What can an artist do??

"KATERYNA"

As the date to do this portrait in acrylics class drew near I was moved to design something to go along with our world in crisis, mainly the Ukraine.  After researching facial features of Ukrainian women a face gradually emerged from my pencil of a woman in Ukrainian native dress and wearing a floral garland.  All designs were taken from historical photos on the internet and so are truly based on authentic Ukrainian attire.

The name "Kateryna" according to a list of Ukrainian names means "Pure." Pure and innocent are those who are being killed, maimed and driven from their free country.  The atrocities that Putin has inflicted upon the Ukrainian people will be revisited by all those who survived for the rest of their lives.

So what could an older, powerless, not-so-well-off artist do to help?  Well one was to recognize the Ukrainian people's plight by designing a work of art to represent their people.  And gradually I came up with the idea of donating the proceeds of this painting to them also.  And so the idea was born.  But wait--I thought, "How can I expand upon that idea?"  So then I came up with publishing it on the internet in hopes that other artists see it, paint it, sell it, and donate the proceeds.

So here is beautiful Kateryna, with instructions below it.  Feel free to improve it, change it, or be inspired by it to do something yourself that will help the people in the Ukraine.  

(Click on Kateryna to enlarge)

Note - Keep mind that these instructions were drafted for a classroom where I explained various techniques of painting in acrylics. Please look up on the internet "scumbling" as that was a common technique used in the final skin layers.  This portrait can also be created in oil, watercolor, pastels, colored pencils, etc.  I used a limited palette and did not name the actual colors as I provided all the supplies and some people in class are not familiar with the actual names of the colors. But following are colors I used or suggest: titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange, cadmium red light, alizarin crimson, dioxazene purple, ultramarine blue, permanent green light, sap green, burnt umber, burnt sienna, ivory black.

Also, I considered "Kateryna" finished enough for my class, however not finished enough to sell.  In spite of that a student insisted on purchasing it from the class "as is."  So the proceeds will be donated to:

                            Samaritan's Purse

                            P.O. Box 3000

                           Boone, North Carolina 28607

                          Phone - 828-262-1980

If you do decide to paint it yourself, I hope you will donate at least something to either Samaritan's Purse or another charity that is helping the Ukrainian people in their struggle to protect their citizens, help those who have survivied, or help them in their fight for their freedom.

(Click on the below instructions to enlarge)

Visit again soon, as I will be uploading more paintings for you to try!

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

Solo Show at the Environmental Learning Center

 Wrapping up a 2-month Show!

Installed 35 paintings in the Environmental Learning Center on January 3rd, where they were on display until today, February 27th.  The ELC was very accommodating and great to deal with, and it was a nice venue for all my nature-related work.  I named it "Florida's Natural Treasures," and it was good to see a large body of my work all in one place. Several paintings found new homes, and I am always happy to know they will be appreciated and enjoyed for years to come. And now I have more money to buy more brushes.  He who has the most brushes wins!    

West Wall #1  

... More to come about this show when time.

And Now ... 5 more months of painting/creating ins spite of COVID!

"DRAGON"

"Dragon" took several months to paint because I hated doing it.  I blocked the darned thing in and let it sit out on our lanai for months. Finally, my granddaughter Salem's birthday was coming up quick in July so I HAD to get it done!  It was just yesterday she was loving unicorns and princesses ... and now, at 10, she loves Harry Potter!  Go figure.  I do miss my princess with the magical wand and tutu though.  And I hated everything Harry-Potter-ish and dark and gloomy stuff.  However, by the time I was almost finished with the dragon, I was watching movies about Harry Potter with her, biting my nails!  Loved him, and I certainly learned to "Love the Dragon!"

"Dragon" Oil on Stretched Canvas, 28"x36" by Judy Burgarella

"SPENSER"

"Spenser" was a delight to paint.  And upon pickup, my client brought his wife and other furry famly members.  Spenser wanted so badly to play with my Piper, but Spenser had just undergone surgery and was in no shape to romp, so I left Piper outside.  I was told that the painting really captured his spirit and personality.  I painted it from several referenced photographs.

"Spenser" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella. Painted surface 14"x11"

Uploading Some New Work ... After A Long Covid Layover!

 As the Covid crisis begins to wind down, artists are starting to crawl out of their cocoons, myself included, although I emerged sooner than many.  In November 2020, and against all odds, me and my dear friend Camy DeMario developed a show, "Keeping the Arts Alive," at Raw Space Gallery in Vero Beach.  We curated a month-long fine art show featuring over 200 works of art by over 100 artists, and the show included 17 different themes and events throughout the month.  The agenda included honoring our civic leaders, fire, police, military and medical heroes, and I presented portraits to several of our Leaders and Heroes. Other nights were dedicated to Jazz, Ghosts & Hauntings, book signings, Music, poetry, graffiti, and more. Ribbons were awarded, wine and refreshments were served, and a good time was had by all. However, as Covid loomed throughout the month we decided to slow down some of the other events we had planned. In spite of all the odds against us, we were able to make a generous donation to Little Birthday Angels, our chosen charity.  Below are the portraits that were presented:

"Amelia Earhart" Pastel, 11x14 by Judy Burgarella

Amelia Earhart, famous American aviator - presented to the City's Vero Beach Municipal Airport

"Portrait of a Hero," oil on linen by Judy Burgarella

"Portrait of a Hero," presented to Dr. Marcelin of Cleveland Clinic, Vero Beach

"Alma Lee Loy" Acrylic, 11"x14" by Judy Burgarella

"Alma Lee Loy," presented to the Mayor of Vero Beach. Alma Lee, who passed away in April of 2020, was a tireless promotor and philanthropist of Vero Beach and beyond, beloved by all who knew her. 

"Sheriff Daryl Loar" Acrylic, 11"x14" by Judy Burgarella

Symbolic to our Police, and in recognition of Sheriff Loar's service.

"Fire!" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

 Presented to Indian River County Fire and Rescue.

We created a wonderful show featuring many wonderful works, helped a charity, and honored those who helped bring us through this awful pandemic--God bless them all.  The show closed, and that was the end of "Keeping the Arts Alive," for us.

When time permits, I will post more of the artwork I created just before the Pandemic, during, and after.  But for now, new art shows and art projects loom on the horizon which I must attend to ... so, more to come! 

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

Sebastian, Florida

Two Solo Shows! Oy Vey!!

Having trouble with my blogs, and somehow lost over a year's worth!  ...somewhere out there in cyberspace.  Oh well, carrying on ...


A COUPLE OF JUST-FINISHED PIECES

For my portrait show, "Portraits of the World ... And Beyond" (postcard and further info follows) I have a couple of new ones:

"Madonna" oil on canvas, with 24K gold leaf halo

This painting was done with only 4 colors, and is painted over another portrait I did as a demo of a wipe-out face.  The wipe-out base gave it the depth and mystery I was looking for.  Gold leafing went surprisingly well, as it is very difficult to work with, and one must not waste 24K gold!  It's in a fabulous frame too, displayed over my Jesus painting which has a crown of thorns hanging on it that I purchased from a Jerusalem supplier.


A Totally Portrait Show for all my friends and students who love portraits!

Worked like crazy putting this one together.  Never showed this many portraits at once, excepting for in my own home during the Sebastian Art Studio Tour.  Carole and Peter Coe, curators of the "Pres Galleries," and members of the First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach, flawlessly installed the show, allowing me some input as to it's setup.  There was a great turnout and the show looked beautiful.  About 30 paintings in all mediums are on display.  They decided to add a mid-show reception I guess to allow the Snowbirds to view it.  It's up through December.


MY MOM, "MILDRED"

My mother was a jewel, and a really pretty one with a beautiful wad of red hair.  I guess this was about 1942, before I was born.  It was painted from a black-and-white photograph.

"Millie, 1942" oil on canvas by Judy Burgarella

PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Tonight at 9:00 pm I finally got around to entering something in the Portrait Society of America, which I am a member of.  Decided to enter my mom.  It would be such an honor if they accepted my entry.  First time entering a national competition.



AND NOW FOR MY NEXT ACT ...

Just delivered this show today.  Over 40 paintings of Florida-inspired works.  What a job putting all this together, repairing the frames, reframing where needed, cleaning and rematting.  I have too many paintings, so they're priced to go, to make room for more. Looking forward to the opening to see how the public receives them.  I revised a portrait I did of Osceola in 2014 which I have shown around here but it never received much attention.  So I took it apart (not an easy job with pastels) and redesigned the face, clothes, position, and values, contrast and background.  Basically it's all redone.  I am very happy with it now, and I am a better artist than I was in 2014.  That's what's amazing about this art thing, everyone gets better with each painting.  I teach so I see it happen right before my eyes to my students.  Below is Osceola, I love it now.

"Osceola" Pastel by Judy Burgarella

LADY OF ELCHE

Monday I had my first of five classes for the semester in the Vero Beach Museum of Art, and below is my subject lesson.  I brought her back from the 4th Century B.C.  Found her sculptured image in an old sculpture book I got at a thrift shop.  I opened the book and fell in love with her face.  So regal, strong, intelligent-looking and beautiful.  And that headdress!  Wow!  I later found out that the bust, which is hollow and presumed to have been used as a funerary urn, is in a museum in Madrid.

"Lady of Elche" Acrylic on Canvas by Judy Burgarella

Well, that's all for tonight ... I hope you enjoyed my images.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Changing My Focus!

But first, a farewell to a dear friend . . . Henry Pitt

This blog is dedicated to Henry Pitt, a friend, mentor, a fine artist, and a giant to all of us in the Sebastian River Art Club, who passed away earlier this month.  Henry, at age 87 and with only one eye, was an inspiration to all who knew him.  Each week he would come in with a new painting, one more stunning than the other.  Most with wildlife or domestic animals in them, many from Montana where he once was owner of a large ranch.  Henry had a quick wit and a charming smile, and enjoyed some notoriety and fame over the years for his paintings and also for his efforts on behalf of the arts.  He was quick to offer advice and critique when asked, and all of it was good.  My husband Bob and I  enjoyed listening to his stories of Montana and various adventures and foibles during his long life.  His legacy will live on in the countless paintings he's left behind, and the memories that will stay with all of us.  
God speed, Henry . . . and keep the palette filled for us as we join you in painting heaven some day.

Henry Pitt - 1927-2014

"Ram" Oil Painting by Henry Pitt

Changing My Focus ~

Henry's passing reminds us all that life has an "Expiration Date."  And to that end in evaluating my art life I had concluded that some of my energies need to be taken in a new direction.  Up until now I have devoted much of my free time to volunteering in the Arts community, and I can now look back with a sense of satisfaction at my small contributions towards the growth of the Arts in Indian River County.  Working hard with the Artists Guild Gallery and other galleries in the Arts District, the Vero Beach Art Club and Sebastian River Art Club, the Cultural Council, and many charitable organizations.  My service included serving on boards and committees, organizing and helping with art shows and fund-raisers, helping build and market the Arts District, running the many local arts blogs, and marketing-marketing-marketing.  But now, as time is creeping up on me and family is wanting more of my time, I am wishing well to those who will step in to fill whatever small void I leave as I slow my volunteer hours down and relinquish my positions of responsibility.

Time also to concentrate on painting and marketing for myself, and getting all those paintings out from the corners and closets of our house and out into plain view.  But first I want to enjoy once more the experiences of painting out-of-doors, "en plein air."  On April 16-17-18 I was one of about 40 artists to paint "Main Street Fort Pierce," which also included a day at Adams Ranch.  Adams Ranch is the 15th largest cattle ranch in the U.S.A., and is breathtakingly beautiful, with its tree houses, meandering streams, hammocks, grazing cattle and horses, and just stunning landscape.  Below is the painting I did on my day at Adams Ranch, along with a portrait of Bud Adams which was included in "Au Naturale," a 2007 Calendar Project for Heathcote Gardens.

"Adams Ranch" oil by Judy Burgarella (Available)

"Bud Adams" oil painting, for "Au Naturale" 2007 Calendar by Judy Burgarella

Two other paintings that I completed during the three-day event are pictured below.  It was great painting with buddies Dawn Mill and Christine Thomas, who worked with me on a year-and-a-half mural painting project for Vero Beach (www.verobeachmural.blogspot.com).  Main Street Fort Pierce treated us wonderfully, feeding us and accommodating us in whatever way they could.  A portion of the proceeds from the sales of paintings went to help with the Backus House.

"Pure Florida" Chochki in oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

"View from the Manatee Center" oil by Judy Burgarella (available)

So my next plein air event was at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, for the Cultural Council on Tuesday April 22nd.  This all-day event was also a wonderful experience, in that I met some interesting people and completed 2 paintings which sold!  It was a lovely, calm day, in a lovely place with beautiful views.  I was "in the zone" all day, with endorphins in high gear and freckles flaring.  Such fun, and plein air is my roots and my beginnings, so I feel as if I'm home again.  Now to find places to paint in the summer heat ... that will be a curious endeavor!

"At Rest" 8"x10" Oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

"Morning Mist" 11"x14" Oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

 So stay tuned for more news of how I plan to "reinvent" myself.  I'm still thinking . . .

But in the meantime, I'll be playing with my adorable 2-year-old granddaughter, Salem, who is also an artist--who even has business cards to prove it! 

Alas, this little cherub has taken my affections from the brush and the canvas and onto herself. 
I am a very lucky grandma.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger 

Merry Christmas!

Blessings to all who see this, and a Merry Christmas to everyone!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Guest Artist Spot

Well, a lot has happened since my last posting, one of which is that I have left the artists Guild Gallery to slow my life down a bit and give more time to my family.  It was a great run--almost 8 years--and due to a cancellation for November they invited me to put together a show in their Guest Artist Gallery.  And so my encore at the Artists Guild is entitled, "An Artist's Journey," which I hope to showcase my better pieces, or whatever is available by November.  I've developed a wonderful way to keep track of where my artwork temporarily resides, which I will expound upon later in this blog for all you artists.  It's 1:00 a.m. now and I'll probably start this and continue tomorrow, in between running around after my 2-year-old granddaughter while mom and dad works.

First of all, here is the card, and consider it your personal invitation to my show:

Their new website is www.artsitsguildgalleryofverobeach.com - however my show has not been posted as of this date, but they have a wonderful guest artist, Dr. Johnson Hagood, who is a very well-respected local dentist.

There will be everything from soup to nuts in "An Artist's Journey," including portraiture.  Sample all the action at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcLf7ACVaJk 

I am working on several new pieces for this show, and if all goes well and the creek don't rise I'll have them finished in time.  If not I'll add them later in the month.  One of the pieces is shown below, entitled "The Artist," it's an oil, and I had a fabulous time painting it.  Just love doing portraits, and always free-hand as usual.  There are usually "tweaks" to be done when doing freehand, but it is such a liberating thing to be able to capture an image on canvas with no special tools or technology, just these old eyes and a steady hand.  Eyes, I might add, one of which has been redone by cataract surgery ... which has really changed the way I see my world a lot.  Can see better, but different, and there are many side affects that plague me still after almost 3 months.  It's exasperating, especially as an artist, and I've been assured it will go away soon. Painting on canvas also has a new learning curve that I have to work around.  Should I have the other one done like advised, and see my world weirdly through both eyes?  I think not, for now anyways.

"The Artist," oil on canvas

When I completed this painting, I realized he looked like Santa with a red beret.  After my show I may change that to another color to avoid confusion, and to make it more marketable.

Here's a sampling of some that I may put in the show, but this venue does not do them justice and they must be viewed in person ~

So let's see, what artistic things have I been up to since July ... Will post more tomorrow!

Well, there wasn't much art-wise that I worked on except for a couple of things.  One is I finished this cute little kitty bank for the Humane Society's sale ~

"Kitty Bank" for Humane Society Fundraiser.  Acrylic

Also over the past few weeks, Club members are invited to paint a small canvas as an ornament, the proceeds of which will be given to the Ecumenical Food Bank to help feed the needy for the holidays.  We're proud of this effort, and hope to be able to hand them a big fat check.  Below is a sampling of our "Little treasures:"

Today I managed to finish 2 paintings, both oil, one a still life with a vase and some apples which I started in my Oak Harbor, Vero Beach class on Wednesday, and the other a small one I started as a demo at the Sebastian River Art Club - a beutiful white heron in flight with a dark tropical background, which I just now finished inbetween blogging.  Have the perfect frame for it too--can't wait to see it all put together.

 Judy Burgrella
Blogger

 

Cats! Cats! and more Cats!

Tracy & Turhan's five little furballs

Finished the last of Tracy's cats last night.  Started the first cat in acrylic as a demo on Thursday, but had scant time to work on it.  Didn't revisit the project until Sunday, when I finished all 5.  Those exercizes in "Challenge" speed paintings are really helping me to paint fast, especially in acrylic.  Although the push was on, this was a fun project, and hopefully they will get to my daughter's on time.  Her and her husband have 5 beautiful cats whom they love dearly, so the below portraits of them should please them both.  Just wish I could be there to see them open the portraits.  The red background will go perfectly with their red checkered kitchen.

With the holidays approaching and lots of people coming, there will be no painting (except tomorrow at my classroom in Vero).  Have a portrait commission and triptyk in the planning stages.  Five major events to work on too: 1)  Dorothy Starbuck's workshop I've organized for January 5-6; 2) Vero Beach Mural Reception and Launch party January 12th (I'm one of three artists who worked on it for a year); 3) The Sebastian River Art Club's 75th Anniversary Reception, I am Chairing; 4) The Sebastian Art Studio Tour, which I am participating in an handling publicity; 5) Stepping Stone Quilter's Show in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center to be installed January 2nd.  So many wonderful events happening back-to-back, how lucky to be living here, and working with so many swell artsy people!

Oh What A Beuatiful Mornin' ... Oh What A Beautiful Night!

The views were spectacular. On December 12th, the moon appeared to be a giant silver blotchy ball in the sky--the brightest I'd ever seen. As reported on TV, that night's full moon would be brighter and closer to the earth than it's been in 15 years. What a sight. I followed it all night long, darting out onto the patio in my nightgown to see the moonlight bounce off the water and the trees and grass. It was eerily beautiful! And so I took this shot of the moon with our light-bedecked young holly tree, just as the moon's glow started to appear.

Two days later, after getting up at 4:30 a.m. to do a tent show and getting ourselves to Humiston Park in Vero Beach, this unbelievable sunset greeted us. It would have been worth it just to get up and drive to that spot and see this, without the art show. However it was such a blessing to be able to see the sun slowly rise, peeking through the clouds and causing a rainbow of changing colors while we set up our tents. This is one I'll have to paint, but who would believe it was really that beautiful? I love this place.

Good Red Things!

Well, it's been a few days since I have blogged. Silent migraines have plagued me for a few days, a very rare event, though I managed to start a very enjoyable painting that distracted me from the headache distraction. Attached is a good start for "Good Red Things," an oil painting from a photo of a still life setup I had painted from before. My other painting of this arrangement was done on a wooden palette, which I floated in a black box frame. It sold the first time I showed it, and so I thought it would be a good subject for The Garden Of Art's "Bon Appetit" show come November.

I think my headahe and back pain is payback from building that patio, but it was worth it. When I am done here I will go out on my patio in the dead of night to gaze at the beautiful full moon and the stars, without having to worry about creepy-crawly things at my feet in the grass.

Attached also is a portrait study I did a couple of days ago. Spotted this beat-up old poster at a Habitat For Humanity thrift store for $5. This was actually the 2nd time I saw this poster there, and had resisted buying it the first time because the frame was broken, there was no glass, and the picture had a scratch through the face. But what a face ... and it was a face I knew I had to paint. The poster was from the opening of the National Museum for Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C., which I had been a member of at one time. "Lady with a Bowl of Violets" by Lila Cabot Perry (1848-1933). What I'd give to actually gaze at this painting in person, and see the actual brushstrokes firsthand. Nothing compares to being in the presence of a work of art created by such a master. To own something like this must be such a thrill, and to have it actually hanging in your home--well I can only dream ... and try to copy one for myself!

Well, my camera is on the fritz. The zoom is acting crazy, blurry when I try to zoom in. And I notice photos are distorted in birds-eye fashion, but I've done my best to correct them as best I could. I've about worn this one out, like I did my last digital, taking thousands of pics a month, trying to capture every beautiful thing I come across to keep for my own.

Tomorrow I must finish my pastel of a Walpi Indian and frame it, and buff up my bronze bust of a Seminole Indian, to ready them for entry in the Backus Gallery's Four-County Competitive, which I won the watercolor prize for last year. I'll try to post them tomorrow. The competition is fierce as many accomplished artists enter this show, but I may just get lucky again. I hope tomorrow also to have enough time to work on "Good Red Things" ... the doily under the still life will be so so much fun to work on. And then there's the table, that's always an adventure trying to create a weather-worn-looking piece of furniture from my head. It's like the sections of a jigsaw puzzle, each section is distinctly different from the other, and enjoyable in a slightly different way, and when completed is a collective joy to see as a whole, and a source of accomplishment and pride. I hope I don't screw this one up.

Christening My Patio!

Today's pic is me painting on our newly-finished patio. Started painting at 6:30. What a pleasure being out there painting, watching fish jumping and herons, egrets and ospreys flying by, and watching the sun set just to my right. Just did some practice work, honing my water ripple-painting skills with oil, and practicing painting palm trees.

Today it poured this morning, so no plein air painting. Instead went to a media breakfast for people who do marketing for non-profits, and then went out soliciting sponsors with Rita Z for the Vero Beach Art Club's "Art-By-The-Sea" show. In spite of the economy, we've been quite successful. That's all for today.

Plein Air Painting with Friends

Hi folks,

Well, another perfect day in paradise, painting outdoors with friends. Picked up some morning jo at Dunkin, and joined Barb and Lee at Royal Palm Pointe to start the season's plein air painting sessions on Wednesdays. The day was perfect and we each set up our easels under green canvas umbrellas and began constructing our compositions. We enjoyed chatting and watching the children play in the fountains while we painted. Being a much slower painter (and way too chatty) than my colleagues, they were finished and packed up by 12:30 and I remained by myself, "In The Zone," until after 3:00. My buddy Rita came by at 2:00 and convinced me to not go home and get ready for our Art Club Website meeting at 4:00, but to join her for a swim and a glass of wine and leave from there together. How could I resist? Posted is my partially-finished composition which hopefully I will post finished tomorrow. Although right now it's at the really ugly stage, I've learned not to get discouraged because they almost always get better (with some exceptions unfortunately).

Also posted is yesterday's finished painting of "Tuscany," started at the Sebastian River Art Club, and painted from a picture my friend Julianne brought.

Posted too is a picture of my friend Cathy who passed away earlier this year. Her husband Phil called this morning from Texas, and I told him of this lovely photo of her I took while we plein air painted at McKee Gardens in Vero Beach, and sent it to him. That smile is vintage Cathy, in happier, healthier days. She was one of the most pleasant, likeable people I've ever met--never a harsh word or a complaint, always happy and smiling. A terrific artist too.

So at 7:00 Bob and I bid adieu to the sun, sitting on our adarondak chairs with a glass of wine out by the canal's edge, winding up a busy and fruitful day. Bob did a lot of stuff too ... but who cares? (only kidding!)

Judy

So Far Not-So-Daily Blogspot!

Hi again folks,

Well, here it is a couple days later, and I'm blogging again. It is 7:15, and the sun is setting, a very dramatic orange and gray again at the end of a rainy day. The sunset pictured is from last night. I am always amazed at the beauty of the Florida sky all through the day, and then there's the big fireworks a the end of the day. What a wonderful gift to receive every day.

The first picture is of an orchid growing from THIN AIR on our holly tree! All I did was twist-tie it to a branch and then do absolutely nothing to keep it alive, roots exposed and all. Eventually it sends out tendrils to attach to the tree, and then the twist-tie gets removed. I've twist-tied dozens of them to the tree, so soon I will have a bouquet. Imagine, an orchid growing in my tree, and with no help? Amazing, since after living in Connecticut where you had to break you neck digging through the stones just to grow a geranium!

The second picture is a VERY pregnant stick bug (so I've been told) that perched herself on my studio sliders. I taped a penny nearby so that you could see how big it is. It is a very ugly bug that didn't flinch when I taped the penny up. She stayed there all day, then disappeared at night (probably to lay her eggs).

The third pic is my "Patio Project," which I'm almost done with. Just need to level a dozen or so more stone and it will be finished! Please excuse all the messy "Tools-of-the-trade" on the porch. Can't wait to frame the patio with floral hedges and furnish it with plants in clay pots, and recover the patio chairs with something a little livlier, then Bob and I can sit down on our new patio and give a toast to the sunset.

I hope to post a painting tomorrow, one which I started today at the Sebastian River Art Club's Tuesdays get-together. I took my neighbor Julianne with me to show her how to paint with oils, and to see if she would like to join the club. It's a good club with good, friendly people who love art.

Tomorrow I go plein air painting with the Treasure Coast group in the morning and I may end up posting that on the blog, if I can fit it in before going t the website meeting for the Vero Beach Art Club at night. My work and others can be found on www.verobeachartclub.org.

Well, thanks for looking in at my blog, and like I said I don't know where this is going to go, but I would like to get used to use it so that eventually I can use it for an art project I am working towards.

Judy