Friday, July 31, 2015

Around Here Lately


Around here lately I've been painting on 20 x 20 inch canvases...this is just the start.


Reading a Pulitzer Prize winner -  this one is on the bestseller list at Barnes and Noble right now.



Tried my hand at making mushroom bruschetta. 


Sketching and jotting down ideas for paintings.


Beating the heat by spending the cooler mornings on the patio with coffee and book in hand.


Taking long walks along the river.



Making regular time for the studio...even on dark and drippy days.

What have you been doing this week?

♥ Lisa

24 comments:

  1. Lisa, this is one of the loveliest posts I've read in a long time. Thank you for the personal glimpse into your beautiful world. And bet that bruschetta was a big hit!

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    1. Thanks Chris! The bruschetta was really amazing...the key is to use mixed mushrooms and a really good bread.

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  2. Loved all your photos. Thanks for sharing. Lovely patio. When I'm not reading, writing or editing, I'm doing much the same as you, except I have entered a still life fruit and vege phase, and i'm into faces and figures. But lately it has been sunflowers and roses in a milk jug. Some I have worked from sketches. As usual, I find your art inspiring. Its definitely your quirky characters. Have a pleasant weekend. :)

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    1. Sound like you have a wonderful variety of painted subject Jacqueline. Flowers in a jug sound pretty charming. Thanks so much for the comment! I saw you just finished an Amy Tan book...I loved The Joy Luck club, both the book and the move.

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  3. i've been figuring out instagram with the help of someone named lisa. ; )

    gonna have to read 'the goldfinch'.

    love everything, lisa, especially your sketchbook...

    xoxo

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    1. I am thinking you would love the book Lynne. Love love that you are on IG!

      xoxo

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  4. It sounds like you are doing lovely summery things. It is hot here too, not so much drippy and dark.
    your recipe makes me consider a dish i will bring to a friends in a few day. always a joy to see your sketches and painting.

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    1. I hope your dish comes out wonderful. Thank you for your comment Tammie and stay cool!

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  5. It made my day happier by reading this neat post. I know I am going to love your new painting when it is finished because I love the start.
    Wish I could have seen the sunflowers by the river when I was there...but I remember how everything was so beautiful anyway!
    Such a neat studio - you put me to shame.

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    1. Hi Julie! It makes me happy you enjoyed the post and that you have fond memories of Wichita. It's hot here like Las Cruces. I check your weather often and we are pretty much the same.

      Since my studio is small, I try to put everything away at the end of my painting sessions, otherwise it gets out of hand and Mitsou tears into everything. Then I can't find anything. I often find sponges and other mark-making tools in the foyer outside the studio and the kitchen. She's a mess!

      Thanks for your comment friend!

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  6. Great post. So much information said beautifully.

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  7. Your post is warm, charming and personal...as though I have received a letter through snail mail from my KS friend. Remember snail mail letters?

    Well, Lisa, it is not dark and drippy here in Albuquerque. Mostly sunny, but also some drips as NM is in the monsoon season. The state is almost out of a drought.

    I just completed reading Carol Marine's book. I am sure I am the last to do so.

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    1. Hello Carol! Love the analogy. Glad your drought is almost over. We had a bad one a couple years ago and it just about wiped out a massive Maple in the yard at our old house. Sad when that happens!

      I have Carol Marine's book too and was a wonderful and helpful read. I doubt your the last to read it! I'm sure Carol hopes that's not the case too. :)

      Thank you for your kind comment!

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  8. Excellent post and painting, Lisa! And love all you photos!

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  9. This is such a beautiful post. I loved all the photos. I especially like your table/desk in front of the window in your studio. What a perfect place to dream and create and write.

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    1. Hi Janet. I do love working there. I can watch the birds, trees and occasional dog-walker or biker go by. Thanks for dropping by!

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  10. Recently started The Goldfinch and just couldn't seem to get into it. My two weeks were up before I'd gotten 1/4 of the way into the book. Anyway, that bruschetta looks amazing!

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    1. I have so started so many books that I could not get into. I was relieved when this one captured my attention because I was starting to worry I would never find a good fiction read again. The bruschetta was excellent and very easy to make.

      Thanks for your visit Crimson! :)

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  11. It all looks rather lovely to me....kind of makes me yearn for a nice simple backyard...and a book-and I find it so hard to find time to read here, unlike my old life where I'd read a lot...it will happen again though. Love your art.

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    1. Hi Katherine, it just thrills me you would take the time away from your busy life to comment on here. I do hope you will get the time to relax and read somehow. Give the animals a hug from Kansas...each and every one of them. Love your art too...you are an inspiration to many. I look at your book all the time.

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  12. 20x20is my favourite size of canvas. It is so aesthetically pleasing somehow!live the sketching and your photographs of the river. You are so lucky to have such wonderful views!

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    1. Hi Morag, thanks for your comments! You know, when I first started painting I worked on a lot of squares. I just loved them, but broke away to a lot of 9 x 12. That seemed to be the size to get a work out quickly and also one that art collectors could afford. Now that I am working on these 20 x 20's I am wanting to change things up. Working even larger would be great, but space to safely store the finished pieces is an issue.

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