tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92049475905725536422024-02-19T10:58:32.459-05:00Melissa Harris - Creating Magic on CanvasImages and musings celebrating my passion for life, love, nature and magicMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-27911531748088915212011-08-23T13:04:00.000-04:002011-08-23T13:04:57.530-04:00Dolphins and MermaidsWell, it's getting to be the end of Mermaid season for this one here. We've had a cool, rainy summer and I'm wondering even if today my lake will be too cool to swim in. Gonna give it a go anyhow. So in honor of these blissful summer swims I present you my Count Your Blessings Pendant. Any of my images are available in pendants and earrings in case you didn't know.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg7aMozOhPOlhG-2uhKuC9kDEZjRTSEfRmMCuVqTvgSxeTJBCK8tTZ9pyKcXFqBLmHWPrvJQ02X9rElhF5ZFzIJ3bnrH6dX0Fhpk8whbj3xVa1oGX4TiNd2zszdls8k59hPTV200qQXxx/s1600/dolphin-pendant+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjg7aMozOhPOlhG-2uhKuC9kDEZjRTSEfRmMCuVqTvgSxeTJBCK8tTZ9pyKcXFqBLmHWPrvJQ02X9rElhF5ZFzIJ3bnrH6dX0Fhpk8whbj3xVa1oGX4TiNd2zszdls8k59hPTV200qQXxx/s1600/dolphin-pendant+copy.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Here is a link to them on my website. <a href="http://melissaharris.com/creatrix/jewelry.shtml">http://melissaharris.com/creatrix/jewelry.shtml</a><br />
and here is a link to my Economy line of jewelry. <a href="http://melissaharris.com/creatrix/jewelry-economy.shtml"> http://melissaharris.com/creatrix/jewelry-economy.shtml</a><br />
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Enjoy. Melissa <br />
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Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-67871898429135013062011-08-22T17:14:00.000-04:002011-08-22T17:14:32.858-04:00Getting into color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXUzzEEI7HcLTJkOszr6paxsAMFOksyKIQA9PVyPJvQW6q7mdBnn6wzQk6z3F4vYbNvNnY_gi7f3P0kcQ4CjqLxkWTaNUXKqjlf5GMfwFyITgW2Eewc8zN1yfXUoS3OFZ9J_lBbWMKVkJ/s1600/paint-tube-copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXUzzEEI7HcLTJkOszr6paxsAMFOksyKIQA9PVyPJvQW6q7mdBnn6wzQk6z3F4vYbNvNnY_gi7f3P0kcQ4CjqLxkWTaNUXKqjlf5GMfwFyITgW2Eewc8zN1yfXUoS3OFZ9J_lBbWMKVkJ/s1600/paint-tube-copy.gif" /></a></div><br />
Every so often I get stuck on a particular color that I like to use over and over in my paintings. This couple of weeks it's been a color called Fanchon Red by Williamsburg paints which is the cadillac of oil paint companies. Their tubes are really heavy because they use so much pigment as opposed to fillers which make the colors that much more vibrant. I used this color mixed with Prussian Blue in the post below. It's funny because I've had it lying around for some years and haven't used it. Now, my next project will be to see if I can keep my brushes and paint tubes from getting full of paint. I guess it's a habit like anything else. I just have to wipe them off..... HHHmmmnnnnnn discipline......<br />
Till then, MelissaMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-87781745787852622152011-08-12T08:30:00.004-04:002011-08-12T08:45:14.192-04:00End of Day Image Blast<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZ-IVDOY7ZY_zRiXqLQToLf8yHs4La89TuZ8T7yofE-txKlRsKmc-i1JvhNaV1Q14ToiDON-hd51Clcq8lq6CqNs7hxQHoJWCZx3LCAvrXegvIUKOxCeK5s9-tv6gNUnLX6MaRuhRO0v/s1600/couch.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDZ-IVDOY7ZY_zRiXqLQToLf8yHs4La89TuZ8T7yofE-txKlRsKmc-i1JvhNaV1Q14ToiDON-hd51Clcq8lq6CqNs7hxQHoJWCZx3LCAvrXegvIUKOxCeK5s9-tv6gNUnLX6MaRuhRO0v/s320/couch.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639949014773482066" border="0" /></a>
<br />Sometimes I will be standing around the studio and flash on an idea that I just <span style="font-style: italic;">have to paint now.</span> That happened yesterday just as I was cleaning up and preparing to leave the studio. My eye landed on a small canvas ( I had painted over a painting ) and all of a sudden I saw how a photo I had taken would work so well on that background and actually saw in my mind's eye how the painting would lay out.
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<br />Lately I am doing small studies and then making them into larger canvases, something I never would have had the patience to do in earlier days.
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<br />This painting carries the mood of the series I have been working on only with different subject matter.
<br />Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-72764170897279630942011-08-02T11:25:00.005-04:002011-08-02T11:34:22.707-04:00Doodling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX9pPDgpBwL49WpZ-9zYlo5AWHJn-iMpScF-st1ZL91PaoODQB70syrhdAOHVJH3IMucujFfF7jf4ycpMCKDg_3eqxMWEZV_90OKTnRah89sGBW3DLrgTRtIsdSv-MesofeOY6xTNGDlR/s1600/couple-on-rocks.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX9pPDgpBwL49WpZ-9zYlo5AWHJn-iMpScF-st1ZL91PaoODQB70syrhdAOHVJH3IMucujFfF7jf4ycpMCKDg_3eqxMWEZV_90OKTnRah89sGBW3DLrgTRtIsdSv-MesofeOY6xTNGDlR/s320/couple-on-rocks.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636282052243150114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try 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</w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I like to paint wherever I am and whatever I am doing if possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some folks call this doodling - you know, when you scribble while you are on the phone, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I take my paints wherever I go and even will paint on the beach while everyone else is busy doing the usual beach things.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Long ago I thought there was nothing to paint there but nowadays I'll just paint whoever happens to be around and it's a great exercise at quickly noting where the light falls and anatomy etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Some people prefer knitting :-)</p><p class="MsoNormal">here are some beach doodles</p><p class="MsoNormal">soon I'll have to do some lake doodles but normally I just jump in, swim and back to the studio</p><p class="MsoNormal">I LOVE SUMMER<br /></p>Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-58614142727159190512011-07-28T12:40:00.002-04:002011-07-28T13:03:26.049-04:00New series Old series<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3flf5ueHnAAwmda_CU_ZC6Rsnr7pifsI5rDy6kl-qaDBeRzskihHR0PAvW3eic6BU0HeoJlsQ_9QyxjV0esP3KnB0h-er7Sv7GHyDT2_ES8sZVAmO1q7PBMOUxHf4bvVAYlkR0P0H9Njs/s1600/COUPLE.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3flf5ueHnAAwmda_CU_ZC6Rsnr7pifsI5rDy6kl-qaDBeRzskihHR0PAvW3eic6BU0HeoJlsQ_9QyxjV0esP3KnB0h-er7Sv7GHyDT2_ES8sZVAmO1q7PBMOUxHf4bvVAYlkR0P0H9Njs/s320/COUPLE.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634449832035980754" border="0" /></a><br />It's been awhile since I posted here but that doesn't mean I haven't been painting like a fool or like a fool that loves to paint. I'm working on 2 different series at a time which is not always the case. Normally I work on more than one <span style="font-style: italic;">painting </span>at a time but now more than one series. I usually need to be in the mood to work on a series in order to capture that energy but sometimes I can roam in and out.<br /><br />And sometimes I return to series that I began many years ago and add to it. Here is a study I just did for a larger painting that is part of my Intimacy series. What do you think?Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-31332748700722972252010-06-23T09:07:00.002-04:002010-06-23T09:12:12.663-04:00on the weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7beZWvXfYXCRrim0C6xtV7gFHqhF3SN2n3X78rPiRS1f3oxgsmcKYHocglvNJKW7S_ESGqmXFDqRkwzZkYseIDMSQ5CHtnemw9lcKh7jhydTod9XkODzwl6DFhSHXvTnxlWnRObhsFHZU/s1600/set-up-at-harkness.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7beZWvXfYXCRrim0C6xtV7gFHqhF3SN2n3X78rPiRS1f3oxgsmcKYHocglvNJKW7S_ESGqmXFDqRkwzZkYseIDMSQ5CHtnemw9lcKh7jhydTod9XkODzwl6DFhSHXvTnxlWnRObhsFHZU/s320/set-up-at-harkness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485955460490729026" border="0" /></a>I love painting atHarkness state park in CT on the weekends. This particular garden which I always call "my sacred garden" is my fav. I learned last weekend that the woman who lived there and created it did so in honor of the sacred feminine and wanted to honor all the stages of a woman's life. There is a special section that glows irredescent in the full moon. No wonder I've always felt so special there.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-62134090282485209732010-06-06T15:04:00.003-04:002010-06-06T15:08:00.915-04:00Liking it<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW6Dtpw0ps5MboyTE9lscJnahXryrR2NQMFYdTlcPSzJRYu3VnDZmtCaX8GrO3JCff2V6g90aqmhowcB8FHMwRBn8wELzMt4hVCWU5C3KFF0XtDeFyBcQh9CV9AKvYDWJnsq8iNE8dxwx/s1600/A-Different-Point-of-View--.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW6Dtpw0ps5MboyTE9lscJnahXryrR2NQMFYdTlcPSzJRYu3VnDZmtCaX8GrO3JCff2V6g90aqmhowcB8FHMwRBn8wELzMt4hVCWU5C3KFF0XtDeFyBcQh9CV9AKvYDWJnsq8iNE8dxwx/s320/A-Different-Point-of-View--.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479738755157519474" border="0" /></a>I recently finished this painting kinda by default. A wonderful woman came to my studio for a Spirit Essence Portrait and saw it on my easel. I t wasn't officially finished but she wanted to purchase it just as it was. I scurried to have it professionally photographed and then put a few coats of spray varnish on it for protection. I really love this piece and perhaps she saved me from overworking it by buying it right then!Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-88960303348900159092010-06-05T14:32:00.002-04:002010-06-05T14:39:26.587-04:00Gearing up for Workshop<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoWVd_ki7GYod59z50Co94IMcDQSGd-2ki_fdXyQdHISMpN6TAEi_rPZ7uxxzhbEyj7LFCwd2-d5KX-2DTYOvm8jMV27Xh8daUIhI_DaBq8YpBRO2UxMMByAyYLRFmXg_84vJcGsN17aK/s1600/studio.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoWVd_ki7GYod59z50Co94IMcDQSGd-2ki_fdXyQdHISMpN6TAEi_rPZ7uxxzhbEyj7LFCwd2-d5KX-2DTYOvm8jMV27Xh8daUIhI_DaBq8YpBRO2UxMMByAyYLRFmXg_84vJcGsN17aK/s320/studio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479359977391247426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDo_pILPI1wsIbc6JcwYndY_IsdZEW_gDsg3A2HavMcUnIyI9WoEFmr7Y89shEquDFtJx96OtfIhpfoagBRzhJhixWPXj2z-P0vgc_GZSHh7I5av191T79lOTPhwONVHsIewPHRKlqvf5/s1600/fire-circle-Beltane.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDo_pILPI1wsIbc6JcwYndY_IsdZEW_gDsg3A2HavMcUnIyI9WoEFmr7Y89shEquDFtJx96OtfIhpfoagBRzhJhixWPXj2z-P0vgc_GZSHh7I5av191T79lOTPhwONVHsIewPHRKlqvf5/s320/fire-circle-Beltane.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479359699408606274" border="0" /></a>I've been having fun the last couple of days dreaming up what we will be doing at the next "Painting Outside the Lines" workshop I am teaching here at my studio July 10 weekend. I love teaching and really get into the creative as well as psychic process that goes along with creating each weekend. I like to taylor make them so that they function at the highest capacity for stretching in a comfortable manner for each individual. The top photo is my wonderful studio and the bottom is a photo from the last weekend we had here. This time it may be too hot for a fire circle - We'll see. Meanwhile, I'm off for a swim now. Happy Weekend.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-29116307775697991392010-05-19T12:03:00.004-04:002010-05-19T12:14:14.907-04:00Tar Baby<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQTeRxZeJoPUnoickqDLGqGS38q2nAoXKq3-wYEwWvgBSemEsKQ2CrLizk0cXZsT9L55m4nbCJlpQw9SarJD0JaZ9ZdvzUJR_kUw-a7o0NnyBUxQUm8uBWD_rU7bsVPwPsN3hvqkYHsu-/s1600/choices-2.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQTeRxZeJoPUnoickqDLGqGS38q2nAoXKq3-wYEwWvgBSemEsKQ2CrLizk0cXZsT9L55m4nbCJlpQw9SarJD0JaZ9ZdvzUJR_kUw-a7o0NnyBUxQUm8uBWD_rU7bsVPwPsN3hvqkYHsu-/s320/choices-2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473014256815892706" border="0" /></a><br />That phrase came to mind last night. I have been in the midst of some difficult decisions that I just can't seem to get clarity on at this time. Know what I mean? I was thinking that if I had time I'd paint it out. Right now I'd like to be in one of my own art-making workshops because I'd love to work this out in paint. For now, this image probably best illustrates my state of mind, pondering, so many doors, windows, choices. Thank the Goddess that there <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> choices.<br /><br />Till then, Melisssa<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO9m8z0Oh5UGReuVPfGMVbT6rpKhnY85zuV04pmzMF03Va2CBN3Ybm_uhuSYOhnC0NOLDSlROPMe4-1IPkGnYuKMVmZQtrSGRdcNpFev-EFfpoqEo8AkVyIiuXE5wS-6PmOPIw6jRbv7w/s1600/Choices+2.jpg"><br /></a>Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-41229993548579890462010-03-25T18:23:00.003-04:002010-03-25T18:25:55.542-04:00Totem Animals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI24e6CYBmaYFZMczMmo0sezVD_1IPKAfB1d1g_kMR2yFBZ14-jpJmix542zxu9MNhOCtN4NCgoMnz5WmCVDhDFIUZOjYmoTgh79Z2kbPl8Cx0JY8-rDLeGJIYvF1P6eQiSaXlh9CPwX1A/s1600/Susan-&-Tiger-.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI24e6CYBmaYFZMczMmo0sezVD_1IPKAfB1d1g_kMR2yFBZ14-jpJmix542zxu9MNhOCtN4NCgoMnz5WmCVDhDFIUZOjYmoTgh79Z2kbPl8Cx0JY8-rDLeGJIYvF1P6eQiSaXlh9CPwX1A/s320/Susan-&-Tiger-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452700892516087682" border="0" /></a>Nice to have help in spirit. We all have animal spirit helpers and they change from time to time depending on our needs. I often see them when I do reading for folks.<br /><br />I started this particular watercolor quite a long time ago and recently felt the call to go back and finish it. I like the way it turned out.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-24767210329564846902010-03-15T10:39:00.002-04:002010-03-15T10:59:45.991-04:00Dead is a Long Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHac7EaORUvZfIwzdU1ws8F-T-sw06T5UcIMNCl7nE6PGefv2CG3_mQ3C22vGMhHy4e-FLkeMveU4ERwOKzUPYTv4NNbEGE-UgY6zgTqPSJVAkfTan4Z2nvmHN1YBhsHoud8Ik13-lF1z/s1600-h/dancing-together-adjusted-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHac7EaORUvZfIwzdU1ws8F-T-sw06T5UcIMNCl7nE6PGefv2CG3_mQ3C22vGMhHy4e-FLkeMveU4ERwOKzUPYTv4NNbEGE-UgY6zgTqPSJVAkfTan4Z2nvmHN1YBhsHoud8Ik13-lF1z/s320/dancing-together-adjusted-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448875445840151714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMavtN2tlrjcdpdfQIr_Efco4wgHMdvCJzVOSQtXdiZvJ5DymCtNsGXyJvT0jQ2O3K1ck-CBcdbI6tcnDdqhnt2gxtI4cnvpZcUmZMHCfJwhnb9GCdhMN-NMEpXb-jZIeTisJzolnXczw/s1600-h/Hawaii.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMavtN2tlrjcdpdfQIr_Efco4wgHMdvCJzVOSQtXdiZvJ5DymCtNsGXyJvT0jQ2O3K1ck-CBcdbI6tcnDdqhnt2gxtI4cnvpZcUmZMHCfJwhnb9GCdhMN-NMEpXb-jZIeTisJzolnXczw/s320/Hawaii.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448872099050507202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It has been a little over a month since my friend Kathy Blaine died. I miss her. It's not that we spent all that much time but we shared deeply and our time together always involved lots of laughs. She died a painful death (cancer). Her friends and brother really rallied to make her last days on earth as pleasant as possible under such conditions and her attitude was amazing. She accepted death in a way that astounded those of us around her. She was someone that didn't need much at all in the material world. In fact her last few years she traveled with one suitcase and a dog. That's it. She moved frequently and wanted to keep things to a minimum. Once she mentioned that she only had 3 pair of underwear (hence the need to do laundry frequently) so I offered her some of mine. She refused them, wanting to keep her possessions as I said to a minimum.<br /><br />In any case, I wanted to share a bit this morning before I begin work a couple of paintings that I did while I was visiting with Kathy in 2007 in Hawaii. Her brother lives there and we had a great week together. I was in visual heaven. Be at peace Kathy. I miss you.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-26859208356182712010-03-08T20:57:00.002-05:002010-03-08T21:06:28.945-05:00At the River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2Vi-IRZJjGMNkfXhT9MymDpavh2tIgTfJ22PdDcDoANOyyXACl5MkrnSMf3_P7OWtvbaauWJ2l-N-klT6wpBI77HkueeBarb6ZKMSdFwR5LmH-FpF5C-aUYj4o9aPW5rYxgpdWlChGtx/s1600-h/Santa-Fe-River-2-10-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2Vi-IRZJjGMNkfXhT9MymDpavh2tIgTfJ22PdDcDoANOyyXACl5MkrnSMf3_P7OWtvbaauWJ2l-N-klT6wpBI77HkueeBarb6ZKMSdFwR5LmH-FpF5C-aUYj4o9aPW5rYxgpdWlChGtx/s320/Santa-Fe-River-2-10-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446447617933960402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg229GP2HA-xC3DgZAzR-FGrXOmtPm2rwSoqkmImv0BGy1FQfG2_hZT4R53HuMJqIhE-z8U5YATYo5Okn129oZj5y5Y_w_fVkkY_cC2yV7hyOveKq43xRWnSYloLK0bcdDFoIUAp5SY9qDX/s1600-h/river.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg229GP2HA-xC3DgZAzR-FGrXOmtPm2rwSoqkmImv0BGy1FQfG2_hZT4R53HuMJqIhE-z8U5YATYo5Okn129oZj5y5Y_w_fVkkY_cC2yV7hyOveKq43xRWnSYloLK0bcdDFoIUAp5SY9qDX/s320/river.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446447492997250626" border="0" /></a>I just returned from one of my treasured spots in this country which is High Springs Florida. <br />This cute little town is "old Florida" at it's best. It's teeny and mellow and it was the last stop on my recent 3 week trip to Florida where I was hard at work doing my Spirit Essence Portraits. There is a river shanty that I am lucky enough to stay at that is right in front of this scene that I have both photographed (from last year) and painted (this year). For whatever reason I just love sitting here in this place. The wildlife is incredible. Both this year and last year I saw an eagle as well as the egrets, turtles, owls, etc. I miss it already but I don't think I could take Florida on a year round basis.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-38009450689333882932010-01-22T09:15:00.002-05:002010-01-22T09:18:55.826-05:00It's All Red<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtd2Sii2aNts-B3tzk8MZobzetOX8LYrfWiOHPQLGzXjNthGdkJcdiYviLJ7NlZnetF1PlXJB8PhEkDVJAMNLZxsPoZScJSRgcgZkjoKEqF8RtZKwNLJWt2BQIDErgmODdGhiit-0tD0K/s1600-h/Drumbeat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtd2Sii2aNts-B3tzk8MZobzetOX8LYrfWiOHPQLGzXjNthGdkJcdiYviLJ7NlZnetF1PlXJB8PhEkDVJAMNLZxsPoZScJSRgcgZkjoKEqF8RtZKwNLJWt2BQIDErgmODdGhiit-0tD0K/s320/Drumbeat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429567991097005106" border="0" /></a><br />It's been awhile but I've been bizzy...... Here is a painting I did quickly (my fav way) of a friend, Samantha Stephenson who is part of the Gypsy Nomads. Google them, they are a great band, and as their name implies they travel all over so you may be able to catch them live. I like the freshness here, the looseness, my favorite way to paint. I think it carries the energy of the music nicely.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-2855223592992033682010-01-05T14:53:00.002-05:002010-01-05T14:57:33.541-05:00Day 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_CQrYeFp5vNbwpTB14PhBNIPcwv6NGSZfC5crce1JapC1kUX6mp6vCBg9hKMmXJQ3R6LnMJiffk0KHf7-_peHpGqLoVleCs9aelfWhLC3wmDLuF1HBzidXJsL7u-owulXqbBMuJufKQN/s1600-h/day-3-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_CQrYeFp5vNbwpTB14PhBNIPcwv6NGSZfC5crce1JapC1kUX6mp6vCBg9hKMmXJQ3R6LnMJiffk0KHf7-_peHpGqLoVleCs9aelfWhLC3wmDLuF1HBzidXJsL7u-owulXqbBMuJufKQN/s320/day-3-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423347253090493394" border="0" /></a><br />In order to get through a rough spot on a painting, a place where I don't know quite where to dive in, or a place where I have difficulty finding a satisfying visual solution I will either go to another painting that is already started OR I will begin a new one. This is a relatively new piece that I began when I had a problme with another one. I am traveling back and forth between the 2 canvases now and feeling pretty good about where they both are.<br /><br />This is such a new concept for me because in much of my painting life I only worked on a piece for one day and didn't allow myself to go back.<br /><br />There's something to be said for both processes.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-62679446407662398592009-12-04T11:33:00.002-05:002009-12-04T11:37:11.013-05:00Co-Creation - I love it !!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQugbBmZJ5dxPGLxMAhp8E-o1btVTeb7cCNKB3lhI4yOoJvBCO1MeLEVPt8Cqw9WtTFH9PKIuQDfo6Ru3rIPk7ppYOaVQgShgHs5CFoQASZVxK6J50qf88B2HyzplIR77bhRkTR1RC153/s1600-h/Cocreation-cover-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQugbBmZJ5dxPGLxMAhp8E-o1btVTeb7cCNKB3lhI4yOoJvBCO1MeLEVPt8Cqw9WtTFH9PKIuQDfo6Ru3rIPk7ppYOaVQgShgHs5CFoQASZVxK6J50qf88B2HyzplIR77bhRkTR1RC153/s320/Cocreation-cover-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411420341537339490" border="0" /></a>I really love to collaborate on projects and this book was no exception. It features articles by amazing and diverse healers in combination with my artwork. I love the way it came out. It's featured on my website at www.melissaharris.com and you can order it there as well.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-772180394774351312009-11-16T19:47:00.002-05:002009-11-16T19:51:34.663-05:00It's a dog's World<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMBSADsMPehXUODTY-rECtGI4l7LYox4f4DkUu72V9yljM6fw2UxyOVekvUWudCeslOt8ryq3YRDG8FDadXGktrseqwtjXtoWb9Vu_PHth_01-ILOvXtpQQiqiz8yYv96Sceu-sBQKMLB/s1600/mattie-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMBSADsMPehXUODTY-rECtGI4l7LYox4f4DkUu72V9yljM6fw2UxyOVekvUWudCeslOt8ryq3YRDG8FDadXGktrseqwtjXtoWb9Vu_PHth_01-ILOvXtpQQiqiz8yYv96Sceu-sBQKMLB/s320/mattie-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404868089068603330" border="0" /></a><br />Hi All. Coming down off of this year's open studio. Thought I'd post a pic I love from that weekend. This is Mattie, my significant other's little Maltese. She was resting in front of this painting and it looks like she is a part of it, don't you think? <br /><br />The painting is quite old, an image of a friend's bedroom. I was doing a series of bedrooms which this was a part of. Almost sold it a few times and I wonder who it will end up with???Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-3644976573127225482009-10-27T08:47:00.001-04:002009-10-27T08:50:06.514-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5QFRfZ-2JeOesGyW0oOqW2vcoImKEVJZgV1d7X0jChHY9bOFYaWAcyqH-9rbbVF-Elo8stBY95kM9uG438jjyhcXHdxU0rlTzQndIjyBnV0zXD2_0L2vr5jlxvb14PgKwtKttRDAqYUi/s1600-h/harkness-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5QFRfZ-2JeOesGyW0oOqW2vcoImKEVJZgV1d7X0jChHY9bOFYaWAcyqH-9rbbVF-Elo8stBY95kM9uG438jjyhcXHdxU0rlTzQndIjyBnV0zXD2_0L2vr5jlxvb14PgKwtKttRDAqYUi/s320/harkness-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397260737784227794" border="0" /></a>Looking at this painting now, I can hardly imagine it was not that long ago. I did this one hot June day at Harkness State park in Niantic, CT where I did a whole series this summer. Since this shot I have touched it up a bit adding some more highlights, etc. Settling into fall now and doing some major surgery on the last oil series I posted. Will show you soon.Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-23735390699656443162009-10-06T08:22:00.001-04:002009-10-06T08:26:51.697-04:00Is it Really Fall?<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKlqRcGGKAAqaL8UAr-cwza2szS9g5VguWlXRKSh1bjQIpfT4yoVy8xYkhHiWn3xtV3kWzarKzl6Yjl-B7Zp-x9yt9M192-zWH0amQDi-bXwG6476na7xlT1cj5nbkbJxo4FRYavshrYM/s1600-h/Wind-in-the-Willows-.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKlqRcGGKAAqaL8UAr-cwza2szS9g5VguWlXRKSh1bjQIpfT4yoVy8xYkhHiWn3xtV3kWzarKzl6Yjl-B7Zp-x9yt9M192-zWH0amQDi-bXwG6476na7xlT1cj5nbkbJxo4FRYavshrYM/s320/Wind-in-the-Willows-.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389461414173567410" border="0" /></a><br />"Wind in the Willows"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I can't believe how much has transpired in my life since I did this watercolor around this time last year. This past weekend I was driving around up in the mountains with sweetie and rode past this spot. It seems like lifetimes ago. When I did this watercolor I remember sitting on the hard ground in the mists (it was sorta rainy) and feeling a bit melancholy. (Well, how could ya not?). I felt good about the piece and came home and tweaked it a wee bit in the details. Not my best piece but I like it in some respects.<br /></div></div>Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-41809697946248028012009-07-30T14:42:00.002-04:002009-07-30T14:47:35.036-04:00Live Mermaid Model!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPnUqqmwIKSFhdxP7j3C0nCtVrKLZvveJp2YV-Yo0DqKSbh8twzd4ngFJPbVtKhyphenhyphenUe9Vb13WPy7ZlpF14ZwlVaXjIeD6aZdt0Rfqo7XToldG7nprjGlm4VPGTXdyACt53eNNSx3_QwLjO/s1600-h/new-mermaid-7-09-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPnUqqmwIKSFhdxP7j3C0nCtVrKLZvveJp2YV-Yo0DqKSbh8twzd4ngFJPbVtKhyphenhyphenUe9Vb13WPy7ZlpF14ZwlVaXjIeD6aZdt0Rfqo7XToldG7nprjGlm4VPGTXdyACt53eNNSx3_QwLjO/s320/new-mermaid-7-09-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364325703762781202" border="0" /></a><br />Here I am back again after a long hiatus. I've been away a lot, some for work and some for pleasure. On my pleasure trips I have been hanging out at a beautiful estate in CT called Harkness State Park that is on the ocean. One day while I was there sitting on the beach a woman walked by with her young child and sat on a large rock. She looked just like a mermaid and I wished I had my camera. My boyfriend said "Just go up and ask her how long she'll be there" and maybe you can run back to the car and get your paints. Fortunately I always keep my paints in the car. So I did just that and she agreed to be still for a bit. I didn't capture her boy but I did a decent job of capturing her in a very short time. Very exciting!Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-17960851527088925232009-06-25T16:23:00.002-04:002009-06-25T17:28:24.439-04:00A Change in Course<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7juC1TT8vr-2PW33pjKYDPXOuRf3-iW5FZUJ8D7B674EZoV_p-cRb-PNc2YgC6X2zsBOSOA17SQInYh_3K5IaguzchF82j2olF_fJNDhhm5XQoCG7HTsf37kGH4HQEw_xYzvgWVF-pWu8/s1600-h/A+Change+in+Course.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351363642834936946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7juC1TT8vr-2PW33pjKYDPXOuRf3-iW5FZUJ8D7B674EZoV_p-cRb-PNc2YgC6X2zsBOSOA17SQInYh_3K5IaguzchF82j2olF_fJNDhhm5XQoCG7HTsf37kGH4HQEw_xYzvgWVF-pWu8/s320/A+Change+in+Course.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>That's the title of this painting. I may have written about it before here but that theme is very much on my mind as I sit here in my Denver hotel room. I am here for the International New Age Trade show that I have a booth in each year for my Creatrix product line. I have been here at this show for the past 10 -11 years or so and I am reflecting upon how my life has shifted so much in these past many years. Now, after a split with my life partner of many years, I enter the show with from a different perspective.</div><div> </div><div>It's all good, just very different.</div><div> </div><div>The woman in the painting here had also been through a big shift when I did the painting so I am dedicating this post to us and to any of you out there who have had to flow with the river, or the tides with all the changes we experience in our rich and beautiful lives.</div><div> </div><div>Namaste, Melissa</div>Melissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-55693885934930088292009-06-06T15:01:00.002-04:002009-06-06T15:15:59.487-04:00Good News!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5r1qDK02wsJ6awdTnkf9ZTxyM7Ni071yYbBoGe5SGNd-wzj810oCk8nDi_VIRm2paCVOJ32mJy_r2dpV_2G2rZ5lUsuT3J2KfOVOXSyoYv8sGgEWvBLGYd_U2_d653eNgXT4jDCb45Ml/s1600-h/Anything-is-Possible-deck-p.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344291902618212706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 255px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5r1qDK02wsJ6awdTnkf9ZTxyM7Ni071yYbBoGe5SGNd-wzj810oCk8nDi_VIRm2paCVOJ32mJy_r2dpV_2G2rZ5lUsuT3J2KfOVOXSyoYv8sGgEWvBLGYd_U2_d653eNgXT4jDCb45Ml/s320/Anything-is-Possible-deck-p.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm writing to you from the Outer Banks. I'm here on a work trip with a few days of pleasure thro able wn in. At the moment I am teaching a painting workshop here in my family's house and it is such a pleasure and privledge to be with these women. I have not gotten to know any local women who live in this area full time so this is a treat to gain insight into how folks live here. The group of women is happily painting away and I thought that I would take time to catch up a wee bit on my blog.<br /><br />I am happy to share some good news! The divination deck I created and published last year has been selected as a finalist in the Coalliting of Visionary Retailers Awards to be held at the New Age Trade Show in Denver end of June. Keep your fingers crossed and if you haven't seen it yet you can check it out on my website.<br /><br />Enjoy the warmth, MelissaMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-14375092732663347032009-05-16T14:44:00.002-04:002009-05-16T14:55:06.039-04:00Acfoss the Lake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVdgGz7dkF87XCwo_qvfyoUBowqZ7PeN-apd86UuSKJZfSKzSS7oZN1YjZh_wK2vAQ6C1vLQOXNhTwkcitf_i5gyptDcwqVl6Ck4Jn6yDItdmaUltR5qiaCHnpr54Fcklxui3ipTAnM3j/s1600-h/Across-the-Lake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVdgGz7dkF87XCwo_qvfyoUBowqZ7PeN-apd86UuSKJZfSKzSS7oZN1YjZh_wK2vAQ6C1vLQOXNhTwkcitf_i5gyptDcwqVl6Ck4Jn6yDItdmaUltR5qiaCHnpr54Fcklxui3ipTAnM3j/s320/Across-the-Lake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336495786194291042" border="0" /></a>I just took this painting (called Across the Lake) over to a nearby town (Millbrook) to hang in a faculty show (for Barrett Art Center) at the Merritt Bookstore. I am part of their summer faculty and we are having a group show called Barrett at Merritt. I will be teaching a watercolor workshop as well as some classes in gouache. Looking forward to it. I have not taught "traditional " art classes in awhile. The classes I normally teach have a spiritual twist to them and involve mostly working out of one's head in other words from one's imagination. This will be a refreshing change. I did the above watercolor at Minnewaska, an area near here where I go to swim and I can't wait till it's warm enough to jump into the waters.<br /><br />I've enjoyed being home for a few days. Last week I was in Andover MA at a wonderful store called Circles of Wisdom where I was doing my Spirit Essence Portraits. Lovely time. Lovely people. Off to do a bit of work.<br /><br />Till then, MelissaMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-61799019583135460722009-05-07T15:42:00.002-04:002009-05-07T15:47:56.036-04:00Forget Me Not<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CWWEr1-CNSzTTnv92e4ItjJGOkfleZSs3Agi7KJ1-z8sQ3oe3BqgapJefSaZvFizfm5_X3ORDz6-xqGzZ1VB5_WXfmNUNLiFZlvCyDm8QUuHaYmgZWFwwV9fl-wlP8nU_Q8i8vBbDIwA/s1600-h/forget-me-nots-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5CWWEr1-CNSzTTnv92e4ItjJGOkfleZSs3Agi7KJ1-z8sQ3oe3BqgapJefSaZvFizfm5_X3ORDz6-xqGzZ1VB5_WXfmNUNLiFZlvCyDm8QUuHaYmgZWFwwV9fl-wlP8nU_Q8i8vBbDIwA/s320/forget-me-nots-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333170063264342194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPZCCI9eL0x7xUl1_HKB2zTwDCemYV8u7C3stApwS3gutPEKXHilZg5Vzg_KglOBO5u1Q7FA8i0qaWMElrfeSo1m8nNhRzrzgoVTO-vePq1SK_pZA6BZyTsTJ1DBL1ZY9zN_jfTmy_0FA/s1600-h/forget-me-nots-2-copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPZCCI9eL0x7xUl1_HKB2zTwDCemYV8u7C3stApwS3gutPEKXHilZg5Vzg_KglOBO5u1Q7FA8i0qaWMElrfeSo1m8nNhRzrzgoVTO-vePq1SK_pZA6BZyTsTJ1DBL1ZY9zN_jfTmy_0FA/s320/forget-me-nots-2-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333170058731192370" border="0" /></a>I have not had time to paint. That's all there is to it. And not too much to say. I got sick while last out on the road and actually had to cancel one store visit which I felt really bad about. I stayed over anyway so as not to drive the 5 hours back from Balto whilefeeling like crap.<br /><br />The good news is that I came home to the familiar gorgeous forget me not event that happens in my side yard evey year. I just love it. I can see a bit of the bleeding heart plant and a couple stray daffodils here and there to add a bit of pink and yellow.<br /><br />I've been laying as low as I can with work to do here because I head out tomorrow once again to parts near Boston and I want to be at the top of health. Off now, on that note to take a small walk and enjoy the spring air.<br /><br />Happy Trails..... MelissaMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-80117823236183280392009-04-28T17:42:00.005-04:002009-04-28T17:49:52.681-04:00Violet Vinegar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Otd6PbkPAc-LoNI4TNxnz59KU2mjaNus9-dl-tNzWLg9L-zRS7Sf4rS1TqxClGAZ9hRbvdpgpwUOvyYz2oRGqdWNT9tUWGJihrveuHD-NLIDa88fLa_BYKu-2DIa188qi4o6kNx3YiVo/s1600-h/bowl-of-violets.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Otd6PbkPAc-LoNI4TNxnz59KU2mjaNus9-dl-tNzWLg9L-zRS7Sf4rS1TqxClGAZ9hRbvdpgpwUOvyYz2oRGqdWNT9tUWGJihrveuHD-NLIDa88fLa_BYKu-2DIa188qi4o6kNx3YiVo/s320/bowl-of-violets.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329861500951137426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0dldVyEHC6SIKJxgGl-2-vuILe13K9mEQK4TSMu99RcOdBPBLqRYPjG1r97GAO8YLbnVRqjB45YMR9EBh4_6WR_2jboTlWTIGaRZDKV6AWqRHITgfIdkMBK1foJQ7MUZ1jzpkbJopbC9/s1600-h/making-violet-vinegar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0dldVyEHC6SIKJxgGl-2-vuILe13K9mEQK4TSMu99RcOdBPBLqRYPjG1r97GAO8YLbnVRqjB45YMR9EBh4_6WR_2jboTlWTIGaRZDKV6AWqRHITgfIdkMBK1foJQ7MUZ1jzpkbJopbC9/s320/making-violet-vinegar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329861251490030370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq7t1q0O3_oXKKMi_vWw1PbwddK37_q298JWnsTRxnAf8zafmmg51gRRiKBy8aCF11lBhTkd08I-HgrALFOa_bwpYI8Zl9ssWsZ_c57AMWAtHugZ52b9emdybWpYa5JD5vtJfv0t_rFyo/s1600-h/put-violets-in-jar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq7t1q0O3_oXKKMi_vWw1PbwddK37_q298JWnsTRxnAf8zafmmg51gRRiKBy8aCF11lBhTkd08I-HgrALFOa_bwpYI8Zl9ssWsZ_c57AMWAtHugZ52b9emdybWpYa5JD5vtJfv0t_rFyo/s320/put-violets-in-jar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329861046949751522" border="0" /></a>I wish I had something more grandiose to share but the past few days have found me beginning the day by wandering through my yard happily gathering violets to make my favorite vinegar, violet vinegar. I particularly enjoy their delicate beauty and could have stared all morning at the yellow bowl on white table filled with them. They are sweet and make a nice addition to any meal. To make the vinegar (which is also sweet and carries the medicinal properties of violets) fill any size jar with violets, a delightful chore. Fill to the top with apple cider vinegar. Cap and let sit for 6 weeks. Strain and enjoy!<br /><br />Other than that I have been busy working away and coming and going. Thursday will find me on the road to Baltimore and Alexandria.<br /><br />And right now will find me going out to the garden to put in some veggie starts and a couple of packages of veggie seeds such as peas and I forgot what else.<br /><br />Talk soon, MelissaMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9204947590572553642.post-60993424351690937072009-04-21T09:04:00.003-04:002009-04-21T09:17:53.751-04:00More re-entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEowA5chiensleGmdX0ba9HQ-b1gtGmHaH8zEKR4Fe_UTOOkUMxkwWD6eSGCgh2f67FMUuR5mLTWdwW8ytzhX1vEOy_2pN5uKXOsNjEMc34t2fxioh0vHMA6PGRMXEyp3m7ew0UjzXTX7X/s1600-h/spirit-essence-4-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEowA5chiensleGmdX0ba9HQ-b1gtGmHaH8zEKR4Fe_UTOOkUMxkwWD6eSGCgh2f67FMUuR5mLTWdwW8ytzhX1vEOy_2pN5uKXOsNjEMc34t2fxioh0vHMA6PGRMXEyp3m7ew0UjzXTX7X/s320/spirit-essence-4-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327130077339447282" border="0" /></a>Yeah, more re-enty. That's the way it goes for the next few months. Just returning from a nice visit to MA and RI where I did Spirit Essence Portraits for the last few days ending with a day at the Love, Light and Laughter conference in Warwick RI. It was wonderful being there because I have a mini community with women in places I return to and get to see familiar faces that I have enjoyed intense connection with. Because the portraits are always intense connection. The image above is a portrait of a woman that had taken a painting workshop with me and had shared at that time about her life and the changes that had taken place since she declared to the world that she is indeed an artist. It's more abstract than most of them in honor of her own abstract work. It also contains personal symbolism which I will not share here.<br /><br />A few of the portraits this time where women returning a year or so later for another one to see how their changes would be reflected in a second portrait. I love returns too for that reason. I don't remember the first portrait but if they describe it I can often bring the image to mind.<br /><br />I enjoyed a few good conversations that I could dig into and as you know I collect stories and date to include in my card decks and future books. I like observing how we are going through changes collectively and I hear so much of that lately.<br /><br />One thing I really enjoy about the state of MA is that there are many small businesses still in existence. I hope they are doing well. I try and frequent non-chain privately owned businesses as much as possible. And people are trying so hard to go the extra mile in service these days. There is a small cafe downstairs from one of my locations where the owner is there probaably 12 hours a day and working so hard to provide great service and food and is always ready with a kind word and wondering how you enjoyed your meal. She is so proud of her New England clam chowder (she won an award for it once) so I made sure to order some to see her look of pride. I was happy to see she was still in business. Here in my area it seems folks are going out of business right and left.<br /><br />Enough of that. Off to catch up on work, yoga class and lunch with a friend.<br /><br />till later, mMelissa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01926592122893194736noreply@blogger.com0