Ella

8" by 10" Acrylic on Canvas Board. Trying to limit myself to painting for only one hour. I dont want to get caught up in details and want to work with color and composition.

In time I would like to do a large painting of Ella but in the meantime I will do several studies to see which would be most appropriate for her home. I like the casual look but also would like to try doing a formal more realistic painting of Ella, possibly going back to oils. For now the acrylics have been a life saver in speeding up the return to painting. Oils are a much more demanding medium.

I have enjoyed these three days of painting, but find that even though this is only one hour, it is like starting physical exercise-you must retrain your brain (body) gradually. The concentration is clearly energy and it is good to be using this energy again. I have set aside the demands I have previously placed on myself-to create large wonderful art works, and I have decided to work slowly and to have more fun doing so, rather than looking at this as work. Again, I am enjoying this.

So, three paintings in a row. I must admit, painting is the first thing I think of when I wake up now, besides my children/where are they/how are they/when will i see them, etc.

I need to work on getting the October show together, and it will be a challenge.

Healthwise, today, I am feeling okay. 10mg cortef, will start zoloft this afternoon.