I Love It Here

It's getting colder here. And the heating system is totally centralized and collectivized since the Soviet time, when these houses were built.

That means, the heating will be available only after certain conditions are met even for the ones, who can pay for it.

And, after that, it will be adjusted for the whole house at once and stop only in the spring. But that's not the problem for us right now.

It's pretty chill in our apartment. Our pets are moving closer to sleep.

This is the absolutely closest, as it gets. And, for each of them, this is a true act of bravery.

As it is my bed, I sleep between them as well, when I do. And love the warmth around me, especially - from the dog. Although, sometimes it's challenging, when the dog forgets herself. :)

Yes, it's fall and it's getting colder. The first snow forecast by the end of the week.

But look at all this glorious beauty I see right now in the neighborhood...

...and our house entrance...

... and a little piece of the view from my room!

You get it, why I love it here even at this time of the year, don't you? :)

(BTW: the flower shop is in the flat building on the bottom of the image.)

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Creative Every Day

And you know I'm always happy to hear from you, right?

Please, feel free to leave a comment here or contact me at ritajc(at)inbox(dot)lv

My Creative Space

The last week for me, was mostly occupied with a German/English to Latvian translation and settling in our new family member - the rescued doggie Lesa (more a Kelpie than a Doberman, as I first thought). The translation is pretty simple and boring, so there is a good chance I can deliver it before the deadline, if only my brain cooperates well enough (working at it makes me sleepy very quickly). Lesa is settling in very well, and the shyest and more aggressive of our cats is adjusting as well. Yesterday, they both slept on one bed already :)

As I can be really productive, when there are loads on my plate, I was arting every day as well. Among other things, the first two canvas-backgrounds were created for the Bloom True e-course with Flora Bowley.

Some more inspiring facts:
- a couple of nights ago, we had a gorgeous sunset

- received some great feedback from a happy customer in US about this boa

- received great feedback from a friend in UK about my first ever sold print
- a lilac tree is starting to bloom right across my studio window

It's a late bloomer (just like me), as lilacs have actually finished blooming in our village, and I love blooming lilacs!


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My days

The last couple of days, I have spent mostly at our PC working at a large translation I have to deliver on June 20. But I still took care for my kids and animals, and even managed to do some gardening and art now and than.


Our new family member - the dog girl Lesa - is settling in fast and well. Even our cat lady is adjusting pretty easy, although she still attacks her at least once every day. Lesa has developed a special love for my daughter Anna, who loves her very much as well.

As to the arting, I haven't done much, just continued working at the last portrait for a couple of short sessions every day. At some point I didn't like the features of the face, so I covered it almost completely and started out fresh and brave. Like them much more now.

One more great news: the " Bloom True" e-course with Flora Bowley has started today and I even managed to do today's exercises! :)


And a sad one: the artist Peter Sewell has lost his battle with cancer last Tuesday... I haven't met this nice man in person, but we had good contact via Facebook, and I will really miss him and his witty expressions...

This week

This week, I haven't painted much, just continued working at this portrait

and at my part of a collective surprise gift (can't show it, or it wouldn't be a surprise any more, right?).


A couple of days have been mostly receptive, when I didn't feel well and just watched art videos and "Game of Thrones" (not that I like everything in this show, but I can't deny the talent of its creators). On other days I worked on my business: prepared and packed a sold painting and a couple of things sold on Etsy, answered requests of my customers, adjusted my offerings to their needs etc. The most exciting for me was the work on my portfolio and promotion on the RedBubble site.


But the main event of this week was yesterday: the arrival of our new family member Lesa, a 5 months young underbred dog girl with loads of doberman blood.

The whole event was short and pretty dramatic: as she was abandoned and strolled around in the village all by herself doing some damage here and there, the dog catchers were already there, when I arrived at the scene called by the friends of my daughter, who cared about her, but couldn't take her themselves. She has suffered much from her previous owners, I had to spend the first day carrying a 10-15 kg pup up and down the stares to get her in and out. But, actually, Lesa is settling in well and fast. Our cat lady isn't so happy about it, but starts to adjust to the new situation as well :)


Oh, almost forgot! Last Sunday I had a birthday and was bathing in (mostly online) love of my friends from all over the world! :D


As you might know,Thursday is the day of Creative Spaces. So jump over to this site and be ready for an inspirational blast!