144. Mellow Yellow

'Mellow Yellow'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

I must have missed it hundreds of times before, but this time, that lovely yellow barn got my attention. Central Minnesota, moody sky, dead quiet of winter; -- still so much pretty to be found.  

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143. Trolley Crossing at Pier Eleven

'Trolley Crossing at Pier Eleven'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

A sunny day by Pier Eleven in Astoria, Oregon. 

Some days a girl just wants to paint some big blocks of saturated color. :)

P.S. It's sunny here, --- right now! Yay.

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142. Anticipation

'Anticipation'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

These pretty measuring cups are a Christmas gift from one of my sisters. I think she knows as well as I do that they will most likely never hold a food product. Ha! 

Yes, I had to prop them up into this precarious position, but rather than focusing on the likely fall, I see them as ready to charge ahead,..or...rearing back for a great big...sneeze? 

In other news, I am feeling much better, thank you. :)

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141. Stacked

'Stacked'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Gleaning inspiration from the things around me, I stacked a few books the other day. 'Goodnight Moon', 'The Tower Treasure' (Hardy Boys), 'The Complete Adventures of Curious George', and Richard Scarry's 'Best Picture Dictionary Ever'. 

I love how certain images from books trigger memories from childhood - much like how smells bring one back. Curious George flooding the house while trying to clean up his ink mess always reminds me of my grandparents' house, and the watermelon-filled trucks and pickle-shaped cars of Richard Scarry bring me right back to the library from my elementary school. 

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140. Retired

'Retired'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey all! It's a New Year, and I'm finally ready for it!

Our 2013 ended in such a sweet, quiet, way and it was just what I needed after a year with some major stresses. Thank you, Lord. :)

Even though I have sworn off winter road trips in the past (more than once!) - we packed up the car and headed across country to see my parents and other family and friends in Minnesota. The drive went very smoothly both ways, and catching up with family and friends was really, really great. It was just so cozy and mellow inside, and frigid and beautiful outside. :)

Of course, while we were there, I took the opportunity to capture as many reference photos as possible. Here's one of my favorites; the Farmall H, a lovely old tractor which put in many years on the family farm. I can't get enough of those lines - the seat-spring, the steering wheel, that light; - love it. You may see this one again. :)

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