Laugh Already 2013-W39

Thursday night I was watching something or other on PBS when a throw-away line caught my attention.  Technically I guess it was a question:  Isn't it nice to be around someone who laughs easily?  It sure is.  Coincidentally, a couple days prior I was gabbing with one of my long-time friends and we reflected on how the foundation that underlies our friendship is simply that we make each other laugh without much effort.

Maybe this only means he and I are not very discerning about what entertains us.  Maybe we're both a little too clever for our own good.  I can't answer either question objectively.  What I can tell you is I come from a very funny family, so growing up I had lots of opportunities to be entertained as well as take my turn in the spotlight.  It's possible we spent more time at the dinner table laughing than eating...  which may be why in middle age my brothers and I are reasonably fit and trim.

I've often thought that while life presents us many small and occasionally large challenges, it is up to us how we'll react.  Laugh or cry — it's usually your choice.  Tears are wholly appropriate at times, of course, but as much as possible I will choose to try laughing and I invite you to join me.

An Artist, Poised to Laugh

p.s. Thanks to Marge Bolin for her unknowing assistance with today's painting.  I hope she and the unawares subject like it.

Equinoxious 2013-W38

Sometime this weekend the noonday sun will cross over the Equator and thus the southern continents can begin to enjoy their Spring and Summer.  We know what this means for us in the northern hemisphere.  Boo hiss.  I like Autumn just fine, and the first part of Winter is tolerable, enjoyable even, for things other than weather.  But then comes the new year and that awful 4-6 weeks before we get hints of Spring.  Sigh.

Continuing in the theme of dissatisfaction, I have mixed feelings about a couple of portraits I did recently of my friends Susan and Donna.  They're okay.   But I was on edge as I painted them because they're of people that I know.  (And like.)  With the "good" one out of the way, I thought I would do another painting of Susan with more reckless abandon and see what happens.  More satisfying to do?  It was.  More satisfying to behold?  Time will tell.

Susan Do-Over

I'b Sick 2013-W37

But not very sick, merely what's turned out to be a fairly mild cold.  This particular cold started coming on in earnest late Wednesday and by Saturday afternoon, as I write this, I'm much better.  I don't remember having had a cold for quite some time now.  Maybe as far back as 2010, and that's fine with me.  I think many women will agree, there is no bigger baby than a sick man.

My runny nose was inconveniently disgusting; the sore throat and headache were bothersome for a half-day each.  Yet the most miserable part of the whole experience has been: I have no one to listen to me whine.  As we know, misery loves company.

Along the way were the usual sneezing and coughing, with colorful mucus and phlegm.  Oddly, as I gazed upon these expectorated bits, I found myself thinking about what paints I would use to make that color.  I think women will find that remark gross whereas men will find it mildly amusing.

Changing topics completely, this week I got started on a portrait of my friend and fellow artist Susan Sylvano.  I did some of the underpainting on Tuesday and Friday.  Friday evening I kept going back to it and so by this morning I had pretty much finished everything but the hair.  I hope Susan enjoys the painting, and if not then I invite her to extract her revenge by painting one of me!

Susan Wears Emeralds

Already?! 2013-W36

Actually it's Monday that marks the exact one-year anniversary of this here blog, but since we like to publish on Saturdays, let's say close enough and call this the anniversary edition.  I hope you join me in looking forward to this day in Week 36 for many years to come.

Keeping on with it all, week after week, hasn't been as hard as I thought it might be.  The normal challenge is to occasionally come up with a last-minute "new" concept after the planned concept just doesn't sit right during the first cup of Saturday coffee.

This week the unease struck sooner, but after a ponder I decided another well-pleased kitty in a birthday hat might be appropriate for today.  To make it a little more challenging I opted to not edit out the fussy ribbon from the source photo.  (p.s. The ribbon's not part of the hat, so all I can say is, that is one lucky cat!)

Besides first time visits from Serbia and Saudi Arabia this past week, it looks as though Painterly Thoughts will also have its 1,500th viewing today, which means we average 28 views a week and 125 a month.  I'll take it!  Few (if any) of those views are my immediate blood relatives... so to you more distantly-related viewers out there, thanks for your support and encouragement.  I appreciate it.

Anniversay Celebration Enthuses Cat; Hat Ices Cake