Why hello Delores!

So at the moment I'm in a 1940s mood. Also been listening to a lot of Neko Case, which isn't surprising because she's totally my favorite singer. Her songs are so gritty but what amazing storytelling.

When I got the new Paste magazine the other day, I shrieked "It's Neko!" (true, just ask The Notebook Man) I was so happy to see her on the cover.

I don't know if its because she redoes a lot of old gospel songs and old timey country songs (her classification on MySpace is 'alternacountry'...haha, maybe that's my classifcation too?) but I always imagine the stories she sings to have taken place in a time gone by. Especially songs like Margaret Vs. Pauline.

However--- I am getting off track here--- so I've been listening to Neko and painting and this is what I came up with! A 1940s glamour girl who also sports a large twining rose tattoo.
Probably outta warn my granny and my mama "no, I am not dreaming of getting a tattoo." Mainly because I don't think I could pull it off. Laura Ingalls Syndrome, remember? I've suffered from it since I was a child ;) (Note: Laura Ingalls sydrome is a condition I coined where a girl seems so much like a little Laura Ingalls that whatever hip or modern things she does looks ridiculous, as if Laura Ingalls was trying to get a mohawk or tattoo, etc.)
Anyhow! What came of this Neko-induced mood is this little painting I call "Delores, Angel." I hadn't meant to call her Delores, when I began I was thinking Veronica, but when she was all done I looked at her and said, "You're a Delores." So here she is.

Delores, Angel

I love how this one turned out. She looks like the portraits of friends my grandma has in her old photo albums, so sweet and immaculate and demure. And then, what a pretty tattoo! Love the contrast in that. I have something for tattooed angels obviously!

In other news........We did get our ice storm yesterday, followed by snow. It's all glisteny and white outside, very pretty. My lavender shrub is all encased in ice and so beautiful. When Audrey saw the snow (probably the first snow she can remember) she declared she wanted to "Make punkin!" which wouldn't make sense unless you knew that to Audrey, all snowmen are 'punkins.' I guess she thinks they look like jack 'o lanterns, winter does come soon after Halloween you know!
Yesterday I collaged a few more boards and I'm hoping to continue painting today. I had Delores drawn up and painted all in one day yesterday, I impressed myself ;) I am feeling a new breath of inspiration. That always happens when you paint something that you end up pleased with. You think, "hm, I kinda like this feeling! Lets paint more!"

Alright....well, baby is at my desk and thinks she's going to paint....I better scoot!~
H