Here, the Weather Forecast Does Not Apply

When the weather forecast says it will rain today, tomorrow, and the next, what it means is: the sky will rain when and where it wants to rain or just produce big, beautiful clouds and fresh, cool wind.

I snapped these pics. with my dishpan hands after hurrying up on the after dinner clean-up and running outside when the rain had stopped and the sun was just right. You know how the sun casts stronger in the evenings and even more so after a spring rain; the colors screamed at me to leave behind the greasy spoons and caked on plates and capture these shots. The clouds have been amazing the last few days, but I choose to enjoy them with my human lens rather than just use them for a photo-op. Here's to windy, cloud filled, unpredictable days!

Still Structurally Sound

My newest painting in the "Stationary Structures" series. Six more to go and then a break, technically only four more if I go back to my original count.

This is from the lighthouse pier in Manistique, MI. Pretty isn't she.

The Free Flow of Paint on Wet Fabric

Wet paint on fabric creates instant memories of U.P. blue skies. The fabric is stretched into old vintage frames distressed slightly more than they already were. If my world could consist of nothing but blue skies, I think I would be quite content and quite artistically productive. Oh, U.P., how I love your scenery.

All I Need is a Tree Against a Cloud Infused Blue Sky to Make me Happy

I'm making up for my recent lack of posts and photos. Holidays take up a lot of my time, as well as figuring out the dynamics of trying to purchase a home.

Here are trees and clouds, some of the simplest God-given beauty out there.

It is More than Chilly Today

Blue skies were given to us this past weekend. I remembered them fondly as I timidly peered outside today and saw the blank gray above and a few flurries floating in the air. Yesterday's chilly evening has continued on and brought a few cold flakes for us today. I really loved taking pics. of the fresh snow and stark contrast of white against treesthis past winter, but I am eager for the warm temps. that we've been fortunate enough to have, to continue.

I organized my t-shirt and tank top dresser drawer yesterday. Everything is a go if only the sun and warmth would hurry up and come back for a visit.

I have No Photos, So It's Nothing but Blah, Blah, Blah

Oh my goodness, boy am I feeling drained. Lots and lots to do, no time for the snapping of pics. It's pretty sad when my energies are so zapped, I can't even relax to take a pic. or two.

We took the first official full walk around the lake of the season, and it was cold. Spring cold is technically different than fall cold, but cold none the less and we were under dressed. Not a good thing to be halfway around the lake and not on the way back home yet. The board walk is open and the brush has been cut down to allow vast open views of the lake, and also unhindered sweeping wind. There's something to be said of the hidden shelter of brush and trees as you walk along the winding path.

Any who, I just remembered I have some pics. to share from a couple days ago, but you have to wait 'til tomorrow, no patience for slow uploads tonight. Until then, dream of images of red streaked indigo clouds clumped above hills of trees.
We stopped our quick paced walk to enjoy their passing beauty.

If the Sky were a Paint Swatch, it'd be called U.P. Spring Blue

Originally this blog piece was going to be about temperatures warming up and the frozen lake reappearing in it's free moving form, but upon driving out to thrift stores, taking in the views of the sky, and letting my thoughts come and go, I realized there is no other area I'd like to be, for me, my son, my family.

The night before, Bits looked out the window and saw two deer walking through the front yard.

During the day, when he wasn't running, running, and running, he walked, face turned downward, searching for acorns (Mommy prefers to find pinecones, of course).

Yesterday, on our drive along US 2, a coyote (I think it may have been a wolf, but don't want to make such a strong claim) came walking across our driven path.

I was driving a little askew as my eyes and camera took in the pure sky. The shade of blue in the sky was so appropriate for the brisk spring U.P. day. I found fabric at the thrift store close to the exact color in the sky, it must have been saved for me to find.

It was one of those days, where I wasn't quite dressed for the temps., but the day itself made me think about all that this quiet area of the U.P. really has to offer.

Too much Sun Causes one Red Cheek (on my Face, not my Behind)

Bits and I went outside today for awhile. Proof is in my half sun reddened face. Forecast calls for 30s this weekend and we hit the low 60s today, so we took our games outside.

Basketball, books, running, splashing, and a walk to the bridge and back and I was sure Bits would take a fabulous nap. Mommy's need to paint makes me cherish these afternoon naps, but the Baconator is slowly fazing them out of the routine. Bummer.

Although he did indeed eventually fall asleep, but at 5:00, in the Jeep, on the way to church. How this helps my painting I don't know, but the message was good to hear with nothing but a little drool to contend with.

Side note, on the way to church I saw a fabulous oddly shaped cloud with a straight vertical edge like the exterior wall of a building, camera at home though (second bummer), so you can try to image it's unique shape without a digital pic.

Nothing like Driving Home Eating a Chocolate Dipped Vanilla Ice Cream Cone with Mittens on and Heat Blasting

Here's some blue skies to share and an inspiration photo for spring colors ever so similar to a pic. I had seen by a professional photographer.

Think purples, greens, and aquas for spring entertaining. More to come with definite uses of vintage fabric and papers. Oh yeah, and I got some DQ ice cream tonight.

Cloudy with a Chance Viewing of a Dock

Here's a pic of the painting I worked on for Dr. Don's Christmas gift. It's been done since Thanksgiving, but I am so unreliable when it comes to photographing my work. Don made a custom frame for it and graciously took pics of it so I could share with you all. The image is from a June day at Trout Lake, right as a storm front was moving out.

The painting is on a 30"x40" stretched canvas. I had a little trouble finding a store that carried that size of canvas over in this part of the U.P., so my lovely Utrecht art supply online site had it at shipped it at a great price. It even arrived in about 2 days (awesome, I know). Surprisingly, this piece only took about a week and a half to do with lots of Daddy and Baby time to help Mommy finish.

Now if only I could give the same energy and attention to a little 'ol 14"x18" lighthouse painting. Ten more of these bad-boy lighthouse paintings, and I am taking a serious break and focusing on organic landscapes!