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  • I’m the Holes in His Bags

    November
    22
    2006

    I’m the holes in his bags, I’m Glad.

    I can’t tell you how long it’s been that I’ve gone to the trash can after my hubby has put a new bag in, only to find that there’s too much air in there, you know? Call me neurotic, but it’s a pet peeve. The more air in there, the less junk I can put in the trash. For years now, I’ve snuck in a few minutes after he’s put a new bag in only to let out the air trapped inside, between the bag and the can.

    I never say a word – because honestly, who has the heart to tell a grown man how to take out the trash? That’s just wrong. Besides, I would risk having to do the chore myself if I insulted him to the point of (you know what’s coming) “fine, do it your dam* self.” I couldn’t do it.

    Air in the bag, I can live with that. I can live with being the “air letter outer”. No problem.

    Today, for some reason, I took the plunge. I did. I’m a daredevil, that’s me. Here’s how the whole thing went down:

    Me

        : “Honey?”

    Him

        : “yeah?”

    Me

        : “Could I get you to let the air out of the bags when you put a new one in the trash?”

    Him

        : “What for?”

    Me

        : “Well, it’s kinda like wrapping the trash up in bubble wrap. If you take the bubble wrap away, there’s room for more trash.”

    Him

        : “That air goes away, honey.”

    Me

        : “Uhm, no, it doesn’t sweetie.”

    Him

        : “It always does, there’s holes in the bags for the air to escape.”

    Pause. For a moment. Just to giggle and snicker.

    Me: “Honey, I hate to tell you this, but I’m the holes in your bags. I’ve been letting the air out for years.”

    this is a true story, I swear it. It just happened a half hour ago.

    Ashley Work In Progress

    November
    20
    2006

    cat portrait painting work in progress
    Ashley’s cat portrait is coming along nicely. One more layer of paint will go on tomorrow to deepen the deeps and lighten the lights – add whiskers and fluff and she’ll be finished.

    Shadow Box Art

    November
    19
    2006

    shadow box art
    This is a shadow box that Catybug made for her teacher. I’m showing it to you so that you know for future reference now NOT to take over your kids projects.

    I sorta did, take over I mean, but it was completely unintentional. In fact I think it’s just a “condition” that maybe could even have a diagnosis. Ahem.

    Let me just say that you know it’s time to step away from the craft supplies when your child says something akin to “Well you’re the one doing everything, Mom”. I did (in my own defense) step away on several occasions to allow her some creative space. But every time I came back into the room I’d think “ooh and you could do this and it would look so cool! ”

    To her credit, she had the whole thing sketched out before the project began. Before I went looking for a good sized box, before I started cutting up foam pieces and getting out brushes and paints for her. Yes, she painted everything. She built the bridge. She made 3 of the 4 little flowers. She selected the rocks, cut out the cloud, swirled the crazy wire for the sun, and all that jazz.

    This is her project, really. Mom just helped her create a more three-dimensional environment.

    I will probably never get one of these for my birthday. Why? Because, she said, “Mom, you can’t help me make your own birthday present.”

    The trees are super cool, by the way. And her teacher loved it.

    Pats or Cuppies?

    November
    17
    2006

    You decide.

    Sweet Ride

    November
    17
    2006

    Here’s another painting sketch ready for oils. This one is going to be a blast, I am such a car fanatic myself – I am looking forward to painting this old hot rod! (Not giving away too much information on this one until I confirm with my client that the coast is clear.)

    Cheeky & Willie

    November
    17
    2006

    Two more kitties in the studio ready to paint, Cheeky and Willie. Both from different owners, Cheeky is having a larger painting from the first portrait, so this will be my second painting of him. Willie is a fluffy tuxedo cat, I painted his dog brother Mo back in 2004.

    I’ll be sketching one more large painting this morning and then putting paint to canvas on Ashley’s Cat Portrait for the rest of the day.

    An Apology

    November
    15
    2006

    To everyone on my blogroll, all of my blogging friends that I’ve been lax in getting around to – I do still love you. I will try to improve and set aside a little time every day to stay in touch more, better. I do still read, quickly – but I do. My apologies, and hugs, too.

    Please do me a favor or two, if you will. First, I need to know if I have you on my blogroll and if your link is right. (I did go through it and I hope I didn’t forget anyone.)

    Second, please ask me a question from something you’ve blogged lately about something that is important to you; this will challenge me to spend quality time at your place.

    Doodles and Paintings, and Stuff.

    November
    15
    2006

    turkey sandwich bag doodle

    Well, he’s not very good at math, but at least he knows his ABC’s, eh?

    I’m still here, finishing up a project so that I can get out into the studio and stay there for the next month. I had considered having a special, which would have just been a specific size (small) at a specific price, but looking at my current painting schedule and the time left before Christmas, I’d really be pushing it to add more than just a couple more paintings or portraits before the holidays. It would be great to paint a dog or two since I have two more cat paintings sketched and waiting, so they’re 3 to 1 now. I’m adding a new subject to my gallery this year, too. I’ll get those sketches up here for you to see soon! I’m anxious to clear my design queue and reconnect with my brushes and oils.

    For those of you who are thinking about commissioning me to paint a custom portrait (of anything) by Christmas – drop me an e-mail and I’ll get you scheduled before I am completely booked. I’ll offer an 8×8 canvas panel at a discounted price just for those last couple of openings.

    First come, first serve – and I’ll paint right up until the 18th of December to get everything done, dry and shipped in time.

    Boy – this year is almost over. I just can’t believe how fast it has gone!

    Scottie Portrait WIP #1

    November
    12
    2006

    Mac Tavish passed away this year, this sweet little black Scottie was adored by his mom, and his Aunt decided to present her with a posthumous keepsake oil portrait of him. I always approach these pieces knowing that a flood of emotions will always be attached to the portrait, and spend a lot of time studying the photos to really get a feel of the personality to bring that out while I’m painting. Mac’s photos make him out to be a real sweetie of a dog – one ear always perky, one flopped over.

    I’ll be painting him in oils on a nice 12×16 traditionally wrapped canvas, so his portrait can hang on the wall unframed – or she can fancy it up with a standard frame since it’s the perfect depth.

    I plan to work on several pieces over the next few weeks, holidays approaching and my schedule is filling up fast. (That’s a good thing, of course!) I’ll be posting works in progress of Mac and a few other paintings going on in the studio.

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