So today I begin work on a new painting.  There is a clean canvas on the kitchen easel. ..the rubbermaid palette is freshly scrubbed and ready to receive the splats, blobs and sloppiness again. . .the scrapes and dabs and dry spots.

(Gotta love those plastic palettes with a lid and an undersponge. ..as I am a slow study and need to conserve wet paint on an extremely limited part-time instructor budget).

So now what is needed is some water, paint rags and creamed sweet coffee, followed by a plethora of pre-painting google searches: Impressionist technique, abstract art. ..but also pastels and paintings. .. most likely including: Cassatt, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Brancusi, Renoir, and Billy the sidewalk chalk boy.

I also need to fix myself up with some tunage. ..something that will help move the brush across the blank page. ..keep the blood going. . encourage some lame attempts at humming, jumping, and sing-a-long stuff.

Public domain photo of The Pogues by The Wiki Ghost

I like early Dylan for this. . .assorted blues music including John Lee Hooker and Billie Holliday. . .maybe some Corinne Bailey Rae, who always keeps it upbeat and playful. . . Judy Collins. . .Pogues. . .Fleet Foxes. . .Badly Drawn Boy. . .Iron and Wine. . .

Here’s a favorite Waterboys:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VKouBHarIo

I wish I was a fisherman. . .

from “The Electric Significance of Singing the Blues”

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48539233/vintage-blues-john-lee-hooker-the

Mary Cassatt (taped to my drafting table)