Spring has arrived, at least according to the calendar.  We had a nice warm day a week or so ago. My husband dragged the patio chairs out of the garage and I hauled to pots of sedum and hens and chicks out of the cellar and into the sunlight.  I'm back photographing old headstones at the local cemetery for Find a Grave, despite the mud, and it is fine to be back tromping around outside.  The new found warmth did not last, however - today we're all back in long sleeves and wooly socks, which is how things go here in southern Wisconsin.  Gotta be flexible.

Spring is also when I hear from the little gallery I usually take small paintings to in Door county.  I received my annual letter from the owner recently.  Her miniature show is back after a year's hiatus.  This year she wants miniatures with a theme of hearts.  There is real potential here for more cuteness than usually appeals to me, but I sat down and started a couple ideas.

This is my cow portrait.  I bet you can find the heart.  My dad raised purebred holstein dairy cows, so I have first hand experience with the creatures.  The gallery owner suggested I send some of my little paintings with gold leaf, so I painting a cow portrait and gilded the background.

One of my friends said she looks angry, but I think she is just projecting something in her life into the cow.  Cows cannot really smile.

I'm also working on a slightly more whimsical piece with rabbits, but it isn't close to being ready to show the world.

Stay warm.