The Treasure Chest Progress Report!

I've been doing some work on Mary Lu's Treasure Chest. Full sheets (22" x 30") can be so intimidating to paint! The jewelry pieces are coming along. Right now, there's no shadows in there so you still have that floating effect.

I haven't had much time to paint lately so every minute I do, I work on this because it's late and I really want to get it finished for her. I have not been able to work on anything else until this is done - and I mean not been able. I have a major block for doing anything because I feel so badly that this is not yet finished.

Long holiday weekend coming up here in Canada so I should be able to finish it this weekend. As well as start some other things I"m itching to do and get back to some drawing!!! Have a great Labour Day Weekend, Canucks!

Here's a few closeup shots:

I'm Dead Weight ....

Note: This posting has been edited to remove most of the 'rant'. I strongly feel that it shouldn't be included here with my art due to the negativity it contained and the negativity it constantly reminded me of each time I'd see it here. So, most of this post has been removed.

Online art groups are great. They are fantastic opportunities to learn and to grow and to share. I have found, through experience, that they can even be so much more beneficial than real time art groups. I belong to several of them. My absolute favourite is one (which shall remain un-named) in which four other friends and I started our own art group with the mandate of learning together and keeping the group private. (Since we often ‘rant’ together about anything we wish to rant about. For example, demanding group owners who want total obedience but it’s okay for themselves to break any rules. Shades of "all animals are equal but some are more equal than others".) Anyways, the five of us have grown so much and have become very good friends.

Then there’s the types of groups that are open to any painter who wishes to join. More great and wonderful opportunities to share. Over the years, one tends to ‘collect’ the best spots for sharing, the best spots for learning and the best spots to stay away from.