What's your Sign?

In 2017 I did a series on the Zodiac signs I had just started to learn how to upload images to Society6 and this was a great way to have 12 different designs on that site.

The artwork was small (4 x 4 inches), with pen and ink, a swish of watercolor, and a circle template for each design.

Here's a 22-sec. video of making this art.

(I have gotten better at videos, too)

Flash forward to today. This past weekend I got thinking about how none of these images has sold on any platform: Society6, Redbubble, or Zazzle. Why? They just weren't quality.

I have gotten so much better at scanning, digitizing, and sizing with Glorify or Canva and with Photoshop. The purchase of a new scanner, and learning how to use the software have improved exponentially in the past five years.

So I decided to take the twelve little artworks (all zodiac symbols) and rework each one. Sounds easy, right? Not easy, and it took the whole weekend. The result, however, is a more perfect representation of each piece.

original scan 2017

Rescanned, enhanced, resized, framed. 2022

What do you think? Browse my Society6 Zodiac Collection:

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Let me know what you think in the comments.

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10 Amazon product reviews from our household to yours

This is how I start my mornings. This is how I will start this blog where I will try to describe the Amazon products and give the reader a fair review. No pros and cons, just a simple evaluation of how much we like the 10 products listed. All are household type products and many of these I have purchased more than once (giving you a hint at how much we like these).

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Again, this is how I start my morning:

Bigelow Constant Comment Green Teas

(Lemon & Orange Rind and Sweet Spice)

I have been sipping these teas since 2003 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I know, I know...does it inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells? I'm not s doctor, but my oncologist said the studies have been positive on this aspect. See this Mount Sanai article: Tea Green And, here I am. Nineteen years later.

Another testament to drinking these teas is that they taste great. The orange/spice one is just a tad more my favorite, but I love them both.

Rating: A++

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SD Card Reader USB 3.0

Technology changes with the speed of light, but the older SD cards lie around your office drawers. The cards have your precious pictures from days gone by, but they are hard to retrieve. In addition, the devices don't have slots, or your camera doesn't have Dropbox capabilities, so It's nice to have an adapter for your newer machines. This card reader has been a blessing as I can transfer photos from my older Nikon camera and put them into a cloud or google drive.

Super easy to use. Compatible with Windows11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, Mac OS, Linux, Chrome OS.

Rating: A

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Fletcher Picture Perfect No-Wire Hanging System

This is brilliant. MAKES HANGING FAST & EASY: The Picture Perfect Hanging System can help make your blank walls into a beautiful display of art.

This Hanging System is an all-in-one kit with all the hardware necessary to mount, level, and hang your favorite works of art or wall decor. The only tools needed are a hammer and a screwdriver. This is a two-pack, each can hold up to 50 lb.

My husband and I were able to hang a framed picture in a matter of minutes and marveled at the tiny level that is included to help with positioning the hanger brackets. We both agreed that this pack is ingenious.

Rating: A+

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The Original Muffin Tin Cookbook

I bought this after we moved into a home with a fabulous kitchen. Vowing to cook more I thought this looked intriguing. I don't regret my purchase because this book is filled with easy recipes that fill almost any size muffin tin. What could be easier? Not just muffins but quick-serve appetizers and sides to gourmet entrees, pizza cups, and desserts. A bit of cooking spray, a mix of ingredients, scoop it into the pan...and violá! A quick yummy breakfast or lunch treat that doesn't have you in the kitchen for hours!

Rating: A+

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Handheld Vacuum Cordless Whall

We're in a new house that is just 3 years old, after thirty-five years in our former home. This one is going to stay clean. (!) However, dragging out the full vacuum cleaner is a chore in itself. This one is accessible, has attachments for specific places, and is battery operated, plus has a wall holder where it can be charged when not in use. The vacuum cleaner has Crevice Nozzle* Hair Brush* Water Absorption Nozzle, and Filter* Adapter*. The material of the filter is non-woven fabric, which can be cleaned of dust with tap water. The dustbuster filter can block dust particles.

Weight is just 2.2 lb. Nice little vac.

Rating: A+

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Tovolo Vented Collapsible Microwave Food Cover

This lid protects your microwave from splatters and spots. The BPA-free plastic and silicone topper covers food to encourage even cooking and to keep food inside for a cleaner microwave. This lid has so many features: easy grip at the top. easy clean, collapses for storage, and choice of color. We have had this for quite a while and it still looks new.

Rating: A+

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Low Odor Magnetic Dry Erase Markers With Erasers, Medium Point, Assorted Colors

Medium point tip magnetic dry erase markers in 6 assorted colors: black, purple, red, orange, blue and green. Non-toxic, low odor ink that has a bold color laydown, works on all dry erase surfaces and dries quickly

• Magnetic marker caps feature built-in felt erasers. The dry erase marker ink erases easily

• The contoured marker cap shape prevents the markers from rolling off any flat surface or tray

• Perfect for whiteboards and glass boards in the office, classroom, or at home

We thought these would work nicely on our calendar dry erase board. They do, with this exception: two of the markers keep losing the felt erasers (we haven't attempted to put a little glue on them). Also, two of the colors (the orange and the lime green) don't show up well from a distance so we have stopped using those colors).

Rating: B

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Kitchen Cabinet Bumpers, Drawer Bumpers, Cupboard and Furniture Bumpers

This is a pack of 200, which is ok with me because I do use them on the cabinet doors, drawers, and on the backs of frames that we hang in our new home. These are particularly nice, as they have a clear transparent color with strong self-adhesive backing, anti-slip soft material, and suitable thickness. The adhesion is exceptional, although if I had to reposition one, with a good tug I could move it to another spot.

Rating: A

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Nature Gear Kitchen Drawer Organizer

This adjustable bamboo organizer expands to fit any drawer and has 9 separate compartments making it perfect for organizing things in any room of your home. Easily find kitchen flatware, accessories, and the cutlery you need for that perfect meal.

I found this organizer on Amazon and liked it for its attractive material (as opposed to the plastic types that are more common). It does look beautiful in our new kitchen (as if a visitor would be perusing our tableware for the aesthetics). Utensils fit in the slots quite nicely, and you can reconfigure the size of the compartments if needed.

Two issues: 1. the whole piece moves around a lot in the drawer. I think it was missing a bamboo piece that should lock it at the bottom. (see picture for a hole at the bottom that I think should have a bamboo stick that would keep the piece extended. Some reviews on Amazon make notice of this function.

2. The size of the slots are similar and I wish you could change the sizes to fit the number of items you wish to store in that slot.

Rating: B+

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20 Pieces 2" Anti Skid Furniture Pads

Our new home has beautiful vinyl flooring in the

Great Room, Kitchen, and Sunroom areas. We needed something for our furniture legs that could protect the floor, and this set did just the trick.

The 2" size is close to most chair legs and so the square pieces and round pieces were pretty easy to apply. The felt is high quality and just pulling off the paper sheet allows you to set the adhesive against a chair leg. Instructions tell you to hold firm for about 30 seconds.

We also purchased a set from Amazon which could be cut to size for some of our furniture: Furniture Felt Pads. These have come in handy too and come in two color choices.

Our experience has been that no pads have come off any legs in the 9 months that we have lived here.

Rating: A

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Hello, readers. Check this link to take advantage of this Prime offer on TV Deals:

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If YOU make a purchase from this post, thank you!!

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My Top 10 List of Music to Paint By

This will definitely be an opinionated post. Music, like art, is such a diverse selection when it comes to choice. There is no doubt that visual artists have an affinity for beautiful music, as well. It is a question that I get asked quite often. Inspiration comes from many sources, and music is one source.

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission when you purchase from the links in this blog. I only post products that I have used with satisfaction or know people who have recommended them to me. The funds from this partnership help me maintain this website and I hope it gives my visitors some confidence in the products that I promote here.

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I am not ranking these in order of favorites. Full disclosure: this list is going to hint at my age. I'm not afraid of guesses.

Music choice in the studio definitely varies from artist to artist. Many like classical or non-vocal sounds. Folk, blues, country, and modern jazz are also popular. From what I can gather, it is more about the tempo and the “feel” of the music that an artist seeks out than a genre. A lot of artists say they like listening to music in languages they don’t speak, as in perhaps Andrea Bocelli — so that the songs become more sound than words. Like other things, it's all relative.

Here's my list

1. Gabriel's Oboe

I started with what might be #1 because when I do listen to this version of Gabriel's Oboe from the movie "The Mission" by composer, Ennio Morricone, it sends chills up my body. I would have to be painting something smooth and visually dynamic. I can't say that I finished a particular work while listening to this music. but I titled a painting "The Mission", based on the score by Morricone. In my mind, outer space evokes a mission so this image resulted in the artwork below.

The Mission by Annie Mason abstract watercolor

2. You Can Go Your Own Way

By Fleetwood Mac

I have no idea but I love the lyrics, the beat, and maybe the heart of doing things my way when I am painting. Fleetwood Mac is, indeed, a part of my formative years, so there's that.

"One" by Annie Mason pen and ink mandala

3. Acoustic Soul. Album by India.Arie

This is the one playlist of mine that is a full album. I discovered this music artist when I was regularly joining Dr. Bertice Berry on her early morning Periscope sessions. (This video live-streaming platform formally closed its doors on March 31, 2021). Dr. Berry frequently had music playing in the background during her video segments. I discovered India.Arie, a dynamic vocalist, and songwriter. Inspirational in her content it inspires me to be my own self, to not render to another person's view of the world. Her songs, Beautiful and Break the Shell are wonderful lyrics that commit to being yourself and not the people who put ideas into your head, ie., the parents, the spouse, the "best" friend, the teacher, and others who you listened to as the word of God. Just be yourself.

Free to Be by Annie Mason watercolor and pen

4. Everything by Michael Bublé

The soft, easy listening style of Michael Bublé sets a tone of a laid-back, devil-may-care, "life is good" atmosphere. A great way to paint.

Cat and His Thoughts by Annie Mason. watercolor

5. Shower the People by James Taylor

Speaking of "laid-back", what better choice than James Taylor . Tried and true singer, a songwriter who cuts through generations who still love his stuff. This singer/songwriter, however, is a part of my youth, flower power, mini skirts, Vietnam war protests, baby boomer (oops, that's under duress by other generations...butI won't go there). James Taylor is an icon. Pick a song from among so many: How Sweet it Is (to be loved by you), Shower the People, Fire and Rain, and so many more. Painting to his great collection is a joy.

Summer of Love by Annie Mason watercolor and pen

6. The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

I love classical music but do not often paint listening to classical music. I don't quite know why that is? Classical form is so varied with tempo, subdued, then vibrant. I think this might be why. I would have a hard time changing my brushstroke to match the sound. The selection of Four Seasons does just that but this image comes close to the image that I might have painted.

This is a tutorial (yes, artists do tutorials, too) from Watercolor for Absolute Beginner by Mark & Mary Willenbrinck. Chapter "Negative Painting" pgs. 84 - 87.

Solstice by Annie Mason watercolor tutorial

7. Water Under Bridges by Gregory Porter

Nothing like a little Jazz, blues, or gospel to smooth the weary soul. Again, this vocalist was introduced to me at our Periscope video sessions with Dr. Bertice Berry. Wonderful voice and pure soothing sound.

8. Seasons of Love

from the Broadway show Rent

Broadway shows and movies have some great songs. When you love'em, you can usually sing'em. We all have memorable songs that we can sing...so why not paint and sing. Sound of Music, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, West Side Story, Wicked, Hamilton, and Frozen 🙉, and many more.

Warms My Heart by Annie Mason abstract watercolor

9. Hello by Adele

I pay attention to current songs and singers, but not feverishly as when I was younger. Our daughter's playlist has Taylor Swift and others that are contemporary. If I catch someone that appeals to my ear you may find me adding that to my studio music. At Christmas you can count on me adding Pentatonix. Their harmonies and interpretation of popular songs are amazing. Yes, "Hallelujah" is a favorite along with watching the original video. Amazing group sound.

10. Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Kelly Clarkson, Neil Young, Jason Mraz...

Oh. oh. I didn't realize how many songs/singers I listen to in my art studio. Truth be told, I don't always listen to music when I paint. I find myself concentrating on what I am doing. The flick of a paintbrush because I'm singing (and maybe dancing) can be catastrophic if I'm about to add my signature to a finished painting.

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I can think of a lot more songs that I can associate with particular paintings. This topic is interesting to me, as I have asked about it in my Meet the Artist series. I went ahead and googled (verb) "Music to Paint By". Whoa. Do the search on YouTube and you will see the results are endless. If you are an artist and have a favorite genre of music to paint by, drop a comment in this post. I would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading this post.

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Songs to Paint By Songs from the Key of Live:A Tribute to Stevie Wonder

I Need to Paint My Walls Take Me to the King

Smooth Jazz A Tribute to Alicia Keys Music to Paint by