can you spot 2 things wrong with this picture?

I'll tell you, if you can't figure it out. It's that this is my kitchen floor and 1. I don't live alone and 2. I have a bad back and should not be painting on the floor. Both things considered, I still can't stop. Anyone have any easel suggestions (for and against, good ones and bad ones, what to consider blah blah blah)? Thanks. Here are some pieces in progress: 

I'm excited to tell you that I donated a painting to Haiti by Hand, sweet Rebecca Sower's relief project for her Haitian friends and it sold before I could even post about it. Thanks for that!  Stop by and see the other donations and art pieces available. I know she's got some really great items from artists you'll know constantly arriving.

 

 

Comments

[Dianne]

I've been known to paint on the floor, the kitchen counter... even the bed! Love you in progress paintings... I especially love the flowers in the last one! Beautiful!

[Holly Abston]

I have a table-top easel and I love it. I wanted to be able to sit at a table or desk and paint, not have to pull up a stool or stand at a stand-alone easel. I wanted the table top room for all my junk around me too.

[Sally]

I bought a table easel for around $80 US. I love it! My back prevents me from sitting and standing for long stretches. The table easel allows for sitting at a table, setting up on a TV tray, or higher up on a counter for standing.

Your work is beautiful, peaceful, and full of hope. It's not surprising your work sold before you posted!

[maryann]

Heehehehe, you are funny! and your paintings are beautiful!!

Hugs!

[taylor]

Incredible colors and wonderful designs. Please take care of your back.

[psmullican]

I love your paintings. I hope you'll be adding more to Haiti by Hand or your etsy shop soon! But I do hope you'll take care of your back. That has to be painful painting that way. Take care of yourself!

[Marianne@Songbird]

What wonderful creations are being created right there on your kitchen floor!

[barbara]

HaHa. Any flat surface available, huh? My dining room floor looks just like that on occasion, but my results are not nearly as spectacular as yours. I have never been comfortable using an easel, and I usually stand at the kitchen island instead of sitting. Your floor paintings are gorgeous, but take care of your aching back.

[paige]

i always love your little birdies

would you believe i have saved all the mailers from you over the years!
such a creepy blog friend am i :)

[Andrea Kidssweet]

I love the colors in your recent work. They make me feel so ready for spring. I did my first bit of spring clearing in the yard today and brought in some forsythia to force.

I have back problems (herniated disk) too and spent a year unable to sit except for suffering when I needed to drive. I would spend the rest of my time standing doing things at the kitchen counter (a much better height than most tables) or lying on my stomach. I am much better now. I think avoiding driving (we have moved and my kids now take a bus to school) has really helped.

[sandy]

51719-1001 Collapsible Small H-Frame Easel

Dick Blick is having a sale on them now. You could sit or stand, I have severe back issues myself. I certainly understand.
I wish you would share the names of the colors you are using. they are beautiful, your birds are awesome.

[linda]

I am so loving those colors and your art. Thank-you for the inspiration. Those pieces are just what I wanted to see tonight.

[Sharon]

Just loving your paintings, particularly the one with the grey background with the bird and the foliage. Just stumbled across your blog, what a joy to find. It won't be my last visit :)

[connie]

don't abuse your back sweets, or you may never paint again and that would be
sad! -love you, c

[Diana Frey]

Your paintings are so sweet, Pamela.....as always! I am not a painter myself so I cannot suggest easels. However, I do share a back condition similar to you and have to be aware of my body mechanics constantly when designing. I encourage you to take good care of yourself as it is certainly no fun being in pain.
Take care of yourself
Diana

[tammyCA]

You're a very talented painter...sounds like you found your true calling. :)

[Deborah]

Looks like fun!

[Alison Gibbs]

Gorgeous paintings. Good Luck with the easel issue
Alison

[Francesca Di Leo]

Pam - your kitchen looks like mine!!! my kitchen has the best light in the house, so that's usually where me and all my art supplies end up.

This is what I use and I love it:
http://www.dickblick.com/products/bamboo-lyre-easel/

You do beautiful work!

Francesca

[milkcan]

In a pinch, turn a chair upside down and use a board as a back!

[Modern Crush]

Pam! These should be on fabric!!!

[Syd]

I paint mostly on a plastic table....flat. But I find I am actually painting in my lap... When I am do finishing touches I will prop it up or use an easel...Watch out for that back of yours ...you nutcake!

xoxox

[emily]

I got a mabef easel when I first started water coloring. This was before the two kids and extra twenty pounds and I thought nothing of packing that thing, paper, board, pallet and brushes---anywhere! Recently I set it up in a corner of my garage and set up a work table with two saw horses. Not a pretty little organized studio but the garage. it's working I'm painting again though.

[Tracie Lyn Huskamp]

Pam... it was SUPER to see you at the French General Soiree... seems as if it has been forever.

LOVE the new paintings!!!

BIG HUGS

[tiny twig]

i am so inspired by you!! :)

[dav]

I like your works! One of them, the bird, is fantastic...congratulations
dav

[Bobbie]

I just love it, I work in a small corner in my living room there I can just spread it all and create, create... I love your video

[cheryl carey bass]

I love your paintings, so if it means you have to work on the floor for now, then far be it from me to try to change that! Someday in the far far future, they'll think of you fondly, as Michaelangelo who spent painstaking hours on the Sistine Chapel's ceilings. Right? At least maybe you can tell yourself that when your back is aching and the hubby complaining. :) I particularly like this last painting you've posted. The light aquas/teals mixed with the blushes and salmonishes are very appealing. That color combo (a play on blue and orange) made me think of a designer from Plano TX (a suburb of Dallas where I live) who is currently on Project Runway, Amy Sarabi. She did this piece with similar (but less softened) colors and the judges RIPPED her apart for the colors. That was CRAZY to me! While I personally wouldn't necessarily wear the outfit (because I'm just not that chic), from a design point of view, I thought it was very clever. I couldn't believe how closed-minded the judges were about her color palette. It's like they want EVERYTHING to be all soft, and neutral. I think those neutral tones are wonderful, but my life has room for COLOR (like yours), too! Sorry, didn't mean to spout off there. Just saying I really dig y our stuff, Pam.

[cheryl carey bass]

Oops. Forgot to post the link for a picture of that ensemble Amy created: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway/project-runway-designers/amy-sarabi/amy-sarabi-photos/season-7-episode-6#. Arrow over on the pictures above the main picture until you see the model on the runway.