Little King Charles nearly finished. 

11x14 finished

Busy with Custom Portraits

For months I can have little or no commissions then all of a sudden around thanksgiving tons of orders poor in wanting paintings by Christmas some even before that.  Day 1 of the painting marithon.  Yesterday was spent sketching and making sure I was on same wave length as the clients.  All boards were gessoed and lightly colored a couple of days ago.  The first ones pictured received their backgrounds today.  On the last one I have started roughing in the hair nose and eyes.  Lots of work, must get back to work. 

A Painting Day - Nova

This is Nova.  Nova was adopted by a young girl in Newfoundland.  He and his sister were left in a box along the roadside.  He is a spirited, active fellow who delights his humans.  Nova will be ready to head for Canada after Thanksgiving. 

eBay Grrrr Problems

This is a painting of Shadow from a picture of her prior to her death.  She was painted after the client contacted me on an ebay posting that offered several sizes for people to choose from.  Today I got a notice from eBay that I couldn't offer more than one size.  The listings have to be for one size only and I must list all paintings in single listings for the cost of that size.  More money for ebay that I can not afford.  I am seriously thinking of quitting ebay, it is a lot of hassle for little reward. 

My Review of Derwent Inktense Colored Pencil Sets

Originally submitted at Jerry's Artarama Art Supplies

Pencil to ink in just one wash!Water-solubleRound 8 mm barrelWide 4 mm corePen and ink offers strong, intense colour combined with a translucent effect. Now you can enjoy these distinctive qualities in an easy to use pencil. Inktense has a highly blendable texture and comes in a range of jewel-like...

Derwent Inktense Colored Pencil Sets

Great travel set

By Roanmare from Michigan on 11/18/2011

5out of 5

Pros: Best
Cons: Best
Best Uses: Personal
Describe Yourself: Professional

I have a complete set of Derwent Intensives, bought this smaller set to travel with. They have improved the carry wrap by putting a bottom flap so that pencils do not slip out. Big Plus! I add a few lighter wc pencils to make complete range of colors. I use a brush to hit the colors and paint. I rarely use them as pencils but the option is always there. A plus is that once dried the color does not bleed or pick up.

Tigress ACEO

Tags: Made with Product

(legalese)

Memory Problems-

It took me several minutes to remember how to get back to my blog page-frustrating.  Today's entry are a pair of cute dogs that I have finished painting.  Loved doing the pair.  I am quite busy painting portraits for clients that need to be done by end of the month so that I can get them dried and delivered.  Right now I am too sleepy to paint.  Had a lovely visit with some old friends, must do more of that kind of thing.

Back online and posting

After months of net problems, then computer virus and lately electrical problems, I was able to get things working right, but had to start over as everything was taken off my computer.  I had to put all programs back on and naturally I am having problems getting some to work.  Oh well.  I have not been able to paint everyday as planned but will try to remedy that.  I have been busy painting commission dogs and cats.  Here is one interesting cat who must have nine lives as he is 21 years old and still going.

STILL having Problems with phone and net

I have charter and have to call them almost daily since May 9,  I have purchased a new ethernet, put in two modems from them and their techs say that the modems and or parts are outdated and blacklisted.  I have been told it was my computer took it in to local repair- they say the computer is OK, put in new ethernet controller new wires at Charters request- still problems.  Finally on the 20th of May they came out.  The tech put in all new wires to pole and house, and took the two modems with him.  Things worked for about 10 minutes and went out.  He came back and messed with the computer and had headquarters do something.  He reloaded drivers for the new ethernet.  still it didn't work, then he tried the original ethernet controller-  It worked.  But still after two more tech visits. I am still having problems.  This has been going on for a month!!!  It will cost me $150 to break the contract with Charter.  I have already put in two visits to a computer repair for a computer that works perfectly when connected at the repair shop plus a $50. ethernet, even changed computers and all wires and still have problems.  May be I'd been better off paying the $150. after the 10th call.  Hind site is always better.

Pet Portraits Horses Dogs Cats

Severe storms. Net phone and power problems continue. Must get this on before things cut out.  Hope to see you again tomorrow.

Love Hate Affair with Computer Internet

My Old Saddle by M. Mapes
 Hopefully I will be able to ride tomorrow.

I have spent 2-3 hours, some days more, each day trying to get a consistent  Internet connection,  I have called charter several times each day.  Some days after I got a real person the phone would quit.  Each agent would have me do different things.  Some worked temporarily.  One agent said I needed a new Ethernet controller in my computer.  Fifty dollars later it still did not work.  Made another trip to the computer repair.  He said nothing was wrong and showed that it worked perfectly-  At home I have black screens with error messages, conflicts and even mouse errors.  I changed every cord, mouse, etc. still nothing worked.  Had only screen, mouse and keyboard.  Still I might get on one time but next try it was gone.  Agents would reload connection etc. and it would work but next time black screen and dead modem.  The tenth agent said my modem had been black listed because it couldn't handle the fast net.  So he would send me one to install.  Simple he said sarcastically.  Well first it said windows had not tested the CD. and recommended not loading, then it asked for the Ethernet driver and quickly gave an error and spit the CD out.  It got stuck loading the new net modem drivers on the middle section said it would attempt to shut and restart the modem and it would take 60-90 seconds.  Thirty minutes and it was still grinding away.  I killed the computer.  moved cords, disconnected the net wires and started the computer, then plugged in the net stuff.  It worked for a short while then both telephone and net went out.  Finally the 12th agent after I said I was going to pay the $150 penalty for breaking the contract said he'd send out a tech to fix it.  The tech repairman arrived at 1:20 and thought he was finished at 4:16.  He replaced the outdoor lines first said they looked bad and should not be so close to the electric.  The wires were over 20 years old.  Still didn't work, Next he replaced wires into the house.  No net no phone.  next he messed with the new modem,  Said the power cord was outdated, though it was new,  He said they don't use them anymore.  Things seemed to be working.  While he was contacting the home base I tried the net.  Can't get on.  I ran out and luckily stopped him. He reloaded the router and the controller drivers.  Still nothing.  Did have phone.  He hooked phone and net in one box. completely did away with the NEW box.  Then he plugged the cord into the original Ethernet controller that came with the computer.  It worked.  Said it was fine and not to use the new $50 Ethernet that was never the problem!!  The computer was fine the wires were in poor shape and caused the inconsistent phone and net connection.  So I have had no time to paint and no way to ad new pics.

Pleasant Morning

After a week of computer frustration--- still going on, I decided to go for a ride on my lovely horse instead of trying to do anything with my computer.  It was a wonderful ride.  I saw three turkeys grazing along the woods.  We got pretty close to them before they ducked into the woods.  After my rides I set up for some outdoor painting and turn my mare loose to grab some well-earned grass.  When first turned loose to graze she is a little timid and grazes almost on top of me.  Then she branches out 15-20 feet but never leaves.  I paint for up to an hour and then put her up in a lot by the old hay barn.  I have attached photos todays wildflower.
Geranium maculatum

Our beautiful native wild Geranium, with neat fresh foliage all season, and clusters of large pink to lavender colored blooms, held high above.

Roses and Kentucky Derby Winner Animal House

First Rose by M.Mapes

"First Rose " 

       In the 2011 Kentucky Derby winning jockey, John Velasquez holds up one rose- as this was his first Kentucky Derby winner.  For three years he was to be the jockey on Derby favorites but they were all three scratched.  This year he was to ride Uncle Mo who had stomach troubles a few days prior to the derby and was scratched.  Animal Kingdom a long shot had his listed jockey injured earlier in the week so Animal Kingdom’s trainer changed jockeys and took John Velasquez and so by a strange set of circumstances John won his first derby on a 24 - 1 long shot after his favorite scratched. 

The Last Laugh by M. Mapes

"24-1 Odds Animal House" 

    Here Animal House, the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby stands in front of Churchill Downs giving a horse laugh as if to say he had the last laugh as few bet him even though in his previous five starts his worst finish was a second.  Will he repeat this Saturday?

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Computer Headache So just having a Painting Post of Birds and Flowers

The whole week has been spent dealing with massive computer problems.  No time to paint or anything else, so I am posting some older ACEO paintings, most are oil miniatures.

 

 

Winter Cardinal

Barn Owl

Eagles

Owlets

Apple-blossom Wren

Barnyard Boss Rooster

Goose and gooslings

Crocus

Violets- Woods is full of these beauties.

Single Rose

wild Yellow moss rose

Poppy

yellow Rose

Sunflower

Iris

Local History thru Eyes of an Artist's Paintings

" Wildwood Mill 1848"

All that remains at the spot of this old mill is a few stones, trees and a larger flow of water exiting Turner Lake on

Wildwood Rd.

  As recent as twenty years ago there still was the remains of a dam. Building of the mill in 1848 made it possible for the pioneer and early settlers of Hillsdale County able to use cut boards instead of cumbersome logs for building.  The area really developed after mills were established.  Mills were used for lumbering and milling grains into flour. 

“Eight- Horse Hitch.”

This could be a picture from the 1860's though it is a common one around here where we are surrounded by Amish Communities.   A team of eight equines. Four in front and four in back.  Three across in each set are horses with a mule on the ends to make the 8 horse team.  These 8 horse hitches are used for heavy work like dragging and discing.  This is done after the plowing is completed.  You will see two teams of Amish horses working in the field.  One team will number 8 like this team and they will be pulling a larger tool.  A second team, smaller, often 3 horses will be following pulling a planter.  The tools that they pull are typical of the 1940-50’s. All the area farmers are feverishly trying to get out their crops.  In one area you might see multiple teams working then a little ways down the road you will see the huge tractors rolling along

Wildflowers and Paintings

Wood Phlox;  These beauties range from deep blue to pale blue depending upon the light.



This is a wildflower that I have not been able to identify.  It if found in open areas.



Another view from the side.  Anyone know what it is.  I suppose a farmer would know as it looks like it would be a weed in fields and along lanes etc.

This is one of the woodland trails.  Down at the bottom is the red tip of  my horses ear.

    While riding today I saw many wildflowers, they are now in full bloom so much so that some of the trilliums have turned pink even dark pink.  I saw two Sandhill Cranes grazing in the hay field and a turkey in the woods.  This was the first time I've seen Sandhill Cranes this spring.  Turkey sightings are almost daily.  Below are some paintings I have done they are ACEO's miniature Oil paintings sized 2.5 x 3.5 Inches.  I thought I was uploading them to be saved in an online folder for future use.  In the past I have not been able to up load pictures from my files to a post here on blogger.  I have had to first put them in an online photo storage.  Sorry about so many.  I do not know how to take them off.  Just learning this Blogger stuff.

Painting Gallery



Blue Parrot



Curiosity

Yosemite

Summer Reds

Working Guys

Lounging

Old red tractor

Autumn Barns

Lion's Look

Shadows

Local Amish Lady

Princess

Yellow Water Lily

Mama Hummer