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from life

The Legend of the New Year

Ancient legend foretold of a sacred time of renewal of the human spirit. The Muses of Inspiration granted a blessing on earth and created a window of time when human beings can create a fresh start. During this phase, all the mistakes, regrets, missed opportunities and errors in judgment are purged from the human memory in the primordial fires. It is a time...

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100 painting challenge

Something New…

One of many wonderful things that came out of the classes in the fall was that several of the "Imaginary Travelers" decided to take on the 100 Paintings Challenge in a Year. To further help those taking on the Challenge, I've created a blog where we can offer encouragement and support to each other as we travel together. Anyone who is interested in taking...

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artwork

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!

'Tis finally here!! May blessings fill your stockings, May happy dreams fill your sleep, May yummy stuff fill your tummy, May family and friends, from near and far, fill your home, May love fill your heart. These are my holiday wishes for you and your family! Merry, Merry Christmas!!! ...

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Animals

Run, Rudolph, Run!!

And what would Christmas be without our favorite reindeer, complete with lights and……… ……a '52 Chevy Half-ton Pickup Truck?!?!! In another lifetime, Chris and I were the proud owners of the Chevy pickup. Now, I will freely admit that anything within a 100 feet of me was subject to be decorated at the holidays. However, this was ALL Chris' doing! He may say...

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Animals

Oh Look, It's Santa……Bob!!

Santa Bob If you follow the blog, you know my life has taken some pretty sharp turns here of late, and so, in keeping with the zaniness that is defining this holiday, I thought I would share Santa Bob with you! Santa Bob is the mascot where Chris works, The Compounding Shop of Riverview. His real name is Bob Skurrel. He works in Marketing...

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artwork

Santa Bunny and the Winter Solstice

Ol' Santa Bunny Watercolor ACEO You remember Santa Bunny, right? Old and a thousand years wise, with ears as soft as silk to listen to our heartfelt wishes for the holiday season. Even the lightest of wishes does not go unheard! He knows your heart's desire…… We are moving towards having a Christmassy holiday, after all! The floor is finished in my studio...

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artwork

Just Poppin' In to Say Hi!

The Christmas Penguin Watercolor ACEO 2.5 x 3.5 inches It's been a long, busy week here in the land of renovations. I now have about three quarters of a floor in the studio and 48 feet of baseboard waiting to go in. Actually, one wall of baseboard is in due to the huge "Bookcase of Knowledge!" Yay! I've found the crown molding that...

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from life

I'm A Guest Blogger over at Christine Kane's Blog, Live Creative!

Hi, all! Just a quick heads-up that I am the guest blogger over at Christine Kane's blog, Live Creative! If you've read the blog very long, you know how important having a word of the year has become in my life - I recently had the opportunity to write the article for Christine's blog and it's up today! YAY!!!! Please check it out!!...

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artwork

A Gratitude List! Share Yours!!

It's that time of year……everyone is stressed about the holidays, the gift-buying, what to get, how much to spend, overeating, who's coming over, who's not, and who has had their feelings hurt. Not to mention the expense of the decorating, partying, food, gifts, travel, and everything else that goes into making this the "happiest time of the year." So, enough already, let's try something different………...

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Learning and Living. Imperfectly.

Yesterday, I tried (on my own) to remove the base boards in my studio. I found out quickly there's a trick to it, and I didn't know what the trick was. This morning, after we picked up the flooring for my studio (yay! FINALLY!!), I asked Chris what the trick was. I was told it was a chisel. To get behind the board...

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artwork

Are You Sure?

Are you sure it's December? I know the malls are playing the Christmas music over and over, but they start that nonsense in October! I keep looking around for some indication that it really is December in the Ferlita household and, well, let's just say something's missing. As in decorations. As in festive plans. As in a clean house. Bedlam and chaos rein...

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Serendipity!!

I went by one of my favorite Christmas shops yesterday, and look what I found–the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben! I always try to buy a couple of ornaments each year that represent the year's experiences - these are perfect, no?!!! I think they are the perfect representation of Imaginary Trips and all the cool places I've been this year, the new friendships...

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goofiness

A Little Frivolity!!!

Watercolor Painting of Antique Ornament As you can see, Painted Thoughts Blog has undergone a rather festive transformation! I am so in the mood for celebrating as I've been able to close some outstanding items from the computer crash waaaay back in September! I feel this great sense of accomplishment and I'm so ready to celebrate and play - care to join me?!!...

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blog award

Me? Over the Top?!!!

Well, it seems that Teresa over at Blueberries, Art and Life seems to think so - she even gave me an award to prove it!! Thanks, Teresa! Teresa is a fabulous colored pencil artist who also happens to love chocolate and blueberries - a girl after my own heart! I hope you'll pay her a visit to see her fabulous art - she...

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from life

December, What Are You Doing Here Already?!!

I must be mistaken, but I've double-checked the calendar twice and it still says it's December!! Can that possibly be right? Egads, if it is, I'm already behind. Not that it would matter or be any different than usual.  This little tree is gracing my studio at the moment. It keeps saying it's December too. If you look closely you can see the...

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It's The Most Wonderful Time of Year!

I find myself coming to this holiday with grATTITUDE! I have so very much to give thanks for - an abundance of riches in new friendships, accomplishments, health and happiness. My wish and hope  is that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with time to celebrate and reflect on the blessings of family and friends! I am so very grateful for each of you being...

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from life

Studio Transformation: Part I - Paint Chips Lie

It has begun! Well, actually it began two weeks ago with replacing the light. The painting began this past weekend. One wall is painted. Unfortunately, no matter what angle I took the photo from, this was as good of a photo (of the wall color) as I could get. The color is much deeper and richer and not nearly so pink. Nor is...

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friends

You Never Know What You'll Find . . . . .

. . . .when you leave my husband and food alone together! My husband loves to play with his food. Or yours, if you'll let him. On occasion, a waiter or waitress has recognized us after Chris has left a "food sculpture" from our meal. Like the crab made from a bun and broken bamboo skewers from our grilled shrimp for legs with...

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from life

What Does "Studio" Mean To You? Part II

from life

What Does "Studio" Mean To You?

friends

Introducing KJ!

I wrote about a new friend I had "met" recently and how it seemed we had known each other forever. Well, that hasn't changed. We can walk into Panera's (our meeting place) and make 3 hours (or more) disappear just like that - poof!! KJ is a freelance writer among other things and she decided (with a little help from her new friend)...

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from life

What's Going On Here?!!!

I've recently been having a problem with my light/fan combo in my studio. A few months ago, Chris came into to talk to me while I was in the studio and I asked him to turn off the overhead light. When he flipped the switch it threw an arc, shocked him and blew the bulb. Or so we thought. The light went out...

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Some Husbands Bring Their Wives Flowers . . . .

. . . . or some special item from their trip out of town. My husband brought me dead snail shells from his recent trip! Wasn't that sweet of him?!! Florida Apple Snails Watercolor sketch Yes, you read that right - dead snail shells. They're actually Florida Apple Snail shells from Lake Ockeechobee (pronounced Oak-uh-cho-bee). They may be Channeled Apple Snails. He picked...

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She Came Back - Again!!

I'm becoming rather fond of the Domestic Goddess! She came back yesterday, and together, we cooked up something called Southwestern Corn & Black Bean Soup. The longer this stuff cooks, then sits in the fridge, the BETTER it gets! I think she came back yesterday because it simply was not a good day. Nothing major, just everything from broken email accounts to tropical...

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Thoughts and Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers, their friends and family, really to all effected by the massacre at Ft. Hood, Texas. May you find the strength and courage to move through this tragedy. May God bless you and keep safe. ...

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Animals

Just How Fast Is A Siberian Husky?

Warning: This is a humorous, but graphic post and not for those easily upset. This afternoon, Chris returned from an overnight hunting trip, and we sat in our breakfast nook overlooking the backyard to discuss the two day's events, both his and mine. As some of you know, we have three dogs: two good ol' American mutts, and a Siberian Husky, all of...

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artwork

She Returns!

She, the Domestic Goddess, has returned!! She has been rather scarce around here of late, but yesterday, she came back. She made a pot roast, beef veggie soup and a big, big pot of spaghetti sauce for the cool winter evenings soon to come. Yummm! As we sat eating some of the soup last night for dinner, I tried to explain to my...

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artwork

Laughter - The Best Medicine

Watercolor Sketch in my Nature Sketchbook Does that not look like one mean, ticked-off shorebird?!! Doesn't s/he remind you of the ticked-off bluebird of happiness that's been circulating around for years?!! When Chris and I were in Venice a few weekends ago, we stumbled across this little bird. I knew instantly s/he was coming home with me. You see, s/he's another one of...

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A Day At The Beach

I forgot to post about our trip to the beach! This was actually two weekends ago, before the trip to the mountains. The day was wild and windy as we had a front moving in. We'd had rain off and on for a couple of days before we got out to the beach. It was a gorgeous day - if you don't mind...

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ATC/ACEO

Happy Hallow's Eve!

Wishing you a night of happy treats, just a few tricks (to keep you on your toes), and wonderful times to make great memories! ...

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artwork

A Fleeting Visit

 Chris and I love the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, and we've been dreaming of “escaping” for a visit for most of our long, hot, humid summer here in Florida. This past weekend, we jumped at the chance and took off! We arrived in Tennessee on Friday morning to rainy, overcast skies, but it didn't dampen the gorgeous colors of fall...

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