Sometimes (often) I am at my most obnoxious because I need attention. and even hollered-at attention can feel pretty good because I am noticed. My advice is to pay some attention to the person who’s just at the edge of obnoxious. Like me, right now, who is trying to tell you something.

Happy 70th birthday to Yo-Yo Ma

Another small but fabulous flowers class.

Did you know that there are folks in this world that no matter how grouchy you are no matter how bad you look no matter how hopeless you are will love you anyway? That alone can be enough to get you through some days. (FYI - dogs belong to that group.)

Sometimes enjoying the world from your favorite chair is all you need

Next week's class is Seascapes. So I'm practicing this week.

Annie & Hobbes #blueskyartshow #relax

When you are sad, it hurts worse when someone says, “Cheer up!” As if you can just do that - flip on your happy switch. And besides, maybe you don’t want to cheer up. Everybody has the right to be sad sometimes. Even you.

Week #3 of my 8-wk course. This week: wet-on-wet. By painting on paper that's very wet, the paint spreads in unpredictable ways, so it's a great exercise to loosen up & enjoy what watercolor does best. And cats are great for wet-on-wet, since they are so soft and fuzzy!

don’t define yourself too narrowly in fact, don’t define yourself at all if you decide this is me this is not me you may miss a me who for the moment you’re in is perfect

Some folks are pokey And some folks are speedy Pokey folks notice more things along the way. Speedy folks reach their destination quicker. Both these things are good. So be patient with each other. And by the way, This applies to brains.

Small but stunning watercolor flowers class tonight.

The towel dispenser n the restroom states "pull paper towel down with both hands." I only used one; that's how strong I am.

The nicest thing about the internet is that it makes everyone want to SHARE. We want everyone to see everything we have and everything we do. Most of the time it’s because we want to be admired. But you know what? That’s okay.

Jane Goodall was the first "hero" portrait I painted. It was March 2020, and the beginning of the Covid lockdown. I decided to paint portraits of people I admired, to keep my spirits up, and Ms. Goodall was the first person I chose.

You will have a lot more fun If you learn the difference between Being a fool (Bad) And enjoying a little foolishness (Good.) And the difference is: Don’t be foolish and mean. Be foolish and sweet.

Another amazing flower session! #watercolor

When someone has something that would make you happy and you wish you had it too, That’s just Envy. But when you wish the other guy didn’t have that good thing,- that’s Resentment. It’s like wishing the other guy wasn’t happy. That’s not you. Let it go.

Smile at yourself! Every time you see a mirror today, (Maybe drink a lot of water so it’s often) Look at yourself and Smile. Big smile. Little smile. Shy smile. Silly smile. Maybe even laugh. See how it feels. Maybe do it Not just for today. Every day.

George.

This is my nonchalant look. When I wear it, Mom always know that I have done something very chalant. In this case, well, we won’t go into it, but you might want to sit somewhere else for a minute or two.

This week's them for #BlueSkyArtShow is #TheRoad Havana. #watercolor

Sometimes it only takes a few kind words to brush away someone’s bad mood. But if it is a deep sadness you might need more than a few. The best thing is to have lots of kind words always ready.

When my tongue hangs out, Mom thinks I’m happy. But usually I’m just hot. But Mom smiles at me, and then I AM happy. So she’s right after all. Moral: When folks think kind thoughts about you, they’re right.

Flowers tonight!

People say, “The world doesn’t revolve around you.” And that’s true in the big picture. But at the center of the picture there is one tiny space where the world really does revolve around you. Make that space welcoming and kind.

Right in the middle of doing something you love, you may realize that somewhere along the line it stopped being fun. That happens. You are allowed to give up a hobby or a sport or anything or anybody. For a while or forever. Don’t trap yourself by what you used to like.

Lucy. A quick practice with wet-on-wet technique. #watercolor #cats

When your friend tells a story and it reminds you of your own story that is crazier, funnier, scarier, and you can’t wait to jump in and tell it - Just for today, don’t do that. Let your friend be the star storyteller.

In Mom’s circle of friends there’s some I like better than others. There’s one woman especially that I don’t particularly like. This weekend she got engaged. This made me really happy. Because even though I don’t love her, it’s nice to know that somebody does.

My friend Elaine, who died suddenly a few weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure out what life will look like without her.

Dad doesn’t feel good. Thor and I are not supposed to fight. Do you know how hard that is??? All you parents: If your kids (human or otherwise) are not fighting right this instant, Stop and say ‘Thank you’ right now. Maybe say ‘Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.’ It is SO HARD.

Class #2 in my 8-class series. Because I had the class use a limited palette last week, this week I had them go crazy with color.

Today's theme for #blueskyartshow is #angles. Looking at life from a new angle can be illuminating. #watercolor

One of Mom’s favorite expressions (because it was Grandpa’s) Is “Let’s get this show on the road.” I love that idea. We are our own entertainment. Be advised. I am planning to be Spectacularly Entertaining.

When Dad comes home, I welcome him by barking my butt off. Mom wants me to stop at 1 minute. I want to bark for 5 minutes. So we compromised. I bark for 1 minute. Then I bark for 4 minutes while Mom yells, “Stop it!” Compromise works.

Since you worry so much about making a mistake, I thought I would list all the things that you need to be perfect at. I thought it would be a long list, but I can’t think of anything. Oh wait… here’s one… um… Nope. Nevermind.

When you are so awesome, sunbeams shoot out of your ass. (My loving pal, Theo. Per the request of @deaconblues555.bsky.social)

Some folks say “There’s so much to do, you have no excuse to be bored.” To them I say: Boredom don’t need no stinkin’ excuses! Boredom is good! My brain is very relaxed. It may even think some new thoughts. You should try it.

Paint Your Pet day. A moment of silence in awe of the chicken, please.

You are more than you think you are. Not perfect. But more. More intelligent. More compassionate. More beautiful. More athletic. Try it. Be more than you think.

Computers are amazing. They have an endless amount of wonderful stuff for you to look at. But sometimes there are other wonderful things to look at too. And you could also be having a snack. Which you could share.

In 1982 someone said something very mean to Mom and she’s still sad about it. 2 days ago someone said something very nice to Mom and she already forgot. Be careful saying mean things because they last and hurt forever. And say nice things often because they disappear so fast.

I'm teaching an 8-wk watercolor course - my first time doing a whole series. Today was the first class, and I wanted to keep a limited color palette to start. So I chose pigs. And just look at the adorable passel of pigs!

#Home is the theme for today's #BlueSkyArtShow. Barkley At The Door. #watercolor

I admit that yesterday wasn’t exactly my best behavior. It was my 9th best behavior. which goes by the name of “Stoppit.” Sorry. But being terrible does have its upside: Comparison. Because today’s 5th best behavior which goes by the name of “Getdown” is looking mighty fine.

Years ago we had a cat who died on a day when the whole world had a great tragedy. And we had to grieve for the world because it was bigger than the cat. All these years later we are thinking of that cat and giving him our sadness today. He mattered to us.

We all have days of sadness. And there are all kinds of sadnesses. But there is a Glorious Solemn Righteous Sadness In mourning the loss Of someone You didn’t know. Remembering 9/11.

The weather might not be great where you live right now. Go out anyway. If it’s raining, go out in the rain. You may not think you’re the outdoorsy type. But you have an outdoorsy soul. It just needs to be reminded.

One more piglet. #watercolor #ink&wash