LTNW

I just looked to see if this blog I thought I was going to write was still here, and was surprised to find it.   I discovered I din't have much time to say anything much less have anything to say.  Since the blog is here, guess  I will think about using it for something!

 I mentioned in my last post 6 years ago that I loved painting;  I still do, but have hardly done much the last several years. I have, however, weeded down my patterns and a some  books, but since many are new, it  is rather disheartening to have to list them for much less than I paid for them.  . Used ones I can understand, of course. 

When I began decorative/tole painting, classes were always full and you had to sign up as soon as the sheets went up if you wanted in.  Over the  years the painters' numbers began to dwindle, and there were fewer classes available . It's sad, really, but understandable.  Classes were mostly female, many in the day, and over the last 15 years it seems to me that more & more women are working as well as raising a family, and cannot attend in the day, and are probably too busy & tired at night to haul their supplies to a craft store, shop, or someone's home to paint for a couple of hours.  I am hoping those interested  are painting at home when they can.  Most painting magazines are no longer published, but there are books & patterns on the internet , so sources are still out there.  Craft stores still carry paint and other supplies, as well as the stores on line. 
If interested, I would suggest  visiting the  Society of Decorative Painters on line.  There are sources there, as well as information on local Chapters  (you may be near one!)  and information on teachers, conventions, where to get   supplies, etc..  If you decide to join, you will receive 4 absolutely beautiful magazine issues that are stuffed with information & lessons.  There is also the annual Convention issue that shows classes available, accommodation suggestions, entertainment &  restaurants available, etc..

I also was oil painting, and there are teachers out there, too.  A rather interesting thing has happened in the last couple of years;  I have no idea who-how-when it started, but there are some bars / lounges
that are offering wine & a painting class on some evenings...they say you will have a completed oil painting  when the lesson and evening is over.  Maybe they offer that combo where you are, too.

Hmmm, guess I found something to write about tonight, anyway!

11-15-09
Oh, boy! You can tell I'm new to this blog thing...I posted my entry as a comment to the first entry I made. Duh! If you're interested, please go read it. Tried to move it here; no luck!
G'Night!

Why ?

I do not know what possessed me to start a blog. Seems like the thing to do nowdays.
Perhaps part of it is wanting to write something that is not on paper or in a book that I might misplace. My computer is much too big to lose! I just hope I can find my blog again, LOL.
I spend altogether too much time on line. There is so much to learn, so many people to meet that have similar interests, and so many things to see here that I would never see IRL.
My passion for pictures has severely limited the speed of the 'puter (according to DS) because I save, save, save beautiful things I see. My bookmarks list could probably circle the globe at least once. I guess I am an information junkie, too.
My main interest since retiring is painting. Oils (landscape, floral, still life) , acrylics (folk art), and colored pencil are my preferred mediums at the moment. I have only dabbled in watercolor, and would like to try pastels. *Sigh* maybe in my second life. Right.
Seriously, I put off my art interest for years until I had time for it, and regret that I didn't make more time for it sooner. My foray into crafts in the early 90's led me to learn to tole/decorative paint. I had a great teacher, and would still go to her classes if she hadn't retired, too.
I am quite addicted to patterns and pattern books; need to sell some and downsize.
Oh, well...someday. For now, ebay must wait...the laundry is calling me.