Takin' a little break............................:)

I've been realizing, more and more, that time is getting away from me a bit, here, with holiday time and Christmas is right around the corner.

I haven't done a thing! I don't have one Christmas card made, let alone addressed, I've worked on one gift package, so far, and I need to get myself moving.

This means I will be taking a break from Blogging for a couple of weeks so I can allow myself time to work on the things that I need to get done.

Thoughts of all of you and your beautiful art will be with me throughout this holiday season.

I wish you and yours a safe, healthy, and joyous holiday and may the traditions of your holidays offer you peace and comfort that continues in the New Year.

Much love and appreciation always! Marilyn xxoo

Before and After..............:)

I've been cleaning out some files on my computer today and it's a little like cleaning out my art room :) I'm finding some little buried "treasures" that are inspiring me.

This first picture is one that I took last year! It's outside my living room window and it was just before a snowstorm was due. I converted it to black and white and cropped. I thought it was kind of cool.

I decided to play around with it in Photoshop and the second picture, here, is the result. I now think this picture looks like the sun is over a city scape!

Hope you're enjoying your time today! Love - Marilyn

Dreams.............................

"Dreams"

16"x 20"

Illustration Board

This is my very first commission piece.

I was approached, recently, to create a painting which would include a figure of the person's grandmother as a young woman. I used a photo of the woman as a reference.

The painting will be presented to the grandmother at the celebration of her 80th birthday. I so hope she likes it.

The first picture, here, is of the original painting and the second is of the painting altered a bit in Photoshop. It's such fun to do that :)

Hope you're all having a good day and have plans for a fun weekend!

Love to all....................Marilyn

Time Passages..........................

I felt like having a little fun with Photoshop tonight. I've taken so many pictures over the past year; stored them in my computer stash and have forgotten about some of them.

The first picture is one I took late September. This shot caught my eye as I really love the shapes of the tree roots intermingling with some leaves and bricks; kind of grungy. :)

The second picture is what I did using this picture as a background.

Enjoy your upcoming weekend everyone! Love, Marilyn

"I Can Walk Through the Storm".................

16 x 20

Acrylic/Mixed Media

on illustration board

Thinking of you all and wishing you a safe and happy week ahead.

Love.......Marilyn xxoo

The Perfect House Guest.......................

My husband and I have the privilege of dog sitting this Thanksgiving weekend for some friends of ours who went to New York City for their holiday.

This is a picture of Haley, a 5-year old Golden who is just the sweetest dog and is so well behaved. What a marvelous house guest!

I took, this shot, as she was resting after a long, brisk walk. I had this Kodak frame saved in my computer stash, so thought I'd use it in Photoshop with the picture of Haley. I converted to black and white but Haley is a beautiful honey-colored retriever with the most expressive eyes!

Her Master will come pick her up on Sunday evening and we know we're going to miss her when she has to leave. But; I feel it's kind of like grandparenting ya know? There will be more opportunities to have Haley has our guest, in future, and for our friendship with this wonderful dog, I have been truly thankful for our Thanksgiving holiday.

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving with your loved ones and are enjoying your holiday as much as we are.

Much love always...............................Marilyn xxoo

"My Red Hat".....................

16 x 20

Acrylic/Mixed Media on Illustration Board

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Love, Marilyn