Friday, March 9, 2012

Back to the Drawing Board

Hello.
How are you?
Good I hope. :)

We are starting to get better around here, thank you so much for all the well-wishes, and it looks like the weather is hopefully going to be a bit more consistent in the next weeks....perhaps Spring is Springing?   

This last week has been interesting.   It started off pretty mundane and then Wednesday night shook me a bit.  My hubby, who had to run into work with his boss at 11:00 pm phoned me and proceeded to tell me that they are ok.  I was sleeping and it took me a minute to figure out what was going on but then it hit me.
WE ARE OK???
WHAT HAPPENED?
Well, it has been extremely windy here the last few days and as they were driving down the road they came across a tree that had fallen over the road from all the wind.  Unfortunately they didn't see it until they were right up on it and hit it.  The air bags went off and thank God they just "jumped" over it and landed on the other side....although not good for his bosses car.   No one was hurt but I was shaking so bad at the thought of what could have happened.  

This morning our wonderful washing machine decided to leak AGAIN so I spent the morning cleaning up water AGAIN and trying to figure out why it was leaking AGAIN.  I have a front loader and will never ever get another one.  They are great for some things but they smell and they get plugged really easily, at least mine does.  I use all the right soaps and try not to wash anything weird, I do have two children so I can't guarantee that weird things don't go in from time to time but this machine has done this about 8 times in the last two years.  I am not happy about that.  
Does anyone else have issues with their machine?

I have also started volunteering for an organization that my dear SIL is director of.  It is the Down's Syndrome Association of West Michigan.  I am their new Volunteer Coordinator.  It is not a paying job but that's ok, I love helping and it gives me a chance to do something for others.  This week I spent some hours trying to figure things out and setting things up, sending out emails and other little things.  I still have a ways to go to get in a groove but I think I am headed in the right direction.

I also had a few hours to try to paint.
Here is what is going on in that world.

This is what I am trying to paint.




This is what I ended with today, didn't even finish it, and decided to start over.




I am having the worst time with this area with the grasses and shadows,
I just can't get them to look right.



This was the first attempt....




 and second attempt.



 The second attempt was better but not what I had in mind.
I need to practice my grasses as well as techniques.  I still have to get over some things like the feeling that I am wasting paint and learning more about mixing colors.  
I will not give up and if anyone has any great books to go from I am all ears and eyes.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and please forgive me if I am a bit absent in the near future, I have some things coming up that will be taking some of my time.


Hugs!!





Photobucket

37 comments:

Passionate for White said...

I have a front loader and I know what you mean about the smell. To solve the problem (and it did) I leave the door open when not in sue so that it dries out inside and doesn't retain that musty smell.

Cassie Bustamante said...

ok well i think we are our own worst critics because i see these and am blown away by your talent.

NanaDiana said...

Well, your painting is looking pretty good to me! Mucho better than I could ever do. I have a front loader, too, and it does smell moldy sometimes. I also just developed a little leak somewhere along the way. It is a Maytag and I have had it for a while..it really does a GREAT job cleaning clothes, though. The matching gas dryer is the best dryer I have ever owned. xo Diana

Desire Empire said...

Glad hubs is OK. Life can change in an instant so luckily he is safe.

Good on you with the volunteering. I used to help a friend at a local Downs institution when I was a teenager. Loved those kids. The organisation is so lucky to have you.

Keep going with the painting. I think what you did looks great. I guess it's all about interpretation. Have a great week
Carolyn

Calypso In The Country said...

Glad to hear your husband was not hurt! I have never been thrilled with our front loader - you are right, they do smell unless you leave the door open all the time. About a month after having ours, the computer panel had to be replaced. I am also not sure if it really cleans better than a traditional washer! We never replaced our old dryer so the washer is taller than the dryer...looks a little silly. As far as your painting goes...Whoa - you are so talented! You did such a beautiful job! It made me happy looking at it for the subject matter of course, and the fact that I am just so impressed! Have a great weekend!
-Shelley

Suz said...

Lovely job. I can't paint or draw at all so I appreciate your beautiful efforts.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

Bautiful!!!!

YOU are quite the artist. Seriously talented.

S
xo

beachcomber said...

your painting is amazing michelle!! you really are talented. i must get into some painting too.
well done on the volunteering, they are lucky to have you!
& glad hubs is ok.
x

Rae said...

Wow.. again girl!! Lovely painting, it's vibrant just like YOU!
Have a happy weekend!!

rjerdee said...

We'll be here when you get back...I don't have a front loader but I've heard they're nothing but trouble. I've had a stacked apartment washer/dryer for 15 years...never fails. LUV, luv, luv it.

Amy Kinser said...

I think you are a wonderful artist and would be extremely happy to have one of the pieces that you think is not good because I think they are great. :)


Have a great weekend!

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

Oh my goodness, so happy your hubby is fine. That's not the call you want..."We are fine", yipes! Glad you are feeling better. Hope you're up to 100%. Your paintings are beautiful...I think you're too hard on yourself. They are gorgeous! Hope your weekend is bright and not having to mop up after any washing machines :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

I think your paintings look great, Michelle! I couldn't paint my fingernails and have it look halfway right. About the front loaders, I have my first one, bought in October, and I haven't had any trouble at all.
Brenda

Low Tide High Style said...

Holy cow, I'm so sorry about the accident...but so glad your husband is ok, especially since he is still recovering from his surgery! I'm sure you were scared silly, I would have been. And I'm sorry about your washing machine...ugh, you do need a new one. Your paintings are always great, and I'm so glad you are sticking with it, even if it means starting over sometimes!!! I hope your weekend is much calmer!

Kat

Heaven's Walk said...

Oh my gosh, lil sis! I'm so glad that hubby was ok! That must'ave been so scary for him! NOT the way that a wife wants to wake up in the morning!

Can't help you with your washer probs. I have an ancient toploading Maytag. lol!

Now....as for your painting...don't be so hard on yourself, girlie! I think they are beautiful! I remember my dad taking painting lessons eons ago, and one thing he had to keep reminding himself was that his painting were not supposed to look like the pictures he was looking at. He had to accept his own "touch" and interpretation. Keep on going. You've only been back at this for a couple months. :) You're doing just fabulous!!!!

xoox laurie

D and G Stories said...

Your painting is beautiful! I am so impressed and you should be proud of your talent!

As for your washer, you can buy washer machine cleaner for HE machines. It is a packet of powder that comes in packs of 3, and you just run your washer empty with it and it will take care of that smell pronto! I do it about once a month. Hope that helps :)

Have a great weekend!

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

So glad your hubby is okay! Yikes!!

And, girl, if I could paint like that I would be jumping for joy! What an amazing gift you have. Can't wait to see more.

Have fun with your new job :)

Darleen Hope said...

I'd like to be there now soooo much!! ♥

Amazing drawing :)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Well dear heart, you are ON YOUR WAY. You are brave and TALENTED to attempt to capture on canvas what you see with your eye. TOTALLY BRAVE for this is NOT easy. But your perseverance will show great results, I KNOW IT! It already looks promising!!! Anita

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

So happy your honey wasn't hurt!!

I love that you are sharing your paintings with us Michelle, they are wonderful!

Seaside Style said...

Hey Girl, So glad hubby is ok! The painting is going well, don't be so hard on yourself.. we can be our own worst critics, I think it is wonderful! Good for you for volunteering!

xoxo

Jessie Saxton said...

Oh my gosh!...I am glad your hubby is okay! This weather has been AWFUL lately! I am glad things are calming down and warming up this week...Hello SPRING:)

I think that your paintings are great:) I love that you have found something that you are passionate about.

Have an AWESOME week! (Hopefully less weird that last;))

Hugs!
Jessie

Tricia said...

Oh my goodness, I'm so glad to hear your husband is okay. That would be one scary phone call.

We just got a front load washing machine a few months ago and, like you, I would never get one again. Ours is stinky too and I don't think it seems to clean as well as the old one.

Your paintings look great, Michelle! I think you're being too hard on yourself. I don't know of any painting books, maybe you could look around on tv or the internet for that painting guy...Bob Ross I think his name is...the one with the big hair :)

Deborah said...

Hi hun!
I love your painting.
No matter what way it turns out..it will be beautiful...an extension of your giftedness.
You are amazing...at everything!
I'm so happy that your hubby was not hurt...another blessing.
Love to you sweet girlfriend xoxoxo

All my love,
Deborah xoxoxoox

Ral @ARTbyRT Seascapes and Island Life said...

Praise the Lord, hubby and he boss are well!

If you had continued to work on this: I love, love the clouds they are moody! The water wouldn't be this dark and bright though, more greys reflected from clouds and since clouds are COI you wouldn't want much in foreground

2nd tempt warm colors come forward, like those directly under closest row of grass so more warm sienna on front mound. Yoou can also warm your grasses the same way and blue them down further back. Your sand is a pretty color. I think you might tone down water a wee bit. I love Stephen Quiller's 'Color Choices'. Using his color wheel or any opposite colors mixed together gives you beautiful greys, he describes and demonstrates this well. Whoo sorry for such a long post. Keep going, I too have a canvas going, and going over and over and I still need at least one more time!

Ral @ARTbyRT Seascapes and Island Life said...

p.s. Wetcanvas has forums where one can post under their mediums and many helpful painters will come in with great critiques. Love you Ral

sandra said...

Michelle, So happy hubby is okay! That must have been very scary, especially so soon after his surgery.
God was obviously riding along with them that night!

I haven't had any problems with our front loader, but I agree it does smell. I think it's the rubber around the door maybe? Hubby found some stuff to put in their to freshen it up every now and then.

As for your painting, you already know how wonderfully talented I think you are, in everything you do. It all turns to "Michelle Magic" as far as I'm concerned! You rock! How could someone with such an amazing heart not have amazing talents as well?! Thanks for encouraging me with my painting as well.

I adore you my friend!
xx
Sandra

Anonymous said...

I'm glad that your hubby and his boss is alright. Having lived in hilly slopes all my life, I know what a fallen tree in dark or a sudden landslide could bring.

You are a painter Michelle! Are you a fine arts student? A professional? My mums a painter too but she does only oil on canvas. Love your painting. It's coming out well.

Jenni said...

Michelle, I am SO glad to hear your husband and his boss were all right, God was definitely watching over them! And oh, I am so sorry about your front loader! I hope you figure out what is wrong with is soon! {And oh, I have heard one thing...that if you keep the door of the washer open, of course when you're not using it, it helps with both mold and smell.} And about your paintings, you are doing so well! You have a gift, and I am glad you are not going to give up! I am also so happy for you about your new volunteer job, and hope it goes really well for you! :) I hope you are feeling better, by the way, I know you have been sick for a while...I will email you soon! :)

Hugs,
Jenni

Cathy's World said...

I am new to your blog. I think you are a great artist. Love the painting! We just bought a front loader. I DO NOT LIKE IT!!!! I feel I need more water to clean my clothes. The smell is so gross. I had someone come out and he told me to clean under the rubber with bleach every 2 weeks. It didn't help so I have to leave the door open. I miss my top loader!
Glad your husband is ok.

Martina said...

Michelle, you did so well with your painting! This shadow is tricky, it is bluer in the example you showed, but still your panting shows your talent!

michele said...

so glad that you guys are feeling better. the high winds have had me rattled this past week, and now i have a new thing to add to the anxiety trigger list.

have a wonderful fresh week!

michele

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

Well I am glad your hubby was ok. Congrats on the job-it still counts as life and job experience. And it keeps you busy. I love all yoiur paintings-don't be too hard on yourself. I'd love to buy one from you that you don't want to keep. I really don't have painting time right now:( Cheers

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Simple Daisy said...

Wowzers! you are so talented!!! Art is supposed to be perfectly imperfect:) You are amazing:)

Keity said...

I'm relieved to hear that your husband was OK.
Your painting is beautiful!!!
You're so talented!!!
And I hope your washing machine will work well:)

Brandi said...

Your paintings are amazing! Your talent blows me away! So glad your husband and his boss are OK.

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