Seriously, I'd like some breakfast. Anyone? [Update! See bottom of post!]
I'm up at 5:30 am writing this, which is not something I'm doing for fun, because the only thing I do at 5:30 for fun is sleep or sleep-eat. But I happened to wake up at 4 in a mild panic about All The Things, my ever-growing list of work obligations, and I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something important I said I'd do. And now everyone is mad at me. (If I ever write a memoir I'm going to title it "Everyone is Mad at Me." Don't steal that! That's mine!)
It's great to have a huge work load, I know. I've had plenty of early-morning panics about not having enough work. This is better. I am okay with all the work; it's the NUMBER of different projects that I can't seem to wrap my head around. It's giving me a temporary case of ADD, an obsessive need to write list after list, and a strong yearning for a butler, or a chef. A chef-butler. At least someone to make me breakfast.
In the middle of all of this I'm trying to get off a Big Project off the ground, which I hope to unveil in a couple of weeks. Forgive me for being so secretive. I will remain alive for a while so that I may shortly reveal all. That is my pledge to you. ("I Will Remain Alive" is my second memoir title, written when I am frighteningly old. The cover will be a close-up of one of my eyes. When I die all the copies of the book will burst into flame. I've thought this through.)
In the meantime, here's a watercolor I did recently.
And another! 
I could do nothing but paint all the time. I love it so much. I think I'm an art nerd. Is that a thing? I'm walking around with the dog and I see a gnarled, stumpy tree and all I want to do is draw it. All the dog wants to do is pee on it. And then I want to draw the dog peeing. And then I do. I need help. Or art supplies! That shit is pricey.
Alice
Oh, you people are too good to me.
I took your advice/requests and created a Zazzle store. You can now purchase prints of the tree picture--in poster, card, or wrapped-canvas format, if you're fancy. I'll add more paintings, when I clean up some other scans I have. Thank you!
Reader Comments (58)
Gorgeous paintings!!
A chef-butler is such a good idea! Also, a chaffeur.
You should 100% open an Etsy shop to sell your watercolors. They are beautiful. Then you can quit all your other jobs and earn tons of money, hire the butler you've always dreamed of (I've already named my future butler Sven, who will also be a masseuse) and write and paint and eat bonbons on your divan all day long.
I'm mad at you for claiming that awesome title.
That tree is amazing. How do you have the patience to do all those branches? I would just give up and scrawl the word "branches" across 3/4 of the paper.
Lady! I love the tree one million. It's gorgeous.
Also this morning my brain invented breakfast nachos. Come over?
Oh, MomVee, that made me laugh really hard.
I am obsessive like that. It was hard for me to STOP drawing branches.
You painted those? For reals? I will trade you 1000 omelets for either one. And regarding the lists; feel free to write things on the list that you have already done, even smaller things, and then immediately cross them off. Eg, "brush teeth" or "get dressed." I find this helpful.
I can't take my eyes off the tree painting. How did you do that? With magic, right? Yes, that must be it.
I would buy that tree watercolor in a second. Please start an Etsy shop!
Etsy shop: yes, please.
Damn, I came here (from RSS) thinking I'd be the first to say "sell your art!" "list on etsy!" Oh well. I also adore the tree painting - its intricacies and contrast. Let us know if you decide to part with it!
Just agreeing that while all your paintings are pretty phenomenal, that tree one is spooky good. Compelling. Eye drawing.
I have no suggestions on the waking early with anxiety thing, the only thing I found that cured mine was quitting the job that gave it to me. It went away like *snap* that. But that's not really a plan for having a real life, is it?!
So funny. I can relate to the obession for lists...not the art. I can't draw a stick man..BUT I can appreciate it. That is why I'm in love with the tree!! It's beautiful. I want it.
That tree is beautiful! Echoing what others have said, you could absolutely sell these things. Particularly if painting is what you want to do most. It really shows!
I love your paintings too. Watercolor is on my list of things to learn how to do. Unfortunately, I am not like you about lists. Also on my list of things to do is to get around to making that list of things to do. I'm bad!
LOVE your tree. Gorgeous, seriously.
LOVE your tree. Gorgeous, seriously.
I awoke in a panic about the terrible, awful nightmare I was having. It involved spiders - lots of HUGE spiders. Then I ate Cocoa Puffs - and I don't eat cereal before noon...But since I don't have any anti-anxiety meds that was my only option.
Have a Day!!
I can't wait to hear about your new big project! But I will. To pass the time, I will copyright "Everyone is Mad at Me."
Ohmylord, that tree is exquisite. Yes to the Etsy!
You should consider throwing your artwork out there for people (and by 'people', I mean 'humans') to consider buying/sharing/oogling/coveting. Because it's ridiculously good and supremely oogleworthy.
Those trees in the first picture really are beautiful, I really like the snow.
Have you ever read "My Name is Asher Lev"? You should. Based on this post I think you would love it. :)
xox
Your art is so lovely! I've always wanted to paint a picture like the stark tree one above! This makes me want to try.
Alice! When you said you painted the picture of the tree I thought you were going to follow it with some joke about "no, ha ha, that is a photograph I took of a tree one time." I actually had to stare at it for several minutes before it turned from a photo to a painting for my brain. I am pretty sure this means 1) you are incredibly talented or 2) I am having a stroke. I haven't lost control of half my face yet, so let's go with "you are incredibly talented!"
Alice! When you said you painted the picture of the tree I thought you were going to follow it with some joke about "no, ha ha, that is a photograph I took of a tree one time." I actually had to stare at it for several minutes before it turned from a photo to a painting for my brain. I am pretty sure this means 1) you are incredibly talented or 2) I am having a stroke. I haven't lost control of half my face yet, so let's go with "you are incredibly talented!"