I'm participating in a Deco round robin. This is my two-page spread for my friend, Bobbie's, deco. Her booklet is a "Laughter" theme. I used two of the photos she provided, tissue paper, stickers, bits of decorative napkins, skeleton leaves, metal charm, dictionary page.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Landscape, EDM 100
It was a gorgeous day yesterday -- in the 70sF! And I finally had a chance to get outdoors!
My friend Lorraine had given me a FABULOUS artseat for Christmas, so I packed that with my set of watercolors, pencil and sketchpad and walked my property searching for a 'landscape' view.
I stopped near the front entrance where the path begins around one section of the property. I sat in the warm sunshine, birds aflutter, and sketched the scene.
The coloring is a bit brighter in the scan than in my journal - but the trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and emerging plants are all there! (I did eliminate the weeds -- which were difficult to ignore! My choice was to weed or sketch -- I decided to sketch!)
I find landscapes a bit of a challenge - so much to decide - what to leave in, what to leave out, shadows, textures, perspectives. I'll probably do more of these for the practice I need!
Flora (L to R): Single-trunk birch (peeling like crazy!), emerging daylilies, red cedar, yellow mops, pines, several varieties of ornamental grasses, bare sweetgum. WN Watercolors in Raffine sketchbook.
My friend Lorraine had given me a FABULOUS artseat for Christmas, so I packed that with my set of watercolors, pencil and sketchpad and walked my property searching for a 'landscape' view.
I stopped near the front entrance where the path begins around one section of the property. I sat in the warm sunshine, birds aflutter, and sketched the scene.
The coloring is a bit brighter in the scan than in my journal - but the trees, shrubs, ornamental grasses, and emerging plants are all there! (I did eliminate the weeds -- which were difficult to ignore! My choice was to weed or sketch -- I decided to sketch!)
I find landscapes a bit of a challenge - so much to decide - what to leave in, what to leave out, shadows, textures, perspectives. I'll probably do more of these for the practice I need!
Flora (L to R): Single-trunk birch (peeling like crazy!), emerging daylilies, red cedar, yellow mops, pines, several varieties of ornamental grasses, bare sweetgum. WN Watercolors in Raffine sketchbook.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Jonathans Gift
One of my students brought me these flowers from a landscaping job he was installing -- camellia and two dark red carnations. We've had ten days of abnormally high temperatures in the 60s and 70sF ... and the flowers were still abloom.
I sketched and painted this while waiting additional students to register for the spring semester.
I sketched and painted this while waiting additional students to register for the spring semester.
boredom 2
Still bored during this meeting, I attempt my most difficult subject -- people. This attempt was exacerbated by my sitting among the art instructors who, bored too, were enjoying my attempts! GEEZ!
boredom 1
I spent most of yesterday at a "professional development" workshop (mandatory) that for the first presenters was, unfortunately, so BORING that it was sadly embarrassing for them and painful for us. All I had with me was a pen and steno pad -- the pen scratchy and skipping on the slickish paper ... but I used to time to sketch what was in front of me -- crackers, cup, paper holder, pen.
When I finally did make it home, that 'everyone's got it' stomach virus knocked me off my feet and it's been a sleepless, painful night.
When I finally did make it home, that 'everyone's got it' stomach virus knocked me off my feet and it's been a sleepless, painful night.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Rebecca's Creamer
Rebecca has the most incredible odds and ends around her pretty bed and breakfast.
Here is the creamer from a delicate set her son brought back from his trip to Sweden. I just LOVE the ceramic iris on the handle!
Here is the creamer from a delicate set her son brought back from his trip to Sweden. I just LOVE the ceramic iris on the handle!
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Raisins
I was hungry for something sweet after all the holiday cookies, so I went to the local coffee shop for a couple of biscotti. I bought myself two -- one to eat and one to sketch. When I got back to my desk, though, I began to feel guilty so I decided to eat these raisins while I sketched the box, leaving the biscotti to sketch today.
But then,
The biscotti just seemed to CALL ME, and well, there won't be a sketch of it --- because I just HAD to eat it!
Mercy!
But then,
The biscotti just seemed to CALL ME, and well, there won't be a sketch of it --- because I just HAD to eat it!
Mercy!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Breath of Spring
It's January, but you'd never know it by the 60F degree weather we've been enjoying.
I've returned to work and the B&B -- and Rebecca's bouquets. In honor of the warm weather and early blooming plants, she's placed sprigs of Sweet Breath of Spring between the green leaves and red berries of Nandina.
This sketch took far longer than I expected since Rebecca and I spent most of the time chatting and catching up from the holidays!
I've returned to work and the B&B -- and Rebecca's bouquets. In honor of the warm weather and early blooming plants, she's placed sprigs of Sweet Breath of Spring between the green leaves and red berries of Nandina.
This sketch took far longer than I expected since Rebecca and I spent most of the time chatting and catching up from the holidays!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Wassail
In honor of the New Year -- Wassail -- a spiced wine beverage --
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green.
Here we come a-wassailing
So far to be seen.
Love and joy come to you
And to your wassail too.
And God bless you
And send you a happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year!
And a bit from an article I wrote about the Natural History of the New Year:
Celebrating the New Year is practiced the world over with special foods, ceremonies, parties, proverbs, and resolution-making. The wassail bowl, from the Middle English words, waes haeil, means “to thou well” or “to your health,” and was a long ago custom in which participants drank to one another’s well-being. A mixture of ale, sugar, nutmeg and roasted apples was prepared, and the merry-makers would toast one another just after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
“Wassailing,” another old custom, had the well-wishers going from house to house with their wassail bowl of cheer. In exchange for a toast of the beverage and perhaps a chorus or two of the carol above, they would receive New Year’s gifts of fruit and nuts. In addition to the wassail bowl, the New Year’s visitors would make their calls, carrying sprays of evergreen hung with apples, oranges and ribbons.
And while I wish I could carry good wishes to everyone door-to-door, please let this painting suffice --
HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE!
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green.
Here we come a-wassailing
So far to be seen.
Love and joy come to you
And to your wassail too.
And God bless you
And send you a happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year!
And a bit from an article I wrote about the Natural History of the New Year:
Celebrating the New Year is practiced the world over with special foods, ceremonies, parties, proverbs, and resolution-making. The wassail bowl, from the Middle English words, waes haeil, means “to thou well” or “to your health,” and was a long ago custom in which participants drank to one another’s well-being. A mixture of ale, sugar, nutmeg and roasted apples was prepared, and the merry-makers would toast one another just after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
“Wassailing,” another old custom, had the well-wishers going from house to house with their wassail bowl of cheer. In exchange for a toast of the beverage and perhaps a chorus or two of the carol above, they would receive New Year’s gifts of fruit and nuts. In addition to the wassail bowl, the New Year’s visitors would make their calls, carrying sprays of evergreen hung with apples, oranges and ribbons.
And while I wish I could carry good wishes to everyone door-to-door, please let this painting suffice --
HAPPY 2007 EVERYONE!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Yellow Rose
I've been using roses to practice 'seeing,' sketching and value painting. In this attempt, I have finally achieved that balance (in my mind) of looseness and detail. I'll continue trying to achieve this with more ease and more frequency!
In the meantime, on the first day of January, a day and month of beginnings and new starts, I post this rose as a symbol of renewal ... may we enter this year with renewed spirit, commitment and joy!
And take time to smell those roses!!
In the meantime, on the first day of January, a day and month of beginnings and new starts, I post this rose as a symbol of renewal ... may we enter this year with renewed spirit, commitment and joy!
And take time to smell those roses!!
EDM 99 2007 Art Goals
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
I started to review my sketches from when I began sketching 1 1/2 years ago - and am amazed to see such differences! and also amazed at what hasn't changed! But in doing so, there are some accomplishments I have made:
* I sketched every day -- no matter what
* I completed all the EDM challenges
* I've begun to loosen up a bit
* My lines are surer
* My perspective has improved
* I've taken a sketch class and a watercolor class from Kate Johnson and learned quite a bit
* I attended "Art in the Carolinas" and took a class from Karlyn Holman which helped me attempt more 'wet-in-wet' methods
* I've encouraged my fellow artists in their work, and have been exceedingly rewarded by their friendship and support
* I've met the most wonderful group of inspirational and generous folks.
In 2006 I set a few modest goals:
* Sketch more and write more on the same page!
* Learn to make my sketches more relaxed, loose and joy-filled instead of stiffly perfection-seeking
* Sketch more of nature
* Sketch more quickly
AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!
In 2007 my goals continue to be modest - but I believe attainable with my intense work schedule and grandchildren and family:
* Sketch/paint daily
* Practice more faces and figures
* Sketch more scenes from daily life
* Sketch the everyday - recognizing the extraordinariness of life
* Work through the many art books on my sheleves
* Practice more values and perspective
* LOOSEN UP!!
* Increase my economy of line and sketching speed
* Use richer colors - but keep them transparent
* Sketch more things of meaning
* Increase my journal entries - especially more writing
* Improve page compositions
and as always:
PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
May 2007 be blessed, joyous, abundant and creative for all of us. And a humble, heartfelt thank YOU for your encouragement. It truly helps me pick up my pencil and continue the journey.
Thank YOU for sharing your life with me -- and allowing me to share mine with you.
A MOST HAPPY 2007!
I started to review my sketches from when I began sketching 1 1/2 years ago - and am amazed to see such differences! and also amazed at what hasn't changed! But in doing so, there are some accomplishments I have made:
* I sketched every day -- no matter what
* I completed all the EDM challenges
* I've begun to loosen up a bit
* My lines are surer
* My perspective has improved
* I've taken a sketch class and a watercolor class from Kate Johnson and learned quite a bit
* I attended "Art in the Carolinas" and took a class from Karlyn Holman which helped me attempt more 'wet-in-wet' methods
* I've encouraged my fellow artists in their work, and have been exceedingly rewarded by their friendship and support
* I've met the most wonderful group of inspirational and generous folks.
In 2006 I set a few modest goals:
* Sketch more and write more on the same page!
* Learn to make my sketches more relaxed, loose and joy-filled instead of stiffly perfection-seeking
* Sketch more of nature
* Sketch more quickly
AND PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!
In 2007 my goals continue to be modest - but I believe attainable with my intense work schedule and grandchildren and family:
* Sketch/paint daily
* Practice more faces and figures
* Sketch more scenes from daily life
* Sketch the everyday - recognizing the extraordinariness of life
* Work through the many art books on my sheleves
* Practice more values and perspective
* LOOSEN UP!!
* Increase my economy of line and sketching speed
* Use richer colors - but keep them transparent
* Sketch more things of meaning
* Increase my journal entries - especially more writing
* Improve page compositions
and as always:
PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!
May 2007 be blessed, joyous, abundant and creative for all of us. And a humble, heartfelt thank YOU for your encouragement. It truly helps me pick up my pencil and continue the journey.
Thank YOU for sharing your life with me -- and allowing me to share mine with you.
A MOST HAPPY 2007!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Bella Trio
Here's the quick rendering of my sketch done at Bella Trio. I tried to make notes of colors and placement (I needed two mini sketches to do this!) ....
I still find I'm leaving out important information -- shadows, where the light is coming from, etc. Nonetheless, I like the result as a journal entry and hope to do more of this type of sketching/painting for 2007. Still a bit tight -- but loosening up ...
BTW, the massage was wonderful -- very relaxing after a week of company and holiday busyness!
(watercolor, pen, done in Raffine all purpose sketch book)
I still find I'm leaving out important information -- shadows, where the light is coming from, etc. Nonetheless, I like the result as a journal entry and hope to do more of this type of sketching/painting for 2007. Still a bit tight -- but loosening up ...
BTW, the massage was wonderful -- very relaxing after a week of company and holiday busyness!
(watercolor, pen, done in Raffine all purpose sketch book)
Bella Trio sketch
I redeemed the gift certificate my children gave me for my birthday -- a massage from Bella Trio.
The Day Spa was lovely -- done in Tuscan colors and decor ... I sketched my view as I waited fo my massage.
I tried to capture the main details of this lovely room so I could attempt a full sketch/painting when I got home.
(sketched in ballpoint in a 3" x 5" pad)
The Day Spa was lovely -- done in Tuscan colors and decor ... I sketched my view as I waited fo my massage.
I tried to capture the main details of this lovely room so I could attempt a full sketch/painting when I got home.
(sketched in ballpoint in a 3" x 5" pad)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Emily in Nick's car - EDM 99 - art goals 2007
Another art goal for 2007 - improve my sketching of people so that they look more like themselves and less like illustrations.
Another goal - improve perspective so that items, like the wheels, look like they'd work!
Another goal - improve perspective so that items, like the wheels, look like they'd work!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Lilacs - EDM 99 New Year's Goals
I've been spending a lot of thought-time on my art goals for 2007. Here's one of them -- to sketch looser using more transparency and 'light.' I want more of my sketches to have a painterly look -- somewhere between the details I crave and the looseness of Charles Reid.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Cardinal
As I cleaned out two huge craft closets and reorganized and purged various papers and unused items, I came across a December 2002 cover of "Organic Gardening" that featured this cardinal.
Our birdfeeders are filled with these bright, colorful birds and while I had more time to devote to sketching yesterday, decided to try my hand at it.
I'm fairly pleased with the results, though I prefer a more 'painterly' approach. Still, I learned a lot by practicing another method and now will have one of these pretty birds in my journal to commemorate the winter and cheer the bleak grey of the landscape.
Our birdfeeders are filled with these bright, colorful birds and while I had more time to devote to sketching yesterday, decided to try my hand at it.
I'm fairly pleased with the results, though I prefer a more 'painterly' approach. Still, I learned a lot by practicing another method and now will have one of these pretty birds in my journal to commemorate the winter and cheer the bleak grey of the landscape.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
The Grand Christmas
I have so many photos I'd love to post -- but I'll give ya'll a break and post only a few.
The cars were gifts from everyone -- Mom, Pat, Mary Ellen, Mom, us ... and did Emily and Nick (and even T) love them! Here's some of the production --- the surprise - Emily looks thrilled, Nick confused, and then the 'driving' lessons, a near crash into a large ornamental grass, and more.
Close Up
A better close-up of the sketched rose. I hope to get to painting it today -- but I have more cleaning to do, bills, take more things to my son's ... etc., etc.
Rose
After 4 hours sleep and an early morning (4 AM!!) drive to the airport with Mom and Sis, I spent the next 12 hours working on dispersing my gloom by reorganizing craft closets and 2 upstairs rooms. I managed to really purge a lot of unused items, and even find some wall space! YEAH!
We all seem to be coming down with colds and after all this pushing, pulling, bending, tossing, hauling, I sat down to sketch before I fell into bed.
I managed to get one rose done before fatigue overcame ...
We all seem to be coming down with colds and after all this pushing, pulling, bending, tossing, hauling, I sat down to sketch before I fell into bed.
I managed to get one rose done before fatigue overcame ...
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