Building a Book

“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” 

― Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

I have not read Mr. (now deceased) Adams' books but I really related to his quote above.  In fact, I always feel that if a project is not complete before a deadline then I am really totally behind.  Makes no sense, it's just how I am.

To that end I am thrilled to hear the whooshing noise of a deadline go by as I finalize the last of several paintings and drawings I am doing for a friend's book on Marrakech, Morocco.  Not stealing her thunder nor revealing the gist until she (and others) hear their deadlines whoosh into publication, I nevertheless less will share some of the pieces I've sent.

grinding argon nuts in the Atlas Mountains, oil

camel waiting for a rider, pen and ink

mint tea service, oil

Mosque entrance, w/c in sketchbook

the rug souk, oil

pen and ink, portal

conundrum: I like the unfinished nature

of this piece so it is resting.

As the "real deadline" is actually another week away I

have time to tweak and cogitate...

WHOOSH........love that sound.

Next on the list.

COLORFULLY ON SCHEDULE,

Cindy

The Gentle Shove of a Deadline

Nothing like flipping over the calendar only to discover one is less than 4 weeks away from a deadline!  Usually I love having specific points of reference for project finishes, it helps to focus on keeping the main thing the main thing!  But yikes....so here we go with a need for speed and a critical look at several unfinished pieces.  Photographing them really helps to see them better for corrections.

Duneside, 11 x 14, underpainting

This little scene is from an area in Ponte Vedra, FL, a cozy little spot tucked in the sand dunes of the ocean...a lovely place to sit and dream.  Of course this is the first of many layers of paint and colors but I do want to stick to a predominately purple-ish tone and feel.  It was the gentle time of day when the sun was sinking and the gold light made everything so soft.  Lots more work to do.

UnNamed, 24 x 18, oil

work in progress

This piece is crying out for a name...suggestions?  There is more work to be done on the tree and its nest of roots as well as raising the sandbar in front of the water.  Roots like this are always so fascinating to me...and always so difficult to paint.  But I am anxious to get back to this one...I feel I have visited this scene many, many times.....

Heron, 30 x 24, oil

work in progress

I found this scene in the Everglades, FL.  There is still much to do on this very large piece but I like the vagueness of it in its present state.  It will be interesting to see where it goes....all this green calls for a little bit of pink dont you think?  and more blue?  hmmmm.  It could use a fancy name as well.

All of these pieces need to be finished and framed before the ArtWorks of Eau Gallie show on November 22.  The festival has added a patrons night before the opening which means that instead of working until the very last minute, putting up your tent and heading home to crash, we will be on site, gracious and smiling at 6 pm to greet the fine folks who make the show possible.

More on the show and my progress over the next week or two.  Meanwhile, if you are near Brevard County, FL mark the dates and come see us.  And cross your fingers I can get these done and dried before I hit the framers!

Colorfully yours,

Cindy