granddaughter day

I spent the day with my granddaughters today.

They are four and two.

We had so much fun playing stuff like:

 Doctor Barbie, babies, puzzles,

lots of educational toys that I have,

and just enjoying being together.

We ate Chic Fil A and later I made them a picnic.

This is our ritual - I make a plate full of stuff - 

strawberries, raspberries, bananas, blueberries, raspberries,

kiwi (they won't eat the kiwi because it's kind of sour, 

but they love to watch me eat it to see if my face puckers up. It does!).

I also add crackers and one Oreo cookie for each of them.

I put a blanket over the ottoman and we watch Hey Dugee and eat.

Thursday is our standing day together.

Their mama runs errands and

hopefully gets a little break from their energy.

And boy, are they energetic!

When they head home, 

I usually head to the recliner or the couch with

a blanket and veg out to the Chopped or

Vanderpump Rules.

It's not because I'm physically tired.

I'm mentally tired!

I don't usually plan on doing any painting on Thursdays.

BUT, my husband decided to go to the gym late tonight

so I decided to warm up the studio and paint something.

I rummaged through some recent photos

 I took in Taos and this one jumped out at me:

"TAOS DOOR"

10x8"

oil

This is a photo off of one of the streets in Taos.

I had to shoot this photo while driving (I know, it's wrong).

But I fell in love with the hollyhocks against the turquoise door.

I loosely sketched the scene, then blocked in the big shapes.

Then I just pushed paint around for two hours until I was satisfied.

It's not perfect, perspectively, but it has a

whimsical feel and I like that.

And I'm done for the evening.

 So three paintings down for the year.

Now, to start work on three paintings that 

are calling to me.

One is a commission of two roosters, one is for my brother,

who helped me start this blog back in 2006.

The other is a huge painting for my sister-in-law, 

and I'll tell you about that later.

Note 1: I am enjoying the paintings I'm seeing from our group, 

"LETS PAINT NEW MEXICO!"

They are inspiring and the group offers a send of community

to the artists participating.

Note 2: Life is short, enjoy your family, and celebrate everything.