FIRST DAY

Last Friday was my first day, of 2014, painting outside!  My friend and artist Linda Packard came down from Maine for the weekend.  We went over to the Arnold Arboretum, another first for me, and a delightful place to paint now with everything blooming.  Here are three 10 x 10 oil on panels I did that afternoon.

INDIA - MUMBAI MARKET

Back to India and the Mumbai market.  This we visited on our first day and one of the many stops on our cultural tour of Mumbai.  The market and the Mumbai laundry I found the most fascinating for the energy, colors, variety and commerce taking place in such simple ways.

Besides the colorful fruits and vegetables to buy (as you see in these pictures) many other things were offered for sale....

There is a large aviary section and another place to buy puppies.

As interesting as the displays are I also found the overhead tarps protecting the various booths as enticing  in the multiple of colors displayed, the way they softly hung from the rafters and moved in the random breezes..

This is my favorite photo of the market!  

IN THE STUDIO

I have been working on several projects at the studio these days.  Each one inspires me to continue working on other projects other media. 

My large circle paintings continue.  This is about 7 ft x 7 ft acrylic on canvas and I think is # 5 in the series.

This was an experiment but has inspired a 20 piece 8 x 8 panel project that will be completed by the end of the month.

A lot of time is spent waiting for the paint to dry so I am also working on a series of small flower paintings (oil/panel) for Hope Gallery in Bristol, RI.

Tell Them My Dreams
oil/panel
10 x 10

NEW WORK

FOR O'KEEFE
oil/panel
10 x 10

At the beginning of each month I am sending Hope Gallery in Bristol, RI, three paintings.  This is one from my flower series (oil/panel).  Since it has been too wintery to paint outdoors I have been working with flowers these last two months.  My thought is that by painting flowers spring will come. While it may be  officially this sweet season, winter skies and temperatures are lingering.  The good news is my studio looks cheery with all the flowers!

SAATCHI ART

YOU ONLY JUST ARRIVED
mixed media/paper
30 x 22

My paintings are now available on SaatchiArt a well-known online gallery.  These two paintings I just added.  More paintings from my Journeys Series will be put in my SaatchiArt portfolio in the days ahead. You can also see this series on my website.  

IF I LEAVE NOW
mixed media/paper
30 x 22

Special thanks to artist Jeanne Williamson for sharing information on this site.

INDIA PAPER FACTORY

Back to my India experience.  I have so many India photos to organize that is why my trip is posted piecemeal.

While in Jaipur this past January I visited a paper making factory.  I love paper so this tour was a treat! It was very cool seeing the entire operation under one roof.  Above in the courtyard are piles of rags

More heaps of rags inside

This seems to be a sorting room.  You can barely make out the head of a woman just to the right above the plastic bags in the foreground.  She is working alone here, squatting on the floor as she sorts.

Not sure but I am assuming this is the bleaching bath.

The dye bath - yum.  In my former life as a fashion executive I visited many US factories from creating yarns to fabric weaving and dyeing.  This factory would not exist in the US today as it is missing multiple safety standards.

Friends & artists Adria Arch and Anne Krinsky were also in Jaipur the same month. Unfortunately we did not  have the chance to meet up.  Anyway do check their blogs on their trip as both have wonderful tales, rich images and experiences to share!

I love the simplicity of the tools!

paper hanging from the rafters to dry

and paper hanging outside - almost looks like the clothes it once was.

paper paradise

Of course our tour ended in the gift shop whre they had products made for several US and UK retailers.  Small world but a very colorful one!