7/30/16...

There are days I feel very productive and creative.  And then there are weeks where....well, not so much.  This week was one of those I had good intentions with an idea.  But it fizzled.  I had this idea in my head to do an abstract textural background in one medium (gouache), and then use oil to paint a few things over it.  It started out well.  I really like how it looks.  But then I either ran out of steam, or didn't like how it was turning out, or I started doubting myself....because I've now walked away from the project.  I will say this though, it did allow me to see how well the surface took to the gouache background.  And even when I removed the larger amount of oil paint (see photo of abstract attempt) with thinner, it didn't touch the texture.  I think it's pretty cool how all these different paints play together.  Maybe I'll get back to it.  And well....maybe I'll gesso over it! ;)

I haven't felt the greatest this week.  I got one of those annoying sty's in my eye and instead of it flaring up and then dissipating within a couple of days, my flipping eye has started to swell up.  Great.  Just what I need currently is an unexpected doctor bill on top of the other bills I have currently.  I'm hoping it will resolve itself here within the next 24 hours or so.  If not...  I can see a trip to Campus Health on Monday.  Sigh!

I think it's this time of the year that's having an impact on my creativity and well-being - I turn 50 in a week and it's hotter than hell here in Az.  BOTH seem to be sucking my life-force to where I just want to sit in front of the AC and eat ice cream all day.  Every day.  Maybe in my pajamas.  Okay, definitely in my pajamas. I've even managed to break my bike riding goals over the past two days by skipping it.  But I do have this eye thing going on, and seeing to ride is kind of important.  Not to mention the sun is a wee bit bright in the dead of summer.  I might have mentioned that it was hot, right?  Well, I look at it as not so much as whining, but being realistic.  ;)  Ha!  Okay, I'm whining a bit too.  I'll get back to feeling like my normal perky self here soon.  Most likely as soon as this next week is done and gone.

Think I'm going to end for now.  I need to use a compress on my eye and it's impossible to see and type and hold pressure all at once.  Stay cool everyone!