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

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
10. I go in spurts where
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:05 PM
Jan 11

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

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
27. Scarlet is persistent.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:29 PM
Jan 11

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

(12,422 posts)
65. She wants right up on the desk
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:04 AM
Jan 12

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

(62,819 posts)
75. Oh my.
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 10:03 AM
Jan 12

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

(12,422 posts)
15. I was thinking tulips
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:13 PM
Jan 11

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

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
62. The sooner the better
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:47 AM
Jan 12

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

(37,337 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 12

Ms. Toad

(35,848 posts)
13. I'm eagerly awaiting the start of the spring semester!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:11 PM
Jan 11

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

(35,848 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 11

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

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

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

(35,848 posts)
37. Here's a direct link to my final photo project for the fall semester.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:59 PM
Jan 11
https://democraticunderground.com/102817765

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

Ursus Arctos

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

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

(35,848 posts)
43. Thank you!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 11:32 PM
Jan 11

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

(12,422 posts)
45. I'll have to go look
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:12 AM
Jan 12

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

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

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

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
46. Thank you
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:14 AM
Jan 12

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

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
48. Hey Lois your always
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:17 AM
Jan 12

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

LoisB

(9,308 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 12

I really appreciate that you share it with us.

samplegirl

(12,422 posts)
50. I've been in the dumps
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:19 AM
Jan 12

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

Meowmee

(6,778 posts)
76. That was me 😀 you posted a pic of psycho's mouth
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 10:10 AM
Jan 12

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

(12,422 posts)
51. Hey 2naSit
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:20 AM
Jan 12

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

2naSalit

(94,849 posts)
61. Because...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:45 AM
Jan 12

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

(35,695 posts)
35. Beautiful!
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:55 PM
Jan 11

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

(12,422 posts)
67. I have been in the slump swamp
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:12 AM
Jan 12

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

(29,491 posts)
36. Watercolour is my favorite too. Very peaceful.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 08:56 PM
Jan 11

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


3catwoman3

(26,042 posts)
38. That is a lovely way to have become unblocked.
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 09:14 PM
Jan 11

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

(6,778 posts)
44. Beautiful 👏🏻
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:11 AM
Jan 12

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

(83,436 posts)
58. Beautiful...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 07:35 AM
Jan 12

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

(83,436 posts)
73. I write and do Public Speaking for Liberal Causes...
Sun Jan 12, 2025, 08:52 AM
Jan 12

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

(51,493 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 12

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

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