A Tea Party for Tracey

Today at Paint Party Friday we are having a Tea Party for Tracey Fletcher King who has for the last 5 months been in a battle with breast cancer.  For most of the time she has still managed to entertain us with stories of her experiences with leftie and the shocking after effects of chemo – namely not being able to devour chocolate and discovering a taste for egg nog!  My hat off to you Trace.

I have two pictures first with Trace supping her favourite tipple – tea.  We all know she loves tea cups, mugs and teapots. If you think it shows an uncanny resemblance to lady Gaga, you’re right.  I was googling the Mad Hatters Tea Party hoping for inspiration and saw the photo so I did a fair representational pic.  I sent it off to Kirsten and Eva on Monday and wasn’t entirely happy with it so yesterday and this afternoon I did this picture below.  It had to have Sinus and Phantom Steve in it as they have entertained us over the last couple of years with their antics in the Fletcher King household.

It is full of positive hope, as Trace is dancing with them and Phantom is able to annoy Trace by wearing pink!  And Sinus is able to act the clown.  Can’t you see she is planning what delights that will set Phantom off in a spin?

So Trace here’s to 2014 and good health and lots of tea and chocolate and the egg nog can be poured down the toilet with relief.  Thanks for all the chuckles, giggles and blog love you dispense to us all.

You Rock!

Decisions - 30 Paintings in January?

 

I went for a walk yesterday in the local wildlife reserve.  I find I often solve problems while taking a walk in  a quiet place.  I was startled out of my thoughts by the sight of the lovely above.  She was power walking at a fair speed, a vision in pink.  She had the most amazing dress on, it was filmy and lace adorned it in the midriff area.  It was beautiful and romantic.  However her mood was not romantic, she had a stern look on her face and her cap and shoes (pink trainers) meant business.  Makes you wonder was she crossed in love, angry with her boyfriend, or maybe she just liked frilly romantic dresses when exercising?

I just had to go and paint her when I got home.  It actually helped me to make a decision.  I have been trying to decide whether to take part in a January challenge I saw a link for on Miz Katies blog.  It is 30 paintings in 30 days from Leslie Saeta Blog What I have been pondering was do I want the pressure?  She encourages participant to sell their work.  I am not sure I am at that place yet. But I am pondering the possibility of opening an etsy shop.

My experience yesterday and the speed that I painted this little lovely have encouraged me to have a go.  My theme will be little events of daily life – people I see and if I am stuck things that have happened to me in the past.  I want to do whimsy and I will paint these in acrylic on 8 x 10 (20cm x 25cm) canvas boards.  On Denthe’s post last week she showed a way that the boards can be hung.  So if I decide to open an etsy shop I will have a body of work to showcase.

I have been working on a big canvas 20in x 30in in acrylics, using the Flora Bowley style of working.  I love her work and want to be more spontaneous in my work.  Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of the earlier stages; this is about the 4^th layer!  To be honest I didn’t take photos as it has been a frustrating process and I was ready to throw in the towel but over the last few days I feel as if a breakthrough has occurred.  I can’t wait to get going on it again tomorrow!

I will see you all on Paint Party Friday with a special post.