I am running back to my comfort zone

I gave a talk for my show.  I discussed painting in a series.  What was I thinking?  I hate public speaking.  I want to go back to my comfort zone.  I am running back to my cave.  Why do people always say you should try something new?  They also say never let them see you sweat - I was dripping.  Ok it was hot.  Twenty people showed up which I think is great for a Thursday and no food.  (What no wine  It wasn't allowed).  People were kind and said wonderful things and it was much appreciated.

Complements are nice but you have to go back to work.  Here is something I am working on for a show. I have been trying to paint from life and I am enjoying it.

Mess  (20 X 24)

Do you believe that the pile of shoes is a mess?  The reason for the name is that I had to fill out the submission form but I hadn't painted it yet.  So I put in a non specific name and painted it this week. A deadline forces you to work.

getting harder all time

You would think it would get easier but it doesn't seem to.  Probably the more experience you have the higher your own expectations.  I have a show coming up in our community centre.  I have a vision of 28 small dog paintings split  by 4 large ones.  I made a good start on two of the big ones. Yesterday  I was started working on the third.  Actually yesterday I worked on one version wiped it completely off.  I  just learned you can wipe it down with alcohol and it made a very nice toned surface to start again today.  Can you see the differences between the 3 paintings?  The answer is about an 2 hours.  Hard to believe eh? (that's the Canadian in me).

I am done for the day and whipped up small one.  Who doesn't love a puppy - maybe just Mr. Grinch. To all you Americans have a wonderful Thanksgiving and happy shopping

Sometimes painting is very addictive.  I said to myself put the brush down go to bed and start again tomorrow.  It never works when you paint while being tired.  Just one stroke I said.  An hour later and I can barely tell the difference.

Maybe I should listen to myself. 

AHHHH!!!!!!

Well I was on a roll blogging but right after the challenge we went to Toronto and helped my daughter move.  We have sworn we won't help her move again so she better stay put.   We were lucky enough to  catch the Alex Colville show at the AGO (Toronto Art Gallery) which  I really enjoyed.  It is a learning experience to see the his preliminary drawings for working out the details for his paintings. I also didn't know he designed the centennial coins in 1967.  I still come across them once in awhile, of course not the penny since Canada discontinued them. I miss pennies.

Look how clean he was.  It boggles my mind that he painted in a white coat that didn't seem to get dirty. Look closely  - do you see dirty pants, drips on the wall, or paint under the finger nails.  How did he do it? Anyway if you can,  go, you'll thank me later.

In contrast to him, I have dropped my palette on the floor and you probably can figure out which side it fell down.  I can't see because I push up my glasses and they get covered in paint and don't drink from my coffee cup because I have sometimes used it as a thinner for my paint.  I also reuse my old canvesses and today I worked for about an hour only to discover that it had a hole in the bottom. Crap.

Can you see the hole  - it looks like a dimple in the bottom right - well I didn't.  Maybe I should wash my glasses.

Here is my second start.