Time for Me - Part I

white dog in progress - untitled
acrylic on canvas

A while back I applied for a residency that I so hoped I would get. It offered nearly a month of working time plus access to a technical team and lots of supplies. Since I teach as well as paint, it was ideal. Sponsored by a company whose products I use AND recommend, I had nothing to lose by applying. The application process itself was an eye -opener and I had to scramble to get images sized and labelled, my resume updated, and write about myself. (ugh) I was not accepted, but I wasn't hurt. It was a grand learning experience and based on the artists who were accepted, I had no chance whatsoever. But that's ok. 

After the rejection notice, I decided to make lemonade. With the cost of the residency in mind, I decided that for the rest of this year I would take as many workshops and classes as I could. For a change, I'd be the student. So far, it's been a great decision and has cost me less than the residency. 

For my first bit of me-time, I chose to spend 3 weeks away from home in another property we own, with only my dogs and art supplies in tow. Two of the finished paintings are seen in a previous post. My husband decided to come along for the first week, but I insisted I was not cooking, shopping or care-taking, other than what I'd normally do on my own. My mister was great about it all, so while I didn't paint consistently, I was able to get to the easel most every day. Once he departed I spent a good 6 hours or more painting each day and with no t.v. there, reading at night from 9 p.m. until whenever. I haven't been able to do that in the last 5 years. I'd forgotten how much I love just painting. Turning on the tunes, dancing and moving while working, dealing with composition and technical issues, mixing the colors, having aha moments. This was a little bit of heaven I've been missing for awhile. I liked, very much, what was emerging. 

pups in progress
acrylic on canvas - 30 x 40

Here I am with one of the paintings in progress. Doing my best Vanna impression next to it (except for the studio tee and shorts - she obviously dresses better than I,) you get a sense of the size. 

I'll get back to Time for Me- Part II soon.