Frida Kahlo Folk Art Horse Painting

Sometimes people will say, "Do you ever do a painting without a white dog in it?" Yes, and here is proof. I finished this painting this morning and it is up for sale on ebay. I'm also starting to sell some prints on etsy if you want to check them out for yourself or for gifts.

I used to have a black horse when I was in 4th grade, called "Blacky." Very original, I know. I do miss her snorts and putting her head back to my leg to make sure it was still me in the saddle. Then there is that horsey smell that is kind of an acquired liking. Our neighbors have 13 horses in the field next to us so I hear the whinies and the snorts often.

About this painting: It is of Frida's Black Mare named, "Raven". I love the horses legs. I felt like I was paintng my very own on the front of the horse. Well, okay. Almost. Raven knows where the flowers are still blooming for Frida to wear in her hair. Frida tucks them in Raven's mane, too. A woman loves flowers, you know. I also tried to paint my own cowboy (cowgirl) boots. Why are they still called cowboy boots?

Come back and again and see more "Raven" horse paintings!

Wee Westie Face Painting

Wee westie is up for sale now on ebay. Link to paintings. This is a cropped picture showing a little of the brushwork. Speaking of brushwork...our westie has been needing alot of brushing out. He's not always on a lead when he's outside with us and he finds all the prickly stickers as he dives under bushes and jumps over some. He bounds over to us with them on his back and his stomach. But he is getting LOTS of exercise running. I think that makes for a very healthy, happy puppy! And it keeps him from running away with the odd plants and bulbs I am getting in the gardens.

I was just reading earlier today on a Canadian website where the author said, "Westie's are very clean dogs. They rarely need bathing." I never realized before how dry the Canadians humor is, but it made my day. The laughter just keeps bubbling out.

A Walk in the Garden Foliage & Cuttings

This cool 49 degree chill makes for brisk walking unless you are looking at perennials and shrubs. Then I dawdle a bit. I picked a few leaves and cuttings to bring inside. Rather holiday colors---the burgundy foliage and evergreens that I love. Burgundy and lime green are very catchy colors.

From bottom left moving clockwise in the ABOVE photo is euphorbia, hydrangea leaf, ruby fringeflower cutting, yew cutting, purple sage, bugbane, cedar cutting, coral bells leaf, cypress cutting.

I didn't bring in all the burgundies. That way I can flutter around, from plant to shrub, and gather another little "foliage bouquet" on my next walk. Why don't we wear foliage boutonieres? Or carry foliage nosegays?

After I took the picture I put them on the tablecloth and the red made the green color pop out. This is what every gardener does...walks around with leaves to match or contrast foliage. Some designers do it in their head, but it's so much better to actually walk around outside holding up leaves and comparing in the garden while the leaves fall like confetti on you and the woodpecker keeps a steady beat. The squirrels chitter-chatter and scramble up trees that no longer hide them.

Somehow in the fall the squirrels think the gardens are theirs! That is when our westie doggy boy is inside the house. They keep a very low profile when he is running with his nose to the ground. The ground that is still waiting for more tulip and daffodil bulbs to be planted...sigh

Football Westie Dog Days

Game Ball. Yep it's the ball that goes to the most helpful player on the winning team or to a coach. This Westie won this hydro football as an award for several reasons. Best running back. Best offensive. Best coach. Best player in the rain. Best Fan! Best looking!

My oil Game Ball westie painting is up for sale now on ebay here.

(This hydro football went to Hawaii with us and back again. What people take with them in their suitcases.)

November Tree Colors

Can the words "peaceful" and "hot" stand together in a title? They do define this peaceful country setting with the firey hot colors. The great part about fall is when the grass is still green, the tree leaves are red/orange and the weather is in the 60's and 70's during the day. Nice!

Run Westie Run

With the cooler weather our westie is preparing for marathons. He is into some serious running. While we watch him he runs in large circles around us laughing with his tongue hanging out. He is chasing some imaginary friends and some real ones, us. The thing is we fall over laughing and he keeps running like he is the coach. "Get up and keep running. It's good for you," I think he is saying.

Kailua Beach Canoeing/Kayaking Hawaii

Kailua Beach has lots of white sand and calmer waters because it is protected by a living barrier reef. Now the fun part is that you can kayak out to some small islands, Mokulua Islands and Flat Island, that are bird sanctuaries to snorkel and enjoy the privacy of your own little island. Your companions will be a few swimming sea turtles, fish and birds.

There is also a canal where you can test out your kayaking ability if you are new at it.

Halloween Spiderman Hat Westie Dog

Spiders on halloween help you see in the dark. Our westie doesn't need any help seeing, but the huge spider was a little scary. He was a real trooper and didn't mind wearing this for a short time. I did give him a pinch of peanut butter as a treat.

Elsewhere around town First Lady Michelle was dressed as a catwoman. And the first dog? Was he dressed up?

Hawaiian Flowers-Tropical Bouquets

Floral designers are so inventive. This bouquet has a palm frond woven to look like a sail to me it looked like the Hokulea outrigger. At the tip of the frond it is tied with rafia. I thought this was beautiful and to me the palm fronds lying flat rather depicted the ocean.

I talked a bit to the florist that provides the flowers and she said that the arrangements are changed once a week. Believe me they still look good after a week. She had the flowers and leaves from the previous week in her basket and I was thinking, "She is not going to throw those away: Is she?"

Bamboo is used sparingly in each arrangement in most bouquets. Below is our favorite purple (burgundy, maroon) foliage in the form of ti leaves. There are so many different types of heliconias. I found a tropical flower blog in North Queensland (maybe I can find a Hawaiian heliconia blog soon) and it has many pictures depicting the different varieties and colors. Scroll to the bottom of the first page and there is a fast slide show of many rare ones with their proper names. I found it very helpful.

The reds of the anthuriums and heliconias are a rich red and look striking against the ti leaves. I saw orange bird of paradise flowers against the red (purple) ti leaves at one place.

Pussy willows in Waikiki? Yes, here is proof. This little arrangement made a nice contrast against the dark wood. So simple yet stylish.