How long does it take to paint a painting?

This is one of the questions that is asked more frequently of artists, "How long did it take to you to paint that painting?" I usually say something like, "About thirty years and a few days." In reality the length of time it takes to finish a painting is not relevant to the outcome.

Really, some artists are fast studies and work fast and some artists work slower and take their time. I work fast, mainly because I get bored and loose interest if I take too long to paint a painting. I do need to put in some quality practice so that I am not always rushing to complete work for a deadline and make my thirty years of practice count for something. Richard McKinley says you need to practice and not make a practice piece too "precious".

This article by Clint Watson makes that point, How Matters More than How Long. I hope you agree with me. I plan to do some quality practicing this summer like I did with "tree" studies a couple of summers ago. It does make a difference. Check back in with me to see about progress.

Preparing for the "Trip"

We are packing, packing and trying to get all in order for our summer. We went to dinner with Joanna and Larry last night for Joanna's birthday. That was great. Always nice to see the kiddos!

Today I need to make inventory lists, tickets for door prize, get my surfaces ready and make sure I have all my stuff for the show ready. In between we will be washing clothes and getting the house ready. Whew, lots to do.

More later.....

The Great Divide
Pastel on Pastelbord, 20 x 16 inches

You can see this one in Magdalena at Old Timers. Hope to see you there.

Happy Birthday, Joanna!

Happy Birthday, Joanna! I hope you have a great day! We will see you and Larry at dinner. A good plan, don't you think?

We are always rushing around for Joanna's birthday. Some of her birthdays are spent here and we go to the fireworks. We hardly ever get to actually see her on her day. This year will be special!

You can read more about Joanna and her birthdays starting with last year's post.

I don't think I've ever posted this photo of Joanna and Gene at her graduation in Chile. We won't say how long ago that was.

Joanna is always taking care of us old folks and we do appreciate her TLC. We love you, Joanna!


(Previous post for 4th of July..Have a Happy Fourth, all!)

Happy Fourth of July!

I am so proud to be an American. How lucky is that? To be born and raised in our wonderful country. Thanks to all the military, policemen, firemen and service people that keep us safe and free!

I always get tears in my eyes when I hear our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. It was amazing to live in South America and come around the corner to the Embassies and see the flag. Wow!

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

And a few flag photos:

In Texas:

And in New Mexico:





In Colorado on Gene's birthday:



And in Mexico when we went in April, I think.



Joanna has some great flag photos, too. Start with the Memorial Day Flag.

On the USA Flag Site you can find the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner (there is more than one verse, you know) and learn about the flag.

Photos, Dragonfly, Tortoise and more

Gene found this dragonfly on the door yesterday afternoon. Pretty nifty photo. Thanks, Gene.

There was a pet parade today, tied in with the Bastrop Patriotic Festival. Part of the Austin Symphony Orchestra comes to Bastrop just before or after the Fourth of July to play for the Festival just before the fireworks go off. It is great. They have them at Fisherman's Park with food, activities, more music and then the orchestra and fireworks. It is really spectacular and you can get up close with your lawn chairs and picnic or eat the food they sell there.

I went to my studio this morning to pack up for our trip and missed the parade, but these two entries came right by my studio. Pretty cool.

I took down the New Mexico paintings and put up some replacement on my studio walls. I packed up my easel, tables, pastels, paints, etc., too. Now I have to repack the tools and surfaces and get them ready for our trip. I was going to inventory as I went along and then didn't, so I have that to do and to make sure I have tags and all ready. I will have a door prize of the painting I paint at my show in New Mexico, so need to get the tickets ready. I need to have the painting surface ready as well.



These are the paintings left on the walls at my Studio. You see a Byrd and Street poster there. They will be at the Bugle Boy in La Grange, Texas, on July 23. It should be a great show. They will be in Bastrop a few times while we are gone, too. I will try to put it on my calendar. You will find their calendar on their page. I have prints from both of them at my studio and CD's for sale, too. Stop by and pick up both of their CD's.

Well, I gotta get crackin'! (Where did that come from??) More later. Happy Fourth!

** Added at 9 p.m.

As usual, I forgot to mention the First Friday Show last night. It was great. We saw lots of friends and people we hadn't seen in ages. That makes an evening and reception so special. Also, as usual, I did not take any photos. I served fresh fruit with blueberry/cream cheese dip to go with it and some cheese. I made the non-alcoholic sangria again, it was very good and gets lots of comments. So maybe we will see you at the next reception (in Magdalena) and I will try to remember to take photos. I didn't even take any photos of the exhibit. I will do that in Magdalena as soon as we get the paintings on the wall. I promise.

First Friday and new Pastel Landscape Painting

It is First Friday! Gene is framing and I am printing new cards. We will be hanging the paintings, freshening up the window display, preparing food, etc. It will be a long day. :) I did put away the pastels and straighten up my studio.

The Great Divide
Pastel on Pastelbord, 20 x 16 inches

I finished this yesterday. It is probably a little brighter, at least before I posted it here, I thought it was. I guess it depends on your monitor. The highlights on the pines on the right are pretty yellow in real life. Anyway, I hope you enjoy seeing this.

Stop by my studio tonight (see Calendar above) to see the new paintings and newly framed paintings to go to New Mexico next week. They are so much nicer in person.

Yikes! Our departure date is quickly arriving. Work, work, work ........