@parus @merpreb @lionness

The painting is in oil, although right now it looks almost like water color. I'm just laying in the main colors now and will be deepening the colors and adding the details later. I've never worked in oil this way before . . . when I was younger I just slathered it all on as quickly as possible and then mushed around with the details. I used a more abstract, multi-colored approach for everything, more like VanGogh's use of movement and color. I was always afraid that I couldn't make art that was lifelike. I like that approach, but I'm challenging myself to be more disciplined now. We'll see how I do. I'll send you updates as I get more done on this.

No, my husband isn't an old salt, LOL. He looks like he is, but we were actually on a boat tour of Morro Bay when I took this photo. He was very relaxed at the time.

Lioness, I keep hearing about OLLIE classes from my friend Anne. I'm going to look into their painting classes as well. I want to start the water color class as well, but don't have the time right now.

Yes, I find that drawing and painting makes everything else disappear. I lose myself in what I'm doing and time is irrelevant. I think they call that being in the "zone." I found that to be true when I was developing film and making black & white photos in my dark room 40 years ago. I loved it, but times change. I was fortunate to be able to attend an Ansel Adams Gallery Workshop at the University of Arizone when I was in my 20s. He asked me to work with him in the darkroom to see his method of developing his photographs during the workshop. I didn't know who he was at the time--wow! I like photography because I didn't have to worry about making lifelike art.

I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities I've had in my life. They have opened my horizons, my heart, my mind, and my spirit to learning and to meeting and accepting new people. I'm also grateful for Citalpram for taking the fear out of all my endeavors. Thanks for your feedback everyone.