If you haven't grown up by age 50 You don't have to.

My first painting for 2013!

 My husband was kind enough to title this painting.  It's called "The Lie"
It represents my three sisters and I.  They are painted in the order of our birth, and the clothes are painted with our favorite colors except for Mary, she got a new color I ordered.
In reality we are a little chunkier with no necks but, its not meant to be realistic but whimsical and fun!
I used acrylics on canvas.
I will start the painting classes at Hutchins Street Square this Wednesday!  It's going to be so much fun!

Happy New Year!!!

2013

Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for a special occasion.  Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of champagne in the fridge.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true.

I for one am exited to leave 2012 behind and start over with lots of plans for this year.

With the new year comes plans for the new year!

Weight loss plans (again)

Baking (mot for me, for other people)

Read more books

De clutter the house

Clean the garage

Play ping pong ( the stable has been stored in the garage for years. It will be used this year.)

Walk

Cook ( My husband has been doing all the cooking for me for the past four years.  It's been great and yummy but, with that came many, many extra pounds and not enough vegetables. So, I'm uns poiling myself  and back to the kitchen.)

Spend more time with friends and family,

Make more jewelry

Sell my jewelry on Etsy

Take some art workshops

Teach more art classes

Teach workshops

Paint more

Last but not least Blog,Blog, and Blog!

Oh and another party to plan! yes , for my husband of 30 years. Two years ago on January 21st, 2011 my husband Pete underwent a liver transplant and our lives were changed forever. I want to celebrate his life.

I'll keep you posted.

They say good things come to those who wait, so, I guess I'll be late.

My mom's birthday party was Saturday. It's finally behind me.  The plan was to take pictures of everything I cooked but, I was so busy in the kitchen I did not take any pictures to show you.  The party was a great success.  My mom was happy and that is what matters.  I could not have done it without my three sisters.

Well, not too much painting in December.  I practiced a batik technique using tempera paints, then again using acrylic paint.

 I sketched a Sunflower.

 I mixed the colors to make the brown center.

Yellow sunflower, blue sky, green stem. I painted around the lines.

Then applied India ink on the lines, let it dry then washed it off.  Most of the tempera paint came off with it.  So I went back and touched it up with watercolor.

This time I painted with acrylic paint making sure not to paint over the lines. Painted the lines with India ink and rinsed.

I liked using the acrylic best. next time I will let it dry for only 5 minutes, if you let it dry too long it's hard to come off. I did about 30 min.

 Yes, I have started a new collection!  It's art books.

  I can't wait to use these techniques with the kids!

When you Love what you have,

you have everything you need

This is my little corner of the world!
 and I brought Lola to work with me! A little splash of color on those white walls.  I painted Lola last week and decided to take her to work with me to brighten up my day.

Not a whole lot of painting done this week, actually, no painting done at all!  I should have known planning my mom's birthday party was going to take a chunk of my painting time but, it is so worth it.

I finished her invitations and they are ready to be sent out.

ART washes from the soul the dust of everyday Life

I have been painting almost everyday! When I paint I keep an extra piece of paper next to my work area and wipe away excess paint on the paper before I wash the paint in the water container and at the end of the week I have several papers with interesting colors on it.  I'm just trying to clean my brush. 

 What to do with these interesting colorful papers?

Well, I decided to sketch faces on these papers!

One of my favorite artist work I admire is Amedeo Modigliani so I decided these faces were going to have long necks.  A few months ago I took an on-line workshop called Tri-color faces.  I put both inspirations together and had a blast! 

 This is my favorite!  This is going to work with me!!!! I liked the background color I started with.  I did the outline of the face, I had no idea what to do for hair but, I loved the end result.  Oh, I almost forgot, her name is Lola.

 This was fun as well since the hat was not part of the sketch but part of extra paint background!
This is Lucy.  I know I will keep painting these fun paintings and I'll use all name imaginable. I need a system, I need a secretary!!!! I can't think of any more "L" names!

This is Lauren.  I had to ask my kids or I'll be here all night.  Not to many pretty names that start with the letter 'L'.

 This is Laurie.

 This is Lisa

This is Lydia!

Someday everything will make perfect sense.

So, for now laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

 I worked on several children projects for my classes this week  ( Registration is in December)

I have been working on planning the art lessons and I'm having a blast!!! 

Thanksgiving is at my house this year.  My husband and son will be cooking the turkey and sides this year.  I will be at work in the morning.  When I come home the house will be full with family and yummy food!

I am filling the pressure with all the dead lines I have made for myself.  I make sterling silver and beaded jewelry and opened an Etsy account that is to open January 1st.  I will be selling my jewelry on line in 2013.

I am also working on starting  birthday painting parties for children also in January!

I have been working on multiple things for months and my deadline is approaching fast!

On top of all the dead lines and Christmas, my moms 70th birthday is December 29th and I have volunteered to throw her the biggest party ever!  I know, I love it!!

I'm doing the invitations, the decorations and all the food, it' going to be fabulous!!!! 

I have been purchasing everything I need to run this jewelry and art business.  My latest item is this internet photo studio my daughter found on line for $30.00! 

I took this photo with my phone.  My daughter has offered to help me with the photo shooting you can check it out on my Etsy account in January. 

For those of you who don't know me.

My name is Letty Nava. 

 Mother of three and wife to a real good guy.

I started painting when my kids were young,  I loved it so much and painted so much I turned it into a business and sold my items at four boutiques.When my kids were young I used to put them to bed and paint well into the night.  When my kids started school I helped with the Art Docent Program. Later I became the Art Docent Coordinator.  This is our last year at Saint Anne's School  as my youngest is in eight grade.

I have learned not to take life for granted and to do the things that make you happy.

I will be teaching at Hutchins Street Square in Lodi in January 2013 and I need to get some samples done.

 Three day weekend! I set up my studio back up, the dining room table is not really working out for me. So, I'm back to the entry room.  Any visitors will be greeted by my mess. I've decided  that in order to be ready for my January classes I must paint everyday!  That is my goal. Unfortunately with the holidays around the corner and Thanksgiving at my home that is going to be a problem.

 I am so thankful for this three day weekend I actually got a lot done. The giraffe is one of the first pieces I made as a sample for Hutchins Street Square and it is still my favorite.  This weekend I worked on a hippo under water.  After I took the picture I went back and did a second coat of blue watercolor and I looks much better.  But, not good enough.  I'll have to redo.

I would like to share the flyer I made to promote the classes I will be teaching In January and looking at the giraffe I wish I would have posted the giraffe instead.  Oh, well it is what it is.