Looks a bit more appealing with a little sunshine.

Good Morning!

Oh my gosh, I just had to post this photo taken this morning at around 7:30. Since I have taken the same shot a few different times, I just thought you might like to see the accumulation of snow thus far. I could not even open the door, had to take the picture through the glass. You are probably wondering why the heck I didn't bring in that umbrella. I am wondering the same thing. Hope you have a great day wherever you may be. It is another snow day for us here in Boston.

Inside & Out

We are having the seventh snow storm of the season. Chilly temperatures &, yes, more snow, ice & wind.

But inside it is cozy & warm. My plants are thriving, some are actually blooming, as they soak up the sun reflected off the snow.

Even the Christmas cactus is in its second bloom. These simple things cheer me & keep me warm on the coldest of days.

I am also warmed by all the friends I have made here on this blog. I so appreciate everyone that has taken the time to stop by. Thank you for all of your thoughtful comments, especially those on my last post. I enjoyed the dialogue regarding the joys & difficulties of painting at home. Your encouragement is just what I was needing. So thanks everyone! 

Hope you are staying warm too.

Time to Paint

With all the snow, & now icy conditions outside, it seems that the best thing to do is stay inside & paint.

Regrettably, I no longer have my South End studio. It has taken me some time to come to terms with this loss, but with the weather as it is, painting at home is seeming more & more like the perfect option.

Gracie recently came to create her own masterpiece in my new at home studio. I know that I am very lucky to have such a cozy & bright place to paint.

Now it is just a matter of staying focused & not letting the distractions of home get in the way .... like... maybe... the computer... & the internet ?? 

Snow & More Snow

Yes, we did have our blizzard last week, albeit a small one, as blizzards go, with about 18 inches of snow. And true to form, Boston took one  day off & then got back to business as usual. 

It was not until Sunday that I took a walk with my camera to get a few photos. It was sunny but cold.

The Naponset River was breaking up the ice & running along merrily.

By Sunday all  roads & byways were cleared except for the roads & tracks less traveled.

The Trolley  was out of service during the storm but was quickly back & running on schedule.

Now, all the gears are in place for the next storm to hit, which should come at some point on Tuesday. This time, snow & ice, possible freezing rain. 

We have had quite a winter already & it is only the middle of January.  But what can you do, but try to enjoy it? Like my neighbor who was busy at work on this snow dragon.

Snow

There is more snow on the way. A blizzard they say. Stay warm & safe. Happy snow day everyone in the North East.

Painting on the iPad

My sister, Susie, recently sent me the following link, regarding David Hockney's interest in drawing on his iPad. Apparently he has been doing this since 2008, when he started making art on his iPhone. Last spring he upgraded to the iPad & expanded his interest in this new medium. Not only does he enjoy using these techno devices as sketch pads, but he also likes the ability they give him to instantly share his work with friends.

Over the years, he has produced hundreds of small "i" paintings, like the landscape above. Flowers are another favorite motif. “I draw flowers every day on my iPhone,” he once told a friend, “and send them to my friends, so they get fresh flowers every morning."

Some of these drawings are now part of an exhibition, showing in Paris, at the Fondation Pierre Bergé - Yves Saint Laurent, until the end of the month.

My sister received an iPad for Christmas & clearly intrigued with Hockney's efforts, has started her own daily iPad drawings. The one above is titled "Excitement of an Unopened Box", which she sent to me iPad to iPad.

I have been a bit slow to try this all out. First of all, one must choose an App. Susie was using ArtRage. So yesterday, I decided to down load that one & give it a shot. David Hockney apparently prefers Brushes because that is the one he originally started with. There are quite a few different Apps to select from & I have no idea which is best.

I will have to say, my first endeavors have been pretty primitive ( above & below). But that being said, it certainly is a lot of fun!

2011 Calendar

If you have not yet purchased your calendar for 2011, maybe you would want to make your own. Using some of the photos I took last summer, in France, I made two different versions to give as Christmas gifts. They turned out quite nice, & I even won an honorable mention in a weekly contest offered by QOOP, the publishing company I used.

It was fun to do & easy too. Plus you can create one without any obligation to buy. That way, it is possible to see how your photos look in a calendar setting. There is still a 20% off Holiday Sale going on, so it is not too late to try your hand at creating your very own unique calendar.

Check out the ones that I made here. Once you are on the site, just click on the image to see all 12 photos as they appear in the calendar. If you have followed this blog, over the summer at all, you will most certainly recognize many of the photos. Hope you will take a look & enjoy revisiting some of my favorite places in France.

Ringing in the New Year !!!

Happy New Year everyone! Heres hoping it will be a healthy, productive, & fulfilling year for all, filled with bursts of color & joy.

Thank you to everyone that has stopped by this blog over the past year. I appreciate your comments & your interest. I am inspired by you all. Wishing a wonderful 2011 to each & everyone !!