How to Stay Creative in Dull Times!

   Not that dull times are bad...but we all get busy and overwhelmed with holiday events and chores. That leads to a shortage of times to just get into the studio and focus. That leads to less creative times and made me think about how I have found encouragement to keep going.

   One of the best ways is to spend time with creative people. People who are doing things that charge them up are fun. Einstein said "Creativity is contagious". He was right. Creative people make you see possibilities everywhere. They don't just talk about what they could do...they produce.

   That leads to another trick I have for getting my creative juices flowing. Just finish something. Call it done and that spark often comes. Part of that may be the delusional part of myself that always believes that the next thing I produce will be the best thing I produce. And that is the gift of the artist...to believe that they have something inside them that needs to come out and that will be worth coming out!

   This is a picture taken this summer of one of my paintings on a tote bag. Next time I will explain the role of the tote bag in the creative process. Oh, the tricks of the craft!

   Thanks for stopping by to play and do something creative today!

                         Reclining  Nude

   This is after Paul Klee a painter who was very prolific during the 1930's and whose work delights my senses. He also famously said  " A drawing is simply a line that went for a walk".  He had a sense of playfulness in his paintings which not surprisingly I find relate-able. 
   This is 'after' his painting of a pear, but of course I thought pumpkin, and then the idea of a pumpkin nude presented itself. Mr. Pumpkin was a little shocked. I haven't done any nude studies since college. Then it was sadly not a pumpkin.
    I loved the lush feeling of the plump pumpkin and the idea of her hair being the stem and dried vines. Plus I could hang this in my house and not worry about friends and children coming to visit. Art should delight and while I don't find nudes offensive I wouldn't want my pastor to see it in my home. He might think I was an art lover and then where would we be?
    I'm still working on the pumpkin Christmas tree, but slowly since I smashed my finger in a car door. I find black and blue fingers quite festive for the holidays. 
   But I hope your Thanksgiving is a wonderful day full of family and I hope you feel playful when you eat that pumpkin pie.

   Thanks for stopping by to play!

                       After Richard Faust

   Which is the correct way of saying his work is the backbone of this painting. If you google Richard Faust, and I hope you will, you will recognize his whimsical flowers as the foundation of this work. He resists using pumpkins in his work. Although I cannot imagine why...they lend themselves perfectly to his style. But anyway, he is a very talented artist and illustrator and his work charms me. I am delighted to have found his work on-line.
   We Pumpkins live in something of an art desert and without the internet we would be completely out of the art loop. I would be forced to only use the classic as inspiration. But as pumpkins have no arms I already halfway to the Venus de Milo. 
   Anyway, the Pumpkins planned a date day in the neighboring state to view an exhibit at an art museum we had never visited. Starting off with lattes in hand we followed the GPS to what it assured us was our destination. We were dismayed to find it was the blood bank. Officially the worst date destination ever. I refused to get out.  And shockingly none of the people loitering in the area  had ever heard of a museum. Or even art. Reverting to the stone-age  we roamed around town and enjoyed the beautiful fall scenery. 
   But then we stumbled upon the building and we delighted to spend a pleasant hour soaking up the good stuff. I was delighted Mr Pumpkin was such a good sport and even got a nice lunch out. That's a good art day. Now it's back to the studio where I am working on a pumpkin nude...don't be shocked!
   
   My etsy store is still open for business and I can promise delivery by Christmas!  My store name is pumpkinsatplay 

   Thanks for stopping by to play!

                                 Hot Talk

   As in that was a lot of! Paint arrived but no painting occurred. But I did have plenty of life. Does that happen at your house? Oh, the big plans of days in front of the canvas. Instead other projects got checked off and the pumpkin sister continued her amazing recovery from her knee replacement. If she felt well enough I 'm sure she would trade in her couch for a chair in my studio. She is very supportive that way.

   Mr. Pumpkin would love a couch in the studio....he could watch without having to experience any discomfort....like a hard chair! He is out right now raking up some beautiful leaves from the walkway, picturesque but slippery. 

   We once lived in what we called the house of the big trees. The leaves would fall and COVER the house. You couldn't find the driveway and the house looked like it was covered in toasted coconut.  Raking was an endless task. But those were elm and gumball and oak. Now we live in pine country and only have a Japanese maple to tidy up after.

   But since he is working I could be painting...instead I use the refrain of countless artists before me. Tomorrow! But I really mean it, see if I don't! 

   But I do have this lovely fall pumpkin painting up for sale in my etsy shop. It's also available on cards and totes and whatnot's. I've been toying with the idea of putting my art on aprons. What do you think of that idea?

   I'm also toying with the idea of a Christmas pumpkin. We'll have to see how that evolves. Now I'm itching to go crack open that new paint!

   Thanks for stopping by to play!

   My etsy store is pumpkinsatplay   

               Hurray! I'm back in business!

   Painting had ground to a halt. Sketches were made, pictures taken and ideas appeared in my head. But no painting. I had run out of orange! And a decent yellow to make orange on my pallet. I may have mentioned that we live in a small town, lacking in some things. Like a place to buy good paint. So off to the internet we go and of course everything on there looks appetizing. 
  So today the package came and the peasants rejoiced. Even the dogs were excited, although that was mostly just the thrill of someone knocking on the door. There are also some beautiful blue in the box as well as a yummy pink ( which I could have mixed up myself I know) that I couldn't resist. And if I spent enough I would get free shipping. That ploy gets me every time.
   Now it's just a question of what painting to start next. Mr. Pumpkin is always lobbying for a white pumpkin, but frankly I don't see the point in a pumpkin that isn't orange. Or golden. Or scarlet or crimson with a splash of ocher. I think perhaps he needs to be the one to paint the great white pumpkin. 
   This year I have seen a lot of the apricot colored pumpkins and I do see their appeal, and have a secret love for the 'warty' variety. Don't tell anyone though. They are like the ugly step-mother of pumpkins and I feel sorry for them. Not that I am knocking step-mother's being one myself. 
   Now I am way off topic so I'll wrap this up with a promise of a fresh painting next time I post.

   Thanks for stopping by to play! 

                         Sale still going on!

   Also, here is that Clarice Cliff...which I am now calling done. I've said that before...but after passing it in the studio I am compelled to 'fix' it again. If you google Clarice Cliff ( and I hope you will ) you will see her distinct style which relied on blocks of color. But after a life-time love affair with Van Gogh I feel the need to add some movement with some brush strokes. Then I cover them up. Then I add them again. Mr Pumpkin is consulted relentlessly. He is supportive but noncommittal. 

   I love the giant pumpkin so lets focus on that! How many times have you seen the sunset and knew it was just a giant pumpkin! 

I don't think I've had a painting that has been so difficult for me to call done. The difference between what was in my head...which it turns out I didn't like...and this painting are great. Looking at it now I'm thinking maybe it needs a field of pumpkins in the foreground. What do you think? 

   Look up Clarice and read about her life and be inspired with me!

   Anyway...the sale at Etsy is still going. 25% off at my Etsy store with the coupon code 102014. It ends on the 20th of October. I always mention that I can put an image on a totebag or notecards or postcards or T-shirts as a special order.

   My Etsy store is pumpkinsatplay stop by and have a look!

   Thanks for stopping by to play!

                                      It's here!

   A perfect time to bring out this celebratory pumpkin painting! I was thinking about a sale and now it's set to go!

   Just enter the coupon code 102014 and get 25% off anything at my etsy store. 

   My shop name is pumpkinsatplay so stop by and take a look at some yummy Autumn pumpkin art.

   Thanks for stopping by to play. 

   

   The sale ends on October 20th, 2014 

                                 Mystery Solved!

   Well, I have answered the question of why artist don't live  as long as other people. The amount of paint I consume is frightening. I am sure that when you look at this photo you can tell the coffee cup from the paintbrush cleaning water. In the photo I can too. But caught up in the 'painting zone' I put the brush into the coffee cup. I have never taken a drink from the paintbrush water, which I consider a victory!  
   But I do constantly put my brush in the coffee cup, I shrug and keep drinking the coffee. I am sure I am as colorful on the inside as my paintings. 
   You can see the evolution of the Clarice Cliff...it's undergone more changes since then. I'm almost ready to put it up on Etsy. I am thinking I will have a sale coming up here soon, to celebrate the pumpkin season. Check back soon to see the date. I'm thinking 25% off everything. Sound good?
Make a comment!
Thanks for stopping by to play, check out my esty shop 
pumpkinsatplay

                    Grand pumpkins at play

   It's time to head back to the art studio. After a lovely interlude of boy play, Mr and Mrs Pumpkin are headed  home. The grand pumpkins are both boys, aged nine and six. I'm not sure if it's a reflection of their superior intellect or my simple and childlike love for pumpkins, but the oldest boy totally gets my art and loves it! He can't believe grandma could produce something so cool. Is he smart or what? 

   He sat down....did you just hear that? He sat down!! And then we did some art together. He drew a bunch of pumpkins like a bunch of grapes, complete with a stem. Yep...he's a genius and an art prodigy.

   We ended our visit with a trip to their local farmers market to pick out pumpkins to decorate their porch and get their fall off to a great start. I left my best traveling set of watercolor pencils there and my heart. 

   The only thing better then pumpkins are grandkids.

Thanks for stopping by to play. Check out my etsy store for new inspired pumpkin love art. Pumpkinsatplay at etsy.com

                                  Reflections of Pumpkins

   See it here first folks! Hot off the easel, this has not even gone up on Esty yet.  For years I lived with a beautiful view of Mt Rainier out the front windows of our home. While it was not quite this view I did claim the mountain as my own. I always loved the reflection pictures of the mountain. And thought the only thing better then one mountain is two.

   Surely this also applies to pumpkins! I love that this is such a summer pumpkin painting. Wildflowers and blue skies and a alpine lake are a perfect backdrop for a BIG orange pumpkin.

   So here you see it, on this first day of Fall. But if there is anything Mrs. Pumpkin knows it is that there is never a bad time of year to celebrate the glory of the pumpkin.

   Thanks for stopping by to play.

Visit my etsy shop pumpkinsatplay to see what else is going on!

                             News from the Pumpkin Patch

You'll have to check back later and see how this bad boy turns out! With more then a nod to Clarice Cliff this is a pumpkin sun setting behind a farm house. In my head I see it complete with swirls and and details and of course that big glowing pumpkin. It needs lots of work, but this is the fun time. I am content if not happy with the proportions and basic colors, so all that's left is fun. And the voice in my head saying don't go to far! 

But really...how could it go to far...it's surreal! I enjoyed taking it outside for it's photo shoot...but now it's back to the studio for it's turn at bat. 

Thanks for stopping by to play!

Visit my etsy shop pumpkinsatplay to see more of my work.

Fall is on the Horizon

                       Fall is on the Horizon

And Mrs. Pumpkin could not be happier about that!

  Today people around North Idaho...where the Pumpkins reside...are searching for their sweatshirts and 'real' shoes. Could there be a happier time of year for Pumpkins? 

  This is one of the latest paintings from the studio. Which, due to freezing weather has moved inside. I love the moon on the horizon and how it seems so enormous. That combined with the ripe glow of a perfect orange pumpkin is irresistibly Fall. 

  Come and check me out at Etsy. My shop name is pumpkinsatplay and the pumpkins are out and playing!

  Thanks for stopping by to play! 

                                       The Joy of Painting

  The ideas of pumpkins appearing in artwork flow through my head. And the days I spend with my paintbrush in my hand are great days. I always feel the push/pull of what's in my head and how I can get it on the canvas.

   But the days I spend photographing my items for sell are pure torture! 

My nephew Josh has a Masters' degree in photojournalism, and while I am so very proud, I am astounded that anyone would enjoy the dang camera so much. The camera and I do the dance of 'oh please...please...please cooperate'! Mr. Pumpkin had a very good digital SLR collecting dust in the closet and I thought I could tame it...hah! 

   Well, here is the result of a photo session to get these tote bags up on Etsy and make them look as great as they do in 'real life'. I have fallen in love with how my art looks on a bag, and I wish I could put every painting on one. I also hope someone will buy them so I can afford to put more paintings on bags! 

Check me out on Etsy, my shop name is pumpkinsatplay.

Thanks for stopping by to play!

             Announcing a Winner!

  In a random drawing of all the people who commented on how they would like to see this image, I am pleased to announce Nellie has won a tote! I hope to see it on a trip to the farmers market soon. But don't worry there are still some available for you to buy. And this image is also available on some pretty sweet note cards.
  I have to confess setting my work professionally printed on merchandise is quite a rush. It's amazing what God can do and where He is leading.
  I still have more pumpkin ideas in my head so check back to see what comes along next. And leave a comment...there could be another drawing!
  Come over to Etsy to check out my art there. My shop name is pumpkinsatplay. And thanks for stopping by to play!

Van Gogh...gotta love him!

                        My favorite painting!

  I hope Van Gogh would be flattered but I am suspecting outraged! I have always loved his painting of his bedroom, but felt it was missing something. A pumpkin.

  While Mr. Pumpkin is rejecting the idea of selling this painting I did use this original artwork to have professionally printed blank cards. On super heavyweight glossy paper they look so deluxe!

   My clever sisiterfriend Jani uses her computer to write her text, giving her an opportunity to get her words just right. Then prints them and cuts them out and glues them into the cards! No mis-spellings no awkwardly placed words.....brilliant!

   I'm selling them in sets of three wrapped up with a pretty ribbon, with gasp......free shipping! Check me out at Etsy. pumpkinsatplay

Thanks for stopping by to play!

All art is copyrighted and the artists rights are fully protected.

  I love being outside when I paint and find such a sense of peace when things flow out onto the canvas! This was the largest canvas I have ever painted and I loved the big size.
  Today the least fun part of having an Etsy store must take place...the dreaded picture taking and editing and uploading. The uploading would take the grandpumpkins a second and I am likely to work on it for hours. 
   But I am in love with the merchandise I have had printed, they charm me and I hope they will charm you as well. Check it out at my Etsy store
pumpkinsatplay. 
Thanks for stopping by to play

            Hello and welcome to Pumpkins at Play!
   This painting is a lovely reminder that while I hate to ever see summer end there are delights in being indoors. A comfy chair and a good book...or Kindle and I am set!
   And to be quite honest I do look forward to more of my pumpkin collection coming out to play...every room in the house and the porch get 'pumpkined up'.
   This painting is for sale at my Etsy shop pumpkinsatplay and look forward to seeing this image on some other merchandise as well. I am thinking a tote or mousepad. Any thoughts?
   Thanks for stopping to play!