Balance

 It is the end of the year (and what a year!) and time for my usual year-end ponderings. Here is a link to more about what I hope to focus on in 2021.

2020 was a year of working with an art mentor. In 2021 I will work for more balance in my life. Painting, baking and gardening.  Happy New Year to you!

I'm still here...are you there?

I am shocked to see that it has been seven months since my last post! Wow! What happened? Well, COVID-19 for one thing. And that one thing affected everything else which resulted in more time for myself; more time in the Studio. 

In late 2019 I set aside the year 2020 to become a better painter by starting a year-long mentor program working in oil with Australian painter, Colley Whisson. As I finished each painting, it was submitted to Colley for his input. Then I would either change it or not. Of the 55 paintings, I completed 24 paintings that are mine alone and therefore eligible for competition and another 31 that were reworked or painted again using Colley's very good advice. These paintings can be shown or sold but not entered into a competition. It was a very worthwhile commitment and I highly recommend Colley as a mentor. 

Now it is time for a change of direction. And as with every refocus, I like to clean and rearrange my Studio. 

Barbara's Studio 2015
Look at this image from 5 years ago. Wow, so bare.

Barbara's Studio Nov.1, 2020
After a year of nearly daily painting, the Studio is out of control.

Barbara's Studio Nov. 5, 2020
It took 3 days but I managed to rearrange my studio working space back to the 2015 version. My watch-dog Annie is no longer with me so I have arranged my desk in place where I can keep see what she would have alerted me to. I have painting canvases, panels and empty frames stored in every nook and cranny but it does once again feel organized which is essential to my well being.

And, while cleaning, look what I found! I thought my Schmincke pastel "suitcase" contained only 1/2 sticks but wowzer! It is 4 trays full of all brands and colors. I haven't seen these for 5 years. Now I have to reorganize my current pastel trays to accommodate new colors. Exciting.

Pastel Work Station

Oil painting Work Station

That's all for now. I hope you are well and able to enjoy more time in your studio. Did I mention that I still have my couch in here? Good for naps!

What's in your freezer?

What's in your freezer? Is it similar to mine? Take a look.

Checking in and the teapot

Have to say I am loving the social distancing aspect of this horrible COVID-19. I don't have to go anywhere or do anything for the several organizations I do volunteer work with. When this is over, I will re-think how busy I want to be. For now, I am painting most mornings and gardening or cleaning each afternoon.

Biggest event recently was today's Instacart Costco delivery. Other good news today is completion of Teapot with Lemon. Yay! Now I can move on.

I hope you are all staying home and staying well.

Teapot with Lemon, oil, 10x8 inches
©2020 Barbara Benedetti Newton

Coronavirus Paint-Along

My friend Kay and I were telephone chatting about social distancing. It evolved into us painting the same still life set-up. Today, we are showing each other progress (or my lack-of). Here is a screenshot of my email to her today. Phone a 60+ artist friend and start a paint-along of your own.  

Collection of the Artist pile

Wow. It is already March! We are 'social distancing' due to the coronavirus COVID-19 and I'm loving my days at home, in the studio and garden. Cleaned out my file cabinets and moving on to my flat files - specifically the drawer marked pastel paintings. I'm creating a Collection of the Artist pile. Have a look here.

2020 Replace art Tools as Needed

Aha! a new paint scraper for 2020. Wishing you a great new year of painting.