February 28 Aubergine

Hilary wonders if this represents a longing for the growing season. On this last day of February, I think she's right. So many Minnesotans are in Mexico, Jamaica, Florida, Texas, and other warm places. The temperature got above freezing today here in mid-Minnesota and high temps this coming week are to be in the snow melting range. No where near spring planting, yet, but I can dream of bountiful farmer's markets where aubergine is queen.

11" x 14" $590

February 27 Chocolate Chip Cookies

I baked chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. They're soft and rather thin in the middle with the chocolate chips poking up through the flatness. Ron and I both noticed how the edges have somewhat concentric circles, appearing a little like ripples of molten lava. Tastey, too, in spite of the visual scrutiny.

Since I've been working with thick buttery paint, I opted to paint chocolate chip cookies using this method. I put equal amounts of red and green paint on the hardboard, spreading it to the edges and in the process combining the colors to make a dark brown like my older baking pans that have had many many batches of cookies baked on them. Then I put dollops of creamy tan batter paint in the pattern that we always use to make cookies. My mom always put three, then two, then three, two and three across the pan. I don't know if everyone does it that way or not. I'm gonna have to ask around. Anyway, I applied the paint in dollops, swirled the edges and dabbled dark brown chocolate chips into the cookies. I worked with the hardboard on a flat surface and don't dare stand this one up until it's dry. Gravity would not be kind to these cookies.

8" x 10" $580

February 26 Mary had a little lamb...

Sometimes I'm the most surprised one of all as to what happens at the end of my brush. For a little while, I thought this was going to be a fat woman but then it changed. Ah, the beauty of living serendipidously.

Karin Nauber wrote a lovely article about my daily painting challenge in this week's edition of the Independent News Herald. Take a look to learn a little more about the project. Thanks, Karin! You write beautifully. http://www.inhnews.com/year10/feb/feb24/leasman.html

8" x 10" $570

February 25 Ice Dancer

The winter olympics have been a great source of entertainment these last couple of weeks. The ice dancers are favorites for many. This is my tribute to the ice dancers, using my relatively new style of two colors and very thick paint.

8" x 10" $560

February 24 Triptic

It's a trip, getting a painting done every day. This is also the third, tri, of three companion pieces, Feb. 18, Feb. 23 and today. Busy days. Short on time. Happy nonetheless.

5" x 7" $550

February 23 Companion

I made it! With and hour and a quarter to spare, scrificing a social evening at the VFW to get er done. This is a companion piece for the one on the 18th. A few more strokes for the companion folk.

5" x 7" $540

February 22 A cherry colored cow

In honor of George Washington, I have painted a cherry colored cow named Genevieve. Genevieve was utterly excited at the prospect of kicking her crimson heels up in the snow.

8" x 10" $530