So, So, Specific

You never really know what interesting things and labels on things you'll find at the boathouse.

Today, I found this:

The "good tweezers for splinters" are not the black plastic ones, just FYI.

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My brushes are getting worn from use,

I needed some replacements.

So before I went to the boathouse, I stopped by Blick to get replacements.

These should last me at least until October, maybe longer.

Oh I LOVE new brushes!!!

Dead brushes...thank you for your service. (as Kedrin says)

Beautiful nice new crisp brushes!

A brush in good condition makes all the difference in the world.

I buy in bulk to get the bulk discount.

It's more up-front but I save money in the long run.

__PRESENT

A Plein Air Date at the Wildlife Refuge

Last night Janae, my bestie from Pratt, came over and spent the night.

We left early today to go to the wildlife refuge to paint.

I had to take a work meeting for about an hour..... first time I attended a meeting while out painting!

Very weird, but was worth it.

I did 2 paintings:

8x10 oil

6x8 oil

It was beautiful out.

The cats really love my guest bed setup........

Back from Italy!

 The cats missed Daya.

Daya brought me pistachio chocolate and rocks!

I can't tell her this but my kid is just like me- a rock is honestly the most perfect gift she could have brought. I love it so much!

The owl Kedrin brought me from Greece now sits on my rock from Italy!

Saturday Night Fever

.....literally.

My amazing friend Jackie turned 50 in May and tonight was the party...

which was..... a VERY Jackie thing to do..... a retro-disco-night out dancing.

I hate LOUD and CROWDED and...... after painting today this was the last thing I wanted to do.

And honestly I'm really processing Becca's death; I am grieving and it hits me hard at weird moments.

But it's Jackie and she's special so I had to do it.

I told her ahead of time I wasn't staying long which was fine.

And as it turned out I had a great time!!

YES they played Saturday Night Fever.

Jackie was SO HAPPY and seeing her joy gave me a lot of joy.

I stayed a little longer than I thought and surprisingly enjoyed it!

But yes I immediately put in earplugs.

I don't know how people go to these LOUD events without ear protection; it would be too physically painful for me.  I do carry earplugs with me at all times.

Hudson View Gardens Plein Air

Today was the second plein air event Francis organized.

We went up to a private garden residential area in Hudson Heights, upper Manhattan.

It was 90 degrees outside which was horrible and awful and I'm pretty sure I died.

This heat makes me feel so sick.

While I was setting up, one of the resident dogs, Pepper, came over to say hi.
So I put him in the painting.

8x10 oil

 Tony clamped an umbrella to his easel.

Pepper

Here are the other paintings from today:

Becca

Becca was my friend for a whole lot of years, easily over 15 years.
We became friends on Wet Canvas, my much-missed online art community.

Today I found out that Becca died yesterday after a short battle with cancer.

Yesterday I was thinking about her and had texted her, and thought it was strange she didn't reply fairly quickly as she always does.

I did know she was sick and I did say everything I needed to say to her.

But honestly I thought she'd be around for a little longer...

Tho I am glad she went quickly and had what I was told was a peaceful and good passing.

I have several of her paintings and the most special one lives by my drawing table.

Becca gave me this self-portrait from when she was a child in 2010.

An Important Life Lesson

Do not put your cutting mat in the dishwasher, no matter how gross and sticky it gets.

RIP cutting mat! So sad!!

(replacement ordered...)