Thursday, December 4, 2008

Efforts.....



Music! 8x10 oil
I have been away from the computer by design lately. There are several reasons and I will touch on a few here.
I have been studying first of all. Not painting for almost 2 months has made me a bit rusty. So in order to "get my hand back" I have been reading, looking and doing small paintings the last few days. They are OK...not fantastic....but OK. I can't express the importance of painting everyday.....to keep that flow.
So here is the first one done the day before yesterday. It took about 2 hours.
I also quit smoking....for the 5th time! I have been a nonsmoker before....for as long as ten years. I also never smoked while I was pregnant (five children) do the math. I was a nonsmoker when I met Max and a nonsmoker another time for 4 years and once for two...and then started again....fortunately Max has been wanting to quit also. Well, it's been three weeks....I'm Ok with it...but I don't spend a lot of time by the computer until I am past that part of it. It seems to be a trigger along with the phone and alcohol!
I hope everyone had a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving..I did! We had a lot of company and I also cooked a lot. Now we are gearing up for Christmas and a possible open house here since everything is finally put away! My folks always had an open house at Christmas...there were always lots of people of all walks of life coming and going, lots of food and drink and many of the guests were musically inclined. It was a lot of fun listening, visiting and watching... even as a kid.
I have just finished reading a book about Antonio Mancini. I sooo want to paint like that! I had a magnifying glass in hand while reading to study the paintings! I highly recommend taking a look at his work via the link on the list to the right.
I will be back but it will be limited for the time being until I am more comfortable painting and writing again.
All the best, Theresa

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

From an old friend, fellow artist and life-long nicotine addict...I feel for you. I do remember the first time we quit smoking at the same time...you recovered (I thought) amazingly fast! So...I'm sure this time, too!

Love from the "chain chewer" (nicotine gum for 4 plus years now!!Hahaha!) Lori

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

What's uncanny about this, is that I've been thinking about you so much lately, and one thought I had as "I wonder if Theresa is a smoker" How bizarre.

I love the painting you've included.
You are such a magnificent painter,
I don't think you ever need to worry about being rusty.

xoxoxBarbara

Art By Erika said...

Theresa-rusty... it just doesn't equate. Love the painting- that's an 8x10? I love the texture, was the ground gesso-d with texture or was it all from painting? They are amazingly filled in with great detail!

My hubby switched to Nicorette gum for a while and you know how expensive those are. In an effort to dissuade him from getting addicted to them I told him I too get $50 for each Nicorette box he bought. Well in no time I was able to buy a $350 jacket lol But that's when we worked in Hollywood. Now we're on Arkansas income. And lucky for him he's completely nicotine free now YAY! I have only positive thoughts about your efforts my dear. I've missed you by the way. But I know life has to take priority especially during the holiday season.

I had a good Thanksgiving and I gave thanks for you!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Oh, so you gave me the fake blog to comment on. I thought you had died.

VickiRossArt said...

Therusty!

Do any of us (artists) ever feel confident about our efforts? This painting is great!

I emphasize with your smoking issue. Never did smoke, tried to in college but it made me immediately lose my brain. I have other habits, but what would life be without by daily liquid fruit (wine)?

Gonna to look at Antonio Mancini now.

Vicki

Bill Brauker said...

Good luck with your battle. You can do it.

You are so right about painting every day. It is so important to keep at it. I say that, but I skipped today. Well, there is always tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Hey Theresa, don't know how many times I started and quit before it finally stuck. It's hard but from what I know of you, yer tougher than yeti leather. (say that 3 times fast) You'll be all right. And the painting looks anything but rusty. I just wish I'd painted it. :)
EW

Theresa Rankin said...

Hey Lori...thank you!! Yes I remember it was a pretty quick recovery. This time is going well also. Max and I can talk to each other about it. Of course I am learning how to paint with out nicotine now!! Sort of..LOL...I am using Commit Lozenge...some days I have none...other days I have maybe up to three..LOL!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Barbara....you are sooo encouraging! As we have discovered...there is a strong mental connection and the phone call came at just the right time!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hey Erika...yes and 8x10. The canvas was treated with gesso to give it texture....something I do a lot of. What a brilliant idea on the jacket deal!! I am using Commit Lozenge but only when I really need to....in fact lately i have been skipping days. So all in all I think it's going to be OK!

Theresa Rankin said...

On Painting....Fake blog????? Died?????....Hmmmm....Did I miss something somewhere?

Theresa Rankin said...

Lucky you
Vicki Lou!!! I wish I had never started! But all is well and I can handle! Thank you for the comment on the painting I appreciate it...I am harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Bill....I can do it...I have before! I appreciate you stopping by!

Theresa Rankin said...

Eldon!! You are a hoot! Tougher than Yeti leather?...that's a compliment I can live with. I tried saying it three times fast and now my tongue is in a knot! Thank you for the wonderful comment on my painting. I am definitely honored!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

That is an odd sequence of smoking/quiting. I smoked 20 years then quit on my wedding day almost causing divorce. I was somewhat cranky. My method was to tell myself I would never smoke again for any reason including my family dying in a flaming car wreck (I tend to the dramatic).

Best of luck in a final quit for you. That plein air will smell fresher.