Seriously, I'd like some breakfast. Anyone? [Update! See bottom of post!]
I'm up at 5:30 am writing this, which is not something I'm doing for fun, because the only thing I do at 5:30 for fun is sleep or sleep-eat. But I happened to wake up at 4 in a mild panic about All The Things, my ever-growing list of work obligations, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something important I said I'd do. And now everyone is mad at me. (If I ever write a memoir I'm going to title it "Everyone is Mad at Me." Don't steal that! That's mine!)
It's great to have a huge work load, I know. I've had plenty of early-morning panics about not having enough work. This is better. I am okay with all the work; it's the NUMBER of different projects that I can't seem to wrap my head around. It's giving me a temporary case of ADD, an obsessive need to write list after list, and a strong yearning for a butler, or a chef. A chef-butler. At least someone to make me breakfast.
In the middle of all of this I'm trying to get off a Big Project off the ground, which I hope to unveil in a couple of weeks. Forgive me for being so secretive. I will remain alive for a while so that I may shortly reveal all. That is my pledge to you. ("I Will Remain Alive" is my second memoir title, written when I am frighteningly old. The cover will be a close-up of one of my eyes. When I die all the copies of the book will burst into flame. I've thought this through.)
In the meantime, here's a watercolor I did recently.
And another! 
I could do nothing but paint all the time. I love it so much. I think I'm an art nerd. Is that a thing? I'm walking around with the dog and I see a gnarled, stumpy tree and all I want to do is draw it. All the dog wants to do is pee on it. And then I want to draw the dog peeing. And then I do. I need help. Or art supplies! That shit is pricey.
Alice
Oh, you people are too good to me.
I took your advice/requests and created a Zazzle store. You can now purchase prints of the tree picture--in poster, card, or wrapped-canvas format, if you're fancy. I'll add more paintings, when I clean up some other scans I have. Thank you!
Reader Comments (58)
I want the tree paining. Sell it to me. Please.
I want the tree painting!! It is beautiful, just perfect. Please sell it to me?
I too enjoyed an early morning worry session. Though mine was before I fell asleep. And I ate my last yogurt yesterday...so I'm stumped for breakfast as well. Wow, we could be sisters.
'cept my paintings...well they're easily confused with my 6 year old's paintings. Oh yes, she's that good.
Waiting with baited breath for the unveiling of the new project. (maybe I should go brush my teeth now...breath would probably be less "baitlike")
Thanks for my morning giggle !
So jealous of your talent. If I ever try to draw something (I wouldn't even attempt paint), it looks like I have paws. I too, would love to buy prints of your work. I would love the tree and Charlie peeing.
That tree. Wow. Is it wrong that I'm imagining you painting it while using your patience Bob Ross voice to demonstrate? "It's just a happy tree."
Also, MomVee made me choke on my damn apple Tootsie Frootie. Branches!
yes, where's the ETSY shop? I want to buy one of your watercolors, please.
Love your painting. Love your writing. More, please?
I'm excited about whatever the secret project is and I LOVE both of the watercolors, but ... I just ... I can't even ... The second one. Is a watercolor. It's a watercolor My sweet lord, I love it so much!
I'm excited about whatever the secret project is and I LOVE both of the watercolors, but ... I just ... I can't even ... The second one. Is a watercolor. It's a watercolor My sweet lord, I love it so much!
Love the tree!!
I thought the second painting was a photo and that it would turn out that you were making a joke. I mean that as a compliment, although it doesn't remotely sound like one. It's just that the branches were so amazing--I think it's awesome and lifelike.
I want the tree! You are to give it to the woman who gave you life and the painting gene you obviously inherited from me. I am quitting work and opening an art gallery. Your tree, churches and street scenes along with my stick figures and color-in-the lines sketches will make us a fortune.
Hey darlin - email me your address. I will send muffins. You can be my taste tester.
We all love the tree painting so much - please make up some nice printed art cards of it & sell them on Etsy or Zazzle so we can all have it?
We all love the tree painting so much - please make up some nice printed art cards of it & sell them on Etsy or Zazzle so we can all have it?
LOVE the tree. I concur with the Etsy shop unless it would give you more anxiety. If that is the case, just post the lovely pictures. I was awake with an anxiety attack as well...being busy is SO much better than the opposite but then you have to think about ALL THE THINGS.
Take care...
Wow, I'm a total tree nerd, and that tree is beautiful, but I'm secretly relieved that everyone else is flipping out about the tree painting, because it increases the chances that I'll be able to make off with the one of the church in the snow...
Alice! Have you heard of aswexpress.com? Discount art supplies. They are awesome. I've ordered many a thing from them and it's inexpensive and they ship from one of the carolinas, so it would get to you right quick!
I, too, love the tree! Prints. Etsy. Make my day.
Alice, I'm like the many many others who have leapt into love with your paintings, stared at them, kind of fallen over mentally with envy, picked themselves back up again, stared some more. Yep, they're "fall over mentally" wonderful. The highest praise I could think of before breakfast!
Thanks for setting up the shop. Little happy dance now. Dancing before breakfast! Must. Go. Eat.
I hate that early morning panic! It is especially frustrating when it's over work, when I've wanted more work, but then when I get it it always seems to be a huge amount, because it never rains without pouring. I miss having a steady job. It's the huge fluctuations in the schedule (not to mention, um, the pay) that are killing me here.
And that tree, it IS gorgeous. You are so talented!
"A chef-butler"...isn't that called "a husband"?
Right. Mine doesn't either.
In your first paragraph I kind of feel that your in the verge of panic. LOL... Even if you suddenly realize that you have lots of stuff to do in life, I'm glad that you still sit back and relax and paint those beautiful pictures. Its a great way to de-stress. :) I'd like to try that technique of your sometime. :)
I am not trying to tell you what to do, but if you put the one of the building from 1/27, I know a certain person (it's me!) who would buy a print in a heartbeat. Just saying.
Meredith! I tried the other day but it didn't look right, for some reason. Weird scan? I'm going to try again. Thanks!