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Sketchbook Challenge for March

2012-03-01T20:39:00.000-05:00

The Sketchbook Challenge blog's theme for March is "Flowers." Well who does not like to draw flowers--especially "Flower Doodles."

Also trying my hand at some stamp carving, so what else? Flowers!

More watercolor and ink flowers...

Some circles for good measure...

And a cat... just because I can.

Baci e abbracci.

What I Have Been Up to Lately...

2012-02-25T10:27:00.001-05:00

Trying out different things. Probably just to avoid drawing from life. So everything is from my head, which is easy to do on the train and while listing to Catching Fire (the second book in the Hunger Games series) on my headset.

It is true that when you look at a drawing it takes you right back to the moment it was created. Although the drawings have nothing to do with the book I am listening to, I can remember what the characters were doing when I made the drawing.

Anyway, not in a good mood these days, so nothing to say.

Watercolor, Fountain Pen with Noodler's Bullet Proof Black. gel pen, and water soluble graphite pencil

Collage, Copic Markers, watercolor, gel pen, corrective pen, and fountain pen (same ink).

Fountain Pen (same ink), collage and watercolor

Fountain Pen (same ink), watercolor, Prismacolor pencils, charcoal

Micron Pen, watercolor, Faber Castell watercolor and regular colored pencils, charcoal and gel pen

Baci e abbracci

Finally...

2012-02-18T11:01:00.000-05:00

I think I mentioned a commission that I was working on and how it was going to help pay for my new watercolor set. I finished it 2 weeks ago and gave it to the client who seemed to love it (hoping that is true, because as an insecure creative type I often think people do not want to hurt my feelings, especially when they are a friend). I was asked to paint a picture of her new house. I was asked to do it before Christmas and the fear of starting a new project caused a great deal of procrastination (this is so typical of my creative life and why I get nothing done). I was given an extension to complete it by the end of February. Perspective and buildings are not my strong suit. As I have mentioned, drawing a straight line is just not in my "can do" column. So I cheated a little... Let's just leave it at that. Once I was able to get the house in, the tree caused another month of procrastination as the idea of messing up the tree and having to start over again terrified me. Anyway, it is done and waiting to be given as a gift by the purchaser. I do hope the recipient likes it. I know this person has refined tastes and wonder if he/she will like my style.

I have to say I was pleased with the way it turned out. My favorite part of the painting is the dormer windows.

I just ordered the new book The Art of Urban Sketching, which is due to arrive Monday. I've always loved the drawings on the blog Urban Sketchers, which is where the sketches from the book were originally made public, but was not going to purchase the book when I first learned about it. I decided just recently, while reading Lapin's blog, that it could be inspiring to try buildings again. His drawings of buildings and some of Tommy Kane's do not use straight lines and I love them so, there is some hope for me.

About a week ago I tried drawing a nearby church from my office window. Not the best drawing, but not the worst. I need to start drawing from life again. Drawing stuff from my head is okay, but it does not help improve my skills. And since the most difficult thing for me is perspective, that is probably a good thing to tackle.

Hoping to get some sewing done this long weekend, although it is close to 11:00 am in the morning and even though I have only been awake for less than 2 hours, I am ready to go back to bed. I better go make a cup of tea!

Baci e abbracci

Sogni d'Oro

2012-02-07T20:30:00.000-05:00

Mr. Blue having "sweet dreams" in a field of flowers.

The Philadelphia Zoo--America's First Zoo

2012-02-04T20:00:00.000-05:00

Greg Goldman, Vice President of Development of the Philadelphia Zoo invited TOMA and I for a tour of the Zoo this afternoon. Mr. Goldman and Vikram Dewan (President and CEO of the Zoo) visited PAFA one day to have lunch with my boss. I commented that I was not sure I like zoos, keeping animals in captivity seemed unfair and possibly cruel, so both Mr. Dewan and Mr. Goldman said that I would have to come for a visit so I could see that although the animals are in captivity the Zoo is always trying to improve their quality of life. So now I have mixed feelings.

I do not like seeing a wild animal in captivity, although my cats are definitely in captivity as I do not allow them outside. The animals in the Zoo for the most part know no other life--just like 2 of my 3 cats. At the zoo the animals' habitats are pretty spacious and there are new ways in which they can go outside and come back indoors through tunnels that are suspended in the tops of trees. The Zoo is making lots of improvements with a new children's zoo and more of these contraptions that allow the animals to go out and come back in. (I believe the Philadelphia Zoo is the only zoo that has this option for some of the primates.)

We had a really enjoyable day and I became a member. My favorite area was the McNeil Aviary Center where there was a section where the birds were close enough to touch (but touching is not allowed). So I will be visiting again and concentrating on one area per visit, waiting for the animals to be in the perfect position for photographs and even sit on my portable stool and draw from life. So in the end there were a couple of sad moments knowing the animals are trapped in a room and pointed at all day, but for the most part they were busy eating or sleeping (like my cats do all day) and are safer at the Zoo than most of their natural habitats. I think the zookeepers are attentive and give the animals a decent life. Mr. Goldman gave us a great tour and spent a good part of his Saturday with us and we really appreciated it.

If you live in the area, please support the Philadelphia Zoo. Your admission helps support these animals and the improvements that make their lives better. Here is some of what we saw. I did not take the time to write down the name of each species, sorry--next time...

Now, a little art...

Baci e abbracci...

and the Winner is...

2012-02-03T07:45:00.000-05:00

I am so sorry I have not posted the winner of the contest! I have not been feeling well all week and forgot until this morning. So the winner is...

ANNIE PAZOO

Annie, please email me your shipping address and I will send the prize package right out to you!

Tomorrow the zoo--a place I have not visited since I was a child for many animal rights reasons, but I have been invited as the guest of a member of the staff to prove me wrong, so I will report on my experience in another post.

Bacci e abbracci

Some Purchases and a Cat Picture or Two or Three...

2012-01-29T10:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my friend and I went to lunch and to Pennington Quilt Works in New Jersey. There is a little cafe/catering place on the same strip where we had a wonderful lunch and then off to the fabric store. I had a 20% birthday discount card so what better excuse to make a purchase.

Even though I went there with the idea of purchasing some of the Stitch in Color line by Dubrawsky, it just didn't do anything for me. I love her work, but not this commercial line--at least not the selection that this shop had. So I purchased some of the standby for beautiful fabric--batiks, and then finally I bought myself some flower pins!!! Also, I am going to try spray adhesive for the next quilt.

After the fabric store, back to the cafe for coffee and cake, then to the yarn store on the same strip. There was a beautiful 150 gram ball of yarn by Lang in the right weight for a shawl, but at $27.50 and needing 2 balls I had to restrain myself. I would like to start the Claudia shawl today.

Now some cute cat photos, just because it is my blog and I can show off my kitties.

Always soaking up the sun...

She was so jealous of me photographing the other one, I had to give her some air time

Baci e abbracci

Good Morning

2012-01-28T09:41:00.000-05:00

I thought I would share some projects that I have been working on during the last 30 days or so. I was inspired by the work of Beryl Taylor, whose Interweave Press DVD I downloaded, about reverse applique. I used fabric blocks that I had purchased already cut. I had already pilfered the best pieces for another project, so I was at first disappointed with the colors, but having not looked at it for a few weeks, it is not so bad.

When we were in Italy I purchased a sketchbook to use with pen only. It was easy to carry without all of the coloring tools. While at a picnic I drew this chair. It was drawn correctly--sitting on a backward tilt in the pebbled ground.

This was one of the chairs at the cafe. I believe I drew it at night with my little book light attached to the sketchbook. I think I would have gone crazy if I did not have something to busy my hands and mind while sitting at the cafe.

A drawing after lunch at zia Rosina's home. Since I do not speak Italian and it is customary to sit around the table for hours talking after a meal, I usually take this time to draw something.

This year we finally broke down and purchased a fan towards the end of the trip. We carried it from room to room depending where we were hanging out in the house.

After having to pack up all of my art supplies to carry back home, I made this vow...

Doodling...

Fast forward to the last few weeks. Another work in progress. The picture of Black from my Facebook page turned into a small art quilt. Inspired by Jane LaFazio's DVD by the same name.

And currently I am trying to do a little amigurumi. I have had this book for a while and never could really figure it out as crocheting is not my number one craft. There is a young woman at work who is very proficient with these cute little toys and gave me one recently as a gift. I thought, why not give it another try. Well after literally 8 attempts I finally decided to read the instructions correctly and it worked. I have a little cat's head. I will show you the completed toy when it is finished. In the meantime here is the book the pattern is from.

Today my friend and I are off to a fabric store where I have a 20% coupon for my birthday. They carry Malka Dubrawsky's fabric line.

Baci e abbracci

As Promised...

2012-01-22T21:06:00.000-05:00

A baby blanket I made for a gift. And, a print of one of my drawings cut into a hang tag.

2012-01-22T11:17:00.000-05:00

Good morning. Having just gotten up less than an hour ago and still sitting on the couch, this day is not starting out well. Yesterday it snowed here in Philly and I spent the day cleaning the bedroom--hardcore cleaning--and keeping TOMA's aunt company while he did her shoveling. Then dinner out where I had a delicious passion fruit martini with Double Cross Vodka. I do not drink often and have never been drunk, so one drink usually has my head spinning--and this one did. My mom gave me the cutest birthday card which was even cuter having had the drink. A night of over-indulging with the finale of a peanut butter chocolate mousse dessert.

So here we are. I hope to post some photos later, but in the meantime I wanted to let you know about some really nice cards I came across through the ex-Press-o blog: Sweet Musings Paperie, check out this Etsy shop, the illustrations are really good.

Okay off to work we go... wish me a productive day.

Baci e abbracci

Friendly Reminder

2012-01-20T19:01:00.000-05:00

Leave a comment for a chance to win the prizes. Winners will be drawn randomly on January 31.

Baci e abbracci

Keeping in Touch

2012-01-15T17:56:00.000-05:00

Photo of Freesia with new camera

Photo of Black with new camera

Photo of orange with new camera

Photo of Blue with new camera

Apifera Farms

2012-01-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

Apifera Farms. Go over and read it for yourself. Look at the photos. And make a pledge to help the cause...

Baci e abbracci

Beautiful Shawl

2012-01-08T18:55:00.000-05:00

Hop over to Red Pepper Quilts to see a beautiful shawl. I purchase the pattern and will be using some Koigu yarn from my stash.

Working on two projects this weekend (Yeah! I am producing), a painted art quilt and a reverse applique art quilt. The painted quilt is at a stage that is fine, but plain and the reverse applique is at an unhappy stage so it needs more work for me to begin to like it.

The picture I posted yesterday was a condolence card that I made yesterday morning for my friend. And yesterday I went to B&N with TOMA as the friend I planned to go with was the person I made the card for. Tried to do another version of the card in my sketchbook, but was not pleased. I finished an old drawing in my sketchbook this morning.

I am in a good place creatively, but sadly I know that it will not last. I am also feeling a bit weird about turning 50. My friend lost her mom and it got me thinking about my mom, who is in good health, but who knows, right? I saw something on PBS this morning about Paul Simon who is 70 years old--when did that happen? TOMA commented that Simon is only 14 years older than him.

More than 1/2 my life is over and what do I have to show for it? TOMA and I have a good life--gosh I can buy Schmincke watercolors--so although we are far from well-off we are not strapped. Our health seems good, but who knows what is around the corner. I've started taking Motrin almost everyday for some pain that will not go away on its own. I cannot pull the right word when speaking--it just will not come to me. I am slow and awkward--all of the sudden I am old.

I am sure this will pass--looking forward to it.

Baci e abbracci

Dr. Martin's Radiant Watercolors

2012-01-07T13:25:00.002-05:00

2012-01-07T09:51:00.000-05:00

I have been drooling over Schmincke Hordam Aquarell Watercolor set of 48 half pans for sometime now. Geninne Zlatkis posted one of her beautiful paintings and her "beloved" set of watercolors last week and it was like an addiction took me over. I have always thought about purchasing this brand, but the cost is so prohibitive that I put it out of my mind immediately. This time the addiction took hold and I was caught in its grip. Everyday I would stare at a picture of a brand new set on the Blick website and think about how I could finagle this purchase. I have $100 in gift certificates that I received over the holidays and I have a freelance job that I need to finish--mmmm, this could do it... I could purchase this set without using household money. I tried to talk myself out of it. Why do I need professional grade watercolors? I am not that good. I don't even sell my work! But everyday I would look at them on line and the craving became so strong that I gave in. So much for supply addiction sobriety! They will be here on Tuesday! I cannot wait!!!! This is my big 5-0 birthday present to me. The Dean of the School where I work is so sweet when I asked his opinion of this brand, he said "well now you are a watercolor artist so you need good paint... did you ever get good brushes?" I told him I did get pretty good brushes when I was in Italy and I could tell the difference.

Like good yarn, good art supplies do make a difference while working with the product and in the finished result. I agree with Alisa Burke and Jane LaFazio, you certainly do not need good supplies to make art, but when it is truly what you love to do it makes the process more pleasurable.

Also, the Dean told me not to use my good brushes with gouache. I knew not to use them with watercolor pencils, but not gouache. I did not have time to ask why as he was heading into an appointment, but it is good to know.

Today I am going to make a sample and start a proposal to teach a class! I really want to give this a go, so I hope I do not procrastinate and miss the deadline. My treat at the end of the day is coffee with a friend and knitting at the Barnes and Noble.

Baci e abbracci

New Workshop

2012-01-02T09:08:00.000-05:00

While checking out my favorite blogs this morning, I noticed a cool contest over at Dion Dior & More. She is offering a spot in the 21 Secrets: An Art Journal Playground workshop if you tell her which of the instructors you would be most excited to learn from. Go check it out and enter the contest or sign up for the course!

Baci e abbracci

Buon Anno!

2012-01-01T08:59:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year! I wish you a year of contentment and good health.

In preparation for the first day of the new year, TOMA's birthday, I had a baking marathon. Because the way to this man's heart is through his sweet tooth.

My girlfriend, Mary, baked a delicious Irish Soda Bread for us for Christmas so I searched through my favorite King Arthur Flour blog and found this recipe. For Mary and her husband, I baked the Easy Cinnamon Bread. And then I baked the cafe style chocolate chip cookies for good measure. TOMA loved the new bread and of course his absolute favorite cookies were a hit.

TOMA surprised me and purchased a bottle of sparkling wine to go with dinner last night. He purchased this one because it said "dolce" on the bottle and if I am going to drink it must be sweet. Cakes, cookies, etc. are my weakness--I can live without alcohol--and usually do.

Dinner was a wonderful chicken cacciatore. He made brown rice and mixed it with the gravy from the chicken to make a risotto type side dish. It was a wonderful meal with milk and cookies for dessert.

I was in bed by 11:00 p.m. TOMA greeted the new year with the cats. I know you think this is bad of me, but one of his favorite movies was on--which he has seen at least 10 times--and I watched it with him even though I did not care for it the first time.

This morning I greeted him with lots of gifts even though he is not a gift person. It was fun! Two silk ties and cuff links. He really liked everything and was surprised.

Tonight my mom is coming over for coffee and birthday cake.

Baci e abbracci

The Perfect Day

2011-12-31T17:09:00.001-05:00

Yesterday was the perfect day. It started in my studio working on the secret project. I have to say making the limbs was the worst part. Next time I will make them wider.

I used 100% cotton stuffing for most of the project. I did use some Polyfill for the body.

The project uses upcycled fabric: TOMA's favorite shirt, a pair of corduroys from the thrift shop, purchased at least two years ago, wool felt (orange purchased 10 years ago--scraps from a yarn store that also produced garments that they sold, I knitted the yellow fabric and felted it many years ago) and the special part of this little one--the Thomas Pink silk tie--one of 50 donated by the generous person receiving this gift.

All four limbs

I decided that the shirting needed a little more body so I quilted it to batting and a backing of muslin.

Here you can see the quilting.

The limbs and ears pinned to the front.

My little guy without his character sewn on.

At this point I ate my new favorite lunch--peanut butter, banana, and honey on Food of Life Raisin Bread. Then I went food shopping. First to the local market, and home to put away the refrigerator stuff, then to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. Then Barnes and Noble. I bought a wonderful muffin at Whole Foods and bought a cup of coffee at the bookstore and had my treat while I reviewed some magazines. Then I did a drawing and colored it with Inktense Colored Pencils. I love sitting in a cafe drawing. I feel like I am out and about with something different to look at.

After dinner I finished him.

He has a felt nose, embroidery floss mouth and horn eyes (When I purchased these buttons years ago, I was told they were made from antlers that were shed by the deer. I hope that is true.)

I believe in giving credit where credit is due. I also believe that there are no new ideas left. My inspiration for my cat came from this book and the picture below.

Steve the Cat

I drew the pattern from scratch myself and added felt paws, felt ears, etc. I do not have a tail on the back of mine, because my intention is to place the label on the behind with his name: Gampy Cat. It is for the recipient's granddaughter. She calls him Gampy and that is why I used his tie for the belly. I hope he likes it.

Baci e abbracci

2011-12-30T08:42:00.000-05:00

Good morning! I had the day off yesterday and am off today through Monday for the holiday. Yesterday I spent most of the day away from home so today my goal is to spend the day in my studio.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time on the internet as most of the day away from home was spent waiting. I was reading Malka Dubrawsky's blog a stitch in dye about the 30 Day Challenge and thought I might try one or two of the items listed. I am thinking about #6 and #30. Like Ms. Dubrawsky, #30 seems like a "no brainer," but it is actually a challenge because it would have me posting everyday. Number 6 is also a "no brainer" that would hopefully make me create something everyday. It may not be possible to accomplish if I want to go to the gym--let's rephrase that if I have to go to the gym--but I will give it a shot.

Also, I signed up for a very expensive, intensive class The Penn Program for Mindfulness that meets once a week beginning at the end of January. I know that the homework includes 40 minutes of meditation a day. This will be a real feat for me. I am hoping to come away from the class with the knowledge of how to reduce my stress and negativity to allow me the energy to do the things that I think I want to do.

Okay, maybe I will have a photo and paragraph for you later today.

Baci e abbracci

2011-12-29T11:59:00.001-05:00

First I wanted to show this beautiful creation by TOMA: Frittata (my half). Made with red peppers, scallions and potatoes sliced like french fries. I had mine with black bread and butter. YUM...

Now, thank you card number 1: This went to the generous woman "A" along with the Rivolo scarf. I hope she likes it and it keeps her warm this winter.

This went to the Marketing Assistant at Strathmore Artist Papers, Sara for the generous donation to the prize packages.

I was reading Gennine's Blog and drooling over the Schmincke Watercolour set of 48 half pans. Even with the 20% discount at Blick until midnight and the $100 in gift certificates it is still way too much. It is the ultimate watercolor set and the only one that Schmincke makes that contains Payne's Gray. So many beautiful colors. I also thought of purchasing the set of either 24 or 36 and a tube of Payne's Gray. Hopefully, another discount promotion will come up before my birthday--although I think I want the Canon G12 Digital Camera more than the watercolors. I do not need either, but the camera would produce better pictures than the point and shoot I currently use, which has a screen that I cannot see in most outdoor daylight situations, so I literally point and shoot without setting up the photo or knowing if it is in focus. Knowing myself as well as I do, a zillion other things will tickle my fancy by my birthday.

Also, the car needs a $582 catalytic converter, which will be installed next week, so no big art supply expenditures in my immediate future.

Baci e abbracci

Rivolo Scarf by Knit Spot

2011-12-27T18:50:00.000-05:00

I started this scarf about two years ago, and this was the knitting that I would pick up when trying to get the knitting mojo back. This was the first thing I picked up when I recently started knitting again and finally it is finished.

It is made with a beautiful yarn by JaggerSpun that is a zephyr wool silk (merino wool and tussah silk). It is a 4/8 weight (sport weight) and very nice to work with. The pattern is "Rivolo" by KnitSpot (Anne Hanson). Hers was one of the first blogs I started reading. She is a real talent. Her knitting is impeccable and she is a great pattern maker. I have added her blog to my sidebar. Check it out if you would like to be inspired.

Baci e abbracci

OMG!

2011-12-26T18:04:00.001-05:00

Well swimming was great! I did a few laps, each one left me breathless and then spent 10 minutes in the jacuzzi. Off to the showers... Mmmm, it is like the beach with curtains. They provide liquid soap, so I wash my hair and then... "Ma'am, this is the men's showers!" OMG!!! I gather my things and apologize profusely and get out as fast as I can. There were a bunch of old men showering, why didn't they say something??? I ran to the women's locker room and while drying off I could not help but silently laugh! It is a totally new gym to me, and I have never used an indoor pool before. The signage is etched or glazed glass at each entrance. Without my glasses I really didn't notice any words. After I figured out how to get completely changed from my bathing suit to my workout gear without anyone seeing one inch of me and I went onto the floor to the elliptical machine and was embarrassed that I would see someone from the showers out there. I still thought it was the best workout in a long time as the swimming served as a great warm up.

Back to work tomorrow...

Baci e abbracci

The Fruits of Inspiration

2011-12-26T10:54:00.000-05:00

Happy day after Christmas. I thought I would share my current projects.

The above magazine is the latest copy of "Interweave Knits Accessories." It has quite a few nice patterns in it and although I have no where to store the tons of knitting/quilting/journaling magazines I already own, I purchased it. The pattern that made me make that decision was the pair of fingerless mittens. I won an IPod Touch Nano at our holiday party at work and need to be able to touch the screen to make it work. I have always had a fondness for fingerless mittens and already have a pattern somewhere, but this pair is made of a heavier yarn and seems less complicated than I remember the other pattern to be.

I could not find the exact yarn that the pattern called for (I really did look for it in my local knit shop "Justa Knitting Basket in Huntingdon Valley, PA) so I chose the next best thing Cascade Yarns Quatro, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool in a pretty turquoise color. Yes, of course I have tons of yarn that I could have substituted, but I need to keep my local yarn shop afloat.

I also purchased the yarn for the gauntlets on the cover--my hands are cold at work.

I am just so happy that I am knitting again. It really troubled me that I was on this seemingly never ending hiatus. To not do the one thing that has been a passion for the last 28 years was disturbing. Knitting has seen me through some troubled times. I remember when my first husband (TOMA is my second husband) was "missing in action" in New York city on a drinking binge, knitting is what kept me from loosing my mind with fear. So to give up a longtime friend (knitting, my first husband and I are still friends) I was worried I would never want her back in my life again.

I picked up a Pi R Squared (by Elizabeth Zimmermann) that I started a few years ago. It is just garter stitch and I thought I could just mindlessly knit. I messed up and had to rip back four rows of over 200 stitches each, but it is a great project for watching TV. Now I have started the mittens and am happy!

I am also working on thank you notes for some holiday gifts and the Strathmore donation. I already gave one away, but will photograph the others before mailing them. I still have to work on the secret project and would like to make one other thing--also a secret before December 31.

I received another totally "knock me off my feet" gift in the mail on Friday from someone. A couple of summers ago I saw a loose Pomeranian running outside and spent the next 2 hours chasing it through the shopping parking lots and across a major busy street--my heart stopped as I watched that dog run across Cottman Avenue. A few women helped me along the way, including a woman who left the hairdresser when she saw us with dye on her head! We cornered him in someone's yard and the local Pet Smart people helped get him on a leash and two of the women who helped (one I recognized from my commuter train) drove me and this dirty dog to my house. I drove to a local groomer to find out how much it would cost to bath it and saw another person from the train. She wound up finding a home for this dog. TOMA and I dropped him off the next morning and eventually paid for his veterinarian fees. A happy ending.

Well I occasionally see this last woman who placed the dog, I'll call her "A," on the train platform and we talk for a few minutes and sit in our usual places. I have not seen her in a few months in fact, but on Friday we received an extremely generous gift certificate from her! We traded voice mails and she said her reason is that she was touched by what we did for that dog. She spent a whole afternoon making phone calls to place that dog and I am sure that since she had that contact, she is in the habit of helping animals all of the time. I was so thankful to her that the dog did not have to go to the shelter because I could not keep him with our three cats. I hope she realizes how she touched me with her kindness and how amazing she is.

Today I am going to use the pool in the gym for the first time. I have to swallow down a lot of OCD to do this--and hopefully no pool water. I will let you know how I fare.

Baci e abbracci

Buon Natale!

2011-12-25T10:03:00.000-05:00

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with the joy of the season!

For those of you who do not, I hope your day is peaceful and filled with whatever it is that makes you happy.

Baci e abbracci

Prizes!

2011-12-20T07:31:00.000-05:00

Strathmore was extremely generous!! Their prizes came yesterday:

Three!!! Bristol Smooth 9 x 12 Visual Journals, One Mixed Media 9 x 12 Visual Journal, and Two Bristol Trading Cards. One Bristol, one package of trading cards, and the Mixed Media will be added to the prize package. The other journals and trading cards will be given separately to three other people.

Here is the secret project I am working on. I do not think the recipient reads my blog:

Baci e abbracci

2011-12-18T19:49:00.000-05:00

I have started a project for someone who totally caught me off guard with their generosity on Friday. I had planned to make something for this person as well as a couple of other people--something like cookies, but I think everyone is up to their eyebrows with sweets at this time of year.

Anyway this is my first project that is "upcycled." I am a little nervous that I will mess it up. I already made a mistake that luckily can be fixed. So I will tell you all about it when it is done and the person gets their gift.

Baci e abbracci

Contest

2011-12-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

If you would like to enter the contest you may also enter your own name, just leave a comment with your email address and you will be entered to win the prize package.

Good luck!

Baci e abbracci

I am Super Excited

2011-12-14T19:23:00.001-05:00

Strathmore Artist Papers has just emailed me to let me know that they will be donating a product for the prize package!!! As soon as it arrives I will let you know what it is.

Also, they have just offered 3 new free Online Workshop Series beginning January 1. Go over and sign up! Traci Bautista, Cathy Johnson, and Michael Mattesi are the instructors for this series.

Baci e abbracci

Drum Roll Please

2011-12-11T11:19:00.000-05:00

Okay, finally I am able to post the prizes. I am hoping this will whet your whistle. I am sorry it cannot be more, but I was not able to get donations so this is what I could come up with.

The prize includes the following items: (1) Sashiko kit in white, (1) Sashiko thread in dark blue, (1) Sashiko thread in pumpkin, (1 pkg. of 2) Sashiko needles, (1) Sashiko thimble, (1) hank of Cascade 220 Heathers in Sapphire, (1) pair of US7/4.5mm Bryspun flexible needles, (1) Boye Knit Tally, (1 pkg. of 2) Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needles Bent Point, (1 pkg. of 4) Clover Point Protectors (Large), and (1) Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti book. (Value of prize package $65.) Everything was purchased at Purl Soho.

I just started knitting again after a 1 1/2 year hiatus and am so happy that I thought if you do not already knit this is a great way to get started and if you do this is a wonderful book for your library. Everything else you can always use multiples of.

New York was fun! Soho was really the best part. Canal Street is just crazy (I bought a few inexpensive scarves) and the place was packed.

TOMA finally purchased the Astrakhan hat he has wanted forever, after he battled with himself about spending the money, from a vendor who makes them himself. I actually talked him into it because he has wanted it for so long. Even though I don't like the whole fur part of it, I eat meat and wear leather shoes and belts so I cannot preach. I am totally against fur so maybe I am a hypocrite.

My mom saved her money for years to buy a fur and of course I would inherit it. Just to irritate her, I tease her about donating it to the shelter to be cut up to make warm, soft animal cages. TOMA said since these animals already suffered I should keep it and use it. Since the house in Italy is probably cold in the winter, I should make a blanket for the bed from it. My animals would enjoy resting on that all day! Or I could sell it for money to build my dream shelter in Italy on our property--if I am strong enough in my old age to have a shelter.

Anyway, today is a very busy day and it is very late already, so please consider entering my contest, the rules are in the last post.

Baci e abbracci

New York

2011-12-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

Had a fun day in New York! We are on the bus home. I purchased some prizes at Purl Soho. I wrote to three companies for donations but not one resonded. I am a little dissappointed. I will photograph and post the prizes so until then...

Baci e abbracci

Cel-e-brate Good Times, Woo Hoo!

2011-12-01T19:51:00.001-05:00

The one-year anniversary for this blog and my 50th birthday are both coming up in January, so... I decided to have a little contest. I would like to increase my readership by 50 people, so if you are already reading my blog--thank you, thank you, thank you! The contest would be that you, my current reader, refer my blog to a friend. Ask the friend to leave a comment on a post and include your name and email address. On January 31st I will print out the name of each person who referred a friend and draw a name for the prize--the more people you refer, the more chances you have to win. The friend that you referred will have a chance to be entered in the contest the same way, by referring another friend. I will let you know the prize soon so you can decide if it is worth your while. I am going to NYC soon and visiting Purl Soho, and New York Central Art Supply so you never know, it might be really good. Remember, you have to play to win!

Baci e abbracci

The Long Weekend is About to End

2011-11-27T10:27:00.000-05:00

It is Sunday after being home for four days and I am already blue about the weekend being over. I love being at home. I should have been a housewife like my mom, but it was not meant to be--not in this era. So whenever I am home for more than the customary two days it is really hard to go back to work.

Yesterday, realizing that I have been at a plateau in my weight loss for 3 weeks now, I decided I'd better get my rear out there and take a walk. I had the perfect plan, jewelry store (to get a new watch band and a new watch battery), walk and on the way back stop at the CVS for a couple of things. Well while waiting for the watchband I started browsing at the white gold and diamond earrings. I tried on a pair. I really liked them and they are 60% off until Christmas Eve. I thought my 50th birthday is coming up and my mom asked me what I wanted... mmmmm... Fabric/Art Supplies or earrings? They gave me my watch--I forgot to pay for it-- and I asked them to hold the earrings. Luckily I came to my senses a block and a half away and called them to say I forgot to pay, I'll stop back within the hour and after I went back to pay I told them not to hold the earrings. Fabric or jewelry? Am I nuts? A big gift certificate for fabric is way better than overpriced earrings!

Okay, so I am on my way back. I even walked an extra 10 minutes outbound to make up for the stop at the CVS. What happens across the street from the CVS? I fell! I did not see the big rock until my foot stepped on it and down I went. What a laugh for all of the people driving on the street--a major thoroughfare in NE Philadelphia. An older man coming towards me insisted that I file an incident report in the nursing home that I fell in front of. Actually, sitting there waiting and having a chance to clean the wounds made me feel better. Then I almost poked my eye out at the CVS, and broke a front tooth with a butter knife making my lunch. It was klutz day for me!

Not too much on the creative front, but TOMA and I went to Chestnut Hill on Friday and walked up and down Germantown Avenue. I saw so many pretty things and got lots of creative ideas. We will see what I get done today.

I hope you also had a long weekend and it was a good one!

Baci e abbracci.

Trying to Post More Often

2011-11-21T19:55:00.001-05:00

I completed a clutch so I thought I would show it to you. It is the Keyka Lou Easy Envelope Clutch, and it was easy, very easy. I did not understand part of the pattern and emailed Michelle, the designer, and she responded right away. The pattern is on sale for $5 (regularly $7) and can be downloaded immediately. Don't we wish everything we order on-line came that quickly? I think these little clutches would make great gifts. I saw the clutch on Malka Dubrawsky's blog stitch and dye. She quilted a couple of them and they came out really cute.

I love the rooster fabric. I know I recently purchased it, but cannot remember where.

The other thing I did over the weekend is a couple of blocks for my fall quilt. I did my second liberated star from Gwen Martson's book Liberated Quilting II. The first one was from another book of hers and Freddy Moran's, but the strips of fabric I had were too narrow and I did not like the result. I was able to purchase a few 1/4 yard cuts of some of the same fabric in the quilt over the weekend so it was easier to make the star.

Okay, gotta go pack my breakfast for tomorrow--ugh!

Baci e abbracci.

Hi there...

2011-11-13T10:44:00.003-05:00

I have not posted for a while... obviously and feel bad about it. I have not been happy with my work of late. I have been working on a quilt and pretty pleased with that, but my drawings (when even enthused enough to create any) have been disappointing.

I attended the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show on Friday night and was wowed by the talent and quality. The work was amazing. There were a few booths that were selling apparel made of wool felt and silk chiffon. The craftsperson wet-felted the wool right into the chiffon. It was very interesting for scarves and flowing vests. Three minutes of research on Google and I found out that it is referred to as Nuno Felt, a Japanese method. The scarves have a great drape and I would image lots of warmth as both wool and silk are fibers that retain warmth. If I can convince my friend to do it with me I may give it a whirl.

Here is the list of people whose work who most inspired me:
http://www.ginapannorfi.com/
http://soraiyu.com/
http://www.erinwilsonquilts.com/
http://leahevanstextiles.com/
http://pingwudesignstudio.com/
http://studiodgm.com/Home.html
http://lizalpertfay.com/
http://reneeharris.net/
http://elyseallentextiles.com/
http://marikoswisher.com/
http://bieler-beerli.com/main/
and Leni Hoch, who does not have a website but her scarves are beautiful and if I had not just purchased 2 books from Amazon, I would have purchased a scarf from her.

One of the above quilters as well as a couple of other craft people use photos of microbiology and aerial maps as their inspiration. A fellow staff person also uses microbiology in her work which I also saw for the first time on Friday, so I thought why not. I am always looking for something to make me want to draw, so I again used trusty Google and came up with some interesting photos to draw from.

The other issue with my work is that I always battle whether to use black ink outlines in my drawings. My husband usually likes a watercolor without the black lines, but I am partial to them and feel that there just isn't the "pop" in the painting without them.

I also have recently experienced my Carbon Ink bleeding with the application of watercolor. Really nerve racking! I guess I am back to Micron Pens if I want to paint over my lines. I just really wear down the tips quickly--before they run out of ink. I also enjoy using fountain pens. The alternative is using dip pens and waterproof ink.

Lastly, I received a 40% off my entire purchase coupon from Blick Art supplies, who I use for 90% of my purchases. I had 30 days to decide on what I wanted and it was an "in-store use only" coupon. That was good because they did not stock a couple of the big ticket items that I planned to purchase and would have had to order them, which I declined. I ended up with a box each of Fabriano note cards and envelopes (see flowers below) which take watercolors beautifully; set B of Dr. Ph. Martin's concentrated watercolors, and a Sennelier travel box of 14 1/2 pans of watercolor (used in both paintings below). Fun little spree...

Not finished yet

My new travel set of watercolors--my first professional quality set. Used them with my new brushes from Italy--very nice--definite difference from the Cotman brushes I have

New note card on Fabriano--the Carbon ink bled so I used my Pentel ink brush to cover the bleeding. I've had it for a while, but cannot control it well. I liked it and will practice with it.

My fall quilt on the design wall--string blocks from the class I took and wonky log cabin blocks that will border the string blocks, then one more border of sashing

Freesia channeling me--always sleepy or sleeping

Baci e abbracci

WARNING--This Post Contains Lots of Complaining--Viewer Discretion is Advised

2011-10-08T14:31:00.001-04:00

Well, I've been away from blogging for a couple of weeks. I have not been feeling well and because I have OCD, I naturally think it is the worst case scenario. I've been blue anyway, so the additional worry about health issues just adds to the blue mood.

I have not been doing anything creative, so I had nothing to talk about or show. I did start sewing scraps of fabric together, but am not sure I like the colors together. I purchased a case for all of my Faber-Castell pencils (96 in all) to be in one place rather than tins or mugs. I would like to start using them more to enhance my watercolors. And, I've been doing some doodling on the train, which I find enjoyable.

I am still in a reading mode. I am almost finished another book, something that was $.99 on line. It is entertaining. I also purchased 2 books by Jon Kabat Zinn about meditation and am reading the first one. I ordered his CDs that guide you through mediation and am waiting for them to arrive before I attempt it on my own. I've also been looking into programs for stress relief and mindfulness. I found a couple, but have missed the first classes, so I will wait until the next offering.

I think my health issues are directly related to or made worse by the way I handle stress. I allow myself to get really angry and consequently stressed by things that I see and hear that are not fair, or when people seem oblivious to me or others (especially when they are behind the wheel and I am on foot). Basically it is about people who seem to believe that are entitled.

Whether rich or poor, some people seem to think they are entitled. I think it is especially prevalent in the States because we have so much available to us--so many things we do not need. This phenomenon can make people who have excessive riches act entitled and rude to those they see as beneath them. On the other hand the same phenomenon can make people who cannot afford to purchase the things they need, let alone the things they want, angry and entitled to take that anger out however they wish.

Think about it both groups act the same. They throw trash on the street instead of in a trash can, they yap on the cell phone and text while driving (even though it is illegal in many cities) causing accidents and deaths, they speed, they drive intoxicated, they do not yield to you on the sidewalk. When a person feels entitled whether they have means or not they act the same rude, uncaring way to those around them.

Now if I were a practicing Buddhist, I would probably not get upset about this, but feel compassion for everyone no matter how awful they seem to be behaving. I doubt I will ever practice Buddhism to that extent, however, if I could become more mindful, I think I could find more compassion in my heart for people, the same as I do for animals. Animals truly suffer at the hands of humans and I always have compassion for them, no exceptions.

If I could handle the emotional distress I would work with animals. It would be truly fulfilling to decrease homelessness and cruelty to animals. I can't do it. I cannot handle it mentally. Seeing animals suffer is so heart wrenching and depressing--I hate those Humane Society commercials where they play that Willie Nelson song or the Sarah McLachlan song, and show tapes of abused animals suffering and trembling. I have to turn the channel immediately, because once I cried for a 1/2 hour. TOMA and I do what we can in a small way. The people who devote their lives to helping animals are real heros. They get paid little or nothing and work hard to take care of defenseless animals.

Sometimes I believe that this country could feed all of the hungry and homeless animals and people if people were not so greedy. There would be fewer homeless animals if people would spay and neuter their pets. Not only would they not reproduce unwanted animals, but a lot of the behavioral problems that make people kick an animal out onto the street or take it to the death shelter are due to not spaying or neutering the animal to begin with! It goes back to my original gripe--people are the problem.

Stepping off the soapbox...

Baci e abbracci--and a belated L'Shana Tova!

More from the Sketchbook

2011-09-24T12:30:00.001-04:00

With the exception of a couple of drawings that I have not finished coloring this is the last of the work from Italy. This is a Fabriano Venezia Sketchbook that I saw in the Danny Gregory video that I mentioned in the last post. Really nice paper, but the book needs to be clipped to stay open flat. I also could not find them in Italy! I asked all over, but no one had ever seen them. They are made in Italy! Check out Diana Trout's posts about her visit to Fabriano.

We visited some family and the streets had a really nice cobblestone pattern, the inspiration for the drawing below.

I purchase some confetti to bring back to friends and drew it on our kitchen table in Italy. Confetti, as most of you know, is what Americans know as Jordan Almonds. It is very popular in the area we go to and stores are devoted to selling confetti as it is used as gifts to guests of many celebrations or parties.

This was the first drawing in the Fabriano sketchbook and I used the Ph. Martin watercolors. Still not used to them. Again, the inspiration was flowers that I photographed the day TOMA was exchanging currency at the bank.

Below I was at the point of no return in boredom at a lunch. Since I am too lazy to learn Italian, I spend many hours at the dining room table after meals sitting while others talk. I seriously am on the verge of going out of my mind so I whip out the sketchbook and throw caution to the wind at the risk of offending anyone. I completed the flowers at the table and then added the background, paint first--which is not the norm for me. I then decided to incorporate the cobblestone pattern I had seen that day on a walk that followed the lunch. This came before the black and white drawing above.

My usual breakfast. Milk and coffee and two cookies. One of the cookies is called cielle piene and is something that the bakeries in the area make at that time of year. They are incredible! They are a flakey cookie dough filled with this grape filling and swirled to create a round pocket of yummy goodness. There is one bakery in a town called Penadomo, about a half hour away that makes the best cielle piene. The day before we left we travelled there on the scooter and purchased 60 cookies to bring home in our carry-on. We just finished the last of them last weekend.

Below is the bakery where we made the final purchase of these treasurers.

At the far right bottom of the photograph is a picture of the cookies at another bakery that makes them. This is where I got them during the trip as this bakery is on the way to many places we travelled to. They make them second best to the bakery above.

Off to the gym...

Baci e abbracci

Some Scanned Sketchbook Pages

2011-09-22T18:32:00.002-04:00

Finally I had some time to scan in some of my sketchbook pages. I took this handmade book with me. I purchased it from Diana Trout during a class I took with her and decided to use it rather than save for when I am better at drawing.

Above is a drawing of some flowers that were in a planter where we were invited to celebrate a young woman's 29th birthday.

Below is a still life I set up with some stuff I found in a kitchen cabinet and tomatoes and peppers that someone gave us from their field. The pitcher is ceramic and the the woman is a brass toothpick holder. I liked her so much I brought her home. There is also a pine cone I picked up from the property. It was my first time using the Dr. Ph. Martin's watercolors. I purchased a set of 14 (set A) before I left Philadelphia and took them and a million other art supplies with me. I was inspired to use them because of the Danny Gregory "Art of Breakfast" video and because the Dean of the School where I work had also suggested them to me. They take a little getting used to and I need some practice in mixing. They are radiant!

Below is actually the first drawing I did after arriving. When we arrive, TOMA's uncle sends us home with tomatoes from his field and a bottle of olive oil. The next morning TOMA starts saying hello to people (while I am still sleeping) and they give him fruit and veggies from their fields. So here we have a bowl of tomatoes and potatoes, a basket of grapes, a bag of peaches (peaches not in view) a crazy cucumber, a timer (that we brought from the States for the pasta), a potholder and a glass of water with a sprig of basil. This is all sitting on the wood burning stove in the kitchen. I am not sure whether it works or not, but is connected to a pipe in the ceiling so it is still there.

I posted this drawing before I colored it, so here it is complete.

This is just a finished "doodle." When people see these "doodles", they say I should design fabrics. I think people think it is so easy to get a job like that--I just give a half-hearted smile and thank them for the compliment.

Below, the left side is a view of the town, Roccascalegna from the picnic area. I got a zillion mosquito bites painting it. On the right is a moth from a photo on the Internet and a flower that I photographed when I was waiting for TOMA to exchange some currency at the bank.

I have not drawn anything since I have returned. I have actually done nothing creative but shop at the Pennsylvania Quilt Show last Saturday. I did buy some nice stuff and spent a nice "chunk of change."

Baci e abbracci

Italy Continued

2011-09-05T18:09:00.001-04:00

I have not had the chance to scan any artwork--been busy getting food in the house and I went to the gym for the first time since October. In October I stopped going to the gym, but started walking--lost 10 pounds and had the surgery on my feet and gained almost 20 pounds since. I am really unhappy with my weight and vacation is O-V-E-R! I actually lost a couple of pounds on vacation as I was eating very healthfully the first 2 weeks. The last few days while traveling towards home, not so good, so I expect to gain until I start to loose with the new regimen.

Right before we left for Italy, I photographed the 2 gifts I gave my mother. The first is a picture of her parents that has been quilted and framed. And the second is the quilt--photo taken outside at night.

One of the first drawings I did in Italy was of this dilapidated building called "Lu Casoine de Mastrofiore." I photographed the drawing while on vacation.

The rooster was one of many in the coup at a picnic lunch we were invited to attend to celebrate a friend's daughter's birthday. As usual the food was abundant and delicious. I had a little bit of homemade red wine. It was so strong that someone poured Coke into it so I could drink it. I usually mix gazosa with red wine when in Italy, but they had none at the table. The Coke was surprisingly good. It made me so drowsy after lunch, I actually fell asleep on a chair.

To be continued...

Baci e abbracci

Back in Philadelphia

2011-09-04T18:33:00.002-04:00

We are home... This year I was not as anxious to come home as usual. We always feed the same two dogs and at least one stray cat, but this year, one of the strays was very friendly and we bonded with him. He is just a baby, but so affectionate, I even let him into the house and he sat on our laps. He was very hard to leave behind. I fear he will starve. The part of Italy we go to is farm land: grapes, olives, fruit, etc. They don't neuter or spay, which drives me crazy. There are too many stray cats and they do not have long lives. Some people feed them like we do, but not enough. The dogs run around on their own, even if they have have homes. I named him Orsetto:

I left a note for a neighbor who was in the States when we were in Italy. I am hoping they will look after him and set out food for him. TOMA cooked for him. He ate anything we gave him, including bread. The dogs on the other hand, well fed and picky, would only eat mortadella.

I will post pictures over the next few weeks, including some of the drawings I completed.

Around the House:

One of the many lizards running around the property

Snails sunning on a tree

One of the two mortadella dogs--a mom and her son

One of the olive trees

Baci e abbracci

A Few More Things...

2011-08-04T21:50:00.001-04:00

New Work

2011-08-04T21:05:00.003-04:00

Wedding Anniversary

2011-07-31T11:06:00.002-04:00

TOMA and I just celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary and I have wanted to create this little painting for a while. Naturally, I created it a day late, but as you know I was busy working on my mom's birthday stuff.

TOMA surprised me with a Blick gift certificate on the evening train. TOMA admits he wasn't really thinking about it, but as you will see from my gift, the train was a perfect place to give me my present because we met on the same train that we still take everyday together. A story too wordy for this blog, but very romantic! I have noticed that we travel with other couples that have met on the train. My painting is named Commuter Romance.

Baci e abbracci.

She Loved It!

2011-07-24T22:05:00.000-04:00

Success! The photo was a tear-jerker, and she loved the quilt. "Too beautiful to use..." I hope she is kidding.

I hope to finish the quilt I started in class and that would be the first quilt for TOMA and I.

Baci e abbracci

Mom's Birthday

2011-07-24T15:15:00.002-04:00

Today is my mom's birthday. I am so proud of myself, I finished her quilt!!!!! Yes! the quilt that was her gift 2 years ago in the form of a box of fabric and a pattern is a completed lap size quilt today. I am very pleased with the way it came out. Not perfect by any means, but I am still happy! For this year's gift I made a mini quilt of a photo of my maternal grandparents and framed it. Hopefully, a tear-jerker! Oh, Poodleman--you know who you are--aren't you proud of me?

I will have to take photos at another time as the gifts are all wrapped up and ready to go to dinner.

I also made her birthday card.

Baci e abbracci

Doughnuts

2011-07-16T22:48:00.001-04:00

I read Alisa Burkes' blog regulary and one of the recent posts discussed the doughnuts she made. The King Arthur Flour blog also has featured doughnuts recently, so I thought doughnuts are calling.

These are cake doughnuts and are baked. They taste just like the real thing! Totally yummerific! I filled the doughnut pan a little too high so only one side had a hole, but that worked to my favor when I decided to cut them in half and spread some preserves on them. Then I tossed them in confectioners sugar. Perfect!

The other endeavor I have been involved in is making my own journals--two to be exact. They both use the coptic stitch--one is 5.5 x 7.5 inches. I used the front and back of a used Pentalic journal that I cut away from the insides. The second journal is 4 x 5 inches. I also used the coptic stitch, but this time used black paper for the covers (because I measured the paper incorrectly and could not use the new Pentalic journal of which I removed the insides--I was going to use the directions for the Moleskine re-load). I used black duct tape to cover the spine. I also glued a prayer flag on the front of each book. I am quite pleased and will be saving them for the trip.

I have also been testing ink and pens. I received the Platinum Carbon Black Ink and the Preppy Pen with a converter. I also loaded the Rotring with the PCB ink. I really like the ink--a little better than the Noodler's Bullet Proof. The Preppy was leaking, but I loaded it with Noodler's and it stopped. None of the pens give me a fine enough line so I order a Lamy Safari EF nib. I am waiting for it to arrive. So far, the only nib that makes a fine enough line is a dip pen.

Another thing I have been playing around with is Bristol Board--Smooth. I like it. It is great for ink and the watercolor goes on like markers. It hasn't buckled so far either. I am using a 3.5 x 5 inch spiral Strathmore Visual Journal as a "doodle" journal, so I do not use my "good paper" for doodles.

Next, I must finish a quilt.

Baci e abbracci/

Book Review

2011-07-07T20:02:00.001-04:00

I did it! I finished reading a book from cover to cover. The book, The Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures, by Cathy Johnson was a really good book. The artwork is great. Even though the book is for someone who is just starting a journal, I thought it contained enough ideas/tips to be informative for someone who is already journaling. The book discusses supplies, testing products, ideas for different types of journals from a memory journal to a travel journal--or just keeping one journal for everything, including your grocery list. Cathy talks about making time for your journal, quick sketches as well as spending more time on a subject. It is as inspiring as Danny Gregory's books, which are my favorites. Take a 'look inside' on Amazon and buy this book for your library.

I think I will carry this book to Italy with me to refer to while I work in my journal. I want to really restrict what I take this year and I am considering taking this and "Everyday Matters," by Danny Gregory. I am sure I will change my mind before I leave. I cannot even decide on which skirts to take, let alone what art supplies.

Baci e abbracci

The Ink/Pen Dilema

2011-07-06T21:41:00.002-04:00

I have been having some issues with Noodler's Bullet Proof ink smearing when I erase my pencil lines, so I have been searching for the perfect waterproof ink. I respect the opinions of Roz Stendahl when it comes to art supplies (and I like her work), so I emailed her about Platinum Carbon Black Ink and the Desk Pen. She was very nice about making sure I had enough information to make a choice. She took a lot of time with me and I really appreciate that.

Based on her advice, I decided to purchase the PC ink and the Preppy Pen and convertor. I also found a convertor for my Rotring! In my correspondence with Roz and Rachel at Goulet Pens I found out that the problems I am having with my Flex Pen can be solved with a little adjusting of the nib and the feed. I tried to make the adjustment, but still prefer my Lamy. The people at The Goulet Pen Company are very nice and helpful as well.

I would like to start making my own journals. I purchased Fabriano 140 lb. watercolor paper-hot press-and it arrived. I think I would like to try the coptic stitch with several signatures. I want a book that is not too heavy as my neck has been bothering me a lot from the bags I carry everyday. Did you know that my Daler-Rowney sketchbook (5" x 7") weighs over 1 lb.? Right now I am using a sketchbook made by Diana Trout. I purchased it when I took a class from her last May. I always thought it too precious to use, but it is a good weight with hot press paper (140 lb.).

On July 3, I went to Lowe's with TOMA and while he purchased a screen door I purchased a plastic chair for the front of the house and used it in the nursery to draw some flowers. It is a great place to sit and draw.

Yesterday at work I did a little doodling, but was not pleased with the result. Oh well, there is always another sheet of paper waiting.

Today, I added a drawing/watercolor of a hydrangea from the front yard on the same page as the petunia and zinnia from Lowe's. I am playing with Copic Multiliners that I purchased a while ago. Of course since Blick does not lock them up, people sample them and the tip was mashed on my brand new pen. Luckily, I purchased replacement tips and ink (these pens are refillable). I think I like them. I can get a very fine line with the .01 and an even finer line with the .005.

Baci e abbracci

I am Sewing!

2011-06-27T21:07:00.001-04:00

Today I came home from work, ate dinner (TOMA did the dishes--he is so good to me) and started to sew. I have completed a block and 1/4. I realized that this is the perfect project for the beginner who wants to learn how to sew or quilt. You just keep making straight lines and 1/4" seams. I promised I would teach a friend to sew by making this quilt.

So, here is my work table with my blocks.

I thought I would give you a tour of my studio. This is my inspiration board over my work table. I need to put up some new images.

My bins of strips on the floor for this current project.

My Janome sewing machine. The best part of this project is having my work space for pinning, sewing and pressing at the machine. And I love the hera marker for finger pressing.

My other bulletin board. I purchased this beautiful Guatemalan piece of fabric and kept it in a drawer for over 10 years. I cannot use it as a table runner because of the the fringe--the cats would destroy in a minute and a half. It is too stiff to use as a shawl. It was a big expense for me at that time at $65. I recently decided to just pin it to the board so I can admire the colors (which is why I bought it in the first place[colors not true in photo]). Notice one of my flea market finds perched atop the board. And the evil eye in the upper right hand corner. (Only good spirits need to enter my studio!)

The "Love" sign is from my childhood bedroom. My parents brought it back from somewhere for me. I grew up in the '70's and my room was lemon yellow and lime green. I had lime green shag carpet and a really cool bed with drawers and secret compartments made from Formica and chrome. The little quilt was purchased from Tallgrass Prairie Studio. And of course the best advice: "Keep Calm and Carry On."

A 20 year old shelving unit that now holds some paper, knitting supplies, knitting books and binders full of interesting things/projects/how to's found on the Internet. You can also see one end of my knitting machine with rolled paper on top of it. It is covered with a dust cloth.

Next to the shelving unit my filing cabinet, sewing notions, and printer. Under the printer: boxes of larger cuts of fabric, Velcro, netting, etc.

Some drawing stuff near the work table. I took the pretty Harry & David round box from work last Christmas after everyone ate the holiday goodies inside. Another expensive purchase, the little Amish quilt, was $35, a lot of loot for me over 20 years ago. I did not sew or quilt at the time, but just loved it. I thought it would inspire a knitwear design.

Ikea shelving unit #2: fabric, art supplies, beads, glue, embroidery and quilting hoops, the sock blockers that you put wet hand knit socks on to shape, new sketchbooks, and some more books. The bulletin board is full of information I don't want to loose. The small bookshelf under it is full of quilting and drawing and journaling books, paper, a bowl of seashells, a cotton boll and feathers and sticks that I have collected. The cotton boll was a gift from our friend who visited from Italy by way of his home away from home in Mississippi.

As much as I wish my studio was bigger, I am very lucky to have a room to myself. For years I had a knitting studio and my husband at the time and I lived out of one room, a kitchen and a bathroom for 10 years. TOMA and I live in a small row home but there is plenty of space for us and our three cats. Sometimes I just wish I could pick up the house and plop it in a field in Lancaster. The city can get to me, but I admit the convenience of art supply stores and fabric and yarn stores is great. Although quilting and Lancaster go hand in hand like a bird in the hand. (Couldn't resist...) Any way...

Baci e abbracci

Class Today-Part Two

2011-06-26T21:44:00.001-04:00

Those of you who read this who know me, know that I make plans and then when it comes time to do it, I just want to stay home and regret having made the plans. Today was no different. But as usual, I was pleasantly surprised.

The class was good and fun. I really like making string quilt blocks. If you quilt you know that you usually press after sewing each seam. This quilt allows you to finger press each seam until the end. So it goes faster. You can do all of the cutting, then sewing, then press, cut again, sew again and "whalla," you have a quilt top!

It is always fun to take these classes with other women. You sew, you talk, you sew a little more and talk a little more. The class was at Cloth and Bobbin which is a shop in Narberth, PA. Johanna Hertz is the owner and she is really nice and helpful. She has a beautiful selection of fabrics--all the big names--check out her site. Here are some pics of my work station.

The class was about making a String Quilt

My old Singer broke and could not be fixed until I purchased my Janome. So I take my Singer out for classes and the Janome stays home. Perfect. I enjoy the Singer now that it is not making teeny-tiny-tight stitches that were impossible to rip out.

You begin with a foundation (muslin or any other fabric that will not show in the finished quilt). Then you sew strips onto the muslin on the diagonal. Easy peasy!

The pile of strips.

The final square before the edges are cut off and it is a square again.

I am going for some color pattern within the placement of the squares.

As a reference the darkest stripe is the center of the square that is showing in the photo as a diamond. (Upper right of photo: yellow and tans, dark brown stripe, reds and orange) Three squares placed next to each other in the color pattern.

And you cannot leave the store with out making a purchase... Roosters, graph paper, and a fabric that I used in the quilt on the sidebar in a different color way. I almost did not buy the graph paper, but I am thinking something artsy, like a wall hanging.

The best part was that the fabric and some notions added up to over $36.00, when I gave Johanna my little card of past purchases I had $25.00 of free goods coming to me! Yeah!! I should not have bought anything so $9 and change is not so bad and I love the roosters.

A good day, and a good weekend. Yesterday, TOMA and I spent the day doing errands. Tomorrow back to the grind...

Buonanotte. Baci e abbracci.

Class Today

2011-06-26T11:57:00.002-04:00

Today I signed up for a class at Cloth and Bobbin in Narberth, PA on String Quilting. I am waiting for my friend to pick me up. Last night and this morning I did the prep work of cutting 10 x 10 inch squares from muslin and strips galore from pretty fall colored fabric I purchased with another project in mind (but we know how that goes so I grabbed the opportunity to actually use this fabric). I found that in my tool box I had this nifty ruler thingy from June Tailor called the Shape Cut Slotted Ruler. Hell-o! My tortured strip cutting days are behind me. I was the Speedy Strip Cutter. Even though I am leaning toward the Nancy Crow style of free cut strips, this tool is the cat's pajamas!

So I am set, taking half my studio with me. My friend just arrived!

Baci e abbracci.

Inspired and Off From Work

2011-06-24T11:59:00.001-04:00

I took today off to sew and draw. What have I done so far? It is 11:51 a.m., I woke up at 10:15 and talked to a friend on the phone while drinking my coffee, ate breakfast and am surfing the net--this is not good! I feel like going back to sleep--another bad sign. I have so many chores to do and a class on string quilting on Sunday so I must fight the desire to go back to bed.

One of the blogs I just looked at is Kathy Johnson's (see my side bar for a quick connection). I pre-ordered her book, Artist's Journal Workshop and it arrived on Tuesday (and again on Wednesday, which was immediately returned to Amazon). I have been reading it on the train to work and yesterday read about the Derwent Blue Gray watercolor pencil. So what did I do? I went out at lunchtime and bought it. (I am lucky to have Utrecht and Blick in walking distance to my office.) Today on Kathy's blog she has a video of her drawing with the pencil and a waterbrush. Great video! I hope to try it myself today. The book is good so far. I rarely finish the books I buy, but I think I will finish this one and write a review. It would be a good exercise for me.

Baci e abbracci

Jimmie Mirikitani

2011-06-22T20:15:00.000-04:00

I just watched a video that I borrowed from the library where I work: The Cats of Mirikitani. The documentary was okay. It is about a 80 year-old homeless man (Mirikitani) who is taken in after 9/11 by a woman (the film-maker). She helps him get his own apartment and social security. He is an American citizen of Japanese decent and was in an internment camp when he was in his 20's at Tule Lake. It was very sad. The best part of the film was his work. Being homeless, he worked with tools given to him, colored pencils, ball point pens, crayons, etc. I love the way he draws. He is a master of line. It is worth watching if you have access to it. His annual birthday party in New York just passed--he is on Facebook. He is 90 years-old today.

Baci e abbracci.

Where Did the Weekend Go? Part-Two

2011-06-19T22:45:00.000-04:00

Well at least this weekend was not a waste. I did not do any art work, but I totally cleaned my studio and re-organized it. I finally gave in and took the wool yarn on cones off of my studio shelves and packed them into clear storage boxes in the basement. It was a little sad, taking my beloved wool out of my studio. This just reaffirms that I am not knitting, but it allowed me to put everything in its place so that I can sew. My studio is very small, so it can really only accommodate two disciplines, knitting and sewing, knitting and drawing or sewing and drawing (the current two disciplines). I should have taken before and after pictures. I still have a little bit of filing, but did a lot of shredding of old receipts and my work table is totally clear. I raised it so that I can use it as a cutting table too.

I also decided to put everything in the basement in clear storage boxes. I bought the boxes and hope to start that project during the week after dinner.

I do not mind weekends that I do not do anything creative as long as the weekend is productive in some way.

Baci e abbracci

Where Did the Weekend Go?

2011-06-12T22:41:00.001-04:00

Another wasted weekend. If I drank or did some other mood altering thing it would be the "lost weekend." My lost weekend involves sleep, lots of sleep. I consider the weekend a waste when I don't do any art.

I took some photos while walking through City Hall the other day. There is beautiful tile work that needs some major conservation.

The one below is from one of the buildings where I work.

I am trying to motivate myself to illustrate some notecards. I finished one, but am unsure if I like it. I have an idea for a series, we will see...

Baci e abbracci.

It is Almost My Blogiversary!

2011-06-01T21:34:00.002-04:00

I was just looking back on some posts and noticed that my first blog entry was on January 6--it is just about 6 months. That is kind of exciting. I re-read the first post and noticed that it had goals listed at the end--ut oh! I forgot about that. Here goes...

I have not completed 1 quilting or knitting project every 2 month. I completed one small knitting project in 6 months--no quilting.
I have tried some of the techniques in the well over 20 books I have purchased in the last 1 1/2 years.
"Finish the quilt I started for my mother's birthday, now almost 2 years ago." Funny thing, I signed up for an Unfinished Projects Night at a local quilting shop for tomorrow and 2 hours ago I emailed them to say I was not going to make it. I just couldn't bear trying to figure out where I left off and schlep my sewing machine, fabric, tools and thread to the shop by 6:30 p.m. on a work night. There are other classes scheduled and I paid for a string quilt class at the end of the month.
I have worked in my sketchbook on average 3 times a week,
and on average I have completed one post per week on this blog (actually twice per week--on average).

So I am doing okay in meeting my goals, although there is room for improvement.

I do not think I mentioned this absolutely fabulous book I purchased recently, Nancy Crow. I have had it in my cart for months and decided to finally buy it. I opened it and was wowed! The most beautiful work ever. She has dyed most of her fabrics herself, which makes the quilts truly exquisite. It really inspired me to start sewing. However, first I have to change my studio a bit to use the sewing machine. That means find a place for all of the books, paint, paper, ephemera--all of it. There is just no where to put this stuff. Also, I would like to get acclimated to the sewing machine before taking this class at the end of the month.

I am drawing in my new sketchbook. I even put a wee bit of collage in one of them alla Roz Stendahl as shown in her Building Your Visual Journal from the Page Up class (free on the Strathmore Visual Journal site). I think her workshop was the best in the series. The first workshop by Pam Carriker was good, it even motivated me to purchase her book, but in the end, it is just not the kind of stuff I want to produce. I think what I like about Stendahl is that she can draw well, and she does it everyday. She doesn't doodle, or draw a variation of the same face/house/cat. The collage is just secondary--no gel medium, powders, mixed media. Drawing is her focus. I like that.

Buona notte. Sogni d'oro.

Baci e abbracci

OMG!!! Sooo Gooood

2011-05-30T22:03:00.001-04:00

I just made the best carrot cake ever! Of course it is a King Arthur recipe--King Arthur's Carrot Cake. It was so easy. It was a little work shredding the carrots. I could not use my Cusinart because I don't have a fine shredding disc for it and the carrots have to be shredded finely. It was worth the extra work. I did not add the nuts and was worried when I saw how thin the batter was--this is my first carrot cake. I also read in the comments section of the recipe that the amount of frosting was a little scarce, so what does a frosting freak do? Double the recipe of course! If you decide to make it you will notice that you can substitute Fiori di Sicilia in the frosting for the vanilla--I did and that is what sends it over the top. It is a delicate vanilla-orange flavor that pairs perfectly with the cinnamon, ginger and cloves in the carrot cake. TOMA absolutely loved the frosting and the cake. If you like carrot cake, you will love this one. It is better than any carrot cake I've ever had anywhere--and I made it! (In the picture the frosting was still soft and we could not wait to try it. Once it firms in the fridge it will not smear when it is cut.)

The other thing I did this weekend besides draw (I will scan the pictures soon) was set up my new travel palette. I ordered 1/2 pans from Daniel Smith and filled them with my Cotman tube watercolors. Roz Stendahl does not care for this brand as she says they do not rewet well, but I like them fine. I also can't pay $7.00 to $13.00 per tube of the better brands. I do not even think my work warrants such expensive tools.

Anyway, I've been trying to lighten my load as my back and shoulder are killing me so I replaced the Cotman cakes in their travel kit with the tube paints--that is 12 colors and then the little mint tin for 6 more.

Baci e abbracci

Island Beach State Park

2011-05-29T18:10:00.002-04:00

TOMA and I decided to go to the beach for the day on Saturday. We go to Beach Island State Park, NJ. It is a refuge for birds, foxes and other animals. It is really nice and quiet. The only thing I don't like is that they allow vehicles on the beach and fisherman who leave line with hooks behind that hurt the birds and I would imagine anybody who steps on the hooks.

It was a little cold and of course I did not bring any long sleeves so I spent most of the day wrapped up in towels. It was still a really nice day. I did a little drawing of the shells that I will post next time--I just finished it today.

I also scanned the final drawings in the old sketchbook and the new drawings in the new sketchbook.

I am not happy with all of them, but I posted them anyway. The last two are in the new book. Since I used Copic markers on the first one and only that part bled to the back of the page, I decided to try to make something of it so I painted a similar design. I kind of like it.

Baci e abbracci

2011-05-25T18:53:00.000-04:00

I know, I haven't posted anything for a while. I am so tired. I have been drawing and knitting though. I knit the chemo-cap for the woman at work I mentioned and completed the last page of my sketchbook. It is the first sketchbook I have ever completed. It is kind of sad because I would sit and look through it once in a while, but now I will not have it with me anymore. The new one will be empty for some time. I have started using the Moleskine Watercolor sketchbook that I have used in the past, but still do not like the format. I will keep using it until I pull out the new Daler-Rowney spiral I have waiting.

I am so tired that I do not even feel like editing the photos of my work, so I will only post the few that I completed. Some of the photos have to be re-shot--they are blurry.

I have been playing around, mostly doodling. The owl above is from a photograph on line.

Baci e abbracci

It Has Been a While

2011-05-13T19:31:00.000-04:00

Well the iPHOTO book was a big hit with my mom. It made her cry--a good thing. She liked all of her gifts and dinner. I baked my, now famous, Apple Cake and Honey Whole Wheat Rolls. The rolls were great! Mom and TOMA loved them. What can I say King Arthur came through again.

A co-worker who has an obvious addiction to neckties has been promising to go through his stash and give me the ties he no longer has a deep affection for. Well yesterday he handed me 50 ties, most of which are silk!!! All high end and beautiful! He said he can't wait to see what I do with them. He is so funny! I told him it will be years before I felt confident enough to start to turn them into a quilt top. So I just put a batch of chocolate cherry brownies in the oven for him and his wife.

Also someone at work is going through chemotherapy so I offered to make her a chemo cap. I would like to feel the passion for knitting that I once had so maybe this will get me back into it. I like knitting in the round and love how the decreases at the crown look when done correctly. I purchased a pretty purple DK weight. It has been a year since I've really knit anything.

Drawing a little. I find the coloring process to be the best part.

Wow the brownies smell fabu!

Baci e abbracci

Drawing Slump = Prolific Baking

2011-05-01T10:45:00.001-04:00

It is official I am in a creative slump. Of course this means I am prolific in something else. This time it is baking. Yesterday I visited a friend who is going through some personal challenges. I wanted to bake the sandwich bread, but did not have the time for the two rises. I baked the Easy Cinnamon Bread from King Arthur Flour for her and I assume it came out as good as the first time I made it. For TOMA and I, a Cinnamon-Streusel Coffeecake is this week's treat--and a treat it is. Really yumerific, especially with the Vietnamese Cinnamon. This recipe made a lot of dirty dishes, but it was worth it.

King Arthur Flour is the only on-line baking site whose recipes I trust. I know they test every recipe to make sure that it will work and they do--every time. I have their King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion and their King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion and have made many recipes from both books, with only one problem--and I cannot be sure if it was me or the recipe. They are employee owned and very pleasant.

I subscribed to the Baking Sheet in February and recently received an email advertising a free The Baking Sheet: 2010 CD with the purchase of a one year subscription. I emailed them and they sent me the CD, which has many fabulous recipes on it. If you like to bake, King Arthur is your "go to" place. I am going to purchase the The Baking Sheet: 2000-2009 CD with my next order. Also, with every purchase, I receive a coupon for 10% off my next order.

Baci e abbracci

Look What I Made!

2011-04-28T21:23:00.001-04:00

My boss took me out for lunch for Administrative Assistant's Day, and I wanted to give him a thank you note. I decided to make a card with one of my images. I finally got the image to print on the top half of the card stock and I used Photoshop Elements to alter the image to make a matching envelope. It took me forever to cut out the envelope and looking at it, it is not even, but I am still happy with it. BTW, the altered image on the inside of the envelope idea came from Jane Davies. If you take her survey, the gift is downloadable notecards and envelopes.

Baci e abbracci

My Book Arrived!

2011-04-27T21:36:00.000-04:00

The book I ordered from Apple came. It is beautiful! How exciting to see my own work in a glossy book. I think my mom will really like it. Apple really does a great job with these books.

I fear I am approaching a slump. I haven't really drawn anything in a couple of days. Gosh I hate when this happens. I've been reading and am thinking about starting a small art quilt. I even cleaned my studio up to be able to sew. I hope I am wrong, but have seen this pattern too many times. :-(

Baci e abbracci

First Day Back to Work

2011-04-25T19:40:00.000-04:00

The first day back to work after three lovely days off, but still thinking about the weekend.

Got some prices on having my images printed on notecards and thinking about going for it. Of course that means producing some artwork. Once there is an actual project it becomes scary and difficult to produce. Time to get over it.

Baci e abbracci

The Holiday Weekend

2011-04-24T21:54:00.000-04:00

Like many of you TOMA and I had Good Friday off from work. Friday I basically slept most of the day and did local food shopping in the evening in preparation for Saturday's baking. I baked King Arthur's Classic White Sandwich Bread--super easy, and I made it all be hand (no dough cycle on the bread machine). The video is very helpful for those of us who are not experts in bread making. Then I baked Lidia's Italy Almond Torta with Chocolate Chips. I saw this a month or so ago on TV and thought it looked good. I was right! The 5 eggs and over 1/2 lb. of butter help make the chocolate chips and lemon zest go just right together. Very sophisticated looking and tasting. An easy cake to bring to someone's home if invited as a guest. The recipe calls for almond flour, which you can either make or order from King Arthur. I ordered it and the bag was just a 1/2 cup more than I needed to make one Torta. Perfect! It is a little bit of an expensive cake to make. I also had to buy the 10" spring form pan, which I will not use that often (I lucked out and got that 40% off at A.C. Moore). Next week Doughnut Muffins only instead of cinnamon sugar on top, I am going to make that white glaze they put on doughnuts. YUMMMM! I also have carrot cake on the brain so who knows. TOMA is in a fairy bakery wonderland and soooo happy!

Today we visited the Quaker City Flea Market. I purchased a pair of cat in the teapot salt and pepper shakers and a wooden bull--very modern (I forgot to photograph both items). But I took a photo of pretty blue glasses at the flea market:

We also stopped at Glen Foerd on the Delaware. We were going to TOMA's aunts house from the flea market and I noticed it for the first time. The Director visited my boss a month or so ago, so when I saw the sign that I had seen many times and not noticed, I decided to go in. The grounds are beautiful and I heard many different birds (we did not have any binoculars with us). There is a bird walk next Saturday morning at 7:00 a.m. If I can get myself up, I may go. Today I heard a flicker, woodpecker (not sure if hairy or downy) Northern Cardinals, Song Sparrows and heard and saw a ton of American Robins. May have seen a Summer Tanager, but cannot be sure.

I am trying to draw from life--again. Please note that in the hydrangea sketch below. I will watercolor it and show it finished. Sorry about the quality of some of the scans.

I am proud of the Tiger Lilies and the Grape Hyacinths even though they are from the photos in my last post. Those two are not quite as stylized as usual. The black and white is the Hydrangea (just leaves and stems, no flowers on the bush yet).

Baci e abbracci

Some Pretty Flowers from Food Shopping Today

2011-04-17T20:46:00.000-04:00

A funny thing happened while taking pictures at one of the food stores we were in. I was shooting with my point and shoot at the cheese section because there was a colorful display for easter and the head cheese man came up to me to let me know that I am not supposed to be taking pictures inside this store. I need to stop at customer service and get a badge that says I am a visitor. I was actually embarrassed in front of the other customers. I can't imagine what they think people would do with the photos. I explained that I like to take pictures of color combinations for quilting, etc. Everyone is so afraid that someone is going to steal an idea away from them, that they stole from someone else.

It was a good weekend. I baked TOMA brownies (he left written requests all over the house) and I baked a really Easy Cinnamon Bread. It came out really good, like a quick bread on the inside and really crispy like a loaf of crusty bread on the outside. TOMA loved it! I have to say that the best ingredients make a difference that can be tasted. I used the Vietnamese Cinnamon and the Cinnamon Chips for the cinnamon bread, and the Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract for the brownies, all from King Arthur Flour Company. If you can afford it, treat yourself to the best every once in a while, but if you can't you can still bake at home, that is the real difference.

Baci e abbracci

iPhoto Book

2011-04-17T09:35:00.001-04:00

It has been a while since I have posted, but I have been creating. I purchased a couple of DVDs by Jane LaFazio. Having watched the first, her new Interweave Press From Art Journaling to Art: Drawing, Watercolor, and More Techniques for the Mixed Media Artist with Jane LaFazio, I decided to finally purchase The Small Art Quilt. It has been in my Amazon cart for some time.

I have not completely watched The Small Art Quilt yet but it looks good. I do have a criticism of the Interweave DVD. I realize that the DVD is created with the beginner in mind, but I think that the air time spent showing another person (Pokey Bolton) the techniques on the video could be spent showing additional techniques. The consumer would get a little bit more for the money.

Also, Mother's Day is coming and a while ago I decided to make a book of some of my work for my mom. She confirmed that this was a good idea by asking me if she could show my sketchbook to her friends. Since I am a little attached to the book, even if it was filled, I couldn't allow it out of my possession for any amount of time. It is so nice that my mom is so proud of my work that she would like to show it in lieu of pictures of grandchildren (neither my brother or I gave any to our mom), and she says her friends ask to see my stuff.

I used the Mac iPhoto program and ordered it last night. I am a little excited to see it myself. I did a lot of scanning and cropping--until 2:00 am last night--to finish it. Here are some pictures of the new and old stuff I haven't posted.

Baci e abbracci

Buon Compleanno, Louis

2011-04-07T21:31:00.001-04:00

The hard copy is in the mail...

Baci e abbracci

Promise, This is the Last One Tonight

2011-04-06T22:15:00.000-04:00

I think I like this best...

I Figured Out How to Change the Background Color!

2011-04-06T22:02:00.000-04:00

Much better!!! Yeah!!!
Buona Note e Sogni D'oro

One More Thing

2011-04-06T21:41:00.000-04:00

I had an idea, but this is just a sketchbook entry. I would really need to work on this. It would be great if I knew how to use Photoshop. I bet I could really improve the drawing if I could alter it in Photoshop.

More Work

2011-04-06T18:49:00.000-04:00

I know I am repeating myself, but I am so happy when I am making art. Whether it is sewing, knitting or drawing, whatever I am into at the moment, it is great to be in a creative flow. I always fool myself into thinking that finally I have turned the corner, no more ruts, this is it, and of course, I fall into the deepest rut ever. I get tired, uninspired, miserable. So this time no kidding myself. I am grateful that I am really into drawing and hope it will last as long as possible.

And my friend J. at work confirmed that I am complaining less! The blog is working! Remember, I started this blog to create more and complain less and I am!!! (Okay, enough, let's not jinx it.)

The bird above was for a sympathy card for a co-worker, and the flowers and feathers were just playing around in the sketchbook. I just love, love, love my Lamy extra fine fountain pen and must use it as much as possible. I am also enjoying playing around with the Copic markers.

I am also proud to say that I am using all of my best, expensive supplies--Copic markers, Noodler's Ink, Faber Castell colored pencils and Aquarelle Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper. No more saving it until I am good enough or have a good idea. I'm using it all up and if the sky falls and I cannot afford to replace it--I'll cry and wish I had saved it because that is who I am--you just can't change who you are deep inside. But I am having a great time and hope I can always afford art supplies. Really, I would cry harder if something happened and it was all destroyed and I had never gotten the chance to enjoy it.

Baci e abbracci

I've Been Busy...

2011-04-03T21:45:00.000-04:00

I am always happy when I am productive.

The first picture above has a white background, not pink. I've been playing around with Pitt and Copic markers. I just love the Lamy extra fine fountain pen loaded with Noodler's Fountain Pen Ink. It smeared a little bit when I was erasing my pencil lines on the pastel drawing above, but I think that was the paper--Bee Paper Aquabee Artist Marker Pad, 140lb--because it was hours since I used the ink so it should have been dry, but the paper is a plate finish.

Baci e abbracci

Springtime Inside, but Not Yet Outside...

2011-04-03T10:09:00.000-04:00

Out and About

2011-04-02T18:02:00.001-04:00

Today TOMA and I went to the flea market, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. At the flea market I purchased a few things including the enamel plate and book below. I bought the book for the cover.

I also picked up a metal first aid box (cool for art supplies) and a bowl from Japan. The Coke bottles below looked neat so I took a photo.

As soon as I got to the flea market I saw a young woman. She was so attractive in red. She had a 1950's style red dress, red shoes, lipstick and a red cup of coffee. All of the red in contrast to her body art was striking. She also wore some netting in her hair. In all honesty my eyeglasses get so dark outside it is hard to see, hence to poor photograph.

The funny part is that it took me over a half hour to get up the nerve to ask her if I could take her photograph. When I was younger, I would have just snapped a candid. I loved showing that I was an "artist." I didn't mind dye/ink/paint stained hands and clothes--it showed that I was special, a creative person. Now I don't really care about stained hands, but it no longer makes me feel special.

Anyway, here is Cole D. (she even has a cool name). She really stood out in the crowd. I didn't get to talk to her long, but I bet she is creative and confident. She was also very nice to let me take her photo. Thank you, Cole.

What actually inspired me to take her picture is Maira Kalman's book "In the Pursuit of Happiness" which began as a New York Times blog. It has great paintings and photos in a sort of journal form.

Baci e abbracci

As Promised

2011-04-02T12:55:00.002-04:00

As promised I am posting the second painting that I was trying to prepare for the exhibition. I did not have time to scan it, so I photographed it with my new Faber-Castell Polychromos. They are gorgeous! I read about them in the new book I purchased, "Botanical Portraits with Colored Pencils" by Ann Swan. She uses these pencils and since I am not crazy about the repellant nature of the Prismacolors I thought I would try these. In the store I was able to use my fountain pen filled with Noodler's Fountain Pen Ink over them, so we will see.

Also, the opening of the Continuing Education Show was last night. I told my mom not to come downtown during rush hour, so it was just TOMA and me. There were some really great works hanging. Mine paled in comparison. I don't agree with the judges choices for the prizes. Some works that were great got Honorable Mention or no prize at all. I, of course, don't understand the criteria so am not one to criticize. There was a print by someone that I work with that I don't know well, so I didn't realize he was so talented. His name is Mark K. I really liked his work and he won 3rd prize. Congratulations!

And guess what? I won a prize--AGAIN! I won the Strathmore Pre-cut Watercolor Paper from the Sketchbook Challenge. It comes in different sizes pre-cut to match pre-cut mats and frames. Great idea. I just had a H-E-double toothpicks of a time finding a frame for the work for the show, and I mounted it on black paper rather than matting it because I cannot cut a mat. The best part is it comes in hot and cold press!!!! I love hot press because it is smooth and I use pen and ink. I hope I get really lucky and that is what they send to me. I am already lucky though to have won. I would definitely use it instead of the odd size Aquarelle Arches--although I like the block. It keeps the work flat while working on it.

Blick was having a sale on frames so I bought a bunch to frame some of my work, the Kathy Dunn print I won, and these 2 beautiful prints someone gave me as a gift. The artist's name is Chantal Westby. She left some prints of her paintings with my boss for review and when she came to pick them up she asked me to pick out 2!!! I never get a perk like that! I am very grateful; they are just lovely. Please look at her website.

Lastly, 2 people I know have serious health problems. Count your blessings if you are healthy and realize how small our problems are in comparison.

Baci e abbracci

The Jury is In

2011-03-29T20:51:00.004-04:00

In my last post I reported that I had one new work and was trying to complete another for a juried show at work. I couldn't finish the second painting so I framed a print of "My Feet." The new Photoshop version (sans excessive crosshatching). This painting was an assignment from the Drawing class I took last semester where I work--The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. This is the class that made me eligible for the show.

I dropped off both works yesterday and got the call today. They chose the drawing of my feet--not the bird ("Hope in the Dark"). I knew if they were going to choose one, the feet would be the one. After all, it is a Fine Arts School and the bird--if it goes into any catagory besides trite--is in the illustration genre. I am dissappointed. I worked hard to get that done for the deadline, and I think it is a better drawing. But, I got something into the show--my first! My mom and TOMA are going to come to the opening. It will be fun!

Anyway, I have been thinking that maybe I could start producing greeting cards and put them in my Etsy shop. You have to start somewhere and even though probably 5 friends/acquaintences know this blog exists, if I don't try, I will never know (see the Mark Twain quote in the sidebar regarding regret).

So this is the idea: my first give away with a cause. Once the cards are ready, I will post a drawing (pick a name out of a cat food bowl kind of drawing). Apifera Farms is my inspiration. Make a donation to PAWS (Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society), then let me know in the comments. I will set a deadline and then draw a winner. Easy Peasy! I will figure out all of the logistics prior to the contest. PAWS is a no kill shelter and can use our help.

Let me know if you think this is a good idea.

BTW, I just finished the second drawing and will scan it and post it soon.

Baci e abbracci

Color

2011-03-27T18:35:00.000-04:00

Everyone out there suggests taking a camera everywhere. I used to, but then with the sketchbook, pencil bag, watercolors, IPad or book, and all of the contents of my handbag it just got to be too much. But today I thought since I was going to Walmart I would have something to do while TOMA was shopping for bird seed.

I decided to record color combinations that work. The pet food, candy and all other industries pay a lot of money to study successful color combinations, so why not take advantage of their marketing dollars.

Some of the photos are even nice quilting patterns. The bunnies, well there is just something about gold foil bunnies with a red ribbon and the pattern a bunch of them make that makes me happy. Or is it the Lindt chocolate inside?

I penciled and inked a new drawing today. Even if it isn't ready for submission tomorrow, I am happy I at least made an attempt.

Baci e abbracci.

New Work

2011-03-27T09:39:00.002-04:00

I believe I wrote about the opportunity to submit work for a juried show where I work. Well, I actually finished one work and while I wait for the fixative to completely dry I thought I would post the painting.

This work was created with watercolor, fountain pen with Noodler's Bulletproof black ink, colored pencil, and gel pen on 140 lb. Aquarella paper.

I hope it gets in... Now I must create something new today so I have 2 entried.

Baci e abbracci

We booked our trip to Italy

2011-03-24T20:16:00.000-04:00

Today was a good day. Last night I baked the Apple Cake (recipe in earlier post) for a bake sale at work to benefit the survivors of the Japan disasters. I took it to work and a co-worker purchased the whole cake to share with our co-workers. It was such a compliment.

I hope to have some new work to upload in the next day or so, but in order to do that I must go upstairs to paint in a drawing.

Baci e abbracci

Happy First Day of Spring

2011-03-20T19:33:00.002-04:00

Just a few things to look forward to... Baci e abbracci

New Toy

2011-03-15T21:21:00.002-04:00

Today I received an email from the Continuing Education department where I work. There is a student show for anyone who has taken a class during the last 3 semesters. I took a class last fall so I qualify. So now the big question, what do I put in the show? I thought how about some prints of my sketchbook pages--then I don't have put myself under the pressure to create new work to meet the deadline in the next two weeks. But, then I thought I could create some nice watercolors in the same genre as my sketchbook paintings. On good paper??? That pressure in itself makes me mess it up! So I decided to first see if I can improve some of the photos of my work in Photoshop to print on the good paper--if it will go through my printer.

I've had Photoshop Elements 8 for some time, took a class over a weekend (at work), and then never used it again. The story of my new toys. I started with the sketch of my feet on the sidebar of this blog. I was always bothered by the excessive cross-hatching, wishing I had stopped before I went overboard. Look! It is gone. Like a magic eraser of permanent ink. Actually, I was cloning, not erasing. I am pleased. I've put the old version below just for comparison's sake. No more "hairy" feet!

I'm still not ready to play with all of the things that Photoshop offers like all the experienced bloggers do (Alisa Burke and Genine Zlatkas) but I feel a little bit better about it.

Also, TOMA and I had brunch with my drawing teacher, her husband, and one of her three sons this past Sunday. She taught the class that gets me into the above mentioned show. She and her husband have a beautiful home and we had a lovely visit with them. I love her work. She owns the work of other artists that I enjoyed seeing as well.

TOMA and I don't really have many friends. His friends are in Italy and I like to be at home when not at work so that makes it difficult to have time for doing things with other people. So it was definitely a treat. My teacher showed me a copy of the New Yorker cover from March 7. It featured the work of David Hockney. What I didn't realize is that 73 year-old Hockney created that work and the work on the inside cover on the IPad. Amazing! Not only is it amazing that a 73 year-old artist is using an IPad to create his work these days, but the work looked like a painting. (By the way I learned this on Roz Stendahl's blog.)

Since I have the ArtStudio app on my IPad, I decided to order a stylus and give it a try--just for fun. I also order an extra fine Lamy Safari. I purchased both fine and medium points on vacation last year, but the fine is not fine enough. I plan to load it with waterproof ink and give it a shot. The .005 Micron pens are just not lasting long enough. The tip gets crushed too quickly.

Some more work...

Altamira Oriole

TOMA on the morning train, resting his eyes

Right to Left: Alpomado Falcon, Yellow Warbler, and a Sparrow that I can no longer find the photo to identify. Sorry.

Baci e abbracci

From My Sketchbook

2011-03-13T09:04:00.001-04:00

Freesia reworked

More finches from the Cornell Lab site

Bacci e abbracci

Check This Out

2011-03-09T19:55:00.000-05:00

Check out Alisa Burke's blog post today. If you like color, you are going to love this post. Great drawing with deep, rich, saturated color. Really inspiring!

Baci e abbracci

I am a winner!

2011-03-08T19:07:00.000-05:00

Guess what??? I won!!! I made a $5.00 donation at Apifera Farm to help Matilda's (a donkey) current caregivers pay for hay until she is able to get to her new home at Apifera. The $5.00 donation allowed me to be included in a raffle from which my name was chosen. Watch the video on Katherine Dunn's site, it is really cute!

I am beyond excited. It is always exciting to win something, but I won this fabulous print! The other thing is I've been spending some money lately and giving money to homeless people on the street, animal causes, etc. Every time I buy something TOMA asks if we are saving enough, so I wasn't going to make a donation, but I thought it is just $5.00 and every little bit helps.

I think Ms. Dunn is doing a great thing helping to rescue abused and neglected goats and donkeys. Running a farm is hard work everyday. If you can stop by her blog and purchase a print or buy some lavender--it will help feed or shelter a loving animal.

I'm pumped so I am going to try to fulfill a baking promise that TOMA made on my behalf.

Baci e abbracci

Western Scrub Jay

2011-03-06T21:58:00.000-05:00

Cheating?

2011-03-05T18:59:00.000-05:00

As you know from a previous post that when I attended art school it was very clear what was thought of as "cheating." Tracing, a definite no-no. Drawing from photos, also a no-no. I believe the reason is that it is easier to draw from a 2-D photo than 3-D life, so naturally you shouldn't do it. Well, I went down that slippery path and decided easier is what I want right now. I also want to draw what I want to draw and am currently not inspired by the items in my everyday life. So I have been drawing from photos of birds on the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The pictures are great to draw from. I am enjoying drawing rather than being frustrated at my limited skills to capture a moving target.

Photography inspired by the talented Alisa Burke

Another great way to get good photos to draw from are calendars that are now on major discount (AC Moore $1 each). I picked a few up with photos of birds, dogs, horses and butterflies.

I am still drawing from life at the bookstore and on the train, but at least if that doesn't work out and I want to draw I can fire up the computer and find something that inspires me and stays still.

Baci e abbracci

Renewal of Faith in our Youth

2011-02-27T09:32:00.001-05:00

Last night at the Barnes and Noble I met a wonderful young man and his little brother. He is 14 years-old and his brother is 8 years-old. They were there with their mother and the 14 year-old (I will just refer to him by his first initial, B.) complimented the sketch I was working on. Well "[he] had me at hello!" I was so flattered. He later mentioned me to his mom, so I asked him if he likes to draw. He also keeps a sketchbook. I offered him the blog address of Tommy Kane, Genine Zlatkis, and Kurt Hollomon.

B. was not only well-mannered--not for a fourteen year-old, but for a human being--but, surprisingly interested in what this 49 year-old woman had to say. None of the disinterested shoulder shrugs when asked a question, none of the looking everywhere but in my eyes when spoken to. He sat down with his notebook and wrote down the blog addresses and talked to me. His little brother, T. stood by and listened. It was an incredible experience because the kids that I have contact with are disinterested, disrespectful and rude. It was so refreshing to witness a true young man. I hope that his interest in drawing continues throughout his life and his dream of being a veterinarian is fulfilled.

Old School

2011-02-26T19:59:00.000-05:00

Freesia with a little artist's license

Inked the top two (from life drawings) the birds are from photos--prefer the .005 to a .01 pen tip

On the morning train

On the bus (.01 pen)

A little collage and a little acrylic

I am disappointed. I recently found out that some of my favorite journal artists don't do all of their drawing freehand. When it comes to drawing faces, they trace a photograph onto the substrate and then work it in their style. I was so impressed by their talent and drawing ability. I know that some of them do both, trace and draw freehand, and I am not implying that these artists ever kept the tracing a secret. In fact, they show everyone how it is done. I am still impressed with their talent to make beautiful art, but, I don't know how to explain it... I was brought up thinking that is "cheating." I went to art school for a year and a half back in '79-'80. I was one of the least talented when it came to drawing. I dropped out, but returned three and a half years later to the Fibers program. Still being one of the least talented in making art and thinking I wanted to design knitwear, I transferred to another school--not an art school--and was considered one of the most talented when it came to drawing models for my clothing designs. Why? Because the Fashion Design major was a really new program and it didn't have a big number of students yet. The school was filled with business majors--in my classes that meant Fashion Merchandising students who couldn't draw. It was great! I was the best, finally!

I am a big fan of the Tommy Kane/Danny Gregory genre who do all of their drawing freehand and in ink! No pencil first like me. They are old school. They don't prepare backgrounds while doing housework, in an almost assembly line sort of way. I understand the need for art on the run--to fulfill your creative desire when your full-time gig is non-creative and time is short. I also get that so many people love to create but can't draw and it is so frustrating that it defeats the purpose of being creative. I get it! But I still think there is something to be said for those who can draw beautifully.

It is a little like the abstract artist who sells paintings for 6 figures, but can't draw. I'm not talking about artist like Picasso, who did abstract art, but could draw beautifully, but the artists who don't learn the basics before they start swirling paint on a canvas and call it art. It was the same when I was trying to sell my hand-loomed sweaters. The designers who sold these simple rectangular, drop-shoulder baby sweaters for oodles of money in the boutiques--no surface design or anything. They didn't even know how to knit, let alone use the knitting machine, but made a name for themselves and money. Urgggh! It was so frustrating.

All in all, I learn something from everyone and am influenced by them all, but if I aspire to be most like any artist, it would be the old-timer type that really has a grip on drawing.

Stepping off (the soapbox) and putting on a little makeup (to cover up the green tinge I am showing).

A Half Century Gone

2011-02-21T16:25:00.003-05:00

TOMA and I are home from work today because of the President's Day holiday. We were awoken from a nap to a knock on the door. "Is that your car," they asked. It was the tree service hired by our neighbor to the right to cut down the 50 year-old ornamental cherry tree whose trunk is on his property, but the branches hang over ours. I immediately called my neighbor to verify that he ordered these people to kill a healthy tree. "Yes, I know I told you..." No, he did not--I would have tried to talk him out of it!

This spring I will not have beautiful pink blossoms that fall and make a blanket of "pink snow" on the ground. Next fall no gorgeous yellow and orange carpet on the grass. When I lay down for a nap in the afternoon, no view from my bedroom window before I fall asleep. The birds will not have a place to wait their turn on the feeder. The squirrel will not have a place to discretely eat his/her peanuts. During migration no convenient rest stop for the long trip. Just yesterday TOMA and I came home from food shopping to find a hawk sitting in the tree and it allowed us to study him/her for 15 minutes from the bedroom window. We'll have none of that anymore. Just the retched view of the ugly, trash filled row homes across the street.

It was really nice to sit on my swing in the spring under the green canopy knitting or drawing. I am so sad. It took them an hour to destroy the life of a healthy 50 year old tree. It provided shade, cover and I bet a good climb for a child or two. I feel like I just watched an animal get tortured and murdered.

Some New Work

2011-02-19T13:59:00.000-05:00

Just a couple of things I've been working on.

Mr. Blue resting after a long night flight.

Drawing before adding color. Mostly drawn from memory, but hind paws changed after observation below.

Freesia actually gave me enough time to sketch the way her hind paws are positioned while sitting upright. She also allowed me to do a quick study of her face.

This was the one that needed to be salvaged. I collaged over the background twice with copies of old paintings. Still not happy with it. I just don't know what to do with it at this point.

So at least I am working. I am drawing mostly from imagination and I just acquired a bunch of photo calendars of birds, butterflies and Italy, so I have some inspiration and a drawing to color over the next couple of days.

Baci e abbracci

Black and Blue

2011-02-15T20:06:00.003-05:00

It has been a while since I have written, but I have been drawing and painting. I have been inspired by my new books that finally arrived, especially the Pam Carriker book. I decided to add some wings to my cats--more like wings to fly rather than the wings of an angel. My cats are not angels, but I think at least one of them would love to fly away. My poor little Black.

Black would be so happy if she was the one and only cat in the house. The other two fight with her constantly, so out of frustration and depression Black eats too much. She is having a little problem jumping as high as she used to so she started a diet today. I feel her pain. Food is often consolation for frustration and boredom and I feel bad denying her, but I want her to be healthy and live a long life. All three of our cats are very affectionate and vie for TOMA's and my attention. The girls share the living room and Black and Blue share the bedroom. Black is our creative child as she will follow TOMA or I into our respective studios. Anyway on the way home from work we stopped and picked up some Blue Buffalo dry and wet food. It is supposed to be healthier so I am surprised that they all like it.

I was quite disappointed last night. I messed up the background on a drawing and will try to salvage it tonight. I am kind of happy with this other one though.

Mr. Blue after his adventure in the clouds. When he flew past the moon he thought, "I must be named after the beautiful blue moon. Mommy must think I am beautiful too."

Baci e abbracci

New Sketchbook

2011-02-08T20:53:00.001-05:00

I purchased a Strathmore Visual Journal (Mixed Media--3.5 x 5"). I love new sketchbooks, so much promise in those clean white pages: the promise of only good drawings. Well the first drawing is okay:

I have a few sketchbooks at the moment. No themes, just different sizes and paper. The Hand Book sketchbook has lots of bad drawings so I don't even like to carry it in case someone asks to look through it. Yuck! The Moleskine has lots of collage a la Teesha Moore, and the Daler Rowney has mostly drawings from life--probably the best of all of them, but also the biggest and heaviest. I can't figure out which is the right sketchbook size or paper, the right medium--watercolor, colored pencils, ink, watercolor pencils, gouache or most importantly what is my style.

I am a bit frustrated with myself, and in a bad mood, so one last picture and a piece of advice: don't have a box of Girl Scout cookies--Caramel deLites--at arm's length when in a bad mood. Gosh these cookies are good!

Baci e abbracci

2011-02-05T13:44:00.001-05:00

I did a drawing of a flower arrangement at work the other day. I used watercolors, Verithin colored pencils, and Prismacolor colored pencils. I thought it looked pretty good for my level of skill. I just couldn't let it go without using a black pen.

I have been studying the style of two artists that I admire: Tommy Kane and Maira Kalman. They have totally different styles and I like them both. So I thought I would try for the Kalman style by not using my trusty pen and outlining everything. It just didn't look right so I thought I would use a .005 pen instead of the usual 1.0 but I still don't like it.

To be honest I prefer the Kane style. I would like to be able to cross hatch successfully, but just can't seem to manage it. I'll keep practicing. The truth of the matter is that one needs to find their own style and be satisfied with it. Copying other artists' style is not the way to go. Of course it is impossible to not be influenced by the artists you really like. In the world of journalling the artists that I find influence the most people is Pam Carriker and Teesha Moore. Each woman has a unique signature that is apparent in other artist's work. I am a big fan of both women. Maybe I'll be happy with my own style one day.

Practice, practice, practice...

Baci e abbracci

Fabu Brownies

2011-01-30T20:36:00.004-05:00

I have been in the midst of a baking binge. I made some white chocolate chip/cherry cookies (I use the Nestle Toll House cookie recipe and substitute white chocolate chips for the semi sweet and add a bag of Trader Joe's Dried Bing Cherries. After what seems to be the obligatory burnt first two dozen cookies, they came out pretty good. Even though I remembered to move the oven rack up, and switch the position of the cookie trays mid-way through baking, I left them in for a minute too long--a bad decision. I decreased the baking time back to 9 minutes and decided to bake one tray at a time. Perfetto!

Today, however, was the climax of baking, King Arthur Flour Fudge Brownies. This recipe used to be on the back of their flour bag (maybe it still is, I haven't looked lately). I added a bag of the Trader Joe Dried Bing Cherries. The recipe from the flour bag does not include the espresso powder so I left it out. Espresso powder usually heightens the taste of the chocolate and in that small amount doesn't give a coffee flavor. These brownies are so chocolate-fudgie-good without the espresso so it is the baker's choice.

For some reason, maybe because of the added cherries and the moisture they contain the baking time needed to be increased. I don't know what it ended up to be because I kept adding 2 minutes, then 3 minutes, then 2 minutes, etc. Just check the brownies with a toothpick and when no batter sticks they are done. Of course, be careful not to burn them.

They are fabu, as my new office mate would say. TOMA did that little hand gesture Italians do when they are eating something and it is to die for. I always am happy when I make something and get the TOMA seal of approval. I must say he has great taste in clothes and food. And he hasn't stopped raving about them either. I've made the recipe a couple of times before, but the addition of the cherries gives a rich, moist, chewy goodness.

Anyway, go create something in the studio or the kitchen. The finished product will be your reward.

Baci e abbracci

A Painting

2011-01-30T11:42:00.000-05:00

I finished the first painting. It is a watercolor exercise from the book, Water, Paper, Paint, by Heather Smith Jones. I didn't do the exercise exactly as directed. I painted the whole page with yellow ochre and mixed different colors into that original color in the palette and continued mixing into whatever color came next. I painted blocks and then with white India ink painted rings with ovals inside. Then outlined the rings/ovals with a .1 Micron pen. Here it is:

Almost whole painting about 8 " x 8"

Close up

And I haven't shown you a cat for a few days. My Black Beauty--her name is Black, "B" for short

Snow Day

2011-01-28T20:08:00.001-05:00

Another gift from Mother Nature arrived here in Philadelphia yesterday. Fifteen inches! I usually don't really care about the snow. I wear lots of wool, wait for public transportation and everything is fine. Now, however, my feet are recovering from bunion surgery and I am out of the boot cast on my left foot for a couple of days and am still in the boot on the right foot for another 4 weeks. Coming home two nights ago was so difficult--it had snowed and then rained so it was really slippery. I was relieved when my employer decided to close yesterday.

While I was home I worked on some emails from work, did some laundry, read, and painted!!!! I'll post it tomorrow as it is not quite finished.

As I mentioned I am reading a few books right now, two about painting. I am loving the Katherine Dunn book--see my last post. I love her style, it is kind of folk art with a James Castle-like primitive look to it--and I also enjoy her writing and exercises. If you aren't at your book purchasing limit this is a good choice. I've just ordered a few more books from Amazon: Modern Mark Making: From Classical Calligraphy to Hip Hand-Lettering, Live & Learn: Real Life Journals: Designing & Using Handmade Books, Art at the Speed of Life: Motivation and Inspiration for Making Mixed-Media Art Every Day, Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures [Paperback], and Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life. I also downloaded A Life In Hand: Creating the Illuminated Journal. Cathy Johnson recommended it on her blog and I thought I would give it a try. It is the first book I have downloaded for my IPad and started reading it last night. The download is only $7.99.

Hopefully I will have something to post tomorrow.

Baci e abbracci

Guilty

2011-01-23T11:56:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in the last few days. I feel especially bad because I didn't even update the "Quote of Day."

Since I couldn't travel on Tuesday, I decided to make up the remaining hours yesterday, so I went to the office. Nothing creative there, but I really accomplished a lot. If only I had the office to myself one day during the week. No interruptions. No 200 emails per day to read/respond to. No extraneous conversations around my desk to distract me. It is really easy to get so much done.

I had a good conversation with a member of faculty/artist in the mailroom this week. He is a MFA critic and teaches drawing. When I said I wasn't happy with most of my work he asked me why. I told him that I didn't really like my style and that I have a lot of problems with light and dark, especially when I try to crosshatch. He gave me some sound advice that I would like to try this weekend. As I show the results I will discuss the advice.

I learned about a musical artist recently. Leonard Cohen. I know at my age I should have known about him, but I am a child of the 1970's so I kind of missed out. I heard his song "Who by Fire" at the end of a "Criminal Minds" show and loved it. I just received his greatest hits CD and am really liking it. I don't really like Bob Dylan so I am surprised that I like Cohen's work.

I also treated myself to TWO books yesterday. I feel guilty when I buy one book imagine the guilt doubled. Actually I used a large portion of a gift card I won at the holiday party at work and had 33% off coupons for both. I am holding off on really looking at them--you know saving the best for last kind of thing. It is how I used to feel when a new knitting magazine would come in the mail. I wouldn't open it for a while just to save something fun for the right moment. Anyway I bought Water Paper Paint: Exploring Creativity with Watercolor and Mixed Media by Heather Smith Jones, and Creative Illustration Workshop for Mixed-Media Artists: Seeing, Sketching, Storytelling, and Using Found Materials by Katherine Dunn. When I am done cleaning this wreck of a house I will savour them and maybe even try an exercise.

Also, I had a wonderful surprise when I came home from work yesterday. I was a big sister to a young girl for a few years and after my father died and I went through a year of major change (another story for another post), I am embarrassed to say, I lost touch with her. Recently, I was thinking about her and searched the internet, including Facebook, but could not locate her. Her mom sent a note stating that her daughter would like to speak with me. I called right away and left a voicemail but have not heard back yet. I think I met this girl when she was 7 or 8 years old. She should be about 18 or 19 now. I can't wait to talk to her!

One last thing for now. I just read that artist/blogger/author Melanie Testa has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I don't know Ms. Testa but have followed her blog and purchased her book so I was shocked and saddened when I read this news this morning. I can only wish her a smooth and complete recovery. You can access her blog from my sidebar if you would like to read what her friend wrote.

Give thanks for your good health, roof over your head, and food on your table as I will today.

Baci e abbracci

Surfing the Net

2011-01-20T21:00:00.001-05:00

I am spending my time surfing blogs rather than drawing, which is just as bad as vegging out in front of the t.v. I tell myself it is for inspiration, but know it is just an excuse. Anyway, if you are also looking for an excuse to get out of doing something you know you should be doing, check out this You Tube video of Don Colley. He is an incredible artist from Chicago. He is represented in Philadelphia by the Fleisher/Ollman Gallery. His sketchbooks (old accounting ledgers) are amazing. His drawings of nudes and people on public transportation are great.

He uses Prismacolor Brush Pens. I watched a few of the videos on their site and found out that they have created a color match system that allows you to buy color 123 in a brush pen, colored pencil, or pastel and they will all match. This is great for mixed media artists.

Prismacolor is also a customer service oriented company. I purchased a few of the Premiere Art Markers in black in different nib sizes. Three of them dried up around the same time not too long after I purchased them. I got irritated and threw them away. Later I decided to email them about it and they said just send them back--they are guaranteed--for replacement. Even though I could not send them back, they replaced them anyway. I thought that was really nice.

Thank you everyone who has left comments about this new project of mine. I just love hearing from you--keep this up and maybe my inner critic will have to go house hunting... Yeah, right...

Okay, let's get up and do something before it is too late.

Getting There

2011-01-18T21:08:00.004-05:00

I stayed home from work today due to the icy conditions. I worked on email for about 3 1/2 hours, slept a little, made chili and cornbread for dinner and finished a drawing that I began last night.

I decided to start using my Hand Book sketchbook again. I don't like it because the first pages have bad drawings from when I first started drawing last year.

I still haven't chosen the "perfect" sketch book. If the paper is okay, the size isn't and vice versa. My favorite is the Daler-Rowney Cachet. The paper holds up pretty well to watercolor, and the paper is smooth, but it is 8" x 8" and a little heavy to carry everyday. The Hand Book journal is nice, but the paper is a little toothy. I love hot press 140 lb. paper, but would have to bind my own books and I don't really want to get into that yet. It is also very expensive and therefore, precious (I'm cringing at saying that--I've read everything that says not to make any art supply precious, but I do it anyway; and have a closet of precious yarn and a shelf of precious fabric too).

Anyway, here is the drawing

Eastern Cardinal

Close up

I'm still rusty, but happy I am at least drawing.

Also, I received my zine from Andrea Joseph. It is great! Check out her blog (it is on my sidebar) her work is incredible. If only...

And, I couldn't help myself... Isn't he just beautiful?

All of the sudden he moved his territory to the living room. It has been the bedroom for the last few years. Crazy.

Baci e abbracci