Jewish New Year/Rosh Hashanah

 

The Jewish New Year starts at sundown on Monday, September 22nd this year. It is the year 5786 according to tradition. The year starts not on the first day of creation, but on the 6th day when Adam and Eve were created. 

May you be blessed with a good and sweet year. As this past year was very stressful and difficult for my family, I am praying for a better year for all, freedom for the hostages and peaceful conclusion to all the conflicts in the world. I know that is unlikely to happen, but I will continue my small part with occasional art, daily kindness to all and once in a while a new poem.

Starting again

 

• Shadowland, Oil paint, 12" X 16". A moody landscape, an imaginary one.

I haven't felt like painting much this year with all the moves (twice in one year) and stress, but I'm determined to start again. I have played a bit with watercolors, acrylics and photos, but it's not the same as oil painting.

I am settling into my new "over 55" apartment building.  My studio is now a small bedroom and not really conducive to painting, but I'm trying. I miss the good lighting and big room I had in my house, but I can manage if I get my attitude on right. I miss my creative impulses and need to work on my mental state to stay positive more.  As I am approaching 80 next year, I realize how important that is, now more than ever. I hope I can continue to create more art this year.

 After many months of stress, moving, and dealing with medical issues, I finally started painting again. This is a gray owl in acrylic paint on canvas, 14" X 14". I'm not sure if it's done or if I will tinker with it more.  I did enjoy painting the owl though.

We downsized from a big house to a small cottage in July.  I no longer have my art studio, just a small bedroom which is both an office and painting space. It was difficult to move, but necessary. My husband has not been well and is now in a memory care center. He fell many times, damaged his eyes and has had multiple surgeries. He is finally able to see a little bit and use a walker. He was in a wheelchair for many months. Unfortunately the original facility we were in was not adequate for him and I moved him last week to a small group home where he is getting better care. 

The emotional stress and my own aging physical issues (mostly Parkinsons tremors) made it difficult to paint. I am hoping to go out again with the plein air group this week and try some small outdoor (or indoor as it may be too cold) paintings at the greenhouse. It is fun to paint with a group of artists and uplifting to my spirit.

Wishing all a better 2025. Happy new year.

Solo Para Ti

 

Acrylic painting (Solo para ti) on stretched canvas, 14" X 14". Prints available at my website.  This painting looks really good on a coffee cup. Bright colors to go with your morning coffee.

I haven't been painting much due to my hand tremors, but abstract art does not require details. I bought many new tubes of acrylic paint to take an online class. While I was frustrated with painting like the instructor, I loved the colors and background information.  This canvas was gesso'ed and textured with flexible modeling paste. I had never tried that combination in the past.  It was fun too.

I was listening to an old CD by Ottmar Liebert and enjoying painting bright colors on the canvas to the lively music. I will continue with the online class and hope I learn more new techniques, but I don't expect my paintings to look anything like the professional artist.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   

My notebook

 

I have been playing with acrylic paint in my mixed media notebook. Once the paper dried I also decided to try my calligraphy pen and ink. Unfortunately my hands are too shaky (Parkinsons)  to do the Hebrew lettering well any more. That is sad, but I can still play with the ink. I was just experimenting with colors and mark making. I used a palette knife, plastic type spatula brush, bottle top and brushes. Fun to paint while listening to "Joe Cool's Blues" with Wynton and Ellis Marsalis on an old CD.

The top letters are one of the morning blessings thanking God for freeing the captives. Unfortunately, the Israel-Hamas conflict is continuing and the captives are not free. I pray for them and all the injured souls on both sides.  The bottom letters are just me practicing the Hebrew alphabet.

I enjoy listening to music while I paint. 

Happy Spring. This is a tree in my neighborhood. I noticed it has early blossoms every spring. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but I enjoy seeing it on my afternoon walks.

This one was watercolor in my notebook. I added more ink so it looks a bit more finished now. Based on my photo from summer vacation. Coast of Norway as seen from the cruise ship.

My Journey

 

11 X 14, oil on canvas board. Abstract reflecting my life.  I have been struggling with Parkinsons and can no longer paint the way I want to, but I still enjoy playing with the paint.  The black background reflects my lifelong struggle with depression/anxiety. The butterfly shows that I can fly at times. The hearts are for a life filled with love and gratitude. The white is for my white hair.  The zig zags are for my thorns, the moments when I am making sarcastic or pointed comments. The horsehead and flower reflect my attempt at kindness. The branches from my yard were my original inspiration.

Recently I received some lovely comments from a group I belong to on Facebook. 

From Facebook:

Hi, everyone! Happy Friday! I hope your week is going well, as we are now past the middle of February. Spring is just around the corner!

Since it’s Friday, we also know that it’s time for our Friday morning shout-outs, when three AAM members are chosen for what they contribute to this group. Posts of work, comments, advice, suggestions, questions, or sending invitations can all help our group remain interesting, relevant, educational and strong. So, without further delay, here are this week’s shout-outs. . .

Linda Feinberg - Not only does Linda share posts of her work, but she shares interesting, informative articles, humorous posts, opportunities for artists in her area, and inspiring work from other artists. Linda is a valued member of AAM and is an inspirational member herself. She continues to realize the importance of painting as she deals with hand tremors, and, to me, that’s a gutsy, positive approach to keeping the faith and allowing the art to take you in different directions. Linda, I can’t even tell you how motivational you are! So happy you are on AAM with us!

So I'm happy that I am motivating/inspiring other artists while I continue to attempt to be creative and make art myself. As I am not a professional artist and do not need to earn a living from my art, it is good to know that I am helping others. I do enjoy selling a few paintings from time to time and sharing my art that way, but being inspirational to someone else is a good reward for me too.

Winter scene

 

Windy Day on the River, Oil on canvas board 8 X 10, palette knife & brush.  I am still struggling with shaky hands (from Parkinsons). I picked an easier scene to attempt. This doesn't have any real detail.  I am pleased with the outcome and I just have to get my brain to accept that I can't paint the way I used to. I'm not giving up though I will be posting fewer paintings on this blog.

Starting again

 

Oil on oil paper. Red flowers. Inspired by an online video, but not copied from it.

I have not been painting for a few months. I've had medical issues I've been dealing with and decided to mount some oil paper and put it on my easel, hoping for inspiration. 

This is an Osprey on a branch, acrylic.  I found that I can't do detail work any more due to my hand tremors from Parkinsons. Even typing is hard.  I'm trying not to get discouraged. Meanwhile, life continues on.  I did enjoy painting the red flowers, that was more abstract.

Misty Day

 

Misty Morning (in Cascade Idaho). 8 X 16, oil on canvas panel. I couldn't figure out how to paint mist. I guess I will need more practice. Painted from my photo when I was at the Y camp in Cascade (see previous post).

My head has been preoccupied with health problems as my husband and I get older. I haven't been doing much painting, but when I do sit down at my easel and paint (sometimes I stand), I do enjoy it.

We only had 9 kids last night for Trick or Treat. That was sad. Now I have leftover candy to give away or eat. Looking forward to Thanksgiving at the end of the month.

Rainy Weekend at camp

 The YMCA had a Women's Wellness Weekend at their camp in Cascade, Idaho this past weekend. Unfortunately it rained most of the time. I still had an enjoyable weekend and it was nice to get away to the mountains since I live in the city. This was the dirt road to the archery site.

I could still hit the target. I did archery in high school, over 60 years ago. Many of my arrows hit, but then bounced off. One stuck in the target so I could get a photo.  Several went over the top of the target. I would definitely need more practice if I took this up again. It was fun to try it.

Luxury camping. The cabin had some heat, bunk beds with mats (I brought my own sleeping bag), indoor toilets and showers.  There were also yurts that did not have those facilities. The campers who stayed in the yurts had to walk out to another building for the toilet and shower. I was happy to be in a cabin with only 6 campers. We all had lower bunks. It was a 10-15 minute walk to the Lodge and meals, only a few minutes to walk to the barn where I took some classes. One was a guided meditation, excellent class. I remember doing that when I was seeing a therapist many years ago. Very relaxing and helpful.