Calendars for 2016 - "Remains of the Day" - Favorites of the Year

Time....we all have the same amount. Some times we waste it, we all spend it, we'd like a bit more of it...and lots/most of us try to plan it.  Hence, the calendar. 

Especially in December, it's easy to feel a bit frayed at the edges with all the "busy-to-do-ness" of the month. 

Take a deep breath, remind yourself it's okay to say "No" to some things. 

Turn it around and remind yourself of the blessing of having 'bounteous' things to do, so much that you could actually refuse some of it .....and then find a way to do just that, there are some things that just don't need your presence to be there, but it's sure nice to know we're not lonely, not lacking for engaging opportunities. 

And if you do find yourself in a lonely spot...well, this is the month perhaps to say, "Yes, I will".  Find a volunteer opportunity, say yes to the party invite, or the open door of a church or community organization. There are a lot of ways to become more engaged in your community if that is what you are seeking.  

My wish for you is to feel loved, not just this 'holiday season', but always. 

Well, here it is, the annual favorite...with everyone's favorites! The basic way of marking time, planning your days, fitting in what's important to YOU, dear friend! 

Here's the pics - so you'll know what you'll be seeing as you go through next year! They are available on my website, still at $20 + $4.95 shipping.

Yellow Bucket of Flowers (sold) & Don't Worry, Be Happy Flops

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite panel

For more information  click here. 

Yay, it feels great to be back in the studio PAINTING! It's been a busy winter, who woulda thunk it?

I recently got back from a short trip to Hawaii! Now, before you get all excited, it....was...very....short! In fact, I spent as much time in airplanes and airports as I did on the ground there. But it was productive three days, none-the-less.  I took a sketchbook....and a swim-suit....and that's about it! Oh yeah, some flip-flops (umm, they are called 'rubber sandals' over there in Oahu) don't make the mistake to call them the wrong thing! 

You definitely need a pair like this! Yes, even in a freezing winter (like I'm having here in CT). I can just slip these babies on and feel like summer is really going to get here! (hey, it worked for Dorothy, even if those were ruby slippers, not rubber slippers). 

and yes, those things really do make GREAT prints in the sand! (or wet tracks on sidewalks!) Woohoo!  Where did I get those? Subscribe to my Cheer Factor newsletter, and I'll tell you all in the next issue!

ALSO***** "a save the date notice" for Saturday, June 8th- this summer. I'll be releasing some very exciting news....think gardens, blooms, summer fragrances...sigh! More about that in my upcoming news- letter, too!

Montbresia

12"x12" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Art is so wonderfully irrational, exuberantly pointless, but necessary all the same. Pointless and necessary, that's hard for a Puritan to understand." - Gunter Grass

This was such a wonderful day outside painting this from life. This is one of my favorite plants that blooms in the summer, that I had originally learned of in Ireland. Over there, it grows wild in hedgerows, just crazy lush each summer. It's the most wonderful shade of hot-red-warm orangey brilliance, and the foliage seems to vary from lime-green to blue-green depending upon how the sun light is hitting it. While I'm standing there painting, a couple hummingbirds are darting in and out among the blossoms- they LOVE this color of red. I think this is the plant that makes our hummers the happiest. Even with the wind blowing that sunny day and the flowers bobbing up and down, those little birds are tougher than any fighter pilots- they can maneuver in any direction while these flowers are bobbing in the wind. They are so tenacious!

I knew this summer I would get a painting of these from life and it would not be a 'botanical type rendering' but more of an impressionist viewpoint of the feeling I get from these incredible plants. Known as Montbresia or Crocosmia as well, I was happy to find that it would survive in southern New England, if in a protected area. This stand of them has tripled since we planted them. They are protected on one side by tall ornamental grasses and butterfly bushes.

This painting can be purchased directly from me from my DailyPainters.com gallery store

Filmore Street Sun and Shadow - sold

8"x6" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."
- Maori Proverb


The third painting on Friday during my Chincoteague Paint-out last week-end:

I headed over to a 'hidden garden' on Filmore Street belonging to Theresa Bulgher. Filmore St. is a tiny narrow street off of Church Street that edges along a canal on one side. Colorful little beach cottages line each side and lush, interesting gardens with just a touch of "wildness" to them. There was quite a bit to choose from in any direction, but a bit of picket fence caught my eye. If you've followed my blog & paintings for any length of time, you know how I love these in a garden! Combine that with an interesting dose of sun & shadow and I knew exactly what I was after. AND another crepe myrtle still in bloom, too!

Several artists were already painting here in various little nooks & crannies of the garden- all of us with quite different views in mind. One, who claimed not to be a 'landscape painter' but a still life painter, found many paintings in this area that day! I always find it fascinating that you can turn 40 artists loose on an island and have sooo many different, amazing views! Just the thought of that makes me smile!

This painting came together so nicely! What an enjoyable spot to stand and paint, under the shade of large trees, with great views in any direction. By this point, it was 1pm and time for lunch.

This painting sold during our exhibit & sale last weekend...sorry if you missed the show - it was a lot of fun and I know you would have enjoyed it!! There's always next year....and following along with my blog! :-)

Shoreline New England Summer Afternoon - sold

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on museum quality board

"Your purpose in life isn't to arrive at a destination where you find inspiration, just as the purpose of dancing isn't to end up at a particular spot on the dance floor. The purpose of dancing - and of life - is to enjoy every moment and every step, regardless of where you are when the music ends."
- Dr. Wayne Dyer


Today's painting "Harkness Summer Afternoon", and is a 8"x10" oil on oil-primed linen mounted on museum quality board. Sunday afternoon was one of those perfect summer days that make you wish it would last forever!
They were setting up for a wedding behind me, a kite club festival was being held on the grounds along with all the picnickers, walkers, etc, touring through the garden on this weekend afternoon. What a happy buzz in the air, a true celebration of life!

This painting is already sold - it was commissioned as a wedding gift for her dear friends. I am always moved and so grateful to be a part of special commemorations in people's lives.

Tomorrow's post- I'll be telling you about meeting up with another CT Twitter artist buddy for a paint-out over in Old Lyme!

Red Day Lilies

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm."
- Henry Thoreau

Well, this quote really gave me cause to grin...and yet give some forethought as to how awful it would be to reach the point of not being enthusiastic about anything! One thing that I'm definitely enthusiastic about is summer- flowers, food, sunshine, heat! all of it! There is just an abundance of wonderful things to catch my eye and paint this summer, my neighbors RED day lilies are just one of them. And another one of those things I notice every morning on my daily walk.

Contact me roxannesteed@gmail.com for more info or to purchase this painting.

Sweet Peas In Cobalt Blue Vase, North Light Studio Window

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite archival board

"The further I go, the more I see how hard I must work to render what I am trying for, that instantaneousness. Above all the outer surface, the same light spred everywhere....For me, the subject is insignificant. What I wish to reproduce is what is between the subject and myself."
- Claude Monet

Another nature filled day- sweet peas from the garden, studying light, this time as it comes from behind, through blue glass on a white cloth. There were enough flower cuttings to fill several different containers, I was scrambling trying to find a few more to fill!

Later in the afternoon, looking out my kitchen window, there was a HAWK sitting in my bird-bath! It was the oddest looking thing. After you've seen tons of little gold-finches flitting in & out of this same bird-bath, seeing this thing sitting in it, made me realize how huge she is! She nests near us, she marks her return each year with screeching & shrieking!

Ended the day with some home-made basil pesto with pasta for dinner. Basil right out of the garden, what a nice treat!

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Price: $135 USD plus $12 USD s/h
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