Oh Van-Gogh...

 Today was one of those "fill your own cup" days! (then you can fill others...)  For my Birthday, my sweetheart took me to the De Young Museum.  Oh my.....

 We had cups of hot chocolate and croissants and then had lunch in San Fran.  A totally wonderful day....and the paintings? Seriously brought tears to my eyes.  I had no idea that they would be that breathtaking!

Thanks Vincent for your inspiration....and thanks Rob for taking  me to fill up my cup.

Love,

Neisy

Salt

 6x6 oil on panel

I have been thinking a lot about painting.   I remember when I first started painting watercolors, being totally impatient with my progress.  Donna, in her wisdom, told me that I had to paint a mile of bad paintings before I would paint a good one...the point was to keep painting no matter what.  I found this to be true-then and now.  Sometimes, I put off painting even when my brain is telling me to get busy and pick up the brush, I fear my own failure and don't start.  But today, I heard someone say that "If you want to improve, it's better to paint thirty 1-hour paintings, than one 30-hour painting."   Just the kick in the rear that I needed to get going again.  So here is a simple painting...nothing that will rock the world....but maybe another starting point to keep me going on my painting journey.

Love,

-Neisy

Sour and Grapes

6x6 oil on panel

Brothers of Different Mothers

8x10 oil on panel

I have been setting up a few still life's lately.  We have been frequenting the farmers market that is near where we live.  The hardest part is getting it painted before we eat it!  Love Summertime! 

Neisy

"Compliments on the Beach"

6x12 oil on panel

I sat down to paint a small painting of fruit...and ended up wiping it three times!  One of those dreaded days where I am pretty sure I have forgotten how to paint at all.  So I washed my hands of the whole thing...literally.  So, (you have to know what's coming) after a few tears....OK a lot of tears.... I pulled myself together, ate some lunch and piddled around a bit...then sat down again.  This time, I decided not to care.  All of a sudden, 4 hours had gone by.  It was like I was on auto pilot.  I really can't explain why this happens!  And I really can't understood why my brain is so wired to care so much about what the heck is on that stupid little canvas!    This is a picture of a couple that were on the beach in Florida...they looked so beautiful together I spent an afternoon following them around taking pictures....does anyone else see a pattern forming?  Can you say O-C-D!  HA!

Loving the journey,
Accepting the journey, (ok...maybe both)


Neisy

"Pears and Pottery"

8x10 oil on panel

This is a little pottery cup that my daughter made a number of years ago in a class at school.  It's amazing how you get attached to little objects like this. It goes so well with all the pinch pots and coil pots that have become mine over the years...usually mother's day gifts!  (my favorite kind!)   I'm so glad I have it now, because every time I look at it...it reminds me of her. Good day painting today...sunshine and paint...what's not to love about that?

Here's to happiness,
Neisy

Bella Donna

I have been wanting to do a post dedicated to one of my all time favorite people in my life...Donna O. Kearney.  and for the past couple of weeks I have been having serious home sickness for HER!  So I need to share her with you.  This is Donna:

I met Donna about 15 years ago, after discussing with a friend about a painting class she was taking.  She invited me to go with her, assuring me that the teacher wouldn't care if one more person came to the class.  I agreed to go. The teacher taught painting out of her basement.  I had really been needing something in my life that would help me to be creative again.  I felt at the time like I had forgotten myself, totally lost in motherhood and family, I needed something just for me. (Brain junk is an awful thing....)  We showed up for the class...and the room was completely packed!  I mean packed like sardines!  As we were walking in....I heard someone asking Donna if she was taking any new students...she was saying, "No....we just don't have room right now..."  Then in we came, and Jamie said "I brought a friend with me."  Donna looked me straight in the eyes...(and I'm not kidding) it felt like she was looking into my soul and sizing me up.  She said, "except for you.  I have room for you."  It still makes me cry, thinking about it today.  We are sisters, her and I, and that night she saved my life.

Thanks Donna.  You're the best.

An "oldy..but goody"....

 Oil on Canvas 24X48

Years ago my good friend, Danielle, asked if I would do a painting for her home.  She wanted a french looking landscape.  We found this old book that had black and white pictures of french cities so I dove in. I had been painting exclusively with watercolor at that time, so I was a bit nervous, but I got into the zone fairly quickly and had a great time with it! This was the resulting painting. A few years after I painted it, the movie Chocolat' came out and to our astonishment, the opening scene of the movie is a panoramic shot of this same little town!  Right down to the church in the center square!  I had the chance to see it again recently...(it felt like seeing a long lost child). I also got to visit with my sweet  friend, who I love dearly. She is very talented in her own right and you should definetly check out her website(here)....you'll be glad you did.

As for me, I have been traveling, visiting, kissing grand kids, then moving when I got back to California....whew...I need a vacation from my vacation!  We are getting settled, now and it's time to crack open the painting supplies!  Happy summer!

Love,
Neisy