New Paintings!

I just finished a couple of pieces for the Blue Gallery portrait show, which opens the first Friday in September. I had to hustle to get these done in time, and now I just have to let 'em dry and frame them. I hope I have frames that fit--I seriously do not want to have to go buy frames.

"A Tiny Prison"
Oil on canvas board, 14 x 18 inches.

"Myocastor Coypus"

Oil on canvas, 18 x 24 (just finished today!)

(It's the Latin name of the nutria, a large semi-aquatic rodent from South America that was introduced to Louisiana in the 1930's for possible fur farming. They became established in the wetlands along the Gulf coast and have caused a lot of damage, as they feed exclusively on wetland plants, damaging root systems and causing serious erosion in the process.)

We took Esther to see Ponyo earlier today. It was cute and visually pretty amazing (which is typical Miyazaki). It was no My Neighbor Totoro or Kiki's Delivery Service, but it was fun and Esther loved it. I'm just happy to see another of his films, especially since he's said before that he's done with film making. That makes me sad.

I'm at week 28, fat and sassy, and doing well. I'm ready for fall, definitely--I'm tired of the heat, even though it's been a really mild summer. I should be thankful it's not a typical midwest summer!

The baby's an active little bugger, moving a LOT. There's something kind of creepy about seeing things moving under your skin, like sea creatures breaking the ocean's surface, and then sinking before you can identify them. And I swear sometimes it feels like an octopus is in there--he's everywhere at once!