He's off!

He's off!
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Happy Frankenstein Friday!
Frankenstein is full speed ahead, hunting chipmunks. Lately he has been obsessed with the leopard frogs by the pond. They are always there and they jump when he sniffs them, very exciting! Just like a perfect dog toy. But they are not toys so I have to step in and refocus his attention. I say the frogs are our friends, like Truman. Then one leaps into the pond, kerplunk! Frankenstein reacts as one would expect, he goes crazy, the best toy ever!

I am full speed ahead too. I finished the painting I was working on. It got me back into my work in the best possible way. I am excited to start another and this time I will share it with the Blog. I have needed to keep my work to myself for a while, as I refocus. But things are starting to feel 'right' again and I should be zooming ahead, like the Chug by the Summers end....till then
Onward!

20/52

20/52
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Here we are at 20 portraits. I was going to get dressed up and make myself pretty for the occasion. But then I thought, you have been painting like a mad man and you are a complete slob, that is where you are today...so here I am warts and all! I posted two today, (If you visit my flicker photo stream, by clicking on the photo, you can view the other one). It is soooo arty! But who cares?!

I also posted a bunch of photo's from our yard, the gourd trellis and some flowers. The gourds have been a blast to grow. They are grabby little suckers. They have a lot of character, for plants. I think of them as part Punk and part dancing synchronized swimming plants from Disney's Fantasia. They latch on to anything in their path, like chairs and other plants, but always look like they are dancing. They have a not so nice scent, but they make up for it with their, pleasing roundness and especially the first few days, fuzz.

As my second portrait of the day suggest I have been painting. I won't go into it because complaining is such a drag. But, it is HARD!

Onward!...Onward!

Frankenstein and his new toy

Frankenstein and his new toy
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Happy Frankenstein Friday!

I have been painting! It is going very well. I hadn't painted since last November. But I have been working on a wood sculpture as well as gardening daily. I believe these things have kept me in good painting shape. As always there is crisis and doubt.. But I believe these things must happen in order for good art to be born.

This Summer has been a good one so far. I have no desire to go away. The things I am doing are where I want to be. Years ago when I worked on an egg farm. The Lady Farmer would tell me, over the clang of the egg machine and the stench and clucking of 2000, chickens, "Tracey you can have your fancy vacations Here is where I want to be, this is my happiness". Well I thought she was nuts! But I get it now.

Frankenstein has a new toy. Each toy gets it's day in the sun, is the favored toy for a while. He marches around the house with it in his mouth and he cries a little. He can't find the right place for it to be and we humans can not be trusted. In the end he will gently place it on his dog bed with the favorites from days gone by. Later when he is very happy after a good meal, he will join them, his favorite things, on his bed. The Chug will roll on his back and stretch out in complete contentment. He wouldn't want to be any place else!

...Onward!

20/52

20/52
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

we had a wonderful day at the pool this weekend. We will be back! It was so nice. Lately I have been loving day-cations and what is better than sipping beers by the pool?! The best part about day-cations is I get to keep being the busy bee I am. Taking care of my animals and gardens, working in the studio and still having the time to just let go, an all inclusive life.

I found one little baby gourd growing on my trellis today! I am so excited. We have tons of tomatoes and peppers as well as some squash growing too. The flowers are buzzing with bees. I have been taking some great Bee portraits. I will post some soon.
In the past I have rarely had time to enjoy a Summer. In fact all of my swimming pool memories are as a life guard not as the lazy slob with no worries in the lounge chair....I kind of like it.
It is a whole new world!
onward!

Frankenstein Friday

Frankenstein Friday
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Our hero is feeling much better today. He has had an upset tummy for a few days. I boiled some chicken and made him some white rice and it seems to be doing the trick. He woke me this morning extra early with lots of kisses and was eager to go for a walk.

Onward towards a happy weekend!

19/52

19/52
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Wow it has been 19 weeks of Tuesday self portraits. I almost had my self disciplined enough to only pick one photo each week but I am slipping...and posted 2 this week (posted on my flicker page)

I have been putting in plenty of over time in the studio lately. Drawing with power tools! I have been documenting my progress but still feel like I can't share what I am doing yet. So when the time is right I will share all of the goings on. I need to get back to work...
Onward!!....like a Bee!

Frankenstein Friday

Frankenstein Friday
Originally uploaded by tracey st.peter

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

If you are in RVA, come on down for the ArtWalk, Eric Schindler Satellite Gallery at 8 Broad Street. I helped set up the show and it is a nice grouping of work. I'll try to take some photos. I have 2 of my Globes and 2 paintings in the show.

Happy 4th to all, I think it will be a quiet one for us, I hope...I woke to the sound of fireworks this morn, though it could have been gun shots...Arg!

In other news, I am cranking along in the studio on a cool new project. But I want to keep it to myself till it is done..stay tuned. I am gearing up to start a painting, next week. I have a good idea of how I want it to start...who knows where it will take me. But things are happening...art things...good art things.

The garden is full of tomatoes and the gourds are already climbing over the top of the trellis! The Leopard frogs sit by the pond all day and the Lizard has her summer sunning routine all worked out. First she suns on one of the grassy arches, then moves under the tomato plants or large gourd leaves..then as the sun starts to set she moves into the thick Monkey Grass and falls asleep. I take her in when she is groggy and can barely keep her lizard eyes open. Frankenstein, is the mighty chipmunk hunter, though he hasn't got one yet. He is always alert and can chase them out of the yard like no ones biz!

enjoy!