...would you like a peek at what i've been doing? taking the advice of a friend much wiser than me, i said yes to a job (a very small one) and let go of fear. i also found out my finger is not broken (are you sure?? it's sure hurts like it!) so i've decided to just watch it for a while and baby it too (instead of cortisone and the hand dr... ) and thank you for all your sweet thoughts and wishes they went a long way towards helping me to feel better...
this is the start, there's more to do for each paddle. i agreed to paint something on these paddles for the city i live in. my first paid art job! i only have watercolors, colored pencils and pen and ink, which i don't think would have taken to the wood. so i bought some inexpensive acrylics in a dozen colors and have found them SO much fun! they blend really well, dry quickly and are very forgiving. why has it taken me so long to discover these? i guess i worried about toxic fumes, is there any reason to worry?
♥ lori
Very nice! Your first paid art job, but I'm betting it's not your last.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job! Please take a photo when they are finished. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteWV: yesses
Those are so cool. All your photos are so soothing. The recipients will love the paddles.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful news Lori! I am so pleased your art is awesome, I hope its one of many more jobs!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Lori. What a clever lady you are.Can't wait to see some more. :) xx♥
ReplyDeletei think they're lovely and fun - great idea
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!!! You are very very very good! These are really good Lori. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteOh, those paddles are going to be such a treat for those kids. A great job, if you ask me.
ReplyDeletewhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love what you are doing with them Lori, they are looking gorgeous.
Congratulations on your first paid art job I love that!!!
xxme
They're brilliant Lori :)
ReplyDeletethat's fun and i understand your hesitation, but now that your doing it all is well.
about the fumes.... treat all paint as being toxic whether it has an odour or not... just use it with care and if you are really concerned then wear a lightweight mask. Always wash your hands afterwards.
It won't do you any harm as long as you don't eat it and paint yourself... :)
Such a lovely thing to be busy with.
big love to you
xxx
beth, thank you for your positive words!
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jeri, i like that, yyesss! i'll try to remember, unless they turn out awful.haha.
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lizzy, i hope so much your right, and thank you very much!
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sammi, even if this is it,it really has been fun!
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natsy, thank you my dear (we'll see) :)
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mim, thank you. every year the city does this for the jr. lifeguard program, the paddles go to the home teams boathouse. it is nice.
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ces, thank you very much, this was not an easy post to do, i really apprieciate your words.
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rosaria, especially if they win 1st,2nd or 3rd! thank you.
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michelle, it's just a small bit, but i'm happy. and for me getting past this fear is big. thank you so much!
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robyn, oh thank you. do you have the same program there? it's fantastic for children that live near the ocean.
i'm going to take your advice and eat before painting ;).
thank you love.
lori, they are all smiling! that gives them your special signature.
ReplyDeletei'm excited to see the finished paddles. and just so you know, here on my desk, i have this amazing illustration on a brown paper bag with words:
'grey smooth settled stones balanced sun sky earth
one always falls down
it's okay'
and i'm thinking i should have paid the wonderful artist for it so i would have been her first paying customer in what is going to be a long successful career in painting and snapping and drawing and writing.
oh and loving too.
i am the luckiest duck.
♥
kj
Great news on your finger Lori and those paddles are terrific, lovely job*!*
ReplyDeleteOh Lori, they're just lovely! And I love that your pushed past your fear! I agree with Beth, first, but not last!
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, that is very exciting and the best part is that you love doing it even though you might have been a bit fearful to start. Enjoy painting and they look wonderful already!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see them finished!
I love these Lori!! Don't forget to seal/protect them with an acrylic (waterbase) varnish ;)
ReplyDeleteI painted in oils for a brief time. Once I became a cancer survivor I switched to acrylics. All colors are toxic, especially the reds and blues. I've had my share of ingesting some because I forget and stick my brushes in my mouth for a sharp point!! Duh.
I use...hold on, the acrylics in bottles found at craft stores! I'm done mixing from tubes. I still blend my own colors, but the bottles are such a perfect consistency and they come in a million shades. I even do my huge outdoor murals with them!
When I come across "art snobs" I defend myself by saying it doesn't matter what meduim you use. If you make art from your heart who cares if you used Crayola's or the finest oils?
The kids will LOVE these paddles. I do!!
yay on your finger not being broken, but boo-hoo that it still hurts :(
Thanks for sharing your first art gig. here's to many more!
xoxo
Lolo
What a great job and you are so creative and talented!!!I love the painted paddles, it feels like Summer! I hope your finger is better, dear Lori.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day of painting!
Lori, this is my offical last comment for a while as I am on my way to Oregon, these are wonderful and like Kj said they are smiling :-) and like Lo said, varnish.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me, my first paid art job was painting cats and flowers on garbage cans for condos :-).
Happy week.
xoxo
That will be such a nice award!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!! They look great!
ReplyDeleteAcrylics are a painters basic! Like you said, easy to use, dry quickly, and mix great! Definitely not as many fumes as oils (with the turpentine/paint thinner and all)
maybe you might want to paint a little rabbit on one of them too?
ReplyDeleteyours truly,
e.r.
do you need lessons?
ReplyDelete1. keep the ears straight up.
2. make the tail extra fluffy.
3. the eyes should look alittle sneaky, like getting caught stealing radishes
4. the face should look totally innocent
i hope this helps for now or later.
sincerely,
e.r.
Lori,I think these are lovely and I cant wait to see them when they are finished!!Congrats to you!!Big Hugs,Cat
ReplyDeleteLori, my angel! Those are bea-oooo-tiful. I would like one just to hang on the wall.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, thank you for your visit to my rather somber blog last week. In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It then bursts into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be deeply thankful for those people who rekindle our inner spirit. And I am – so very thankful for the gentle and generous words you wrote for me on my ‘Stormy Weather’ post. Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine – and almost always because of friends. I’d love to send you a linocut I made to thank you and to celebrate the very special friendships we are able to create around the world via this amazing blogosphere. You are so special, golden Lori. I feel I have neglected you so badly lately, but I do come visit silently, so I am here whenever I can be.
Those paddles are so cute! (The dolphin one is by far my favorite - I love love love dolphins!)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first (but certainly not your last) paying art gig! You have such a wonderful talent and a beautiful, open heart... how can people resist? ;)
PS hope your finger heals soon.
How most wonderful, Lori!! Your first paying art job - I am not surprised! Your paintings are wonderful and have such a sweetness about them!! Cannot wait to see them finished... Much love, Silke
ReplyDeletelori - these paddles are lovely and your artwork is so delicate -- the recipients will be so grateful as they are truly lovely rewards.
ReplyDeleteyes - let go of your fear - you're a gifted artist!!!
xoxo
p.s. thanks so much for your lovely comments and bday wishes over at my blog - i treasure your friendship!!!
kj, thank you dear sweet friend, you always say the very nicest things.
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Annie, thank you very much!
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Diana, that's sweet of you to say, i really appreciate it.
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Nan, thank you for saying that, i feel silly showing this to real artists like you. But i do appreciate your words.
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Lolo, see above comment. Thank you so much for the advice and the kindest words, gosh! I didn't know it had to be sealed!
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Mina, thank you! summer has finally arrived, just today the sun came out! yay!
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Annie, thank you so much! I hope you are enjoying your time with your Mum in Oregon.
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Tina, Thank you!!
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Loryn,
Thank you so much, that is good to know!
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dear emily, ha, does kj know your using her computer? i will give it a good try, using your excellent advice.
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Cat, thank you! i so appreciate your kindness, i'll be by to see you soon.
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Tessa, i've written you. And you know i won't have you apologizing. and neither will zuri or diamond. we love you.
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Tracy, thanks so much honey, you are the sweetest. I don't know if i'll do this again, but it is fun for now!
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Silke, ah dear, thank you, you are so generous and kind.
Amanda, oh haha! we were commenting at the same time! thank you so much for saying such kind words. I hope you had a wonderful birthday and time with your family, I thought of you, and with a big smile too. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, you clever thing.! Hope your finger is mending fast...sending love and a hug.
ReplyDeletexxx
Hi Sally!
ReplyDeleteah no, the finger is not cooperating, but it's staying clearly out of the way, so i can paint and knit at least. Today i tried digging in the garden and thought twice. thank you for the kindness.
How wonderful to use your gifts!
ReplyDeleteI have had urgings from friends and family to do the same.
I am sure you will be blessed by it.
thank you for your kind words you left in a comment at my blog. I am looking forward to reading yours.
Warm wishes, Tonya
Lori thank you so much for helping with the kids in Nepal. I know they will be so tickled to receive your package. When is your birthday? I'm sending you some earrings from our blog our website. Let me know what you like. Peace.
ReplyDeleteThey're so cute! The lifeguards are going to love them!
ReplyDeleteO my gosh how special this is!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful award they will get!
And congrats on your first (paid) art job, they are the best.
I would not worry about the fumes from acrylic paint, I think you inhale more toxic things by crossing the street in the city.........
Isn't it great to discover fun things?! I love this feeling!
Have a wonderful day!
♥>M<♥
O my gosh how special this is!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful award they will get!
And congrats on your first (paid) art job, they are the best.
I would not worry about the fumes from acrylic paint, I think you inhale more toxic things by crossing the street in the city.........
Isn't it great to discover fun things?! I love this feeling!
Have a wonderful day!
♥>M<♥
tonya,
ReplyDeletethank you, now i hope to encourage you!
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Jennifer, i wrote you. It is my pleasure, i want to thank you again for letting us know how.
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nancy, thank you so much! i hope so :)
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marianne,
that really makes me happy coming from you, i love your art. you are so sweet and i thank you so much! yes! new things are exciting! and fun when i stop worrying about the outcome!
Lori - is there anything you can't do?? I love your art and creativity that creeps into everything - even your special little room dedicated to your crafts and art. Love the paddles ...
ReplyDeletelove this post! will read back to see what I missed over the last soccer fever month
ReplyDeletehope you get some pics of H with a paddle - in action!
Are you still here? I hope so! Hahah! Just saying hello.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori,
ReplyDeleteSorry I've missed some posts. I haven't been the best blogger this summer.
Ooooh! Love the paddles. Very cool! Congrats on them being your first paid art job.....not the last!!
I hope all is well at your end of the world and I hope Owen is doing great!!
xo
Oh, where have I been? You've risked braking a pinky finger, watched beautiful endangered local wildlife, caught a panty thiefe and discovered the joy of acrylic painting!! WOW, you've been so busy!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful.
How are you? I'll email you one of these days, with photos of where we are. Being surrounded by beauty is so healing!
Ciao my darling friend, sorry for the long silence.
I love you,
Lola