When I was growing up almost all our clothes were home made. We knew we would get a new dress at Christmas and Easter. Those were exciting times for me and my little sister.

 Christmas dresses were usually red or green print or plaid. Easter dresses were much more exciting. They could be yellow, pink, or even white! They could have sleeves or no sleeves. It was always more fun to go shopping for Easter dresses. My sister and I had to agree on one dress and get it in 2 different colors. That way we could each wear the other's dress. Mom was practical most of the time.

 I was in 8th grade when I got my last Easter dress. It was a 2 piece white gathered skirt and blouse with puffy upper sleeves and straight lower arm sleeve. It had embroidered flowers around the waist and sleeves. I thought it was so elegant and grownup.

When I had 3 daughters I tried to keep the special dress holidays going but times had changed and kids change. Last year I was pleasantly surprised to see grand girls dressed in identical dresses for Christmas. Oldest daughter seems to remember!

This year I set a goal of painting at least 12 pictures. One a month for the year. Well, it started of great. I got a couple requests that got me going. Here's a photo of  Pet paintings. I have given the originals to the pet owners.

The kitty is Gracie and the dog is Lucy.

I don't do animals much but these guys turned out pretty good.

Then I got the idea to  paint some abstract bottles. You will not find any of these bottles anywhere but in my head.

I found a picture of an alley and decided to paint it. It was just a little study since I had only a small piece of watercolor paper handy.

Youngest daughter send me a couple of  photos of a winter storm they had. I tried to paint their front door and it was a bust. So I did the boys on the hill sledding photo.

The good guy said paint one of my photos. I love North Carolina coast so I did a composite from 3 photos to come up with this oil painting.

I finished it just in time for summer break. I haven't painted in the summer. I like to be doing gardening and lounging around the pool.

When I was going through what I had done so far, I found I had actually painted the seasons. I had wanted to do that but didn't realize I was doing it.

 So here is Spring, Summer, and Fall I

. SPRING

SUMMER

FALL I

These are all water color. I did one more watercolor. It was from a picture in a magazine and it looks great with a painting I purchased at the museum yart sale.

Sorry, Mick I'll have to paint you another one.

I got out my acrylics and decided to try working with them again. The first picture I did was from a workshop art book. I posted it here while doing it.

  Path Arch

FALL II

This is Emma in the garden. This is pansies.

These were done in acrylics. I do like using acrylics. They are not as messy as oils and dry a lot faster. I can make corrections and paint over a lot sooner than oils

The one painting I haven't done yet is Diamond Head on Oahu, Hawaii. Maybe before the end of the year I will do it... if something else doesn't strike my fancy.

Thank you for tuning in. And hope you enjoyed it.

I started my painting in art class this morning and I am still working on it. This photo is blurry. I guess I moved while I was taking it.

Boo sent me a photo of a pond where she lives and I thought it was really great. I still have to put in the fore ground of willows and rushes. The path is incomplete and the bridge still needs cross bars. Anyway, this is not Diamond Head. I think I will save that for really cold snowy weather to make myself think warm tropical days.