That Whooshing Sound was July

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Mary Beth Frezon

I’ve been trying to upload photos to post here and failing. I’ve been getting ready for the 11th Annual August Poetry Postcard Fest 2017, scanning watercolors and printing postcard fronts and trying to get into a more wordy state of mind. I’ve been trying to hold my own against the forces of evil in the world. I’ve been trying to figure out when to get my car’s oil changed. I’ve been trying to figure out the new GoPro camera I got as a video and backup camera for an upcoming trip. So, you know, busy. I might have killed a few orcs along the way.

I’ve been chasing clouds:

First, very “limited palette” sky with very dramatic darks:

clouds 24 july 2017

That dark sky reminded me of this and vice versa while I was scanning this watercolor for digital and postcard use.

stormy clouds, watercolor by Mary Beth Frezon

Last night’s sunset in the next post.

Posted in clouds, Do the Work, In the neighborhood, photography, watercolor | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Dealing with it. 

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Mary Beth Frezon

From this fine Brainpickings article, When Things Fall Apart: Tibetan Buddhist Nun and Teacher Pema Chödrön on Transformation Through Difficult Times

To stay with that shakiness — to stay with a broken heart, with a rumbling stomach, with the feeling of hopelessness and wanting to get revenge — that is the path of true awakening. Sticking with that uncertainty, getting the knack of relaxing in the midst of chaos, learning not to panic — this is the spiritual path. Getting the knack of catching ourselves, of gently and compassionately catching ourselves, is the path of the warrior. We catch ourselves one zillion times as once again, whether we like it or not, we harden into resentment, bitterness, righteous indignation — harden in any way, even into a sense of relief, a sense of inspiration.

Posted in Do the Work, From the Quote Box, note to self, the creative process | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Lessons Learned: Plein Air Category

Posted on July 18, 2017 by Mary Beth Frezon

If you’re painting en plein air, your brushes should not be grass green. Ask me how I came upon this notion! I’m tempted to dip the ends of all my brushes in safety yellow or blaze orange just for ease of finding. And no, I didn’t find the brush I dropped and I spent too much time looking. If it turns up in the corner of a bag or something it will be a freakin’ miracle.

I’d headed over to The Clark for a 9 AM curator-led gallery walk of the Picasso print exhibit. That was very interesting and informative. I’ll go back some other early morning to go through again and look at everything with some new ideas. Afterwards, I enjoyed the rest of my coffee and headed up toward the back hill. It was hard to pick a view – there were great clouds in all directions. I took my roll-up stool with me because it poured last night. That was a good decision, unlike the green-handled brush. At least it wasn’t one of my new brushes – I’d still be there looking.

clouds 18 july 2017

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Still making progress

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Mary Beth Frezon

Not quite done, but mostly.

Posted in Do the Work, taking time to look, the creative process, watercolor | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Still making progress

Ooooh – Package Day! Unboxing

Posted on July 12, 2017 by Mary Beth Frezon

There was a promo code for Blick the other night, the stuff itself couldn’t be discounted any further (I always choose stuff like that!) but there was free shipping. That gave me a $3.00 fedex option so I took it. Talk about immediate gratification.

Unboxing.

Only did a few washes with the brushes but man they hold HUGE amounts of water as promised and so beautiful in the hand. The larger one (not the largest to be had, by any means) is a size 6.

Posted in Do the Work, stash, the creative process, watercolor | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment