Quick post about a recent painting.. This is the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" by Renoir done in a few of the styles of Marc Chagall.  In my in-progress photos below, you can see my studies: first a pencil sketch of the Renoir, next a pencil sketch of the Chagall characters of it, finally a pencil sketch outline on the canvas itself..

Oh Where to begin!

But I had already begun-- last year. I made a prototype Christmas yard decoration which spells out a backlit "JOY," and, on Christmas Eve, even the Baby Jesus' silhouette illuminates. It was constructed out of cardboard, lights, and lots of duct tape. It turned out pretty decent, but alas, it was not weather-worthy, and it was too late in the season to rebuild it properly.