Carpe Diem. Lydia Host

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There is a local coffee shop that has made this Latin saying common place. They have great coffee! My Father always liked to use that one and another that goes like this: "Illegitimis non carborundum" Carpe Diem means "seize the day!!!" Which we all aspire to do.

How Now...

I am sure no one else in the 'Divine Bovine' show will title a work 'How Now..."!! But it was just too easy. I am working furiously on a sculpture for this show, but have a few little paintings of cows as well. I went to Baldwin County to photograph some cows, and ran into the nicest man- who's property I just happened to be on. He took me to where the cows were feeding (other wise they kept running off) and I got lots of divine bovine shots to work from. You are cordially invited to come to this show; curated by Joanne Brandt at the West Regional Public Library. The opening reception is next Thursday from 6pm to 8pm. They have a great space for an art display on the second floor, and there are lots of really good artists in this show- it should be fun! L.

The Aquarium

I can't wait till tomatoes are plentiful again....nothing like a good 'juicy Lucy' sandwhich! (just in case you don't know what that is;(I didn't until my friend Janet explained) a 'juicy Lucy' is a sandwhich made on soft white bread with mayo (homemade would be best) and a garden fresh juicy tomato sliced nice and thick and sprinkled with salt and pepper!-really any bread works as we aren't really allowed to eat white bread these days). L.

Portrait.

This is a detail of a really large portrait that I recently finished. I haven't ever painted a portrait with downcast eyes, it was easier in some ways, but harder to be sure of the likeness too. Eyes are so expressive that you really know right off if you are on target...plus they are usually where I begin. I had a bit of trouble capturing the boy on the left, and the other two just flowed out. I really like the final result of the three intent upon investigating a lady bug...unaware of the veiwer. It was a pleasure to paint. L.

The Cornado. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x8

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I love this ship, it is on a journey now, but was docked in Mobile for several years.

I painted this from a photo, soon I plan to en plein aire down at the docks again!

L.

Pavlov's lemon. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x8

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I have a Pavlovian response to anything piled up in a glass container- paint it! Today my painting was interrupted several times and finally cut short by my three year old who feels lousy, and couldn't settle into his nap. I think it made me leave things a little rougher than usual, but I am happy with this painting anyway. I love the play of warm and cool colors.

L.

Figure on clay tile.Lydia Host a day 3x4inches

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These are sketches on clay, made while in figure drawing group, most are warm-up poses (that means less than five minutes!) I did these a while ago- cleaned out the attic this weekend and found about fifteen of them. They are fired twice, once for vitrification, and second for glaze. They are about 3x4 inches each are backed with felt and a small ribbon to hang from. They are imperfect in many ways; for instance the tiles are rather thin, and some are a little warped, but have gestural freshness that I enjoy. If you click on the title above it will take you to ebay, where they are all listed.

L.

Pile up. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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The Easter egg radishes are back. There is a taco truck in Los Angeles that sells Vietnamese tacos,and they have chopped radishes on them....they look scrumptious! Radishes are a pleasure to paint.

L.

leap frog. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

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I was looking for inspiration in the grocery store, and saw these tomatoes. I grabbed them to paint with out looking at the price...6.99!!! My friend Aimee and I were joking around about perhaps calling them "million dollar tomatoes"... killer BLT's are on the menu this week.

L.

figure study

These are both 20x20 paintings for a show. I painted ALOT today, but not a small, it just felt so good to use my whole arm! (sometimes on the little one's I just use my wrist to paint-not good). I am not sure that I am finished with the figure, but I just might be. 'Get healthy' and 'Get away! 'are possible titles!

Have your cake! Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

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I still have this cake left from last week, and practice does seem to improve if not perfect! I had fun with the fork and its shadow. Is red velvet cake a southern cake? I had never heard of it before moving here, but that doesn't mean much. Anyway its really good ...sort of chocolatey,with a cream cheese frosting.

L.

You crack me up. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

I painted this yesterday with Mary Elizabeth, and we whined the whole time. I have seen other painting-a - day artists conquer this subject, and thought it a worthy conquest. The whole set-up is on glass and so that added to both the complexity and the whining component of this endeavor.

L.

Sweet delights. Lydia Host daily painting a day 8x6

Still plotting a large painting of tea time items. This painting gave me lots of angst; there was not that much contrast in things except for the cake, and the flowers, which i didn't really give a lot of game space anyway. So I am wondering if its lopsided, or counter-balanced, or what is going on with the composition. This is why painting a small painting everyday is improving me! - making me think a little harder about what I do.

L.

Sassy set. Lydia Host daily painting a day 6x6

I really like the color combination of brown and blue. One of the things I've been thinking about lately is why we are drawn to certain things or people.

L.

sunflowers.. lydia Host daily 8x10

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This is the second painting from last Sunday when I painted with M.e.k. I have to study for my class tonight, so this was a fill -in for today. I try not to do that, but sometimes...it happens. L.