Oil Paint, Coffee & Damar Varnish

I really need an INCOMING BLIZZARD ACK! icon.

2009-12-24T00:45:59Z

But I'm too lazy to make one right now.

I did, however, get this far on the big olive tree landscape canvas:

This is the very beginning stage, with everything still warm red shadows.

While I let this layer tack up a bit, I went downstairs and made:

Perspi's Fantabulous Ham & Potato Soup. I made a LOT of it, because I'm taking it to a party tomorrow night (provided I can get anywhere in what will likely be blizzard conditions). Oh holy cow, is it GOOD.

I did change the recipe as follows (I mean, aside from doubling it):

1. I Don't Peel Potatoes, Ever.

2. Used just a sprinkle of pepper, not the large quantity they called for

3. Garlic press FTW! I put a large clove of garlic into the pot shortly before adding the butter-flour-milk mixture.

The ham I used was from Niman Ranch and it was outstanding. I snacked on it a bit whilst cooking. Couldn't resist. So good.

So now I'm going downstairs for seconds and a BEER. Because Art Dealer sent me home with two beers yesterday, because she is awesome.

Working today

2009-12-23T18:31:23Z

Client can't seem to make a firm decision re: canvas. Apparently, for this particular woman, a full-color example in oil paint isn't enough to help her visualize it. Why ~~is the rum gone~~ am I not surprised?

So I'm going ahead with the 36" x 24, on spec, because I'm confident she'll want it -- and if she doesn't, worst case scenario is, I'll have a big beautiful painting to take to the Art Dealer.

Nightdog, I just got the comment you wrote me. Will be around today, but also working a lot.

Oh, in other news, I just got an email from someone who wants a portrait in oil of his mini Dachshund. *g*

Last Night's Landscape with Olive Trees

2009-12-22T16:11:10Z

This is an 8" x 6" oil sketch on canvas, a prep piece for a larger one I'll be doing on commission. Finished in a couple hours last night; I just photographed, Photoshopped (I love the ability to get rid of the distortions caused by the lens!) and emailed it off as promised.

UPDATE 10 pm: just finished the sketch on the right, 6" x 4", because the canvas format may be a lot more vertical, 36" x 24". Had to see if I could make it work, given that olive trees tend to be wider than they are tall.

THE DOG WAS FOUND!

2009-12-22T01:01:50Z

... and there was much rejoicing!

After going to the bank, I dropped by the Coffeehouse to get a little food (fortification for grocery shopping) and see if there was any news about poor Duncan.

News is: car is long gone, but Duncan was found Friday afternoon in a yard at the end of a nearby cul-de-sac. One of the homeowners called the police to report that this dog had been sitting in the same spot under a neighbor's tree for two hours. Just not moving, and did anyone know whose dog this might be?

Now, remember that the dog in question is a "Goldendoodle." Golden Retriever/Poodle. It was a lovely day out on Friday, and this creature had been let out in a strange neighborhood full of sounds and smells and rabbits and squirrels, and he chose to pick a spot and stay there instead of, you know, behaving like a dog. Unless this is some kind of normal canine behavior I've never heard of before, I'm calling it a divine "Sit. Stay."

So I guess I may still end up with the portrait commission, although at this point I really don't care either way. I'm just so happy Duncan is home with the people who love him.

In other news, I bought $112 worth of groceries & household necessities. So, no wine for me this week, but I won't have to shop again for a while, either. And using coupons saved me $12, which was nice.

Nice way to start the week

2009-12-21T16:00:22Z

UPDATE: This appears to be the Monday of Income, for I have now heard back from Other Designer who wants a custom canvas for a client ($250 range), and the mail came with a check for $285 from the Art Center for teaching. I'd been expecting $185 so am HAPPY.

***

I woke up this morning to the ringing of my phone.

It was a man who wants me to do a small bit of custom painting in his daughter's room. He's working with a designer, who had called me and asked if I would do it, what, two months ago? And then I'd never heard another word and had pretty much written the whole thing off.

I'll be meeting him and the designer next Monday morning, the 28th.

In other news, it is overcast here and our expected high today is about 23 F. Not bad, really, and I think I'm going to finally go buy groceries this morning.

Procrastination, and minor Horsey Stuff

2009-12-20T22:42:31Z

Barn was nice. Not having done any "homework" I didn't have much planned. So we put some poles on the ground and Twilight and I practiced backing over them.

You'd think this would be the height of simplicity, but no. It's pretty common for horses -- especially if they've spent a lot of time confined as youngsters, which Twilight likely did -- to be unsure of where all their feet are. The hind feet, which the horse can't see well, are especially tricky. Backing over a 6" PVC pipe on the ground is, therefore, a Very Big Deal for Twilight. It's scary and she tends to think she can't do it. My job today was to encourage her to keep trying until she could, and then let her know how amazing and brave she was when she did it.

And then I asked her to walk over a low rail and stop with front feet on one side, back feet on the other, and back over it from there. And she could. Not. Do it. Eventually, slowly, she worked it out, but it was astounding to see how little she understands of her own range of motion. She seemed to enjoy the challenges I gave her, though, and there was a lot of very obvious concentration and trying.

Now I'm home and putting off my grocery shopping yet again. Because I have bacon and eggs and I have tea, so I don't actually have to go get breakfast food or milk for my coffee, and I just had leftovers and don't actually have to buy something for dinner.

I do, however, HAVE to make some art.

Oh, and something's wrong with my truck. I think it's just a loose hose connection somewhere, but it's leaking antifreeze. Just what I need! Another bill!

In which I'm so late, I'm early!

2009-12-20T04:21:38Z

I went to Michael's tonight to get three small canvases (for dog portraits; am I doing anything else lately?) and walked out with those and ... a box of beautiful Christmas cards. I didn't send many out this year, just three, and I feel kind of bad about that but it's too late now.

So I got a jump on next year, at 70% off.

One Reason I'm Still Glad I Moved

2009-12-19T02:15:17Z

Current national unemployment rate: 10%

Current Minnesota (and Hennepin County) unemployment rate: 7%

Current Lee County, FL unemployment rate: 13.9%

Weird morning!

2009-12-18T18:27:31Z

I had some finishing stuff to do with the drawing of Duke the Boxer, and I didn't have much for breakfast food (or any milk to put in my coffee), so I escaped the distractions of home and went to the neighborhood coffeehouse for food and java and to finish the drawing.

Met a very nice gentleman who'd come in for coffee and decided on the spot to hire me to do a portrait of his Golden/Poodle cross, Duncan, who was waiting outside in the car. I happened to have my camera with me, so the man went to get his dog ...

... and discovered that the car had been stolen in those few minutes, dog and all. It says much for the man's character that he's far more worried and devastated over the dog than over the car -- and it's a nice car, an Audi. I'm really praying that he gets the dog back, even if the car is never found. Insurance can replace the vehicle.

The Art Dealer is thrilled with the drawing of Duke, but I ran off to meet her and totally forgot to pay my tab at the coffeehouse, so I'll be back there this afternoon. I want to get the update on the dog/car theft, too. The dog has a microchip and a collar with tags, so if the thieves just dumped him out somewhere, there's a good chance he'll be returned. I'm sure praying he will be.

A Boxer named Duke

2009-12-18T18:17:01Z

I haven't met this dog (yet) but I think I love her.

This is approximately 9" x 8" in size. Carbon pencil and pastels on brown paper.

Good Things

2009-12-18T01:05:45Z

1. Just heard back from Ron and he said okay, let's go for three individual doggie portraits instead of trying to combine 'em. Yes! No having to fight to make everything fit and unify the light source! [in other news, I am a geek. Details at eleven] I'd been afraid the $200 total I quoted (small oil paintings, looser than the one of Aidan and thus less costly) was too much for him and I would lose the job. Very relieved to find it isn't so.

2. I have two paintings going into a 2010 calendar put out by a successful local web design/hosting business. They're using the Spring Horse and the Highway 100 Bridge.

3. Laundrypalooza is almost done

4. I remembered to get a card for Grandma today and it is now actually in the mail. Those of you who know me well, will understand why this is a minor triumph.

COFFEEEEEEEEE.

2009-12-17T16:46:13Z

So. Went to BNI meeting; got request for two more Snow Emergency dog drawings. Should have images in email sometime this evening. Another $80 will be a Good Thing.

I found a gold bracelet at the gas station where I stopped on my way home. It looks custom-made and does not have a karat stamp; I think it is 10K or 14K, based on the color. It's a cuff bangle, narrow, inscribed with a quote that makes me really want to return it to its owner. I don't know where I'd post a "found" ad for it, though. Hm.

Did I mention I need coffee? I actually need sleep, but if I nap now, my whole day will be pretty much shot, and I need to:

make more art to take to Art Dealer

Do the Boxer portrait drawing for Art Dealer

Cyrus!

~~Laundry~~
(Laundrypalooza is ongoing, but the Laundry Emergency at least is over)

Dishes

update my page at mnartists.org

email Art Consultant I met last night

email Interior Designer about that canvas commission we discussed yesterday

send Christmas card to Grandma

... and about a hundred other things I'm not going to list right now because I'll get overwhelmed and watch TV instead of doing any of it.

Hello to all my friends in other time zones

2009-12-17T12:50:47Z

I'm out the door just this minute, off to business networking meeting. It is still dark here and 11 F outside, fortunately with no wind.

Mares really belong to be asleep at times like these.

See y'all upon my return.

STUFF!

2009-12-15T19:24:15Z

Motivation is incredibly difficult this morning and I'm not sure why. The Insanely Cold Weather, perhaps? Might also have something to do with not having coffee yet. It's brewing downstairs; should be done riiiight abooouut ... now.

So. A LIST!

5.5" x 7" sketch for Ron

Post Office

Bank

Cyrus

PAINT LIKE MAD

Ficlet: Cruising Altitude

2009-12-15T00:07:36Z

Title: Cruising Altitude
Characters: Remy Hadley, James Wilson
Rating: T for some language; gen fic
Spoilers: Minor ones for early Season Six
Summary: From a higher vantage point, the picture seems a lot more clear.
Length: ~ 560 words.

The cancelled flight was House's doing. That was never in any real doubt; she goes to Wilson with the accusation, though, because it's easier that way. Because she has to say something, but she's had enough of House and she knows she'd provoke him. She wouldn't be able to stop herself, and then he'd strike back, and she'd rather not find out how.

Naturally, Wilson is nice, even as he concocts an instant story and sells it for all he's worth. As entertaining as his performance is, she knows she ought to be pissed off. Not merely pissed off, but outraged at both of them: Doctor Dracula and his personal (and far too well-disguised) Renfield.

Yet she finds herself smiling at Wilson as she walks out of his office. Somehow, this is the first time she's known for certain that she likes him.

As the jet lifts her upward, upward, she feels lighter than she has in two years. It's her life and -- for as long as it lasts -- she can damn well do what she pleases.

The ground shrinks below the Boeing's wing, turning eighteen-wheelers into click-beetles and cars into ants, and House into a hidden, limping speck of lint. There are times, she thinks, when the Total Perspective Vortex is a wonderful thing.

As soon as beverage service begins, she pulls cash from her wallet and orders herself a mimosa. It's not the kind of drink she would have gone for back in Princeton, where everything about her was scrutinized by either House or by Eric. She wouldn't be reading the issue of Cosmopolitan left by the seat's previous occupant, either, if she were still at home. She's missed the entertainment value of frivolous things. Holding a perfume-sample page up to her face, she breathes in, happy because none of these people know her and she couldn't care less what they think.

That's when she realizes that she's spent the past two years, every waking moment, believing she had something to prove.

Maybe, she thinks, that's why she and Eric seemed to understand each other so well for a while. She's still not sure what, exactly, he's trying to prove to the world. All she knows is that whatever it is -- that he's the best and the brightest, that he can overthrow House, that he's the master of his destiny -- it's far more important than she is to him. It always will be.

Fuck that shit, she thinks. Life is too damn short.

She's on her third mimosa when she catches herself remembering Wilson's lie and smiling again. He only meant to cover House's ass, but he'd made her happy in that moment, and she hadn't really known why. It was something more than having proof of House's misdeeds.

Now, at thirty-five thousand feet up and two sheets to the wind, she knows. It was twisted and bizarre, but it was love. Not Eric's kind of love, that wanted a splendid reflection of itself; this was something more instinctive, less ostentatious, and a hell of a lot deeper. Wilson had lied to her and she should have been angry, but she wasn't, because his lie was a reminder that this thing did exist. Not with Eric, and she won't find it in Thailand either, but it exists.

For now, that faith is enough to help her fly.

~*~

Fluffy SNOW!

2009-12-14T17:54:19Z

Hannah, I am thinking of you. We have fluffy snow here today, the larger flakes that stack up and stick even in the big pine tree out front. Very sparkly and pretty. About three inches, I think (I can't seem to find a total anywhere, perhaps because we're still getting flurries?).

So. I will now, finally, get out of bed and make food and coffee.

Snow Emergency Kitties

2009-12-13T19:49:51Z

Max, left, and Ted, right. Both 5 x 7" pastel on paper. Shipping out tomorrow morning!

Dave Barry's 2009 Holiday Gift Guide

2009-12-13T05:15:43Z

CLICK HERE.

Edited to add that this link goes to ONE entry in the Gift Guide, but there are a bunch of 'em. See the links for the various items, beneath the red-letter "Dave Barry's 2009 Gift Guide" header.

In other news, although we didn't really need one, here is ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO DRINK MORE BEER. Found this on Dave's Blog.

I think I've been hacked.

2009-12-10T21:58:07Z

Those of you who've talked to me apart from LJ should be on the lookout for a spammy email from my RL domain-name email account.

It's pretty bizarre because it sent an email FROM "mare@mare.com" TO "mare@mare.com" with the header, "mare@mare.com 71% OFF!"

Raw headers of the message indicate that I'm being spoofed, as opposed to actually having my account broken into and used. I just have no idea what to do about it. My account is through GoDaddy so I will probably contact them about it.

Barely slept. Now up.

2009-12-10T12:10:44Z

Bleeaaarrrghhhh.

Okay, own fault for having been up so late. Own fault for saying okay to going to BNI meeting in the pre-dawn hours.

Less own fault (though still sort of) for having forgotten Hall's cough drops in truck last night in 0 degree weather. And not having realized I forgot until I was in pajamas.

It is currently minus three degrees outside according to local news station. Wish they'd delay BNI two hours he way they're doing all the schools.

UPDATE: Safely home; going to take nap now.

(Collaborative) Fic: Connecting the Dots

2009-12-10T06:04:27Z

Title: Connecting the Dots
Authors: nightdog_barks and blackmare_9
Characters: House, Wilson.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None.
Spoilers: Yes, for episode 5.20, "Simple Explanation" and mention of a sixth-season character.
Summary: After an act of senseless violence, House copes the only way he knows how. 1,968 words.
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. Never will.
Author Notes: The link text is from the song "Burning Down the House" by Talking Heads. Lyrics here.
Beta:Nightdog's intrepid First Readers, with especial thanks to topaz_eyes and deelaundry.

Everything's stuck together ...

URGH.

2009-12-09T16:47:12Z

So I have to drive 19 miles in this weather because the Art Center is run by a special kind of Minnesotans, who insist upon having classes even when the majority of our schools are closed.

Where's the coffee?

And the snow comes down!

2009-12-09T00:40:01Z

I'm in for the evening, having had a really nice day but not been terribly productive, unless you count a couple errands and having got my grocery shopping done, which I don't.

Now. I need to set my timer, start cleaning up this disaster area, and work on the two Snow Emergency Kitties I didn't get to do yesterday because Indiana proved so much more difficult than I'd anticipated.

How are y'all? Anyone else got snow to shovel tonight?

Editing to add that I am still not getting notifications from LJ, so if you've commented or PMed me or anything and I haven't replied, that's why.

Indiana the Greyhound

2009-12-08T04:55:57Z

12" x 9" oil on canvas.

I LOVE MY FRIENDS.

2009-12-07T02:12:26Z

takes_a_fairy just sent me a package containing the following:

Kitty

Kitty

Kitty

Darling, I laughed so hard, especially at the Field Guide in the Mini-Kit. This ... if it hadn't had your name on it, I'd have thought it came from Kelly, and THAT is a true standard of excellence.

Also? I totally needed a set of coasters for all the coffee, cocoa and tea I drink while sitting here goofing around on the 'net. So, bonus points!