Wednesday, August 30, 2017

August Ramblings

August has been a busy month at our house with little time for painting.

This month’s Virtual Paint-Out trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina was non-productive. I spent quite a bit of time on the computer touring this interesting city but couldn’t find anything that I wanted to paint. And because my painting time was limited, I decided to wait for next month’s destination. 

I did sign up for Leslie Saeta’s September 30/30 Challenge. I’ve participated in her September and January Challenges for a number of years and always enjoyed the process. The daily painting, photographing and posting ritual adds a bit of urgency to the day and will force me back into my studio. And because there are no rules except “to have fun”, if I need to skip a day or two it’ll be okay. As an added bonus, these little paintings are always very popular in my Ebay Store.

I did start a few paintings this month and will share them later on. And, of course, I will be sharing all my 30/30 paintings. A busy painting time is coming up. Yes!

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. Our weather has been cool and I think it will be an early fall. Both of our grandkids are now in High School. Where did the time go?! I hope you had an enjoyable summer. I’m looking forward to a quieter season and more time to paint.

Thoughts and prayers for the people of Texas and Louisiana.  

Thanks for visiting,
Celene

www.CeleneFarris.com

My Ebay Store

Friday, August 4, 2017

Bees, Hornets and Painting Outside

I posted this a few years ago but it's worth reading again. Works with Deer Fly bites, too.
When painting outside, bees and hornets are often attracted to your wet oil paint with painful results. If you get stung, relief is right at hand. I thought I would share this amazing old-time remedy with you.

Yesterday I was stung by a small hornet while painting. Ouch! I immediately found some plantain leaves, crushed them between my fingers and applied them as a poultice to the sting. In less than five minutes the burning pain was completely gone. Today there is only a small red area to remind me - no itching or tenderness.


  
Plantain leaves are easy to find in lawns, fields and along the sides of the road. This humble weed seems to grow everywhere, at least here in the north. The crushed leaves produce a liquid that is good for all insect bites, poison ivy and other skin rashes, minor burns and abrasions. You can also use it in combination with olive oil to make a healing lotion.

Wishing you many happy painting adventures.

Celene