Happy New Year

As I look back over this year I think of all the things

that I have to be grateful for. There are the friends that stick by me no matter what.

I have my home and I manage to keep my vehicle running with the help of good mechanics.

I have a job that I like. And I have my classes with the best students that keep me on my toes or they at least try to...lol.

And I still enjoy painting and learning new techniques and teaching.

And there's the fact that God and the Angels watch over me and keep me going every day.

Now really what more could a gal ask for.

I hope that you have this many blessing in your life to be grateful for every day of the New Year.

Have a Happy & Blessed New Year

Good Grief it's almost Christmas Charlie Brown

Merry Christmas Everyone. Can you believe it's the weekend before Christmas already. The fall season sure did go by in a hurry seems just the other day we were having Thanksgiving dinner.

I have to say this is the best holiday of the year. Not just because we buy gifts for friends and family and decorate our homes and have parties but because of the real reason for the season...For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord.""And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.""That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

So while you've been making your list and checking it twice have you spent any time painting this season? I've been painting like crazy this fall. My shows went well this year, I'm so grateful to all those that come out to shop with us every year. It was great to see everyone.

And my classes are doing well, I have a great bunch of ladies that make up my classes and we do have a good time together. They have learned some new brush skills this year and have improved their painting skills and I'm so proud of them. Just another thing on my list to be grateful for.

As for me I'm learning the technique of oil roughing, and I like it. It's fun.

I'm doing the pen and ink technique then adding the oil roughing that Mary Owens teaches you have to check out her work. She has some really pretty patterns and the DVD's that teach you more then you can imagine. I haven't worked with pen and ink or oils for thirty years and a lot of things have changed over time new products are great. Who knew that you could use oils without the nasty oder and what blew my mind is I'm cleaning my brushes with soap and water not those stinky solvents of the past. Oh well who says you can't teach a old dog new tricks...lol.

Always keep your mine open to learning something different it keeps life interesting.

Well I have some baking and wrapping, painting, cleaning and laundry to do today so I better get busy. Until next time, Happy Painting.