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I've had painters block finally painted (Original Post) samplegirl Jan 2025 OP
Beautiful! SheltieLover Jan 2025 #1
I go in spurts where samplegirl Jan 2025 #10
Oh I hear you! SheltieLover Jan 2025 #21
Yeah Ive been in a real samplegirl Jan 2025 #25
Me too SheltieLover Jan 2025 #30
So soothing..... Karadeniz Jan 2025 #2
Ty samplegirl Jan 2025 #11
Need it! samplegirl Jan 2025 #26
Gorgeous! Tulips? My fave. Clouds Passing Jan 2025 #3
Ty samplegirl Jan 2025 #14
I love your work. Irish_Dem Jan 2025 #4
It couldn't be samplegirl Jan 2025 #12
Well, what a beauty! Walleye Jan 2025 #22
Scarlet is persistent. samplegirl Jan 2025 #27
What a beauty! Ursus Arctos Jan 2025 #23
She's a stinker samplegirl Jan 2025 #56
Of course your kitty is exquisite. Irish_Dem Jan 2025 #41
She is a cutie samplegirl Jan 2025 #57
My little doggie is a perfect dog but is still a pain a times! Irish_Dem Jan 2025 #59
She wants right up on the desk samplegirl Jan 2025 #65
Oh my. Irish_Dem Jan 2025 #75
Excellent. Could be orchids? Walleye Jan 2025 #5
I was thinking tulips samplegirl Jan 2025 #15
Very good. I should be seeing tulips peeping out through the soil pretty soon. Walleye Jan 2025 #19
The sooner the better samplegirl Jan 2025 #62
Every miserable day I get through in winter, I say to myself "another day closer to spring" Walleye Jan 2025 #64
My little garden outside my kitchen windiws samplegirl Jan 2025 #63
Beautiful 💙💙💙 TommieMommy Jan 2025 #6
Beautiful surfered Jan 2025 #7
Beautiful! Well done! Fla Dem Jan 2025 #8
You're unblocked ! Nigrum Cattus Jan 2025 #9
I hope I stay that way samplegirl Jan 2025 #24
I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the spring semester! Ms. Toad Jan 2025 #13
Just retired this November samplegirl Jan 2025 #17
So awesome! Ursus Arctos Jan 2025 #18
I've had a lot of things I never had time to do when I was working. Ms. Toad Jan 2025 #28
Wow! Ursus Arctos Jan 2025 #34
Here's a direct link to my final photo project for the fall semester. Ms. Toad Jan 2025 #37
Oh, Thank you! Ursus Arctos Jan 2025 #39
Thank you! Ms. Toad Jan 2025 #43
Beautiful samplegirl Jan 2025 #54
I'll have to go look samplegirl Jan 2025 #45
Lovely Work! Ursus Arctos Jan 2025 #16
Thank you samplegirl Jan 2025 #46
♥️ spanone Jan 2025 #20
Hey Spanone samplegirl Jan 2025 #47
Great work samplegirl spanone Jan 2025 #71
Beautiful. I love what you do with colors. LoisB Jan 2025 #29
Hey Lois your always samplegirl Jan 2025 #48
Your beautiful paintings always create a bright spot in my day. Your talent is awesome and LoisB Jan 2025 #77
I love it! Joinfortmill Jan 2025 #31
Ty samplegirl Jan 2025 #49
Nice... 2naSalit Jan 2025 #32
I've been in the dumps samplegirl Jan 2025 #50
That was me 😀 you posted a pic of psycho's mouth Meowmee Jan 2025 #76
Hey 2naSit samplegirl Jan 2025 #51
Flowers and trees... 2naSalit Jan 2025 #53
I like whimsy samplegirl Jan 2025 #55
Because... 2naSalit Jan 2025 #61
The whole reason I paint! samplegirl Jan 2025 #66
... orangecrush Jan 2025 #33
Ty samplegirl Jan 2025 #52
YW orangecrush Jan 2025 #78
Beautiful! Diamond_Dog Jan 2025 #35
I have been in the slump swamp samplegirl Jan 2025 #67
Every lady friend I have whose husband retires says the exact same thing! Diamond_Dog Jan 2025 #74
Watercolour is my favorite too. Very peaceful. Maru Kitteh Jan 2025 #36
That is a lovely way to have become unblocked. 3catwoman3 Jan 2025 #38
Both actually samplegirl Jan 2025 #60
Lovely! Hope22 Jan 2025 #40
Beautiful wendyb-NC Jan 2025 #42
Thanks samplegirl Jan 2025 #69
Beautiful 👏🏻 Meowmee Jan 2025 #44
Beautiful... rasputin1952 Jan 2025 #58
Just find your niche samplegirl Jan 2025 #70
I write and do Public Speaking for Liberal Causes... rasputin1952 Jan 2025 #73
That's really pretty. Have you ever thought of designing for textile companies? That would make a Vinca Jan 2025 #68
No And I have no idea how to samplegirl Jan 2025 #79
Lovely! Such light delicacy -- love it. nt allegorical oracle Jan 2025 #72
Nice! marlboroman369 Jan 2025 #80

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
10. I go in spurts where
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:05 PM
Jan 2025

I can't paint. Or just not inspired. Sometimes to stressed. And I usually paint to tune out the news.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
27. Scarlet is persistent.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:29 PM
Jan 2025

I bought her a bench right next to my chair and usually I'm painting with one hand and petting her with the other one, and if I can get her to go to sleep, she stays on her bench instead of on top of my desk. That's the trade-off.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
65. She wants right up on the desk
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:04 AM
Jan 2025

And me petting her!
It does not work to good with watercolor. She gets hair in my paints and what I'm painting and I'm trying to fish it out without smearing what I'm painting!
The whole reason I bought her a bench beside me!
With a thick cushion!

Irish_Dem

(79,741 posts)
75. Oh my.
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 10:03 AM
Jan 2025

She is standing in the way of progress in terms of your art work.

Oh yes, our darlings must be comfortable.
My little doggy has tons of blankets and pillows on the couch.
She is only 8 lbs but takes up most of the couch with her stuff.
I only get a tiny space at the end.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
15. I was thinking tulips
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:13 PM
Jan 2025

We are full of snow here in Ohio which is ok for now.
But I ready to paint springtime.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
62. The sooner the better
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:47 AM
Jan 2025

I love spring! It's my favorite and wish it lasted longer. I love looking out my kitchen window especially now that I have a small garden below my windows.

Walleye

(43,807 posts)
64. Every miserable day I get through in winter, I say to myself "another day closer to spring"
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:04 AM
Jan 2025

Ms. Toad

(38,240 posts)
13. I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the spring semester!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:11 PM
Jan 2025

Two more days!

I've got crazy ambitious ideas for the Foundation Review class - the culmination of my 1st year BFA program . . . after 3 years of classes. Only 3 (9) more years to go. Woot!

(In my retirement, I'm pursuing a BFA. As a university retiree, I get 2 classes per semester for free - so a second bachelors degree would normally take 5 semesters, but because it's a fine arts degree (and my original degree was in math/physics), it will take me around 15 semesters.)

Ms. Toad

(38,240 posts)
28. I've had a lot of things I never had time to do when I was working.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:32 PM
Jan 2025

Going back to school was one of them - so I started immediately on retirement. I thought I was going to head toward computer science - but that first semester I took a photography class and that was making me happier than the computer science. (I did photography back in the dark ages with no formal training at all. My first professor was all about process, so it was fantastic to have a more scientific method for sorting out how to fine tune my prints.)

There aren't a lot of retirees (even though auditing classes is free) - but there are quite a few middle-aged folks taking advantage of being school employees to take classes.

You may appreciate my wild dreams for the foundation review class. We have to re-envision one of our projects from the three foundation classes. I've been thinking of using one of the traditional women's arts and (in my least restrained dreams) creating a community quilting project. Morale is pretty low right now due to cuts to art programs (including ours). So community would be a good thing. And it would also be nice to to link my generation (parent/grandparent to most of my peers) and my grandmother (who had a quilting frame in her living room fairly frequently) to a whole new generation - and bring in the Native American way of looking at being the middle of seven generations. (At least one of my classmates is Native American, as are 3 of my siblings.)

But to pull that off, I'd have to piece together the quilt very quickly to have enough time to invite community participation before the end of the semester.

I've posted quite a bit about my foundation classes - including artwork (including photography) in the Artists forum here.

Ursus Arctos

(69 posts)
34. Wow!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:48 PM
Jan 2025

That quilt project sounds amazing! I love the mix of family, heritage, community and craft. I've been a long time lurker at DU (10 years) but only joined recently (believe it or not because I wanted to have Skinner mode format). I didn't even know there was an Artist's Forum. I really never even looked at the forums. I'm just a homepage kinda person. I'll check it out though. I'd love to see your (and others') work.

Ms. Toad

(38,240 posts)
37. Here's a direct link to my final photo project for the fall semester.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:59 PM
Jan 2025
https://democraticunderground.com/102817765

(It's cell phone photos of B&W prints - so there's better detail in the originals.)

Ursus Arctos

(69 posts)
39. Oh, Thank you!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:18 PM
Jan 2025

Those are really so strong. I love to see the continuity in a person's vision especially when the subjects are varied. Your interest in repetition, dynamic line, and texture is a unifying factor for that project. I love the visual analogies too--reptile foot to plant contour! Thank you so much for sharing it!

Ms. Toad

(38,240 posts)
43. Thank you!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 11:32 PM
Jan 2025

I love macro photography, but rarely indulge my interest because it is challenging to create a unified theme for a collection - so I'm glad for feedback that I succeeded! (Most people who see my other work classify me as a journalist or story teller - and I haven't figured out how to make that fit with macro photography).

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
45. I'll have to go look
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:12 AM
Jan 2025

for your postings. Sounds great if you can do it.
I want also try an embroidery project. But starting more boggles me sometimes.
By the time I finish one I'm tired and ready to just unwind.

But I love painting best!

Good luck!!!!👍

Ursus Arctos

(69 posts)
16. Lovely Work!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:14 PM
Jan 2025

I really like your handling of the leaves. Nice and fresh with the beautiful white paper texture showing through.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
46. Thank you
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:14 AM
Jan 2025

I'm so glad everyone here in D.U.likes my stuff!
I get so much encouragement here and keeps me going!

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
48. Hey Lois your always
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:17 AM
Jan 2025

so sweet and give me such a boost!!!!!
You're a great follower!
Ty for the compliments❤️

LoisB

(12,355 posts)
77. Your beautiful paintings always create a bright spot in my day. Your talent is awesome and
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 11:49 AM
Jan 2025

I really appreciate that you share it with us.

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
50. I've been in the dumps
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:19 AM
Jan 2025

It affects my painting. Someone suggested flowers and I did just that! it worked!

Meowmee

(9,212 posts)
76. That was me 😀 you posted a pic of psycho's mouth
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 10:10 AM
Jan 2025

And said you were upset I think so, I said paint some flowers because they are beautiful and I thought it would be happier and decorative. 🌷

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
51. Hey 2naSit
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:20 AM
Jan 2025

It affects my painting. Someone suggested flowers and I did just that! it worked!

2naSalit

(99,979 posts)
61. Because...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:45 AM
Jan 2025

You do it well! I love your offerings, even if I don't comment. If I see them I certainly rec them! Your images have a delightfulness to them so I usually look for your posts for some cheerful distraction.

Diamond_Dog

(39,759 posts)
35. Beautiful!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:55 PM
Jan 2025

I know how it feels to be in a slump. That’s where I am, now. You will give me motivation to start my next project, samplegirl! I have several ideas……

samplegirl

(13,734 posts)
67. I have been in the slump swamp
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:12 AM
Jan 2025

but trying not to think about what's ahead.
The California fires made me incredibly emotional!
I can't imagine!

I have projects I'm not getting done either! Why didn't you warn me I would get less done with retirement because you lose your routine?

Maru Kitteh

(31,244 posts)
36. Watercolour is my favorite too. Very peaceful.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:56 PM
Jan 2025

Thank you for sharing that with us. It’s beautiful. We need as much of this as possible.


3catwoman3

(28,579 posts)
38. That is a lovely way to have become unblocked.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:14 PM
Jan 2025

I particularly like the way the one leaf on the left is partly folded over on itself.

Do you paint from images of some sort or from your mind's eye?

Meowmee

(9,212 posts)
44. Beautiful 👏🏻
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:11 AM
Jan 2025

You could turn that into a wallpaper pattern 😀 you gave me inspiration to do my next painting, which is going to be of my Siamese cat. I already did the drawing about two years ago. I just have to play around with it a little bit.

rasputin1952

(83,497 posts)
58. Beautiful...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:35 AM
Jan 2025

I can't draw a straight line with a ruler, I truly love (and envy) those who have those who have such remarkable talent.

rasputin1952

(83,497 posts)
73. I write and do Public Speaking for Liberal Causes...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:52 AM
Jan 2025

The writing lasts, but while honest, I find it drab (others say my papers are powerful and empowering).
As for being an advocate, I draw a sizeable crowd, and many people have come to me and said they were glad to hear someone speaking about what they thought were powerful cases. Please use your voice, and never forget, that your eyes and ears are also important.

I spend a lot of time in natural settings, the calm is so enticing, and I feel rejuvenated after less than half an hour.

Vinca

(53,337 posts)
68. That's really pretty. Have you ever thought of designing for textile companies? That would make a
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:13 AM
Jan 2025

gorgeous pattern for a comforter and shams. Wish I knew how to use watercolors.

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