This Decision Deserves a Bloody Mary

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm sticking to my very first, in the beginning, at conception, number one, ma première idée!

Painterly Comments Blog is the art blog for me.

Period.

No more balancing act with FaceBook Jo M Orise-Studio page and Jo M Orise personal page on FaceBook. That's two pages. One art forum blog is enough. N'est-ce pas?

Ahhh. I feel better already. A Bloody Mary, please.

All art comments and updates will originate at Painterly Comments Blog and post to FaceBook and Twitter.

Plus, all comments and updates about my writing process will originate at J M Orise Writing Blog and post to FaceBook and Twitter.

I won't give up on FB. Love to see what people are up to. And I do love comments...when they come.

Like me on FB, and my virtual art gallery website: www.jomorise.com .

Keep in touch.

Now I've Gone and Done It!

Glaze varnish added as a finishing touch to a painting.


Hubby and I are back. To the cooler weather. Florida was warm and what a great winter we had.
First week back I was mired in photographing artwork. Then I had to post them to my virtual gallery at www.jomorise.com . Result, some photos are kind of hard to see, so a redo is on the agenda today.

Wouldn't you know. I have four batteries for my super Nikon Coolpix camera. With four batteries, I used batteries 1 and 2. I numbered them with a magic marker. Magic? Why do we still call it that? Part of someone's brilliant marketing plan I suppose. Let's just chill out. An indelible marker—a permanent marker. Yeah. "Permanent" is good.

So I numbered them with a permanent marker. 1, 2, 3, and 4. I used 1 and 2 for a while. One day I  used 4. It faded after very few shots. I charged it, put it aside and went back to 1. My plan. Don't ignore any batteries. Use them. So I cycled 1-4. When I reached 4, it was dead. Just like that. No groans, whimpers, cries of agony. Just a big zero.

I felt bad. What had I done to poor 4. So I continued to cycle 1, 2, and 3. However,  like everything else, they soon flickered out and died. But why on the same day? The day I need them most. Today! Hey, I need to photograph my artwork now, Whimper, AAAaaargh!

Best of plans don't always turn out okay.

But I have another terrific camera. My Canon! Bring out the big guns. I have two batteries for that one.

Haven't used it as much as I wanted since Hubby got me the Nikon. It takes great photos with every shot. So I set up the tripod and a white sheet on the wall mount and shot a few pictures. Actually three shots. Then battery 1 animated a hollow, pulsing battery on the screen. Smart camera. So I charged the battery. Battery 2 did the same thing. So I charge that battery. Hmmm.

I even painted my studio palette. This is a watercolor.

A few hours later, I used the battery 1 and it didn't last long. NOOOO! This was too, too much.

I spent hours searching for a great deal on rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries and other things I needed to organize and prepare my artwork for my representative galleries in Maine and New Hampshire—and to update my virtual gallery.

Two days later, while waiting for the batteries to arrive, I managed to photograph my artwork. Twice. Thrice. So, I'm not an expert photographer. I manage.

In college I took Photography One. Second semester, I bought my first SLR, a Konica TC. It was great. Took great shots. Love the black and white photos. Gave one of my son to Mom and Dad and in-laws. "There's no color, it doesn't match the others ones on our wall."

"I took the shot and developed it myself and got an A+ for the work, the great pose and subject. And—it's your grandson."

They stared back and barely smiled. The photos were slipped into a drawer for eternity.

When my son was to graduate from high school. Seniors were asked for a childhood photo. He chose that black and white. The school presented Senior night for family and friends of the graduating class. Each child's photo was projected onto a giant screen. All in color. Polaroids were faded, turning green where red used to be. Some were very colorful, some not so. Each child smiling. The crowd giggled and laughed. Then—my son's black and white came up. It was a large close-up portrait of a child deep in thought as he sat at the table and held a pencil in his right hand that also supported his head. He had a pensive look that focused to the right, not the camera.

The room got silent for a split second then, "Aaaah." Some clapped! My son and I were overjoyed. The parents and students appreciated the photo.

I felt the black and white was finally taken out of the dark drawer to be appreciated. So, things do not always work out as planned. But some good things do come full circle and it is a great feeling when it happens.

After 37 years, it is still my favorite. It is framed and sits in a prominent space in my home.

Leave a comment and a like.

Art Update, March 2015

Map of Florida highlighting Citrus County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hello everyone. As I said I've been busy painting and helping my 90 year old gentleman neighbor who I will call S.G. pack and sort his possessions in order to move out of his beautiful home. He can no longer manage the property and deserves a less chaotic life style. He will move in with his brother across town, on a lake's edge where there are a couple of docks. Since my friend loves fishing, I suppose that is where he will spend a lot of his time.

S. G. is tickled to be out of his big home and moving to a lake front property. The only thing he has to watch for are alligators.

Meanwhile, I have entered two watercolor paintings into a group show at the Citrus County Art Center  in Hernando, FL. The show will last until mid April.

Share this with your friends. Perhaps someone will be in the area and come to our group show.

Leave a comment. Love to hear from you. I will add a thumbnail of one of the paintings soon.

My Poor Kitty

Maine Coon Cat

In one week Charlie lost one third of his weight. The fluffy hair didn’t add to his bulk as usual. He was muscular for a thirteen year old cat—so the vet reported two years ago. How proud we were to hear those words. His fur glistened and he was so handsome. He was a show stopper whenever anyone noticed him.

Charlie is an outdoor/indoor, Maine Coon cat. A typical coon. Big fur, padded feet and lots of energy for the hunt. I got him from another owner when he was one year old. He was mostly an indoor cat then. Not much human company during the day. A friend of mine warned that Charlie would not last a week in our woods.

Fourteen years later, Charlie continues to roam our property woods and open spaces. As he romps around, he is alert to every unusual sound and movement—the reason why he has lived so long.

Not only does he roam freely, we take daily walks with Charlie down our quarter mile drive, through our wooded property along some of our logging roads and back to the house. A twenty minute jaunt. Usually Charlie just follows us. Other times he bolts ahead, passes by to jump up a tree trunk where he claws upward a few feet. He stops, looks back at us and revels in our gleeful accolades. He wants us to do the same. We oblige as we run and grab a tree in a fumbled effort to climb. He is unimpressed with our one foot off the ground and our fingers just caressing the bark. He jumps down and walks on.

My quick rendition of Charlie's reaction.

Still other times, we walk Charlie on a leash. The restricted pet gear appeared as we decided to travel with him. Home alone is no fun for our kitty and a worry for us.

The first day was a traumatic event when a jogger approached us on a trail. Charlie had his eye on this tiny bouncing creature heading our way. As it grew larger, he panicked. I picked him up to calm him and when the “creature” turned up to be as tall as hubby and bounced up to us, Charlie propelled himself from my arms landing at the end of the leash where he twirled in a mass of fur, claws and hisses. As I reached into the frantic heap that was once my cat, the jogger said “Calm down cat… .” and disappeared down the trail.

I picked up Charlie and noticed his heart beating wildly and his leash had loosened so that he could have slipped out and run off into the wilderness.

Charlie is a home woods cat and people are not what he likes best—except for mom and pop. Whenever there is a threat of another human being or vehicle approaching, he sticks his head in the crook of my elbow and I hold him firmly until the “danger” is passed. Poor Charlie. Don’t know what ever happened in his kitten-hood that would account for this reaction. We are pretty solitary where we live and anyone visiting is lucky to meet Charlie. The UPS man hasn’t got a chance as he rumbles up our drive.

Sadly, Charlie has not been well as of late. Three weeks ago, he lost weight pretty fast. He wouldn’t eat. He was listless. After two days, I brought him to the vet’s. They discovered a broken front tooth with a swollen gum. They ground the stump down and prescribed two prescriptions: an anti-biotic and a stomach coating pill for reflux. Crush the pills, dissolve in water and squirt into his mouth with a syringe. “Meow!” Translation: “Not on your life, woman!”

At first, Charlie ate a bit more, but now he eats less every day and continues to loose weight. At fifteen years, we feel he is failing. It is so painful to watch him stare at his food. I move his bowl to wherever he decides to sleep. That is what he mostly does. No more romping and wanting to go outside. I prefer to keep him inside so I can keep an eye on him. Old age is not a blessed thing for any life form.

Feeding Meds To a Cat

As I administer his meds, he grows leery of both Mom and Pop who must hold him down to control his reaction to this insult of forced feeding. Finally, Pop said, “It is no good to do this to him. He is failing. Let him be peaceful.” I looked into Charlie’s pleading eyes as he prepared to fight off the next dose. “Okay, Charlie. No more. Be peaceful. All done.” He understands “no more” and “all done” and he relaxed. Tears ran down my cheek as I put the meds away.

Today, Charlie chose to sleep wherever I happened to be. Right now he is snuggled on a blanket I placed under my desk for him to keep warm. Food does not interest him anymore. He is shown the water and food bowls several times a day. He visits his potty for his kidneys are working. Nothing else seems to be. Thankfully, he is no longer retching.

I love my poor, little Charlie. He’s been with us for fourteen years. He still finds the strength to climb onto the bed and sleeps near my legs. Sometimes he climbs up to my shoulder and purrs in my ear. I pat him for a while, then he disappears until morning.

It is so very difficult to lose a pet. I’ve lost others before. I cried for weeks afterwards.

All we can do is pet him and let him know we care. He knows. And he loves us too.

Good night Charlie. Sleep well.

Love, Mommy.
XXXOOO

A Creative Process

Daily activities may find me tackling projects most people I know would never attempt.
Example, body work on a car. Yes.

Years ago, we had a very rusty car. It was a 1974 Plymouth, Valiant. After eight years of ownership, small rusty segments fell to the ground below the fender almost daily. Why get another car, this one was paid for, no more car loan.

During my teens, my neighbor, Richard, and other high school boys had done body work. One of the boys, Fiddy, designed a unique look to his headlights that he proudly paraded as he cruised around town. He had created a hood at the top of each headlight, which was pulled out and downward in a V shape, just about an inch or two in front of the light. It was pretty cool and very creative.

If Fiddy or Richard could do body work as teens, I could do the same in my thirties. Besides, I studied art at USM. One class project was a bondo covered sculpture. Bondo is pretty tough to work with. If I could handle it for a small sculpture, why not a bigger sculpture? Our Plymouth.

All I had to do was scrape, cut away, remove and neutralize the rust with acid. Then pop-rivet sheet metal, add metal screen which could be shaped as needed, apply bondo and sand it into shape. With mask to protect my lungs and rubber gloves to protect my hands I was grinding away when a neighbor walked by. I looked a fright as I sat on the pavement with my gear, I’m sure. “What are you doing now? Is there anything you don’t do?” she asked. Not really. If something needs to be done, I just—do it. I had impressed this neighbor when I had built decorative walls to hide the space below the porch and the deck. It looked great and added to the charm of the house. Another big sculpture.

I think in terms of art. Projects are sculptures, writing is painting with words, and art is painting with a pigmented medium.

While I work on all these distractions, I ponder my next art work. What will I paint next. I mix colors and add colored glazes to get certain effects. Always works well in my mind. Working at the easel is different. Depends on lighting, colors available and—patience. Something else may happen and is better than I imagined. There are times where I just want to throw the painting away. But I keep it for a while. Every time I come across it, I shudder. There have been paintings that I kept for years, which I finally ripped to pieces or burned. No regrets. Here is one of my latest pieces. Sold. smile…

Writing is the same. I spent twelve years writing a story that was bouncing around in my brain for two years prior. So I wrote whenever I had time. The project haunted me. I had to complete it. I finally did—twelve years later in my retirement. I’ve been re-writing this story for the last three years. A slow process. I read novels of the same genre as I study the writing process. Therefore, I have re-written, ripped out segments, added new ideas and have re-shaped the story a bit. I like it better—another ‘sculpture’ I intend to finish.

Meanwhile, I’ve written a few fun stories just to get experience writing about another topic. Research is fun as I write. I have to either remember what life was like in the ‘50s or whatever period I choose. I’ve lived it, so I write about it.

On to my next painting or chapter… .

Smile in your mirror every day. Create something that makes you happy.

Jo M. Orise September - October 2014 Art Update

Belties and Clouds by Jo M. Orise

Getting ready for a one-man show. 

Location: The Brown Bag Restaurant Cafe, 606 Main Street, Rockland, ME.

Date: September 3 to October 31, 2014

Time: Mondays-Saturdays

I will display a variety of framed artworks: watercolor, oils, acrylics. Mostly originals and a few reproductions.

Pieces may be purchased at the cafe. Ask for assistance to remove artwork from the wall and pay the cashier.

Whether you purchase or just view the artwork, please take a card and send me a note. Let me know what you think about the pieces. I always love to hear from viewers. Critiques are always welcome.

While you are at the Brown Bag, try their great food creations.

English: Whoopie Pies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We love having breakfast there and bring home a healthy share of their home-made bread, pies and sandwiches. Full breakfast menu makes one drool. Chef Calvin performs magic at the cook-stove. The cake lady and bread crew do a wonderful job at creating delicious, specialty cakes, breads and muffins, sticky rolls, brownies, whoopie pies, and lots more. The staff is friendly and fun to talk to. Some of them feel like family. If you get to know the regular customers, you'll find them friendly with great stories to share. You must go there and experience the ambiance. Our first visit was in 1999 and we got hooked.

So, people, go to the Brown Bag Restaurant Cafe, enjoy the food, look at my artwork and if one moves you, don't be shy to ask an employee to assist you with it's purchase. Bring an artwork home—you will have something special to enjoy for years to come. Visit my website: www.jomorise.com

Jo M. Orise August 2014 Art Update

I am so psyched!
Sold four paintings in one day. The Aldermere Farm, Rockport, Maine, hosts a one day Art Show for artists to display their work and hopefully sell their artwork.


Sales are shared with the Farm which is a non-profit, heritage trust.

And, I sold two other pieces at the Blue Shutter Gallery, in Wolfeboro, NH. Yesss!

It is nice to know that someone out there appreciates the work I create. Thank you for your patronage. 

Updated my virtual gallery, http://www.jomorise.com with newest artwork. They are indicated with an * .

Leave a comment, love to read what you have to say.

See me on FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jo-M-Orise-studio/163197653818087?ref=hl

Floating Belties and Strong Daisies

Why has one of my latest paintings mysteriously changed position in my art bin? Floating, so it appeared to be, instead of sitting in proper position with the rest of the paintings.

"Hmmm.  Did Charlie (cat) jump into the bin and snuggle under the painting? I hope not!"
I investigate the other paintings. No paw prints, no chewed paper, not cat fur. That is strange. I adjust the painting so it is now standing as the others are in a vertical stack.

English: Belties at Old Bridge of Urr Belties (belted galloway cattle) in field by B794 above the hamlet Old Bridge of Urr. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hubby walks in from his office. "I have to tell you, Hun, your latest pieces are really interesting. You are really good at revealing relationships in your paintings."

"Thank you. I didn't think you liked the last two."

"Oh, no. They are really good. You've captured the feeling. The relationship between the two belties in your water color. You can see the affection shared between the two in your composition, and the posture of both cows. It really like it."

I look over Hubby's shoulder as he edits his latest letter to all his friends and relatives. He loves writing. Been at it for years. In my former employ as a teacher, I used to mail his stack of weekly letters as I arrived at work. I'd hand the collection with handwritten addresses to the receptionist  "It's nice to know someone still writes letters," she had smiled.

"Here, review my latest letter," Hubby turns in his seat.

As I sort through the four pages, I am shocked to see my two latest paintings in his current letter.
"You photographed my paintings?"

"Yes. They tell a story. You captured the subjects and expressed more than the image."

"Thank you. But you never asked."

Hubby's smile disappeared. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be a problem."

"I thought the cat had been in my bin. But it was you."

"Uh, yes. Is there a problem?"

"Well, no one has seen my latest work and now you are dispersing an image of them to several people who either won't care or will share it with others. That is not fair. You must ask first. If Jamie Wyeth's new creation were shared that way, you would be sued. There is such a thing as copyright infringement."

Silence.

"Why did you photograph the daisy as well?"

English: Daisies (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hubby, smiles. "You captured something I didn't notice. As we worked at logging, moving the branches out of the way, piling the logs and cutting some into firewood, you found a little daisy struggling to survive through the disruption we imposed in its environment. You plucked it up, placed it in a tiny bottle and gave it another life.

"Then you painted it. You captured its inner being, wanting to survive, reaching for the sun. It demonstrated strength. It spoke to me. It is a simple painting, but it caught my attention—I had to write about it. You have to keep painting because you are good at it."

Silence.

"I hope it is okay to send the letters as they are."

Hubby's words soothe and encourage me. They were simple paintings, not complicated as some seem to be at times. I am my own worse critic...isn't every artist?

The printouts don't really do justice to the colors used in the original artwork. But that is the printer's fault. Too many browns I told Hubby as he first tested our new printer. He likes brown, I suppose.

"Okay. But ask me next time. Also, I recommend you crop the daisy better. You left one border in the painting. It distracts from the subject because it is not part of the composition."

"Thanks, Hun." Hubby happily edits his narrative.

"Charlie. You want some milk?"

"Meow," the cat smiles. I swear it sounds like 'Meowilk'. Charlie is almost human. Therefore, he wouldn't nap in my art bin. My artwork speaks to him too: He's afraid of cows. :-)

Stubborn Hubby

"Stubborn 4 Life" LosAngeles Graffiti Art (Photo credit: anarchosyn)

Jo, where have you been?
Oh, out chasing my paint brush and writing when I can. Lately, I've been helping Hubby cut trees, removing limbs, piling limbs, chucking limbs. We have such a huge pile. I suppose you could call it a wall. A very long six foot high wall of pine needles, spruce boughs, birch branches, roots, rotted trees and lots of twigs.

Exhausting work. Hubby is not as youthful as he believes he is. Nor am I. But he still impresses onlookers when he fells two trees at once. Scary and awesome. In the end, we toss and turn as we try to sleep. His knees, his calves, my knuckles, my feet, my back hurt. I offer to get the turmeric.
He replies, "It's okay. I'll be fine."
 "Are you sure? When was the last time you took a turmeric capsule?"
"Yesterday."
"But you're hurting tonight."
No response. So I rise making my way to the medicine cabinet where I store my home made turmeric powder capsules. Dark orange turmeric powder in veggie gel capsules. Organic. A local compounding druggist taught me how to make my own capsules.  Quite simple. Messy. But simple. I pour eight ounces of water and pad back to the bedroom, in the dark so Hubby won't be disturbed.

English: A variety of Turmeric Flower found in Maharashtra, India. Turmeric or "Indian Saffron" is one of the most commonly used spice in India - a key flavoring ingredient in any Indian cuisine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Here is your turmeric and lots of water. Be sure to drink plenty."

Turmeric powder 薑黃粉 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"It's okay, sweetheart. I took some yesterday."
"I know. I take one every day. Some times more. You need to take one tonight."
"I'll be okay."
"You aren't okay now and I want to sleep. I ache, I'm taking my dose and if you don't take yours I'll be up all night listening to you toss and turn... and snore."
"All right. I'll take it. But just a sip of water. You brought too much."
"Oh. I forgot you like being dehydrated as well as being in pain."
"Aww. C'mon Hun. Be nice to me."
"What do you think I'm doing? I am nice to you. Why else am I walking around in the dark risking a broken toe,  hauling water from the well along with this ancient two thousand year old remedy for inflammation?"
Silence.
"Well? Shall I pour it over you or will you drink it?" I laugh.
"You are a good wife and great caretaker. Okay, I'll take it." Hubby takes the pill, sips about a tablespoon of water. Enough to possibly choke on the capsule.
"I think you need to take more water, Hun."
"You think so?"
"I know so."
"Well, okay. I'll drink some more."
"Thank you. If you finish it you'll find a prize at the bottom of the glass."
"What prize?"
"Me looking at you from the bottom. Smiling at you."
Hubby guzzled the eight ounces of water, grinned and handed me the empty glass. "You are a caring wife. I love you."
"I love you too. Now lets get some sleep. We'll both feel better in the morning."

Next morning, we were free of pain and Hubby thanked me for the turmeric.

"You should take another capsule before we start cutting more trees today. Six hours of hard labor is too much for seniors like us. We aren't young anymore."
"That's okay Hun. I took one yesterday."
"How can I forget." I smile as he walks out with his chain saw and ear protectors.
I take a turmeric before I join him and tuck an extra one in my pocket. Just in case. I am a good wife and he's a great hubby. Just a little stubborn is all.

PS: Sometimes, when I run out of capsules, I stir turmeric in hot bouillon or in my mashed potatoes. A capsule makes it easier to swallow.

Felicia is a Pine Warbler

Pine Warbler 20110311 (Photo credit: Kenneth Cole Schneider)

The weather is gloomy, rain comes in showers, thunder now barely audible as it travels West. Thud, thud. What was that? I swung around and stepped to the large, glass, double-door in my office. It has to be a bird!

On the ground, a tiny figure with colorful feathers lies motionless. The cat! Where's Charlie?  Inside. That's good. Main Coons are great hunters. Lucky for my feathered friend it was raining. Coons—all cats—prefer dry homes to wet forests.

One wing is spread open as it covers most of the bird. As I pick it up, its heart beats rapidly and delicately against my palm.

Very dazed.

I coo, "Are you okay?" No answer—what did I expect? Around me a dozen or more 'yellow' birds hover and flit from branch to branch. "Your friend flew into my window. I'm so sorry."

A painful head.

It silently opens and closes its beak. Its eyes do the same. It must have a painful head. I cover the poor bird with both hands as a precaution for panic or another fall. What can I do? The other birds are calling to their friend. I'll help your friend! I'll ice her little head to stop any swelling. Maybe that will help. Stay, don't go away, we'll be back. I step inside with the bird as Charlie steps outdoors. The bird doesn't move. But she (I feel it is a she) is still alive. She opens her beak. Gasping?

Shelter.

My free hand rummages through the freezer, I settle for a small bag of ground coffee. It's very cold, perfect as an ice pack for the bird's head. After about a minute, I remove the pack and make my way back to the door. Oh darn! The others have gone. Did they give up on her? The bird opened its eyes wide and seemed to be recovering. I try my hand at bird calls. "Tweet. Tweet?" I can hear them in the distance. Are they watching? I open my hand a little more. The bird becomes excited and panics. I close my hand a bit and whisper, "It's okay." As I pat her feathers and head, she relaxes. I slowly open my palm again, she adjusts her foot, perhaps to be comfortable. Such tiny feet! Does she feel safe inside my hand, which provides a familiar cover from the elements?

Thanks.

After several minutes, the bird sits and is more alert. She watches my other hand as it moves. A mosquito finds my arm, she cocks her head to watch it bite. With a breath, I blow it away but it returns. I bring the bird's beak to the mosquito to possibly feed her. Nothing happens. The mosquito is annoyed and leaves.

It is about fifteen minutes since the incident. I must either cage the bird or return it to nature. Perhaps a tree limb, away from Charlie. The cat! He is still outside! It has begun to drizzle again—he'll come. I call, "Charlie! Kitty come." Good, old Charlie comes running, unaware—I think—of the bird in my grasp. I step out, shut the door and whisper to my friend. I reach up high with palm open. She sits. "What's the matter Felicia? Felicia means happy. You are a happy, little bird, able to fly thousands of miles with your friends. Felicia it is! So. Felicia, will you sit in the crook of this limb?" I gently move her tiny feet. I reach up high again to encourage her to climb into the pine tree.

I go now.

Felicia suddenly and smoothly glides downward into the brush four feet in front of me. She is hidden by a blackberry bush and small saplings. I reach for my camera. As I stoop and focus, she busily scratches under her wing, flits back and forth on the branch, looks at me, then at the ground. She jumps into the deep of ground cover and away from my lens. No picture—can't complain. We spent over fifteen minutes sharing a crisis, a moment and a recovery.

I hope Felicia will be okay. Will she find her friends? Can she call out to them? Not sure.

Take care Felicia. Come again on your next migration. Next time, a gentle tap, tap will do.

Hooray!

Charlie Naps.

Inside, Charlie naps as I Google 'yellow breast' + 'birds'. There it is! A pine warbler! And it is female! I knew it. That's my Felicia!

Jo M. Orise Art Update for August and September 2013

Blue Fog with Gulls, watercolor by Jo M. Orise

Good news! I sold four paintings at the Aldermere Farm Art Show and Sale event, August 10, 2013! The Aldermere Show is a one-day, once-a-year event. My first showing with the Farm. Proceeds from the show are shared with the Farm, which is a non-profit organization. Always glad to help.

More good news, I am now displaying work for sale at the Brown Bag Cafe, Rockland, Maine  for the month of August, and will be there for the month of September as well! Come visit! Take a painting home and enjoy your new window to an artist's vision.

Presently, I am working on a few compositions in my brain and can't wait to grab a pencil and brush.

Visit my virtual art gallery www.jomorise.com .

Be happy. Love your neighbor. Remember YOU are someone's neighbor too.

Smile in your mirror every day.

Leave a comment.

Jo M. Orise Art Update for August 2013

After completing the July One-Man-Show, I was invited to join the August group show at the The Brown Bag Restaurant / Cafe, 606 Main Street, Rockland, ME. So come by again and take a peek, you may still have a chance to grab a painting for your home. AND, grab a sandwich or some of their great muffins, pies or bread. They have the absolute best baker and terrific chef. Tell them I said so.

I have a One-Man-Show for the month of August at The Highland Coffee House, Thomaston, ME. Sixteen works, a combination of originals and prints are on display. This is another great Coffee House—I only hang around really great places that offer ambiance and super food—for my delicate stomach and all. Wonderful coffee, pastries, sandwiches and lots of super entertainment. Shawn, the owner, offers weekly and artistic events from music to poetry, to benefit events. Come visit.

If you can't make it, then visit my virtual gallery http://www.jomorise.com to see what I've been doing most of my life.

Leave a comment. Love to get feedback.

Is This Another Scam Come My Way? Maybe Not. Or... .

Wow!

Received an e-mail with an amazing offer!

"Dear Jo. M. Orise,

I'm the webmaster of wikigallery.org, the largest "Open Community" Fine Art Wiki Project in the world. We receive millions of visitors monthly. Our database of Fine Art images and articles is in the millions and we continue to grow daily. We are a nonprofit organization. This is your opportunity to take part in our project.

I visited your website earlier today and wanted to congratulate you on a creating a well presented and informative site. I would like to add a link to your website from wikigallery.org and wanted to know if you would be kind enough to link back to us.

Adding a link from wikigallery.org to your website will greatly increase your Search Engine Ranking in Google, Yahoo, Bing and other websites. A link from our site to your site will mean that your site will ranked HIGHER on these search engine results pages which will translate to more visitors and better exposure.

If you are interested let us know, and I will get back to you with the exact link information that we would like you to use. Please also let me know what description you would like us to use when we link back to you.

Looking forward to hear from you,

Victoria
wikigallery.org
Webmaster

Disclaimer:
Your e-mail ID is taken in person directly via visiting your website online. Please reply to this e-mail if you are not the right person to receive this e-mail message or if you have received this e-mail by default."

Well, let me come down a notch—it sounded pretty good. Maybe it is a legitimate offer.

But why did it look strange? The e-mail—all text based. No graphics. From Wikipedia? In today's world of social interaction, there are usually graphics, pictures—something to look at.  As I read, I found a typo. Not very professional. There is a spell check and grammar check in all publishing software, and even in e-mail/web-mail software. Why hadn't they been used? Is this another scam come my way?

The signature? Victoria, wikigallery.org, Webmaster.

Only a first name, Victoria. Victoria who? The Webmaster? Why would a webmaster write this note? Why not the Art Coordinator, or other such title? Webmasters create websites. Perhaps Wikipedia's Wikigallery is on a very LOW budget. Somehow, I don't seem to believe that.

"... Our database of Fine Art images and articles is in the millions and we continue to grow daily..."

Why would I want to be 'buried' in a million+ swarm of artist? For me—I have no patience browsing. One million+ options to choose from sounds oppressive. I'd lose my bearings and throw up. Sorry. :-(

What prospective client has that much time to shop for artwork? Easier to take a holiday and make the gallery circuit in a quaint art community somewhere on the globe, or better yet, go to an interesting artist's web-page and talk to them. That has a personal touch. :-)

After an initial reading, I set the e-mail aside. A few days later I entered Victoria's signature and company name at http://www.snopes.com . Well, well. What do you know? It was been reported as a possible SCAM in 2011. I never heard of it until now. So is it really a scam?

Check out this link from linkedin.com written by Laurie, April 5, 2011:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/GOOGLE-LINK-SCAM-3722095.S.49448023

Here is another link:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1029012 

But, that is only two opinions. I didn't find any other signals of scam, which is a relief in a way. It's Wikipedia we are talking about here!

To calm my nerves, I went to the mountain http://www.wikigallery.org - at the very bottom right of the page there is a link Art resources and it does bring you to a large selection of artists. Some are WOW! others are heh? Looks legit. But like I said, I have no patience for such a plethora of links to so many people/galleries. It's a nice place to visit but... .

Will I ever join. Hmmm. Don't know. Dramamine anyone? :-(


Always check out the 'stuff' friends send. The Internet is NOT the book of rules or the bible. It is fallible—very, very fallible. Think about the writer: who, why, when. If it sounds too good to be true—IT IS! But this one? I think it is okay. What do you think?

Leave a comment below.
Thanks. 

Jo M. Orise August 2013 Art Update

I'm preparing for the upcoming one-man-show at The Highland Coffee House, Thomaston, ME. Works (originals and prints) will be on display for the month of August. Hope you can make it. If not, then visit my virtual gallery http://www.jomorise.com to see what I've been doing most of my life.
Thanks.
Leave a comment. Love to get feedback. Critiques are a big part of improving one's craft.

Jo

Jo M. Orise July 2013 Art Update

Last summer and winter found me painting up a storm. Still am. This is one of my paintings for the Black Falcon gallery in Thomaston, Maine.

Summer Art Event Theme - 2013 - Hunger for Art to benefit the St. Bernard Soup Kitchen, located in Rockland, ME.

Hosted by the Black Falcon Gallery 47 Main St. in Thomaston, ME.

July 4th (9am - 5pm)
July 5th (7pm - 9pm) - First Friday
July 6th thru July 13th (8am - 5pm) - Open
See details at: http://ourthomastongallery.com/
________

In addition, I have one-man-show in the dining room of  The Brown Bag Restaurant / Cafe, 606 Main Street, Rockland, ME for the month of July.
This is one of my favorite places to eat when I am in Rockland, Maine. http://www.thebrownbagrockland.com/

People with a taste for great food flock the restaurant every day.

Come to the shows to support the other local artists and me. If you purchase a painting, part of the proceeds are donated to the Soup Kitchen. What a great excuse to buy a new painting—from me of course.



If you see my art on display at either location, drop a line, tell me what you think. 

Oh, I know the banana painting is 'different'. I let my imagination loose. Hunger for art and food—how do I tie the two together? Ah! Food on the beach of course! Therefore "Monhegan Bananas" emerged from the canvas. It is a 7x7" gallery wrap painting. That means the painting continues around the edges of the canvas.

The other painting, is Curtis Light. It is on display at the Small Wonder Gallery, Camden, Maine. It is a cute 5x5" gallery wrap painting as well. I just love ocean waves. They are so dynamic and difficult to paint. But I'm working at it. My work can be seen there for the season.

I also have art work hanging at the Store Upstairs Gallery in Port Clyde, Maine.

See more of my artwork at: www.jomorise.com


Enjoy!

Leave a comment.

See you there.

Jo

What the Blog For?

"Just one of those days".
Caricature postcard series by J.M.Orise
(aka: J.S.Cabana)

I have too many blogs!

A platform is important for an artist in any medium. But how many? Two FaceBook pages, Twitter, Blogger, LinkedIn. Somehow, YouTube and Google+ slipped in!

Enough already!

Okay, calm down.

I taught computer science for over twenty years. FaceBook can't be difficult to use—can it? In a public school, FaceBook, YouTube and similar sites were blocked to protect students from unsuitable posts. Result: I also avoided these sites.

Now, here I am creeping through a jungle of strangers, links, ads, add a friend links, etc... . My students did this at home! Alone! In their rooms at night! The promise for a secure account added to their enthusiasm to commit themselves. Why not? No one sees their posts unless they are a friend... .

Possible artifice in social networking emphasizes caution. The same caution I preached to my students. As their eyes rolled upward, I asked how many experienced a best friend's betrayal? So why trust everybody who claimed to be a friend with the click of a link?

Perhaps a "can assist" or a "can sponsor" link is needed instead? "Friend" sounds too intimate, too demanding. Will you ignore three hundred friends for the sake of maybe, ten—I mean really good friends? How do you make it up to those "friends" you have ignored. What will they think? How about a "Deal With It" or "Sorry" link. Depends on your temperament.

Once I've authored a post, I hesitate. Am I ready to post? Days later, I press the post button. Perhaps someone will read this one.

Comments? Barely anyone bothers. I've bumped into people who report, "Hey, I read your blog! My husband laughed. He though it was pretty funny." But there are no comments. Not even a g+1. "Like." What is that? Oh, yeah. It's a way to receive RSS feedback whenever clicked at someone's post.

I am an artist. Do you know how difficult it is for an artist to write about what is going on? Artists are private people—well, a lot of them are. I spend hours at the easel or at the computer composing a story, or editing pictures, and back at the easel touching up a painting because I had a better idea. No one is there to tell me what to do. No one drops in. Friends? Where are they when I get happy or frustrated. How about a slap on the "Like" or "You Done Good ;-)" link. Not the same as a slap on the back is it? Psychology 101 emphasizes touch is important in any relationship. Hugs. Perhaps I should hug my PC when I see a "Like" designation for one of my posts.

Research indicates I need a platform. Without it, no one will find me interesting and I may never get to publish a novel, or sell it either. Who made these rules? If I create art or stories and am serious about my craft, why does the public have to know what I am doing Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 2:30 PM?

I think about goings on in this world: the wars, the ecology, the economy, the tragedy, the politicians who do nothing... .  The President and his many challenges.

Really? You want to be my friend? Comment me already.

Tonight I thought I was on Blogger. I later realized I was on Google+! Looks a lot like Blogger. But less elegant.

Conclusion: I'll have to delete a few accounts. What will I keep? FaceBook, Wordpress and Twitter. Will Blogger have to go? I wish Blogger could automatically send posts to FaceBook as well as Twitter.

My eyelids droop—a reminder of other needs. I am about to fall asleep at the blog wheel. Strap your seat-belt. I'll be back soon. Decisions can not be made in a somnolent state.

Comments? Click the link below.

Britain’s Got Talent: Shadow Theatre Group Attraction

Britain’s Got Talent: Shadow Theatre Group Attraction
There is talent is this world. These people worked at their art and look what they've created!
Love it.

I Have Things To Do

English: Belted Galloway Cattle, Bishopstone. The Belties of Faulston Manor waiting to be taken to there new field. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Can't do that just now, dear. Not possible, ask me later..." My  mantra this past year as I painted similar scenes over and over again. My goal was to create a series of belted galloway (aka: belties) paintings and ocean scenes of the Maine coast.

Hubby and friends repeatedly ask, "Why are you painting cows?" Why not? They are part of the same ecosphere I belong to. The more I look at them, the more I see what they are. I feel a sadness in their limited existence. We know the specter of slaughter looms ahead for the breed. Their eyes divulge innocence and desperation. Is the desperation in my mind? Are they able to decipher the reduction in population in their meadow could mean their time is coming up—never to be seen again? We get around that chilling idea as we focus on the beauty of their pastoral existence whereby observers with a sense of aesthetics stop to take notice or snap a photo.

Belties Red Glow
Artist: Jo M. Orise

One of my college professors chided a few students who claimed they could not finding proper subject matter worthy of their attention to paint from their 'limited' surroundings. Worthy subject matter? Open your eyes. Worthy subject matter is all around you.

Curtis Island Light
Artist: Jo M. Orise

Don't just look, see what you are looking at. You'll find something interesting for a painting or poem or story. Compose a few thumbnails, write a rough draft—do something then think it over. At least you've begun a process.

Not all creations are masterpieces. Learn your craft and learn to throw away work that doesn't meet your goal as a pretty good piece. Who decides a creation is a masterpiece anyway? Not the artist.

Paint, write, create whatever you wish, but do it with passion, don't be afraid to chuck it and start fresh. Keep learning as you go. Spend hours studying your artwork's progress, reading what you've written. Share with people of similar interests what you've done, listen to their comments. Don't take their critiques as personal indictments of your incompetence. Listen and learn from these comments and thank the person who critiques for having the courage to tell you what she/he thinks.

Decided what you are happy with and then leave it alone. Let time pass then return to your work and decide if it is still good enough. Go on to your next creation and you will see growth and greater understanding of your craft and your ecosphere.

Picture found at:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
fbid=553259461381583&set=a.3672496
13315903.85664.354522044588660&type=1&theater

Here is a pictures of egosphere and ecosphere, which I thought interesting and to the point.

What do you think.

Post a comment below. Love to hear from you.

My Dad's Fight with Alzheimer's Disease

Healthy brain (bottom) versus brain of a donor with Alzheimer's disease. Notable is the "shrink" that has occurred in Alzheimer's disease; the brain was decreased in size. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has been a long while since my last post.

A lot has happened. I was first appointed POA and then Guardian for my father who was an Alzheimer victim. As he progressed in his illness, the dementia made it difficult for us to understand each other. Therefore, I read whatever material and books recommended by his physicians and the state.

Family and not so friendly 'friends' appeared and made things more difficult for no good reason other than not understanding and choosing not to be informed about the disease. They reported, "He's okay. I spoke to him yesterday and he doesn't have Alzheimer's."

I suggested reading material. I explained the progression of the disease. My decisions were interpreted as excuses for me to do whatever I wanted, not what my father wanted.

Over seven years, my father was tested and re-tested for Alzheimer's and each time proved him worse than before. He didn't know what year it was, how old he was, how long he was in one place, how much his rent was. He insisted he needed money daily and called me several times a weeks demanding money be sent to him. He had always been an angry, accusing man. He became more so as the disease progressed.  Over the last two years, his confusion and inadequacies brought on by his dementia infuriated him. So, he blamed me. I understood. However, outsiders believed his accusations and encouraged him to fight for his rights. None had the courage to communicate with me at any time. None of them knew I was ensuring his rights. They seemed to thrive in the drama they helped create.

One day he said, "I'm sorry." I replied, "I forgive you, Dad. I'm sorry, too." Dad died two weeks later as I held his hand. No one else was there to challenge the facts. He was finally at peace—so was I.

His picture sits on my desk smiling at me as I work. The family and friends still believe what they want. There is nothing I can do to change the choice to be ignorant of important facts about the disease by these people. However, if ever they are interested, I suggest they read the public documents and affidavits written to the Court. Most importantly, pick up a book on Alzheimer's' and read it to be informed.

Rest in peace, Dad.
Love,

your daughter

(Photo credit: @Doug88888)

August Art Update

A few August show TAG members. I'm in the middle.

Didn't have time to post for the last month. As a TAG (The Artists Group) member, I updated my art display at the Meredith Village Savings Bank in Wolfeboro, NH in July and again in August. We have new members showing so it is a great display. The showing is at the front entrance of the bank. Check it out and let us know what you think. If you like what you see, you can purchase a painting by speaking to someone in the bank. You can also contact the individual artists. A portion of the purchase price is donated to the GWAC (Governor Wentworth Arts Council) to help support the arts in the community.

Original artwork hanging at the Brown Bag Cafe

August found me at the Brown Bag Cafe in a group showing.  The cafe is in Rockland, Maine. A great place to have a wonderful breakfast and lunch. The chef is fantastic. Check out my artwork there. All originals: oils, watercolor and acrylics. The display will be there until the end of August.

I also participated in the bi-annual art show at Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine. The Goose Rocks Beach Association hosted the show and part of the proceeds are donated to the organization so they may continue to offer programs to the community.

My matted originals and prints in archival mats and packaging.

The selection of four watercolor artworks juried for the GRBA show.

A portion of the art hanging at the Highlands Coffee House.

One-man show. Two days before the GRBA show, I hung twenty artworks in the Highlands Coffee House, on Main Street, Thomaston, Maine. They have since sold one painting and hope to sell more. That is exciting. The coffee house is a wonderful place to chill out for fresh ground coffee, pastries and sandwiches. They also offer entertainment on Friday nights and have author signing and other activities that interests the educated soul. Check them out and look or purchase one of my artworks...or more. (smile.)

Don't be shy to leave a comment below. Thanks for visiting.

Jo