February 2 February Calligraphy

The morning drive to town is a regular source of inspiration. This morning, I noticed the upper branches of a single row of trees. They were silhouetted against the pre-dawn sky of bands of blue-gray and pink.

I painted the sky quickly with a large brush. It's necessary to lay it in rapidly when using acrylics. Otherwise, the paint dries too quickly to get a smooth effect. Working in haste, I managed to knock my palette off the easel's ledge. It landed upside down on my foot with a dollop of paint hitting the base of the easel. Amazingly enough, the paint missed the carpet. I finished the sky and then removed my sock to rinse out the paint before it dried. I haven't taken the time to put another sock on. I feel a little like Diddle Diddle Dumpling's son John. Now, let's stop to analyze that little ditty. No, let's not.

16" x 20" $330

February 1 Tea Pot and Cup

Into a new month.

Influenced by the bamboo and bowl yesterday, my eye caught this Asian influenced tea pot among my collection of tea pots. Since it desperately needed dusting, or rather washing, I had Savannah get it down from its spot high on the shelf.

As I was scumbling paint into the background, I raised my brush and found a wooden nub at the end of the handle as if someone had amputated the bristles. The metal furule and bristles lay on the palette. This was an old brush and it must be time to replace it; or give it a squeeze with the pliers to secure the furule to the handle for a little while longer.

11" x 14" SOLD