Saturday Off, YAY

I always have a tough time deciding what to do when I get a Saturday off.  That doesn't happen very often and I don't want to waste it.  I went to the Eastern Market and people watched, mostly.  Of course, took pictures and tasted samples.  Chef Marc Diozlija, at the Wolfgang Puck Grille in MGM Grand Detroit's Hotel and Casino, demoed a delicious dish.  Shrimp and corn risotto.  Yum!

New Beginnings

This is not the end, but a new beginning.  It sounds cliché, I know.  On Sunday, my nephew graduated from high school.  Although, his high school career is over, his life is taking on new beginnings.  Off to college and many new starts.  Congratulations!!

This Is What I See

portrait practice

Thank You, Misty

At the beginning of the year, I treated myself to an online class with Misty Mawn, whose work I have long admired.  I mean, I can sit here and look at a wonderful painting of hers for a very loooonnnng time.  Sometimes (I'll admit it), her work brings me to tears.  I can't explain why.  I guess, it touches me so.  I think, man if I can paint like that.   So, in January, I started her class "Drawing and Painting Portraits" and have been painting ever since.  God, I hope I'm evolving, improving, developing better skills.  And, oh, my goodness, I have fallen in love with those yummy oil paintstiks!  (I used them in the above picture.)  Thanks, Misty, for those fabulous videos and fantastic instructions and demonstrations.  I loved this class!!!

Joy?

Okay, so she doesn't look very joyous.  I do like the way the word looks and the colors I used.  In the dictionary, it says joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.  I see now that I need to work on her joy as well as mine own.  It is a great word.  It makes my insides smile.