Paint Party Friday: Week 42 Check-In

Welcome to Week 42 of Paint Party Friday!  As the year winds down to a close and we enter 2012, we hope you are all enjoying the holidays.  It is so wonderful to see that so many of you are continuing to find time for painting even with all of the hustle and bustle of the season!

Last week we discovered that most of us looove cookies (and we even had a couple of delicious sounding recipes and tips shared)!  We were surprised to discover that some of us don't eat cookies!  (What?!?  Ha ha!)  This week, we're wondering how you're planning for a fresh new year?  Are you making resolutions?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

All our best wishes for a wonderful, happy, healthy, exciting, cheerful, prosperous, productive, creative, paint-filled New Year!!!

xoxo

Kristin   and  EVA

Paint Party Friday: Week 41 Check-In

Welcome to Week 41 of Paint Party Friday! It's fantastic to see so many of you still painting with everything else going on at this time of year! 

The Holidays are here and from the results of last week's poll, most of us are still scrambling to get everything done. We know that we are! This week we're having another lighthearted and fun poll.  We want to know what your favorite holiday cookies are... Please feel free to share recipes (or send us some)!

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

We want to wish you and your families all our very best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a joyous holiday season in what ever way you celebrate. Have a great celebration!

Much Love,

Kristin   and  EVA

xox

Paint Party Friday: Week 40 Check In

Welcome to Week 40 of Paint Party Friday! (Week 40! How fast the weeks fly!) The holidays are quickly approaching and we are thrilled to see that so many of you are making painting (and partying) part of your holiday traditions!

Last week we asked if you give your paintings as gifts. Your wonderful creations make fabulous gifts and most of you, for part of your gift-giving, make at least a few gifts or paint a few paintings for your loved ones. (We've seen lots of art we'd like to receive!   ;)      Lucky loved ones!)

For the next few weeks we are switching to fun, light and easy polls. This week, we wonder - are you ready for the holidays yet?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

We hope that you find some relaxation (by painting?) in the midst of the holiday chaos and that you have a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 39 Check-In

Welcome to Week 39 of Paint Party Friday!  How great to see so many of you painting (and partying) here even in these very busy times!

Last week we asked in the poll about whether or not you create paintings to reflect the season (whatever season it may be - Christmas is on many of our minds, of course, but we have seen lots of Hallowe'en inspired painting here at PPF too!) Many of you do paint for the season/celebration from time to time or depending on the celebration, others don't and some were inspired to try!

This week we have a similar question as last - we're thinking about paintings as gifts - Christmas, birthday, wedding or other occasion. Do you give your paintings as gifts?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Have a wonderful time at the party! So glad you made time to drop by and mingle!

Paint Party Friday: Week 38 Check-In

Welcome everyone to Week 38 of Paint Party Friday! We hope those of you who celebrated American Thanksgiving last week had a wonderful long weekend, that your clothes do up (again) and that you found some time to paint!

We have been seeing a trend lately.... a lot of your paintings are starting to look a lot like Christmas! So we thought we'd ask about the impact of seasonal celebrations on your art. We hope you'll also tell us your favourite seasonal creation in the comments!

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Hope you have a fabulous time at the party and that you still have time to paint at this crazy time of year!

P.S. BTW - the charming and wonderful nutcracker above was created by Kristin during her 30-30-30 project last year and was excitedly bought by EVA to join her extensive nutcracker collection. We both love him and thought he would be fun to share with you!

Paint Party Friday: Week 37 Check-In - HAPPY THANKSGIVING Weekend to our American Partyers

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to all our U.S. friends! We are so thankful to have all you wonderful painters participating in Paint Party Friday and sharing the love of painting with one another.

Last week we talked about sealing paintings and the watercolourists pointed out that they really had no need to do that! Other media primarily used varnish or spray fixatives.

To celebrate American Thanksgiving - which will technically be over as this week's PPF post goes live - we thought we'd do another fun poll and ask about your favourite fixings or side dishes. For extra credit (haha), tell us if you have a favourite use of turkey leftovers in the comments!

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Hope you have (had) a great Thanksgiving if you are celebrating and have a fun time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 36 Check-In

Welcome one and all to Week 36 of Paint Party Friday! Great to have previous PPFers returning and new ones joining in the painting fun!

Last week we talked about how you start a painting. Of course the answer depending on the media to some extent. The watercolour painters had no need to prime. For oil and acrylics, gesso and pre-primed canvases were most popular answers though many of you had tried all the ideas the poll suggested and more! Some of you even showed us your techniques in your posts. Fabulous!!

This week we are going to go to the other end of the process and ask how you finish up your paintings.

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Have a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 35 Check-In

Welcome to week 35 at Paint Party Friday! It is fabulous to see new painters joining in every week! All painters are welcome here - no need for invitations, just jump in and show us what you've been painting this week, and spend a little time visiting with all the other fun painters while you're here.

Last week we enjoyed learning more about why you buy the art you buy and we hope you did too! It seems when we are charmed, we buy! This week we want to learn a little bit more about your creative process... We're wondering how, and with what, do you get your surface ready to paint?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Have a fun time at the party!!

P.S.  If you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to discuss (and turn into a poll) please send us an email!

P.P.S. Blogger seems to be acting up again - especially in Internet Explorer. Using Google Chrome solved most of our problems, if you're having a challenge maybe switching browsers might be helpful.

Paint Party Friday: Week 34 Check-in

Welcome to Week 34 of Paint Party Friday! Last week over 90 of you wonderful painters dropped by, in search of chocolate and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and especially to share your panitings and visit other partyers. Wow!

This week we thought we'd carry on the previous week's conversation about buying art. We're wondering why you buy the art you buy?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 Check-ins.

Hope you have a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 33 Check-In

And now for something a little bit different... and a little bit fun and Halloweeny! Welcome to Week 33 of Paint Party Friday where this week the big treat, as always, is sharing in and seeing each others' painting endeavours!

Last week our poll talked about where you buy art and while "all of the above" won (as usual), the top three were - from Etsy stores, from the artist directly and from art festivals or friends who are artists. That suggests to us, that these could also be good strategies for selling paintings (if you are so inclined). The contact between buyer and artist seems to encourage you to buy and so contact with you as an artist, may encourage others to buy from you.

We would like to explore that further but Hallowe'en is fast approaching as is the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). Many of you have been showing us art inspired by these celebrations and we thought we'd join in with a silly, fun poll and ask - What's your favourite Hallowe'en candy?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.



By the way, our friend and fellow partyer, Natasha May, is having a Halloween Party !! Join in the fun on October 31st at her blog if you'd like to partake in some artsy Halloween festivities.

Meanwhile enjoy all the wonderful paintings and fabulous fellow artists here at Paint Party Friday!

Paint Party Friday: Week 32 Check In

image created at dumpr

Welcome to Week 32 at Paint Party Friday! So great to have you all at the party, showing off your painting and visiting with the rest of us PPFers!

Last week there was a great discussion at the party about framing - until the poll died temporarily. Everything seems fine now. (We are sorry - it was beyond our control and ability to fix it - we're so relieved it came back!) While you could, you told us that you use a number of different techniques for framing or that you paint the edges so framing may not be necessary. A number of you mentioned that buyers often want to make the framing decision themselves, and that made us think it would be worth looking at painting from a buyer's perspective, as we've spent the past few weeks looking at it from a seller/creator's perspective.

So we wonder about the paintings you buy - this week we'll ask about where you buy and soon we'll discuss why you buy what you buy. The answers are interesting in and of themselves but we hope they also may help those of us who wish to sell art, to understand buyers' decision making processes.

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Hope you have a great time at the party!

P.S. We've had a number of people raise the issue of Blogger commenting and the time it takes to fill out all those annoying "captcha"s aka word verifications. As you probably know (haha) Kristin and EVA are not techies or programming whizzes and are trying our best in our technological naiveté to manage PPF and keep all the players happy. Kristin and PPF eliminated all blogger moderation and word verification. So far - no problems! You may want to try taking off the word verification and just delete any questionable comments if they happen. (Or you may prefer to do as EVA does and still moderate (approve) comments without using word verification but people sometimes get confused then as to whether their comments went through. Not a perfect system either.)

It is also important to allow "anyone" to comment as some of our players have their own websites and do not use google id, blogger, wordpress etc and they want to comment but can not! (This would help everyone to visit you.)

The decision is ultimately yours and we want you all to be comfortable no matter how you decide to manage your comment settings.  We just thought it was worth mentioning since we've received so many comments and emails regarding this subject.

Some PPFers also love to reply to your comments but can't - Geri has eloquently explained here how to change that so people can reply directly to the comments you leave them.

We understand Blogger is changing everything on us soon so there may be more things like this to chat about as most of us (using Blogger) adapt to these changes next month. Let's try and help each other out and make it easy to visit, socialize and spend time together. Thanks everyone!!

Paint Party Friday: Week 31 Check In

Thank you all so much for your comments last week - we are so thrilled that Paint Party Friday is helping most of us to paint more!! Welcome everyone to Week 31 - the "Framed" edition!

Two weeks ago, we were talking about marketing your art, and there were many great suggestions in the comments, including donating pieces to charity auctions, showing your work in businesses or restaurants displaying art and signing your emails with hints like MimiTabby "I also paint gorgeous watercolours" plus many more. Have we said how awesome and helpful your comments always are? Wow! Thank you! And this week we are hoping for more comments as we know the poll won't catch everything...

That same week Scarlet asked "I'd like to learn how to frame my own work. I have no idea how to do this but would love to learn. I'm wondering if anyone here frames her own artwork and HOW." Great question! We know some of  you do (as does PPF hostess Kristin) and we think this is a very good topic to discuss to help show off our paintings to the fullest extent. We wonder - How do you frame your art? (And if you have favourite video-tutorials that show HOW, we'd love the links!)

* The blog poll site is currently down and so seems to be our poll :( Hopefully it will come back soon (14Oct2011 7pm). Sorry!

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 30 Check In

Welcome to Paint Party Friday (Week 30)!

We are thrilled to have so much enthusiasm for PPF and there continues to be great fun and inspiration at the party each week. Thank you all!

With any group there are bound to be a few growing pains along the way and it has recently been brought to our attention that Paint Party Friday is starting to veer off course a bit. This week we'd like to address that and get back on track by sharing our original intention behind the creation of PPF. You have built this into an amazing playful and helpful group, forming many great cyber-friendships, and bringing fabulous talent and paintings to be shared here:

"In early 2011,  we (Kristin and EVA) each mentioned on our blogs that we wanted to paint more this year. We had both just finished up the intense Sketchbook Project and have been participating in the fun Sunday Sketches (with Blue Chair Diary). We realized that having a weekly check-in helps us actually find the time in our busy lives to create.  Otherwise procrastination often sets in. But where were the painting check-ins? If they existed, we didn't find them. So we decided to create one!

Paint Party Friday is a fun place to visit and check-in to show off your Works-In-Progress (WIP) and your finished paintings. Let us help you celebrate what you've done! There are no rules, we are here to play, paint, share our efforts with our friends, encourage each other and hopefully accomplish more together!"

We still want to avoid rules. So we have a big favour to ask all of you wonderful partyers. PPF is about painting. It has turned out to be great fun and we always want to attend the party ourselves. But if we haven't painted, we don't link. (And that usually keeps us painting!)

Your visits are awesome. Everyone loves being visited and you are the best visitors ever! PPF feels like a loving family. If nothing has been painted and people still link though, it takes up visiting time that could have been spent visiting those who have painted. We'd really appreciate it if everyone could respect that and only link in a week when you have a painting to share.  Many of you already do this (Yay!) - if the rest could join in... that would be super! Thank you so very much! (And if you could make sure to link to your blog post url versus your blog home page url - also appreciated.) 

With that in mind, we hope you continue to share your weekly painting accomplishments with us! Whether you use watercolors, acrylics, oils, or mixed media and whether you paint on canvas, paper, in a sketchbook, on walls, wood  (or chairs) - the paintings you create are welcome here!

  

Here's Mr. Linky!

Hope you have a great time at the party and lots of fun painting!

P.S. What incredible comments and advice last week! We will return to that next week.

P.P.S. It was hard for us to talk about things like this issue, fearing to offend anyone. (We hope we didn't!) Since people are mentioning it to us, we felt more of you might silently be thinking the same thing and so it should be addressed. 

Paint Party Friday: Week 29 Check-in

Welcome to Week 29 of Paint Party Friday!  Whether you've been with us from Week 1 or are joining us for the first time today, we're so happy you're here to share the joy of painting!

For the past couple of weeks we've talked a lot about pricing paintings and where to sell them. There have been great discussions and you have shared so many wonderful insights - Thank you all! Your comments raised some more questions and this week we are thinking about marketing.  Marketing and sales go hand-in-hand, yet they are vey different activities. This week we're wondering: How do you get your name and artwork seen by potential buyers?

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.


Have a great time at the party!

P.S. If you have a topic, you'd like to see turned into a PPF poll question, please email us your idea!

Paint Party Friday: Week 28 Check-In

Welcome to Week 28 of Paint Party Friday!  Whether you're a seasoned PPF participant or new to the party, it's great to have you all here! It's never too late to join in the fun with your painting efforts - just finished or works-in-progress! 

Last week we had a very lively and informative discussion about pricing paintings. You raised so many good points to consider and we enjoyed it so much that we didn't want the fun (and learning) to end! This week we're wondering where you sell your artwork. We'd love to find out more about what venues work for you, why you sell where you sell, and any insights about which sites you've found to be the most (or least) successful.  We can't wait to read your thoughts - Please share your knowledge with us in the comments section!

Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

This should be an enlightening and interesting conversation at the party (in the comments) so please check back often and join in the discussion. Whether you are interested in selling your art or you just love to paint for yourself, have a great time at the party!

P.S. If you have a topic, you'd like to see turned into a PPF poll question, please email us your idea!

Paint Party Friday: Week 27 Check-In

Welcome to Paint Party Friday Week 27! We are thrilled, as always to have such a great turnout at the party! Since we've had some email questions about people wanting to join in, we want to say YES!! If you want to paint (and party), you are very welcome and indeed invited to join in the fun!

 Last week we discovered what your upcoming goals are and (surprise!) for many of us, painting is at the top of our priority list!  No matter what your goals, what you are painting, or what other creative ventures you are working on, you all continue to inspire us.

Last week in her PPF post, Kat (from Kat's Nature) posed a question about pricing her finished oil painting.  We thought it was a very interesting topic and since it is relevant to many of us, we wanted to discuss it further. So this week we're asking:  How do you price your artwork?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

This promises to be a lively conversation at the party (in the comments) so check back often and join the discussion. Have a great time at the party - whether you are interested in selling your art or you create for yourself.

P.S. If you have a topic, you'd like to see turned into a PPF poll question, please email us your idea!

Paint Party Friday: Week 26 Check In

Welcome to Week 26 of Paint Party Friday! The half-year mark - how the heck did that happen already? We are delighted to have so many regular paint players and new participants every week. The talent in this group leaves us in awe. It sounded like a busy long weekend for most of you - seeing friends, soaking up the last of summer, refocusing with the kids back in school - and a little bit of painting!

And here in the Northeast (EVA is in Ottawa and Kristin in Buffalo) there are already signs of leaves changing colour and falling. Which makes us wonder about your plans and goals for Autumn?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a fun time at Paint Party Friday!

Paint Party Friday: Week 25 Check In

Welcome to Week 25 of Paint Party Friday and the Labor Day weekend in North America. It's the last long weekend before many schools start a new school year. It used to be that that all schools started here after the long weekend but now it is more staggered. We still think of it as Back to School time though!

Most of you are ready for Autumn to arrive. There a few stragglers (like one of us) who want an endless summer but most of you were ready to move on! This week we wonder what the long weekend (if you have one) means to you? For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere and elsewhere - is there anything special about the passing of August to Spetember for you?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

We hope you have a super long weekend and a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 24 Check In

Welcome to Week 24 of Paint Party Friday!  Summer is almost over (in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere anyway) and it is so great that everyone is still painting and new players are joining in - fabulous!! A few people asked in the comments last week about getting listed in the "Paint Players" section on the left hand side. If you are not there and would like to be, please feel free to email us at paintpartyfriday (at) gmail (dot) com (you know what we mean... one must be careful about email addresses with those nasty spambots on the web) and we will add you to the list.

Last week we enjoyed learning more about your favorite flowers - some had favourites but most of us love them all particularly wildflowers in the summer. They definitely bring us all lots of joy (and provide wonderful inspiration for some of our paintings too)!  We've been having so much fun with our easy breezy summer posts, but as the days are getting shorter we are wondering what is still left undone on your summer fun to-do list?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a fabulous time at the party and we hope you get out there and cross some fun to-dos off your list!

Paint Party Friday: Week 23 Check In

Welcome to Week 23 of Paint Party Friday! We were thrilled to see new players arrive at the party last week (Welcome!) and to have all of you continue to paint and participate even during these busy summer months! You are awesome!

Last week's easy, breezy poll was about birds and if there was a favourite, it was hummingbirds and owls but most of us love to see all birds. We also learned about other kinds of birds we don't normally see, Rosie even posted a link in the comments so the non-New Zealanders could hear a tui sing! This week our poll asks about another common yet inspiring aspect of summer... We wonder, what is your favourite flower?

There are many late visitors during the busy summer months and it gets confusing if you link with your blog url instead of your PPF post url as to which post is for PPF. To encourage people to visit your PPF post, please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address. Thanks! If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a fun time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 22 Check In

Welcome to Week 22 of Paint Party Friday!! (Week 22! Should we stop counting yet?) We are so happy to have each, and all, of you painting and visiting and joining in the fun here over this easy breezy summer!

We hope those of you in the UK and Northwest are finally getting some sun. But rain or shine, one thing we've heard a lot this summer are the songs of summer birds. We suspect those of you in the Southern Hemisphere may have winter birds visiting you? We've been seeing birds appear as inspiration in your (and our) paintings and we wonder... what is your favourite bird?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a great time at the party!! (Both Kristin and Eva are away this weekend so our visits won't be timely but we hope to see your painting efforts when we can.)

Paint Party Friday: Week 21 Check In

Welcome to week 21 of Paint Party Friday!  We hope fun, relaxation (and some painting), are top priorities on your summertime to-do list!  For our friends in winter - we hope these posts add a little sunshine to your days!

Last week we discovered that nothing can quench a summer sized thirst like good ol' water... Although quite a few of us definitely enjoy a cool refreshing cocktail now and then!  This week we're wondering what you do to keep busy in the summer...  What is your favorite summertime activity? (Other than painting, of course!)

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Hope you are enjoying your summertime activities! Have fun at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 20 Check-In

Welcome to Week 20 (!!!) of Paint Party Friday.  As the summer rolls on we continue to take it easy, but we are still making time for painting. We are thrilled that you are too!

Last week we savored the flavors of summer by asking about your favorite warm weather eats.  It seems that most of us enjoy the freshness the season has to offer, and lots of us love to grill!  This week, we're wondering what sorts of beverages accompany your yummy summer fare?  We want to know - How do you quench your summertime thirst?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Help yourself to a margarita, enjoy the wonderful paintings of this week's players and have fun at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 19 Check-In

Welcome to Paint Party Friday (Week 19)!  We are so happy to see how many of you are continuing to paint even with summertime distractions and vacations.  Speaking of vacations, last week we enjoyed learning about how you like to spend your holidays!  There are many different ways we have fun, but it seems that most of us agree - we could definitely use more free time!

For our "easy breezy" summer poll think week, we're wondering:  What is your favorite summertime food?

Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Hope you are enjoying the heat. Have fun at Paint Party Friday! (We have an easy breeze and/or air conditioning here!)

Paint Party Friday: Week 18 Check-In

Welcome to Week 18 of Paint Party Friday!  We hope you are enjoying an easy breezy summer...

We've found that one of the best ways to re-charge our creative batteries (other than eating many delicious flavors of ice cream) is to take a holiday! For this week's poll question (assuming you aren't already away on holiday...), we're curious... Where is your favorite vacation destination?

If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins. Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website.

Have a great time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 17 Check-In

Welcome to Week 17 of Paint Party Friday! (Where has the time gone?!?)  We hope you are finding some time to enjoy all of the fun and simple pleasures that summer has to offer... And we also hope you are finding some time to paint!

In last week's poll we learned that you have many different ways of celebrating - all of them sound great to us (well, except for the catching up on chores! hee hee).  This week we have a "cool" easy, breezy summer question for you...  We want to know:  What is your favourite ice cream?

We also wanted to mention that one of our fellow partyers, Geri Centonze, is launching an online directory for blogging artists!  You can read more about it here.

If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins. Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website.

Thank you for spending some of your summer at our party... We love this time of the week!

Paint Party Friday: Week 16 Check-In

To all our fellow Paint Party Friday players who live in Canada or the United States - Happy Canada Day! Happy Independence Day!!

Welcome to Week 16 of Paint Party Friday! The sun is shining, the weather is warm (in the North anyway) and it is a holiday weekend for many of us. Last week we talked about the Seasons and our painting productivity. For most, the season is irrelevant to you. And for those who find one season more productive, the majority favour summer and winter (evenly). Spring wasn't chosen by anyone as their most productive season.

One thing that many of you mentioned in the comments  was that the summer, while inspiring, was so busy with other activities that it made it a challenge to paint as often as you'd like. We are with you on that. We also find that it is often more challenging to be at the computer when it is so beautiful outside. Do you find that? Summer deserves to be easy breezy - it is far too short here!

We've decided to make the summer weeks of Paint Paint Friday a little lighter, a little silly and a little easier. We will be here every week for you to check-in. The posts may be shorter. The polls may be more frivolous and not the least bit painting oriented. Mr. Linky will always be here. We will try to visit everyone and see your painting efforts but it may be at a little slower pace. An easy breezy summer.  To celebrate the "easy breezy" carefree summer days, Kristin is kicking off CareFREE Fridays! - FREE collage paper downloads every Friday during the summer! (Please be sure to stop by her blog to check it out!)

 

With that in mind and the holiday weekend at hand, we wonder how you celebrate your nation's birthday?

If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins. Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website.

Hope you have a fabulous time at the party and a great holiday weekend for those of you who live in countries having birthdays!

Paint Party Friday: Week 15 Check-in - Seasons

Welcome to the first of the Summer editions  (or Winter - for our players in the Southern hemisphere) of Paint Party Friday! It is great to have you here!

Last week we talked about challenges, prompts and themes. Thanks for all the great ideas! We haven't had much time this week to update the page we created to help with inspiration and motivation - but we've started. Meanwhile, if you think of others, please email us or mention them in the comments. Most of you use prompts etc when one compels you, though a good number of you have never met a challenge or prompt that you didn't like! In the comments a number of you said "PPF is all the challenge I need." Wow!! Thank you SO much! We are thrilled PPF is helping you paint more!

This week, our thoughts turn to the changing seasons. Summer is here - Yay!! And that makes us wonder if the seasons affect your painting productivity? Tell us more in the comments about what season works best for you and why!

If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins. Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website.

Hope the new season is treating you well and that you have a fun time at the party!

Paint Party Friday: Week 14 - Challenges and Prompts

Welcome to Week 14 of Paint Party Friday!  We had such a great time last week with your wonderfully insightful comments!! It's great to have you back or joining us for the first time!

Last week we were musing about Muses. And it was very interesting and fun! A slight majority felt they had a muse or many muses - whether invisible, the invocation of family members' spirits, pets, your children or some muses who are currently AWOL. Some of you were unsure or even scoffed at the idea of a "muse"  but there was little doubt of your OWN creative force shining through in your painting.

We were also thrilled and impressed with how many people actually read the comments as we went off on a tangent that will continue here this week. We, and even muses, sometimes need prompts and challenges to boost or jump start our creativity and painting efforts. That's what we'd like to explore further in this week's poll and we hope, in all your comments.

We (Kristin and Eva) met because of prompts and challenges, and through them came up with the idea for Paint Party Friday. Last year we both participated in:

• Sunday Sketches with Sophia at Blue Chair Diary*
• Inspiration Avenue's Weekly (themed) Challenge*
• Mr. Toast's (themed) Creative Tuesdays
• Creative Every Day and Art Every Day Month
• The Sketchbook Project 2011

and probably a few others. These are great fun! But none of them was about painting. Thus Paint Party Friday was born. From the comments we had last week the feedback was overwhelming to keep PPF as is - no themes or prompts. "It's like a great virtual Open Studio Day here, and I love it." was one of the comments - Thank you! What a lovely description!

Prompts, themes and challenges can be amazingly important to keep many of us inspired and productive - so we want to know about your favourites! And we especially want to know if you host one!* Tell us what you love, what's fun and what really works for you. We will create a page that anyone can visit as needed if their creative fuel starts running low.

And here's the check-in! If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins. Please make sure to use your post URL address versus your blog URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website.

 * = PPF players who have challenges or prompts. Here are a few more to check out:

• Kat at Wright Story's TICTOCC Inspiration
• Diana Evans' Sweet Saturday
• Paula - Buenos Aires is talking about starting an Artist's Way check-in

Do you host one we haven't mentioned yet? Please tell us more!

Have a great time at the party!