Almost a New Year

I haven't posted as I have been in bed with a cold. Have felt very yukky. Feeling like I might live but still not over it. Hope to get some strength back soon. No artwork done and nothing exciting here, just reading, sleeping, and blowing my nose. Ready for that to end.

Merry Christmas

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

I spent Christmas Eve with my nephew, his wife, and their 2 yr old. Great fun watching a 2 yr old playing and opening presents. We had wonderful tacos and rice. So nice that Cece is learning to cook. Doing a great job too.

And then on the way home, I went to my church's Candlelight/Communion Service at 9 pm. Such a nice way to finish up the night.

Now I'm on my way back to bed to get warm, to read, and maybe even a little more sleep.

Remember the reason for the season.

Me and my Portrait

This is a photo of me holding the portrait that my portrait swap partner did for me. His name is Dave (or Journeyman from Wetcanvas). I took it to our plein air group lunch and painting today and they all loved it. Sorry for the unclear photo. I had one of the ladies take the photo and we couldn't tell it was blurry on the camera.

Dave's Portrait

Dave's portrait from the Annual Portrait Swap on Wetcanvas has landed in Wales. I received a photo of him holding it. I will ask for permission to post it here. He was happy with it and the two sketches I did as preparation for the painting. Both were sprayed with fixative and signed so he can frame them if he wants. He liked that I sent it with a mat. Since a lot of people don't know that the watercolor paintings need a mat, I don't like to leave it for them to do. Then I only have to tell them to frame it with a frame that includes glass.

I'm so happy the portrait made it safely to him. The one of me that he did is in the mail. I look forward to seeing it in person.

I have finished everything I had on my list of "to do" things. Things that had to be finished before Christmas. Nice to have those things pretty much off my mind and shoulders.

I even finished my Sketchbook 2012. I hope to post it in the mail today. Nice to finish up that too and get in the mail. And I am a month early.

Now off to scan the pictures in the Sketchbook 2012 before I pack it up for mailing. And of course it's almost time for my soap opera. Life is good.

River, The Dock Diving Dog

This is my latest pet portrait. My groomer/friend's black lab River. This is her Christmas present. Watercolor, pen and ink, and a touch of white Conte pencil. 11x14 size on watercolor paper.