Quiet spot in the garden at Versailles

Another image from the gardens of Versailles.....

View from the past

I recently found this painting of a hibiscus that I did a number of years ago on a trip to Hawaii with my family. I took my art supplies along on the trip but found it hard to find time or focus to paint. However, I did manage to do this small painting of a Hibiscus during the trip and I sent it as a postcard to my mother. Fortunately Mom saved it through the years and I borrowed it last summer to scan it. It is now fun for me to look back at it and see it from a 'distance'. 

Mission San Luis Obispo

I totally forgot to post this painting last fall. I took a mini-vacation to San Luis Obispo to 'recharge' and also spend a little time with two of my sons (one a student at Cal Poly and the other in for a visit).  During my time away from home I wanted to do some painting.  One day I walked from my hotel into town, with my art bag slung over my shoulder, determined to paint something on the spot. But.... I do get a little intimidated... and usually return without having painted.  This time I walked into the Mission Plaza and to my amazement (and pure coincidence) I walked right into an art event -- the San Luis Obispo Plein Air Festival. Many artists had gathered to do some painting 'on the spot' and they were just finishing their paintings. The plaza was full of people as there were many spectators. While the artists cleaned up their things and headed over for the official judging... I started talking to myself.... "Claire - sit down and paint something .... just do it!!".   Finally I got the courage to sit on a small stone fence, get out my supplies, and paint the San Luis Obispo Mission directly in front of me. When I finally got started then I began to relax and enjoy the process. I did it!

Art Hearts for Haiti

With the recent earthquakes and devastation in Haiti ... many of us are looking for ways to reach out and help. Laure Ferlita is coordinating an outreach for the people of Haiti with "Art Hearts for Haiti".  These are the two hearts that I sent to Laure for the outreach project.

I came across these quotes that speak to me at this time:

When written in Chinese the word "crisis" is composed of two characters - one represents danger and the other represents opportunity. ~John F. Kennedy, address, 12 April 1959


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. ~Theodore Roosevelt

A new casual necklace for the year

I thought this new little necklace would be an interesting way to keep some focus on my word of the year, Clarity. It is a small leather scroll and it has just a few pages of paper that I can write small quotes or thoughts during the year. I picked up the necklace on Etsy.

New beginnings for 2010

January 2010 ... the beginning of both a new year and a new decade. New adventures lie ahead!! I'm excited to start the year and see what adventures are in store for the year. I have 2 brand new sketchbooks - a wonderful Christmas gift from my son Sean. It is going to be so fun to fill these new sketchbooks with new paintings and sketches during 2010. I also have a new new pair of glasses to use for my art work.

Another new thing for the year is that I've chosen a new word to focus on for 2010. I did the same last year and found it to be very beneficial. My word for 2009 was Bloom and it did inspire me both with art and with friendships. At the end of 2009 it also gave me a lens to use to look back over my year. For 2010 I've chosen Clarity and it will be interesting to see how my year unfolds.....

P.S. To learn more about the idea of choosing/adopting a word for the year:  
   http://christinekane.com/blog/resolution-revolution-a-better-way-to-start-your-year/

A Toast to the New Year

A little late .... but I'd like to offer all of my blog friends a toast to the New Year.  I hope this late toast just extends the festivities for you!!  


P.S. Its Chardonnay rather than Champagne!

Memories of Summer

For some reason ... in the cold of winter I'm thinking of the wonderful bounty of fresh fruit from last summer....