SS- Quick Sketch of Mountain Magnolia Inn

Hi all at Sunday Sketches!

On Saturday we are usually in the town of Hot Springs, NC, selling arts and crafts - we are in fact here today as well.

I like to go on walks around, and one of my favorite places is the Mountain Magnolia Inn.  Please visit this place!! Whether virtually only, or in person, it is definitely worth it!

Occasionally I like to sketch the Victorian mansion when I'm there, and Saturday was no exception. It was a quick sketch with ink on notebook - doesn't compare to the original building of course! Full of gables and balconies and all sorts of great things (photo taken with cell phone, hence poor quality). Am including the original so that folks can see below:

This image shows the opposite direction of where I was drawing.

Have a great day y'all!

Creative Tuesdays - Newborn

HI all at Creative Tuesday! It's good to be back after my generalized global blogging hiatus which, weirdly enough, coincided with my giving up coffee for all of Lent.

 Speaking of Lent (and the theme 'newborn'), I recently had a chance to see O Brother Where Art Thou for the 358th time and I recalled the great scene of the baptism happened and for some reason it completely reminded me of the theme 'newborn' - because, truly, for these religious occassions, one is said to be 'newly born'. I am really (I mean, really) not that religious at all but I have always been fascinated by the rituals, disciplines, and even beliefs that religious people have. I also lived in the deep SOuth for almost 10 years so this sort of thing is familiar to me.

 I actually really dig the concept of being 'born again'. Clean slate. Newly born. To have a chance to wash off all the slime, lies, trauma,distortions, prejudices, and general BS we all mentally/psychologically accumulate (no matter how 'good' we've been & no matter how 'functional' our families). What could be better! A concept not alone to charismatic Christian traditions, but Hindu/Buddhist notions of Karma/meditation have it as well - that you can wash your spirit clean.

Please excuse the ink pen & notebook paper - I was out all day selling arts but I did want to participate!
Hope all have a great week!

SS -

Hi all! For Sunday Sketches today, I'd like to share an oldie but goodie - I may have shared this with some people in the past but I don't remember plus, I would like everybody's honest opinion about this piece, because it sparked some controversy recently.

It is made with tempera and enviro tex on top.

So, if you care to participate, please let me know your impartial & sincere opinion! Some sample questions are:

1. Do you like this piece?

2. What feelings does it evoke?

3. Would you purchase this, for yourself or somebody else?

4. What opinion would you have of someone if you saw this hanging in their house?

Thanks for playing! and in any event have a great Sunday!

PPF - Canal Magdalena

Hi all at Paint party Friday! I am sharing a mini oil painting on Canal Magdalena, one of the many I worked on pre my big ocean painting. I really worked hard here to convey the true colours of the water and the somewhat stormy sky - or at least the mood, lacking that. It sure is hard catching the right tone, isn't it?

The place itself is a channel in the stormy cold South of Chile, near Puerto Williams and other such places. It was such a beautiful photo even though online I see nothing really about it, though apparently there's a rock band (from Chile) named after it! Who knew?

Have a great time!