Finish What I Began

I have been so distressed about my misplaced or lost or (stolen) smiles paintings. I had looked everywhere, under the bed, even in the attic at 110 degrees. Well I found them on Thursday. I was so excited. You will never guess where I found them. They were hiding in plain sight. They were right where they belonged, in my art supply closet. Only they were facing away and I thought they were just mats that I had stored. When I found them I also found paintings that I had started but never finished. So I have been in a (Finish What You Began Mode) ever since.
This on was ugly until I put in the background. It is called spring Rains. I was demonstrating palette knife in acrylic.



This one has had me stumped for a while but I think displays fun.


This one is one I needed to finish.


This one was a surprise I had forgotten it.


This one I needed to teach the CRUSIFORM


This one I needed in my Teaching Creativity


This one got the MAYORS AWARD


This one got the GRUMBACHER AWARD

Seek-To-Find artist M.S.L. Calvan

I had misplaced an oil painting that my brother-in-love had bought me back in the 1968 I thought I had stored it in the attic. I have looked for it many times but had over looked it. Well I found it this last Monday. Again I climbed the ladder on my new knees. smiles. The painting is from Paris France by M.S.L. Calvan I am trying to find out about him but can only find two web sites that mentions him, but with no particulars about him. This information was on a file card on the back of the painti ng;
(M.s.L. Calvan born in Frankfourt, educated in Rome, and now a resident of Paris, is a part-time actor.In his mid forties, he has had many exhibits on the continent, most recently in Verailles, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Geneva. He was married to a French dancer but has been separated since 1963)
If any of you can help me I would surely be thankful. I truly love the painting. Also I found the photograph by Gene Wright of the Golden Gate Bridge. If anyone can help me find out something about these artists I would be grateful.



While up in the attic I decided to dispose of my hoard of stuff. I took all my matt board back to the senior center and I took all my old frames to Goodwill. My kids are going to love me for getting rid of my junk when I have turned in my paint brushes for my final reward. Smiles. Now what to do with the paintings, which did not sale at my artist of the month art show. I was offering all proceeds for the Food Bank. I was disappointed. I am just too prolific.


Sunday is Father’s Day I was determined ti get my husband something he has wanted for a long time, a park bench for the front poach. We have lived here in this little house for 45 years and have never sat on the front poach. We have pretty front yard. If any of you could have been a birdie on perch you could have had a laugh. I found a bench at Big Lots. I ask the clerk if he would come down on the price, his reply naturally was you would have ask the manger. I said well bring him on. Smiles I of course did not get a lower price but I had a great time haggling with the little assistant manager as the big man was not on duty. Next we had to make sure it would fit in my vehicle. Well not in the trunk but it did fin, just barely in the back seat.. I thought it would be nice to enjoy it when the weather cools off a little. The temperature has been near 100 with the humidly at 50%. That is miserable, so we have been staying in.
Be Blessed We are.

Giddy with Happiness

I can tell you that it is summer in North Central Texas. I was having my morning coffee and painting on the patio every day until about last Thursday, now I am having to entertain myself in the house. Well I have cleaned one closet and I have brought my painting inside. We keep the curtains pulled to keep out the heat so it is like the catacombs in here. One thing however I can say it is too hot to go for the walk I am suppose to take each day Yea.
I did a really foolish thing last Saturday. In all the 54 years we have been married; my greatest regret is that we never got our son’s electric train up and running. My husband traveled from Monday to Friday, so he never seemed to have the time. Well last Saturday I was out going to yard sales (One of my favorite things to do) I found a gently used train with all new scenery and everything intact, for $25. Well I wasn’t sure my son would appreciate my buying it for him as he is 49 years of age > I called him to get his approval; he was out of touch so I left a message. I said that I had found a almost new train, N- gage, I ask would he like it? When he answered, he said “I don’t know what my friends would think of my having a train set up”. Smiles. But he gave me permission to buy. Well when I got to the yard sale it was late In the day, and it was really hot, so the guy was willing to come down on the price.. walla I have a dear friend who is a model train buff so I don’t think it is so far out for me to purchase a model train for my grown son. Anyway I was simply giddy with happiness. When my son came to the house late the next day he simply said “gimme it” and then we laughed and laughed. Then he said “Mom now you don’t have to have any regret about my childhood”. Now I find that a relief. Smiles Be Blessed