign so far. It's been a complete, total pain in the ass.
Still. Has to be done.

A small sunflower and more work on the logo.

5x5 acrylic on board.

Rest of the day was spent on another bucket of birds logo. This one- for vectorizing in the future.
Here's an unfinished screenie. (Still need to add the grass around the bucket, and tweak some of the lines.)

The sad part is, the sunflower took an hour, and the logo took 7. My GIMPing skills are lacking.

A few things.

The past three weeks have been like this. But with more acorns. (6x8 inches on non-cradled board).
And now, back to serious painting.

Skyscape. 15x48 inches

Also, hubby and grandfather in law ended up working on the building some more today. Front's now painted.

Tulip poplars and butterfly wings.

Wherein Nadya forays into decorative painting.


A pair of 8x10s.

And a 6x12 monarch butterfly/milkweed fluff motif.

Flowers.

5x7 rose and forget-me-not motif. Basically something to keep fingers paint-stained.

So.. spent much of the morning running around and figuring out what was actually needed to open shop. Looks like we're waiting on certificates of zoning compliance/occupancy, which can't be done until the building is rezoned, (or, they can be, but will then need to be done over). So... a few more months of Bucket of Birds being a work space and not a retail space. The public is wandering past, looking through the front shop windows, wondering what's up. Bloody frustrating.