So I uploaded the second piece in the teacup series which technically is a prequel to the Granny piece. This is a still ife inspired by a playtime set up my daughter made for herself. There was supposed to be a bunny in it, too, but she insisted she needed to play with it so I couldn't use it. Some things are just not meant to be

I did edit it a little and dismantle the set up to work the color independently. It still needs some tweeking, but I have to move on. I don't love it, but it works for the series which is a story of sorts.

Sometimes I'm in love with an image; sometimes I'm in love with a process; sometimes I'm in love with an idea; and sometimes I'm in love with a story. It's hard to provide passion and love for all of them all at once. I guess I'm a monogamist at heart.

Thanks to all who have been visiting my page and providing feedback. I am truly inspired by all of you... 

I uploaded some photographs today. I need to take new pictures of my paintings which I am going to try to do today. I finished Granny's Teacup (the uploaded image is actually not done) and I started the still life of my daughter's tea cup with a set inspired by one of hers. Of course since I am using her things she suddenly needs them back!

She and her friend also wanted to add to my painting. In the spirit of the concept, I actually let them add coffee and steam and then gave them 2 mini canvases of their own to work on. They both painted portraits of me (haha!). It feels really great to be working daily again. My husband and I sit together while I work in the evening and my son is remarkably mellow while I work during the day...we'll see how long that lasts!

So I'm curious...is anyone else going to enter that Castle des Reaux competition? It reads a little funny in that it seems to say the deadline passed in January, but then gives another that makes more sense given there are banner adds on this site which is in July.

Recently I decided to really put a lot of energy back into making art. I need to bring in a little income while I'm staying home with the kids! I thought about tutoring, but the thing that makes me really feel grounded is painting...

It's hard to find the time, but I'm moving my work around the house and making time. I'm wasting paint, but  I'm also getting a lot onto canvas/ paper.

I'm beginning a series about toys and play. The first set of images have to do with tea cups and tea parties. My mother's family is Irish and tea was very important in my house. Everyone had a special tea cups...even us kids. It was the cure for everything and really good with lots of milk and sugar!

I drink herbal tea-sometimes, but it's not the same. My daughter has a whimsical tea set that gets dragged around and banged up where my "play" tea set was always carefully placed on a shelf and hardly ever used in fear of breaking it.  I did put real tea in though!

The first in the series is of me picking up the pieces of my grandmother's tea cup that was given to me after she died. Another self-portrait! You'd think I was a narcissist! I suppose all artists are in some ways.