What are you up to?

[PaintBoss]

Brian, thank you for sharing all that with us. That’s very cool. I didn’t know you were from South Africa. And that’s very interesting about the termites. I had no idea.
Mississippi Hippie congratulations on the house! That’s exciting and it’s so nice to be in a safe place and near water. And Rupert looks so cute. I bet he has a blast living there too.
John, sorry your work didn’t get chosen for the show. Hopefully next time! There are so many reasons why pieces don’t get picked. I was at a gallery talk and they explained that sometimes a rejection can come down to the size of the work or the shape and the space they have left, trying to fit the paintings in. There’s all kinds of reasons why people’s paintings are not accepted. They said sometimes the work is really good, but it doesn’t quite fit in or match the level of what is there. And that doesn’t mean it’s a lower quality. No not at all. I was surprised to hear that too, but it makes sense. Because even though they have a variety work, there may be a reason it sticks out among the rest.

 

[Artyczar]

Thank you all for the nice wishes for me and my bro. Cancer sucks ass. I've dealt with a lot of suffering and death among friends and family in this arena. This is the closest to me now, but at least I know a lot about it and know what to expect in every aspect. As odd as it sounds, I know how to armor myself from the emotional pain (for now), and just be a support.

Brian, in Los Angeles, many of the streets are lined with Jacaranda trees in some areas, especially in the northeast parts. My old street was, and I sure miss those, like when the blooms fell all over the ground.

Mississippi Hippie, congrats on the house! Rupert is so damn cute! What breed is he? I want a dog so bad, but so many things have to be done beforehand (long story), so I'm saving up to make those things happen first. It's a LOT to pay for before I can even start looking for a dog.

 

[Triduana]

@Artyczar , so sorry to hear about your brother. Sending hugs.

@Mississippi Hippie - Rupert is adorable!

@brianvds - love those weaverbirds. The jacaranda tree is amazing; I have never seen one.

 

[Artyczar]

Thank you Kay.

 

[Terri]

@Artyczar : I'm so glad you've been able to get to LA to see your brother. I recall it feeling a little fraught at one time. It's wonderful that you can be there for support.

I've been busy these last few weeks. Trying to get out and about more with my mom, who at 97 is still doing remarkably well. My brother flew in from Colorado for a few days to see her, and we had a great visit.

I've been rearranging stuff in my art studio, and am feeling a mite claustrophobic from my stuff being stacked everywhere. My husband and my brother wrestled an ancient storage unit up from the basement and this will help me get organized.

The doors don't meet evenly anymore, but I can't afford to care.

There's stuff still stacked up everywhere but at least it has a place to go. It's amazing how much I've accumulated over the years!

 

[Donna T]

Ayin, I’m so sorry to read about your brother but it’s good that you could see him. Wishing you both strength for whatever may come.

Terri, that’s a lot of storage space and you’ll feel better once your stuff is all organized, not that it will stay that way.

 

[brianvds]

@brianvds - love those weaverbirds. The jacaranda tree is amazing; I have never seen one.

They are used as street trees here, and are popular with artists. My uncle painted this years ago:

If you Google "Pretoria jacarandas" you'll see he did not in fact exaggerate. Which is why Pretoria is also known as the jacaranda city - but there are even more of them in Johannesburg, where they enjoy a similar yearly display.

 

[Artyczar]

Terri, that's a great cabinet for storage! Glad your brother and Brad brought it up from the basement. Good call getting the help from your brother while he was in town. I'm glad to hear ya'll had a nice visit with Mom. Hopefully, she keeps on rockin for a long time. Is she still liking her "new" place? It's no so new anymore.

Thank you for the nice words about my brother. And thank you too, Donna. Yes, we have had a tumultuous relationship. It wasn't the easiest, but I decided to put it aside as best as I could until the end of his life. I also thought he would change now, being faced with this illness and death. Though he has not, maybe I have, a little, or enough to ignore his judgments of me and just support him at this time.

 

[Triduana]

Brian - beautiful painting! I just love those trees - an amazing show of blossom. Thanks for sharing

 

[Grapes]

Terri, I have similar storage unit and the doors in it are a bit wonky. It was perfect for keeping paintings on it's big shelves but my husband took it for his rocks and minerals. (I'm secretly hoping to get it back )

Brian, that is quite an awesome painting!!

 

[Terri]

I'm glad to hear ya'll had a nice visit with Mom. Hopefully, she keeps on rockin for a long time. Is she still liking her "new" place? It's no so new anymore.

She does still like her little apartment, thanks for asking! You're right, not so new anymore as she's been there about 2 1/2 years. Still happy overall with her choice, the main thing is that she still misses Jasper, her little dog. I've encouraged her to explore fostering, since she's good with dogs and there's always a need, but she hasn't done anything yet.

 

[PaintBoss]

Beautiful work Brian. Those trees are gorgeous!
Oh the art supplies storage woes… I understand.
Speaking of dogs, I thought you may enjoy my furball, who my daughter took to the local pumpkin patch. He was quite popular!

 

[brianvds]

Beautiful work Brian. Those trees are gorgeous!

I hasten to reaffirm that it is not my own.

Speaking of dogs, I thought you may enjoy my furball, who my daughter took to the local pumpkin patch. He was quite popular!

Doggies are always ready for a bit of fun. Cats are the real Halloween animals - they don't mingle with the human staff, unless it's to torture them.

 

[Artyczar]

What an adorable little furball!

 

[PaintBoss]

Oh sorry Brian I see now that it was your uncle painting, well he did a lovely job! I see creativity runs through your family. Those trees are gorgeous and must be lovely to see in person. Very showy!
Cats are wonderful and like a lot of creatures, each have their own history and personality. In general, they are different than dogs, of course, but I’ve seen some that are very dog like. I have experienced some nasty cats, but mostly good cats. I’ve had a few that were extremely affectionate. A real loving intense bond. When a cat trusts you that much it’s amazing. The affection they show is incredible. I can’t be around them now. I developed a very severe allergy when I was 50. I’m really glad I had all those years with them. And I do miss them. But in my experience, if people don’t think cats are affectionate, they don’t know cats. But the cats have to choose you, where dogs are just so eager to please, cats don’t care. So when they do, it’s a bit of a privilege.

 

[Terri]

What a cutie pie that pup is! When they're that cute, they become instantly photogenic and all they have to do is sit still for the camera.

 

[JennieJo]

One of things I do is donate my art to 'causes' - for want of a better description. I've just donated this painting to a rural school in New South Wales, Aussie, about 1000K from where I live, and that I never done more than drive through ... because I saw a request for donations for EOY raffle. The link: I taught in several country schools in Aust. I like kids to engage with art. I thought a stranger's donation to their school might just do that, and some kids will take a good memory with them as they grow up. Luckily the organiser is an artist. Says she loves it - I'm sticking with that. Pic is a bit dull, reds are more vibrant

.

 

[JennieJo]

Rust and roses:

View attachment 32964

Indulging my love for taking quirky photos...

Me also

 

[Terri]

One of things I do is donate my art to 'causes' - for want of a better description. I've just donated this painting to a rural school in New South Wales, Aussie, about 1000K from where I live, and that I never done more than drive through ... because I saw a request for donations for EOY raffle. The link: I taught in several country schools in Aust. I like kids to engage with art. I thought a stranger's donation to their school might just do that, and some kids will take a good memory with them as they grow up. Luckily the organiser is an artist. Says she loves it - I'm sticking with that. Pic is a bit dull, reds are more vibrant


View attachment 44414 .

Wonderful, Jennie!

 

[Mississippi Hippie]

Rupert is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed with what we suspect to be the German Shepard that was in our old neighborhood.

That puppy is just so happy to be at the pumpkin patch

I think you’re painting will do great at the donation! It’s a nice thing, donating.