Ooops, didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted. I've never taken such a long time away before. And I apologize for doing so.
The main reason for my absence was that I had a commission for a coral reef painting that had to be done by the beginning of June for the customer to give her mother for her birthday. The painting was large, 3 feet long(over a meter) and was Pacific species done mostly in light and pastel colors. There was a lot of corals and fish, including 2 sea horses, which the mother liked. I began in early March & finished it on one of the last days of May, so I did make the deadline, but it was an enormous amount of work. I was so afraid I wouldn't complete it in time that sometimes I couldn't sleep & would get up in the middle of the night to work on it. The customer was pleased with it & had time to get it framed before the mom's big day. I was extremely relieved that it came out well and on time.I took a photo of it, but haven't downloaded it yet.
I also had bronchitis for a couple of weeks, followed by a flare up of my u.colitis, probably due to the meds for the bronchitis. Those have both settled down by now, though I'm still coughing after eating, which is annoying. But at least I'm not coughing all of the time.
It's been very hot here this summer, with temperatures often in the 90F/30C range and Ohio is having it's dryest summer since 1913. That's 99 years ago! Because my hip and leg is hurting worse nowadays(which is either a pinched nerve or worsening arthritis), I bequeathed the corner flower bed to the neighbors. The family downstairs planted a lot of flowers, but do not water them, depending on the non-existent rain to keep them wet. So many of their flowers are shriveling up. It's upsetting to see the flowers dying, especially when it's preventable. When I was in charge of the area, I would refill a large watering can 2 or 3 times every night and completely soak the dirt. And I live on the 2nd floor! They are on the same level as door, so it would be easier for them to carry the water. I don't know why they wasted all of that time and money if they weren't going to take care of the plants.
Dora is fine and so are my fish. I'm working on some pictures to send to the Cold Blooded Creations show in August. Yesterday, I finished a pen & ink of an Eastern blue tongued lizard from Australia and next is a drawing of a European adder on a beach dune. I'm happy that I won't be rushing about at the last minute for that event. Well, I'll try to do a better job of updating on this site. I could start by posting some of the photos I've taken this year. I will do that soon!
