Thursday, December 18, 2025

Make art while you wait

Saturday morning I woke to a cold house.  My HVAC (heating and air) unit had failed.  I called around and found a HVAC man that would come on a Saturday.  He spent a couple of hours trying various fixes, and then said, "Well, I can put you in new one Monday if my supplier has it in stock."  He quoted a price that wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.    Meanwhile, we were about to have the coldest night of the year on Sunday night. BRRRR.  I did some planning, got my emergency natural gas heater set up and a couple of electric units in place to keep the pipes from freezing.  
Monday afternoon the man called and apologized that he couldn't make it until Tuesday.  

That gets you up to the "waiting" mentioned in the title of this post.  He showed Tuesday morning and got to work.  After he started I went back to Mom's to be sure she was good and to be sure that she ate lunch.  Then, back home to wait for him and his helper to finish.   Thanks to another blogger,  I had seen a video on using oil pastel to create a tracing as the beginning of an artwork. 
So I took this print:
then I did my set up and traced:

With  a good tracing, I started painting with Inktense pencils, but
I quickly switched to the Inktense blocks.
Before the HVAC man was finished I had this painting 
completed and signed. 

Frida Smiles

I used some artistic license on the colors and design. 
Overall I am happy with this painting - and I think I will be doing this again.





Until Next Time,  
Stay Creative 


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

16 comments:

Jeanna said...

You made great artistic use of your time while waiting. I can't believe how quick you were to finish this lovely piece. It is nice to see Frida smile, too!

Barb said...

I haven’t been around blogging long enough to know exactly how Frida came about, but I’m certain that I prefer your newest version of her. Lovely!

Barb said...

Your version is my favorite, Gene!

The Rev. Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I'm sorry to hear about your HVAC issue, but glad you finally got it resolved. It reminds me of when we had a major freeze in SW TX, and were without electricity for 3 days, due to a major power outage in the state. Fortunately we have a fireplace, which helped, and lots of layers. I love your smiling Frida painting, and the colors are amazing. Blessings!

Carola Bartz said...

I hope by now you have some heat again, Gene.
I had no idea that you can trace with oil pastels, I've always done it with graphites. I should try it, I'm just curious now. Your Frida turned out beautifully.

Iris Flavia said...

Oh wee, of course heating fails when it really is getting cold! Great you had a back up and funny enough I learned of that art method the other day, too - great outcome you had, to Frida and your skills! Have a great and hopefully warm Friday, Gene!

Gillena Cox said...

Wow, that's really nice
MERRY CHRISTMAS Gene

Much♡love

Tom said...

...Gene, she looks great with a smile.

Maria Medeiros said...

Fantastic artwork! Lovely! Wishing you a wonderful Friday and a wonderful weekend!

My name is Erika. said...

I'm glad you eventually got the heating fixed. That sounds like quite a story. And I loved seeing your Freda face using the oil pastel tracing. Nicely done Gene. I hope you have a Merry Christmas also, and no more heating issues too.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

So good to have your heating fixed.
First time I’ve seen Frida smile. Lovely!

Christine said...

So good!

DVArtist said...

I'm so sorry about the HVAC. Of course it will go out on the coldest day. I'm happy that you are prepared for such things and had the alternative heating. You are such a good Son. Ohhhh I'm thrilled that you tried this technique and glad I posted it. I have not had time to try it yet. The painting turned out fabulously. I'm very impressed. Thank you so much for being apart of FFO. Thank you also for the well wish for my eye. Have a very nice Christmas and the very best for 2026.

carol l mck said...

Your portrait artwork is awesome and hope you are cozy and warm now ~ hugs,

https://anartistreflects.com

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I like your painting very much.

Vicki W said...

Wow! Well done!