Brrrrrr ~ This has been one of the coldest winters here in Virginia that I can remember since I've been living here. I know spring is around the corner though. I usually wish for more snow, but this winter has granted my wishes and more. We're supposed to get around 3 more inches of snow and sleet tomorrow, ugh. I've been lazy at visiting my friend's blogs and painting but I'm hoping to catch up one of these days. I painted these two aceo sized ones (below) this past week.
Two More Lynxie Tree ACEO Paintings and the Antics of Suzie (below) ~ I made these two paintings with acrylics, charcoal pencils in both black and white, and crystal glitter. I didn't even know that charcoal pencils came in white until my recent trip to Michaels to get more brushes. I used the white charcoal in the aceo below. I haven't felt much like painting recently because of the rotten summer cold I've had this week. Rob and I both have been sick and coughing for over a week now, blah!
Mr. Bumblebee enjoying some pollen
Puddin', NO, that is not something you can play with, leave it alone!! I wasn't getting too close, but this looked like a harmless black snake and it finally went up a tree.
Avoid this plant like the plague ~ if you see it! ~ Because I found out too late that it's poison ivy! I was out there about a week ago wondering what this kind of pretty but fast growing vine was growing all over the fence in one spot. I was out there, without gloves, cutting and pruning it down and carrying the branches off to the burn pile. A few days later, the itchy blisters was appearing on my left hand, both legs, and tonight I have some new blisters up my left arm. Ugh, I can't believe I didn't recognize poison ivy and all my life I knew to beware of plants with three leaves! My daughter's boyfriend came out today and sprayed it with something to get rid of it.
Dogs Just Wanna Have Fun Too! ~ That's what Suzie seems to be saying as she's playing in her little pool! It's hard to believe we've had her a little less than two months and how sick she was after we first brought her home! She is rowdy and rambunctious now and she has sure found a place in our hearts! We went shopping at Petsmart yesterday and got her a couple of new toys and a new pink glow-in-the-dark collar!
Here are two new Lynxie Tree aceos I finished this week, done in acrylics, charcoal pencil and black ink. The first one was inspired by all the lightning bugs (or fireflies) flashing right at dusk in the backyard. We used to have so much fun trying to catch them when I was a child...they made warm summer nights seem magical!
More Lynxie Tree aceos with skinny crescent moons ~ I haven't been doing a lot of painting lately, but I did finish these three aceos. I love using the black ink with a spray of water to make interesting shapes, the light reflective acrylics, my medium charcoal pencil and the crystal glitter. I make these in stages and after putting a layer of gloss or matte medium as a finish, I sprinkle the crystal glitter only on the areas I want to sparkle. For some reason, I am fascinated with the trees and the moon and painting these are just soo much fun!
More Lynxie Trees and a Suzie Update ~ I haven't been painting much lately, but I did paint three more Lynxie Tree aceos. Suzie the new pup has had some rough days since I last posted, but wow, look out now! She is looking soo much better and she is sooo hyper energetic lol! Her nose discharge finally cleared up and she has been eating like a little pig. We had to loosen up her collar a notch today. I'm so relieved that she is almost completely well now and my only problem is trying to keep her from trying to chew my hands off every time I go out in the yard, she's a little nipper! :) 
New Lynxie Trees ~ I've been delving into the land of abstraction with these lately and it's been fun! These are both aceos on wc paper and I used everything but the kitchen sink in these-acrylics, including metallic gold and pearl colors, medium charcoal pencil, black ink, and crystal glitter.
Wash Me ~ Can you tell the tree pollen is just crazy right now? My car was washed (thanks to Rob) just a couple of days ago! It's like a fine yellow dust coating everything, including the pansy bloom below. They have bloomed out so pretty and just a few months ago they were covered in snow! The last picture is of a sunrise cactus I gave my mom-in-law for Easter. Her husband had to go through surgery monday but he is doing much better now.
Colorful Sunset and more Lynxie Trees ~ We've had some really nice colorful sunsets lately and I was glad to capture this on my camera this evening right before the sun went down. I liked how the headlights showed up in the picture 
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! ~ And if you're not wearing at least a little something green today, here's a virtual *pinch* for ya! :p
More Lynxie Trees and a Colorful Sunset ~ Ahh, I can hear the spring frogs singing at dusk now and that means that spring is right around the corner! I am so glad, this has been such a long cold hard snowy winter for so many here in the U.S. I know we got way more snow than usual this winter so I'm ready for spring. Back to daylight savings time, don't forget to set your clock ahead one hour this weekend!
More Lynxie Tree ACEOs ~ I keep saying I would like to paint something larger but I've only been painting these small ones lately. I love using the light reflecting gold and pearl acrylics, the medium charcoal pencil, black ink and crystal glitter in some of these. I've been having fun with these and listing them for auction in ebay. I hope everyone had a great weekend; they're forcasting snow for us here tomorrow night, bleecchh!! At least it's only going to be around an inch but Wednesday morning will be a mess.
