Spring is here!  It's officially already begun (March 20th- my wedding anniversary and mil's birthday!) but I'm just getting the feeling of it.

In anticipation of sunshine and good things to come, I painted my latest piece "Spring Rhapsody".  It is a painted piece.  I used acrylic, oil, spray paint, chalk and charcoal to create the effects.  The piece is so big, you have to use your whole body to paint, which is cool and a big departure from the small watercolors I was doing.

I first painted the board and used a damp paper towel to create a stained glass appearance.  I hit the red up with a thick red oil paint for depth.  I then used black spray paint to trace out shapes that I saw.  After using the black spray paint, I noticed a bucket of chalk that my son had left out in the rain.  Using the knowledge from my waitressing days (that wet chalk makes the brightest colors), I colored over the dried spraypaint.  After allowing the chalk to dry and become it's permanent color, I splattered thin acrylic over the lines.  Allowing those to dry, I took a palette knife and spread some white on like drifting clouds.  Then I turned the canvas upright, so that the "clouds" would drip, creating a multi-dimensional effect.

It reminds me of the spring, with winter behind it.  The dark colors are covered by the lighter emerging colors coming from it and paints in pinks, siennas and yellow are dancing across it, like rays of sunlight. 
 "Spring Rhapsody":

I just had my fourth tattoo removal.  The first three, I had done at a plastic surgeon's office, years ago.  I stopped the service due to the cost of $365 a session.  Since then, the prices have drastically dropped, as has access to the technology.  At one time, one could only have the procedure done at a plastic surgeon's office, now even tattoo shops are offering the service.  

In addition to tattoo removal being more accessible, mine was even MORE accessible as my killer boss offered to pay for 3 sessions!  How much does that ROCK!!!!????!!!!  I immediately jumped on the opportunity when he offered and booked 3 sessions at "Short Pump Tattoo".
Unlike the plastic surgeons office, I was not offered tea while in the waiting room and they couldn't prescribe a pain ointment (I got my Dr. to before going though!) but the laser treatment was basically the same but at $65 a session instead of $365!

Two days later from the initial treatment and I am red-skinned and blistering but one step closer to having tattoo free legs!

These are my first two large size canvas paintings and both sold!  The first is a 2' x 4' piece.  I used a mop brush and a wet paper towel to produce a stained-glass type effect.   The second is a piece called "Watch Your Fingers".  It is 2.5' x 4'.  This piece is about the music of my childhood.  I took piano lessons for 4 years in Argentina before returning to the States and the teacher would always remind me to "watch my fingers".  Within the frames is actual sheet music I practiced, with her handwriting in Spanish saying "Cuidado con los dedos!"-- "Careful/Watch your fingers".