songbird + our painting day! · Creative Thursday

March 31, 2008

songbird + our painting day!

Once I got over my morning crankiness in part due to the fact that I for the SECOND time this week, dropped a package in the package box slot without the postage! And then to top it off, I got the same postal employee to help me open the box, who asked me if I was the same person that did this last week, and then proceeded to ask me if I have the rest of my business under control. Good Lord.

Let me start this blog post again: my morning crankiness was gone as soon I came home from my morning shipment "walk" with the Lu, and my friend Cathy was happily painting in my dining room/studio! Today was our painting day! And she was happy, not only because she was painting (without parenting simultaneously~although I missed little Annabelle today) but also because Sean made her one of our signature coffee lattes.

So, a glorious day of creativity it became ~ the best kind. And the two of us painting together, reminded me of when I visited Cathy in her Venice studio several years ago, to paint with her ~ at a time when I could only dream of this work as my living. It’s little moments like these, when you snap out of your crankiness and realize just how far you’ve come and how truly glorious (my word of the day) your life is. Cathy lives in NY now, so it has been such a treat to have her here again for a visit this last week. (Oh, and let me not leave out one of the best parts of today, the fact that I’m writing this from my bed with a cat sound asleep and snoring on my leg and foot, now if that doesn’t inspire you to leave your office job...?)

Let the painting begin...

...and continue

...and it’s finished and beautiful, as are all of her paintings! And, Cathy looks so cute with her baby bump ~ and now I sound like a Hollywood tabloid reporter...

Hope you’ve had a good Monday too! Maybe even a creative one?!

Oh, and I meant to tell you that I’m "technically" on a little vacation this week. Sean has the week off from teaching and we’ve decided to vacation from home, a novel idea. So, I’ll see you when I see you ~ here at the ol' blog...especially with that podcast I’ve promised!

Comments (16)

I think it's always more fun to create with a friend.
Wishing you and Sean a joyful home vacation. They can be the best kind too.
Will miss you and your blog, but look forward to new entries next week.

Take care and enjoy the sun.

Hugs,
Karen

Posted by: Karen | 03/31/2008 07:30:12 PM

So pretty & springy!

Enjoy your week! :)

Posted by: [michele] | 03/31/2008 08:40:19 PM

Agh, I HATE the post office, I SO feel for you. I think it must be a requirement for the postal employees to be snotty to customers- part of their job description.

What a sweet time you and Cathy get to have. I think it's so easy for us artists to get lonely in our little studios/offices and wish we had someone to share it with.

Have a GREAT time together! :-)

Posted by: Jamie Pflughoeft | 03/31/2008 09:52:30 PM

Oh my goodness, you are such an inspiration. I am often thinking that working at home isn't all that people think it's going to be (I've got a toddler and a preschooler with me at ALL times), but then posts like yours remind me that it's what you make it! And that I need more windows in my office. :)

Posted by: Sarah | 03/31/2008 11:32:48 PM

gorgeous piece! love the brightness. happy vacationing!

Posted by: helen | 04/01/2008 12:09:49 AM

I am so happy you got to spend time with your friend. How great is it that you both got to work together. Your story of the post office had me laughing because it sounds like something I would do. Great story...happy times.

Posted by: Jennifer DeDonato | 04/01/2008 01:50:57 AM

Thanx for a great post - I'm sitting at work rather bored in a very quiet office and your post office story made me laugh out loud- I've so done that myself! Thanx for cheering me up.
I'm soooo jealous of your day. Have a great vacation!

Posted by: Emma | 04/01/2008 06:30:49 AM

I love vacations from home. Nothing makes me feel more like a person of means and luxury. Certainly not spending tons of money on an away from home vacation, where I worry every minute about the dollars pouring out.

There is something incredible about being able to sleep in late, in my own bed. To putter about and look into my home office and say to myself, "No, I don't believe I WILL be turning on the computer this morning. Ha!"

Posted by: Diane | 04/01/2008 10:25:55 AM

Sweet Marisa, I hope you have a lovely week of relaxing and maxxxxing out with Sean and your sweet pets! Your songbird is such a sweet treat for the eyes on this grey Tuesday in Seattle.

The pics of you and Cathy creating side-by-side are fab! You have just inspired me to get some paint-dates going at my own dining room table!!
*)
hugs to you,
k

Posted by: kelly LOVES whales | 04/01/2008 11:51:23 AM

Awwwwww!!! Thank you, Marisa, for a WONDERFUL day of painting! I so enjoyed our time together and the back and forth of our creativity. I only wish I had worn a better outfit. ;-)

And, of course a special thanks to Sean for that fabulous latte. What a talented family! xxxoo

Posted by: Cathy Nichols | 04/01/2008 03:15:21 PM

Hi Marisa !
that sounded like the perfect day !
Have a great time off and looking forward to your next pod cast :)
ciao
x

Posted by: nathalie | 04/01/2008 05:47:19 PM

i love seeing the two of you creating together.
not that i have a bigger space that is on my list.
friends over to create!

enjoy the mini at home vacation!

Posted by: kelly | 04/01/2008 08:15:14 PM

So cute! I wish I was there too! But I feel connected as I have been painting too, the rooms of our house :)

Posted by: Chris | 04/04/2008 11:34:38 AM

Hi Marisa!
What a beautiful day for you both-- I'm happy to get an amazing piece of art out of it. You do seem to live the life....

Posted by: Catie | 04/04/2008 05:58:21 PM

I LOVE this painting.

You're inspiring me to try harder to paint smaller. My vision is always bigger than my space. I need a little more control and discipline!

I've been browsing your paintings and enjoying the view.

Robyn

Posted by: Robyn | 04/04/2008 08:09:56 PM

[...] Last year on the podcast about color with Rachel and Holly, Rachel mentioned that she’d like to know more about what inspires each of my paintings. I said I would consider writing more about what’s behind each piece, but I’m afriad I’ve fallen short of that that and here’s why. One of the qualities that I enjoy most about art is its ability to embody a different meaning, mood, feeling for every individual. While my art is often straightforward and simple, each creation contains a specific feeling. And since my paintings are daily paintings, you, the viewer are getting a glimpse into my day, often translated through the expressions in my characters, or in the case of this photo above, you are seeing a replica of imagery that inspired me directly. Remember “songbird” from last week? My next door neighbors’ trees set against the bright blue sky were where the choice of colors came from. When it feels significant or appropriate I will share a piece of the story behind the image, otherwise I like for my art to speak for itself. And in all honesty, sometimes I don’t really even want to give too much thought to what’s behind my work. I prefer that you elicit whatever meaning resonates with you all on your own. Keeping my word is important. And if I can’t or decide not to keep it, I’ll explain why. With all my new space and time, I can finally share with you those things I’ve been meaning to tell you for quite some time now. [...]

Posted by: Creative Thursday Daily Paintings » Blog Archive » about inspiration | 04/08/2008 03:15:12 PM