Cat Boat Painting

8"x10"

It's another hot, hot, HOT (and humid) one today. It's one of those days that doing something like this (sailing) would be a very good idea! Although, for those of us without a sailboat, shopping is a good alternative. Sienna and I were in Hyannis getting another retainer made (she managed to lose her top one) so we ended up just going into stores to stay cool in the air conditioning for a couple of hours.
In a moment I will be taking care of Beth but what I really wanted to do, is paint. I was in 'the flow' this morning and doing some amazing work. I'll fill you in about that tomorrow.
So....until then.....stay cool!

Accidents

"Clear Waters" 2.5"x3.5" available now: http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

I call this turtle "Clear Waters" in hopes that when people see it/read it they will think of clear, clean water where the oil spill is. If we all focus on the end result instead of blaming one party or another, perhaps we can make a difference.

"Queen Annes Lace"

Another one of several that I listed on Ebay last night.

I had an interesting day yesterday. I got into a little fender bender when someone accidentally backed into my car in the CVS parking lot. I got a little 2" dent, nothing major. I can't say I didn't see it coming though because I had been thinking about car accidents the past week. Then, just yesterday I was right behind one (not bad) on rt. 28. If you know about the Law of Attraction, you know that what you think about, or focus on, is what you attract into your life. Well......there's the proof! Anyway, I was really lucky that #1) I wasn't on the motorcycle and #2) I "ran into" a very nice man and all went well.

Now, since I'm so darned good at the Law of Attraction (in the negative sense anyway) I need to focus on ....winning the lottery!

Horseshoe Crab House

Where else would you find a cottage with Horseshoe crabs mounted on the front of it? This one is in Dennis, on Cape Cod Ma. where the Horseshoe roam free (except for these 3 whose roaming days are over).

Hopefully they were dead already when they put them on their cottage. (You KNOW I'm an animal lover, and that doesn't stop at the water's edge!) A lot of them do wash up on shore though. The teeny tiny baby ones that wash up in the spring are so perfect and delicate. I always feel like I should save them and do something with their beautiful shells. But what? I don't know. Drop me a line if you have any good ideas.

:)

Here are a few shots of the Bass River Windmill and the view from it.

The weather has been really nice even though they keep predicting thunder storms. It was very hot and humid today though- air conditioning weather for sure. I managed to talk my ex into hauling 2 of them up from the basement just in time. I had them cranking today - mostly to keep my kitties cool. I always think "How would I feel right now if I were wearing a fur coat?".
The one thing this weather is really good for is motorcycle riding. I can finally ride without a jacket on!

Here's a few new little (2.5"x3.5") paintings that are on EBay right now. http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

I did one similar to this about a week ago, but I liked it so much I thought I'd expand on it a bit. Last but not least...

Every time I see this little bundle of sunshine I just HAVE to smile!! What beautiful, pure, energy she radiates. I ran into Grethe and her family at the beach the other night while I was on a motorcycle ride (like I do a lot after dinner) and of course I had to stop. She was playing peek-a-boo with me, pulling the blanket up by herself, then giggling in anticipation before she put it down to see me. It was so cute.

Here's a photo of Qena and one of Brielle. I bet Qena will look a lot like her big cousin when she grows up!

Sienna's 15th birthday

June 17th was Sienna's 15th birthday. We celebrated with the family. (See above photo for that motley crew) Oh, and I was there too.
She got the usual 'family type' of gifts: Poptarts, (the "Family Dollar" brand no less, yummy).....

those rubber band bracelets that were too small for even her little wrists.... and other really extraordinary gifts like that (notice the 2 packages of Hamburger Helper).
Some of her presents were elegantly wrapped in last nights newspaper ads.
But Sienna had a good time just being with everyone, and eating lots of cake. (and apparently some Dr. Pepper -wherever that came from!)
Happy Birthday to my 15 year old baby. Boy is time flying.

Provincetown

Provincetown is gearing up for the Blessing of the Fleet, June 24-27. It's one of those towns that you can just feel the energy building for the special events that it hosts. I love seeing all the boats in the harbor that day. They get blessed then go out to Long Point- which is the sandy end of the tip of the Cape, and spend the day with friends, sun bathing and socializing.

On my last visit to Ptown I came across this new type of flower called the 'rock flower'. It is only grown in Ptown. Actually, I think it's pretty cool. If I get a cement drill bit, wire rods, and nice rocks maybe I can make some of my own. I love unique things.

New Work

Here are a few paintings (2.5"x3.5") that I did over the weekend. (By the way, do you like my new blog look? I did it in summer colors- change is good)

Today is a better and brighter day. I had a really nice weekend. I met up with an old childhood friend and we walked around Flax pond in Brewster (Nickerson State Park). I used to go to Flax pond all the time when I was a kid, it was a hop, skip and a jump from my house. There's nothing like a long walk in the woods to make you (well, ME) feel better. Also, I think just being with someone from my childhood made me feel very safe and secure, like I had been wrapped in a warm blanket. It just gave me a renewed sense of comfort, connection and energy to move forward with whatever is coming my way.

Today is Monday. It's raining here on the Cape but I don't mind. I will be taking care of Beth for a few hours this morning and then I have maps to do, so.... there will be NO playing hookie and going motorcycle riding today, even if I wanted to!! (which- I do!)
~Have a good week~

I just found out my Simby has kidney failure. He's 14 years old and has lived a good, happy long life, so I suppose I shouldn't be sad, but.....it's been a very depressing last few days. I've been struggling with: should I let him go naturally, or fight and give him treatments- which may prolong his life, but for how long and at what cost?
He would be dragged to the vet regularly -in the car -which he hates, only to be in total fear, while being poked, prodded, man-handled and drugged. I just don't know. All I can think about is when my dad had cancer. It got to the point that they removed the tumor in his throat but for the next- and last year of his life he was in pain, totally drugged out, couldn't speak anymore without a voice box- which he hated, and it was just a miserable ending to his once strong and robust life. I almost think that if he didn't have the surgery he would have been happier in his last days and suffered less.


I mean- which is better: quality of life or quantity? We usually just want someone (animals included) to stay alive for our own selfish reasons. We are the ones who can't bear to live without them. We are the ones who will ultimately suffer- they will be happily on the other side being totally free and probably looking down at us laughing about our silly misery. I have no doubt that being on the other side is a wonderful thing, I just don't want him to suffer now, on my account, so I hope that I will do the right things for him. And I'm not talking about euthanasia- I didn't even like writing that word. I pray that I won't even have to consider that. I pray that he will find a way to slip over to the other side nice and peacefully. Everything is possible and I just have to trust that God/the Universe has it all worked out for every ones higher good.

Beach Umbrella Painting

"Beach Day" 2.5"x3.5" http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120580110798&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I can't believe that it's already June10th. We've had some really nice beach days (maybe one of these days I'll get there) and the traffic is crazy on the weekends (Ugh!), so I know summer is just around the corner. It makes me want to paint things like this:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200480713914&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

The hydrangeas haven't bloomed yet, but when they do, they are one of the most beautiful bushes around!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120580056584&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

This is just a typical scene here on the Cape. It seems like everyone has a row boat- either to get to their LARGER boat, or just to tool around in, in shallow water.
But then again, I've lived here all my life and have never had a boat of any kind! I think if I did have one, I'd like a little Boston Whaler so I (didn't have to row mainly!) could just go out to secluded places that no one else can get to and spend the day on the beach or just walk around and explore. When I say that, I think of places like Pochet Island in Orleans or Monomoy in Chatham. But really there are TONs of places like that on the Cape -untouched and unspoiled, but you have to get there by boat for the most part!

Twilight Time

16"x20"
Do you know the time after dinner when the sun has just gone down but the sky is still light and radiates the most beautiful hues of peach, purple and magenta? I call this twilight time. It's my favorite time of day because the world seems so calm and peaceful.
This painting was inspired by that time of day. There are no shadows because the sun has gone down, the wind has stopped, and the sailboat catches that last peachy glow. Ahhhhh. Time to relax.

See it on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120580056756&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Moonlit Paintings

It's Sunday night so here are some night time paintings. Sometimes I like to paint on a black background. There is a certain amount of calmness when you paint on black. Maybe I needed calmness today when I was painting them. Hmmmm

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

This one is of the Bourne Bridge and the railroad bridge in the distance which both go over the Cape Cod Canal. It was a little something different for me, but I like to mix it up every now and then just to keep it fresh, plus it helps me learn and grow as an artist. Can you imagine how stagnant my work would be if I painted the same thing all the time? Booooooring.

Happy Beach Day!

http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist

This tiny (2.5"x3.5") painting just makes me feel happy. It pretty much 'flowed' right out of me. I think she is my altered ego at the beach because this is how I feel when I'm there.


Today, on the other hand was NOT a beach day. We had severe thunder storms. I was over at Beth's house taking care of her while her mom was out. Being mentally challenged, I wasn't sure how she'd react, but she did fine, and all was well. Tomorrow looks like rain too. Well, it's watering the beautiful flowers and washing away all that pollen, so it's all good.

Stony Brook Grist Mill Herring Run

Stony Brook Mill in Brewster is always a fun place to visit this time of year. The baby herring are running (down stream, from the pond out to the bay). While we were there an lovely older gentleman who held some ecological title in Brewster was there and told us how the herring have to go down the waterfalls backwards. The reason being because they always have to be facing so that the water is going into their gills to breath. Who knew?! Ok, you probably did.

The mill doesn't actually work/run now, but if it did, this is the shoot that the water goes down to push the wheel thingy that goes around (I know, I'm so technical!) to grind the corn, or whatever they would grind.

This is the majestic house next door. The seagulls seem to use the roof as a landing pad, as you can see. Other than that, this would translate into a pretty painting! The Beach Roses (Rosa Ragosa) were all in bloom and smelled so sweet.

There were yellow Irises all over the place. They were so pretty but yellow is a tough color to paint- or even for photographs. You can't really see the depth of the color because it's so light.
There was also some Money Plant on the grounds, aka Honesty, aka Lunaria annua. (to by HONEST, I just looked that up!) My mom used to LOVE Money plant when it turned silver in the fall. Every year we'd go out an pick some for her and she'd make dried arrangements for the house with it. So every time I see it, I think of her.
(love you Mumma!)
Notice the seagulls waiting...patiently...for their next BIG meal of Herring. They were diving right in and TRYING to grab them, but it probably sounds easier than it is because not too many of them were actually eating anything. (Which was good because that would be hard for me to witness). Anyway, they were all yelping "Mine, mine, mine, mine" just like in the movie Finding Nemo.

There are many little bridges on the grounds making a fun place to walk around. You can get a bird's eye view of the fish as they swim underneath you. There are also 3 very large snapping turtles that live in the area and feast on the fish. (the man told me that- but I had seen one of them last year) It was HUGE!!!! The kind that could swallow your fist in one bite.

I did actually see one of them swimming in the upper pond - which the river/herring run stems from. I hope these people in the canoe don't tip over! I wouldn't want to swim in that pond!
And of course, what's a family outing without family photo's? It's such a perfect spot for picture taking, even Brielle has gotten the photography bug lately! She took some beautiful photo's of flowers.

This is her photo. Nice! I can almost smell it.

2 New Paintings

8"x10" http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist
I was riding my motorcycle when I went by this idyllic scene with the warm evening light shining through the windows and illuminating the bushes. I couldn't help but turn around and snap off a few photo's. I'm happy I did! I really enjoyed painting this.
8"x 10"x 1.5" http://stores.ebay.com/Cape-Cod-Artist
Here is Quince (my 5 year old nephew) and my daughter Sienna (14). It was the first really warm day of spring and they wanted to dip their feet in. Quince brought his bucket just in case he found something spectacular (like a hermit crab) that he needed to capture for a while. He's actually very good at not harming any animals-no matter how small they may be and letting them go in a timely manner. (phew!) But ultimately we ended up skipping rocks because the water was very calm and the rocks were very flat. Who can resist that combination?
:)