“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” ....Oscar Wilde

Friday 20 March 2015

PPF Peony and the Eclipse

I can't believe that I missed the Paint Party Friday celebrations last week with Eva and Kristin.
So I'm making sure I don't miss it today... here's the link if you'd like to visit the party too.

But there's always a silver lining if you look hard enough because as part of the PPF 4th Birthday/Anniversary/Blogoversary celebrations there was a optional challenge and not one that I'd find easy. 
The challenge was to paint a self-portrait. 
(Gulp... thank goodness I missed that)
Now that would be have been a challenge for me...

So what have I been up to instead... let's take a look
It appears that I'm all in the pink this week. 
I'm even wearing a pink pashmina today!

My pink Mother's Day bouquet and card set me thinking about the summer blooms that hopefully will be appearing in my garden soon. 
The peony is one of my favourites...
As you can see I'm working on the kitchen table once more.
I decided to start this particular painting whilst the football was on the television.
I plugged in my earphones and had a brilliant time listening to classical music. 
Thankfully it blocked out the footy commentators, guru's, chants and my hubby's tactitional expertise!
But I don't have to use the kitchen table anymore because my daughter has relocated.
I now have my studio back... although there's some thinking and planning needed it's great to get back in here. She had lots of success whilst using the studio, so I'm hoping that the good positive vibes will inspire me too.  
That is if studio pooch will move over to let me have some space. 
It's amazing how popular this particular room is. 

If you'd like to see my daughter's new studio space here it is below... 
Cool isn't it? 
Here's a link if you'd like to see more of her work... click here and here

Before I head off to work on my peony, I thought you might like to see the eclipse that everyone is talking about here in the UK this morning. 
I didn't think we'd get to see anything here in Aberdeenshire, but we had a lucky break in the clouds and caught glimpses of it.
I think it worked out better having some cloud cover... it wasn't too bright or too much glare.
I probably will have poo-monia later as I stood outside for quite a time with soaking wet hair from my shower. I've hardly been about to warm up since, but I suppose these amazing specticals don't happen often and you have to sieze the moment. 
There was talk that the dogs would howl and the birds would stop singing, but that didn't happen. Muffty was still in her bed all snuggled up for the drop in temperature and the birds kept singing... maybe distracted by the fact that I'd just replenished the feeders and it was game on!
However there was a dog howling in the nearby woods but I suspect that he was just over excited with the rabbits running hither and thither.
These are not the best shots but considering I thought I wouldn't even see it, I suppose I should be grateful. 
Well that's it for today peeps... spring equinox, solar eclipse and a super moon tonight...
Phew...it's been quite a day but now it's time to paint.
Paint Party Friday

Have a fantastic Friday and a wonderful weekend
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Hope to see you soon

26 comments:

  1. Your painting looks great, attractive. I love the color.

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    1. Thanks John Paul... but I still want to do quite a lot more to it.
      I always seem to post unfinished work but I suppose that's better than nothing
      Thanks for stopping by to comment.
      Have a great weekend

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  2. Love your peony! Great job with the shading. I just heard about the eclipse thru 'Weaver of Grass' ....She wasn't that impressed either .... everything went on as normal ... She thought because it was only a partial eclipse...? Still they don't come around very often do they. so its an event! So glad your daughter has had so much success AND that you have your space back. :) Hugs! deb

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    1. The unfinished peony Deb... yep I'm here once again posting unfinished work.
      I'm hoping spring will have me spring into action!
      It's a little strange sitting here back in my space, but I suppose I'll soon get over it especially when I get my stuff sorted and into their new home. Most have been in boxes.
      Hugs back to you and I hope you have a great weekend.
      Must get back to my peony ;D

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  3. I love your painting - peonies are one of my favorite flowers, but it doesn't get quite cold enough for them where we live. I took a look at your daughter's illustrations as well - they are so much fun!! xoxo Silke

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    1. Oh thank you so much Silke, I have two big peony plants in my garden and I look forward to them (hopefully) reappearing.
      Their blooms are huge and so over the top but I love them for it.
      Thanks for popping over to Nic's place too.
      Have a great weekend and happy PPF to you

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  4. Nice painitng, and good photos of the eclipse - here we had fog! Valerie

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    1. Oh we've had quite a bit of fog earlier on in the week Valerie,
      On the night of the best aurora boliarus storm for years we were in the thick of the fog. So I never thought we'd see the eclipse.
      Thankfully the fog and mist have disappeared but today has been strange... it doesn't quite know what to do. We've had sunshine and showers. Rather like April than March.
      But with a spring equinox, solar eclipse and a super moon tonight, I suppose it's to be expected.
      Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a super weekend
      Happy PPF to you

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  5. Oh Denise your Peony is GORgeous!! What an amazing shade of pink you got. Nicely done!
    I was at work today and so didn't see much effect from the eclipse. however, I did need to go to the shop for milk and as it was very cloudy no actual vision of the eclipse could be seen, but it was eerily gloomy in the town and the birds certainly stopped singing around here; and then as soon as it started getting brighter they chirped up again. Hubs recorded Stargazing Live for me at 9am so I shall watch it this evening.
    Have a great weekend {{Hugs}} :o) xox

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  6. Sorry you missed the selfie last week...would love to see your attempt!! LOVE peony's as well....Mom had a pink peony bush when I was growing up and I always took them to the teachers at the end of the year....then I had one in my former home..and always wanted to get one here and never did!! Good idea!! Love your daughters art and the Mother clucker had me chuckling as did you poomonia...lol Seed doesn't fall far from the tree!! Gorgeous artwork my dear...that could be a huge seller in print!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  7. How very beautiful your peony is!

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  8. Your flower painting is beautiful! So much detail. And big wow your eclipse photo turned out brilliant. You were very lucky. I didn't see much except it git darker....my daughter lives un aberdeen and there too the cloud stopped any sign of the sun. :( ah well I guess I can wait till next time :)

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  9. what a gorgeous shade of pink for your peony painting! For a moment I thought your pooch was a lop eared bunny:):) Happy PPF!

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  10. What a beautiful eclipse. Your peony is a winner. Just beautiful. Great work.

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  11. Guess I slept thru the eclipse too. But I doubt I'd of been able to see due to heavy fog well into the morning. Love the pics you got of it. Welll, you sort of have your desk back. Looks like McMuffy is keeping reserved for daughter to come back to.... Te he Great start on the peony, love the colors. That's all from me today. A bit difficult typing with one finger one handed. Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs from chilly FL.

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  12. The peony is gorgeous and lucky you to even see a bit of the eclipse. It seems that whenever there is something exciting in the sky there are clouds. I also love the flowers on your work table. It must have been a beautiful Mothering Sunday with those.

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  13. love your pink peony! and thanks for the eclipse photos.

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  14. Beautiful peony painting! Our peonies will not be out in the garden until June. Love your eclipse photos. Happy PPF

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  15. What a view from your kitchen table, wonderful. Your painting looks lovely.
    We had a good eclipse, it became very cold and shadowy and the seagulls were circling overhead, obviously disturbed. So glad the sun was still there afterwards.

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    1. It's a view that I never tire of Sheila, there's always something to see. Maybe that's not the best thing... to have such a distraction when you're trying to paint but I love it.
      Yeah I was glad that the skies cleared after the eclipse and the sun came out for the remainder of the day. I just wish it would visit everyday!
      Have a great week ahead.

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  16. Hi Neesie,
    Nice peony painting! Oh, and bless little Muffin, what an adorable studio pal! I like your latest post - something about a photograph without any words. I see you're getting ready for next winter already.

    Oh, love your daughter's new studio -- especially the painted floor!!!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kaye, it's lovely to see you,
      I haven't finished the peony or moving back into the studio yet but I'm getting there. Muffy is no use she just leaves it all to me.
      I post a silent Sunday photo most weeks... trying to find something a little different to show everyone in the link up.
      Did you see what happened to Muffy in the last post. It was so frightening but hilarious all at once.
      Hugs back to you and thanks for popping over.
      I hope you have a great week ahead

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  17. What a lovely view you have from your kitchen! The painting makes it look all sunny and summery too :-) Great pics of the eclipse. I didn't see anything at all....

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  18. Neesie, your peony is absolutely stunning (and so is Muffy). Your picture of the eclipse is fantastic - sadly where we live, it was clouded over - it just went a little dark, but I have enjoyed seeing lots of wonderful photos. Thanks so much for your visit and lovely comment. Hope all is well with you. Hugs, Anne xx

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  19. the peony is beautiful. My mum has one she's had for more than 50 years at her first house, every time they've moved she's taken a part of it to grow in her new garden

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  20. I love the peony and your studio pooch :) Both so sweet.

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