View from Kinookimaw - Last Mountain Lake

I took this from our deck this morning.

One of the few days that the wind isn't blowing like crazy. It rained fairly heavy all night, but although it is still cloudy it's actually very pleasant out now. The lake is like a mirror. This will all change as the day wears on. I'm sure the wind will get up (as usual) You can't tell from this photo, but the Saskatoons are in full bloom. (bottom half of the photo) With any luck (and no frost) it will be a bumper crop this year.

That's Pelican Point across the lake. From the point fishermen catch walleye and perch. There is only one boat out there right now, but probably a few will be out there after supper when the fish are biting.

lighting storm paintings

Trying to get back into the "painting" mood. It's been awhile. I got all my paints out today and then kept getting sidetracked with various things. We are supposed to get thunderstorms today, but so far it's just overcast and kind of gloomy. No lack of wind though! Maybe tonight we will get a lightning show.

All cities seem to have these kind of faceless buildings. Square cold buildings. They actually make a good canvas when reflecting the sky. This is my idea of how one of these buildings would look during a storm. The power would have to be out so that no light would shine to the outside. I used varnish only on the building to make the "glass".

You will find both of these aceos listed on Ebay here

ace0 - 2.5" x 3.5"

aceo display quilt

A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to be named the Grand Prize winner of the Endangered Species Caption Contest at the big ACEO Group on Ebay. One of the prizes I received was this beautiful aceo quilt display. Beautifully crafted by Amarillo-Choctaw on Ebay, it displays 9 aceos at a time. I finally got it hung in my office/studio last week. I just love it. Thank you Char. I have lots of fellow artist's aceos and atc's so I will change it up frequently so it will always be fresh and new!

To see her blog and learn more about her wonderful Native American heritage and art please go to Amarillo-Choctaw blog by clicking here. Have your speakers up and listen to the wonderful music while you read :)

H1N1 Virus (swine flu) and Common Sense.......My not so "Wordless Wednesday" on Thursday :)

I don't usually put things on my blog that don't pertain to art, but I think it's so important to get the word out there on how to use your head during this swine flu epidemic.

WASH YOUR HANDS.......live by this everyday ...flu season or not... do this and you will hopefully do fine.
WASH YOUR HANDS! WASH YOUR HANDS, WASH YOUR HANDS!

The disease spreads in the same way as human flu, by inhaling airborne particles from coughs and sneezes, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching the nose or mouth.
It should be emphasised that in most cases the infection makes people unwell but is not life-threatening.

Tips on how to avoid or prevent Swine Flu?

**taken from the Salt Lake Examiner**
1. Drink plenty of water. You knew that, right?
2. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, and ask others to do the same. Use the crook of your arm, not your hands. (That will actually spread your germs faster).
3. Wash hands frequently. Did I say frequently? Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it when you get back to your car after being in a public place, after touching shopping carts, etc.
4. Pop some pills. Either in pill form or in yogurt, probiotics help your immune system, as will extra vitamin C. Be sure you’re taking your multivitamin. Your overall health, diet, and habits will play a big role in whether or not you get ill, and how severe the illness is.
5. Avoid crowds to the extent possible.
6. Wash your hands again. Before and after eating or preparing food, after using the restroom (duh!), after being in public or at a gathering. Use common sense.
7. Get enough sleep.
8. Sanitize surfaces. Get some Lysol wipes, spray, and/or bleach solution to kill germs on handles, doorknobs, phones, keyboards, light switches, or any commonly-used surface, especially if someone in your household is sick. If not, do it anyway.
9. Stock up on supplies. Keep plenty of soap on hand, as well as detergents, hand sanitizer, food and water, medicine, even latex gloves and masks to prevent the spread of illness.
. Overall, don’t panic. Take the normal precautions you would take during flu season. If you do get sick, take care of yourself in the same way and see a doctor if you feel the need. Use your instincts.

Kinookimaw - Spring morning

Look who came to see us this morning. There were actually 3 of them, but one was a little camera shy. They haven't been around much this winter so it was nice to see them back..No babies with them yet.

I think they are looking to see if any of my lilies are up yet......they're not...so they will have to come back another day :)

Great Tip for cleaning acrylic paint from brushes :)

This is definitely a "10"

Thanks to my sister Sharon, here is a great tip for cleaning acrylic paint out of brushes.

I am incredibly hard on paint brushes. In fact I can only use cheap ones because I abuse them so badly. I lay them down and forget them...I don't clean properly.. Paint is always dry on them. Do you have the same problem?

Use plain old "hand sanitizer". The kind with ethyl alcohol and gel. Just put a glob on a saucer and "smash" the bristles of the brush into the gel. You will be amazed at what takes place. Paint you didn't even see will come out in the gel. It's great. What's even better is the gel conditions the brush making it just like new again. I have used rubbing alcohol in the past. This works 100 times better!

It's like sending your brushes to the spa.....

Happy Earth Day

Spring in Saskatchewan

Sunsets, Lightning, Teacups Oh My!!!

It seems spring came and I decided to take some time off from painting to escape to the "real" outdoors :) The weather has been lovely and the crocus are poking up in the tall grasses. It won't be long before they are blooming everywhere in the fields. You'd never know that we still had snow a week ago.

We had some really great thunder clouds show up for a bit the other night, but it's still a little too early in the year and it's not warm enough for real lightning storms.

But there is no shortage of wind for the kids to fly their kites.

All 3 of these are aceo size (3.5" x 2.5") acrylics listed here

Easter Greetings.

I know it's a day or two early but just want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. I'm hoping to post some reference photos here as soon as I'm back. Happy creating all.

cougar panther (a cat by any other name)

I have taken a short break from painting lately. I just need some time to sit back and enjoy spring. I painted this guy a couple of weeks ago but never got around to doing anything with him. The only colour on him is the yellow in his eyes, and a bit of pink on his nose and tongue. Other than that...he is black and white.

You will find him listed here
ACEO size (3.5" x 2.5")