Quiet

HOLA.

I've started a new painting.

Who doesn't love the sea?

I think I may be starting a new wave of paintings.

The sea...sea...sea...

Hope you get a quiet moment to yourself=0)

XOXO,

Carol

My other job...

X-I can't believe we have eight more months of school.

Me-Yep.

X-Do you know what I have to look forward to this school year?

Me-All the new stuff you're going to learn?

X-NOPE.

Me-I give up.

X-THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

En plein air

HOLA.

It's been too long=0/

Hope you have been well. I had the opportunity to do something different...YES different. Painting en plein air. What does that mean? It means I bought oil paints and painted outside. HA. It was pretty amazing. I never thought I could paint standing up, but it's very nice. How did this all happen?

Well...I was talking with a wonderful watercolor artist Cate Parr. I just LOVE her work. She mentioned an amazing artist named Eric Merrell. He was going to be having a three day workshop in Los Angeles and she told me I HAD TO GO. If she says I have to go...I HAVE TO GO. So, I packed up my stuff and she was kind enough to let me borrow her artist box and umbrella for the three days. YES...THREE DAYS. Just me and my art supplies=0) Lets just say it was AMAZING. I really enjoyed this master class and I met some really nice artists too. Here are a few photos of my trip.

Eric's studio.

Cobb Estate.

Watching him paint is inspiring.

I found a beautiful spot for day two. I was here for EIGHT hours.

On the last day he was helping me set up my sketch just right. He really is a great teacher. I'm always just so excited to start a new painting and this really taught me to SLOW DOWN.

If you are interested in taking one of his workshops or buying some of his art... you can check him out

www.ericmerrell.com

On another note...

I made a new locket for my shop

Dia de los Muertos locket.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.

Hope you have a wonderful week.

Carol

My other job....

X-Mama please don't go.

Me-Come on...I'm super excited about this class. It's always a good idea to keep learning.

X-You already paint great.

Me-Thank you, but I want to learn more. I really love it.

X-THREE DAYS is too much.

Me-It's a wonderful opportunity for me. This artist is really AMAZING. 

X-You are already AMAZING. Seriously mama...stay here with me.

Me-It will be a great time for you and J to spend THREE days ALONE with dad. It's going to be FUN.

X-I still think you should stay.

Me-I know...I know...but I'm gonna go and I WILL BE BACK. I'll have some new cool paintings to show you when I get back.

X-Fine. I sure hope they are good.

Sensei

One who teaches based on wisdom from age and experience.

I had a great time working on this watercolor. Using mostly gray and blue...for dramatic effect=0) 

Our PERCEPTIONS create

our BELIEFS...

Our BELIEFS formulate

our ATTITUDE...

Our ATTITUDE determines

 our BEHAVIOR...

Our BEHAVIOR describes

our ACTIONS...

Our ACTIONS result

in REACTIONS...

The REACTIONS of our ACTIONS

construct the PERCEPTIONS of our REALITY...

Have a wonderful day,

Carol

My other job...

X-We have to find that jalapeno outfit for you.

Me-Lets just worry about finding yours and it's no big deal if I don't dress up.

X-I really want you to be a jalapeno.

Me-Hahahahahaa. Seriously, I'll find something.

X-I guess we could look online.

Me-Exactly.

X-BUT WHAT IF WE DON'T.

Me-It's no biggie.

X-UGH...you should be worried about this. Halloween is only 40 days away.

Powder your nose

HOLA!

Are you all ready for Fall?

I know right...how did this happen?

Summer is almost a wonderful memory and now we are getting ready to cool down.

I just finished my new compacts and they are available in my shop.

This year I kept seeing gorgeous sunflowers EVERYWHERE.

They are so beautiful and larger than life. Every time I see one it's like a ray of sun. They remind me to look at the bright side...always. I can't help but smile and buy more to give away to friends.

So, I thought these compacts would make great gifts. They are like little rays of light in your handbag. Hahahaa! I carefully placed each watercolor painting into each compact and sealed them with a glass like finish. Hope you like them as much as I do!

HOPE YOU HAVE A SUNNY DAY,

Carol

My other job....

X-Is the Spirit Store open yet.

Me-Hmmm...looks like they are still setting up, but almost.

X-Are you going to be too scared to go in again?

Me-Look...those scary evil babies were too much for me last time. EWWW.

X-How about if you just close your eyes and I'll tell you as soon as we pass them and then we can look around at all the other stuff.

Me-I know that you will take me right to those scary babies and laugh so hard when I freak out.

X-I promise mama. Trust me.

Me-Hmmmm...I'll think about it.

X-They're fake mama.

Me-They're still gross and evil.

X-UGHhhhh...I can tell that dad is going to have to take me.

Me-We'll see.

X-YOU CAN DO IT MAMA.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

Thinking of all the wonderful people in my life today.

So grateful.

My other job....

X-Why did you take so long at tea yesterday?

Me-It's so much fun meeting my girlfriends for some tea and laughs.

X-You already do that with me.

Me-True...but you see your friends every day at school. Don't you love hanging around with them and cracking up about funny stuff?

X-You got me again.

Me-It's good for me=0)

X-Okay, but can you just go like...once a year or something like that?

He loves me...he loves me not.

HAPPY FRIDAY.

This week I received roses from my husband. 

OH.... HOW I LOVE FLOWERS.

I had a moment and then there was a SONG.

Flowers+Song=inspiration for me.

Let me know if you think I captured the moment=0)

Click here to listen.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Carol

My other job...

J-Why did you get married with Dad?

Me-OHHHH....well, he's very funny and handsome. I really enjoyed spending time with him.

J-You fell in love?

Me-YES.

J-I don't ever want to get married...it's so gross.

Me-Hahahahaaaa...why?

J-ALL THAT KISSING...EWWWWW.

HOLA...it's me

HOLA.

I hope you all had a fun weekend.

On Friday I thought it would be fun to start a new watercolor of myself.

YES...ME.

I had A LOT of fun putting the red parts in my hair=0)

YES...I'm a color lover if you haven't noticed yet.

Hahahahaa.

I'm just about done, but I'm still thinking about adding a background color.

I may just leave it white...or not;oP

I have been reading a great book from the library.

Keys to Painting Faces & Figures

by Rachel Rubin Wolf

It's really helpful and I just love books that have a lot of pictures.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Have a great week,

Carol

My other job...

X-I don't want to go to the beach.

Me-Why not?

X-I just want to do something alone with you.

Me-Okay, but I can't do anything that will hurt my neck even more.

X-I know...so I'm thinking we could play chess.

Me-Sounds good.

X-Can we go to Barnes & Noble too?

Me-Sure.

X-How about getting some frozen yogurt too.

Me-Maybe.

X-WHAT?

Me-Did you have a jelly donut this morning or did you have a jelly donut this morning.

X-UGH...you got me.