I almost thought I wasn’t going to be able to make my goal of a painting a week. It is turning into a painting every Friday. Instead of giving myself a week, I am giving myself a day. But I like the way this one turned out. I also realized that I like very monochromatic things. The paintings I have been doing lately have been in one color family. Wonder where that comes from? As always I would love to hear what you think…

Also I don’t have a name for this one, any ideas just throw them out there (or write them in the comments).

I love fall. I think fall energizes me. I fall in love in the fall. I feel in love with the Boy in the fall. I am a June baby (count the months), so I think that fall is creation for me. I was walking home fighting the lingering effects of a cold, but feeling the chill and loving it.

The time in Florida was marvelous and I think I spent most of it in a pool! The Boy's brother has a pool and we played over there like crazy. Spending so much time in a pool made me think…how do you get in? Do you slowly inch into the water? Do you just jump in? Do you inch in until it gets too much to bear and then dunk yourself? Also I am curious about water temperature. I am from California where the water is cold and the Boy is from, well lots of places, but his family ended up in Florida where the water is warm. I am partial to the cooler temperatures, whereas he loves it to be like bathwater (maybe I am exaggerating a bit). But really, do you thing that the water you love is determined by where you live? Can you get used to the warm waters on the Florida coast? Or do you still pine for the chilly turn your lips purple of your (my) childhood?

I am flying down to Florida today to see the Boy’s family. It should be really relaxing. I get to eat tons of roti (an indian flat bread) and laz around the house.
On the other hand it will be surreal because they live on the gulf coast side of Florida and are feeling the side effects of Rita. Mother nature is really mad at us.
My friday painting plays a bit with that theme, I feel like she is sort of a child of earth and not quite sure what mother nature is up to. As always I would love to get feedback.

I just saw this on the news. It is amazing because when I first moved to the city I loved (still do) the musicans in the subway station. It is one of my favorite things. I took photos of tons of them (at my parents house - I’ll get them this winter) all of these grainy photos of people playing their hearts out. Whenever I would see Theo I would let trains pass because I thought he was amazing. I haven’t seen him in ages. But I used to see him about once a week. The music lets you imagine that you have your own soundtrack going.

***I know that I have tons of emails, but I will get to them probally next monday or tuesday when I return***

A couple weeks ago the Boy played me a new song while I was reading in bed. I think it was the first time that Trixie could get close to the guitar while he played and she loved it. Now, every once in awhile she will strum the guitar when it is sitting on its stand. I have yet to capture that on film, but I will continue to try. Instead we have the multi-talented Trixie playing with the Boy. Sometimes she uses her teeth and sometimes she used her paws. But she loves the guitar. Loves when he plays, loves when her changes the strings, loves to play herself. Here she is playing: I also finished my quilt square (under the wire) for Two Trees' Quilt for Katrina, there is a great slide show here. I am not a quilter, but I really wanted to participate. To feel like I was helping with something besides giving money. I can't wait to see how the quilts turn out.

I was involved in a book swap organized by Amy at beautyjoyfood (who gives such great info on southern food - the history, the lore and it is done in these beautiful story entries!). I was really nervous about participating because all of the people involved were food people (then there was extra pressure, because I noticed that there were thirteen people and I felt like the odd man out). So nervous in fact that I was the first to send my book. I swapped with the very lucky Cara (whose blog is brand new!), whose was lucky because she got two book partners! I was wracking my brain for something that I could give that no one else could. And then like a smack on the head I thought fat witch brownies, and a little painting. So I created 'the baker' for Cara and sent her one of my favorite books in the world! I talked about it here. Cara sent me She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb. I have been waiting to read it, because I have a couple plane flights in the next couple of weeks and I love to have a good book that I can just get lost in! Here is a little photo of what I sent Cara: sorry about the blurry photo - I tell you I was nervous!

It's Tuesday. The one body part that I never had a problem with is my lips. I have full lips – nothing like Angela Jolie (whose birthday is so near mine – that I still can’t fathom we are the same age), but full enough that a good friend, monbecu and her family playfully tease me about the way I talk. I think in large part to the lips. So with all the disappointments my body and I give each other my lips and I will still have our love! All the better to kiss the Boy. Our child will have the best lips – because the Boy has the most perfect cupid bow lips in the world.
***smack***

Watched the emmy's last night and award shows are getting borning as I get older. I am not as impressed and the networks are intent about not letting the show run over. They bring in the music and cut people off so there are no cool moments that just bubble up. What were the emmy idols? It was so out of place and bizarre. Wacky, I mean where are you going to see Donald Trump and Megan Mullally singing green acres, Kristen Bell sporting leg warmers for fame, Gary Dourdan and Macy Gray singing Movin' On Up, and lastly William Shatner and opera singer Frederica von Stade hamming it up for the Star Trek theme. My real favorite was anytime Jon Stewart was on the screen. His FCC bit was marvelous!! I have a couple of questions though: Is Boston Public really that good? I mean better than Deadwood? (Or House which I don't watch) And can anyone explain that Raymond show because I hate it and pretty much the whole cast bothers me? The pen and ink drawing was done durning the show. Oh and, who knew that Trixie was better than anything I have created. I guess I have to step up my game if Trixie sniffing my shoes is more interesting than anything I have done so far.

So I have been meaning to participate in Clare's Weekend Cat Blogging. Trixie loves my natural smell. She always tries to stick her nose in my mouth in the morning to get a good long whiff of my morning breath (after I brush my teeth, she is so not interested) and she goes crazy over my shoes when they are good and sweaty. She will put her whole head in my shoe and make out. It is one of the weird things that she does. So here is Trixie sniffing my shoes (most days she has her whole head stuffed into the shoe). She is being polite for the camera:

So a little disclaimer before the painting.
I have had insomnia for the past week. And I get it on and off when I am stressed or worried which is weird because when I was younger I could sleep anywhere. At all day track meets I would curl up in the outside lane of the track and take little catnaps (when there was no one running in that lane of course - what do you think I’m crazy!). Those were great naps. The track was warm and spongy and the announcer’s voice would just float off in my dreams.
Now that I am older I get insomnia. Not so sure I like the trade. Last night I had some valerian in my sleep tea and was restless but at least sleep stayed with my instead of not visiting at all. I missed him these last couple of weeks.
So my new goal for a painting a week was somewhat skewed by the lack of sleep. And hence a dark painting.
So what are your thoughts?
Does she scare you?
Do you hate her?
Is she sad (or just a bit tired)?

***oh yeah I have been getting commenting spam, so the comments wont show up right away***

I finished the second robot for This Is Not Art show in Australia. I loved doing these. Having a theme to work within. I don’t know it gives me extra freedom or something. Maybe I just like to know where I am headed. I think that is it. I like to know where I am headed.
Again I don’t have a name or story for this little guy, but he is really cute. Well you can see for yourself:

Here is a detail of the teacup of his apron.

Checking out the city. Looking over his shoulder. I love this tower across the street. I always imagine someone up there. Silly, but true.

And I met the wonderful wonderful Lisa. She is so beautiful and amazing. I hope that the rest of her time in the city is wonderful. Seeing all the art and friends she can.

Now I can concentrate on Two Trees amazing Quilt for Katrina. I almost finished my painting for friday. I didn’t show Lisa because I thought it might scare her (Johanna was scared!). You’ll see tomorrow and let me know what you think!!

So close to finishing my second robot for This Is Not Art. I know no picture, but I'll take one tonight. This robot has a job and works in the kitchen of the teashop, so he needs an apron. That is the final piece and then they are off in the mail tomorrow. I think I'll package them up after Lisa comes over to the studio for lunch. Super excited about meeting her. Strange to think that you have made a friend with someone you haven’t laid eyes on. Still not really sleeping well, but I know why and I am trying not to beat myself up about it. Instead I am trying to sort of embrace the extra time I have during the day. I am trying to relax and breath. I know I am worried, but I am all right with that. I am also trying to do a painting a week, which I will post each friday. This one is turning out to be rather dark - I guess that is what happens when sleep fails you.