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Work in progress 

In the Studio right now working on the seventh painting in the Gold Coast, Queensland series. My progress is super fast. This is a 16×24 inches painting with lots of detailed work. But I progressing so fast. I've been painting large size watercolor paintings for two weeks now and I can see the power of being consistent. My painting speed as improved along with my watercolor painting skills and creative energy.

Table setting painting in progress 

I love the look of the dessert with the golden fork. This table setting is a very detailed work and I had to practice patience even though I have none. But, it pays off. Because the table cloth and the St life objects are looking good. The teapot will be the last thing I paint because it has a very intricate floral design. So, I have to think about how to paint it in my own creative way. 

Flower vase painting in progress 

I will be working on the flowers in the glass vase after a one hour break. The flowers are colorful and I can't wait to paint them. I haven't decided if I want to do a realistic style or impressionism style for the flowers or maybe I should do both to see how it will turn out. The flowers in the vase may come out looking unique. 

I think I may finish the whole painting today. Which will be a big surprise and the first time I finished a painting this size on the same day. 

I'm curious! 

 The Sixth painting is done. There's a lot of garden scenery in this painting. I would say this painting is a mix of realism and impressionism of Still life and landscape. The yellow roses in the vase is 100% impressionism. I did not do any detailed work at all. Just expression of colors and brush strokes movement. The painting looks perfect in it's watercolor glory.

The work in progress of the sixth painting in the Gold you, Queensland series and one of my biggest painting so far 20×24 inches. This will take me two days to complete. 

I will be using my three most important paint brush for this painting. They are light and easy to hold. They work so well with any paint medium. I have seven various size of these brushes. But these are my favorite. I use them for every painting. For me less is more when it comes to paint brushes.

I can't say the same for watercolors though. More is better in that regard. The more colors I have the better I get to work with even though I still mix my colors. I know I'm a color freak because I can't live a fulfilled life without lots of colors in my Art studio. I'm saving some money to get a 168 watercolor paint set and a 72 watercolor paint set very soon. 

The Fifth painting is completed and looks great. I love the flowers in the glass vase. The roses came out looking beautiful and colorful and realistic even though I painted it without much details. I was just feeling the shapes with my brush and adding tonal value.

I'm happy I had the patient for the design on the teapot. It's was a painting on the teapot. I thought it will be difficult. But surprisedly it was the most interesting subject matter to paint in the whole artwork. This is one of my biggest painting yet. It looks simple and classic. 

More Photos from The Studio.

This Dish is called The Nigerian Fried Rice. It has been my favorite food since childhood. It signifys wealth and celebration. It's a must do dish for parties and celebration. If you eat This Fried Rice on a normal day for lunch or dinner it means you are rich. Because, Nigerian Fried Rice expensive to make for an average Nigerian. This Dish is a must have for any restaurants in Nigeria or else they won't be getting any customers. It's a Dream Dish and Happy meal to many including me. If you serve this dish at your party in Nigeria everybody will ask for a second serving and an extra to take home. But you need to befriend the Food Gatekeeper at the party for that. 😊

Now, that you understand the importance of this yummy dish. I'm saving some money to make this dish to celebrate the first half of my Gold Coast, Queensland series. I think it's worth the celebration of hardwork and accomplishment. I've had my ups and downs while creating the collection. But, it all part of Growth, Progress and Success. So, my Dream Fried Rice and Chicken is a celebratory food to keep me strong and motivated to keep on going. 

I'm excited! 😀

I got my Creative vibe back after reading the Housemaid by Freida McFadden. That was a perfect book break. So, I've resume painting with the Fifth artwork in the Gold Coast, Queensland series. This painting is a 18×24 inches watercolor painting. 

So, far I think the painting is looking good.

THE HOUSEMAID: A Phycological Thriller by Freida McFadden.

I finished reading this book in two days and it was a great read and perfect tool to escape from my mental health problems and mid- life crisis. 

The novel had my jaw dropped from the thrilling unexpected twist happening in the story. I won't be giving any spoilers to the book. But here is the book description and some reviews. I personally rate this book a solid five stars. (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐).

DESCRIPTION of the Book.

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

A New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller and winner of a 2023 ITW Thriller Award. This unbelievably twisty read will have you glued to the pages late into the night. Anyone who loves The Woman in the Window, The Wife Between Us and The Girl on the Train won’t be able to put down The Housemaid!

Read what everyone’s saying about The Housemaid:

“I got severe whiplash from the twistiest turns… Every time I thought I had it figured out… WRONG!!!… I am still reeling… outstanding… If you love a top notch psychological thriller that will have you questioning your own sanity, then this 5 star read is for you.” NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What a wild ride!!! Freida definitely delivered the best twisty ending… Gripping from start to finish… honestly, I just could not put it down… An absolutely mind-blowing shocker that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat literally until the very end.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“One wild ride!… So many twists and turns… I was hooked right away – I even read my Kindle while waiting in my kid’s school pick-up line so I wouldn’t have to put this book down!… addictive… pure perfection!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Wow!!!… Blimey! What a roller-coaster ride this was! It had me sitting on the edge of my seat!… Superb book!… Fantastic ending!!!!… I highly recommend… fantastic… Big fat 5 stars from me.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Fourth painting in the Gold Coast, Queensland series from the studio.

I posting this here on my Art Blog late. But, I finished this immediately after my last Art Diary blog post. This painting is my fastest work yet and also one of my easiest. I was very detailed in the table settings but the flowers in the vase and garden scenery were painted with the impressionism style. The purple flowers were more about the shapes and tonal value of the color. So, it will appear realistic from far but it's just a work of brush strokes artistic expression. 

Check out more photos from my studio.

The beautiful table setting for afternoon luncheon. 

 A full view of the painting beautifying the wall. Such a perfect wall art with purple aesthetic.

 
A Phycological thriller novel. (What I'm reading right now)

I'm suffering from Anxiety again. It's a sad experience and I feel very sorry for myself. I don't know what to do about it most of the time. But reading helps, like fantasy books and phycological thrillers. The one I'm reading right now it's a famous book that 's been turned into a movie December last year. The book got me hooked from page one. I really divining into this book for real. I'm going to give myself a painting break and finish this crazy novel then resume back to work again.

And I think this novel was worth the buy. I do save money just to buy books from my Wishlist on Amazon. It's a must do for me. "Cause, what is life without books"?

Painting in progress 

On to the Fourth painting. This may be my fastest painting. I did this in an hour and it's a 14×20 inches watercolor painting. Maybe the daily painting exercise is helping my creative prowess. 

The table setting is looking like watercolor realism. But, I'm using my impressionism techniques for the rest of the painting.

Gold Coast, Queensland series Artwork 3 finished Artwork.

The Third painting is my new favorite. I painted this while falling I'll and I almost destroyed it because my fatigue made me hate the painting for a while. I thought it wouldn't turn out the way I envision it. But, I glad I took a break and return back to it the next day with a health and fresh eyes. Now, it's just perfect. " I can't believe I almost destroy this artwork." 

The watercolor impressionism style is exactly how I want it to look and feel. The impressionism landscape and realism table setting looks great to me. It's bigger than the first two paintings in this series and is worth the hard work.

"By the way who wants tea in this cozy cottagecore scenery? 😉💕. Your invited and welcome!