Now I feel oddly tempted to give that picture a go. Not in the painting, not with paint even. But back to me pencils. Haven't had that craving for years!
Who knows... Not sure if I can still do drawings though, my frigging neck doesn't really let me sit bend over at the table anymore
If I give it a whirl, I'll let you know

How's things going Crystal? Just stopped by to look at your paintings again.

Not been painting just yet. My neck / head has been upset for a few weeks, slowly getting better. And I've been writing again. But .. I did buy three new canvases Sunday, in case I want to paint and the one I started isn't dry enough yet. So I may just start a new one

Maybe get a neck massage. That might help. I hope you feel better! You are a sweetheart!

Thank you!
Seen my osteopath yesterday, and things are looking up :)

Continued with the painting. Still not done yet.

The monstrosity of a bush in the middle has gone again. Got rid of it today. A happy accident that really wasn't all that happy..

Looks like a wonderful place to be. Beautiful painting.

Wow! Those trees are awesome. So cool how they refect the moon and fire. Looks like enchanted or spooky forest.

However, that bush looks like a big fat grizzly bear. Maybe he's cold and wants to roast some marmallows for smores.

It's intriguing as always! Can't wait for the next post on it.

Thank you for sharing this part of you life with us, it's beautiful the way you expressed it in your painting!

Hey, how'd you get that picture of me from my private collection? I mean okay, I don't sport as much thick locks up top, and instead of a six pack I bear a keg...but I'll have you know: "That's nothing but muscle Gilligan." I don't even wanna discuss wetting my pants.

Crystal. I really admire that you post your paintings as you work on them. Thanks for allowing me to observe your creative process and insights. Tulip.

I like sharing whilst working on them :) Sometimes I get stuck, like with this last painting with that huge bush, and feedback from others helps me along again.
Someone mentioned that it didn't need anything where that bush is, that it only distracts from the campfire. So I made a Photoshop version without it, and dang, she was right! I already got rid of the bush, as I was really not happy with it.

This is the Photoshop version, so NOT the finished painting (I have yet to finish it off, lol)



I will post the finished version when it's done :)

Hi Crystal,
Not been a paintings enthusiast I cannot comment on them except that quite a few carry a lot of energy and the stories they tell; didn't realize that side before.



Something to share here. Around Feb this year, I got into a situation of 'pain', the kind that freezes your hand movement. An XRay was followed by an MRI and two docs decided that my T4 was to be replaced with some steel disc unit. Man!! I knew that my interests in programming & absence of exercise had finally led to this. The pain was unbearable. Like those sharp toothache, but running from shoulder to arm.

After their verdict, made some changes including elevating my laptop, etc. Quite accidentally, my help had pushed the thick bed so that it rested on the low foot board of the cot and the bed formed a slight incline. I thought of trying this, lightly reclined from shoulder to head (10 degrees) and I didn't need a pillow. What a relief since then. There was an initial discomfort but now it's become natural.

try it as an experiment.

I agree, much nicer without. The whole piece really flows but now I'm stopped by that section left of the photoshop (obviously you're working on the photo shop part so no comment necessary on that). However, speaking of the left part, the trees in the far distant seem more like veins, if you get my meaning. Hard to express in words sometimes. I wish they were more rich yet distant.

It's a beauty, Crystal!

Thank you for your feedback, Tulip!
I'll see what I can do about the 'veins' :p
I'll probably finish the whole lot of in one go when I get in the mood. Maybe today is a good day to paint :)

They are beautiful
I wish I could paintings and drawings like you

Thank you Annie!

I've finished the painting this afternoon :)

Just keeps me staring into it, deeply. It brought tears for me. So much hard work you put in the tiniest of details. It is my fondest thing to sit next to a fire, near a lake. It is warm and refreshing, at once; mystical and mysterious; as haunting as it is inviting.

Bravo, Crystal

May fairies dine upon your splendor.

Oww... thank you so much for that sweet message, Tulip!!

Started another one today :) It's not finished yet, but happy I got this far in one session
And after the campfire painting it's nice to work with completely different palet again. Mainly blue and white.