All Work and No Paint

What a hectic time I'm having at the moment, haven't been here for so long almost forgot I had a blog to update. I have put my painting/drawing on hold for a while so I may be able to study at University. I don't know how much I will be able to put on hold, I will try to do some painting, maybe once a week.

Yes, I know, I'm crazy, but I have a plan. A long time ago in a land far far away, a little girl (we will call her Diana) decided she wanted to help people (why, we will never know). When she finished school and started working she decided to study Psychology by external studies. Of course, one thing led to another and she eventually settled down, got married and had children (so much for the studies or anything else after kids).

Like so many other plans that were made, started and never completed, this plan went along the wayside with the others.

Now that I have extra time on my hands (certainly not by choice), and the kids are able to function without me around 24/7, and because I am not feeling very motivated as I used to be with my painting and drawing, I have decided to go back and finish my studies. It's only been 20 something years, anyway, it's never too late to start something new and different in you life.

Here is the thing, because I am not as young as I used to be and because I haven't studied in many many years, I have to do a Tertiary Preparation Program so I can get good grades (like in school) before I can start studying a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) or Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) either one will do and I will be able to go on to do what it is I have always wanted to do, yes, I want to become an Art Therapist (big in the US not so big in Aus but hoping it will be).

Anyway, this is more typing I have done on here other than my assignments so I'm off. I will, of course, keep you updated with my busy little life (a lot busier than has been), and will keep this as a kind of journal for myself or anybody that can be bothered reading it.

Another WIP: Ballet Shoes Drawing

WIP: Ballet Shoes

Graphite Pencil on A4 (297mm x 210mm) Sketchpaper

Yes, another work in progress, nearly finished. I love the simplicity of the ballet shoes, never gets old.

Green Froggy No.1

Acrylic on Matboard

19cm x 13cm

This is a painting I did just to see if I could paint on the offcuts of Matboard. I had quite a lot of offcuts given to me for free from the local framers. I didn't have a clue what to do with them, so I thought I should try a painting experiment. The results from the experiment was great, after the painting was completely dry I gave it a couple of quick sprays of varnish to bring out the colours. So far none of the paintings have warped or faded (I finished this one several months ago). I have kept this painting because it's one of my favourites.

I love Green Tree Frogs and I have lots in my garden in summer. I have taken quite a few digital photos and love to paint them. I hope you like them too.

I will be painting a lot more on the matboards. L'ermitage below is another matboard painting.

Murray River Painting

Murray River Journey

Oil on Gesso Board

60cm x 43cm

This is a painting I painted back in 2004, the year my mother died. Its was the last painting that she ever saw completed. I have never been able to part with it and it hangs proudly in the lounge room at my house.

L'ermitage (a copy of a poster by Paul Berthon)

Art Nouveau Pic (L'ermitage)

Acrylic on Matboard

19cm x 13cm

This is a copy of an Art Nouveau poster by Paul Berthon. I love how the woman looks, so surreal and beautiful, so far away.

Some of my Paintings

Torquay Pier

Oil on Gesso Board (framed)

47cm x 39cm

This is a painting I finished last year for an exhibition. It is of Torquay Pier, Hervey Bay about 5 minutes from where I live (yes, I am lucky). Unfortunately it didn't win but it was admired by many, it is still for sale so if anybody is interested!!.

I love the ocean and the beauty of my surroundings. I intend to do a lot more local scenery paintings. I will post more as I do them.

Today isn't too bad for winter, about 25 degree's C and very sunny with blue skies all around, who can complain about this?

My Daughter Jessica

What can I say? My daughter Jessica... smart, beautiful, hard working and most of the time very, very annoying. She is 23 now and not getting any older, 23 going on 12, but I love her terribly and hope she loves me too.

One of her greatest pastimes is Soccer. Friday nights at the soccer grounds. Last friday a full on soccer game, she thought she had broken her foot, 4 hours up the hospital and no x-ray people, come back the next day they said. Saturday at the hospital again, 6 hours this time and x-ray showed no breaks...woo hoo. She went to work but alas the foot was not getting any better, back to the hospital again. She was told that it was badly bruised and contused but would be okay in a few weeks.. WEEKS!!!.

Had to share this with everyone....not sure why, probably because I had nothing much else to write.

What am I Doing?

Thought I would try to at least post something to see what it looks like. I intend to post my most updated paintings and drawings (and a few old one's as well).

I know that most blogs are updated everyday and I doubt very much if that will happen with me but I will give it a go.