In the Studio

This is what I'm up to this week....

I'm working on another bee and flower piece.  I'm not exactly sure yet where I want this to go.  I can envision 3 bees milling about in the bottom right hand corner, and there will be some larkspur I think over on the left side.  That's all I know.  We'll just have to wait and see where this decides it wants to go.

Our friend Ninja, who was visiting us last week, took this photo on the Eastern U.S. leg of her road trip.  She gave me permission to paint from it.  I just love the effect of the reflections on the water.

This is my start.  I have just gessoed the art board and blocked in my major color areas.  Next, I'll start putting in the leaf reflections and building definition.

I've been admiring the mini books that Linda at Tortagialla is making.  I thought I'd try her TP roll mini book.  This is how far I've gotten.  I think this will be a really good project for using up a bunch of odds and ends and doo dads I have lying about.

And I've been crocheting little flowers to make another garland.  My poor fingers are feeling so arthritic these days.  I'm worried about all the ugly comments I've made during my life about my grandma's gnarly fingers.  I believe I've mentioned before that she did curse me, well my feet anyway - she said when I grew up they would look just like hers.  Probably she added my hands in there too.    Does anyone know any natural arthritis reliever?  Maybe I should go check my Friday's Herbals;)