Hello!!

Haven't blogged for a while. I've been poorly  I managed to give myself a kind of whiplash for the last few days. I've haven't been able to look left, for three days. Who wants to look left anyway? I much prefer right. All the best things are right, aren't they? "Righteous", "right-hand man", "allright".  And we talk about having "two left feet" to mean clumsy. See what I mean? I can't have been missing much!

If I told you I did it carrying too many shopping bags, you'd be unsympathetic, so I won't tell you. But it's so depressing, being ill. I hate it. You lose confidence in yourself too, start to distrust your own body. Luckily; I managed to do some Yoga yesterday. My Yoga seems to cure all ills, for me. I have this wonderful DVD called "Yoga For Beginners" by Joy Nielen. It's relaxation Yoga and it's fabulous. I highly recommend it for anything. It oxygenates all the aches and pains and improves your state of mind. I find it nothing short of miraculous!

At first, my body couldn't do much of it, even though it's quite bendy. Now, my body looks forward to it. Especially after a long painting session, in which I tend to sit for long periods, getting more and more cramped. My flexibility has really improved, too.

Talking of horses. What; weren't we? Oh well; I'm still feeling a bit hot at the moment. And not hot in a nice way! I've been doing a lovely horse painting. He's not finished yet.

Horse Painting by Laurel Moore.

"Naaaaayyyyyyy!" Yes, it's a terrible photo. I don't really care at the moment! He's a lovely horse and you just have to believe me! He's the first horse I've painted, too. It was fun. Until I got poorly

Talking of lovely. Allow me to introduce you to our autumnal dog Axle......

Our Dog's Coat.

Yes; that's very impressive Axle. A perfect fit, too. Is he modelling his plaid autumn coat, do you think? I didn't ask him to model. Maybe he's hoping for some bookings. Sorry Axle, I think you'll just have to content yourself with my paintbrush.

Keep healthy www.MooreThanArt.com or have a good moan, like me  Also www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello!

Where have I been? That's a good question. No idea!

Looking at big sausages in supermarkets, I think. And isn't this a whopper? It is touching the ceiling. That's nothing, you should see the big ham. I guess it's time to start eating sausages and hams, because it's September. You see, Switzerland is quite a small country and I've noticed that you have to buy things in season; or not buy it at all. Like jam making stuff, obviously there's a time and a place to make jam!

So I was buggered trying to find a party dress, wasn't I? Perhaps I haven't blogged because I've been a frustrated shopper. I counted a total of 12 party dresses in one mall. And if there are many folk of the masculine gender out there 12 dresses is rubbish!!

So, it was pink spots, or black and white spots, long gowns with stiff green or red material, or brown lace. Which do you think I went for? Closer to Christmas and I'd have had dresses coming out of my nostrils. So maybe I've not blogged so that you don't see that I've torn all my hair out!

Luckily, one of the 12 dresses turned out to be very nice. Not a colour I'd normally chose but very sweet. No luck with any shoes though, unless I want a summer sandal.

We've had stonking sunshine, too. I've seen loads of dragonflies. Unfortunately I only had my phone camera to hand, so they just look like coloured blobs. What type of dragonfly? Well; the red type.

So, as they say: "always finish on a ham."

Hmmmm! It's very odd living in a different country sometimes, you know. Very surreal! Like, for example: instead of "April Fool's Day", you know where people play pranks on one another, they have "Poisson D'Avril" which seems to translate as "Fish Of April" day. I still haven't worked out what that means. Do we all eat fish? Why? If anyone out there in the world of cyberspace knows, do let me know!

Thankfully "Noel" is still Christmas, here though. And how lovely to often get snow here in Fribourg for Christmas. How very obliging. Even if our neighbours do eat cheese fondue for Christmas. Yum!

Come on; you and I both know, that the only fondue ever worth eating, is a CHOCOLATE FONDUE!!

Enjoy your fondue www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello gang

Yes; it's umbrella weather again. But there are worse things than rain. I think I've just broken my bread-maker. I put all the dry ingredients in, without adding any water! You have to add 350ml of water. There was this terrible squeaking noise. I came running down the stairs, thinking it was the dog; though it did sound much more like a bird. Due in no small part to having PMT's, I didn't work out the sound was coming from the bread-maker, I didn't check it until later. It sounded like the noise was coming from outside. I really hope I haven't burnt out the motor.

I tried another bread a bit later, this time it didn't really mix. The bread came out looking like a soggy dish-cloth. Now; I'm trying a third. So; keep your fingers crossed for me. I love my bread-maker, we rely on it living in the country. So do our sparrows. But there's nothing like a bit of hot buttered toast with marmalade and a cup of tea, is there?

Here's my new little painting, which has even got gold paint on it. It's a lovely oil painting of a young girl, cuddling her new puppy, it's called "Just One More Hug"

Puppy With Child Painting by Laurel Moore.

You know that feeling, when you get a new puppy and you just can't stop cuddling and smelling it? It looks all grainy here, but it isn't grainy at all.

Talking of grainy, my bread-maker has just leapt into life!! I can hear it mixing away downstairs. Maybe sitting it in the garden, to cool down did the trick. Maybe it appreciated the kind gesture. It's very loud now. It think it's disgruntled with me. It's all coming together, into a bready mass now, too; I know, I've just checked. It's looking good. I've really gone down hill with my bread-making lately, though.  I've produced some real blobs, I don't know why. I think I've stopped measuring my ingredients. Always a danger, I suppose. In becoming overconfident.

Hey, there's a lovely ray of sunshine sneaking up my window now. Do you want to share it? Tough! It's mine, get your own. At least you can go and buy a loaf of bread. Get me a Mars Bar, if you're going will you? Oh no, I forget myself. I don't eat them anymore.

My husband bought me a gorgeous little ski suit the other day. We were looking for a really warm coat, as you do, once autumn starts flexing it's muscles. I never thought to buy a two piece! He did. It's a lovely pink little number. Pink trousers and pinkish checkered jacket. It's warm enough to toast yourself in. It's gorgeous. I was a bit worried when I had to wear the Large, until I realized it was a teenage range. Didn't stop my husband telling me that my posterior must have really grown though. Such a tactful soul!

So; roll on that snow, ice and rain. I'm ready for you anytime. Looking like a pink puffy bunny...........

www.MooreThanArt.com and www.boundlessgallery.com for all your arty-farty neeeeeeds. Questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello folks

I Need A Beer

Where are the days of summer going? I don't know. I only wish we could take our summer back and start again with it. Do you think anyone would notice?

This is a great photo of our Axle. See him panting at that empty beer bottle? Yes; even in the country there's litter (bad babies!) But Axle looks like he's dying for a beer, doesn't he?

It's chocolate, really. It's chocolate that our dog loves. Of course he can't have any, it makes him itchy. Neither can my husband, it makes my husband itchy, too (just joking) We have to buy Axle doggie chocs. We call my father-in-law"the chocolate man" because he always brings English chocolates, when he comes visiting. So we can always deduce if he has any chocolate, because our dog keeps sniffing the suitcase and wagging his bottom. So when we say, "the chocolate man" is coming to visit, Axle knows exactly who that is. He's very clever. He adores "the chocolate man"......

Anyway; I hope you like clouds. Well; if you do, you've come to the right place! I've had puffy clouds coming out of my arm-pits lately ( nice image) But gorgeous, romantic clouds, that make you feel like you're living in a Musical with fabulous back-drops. So; here we go.......

Clouds And Blue Sky.

Not bad for tiny droplets of water and a bit of ice, is it? Science never does seem to explain things very well, does it?

But everywhere I looked today, the puffy clouds just seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. You wouldn't believe how many photos I've got of clouds on my camera. Do you want to see them all? No? What do you mean, one cloud is very much like another?

I'm selling a cloud on ebay at the moment. Item number 220141227422 What do I mean selling a cloud? Well you'll have to have a look won't you. I'd forgotten I had this cloud. I think today; these spectacular other clouds reminded me that I had this other cloud all along. Am I confusing you? Good

Must just tell you about yesterday and the flock of shoes. Recently, the birds around here have really started flocking. You know, bombing around together in gangs. Making those large swishing sounds as they startle you overhead. I think they must be readying to fly south. Well; yesterday they all decided to land on our roof and it honestly sounded like hundreds of tiny high-heels were tottering above. Of course our crows are much louder, they sound like  transvestites walking on a roof; well, I'm guessing. It's a very funny noise.

Oh well; I give in. Here you go....

Are you of a religious constitution?  www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello tout le monde

No, a spaceship hasn't landed on my head. This is my arty wide-brim hat silly.

Well; I feel like I'm cherishing every drop of sunshine now; like a best friend who must soon leave. It was like a beautiful film-set yesterday, with Swallows whizzing through the air and deep blue skies with puffy clouds. Apparently they feed on the wing. Sounds a bit tricky to me. A bit like Quidditch, with a picnic. Well you try eating in the air and I don't mean an airline meal! I suppose the best we humans do, is "feed on the walk".

There's a lovely story about Swallows, from the village of Capistrano in Spain. Apparently, they always return to this same nesting ground, as they have done for probably over a hundred years. Since being welcomed at The Old Spanish Mission a long time ago, they have always returned around the 19th of March to the same spot. They were even spotted in Goya at daylight on the 18th Feb., then Capistrano on the 19th March, meaning they flew 75,000 miles in 30 days.

Well, I think the Swallow definately deserves a WOW.

Apparently sex appeal for the Swallow is determined by the size of their partners tail! Is long or short the best? Do you have a preference? I just don't know.  

Introducing my new Yorkshire Terrier oil painting! He's called "I'm Ready!" because he certainly seems to be. Here he is, sporting his Nordic Sweater. Ready for his walk. Don't keep him waiting too long though.......

Original Yorkshire Terrier Painting by Laurel Moore.

What a cutie! Yorkshire Terrier, or yorkie.

Amazing low starting bid of only $16 on ebay, too. What; really? Item number 220139587808

I love colours, I love the way they seem to burn into my eyeballs. I especially love painting scenes with bright sunlight. So I used the beautiful sunshine yesterday, to practise seeing colours. It's quite a difficult game to try. You should try it. You have to translate every shade into a colour you could paint. It really challenges your brain. Because, as a painter, all you have access to is colour, you don't have a 3D palette, not really. Shadow colours are especially difficult. But I noticed that virtually all the shadow colours contained touches of purple, from the green crops, to the tarmac. I'll keep at it on my own then! I know it will make me a better painter.

And on a lighter note, do you want to see another organic vegetable? This one was very delicious, if you were careful to avoid the horns!

Funny Vegetables.

Wacky eh?

Oh; and I painted this pink rose the other day, for the house. I love roses. If you can smell the fragrance, then I know I've succeeded. I can smell it; can you?

I don't need to smell dogs or animals, though. Thankfully, it doesn't always work that way. I'll probably offer this as a Limited Edition Print in the future, if you love roses.

Keep smelling the roses www.MooreThanArt.com and www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello everyone

Wellington Boots With Flowers

Here I am! No; down here! Just don't ask me about weather! So, here I am modelling my new Wellington boots. Ready to splash anywhere, anytime. Charming, aren't they?

So; the weather: well even the worms are leaving home. Honestly, I can see them fleeing (in a slow, worm-like manner) from the ground. I'm sure I can see them gasping, too, as they head for anything man-made, which isn't sopping with water. It must be bad, if I can see drowned worms, too, mustn't it? Just lying there, pink-curly blobs in the puddles. There are so many battles going on in minute detail, under our very noses, that we never really see, aren't there? Who needs "Lord Of The Rings"?

Axle has shown grim determination the last two days, in not needing a pee. Surely that's impossible, you say? That's what we thought, too. But everytime he went to give it a try, he just stood at the door, looking at the rain and wouldn't go any further! I told you he didn't like rain. In the end, it was a whole day and a whole night, before he went "pipi" (unless of course he did something without telling us ) 

 Mind you, the rain has been seriously torrential for a day and a night. Not just rain, but very heavy rain. I delayed his morning walk for as long as I could, waiting for a let-up, then thought bugger it, let's go for it. So we did. Me in my Wellies, hat, coat and umbrella and Axle in his coat. It wasn't so bad once we got going. At least it was fairly warm. It improved once we discovered the puddles, too. We play a game called "Splish Splash" where I chase him through the puddles and splash him a bit (seemed like fun at the time) I think it reminds him of when we lived by the sea, in England. He used to love to chase the splashing waves with his mouth (mad dog) 

Dog In A Puddle Of Water

My; you're standing in a big puddle, Axle!

Well; no rain yet so far, today. It looks very grey though. I'm sure the worms are indecisive.

Here's the latest original Border Collie oil painting I painted. (Do you see how I used that sentence to work the search engine? Great, wasn't it?) Anyway, here he is. I haven't thought of a name for him yet. Though, maybe it should be his new owner who names him. He's a gentle boy. Busy working all day, then likes nothing better than a good long nap in front of the fire. He's not usually this clean, he must have known he was being painted.

Original Border Collie Painting by Laurel Moore.

Isn't he cute? SOLD.

Let's hope we don't all shrink in the rain.  www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart

Update: He is happily living in New York now. Woof!! Hope he's behaving himself!

Hello every one

Who's run off with our August?

 Actually, we've been really sweating here in Fribrourg, Switzerland. That's a nice image, isn't it? But it's been really hot and humid here. Then; last night at 5 a.m. we had the most torrential storm. I ran round the house shutting all the windows, starting with my art room. It's just as well my paintings are oil. Since oil and water don't mix. There was a lovely layer of rain on the surface. I do like a bit of sun and rain to christen my paintings though (not too much) It's nice for them, to feel a bit of rain on their backs and if it's an impressionist painting, it all adds to the general mix. Anyway, the colour pigments in the oil paints are from the earth anyway, so must've once feel the rain and the sun. No harm was done anyway. One of them is my sunset/beach painting, so it seemed quite apt, to have a bit of storm bringing it to life.

Here's its long item number now, ( 220137006047) so that if you wish, you can find it on ebay. It's a cutie. If I stare at it long enough, it really takes me to the sea. (Though I've quite surpassed myself in taking a terrible photograph with this one; it looks a bit like I've attacked it with a  cheese grater, I didn't, I don't much like cheese)

Beach Painting People Dog Silhouettes by Laurel Moore.

I have high expectations of my paintings. I expect them to transport me to where they are: if I stare at them long enough. So for me, it must capture the feel of a place, or subject. Otherwise, in my mind I have failed. And yes, of course I have some failures in the dark, dingy corners of my art-room......some half-finished faces, flowers, landscapes. Let's hope they don't stage a rebellion.

My husband called me into the garden yesterday. That's a rare occurance in itself for someone who has hay-fever. So I was on my guard! But he was pointing at this mad squeeking going on in the hedge. Actually, we've heard it for a few days and wondered what it was. 

On close inspection we see mouse-like things racing up and down our hedge! What were they doing? No idea. I'm not familiar with the behaviour of mice, are you? They're very fast, so it was difficult to be more precise, or to really see their mousy bodies. They looked like they were dragging their back ends though. I think that's just the visual effect of such fast little legs on the go.

I worry for those mice though. There are tonnes of cats around here. Feral ones, too. They sit in large fields, usually staring down at the ground. Then quite suddenly, they get up and head very quickly to some unknown destination. Almost like they've just looked at their watch and don't want to be late for an appointment. Is that behaviour normal, I wonder? This place is turning wierd, I think. Spooky storms, odd cats and streaking mice. I wonder if it's all my imagination.

Talking of strange sightings, I must just show you another rare bird from our garden: this blue chested hedge-cutter made an awful lot of noise.

Must go now, I have an appointment with a cat....... www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello doods

"Thanks mum, for putting on my doggy coat yesterday. I know I'm a dog and supposed to be hardy, but I do so hate getting soaked. It makes me feel really miserable."

"That's no problem Axle. I know you don't like getting wet" mum.

" It's just, I'm not a frenetic dog,  neither do I have a furry coat of my own, like our neighbour."

"You mean our dog neighbour, don't you Axle? Our neighbour isn't hairy, is she? And where did you learn a word like "frenetic"? It's very clever."

My; he's a clever dog, isn't he? He's even solved the mystery of where all his balls go! It's that hairy neighbour again, isn't it? Somewhere, there's a squishy green ball on the loose......

Actually; I bought myself a purple coat, last winter. Then; the only coat we could find that would fit Axle was also purple. That was a bit embarrassing really. With us both, stepping out in matching purple, with me, copying my dog. He's such a trend-setter!

You just don't appreciate how clever he is though, really. He has even managed to perfect the molecular converter. Here he is, just beaming-up now. But don't worry he's always back in time for tea.

Star Trek Dog, Beaming Up.

Maybe he's God of all dogs, somewhere. Still; he never lets it go to his head.

Did a cute little painting on my painting day yesterday. It's a lovely sunset scene and only measures 15 by 15 centimeters. It's an impressionistic painting. I love doing those, because you don't concentrate on the details, you just kind of splash around with your palette, until the painting seems to come together with a  mind of its own. That's not very technically helpful, is it? I've called it "The Last Rays" by Laurel Moore. Obviously if you know a few friends called Ray, it could be for you.

Sunset painting by Laurel Moore

It's suffered a bit from the flash, since it was still a bit wet and gooey.  You will be able to bid on ebay for it soon, with no reserve. Look at the 'ickle doggie, doesn't he look cute? Looks like a Terrier to me. There's a lot of Terriers about aren't there, bouncing through the world?

Update: This painting is now in Winsconsin, America.

On a homely note, I always smell after painting. I smell oily for days. It isn't very fragrant.

We've also nearly finished changing the www.MooreThanArt.com site. There will be lots more paintings to see and the colour is so bright, it nearly burns your eye-balls. Click on it to wake yourself up in the morning. I do.  www.boundlessgallery.com  or questions@moorethanart anytime.

Hello everyone  Happy first of August

Funny Vegetables by Laurel Moore.

Yes; that's me again, holding yet another character carrot. This blog wasn't meant to be a funny vegetable competition. But who am I to dictate the direction in which my blog travels? He's a beauty though, isn't he? I'm sure the've all got personalities. It amazes me they come out so well.  I'm not that strong, really! I think it's really due to all the rain and the dampness of the soil now. That I can pull them out so easily.

Well we've just celebrated Swiss Day for the 1st August. I'm sure you know all about Swiss Day? No; shall I refresh your memory? In 1291 there was a grand alliance between three cantons (communities) and this is still celebrated today. Mostly by Swiss people letting off tonnes of fireworks and getting drunk. Politely drunk though; they are Swiss after all.

Dog Silhouette by Laurel Moore.

Hey; here's a funny one of old faithful. It's actually a silhouette of our dog Axle. I took this yesterday. It really made me laugh trying to catch his shadow running along. You can just see one of his legs to the bottom left of the shot. Pay attention! What time did you go to bed last night? I always have an early night. It's very dull. Can't seem to stay awake past ten thirty these days! Still, I am getting on now

Talking of Axle our dog: the other day, in a large field he found a lovely fluorescent orange ball ( I think I mentioned it in my previous blog) He trotted home with it very proudly. It lay in our garden, like a great find of treasure for many weeks. Then is disapppeared! Yesterday on our walk we met our neighbour's dog, a mad lovable terrier who was running after the self-same ball! She is always as excited to see Axle now, as she was on the first day she saw him as her new neighbour. She's still only a baby and Axle is a wise old man now (6 years) who takes most things in his slow stride. She is so filled with bounce, she reminds me of a bouncy ball. Anyway; I digress. It turns out, it was her  ball anyway. Somehow; she had defied all defences and managed by stealth, to infiltrate our garden (we still can't work out how) in order to successfully retrieve her ball. Myself, and my neighbour were very impressed. Just as we were, when she also told me that her dog had arrived home, thrilled with an enormous pig's ear from our garden. Again, a mystery how she managed it! It must have lasted her a week, she's only a little dog. No wonder she was pleased.

It was very cold last night. Surely not a sign of autumn approaching already? It can't be, I'm not ready for it. Our house was unbearably hot, last year. So; this year we purchased an air-conditioning unit, just in case it got really bad again. Well; we haven't used it once! Good thing too, it makes a terrible noise. Sounds like an aircraft is taking off in the living-room, or "salon" as they say in French.

I hope you appreciate how hard it is to try and order a sofa in French? For one thing it's called a "fauteuils", go on, you try saying that word. I follow my husband, who points and waves a lot. No; actually I'm doing quite well at my French now. What was the last thing I bought, yes, a Big Mac with a Chausson Aux Pommes (that's a hot apple pie)

Brace yourselves, it's a painting day today! So, anything could happen. Don't forget, if I get lots of requests at questions@moorethanart.com I could paint something you really like. Just for fun. A bit like a radio request. You may like pink flowers, or horses, or feet; well, I don't know, do I  So, let me know. Keep me busy; please!!  I'm awful when I'm not.  www.moorethanart.com and www.boundlessgallery.com