My brother died

Last week I got some unexpected news...my brother had a massive heart attack and died. He was only 48 years old. I always knew this call would come,but thought I get it when he was much older. My brother made some bad choices in his adult life and had alienated most of the people in his life that had cared about him, which included me and my sister Linda. I hadn't seen or spoken to my brother in almost 6 years. I only got news about my brother from my sister whenever he would call her, usually drunk, and asking for money. My brother had called my sister the day before Thanksgiving, after not speaking with her in over a year. Maybe he knew on some level that something was going to happen, hence the call to my sister. At least his death was sudden and quick, which is a blessing. He left behind his four adult children and one very angry ex-wife. It's taken me a good week to process this news. I think I've gotten clarity after my sister and I made arrangements to have his body cremated. I don't know if his children will have a memorial since we were not considered the next of kin. His ashes will be given to his oldest son. Now...my brother is with my parents and no longer in emotional and physical pain.
May he rest in peace.

IF--Hatched

You never know what will be hatched...expect surprises!!!

IF-Crunchy

Nothing like crunchy popcorn!!!

Collage

OK, I've never been a big fan of mix media art because it confuses me as to what to put down to create a mix media piece. So I decided to give this another try. The drawing began with a simple yellow star gazer flower off a dessert napkin. From there the drawing and painting evolved.

First I glued several pages together for a sturdy support in my sketchbook. Then I applied a light watercolor wash of New Gamboge. While the pages were drying, I went through my box of ephemera, torn pieces of watercolors, and anything else that I thought might work on this collage. I used Golden gel medium to glue the napkin and butterflies onto the page. Next I sketched the first star gazer and on the opposite side I sketched the dog. I then started to add color first on the dog and then the flowers. With the dog, I was having problems with getting the tan and brown watercolor paint dark enough. After several washes, I applied some acrylic paint. When the acrylic paint was dry I applied Golden molding paste on the dog to give him texture. When that was dry I added more acrylic paint. After the painting was completely dry, I went around with my black sharpie to add more defined detail.

I think when I broke down the components for the painting, the process became easier and I actually enjoyed working on the piece. I plan to do more...

Things I'm thankful for...

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I just wanted to share all the things in my life that I'm thankful for. Today I saw my doctor and for the first time in a rather long time she told me all my blood work was normal!!! I'm thankful that I have a wonderful,kind,generous, loving husband who allows me to be me. I'm thankful for my beautiful house that we live in; for my 5 beautiful dogs which I love and adore; for my friends; for my sister and brother-in-law; for my art and the freedom to create; for having my own studio and all my art supplies; and most of all for God's unconditional love.

IF-Music

Nothing like the soothing sound of music.

IF--blur

Sometimes things seem like a blur without my glasses.

IF-Skinny

"Dudley, does this dress make me look skinny?"

New watercolor paintings

I've been painting daily and it really feels good to whip out a new creation each day. I think my trip to Paris was good for me because I was over due for a nice break in my daily routine. I have so many new sketches that are just waiting to be painted.

It's good to have a purpose and I feel rather blessed that I have a studio and all my wonderful art supplies.

I've added these 4 watercolors to my shop, along with collections of note cards.

Paris...thoughts about my trip

Upcoming artists..Cavalier King Charles Spaniels...

fish market

Seine river

produce market

flower shop

Sacred Heart Church

Well I'm back from my trip to Paris, France. It was a long 10 days. I don't remember a time that I've walked so much. I got to explore parts of Paris that I haven't been too before. We spent the day roaming, taking pictures, shopping, sketching,riding the tour bus that lets you get off/on at various stops, and watching Paris life go by. And it was burr cold.

A couple of things happened while we were roaming the streets of Paris. We had Cavalier sightings each day; we got to see dancers learn how to dance to Michael Jackson thriller music near the Eiffel tower; Gypsies tried to give us a gold ring on three separate occasions; a filming crew was filming a movie and we were caught in one of the scenes as we walked by;future artist drawing at Sacred Heart Church; and we got to see locate news crew's hanging out near the government offices waiting for a local story to break.

I did go to my favorite art store Sennelier which is right by the Seine River. I bought a couple of Blockx watercolour pigments that came in porcelain squares, some watercolor paper, and markers. The other art store I went too was hidden on a side street. There I found handmade watercolour paper...rough and smooth, which I bought a package of each; and I bought a new watercolour traveling palette that contains 18 square pigments, a small brush, a water container built in the case and a detachable water container. I can't wait to try out the handmade watercolor paper.

It was a good trip...but there is no place like home!

IF-- Fast

I'm running as fast as I can!

I'm going to Paris!!!!

Tomorrow I will be leaving for Paris, France!!!! I've been having a difficult time deciding what art supplies I should take. I'm trying to go for the theme "less is more." But you know what? I want to take it all! The good thing is I know of several art supply stores in Paris just in case I forgot something. What a better reason to buy there!

So I'll see you in 11 days....

IF--Germs

Germs are everywhere!!

I won September Giveaway from 365 Cat Ladies

It's been a hectic few days of running around doing errands and getting ready for my trip to Paris next week. But I wanted to mention that I was lucky enough to win some note cards from
http://www.365catladies.blogspot.com. When you have a moment you should checkout her blog. Her artwork is colorful and beautiful capturing Cats. Thanks Susan, looking forward to getting my blog candy!!!

So I'm in count down mode...7 days and counting. Next week at this time I should be on the plane to Paris...probably somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. I'll be in Paris for 10 wonderful days. Plan to take lots of pictures for possible paintings that I can do when I get back home. The last time I was in Paris it was a bit cold, so I've been keeping up with the weather to figure out what I should take. I tend to over pack, but each trip I seem to be doing better and actually use everything I pack...I know my husbands happy since he's the one carrying the bags!

If--Patterns

Nothing like Chihuahua's in many patterns!

Peacock watercolor

Just finished this small watercolor today, 5" x 7". If I were to paint this illustration again, I'd probably do it on larger watercolor paper.

If--Infinite

My smile is infinite with joy. Mix media collage.

IF-Welcome

This is what my dogs look like when they go to the front door for friends houses...the want to be welcomed inside.

bird in a bird bath

Sometimes looking through magazines an abstract image or color will catch my eye. In this case it was a bird bath. Well you need a bird to enjoy the bird bath.

IF -- Strong

I think I'm strong enough to carry all these tea cups!

Calla Lilly Collage

Last night I was up until 1am working on this watercolor collage. Then today I finally figured out how to add a virtual frame to show case my collage.

I still am dabbling in mixed media paintings. I'm not quite comfortable in using several mediums on a painting, but each time I do a new piece it gets easier.

IF- Magnify

My heart just magnifies with love for you!

Plum trees and monkeys Chinese brush

Yesterday I finally got to go to my monthly Chinese brush class. I haven't been able to attend the last 3 months, so I was happy to go. We did a review of Plum trees and painted monkey's which was the first for me. Also bought two new Chinese brushes...a fine mountain hair brush and a medium mountain hair brush. So it was a good day!!!

IF -- Caution

Taking caution not to drop the lantern!

Hand made art portfolio

I've been looking at art portfolio's to hold some of my art work that I've either finished or in process of completing. Most of the portfolio's I seen are your standard black covers and range in price from $15 to $50. So I thought I try making my own art portfolio in a size that would hold my 9" x 12" pieces.

Basically I cut down 2 pieces of illustration board to the size I wanted my portfolio . Then I picked out some really pretty Japanese hand made paper from Paper-Source. I applied the paper to the front of the illustration board with bookbinding glue. I sandwiched the boards between wax paper and then placed heavy books on top to allow the glue to set and my pieces dry flat. I let the glue set over night. Once the glue has completely dried, I turn over the piece and attach my ribbon on 3 sides. Next I apply board cloth in a matching color with glue and place the piece between wax paper to dry over night. Once the board cloth is dry, I applied 3" strips of board cloth tape to attach the two pieces together and apply inside the middle and the outside middle. Finally I sandwich the completed art portfolio between wax paper and put a ton of books on top and allow the glue to dry.

It might sound like it was labor intensive, but it wasn't. It was just a matter allowing the glue to dry between each steps.

Singing Pig collage

Last year I got to see watercolor artist Gerald Brommer do a demo on collages. I've always have loved his work and style, so I thought I might do a series of farm animals that I'll be colleaguing. I didn't realize how much fun tearing my paper and gluing over my original watercolor and then going back to add deeper values would be. If you've never tried collages...do it! You'll be surprised how fun and freeing the process can be.

Mixed media dog

I thought I'd try something new, using all my art supplies. I started with a 5 x 7 piece of pastel paper. I layered the following items...words rubber stamp using watermark ink, flowers, and then I drew an outline of what was suppose to be a French bull dog. Then I tried my gouache to add color to the dog and flowers. I forgot how opaque gouache can be and really didn't like how flat the color looked, so I went back in with my neocolor crayons dry, then using a wet paint brush to exploded the color. I continued to fine tune the piece until I did all that I could do. Didn't want to spend a lot of time working on this piece. Total time to create about 1 hour.

IF -- wrapped

Life is like presents...all pretty and wrapped in beautiful paper and ribbons.

Yorkie illustration that I'm working on

Here's what I'm currently working on...first draft for illustration that I'm working on for children's book.

The well was dry for a while....

The well was dry for a while. I've been taking the last couple of months to re-charge...dabbling in making cards, going to scrapbook expo's, reading, trying different mediums, going back to my first love of watercolor and working in colored pencil; so yes, I've been creating art. Some good, some bad, some experimentation, a lot not worth showing. I've also have taken an online portrait class and hope to take more.

In October I'm to going to Paris, France for 10 days of fun. Plan to take lots of pictures, do some plein air sketching, visit some of my favorite haunts, and of course go shopping!!!!

I've been toying with the idea of going to art school to study illustration, but not sure if I want to get into debt with hefty tuition...it's not like I need another degree...have plenty of those.

It wasn't until the other day when I was blog surfing I came across a blog called "Virtual Art Date" www.virtualsketchdate.blogspot.com which each month artist band together and sketch from the same reference photo supplied by a participant. As I viewed some of the entries, I got excited about wanting to participate. Not that I'd join, but just attempt to sketch reference photos that interested me. The first reference photo I choose was as Rhododendron bud submitted by Jeanette Jobson. I got out my treasured color pencils and have spent the last day and half working on this drawing. It felt good to draw and just be in the moment of art. So I hope to do more sketches from the site. I find it interesting to see other artists take on the same reference photo.

In the meantime, I was offered an opportunity to illustrate a children's book. I'm looking forward to working on the illustrations. So at the moment I feel happy and content and glad I took a much needed break from blogging...but it's sure good to be back!!

Hydrangia Oil Pastels

Lately I've been wanting to try to paint in an impressionistic style. You'd think it would be rather easy, but it's not. I guess all my years of painting realistic has helped knowing what rules to break and determining different shades of value. I'm practicing small 8 x 8 and eventually will work towards a larger canvas.

Experimenting with neo-crayons

For the past twelve years I've lived with a chronic illness. I have lupus, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. So I draw or paint when I'm feeling OK. I'm always looking for a way to create when I can't get out of bed. My preferred medium is watercolors, but becomes a little tricky trying to paint sitting up in bed and not spilling water all over the bed. I do use watercolor pencils and neo-crayons using a Aqua-flow brush--it's not a perfect solution, but at least it allows me to be creative.

So today is one of those stay in bed days...I wanted to go for an impressionistic painting, using only 2 complimentary colors...yellow and purple. I used my Neo-crayons on 140 lb watercolor paper. Size 8.5 x 11.

IF - Celebration

A celebration wouldn't be complete without tons of balloons!

Introducing.....Coco

Never take your spouse to the animal shelter because you could end up with a new dog!!!

Right after Xmas, my husband and I took a donation box to the local shelter. At my suggestion I told my husband, let's go see the dogs....Big Mistake!!!! The smell in the kennel was so bad that I turned around and went back to my car. A few minutes later my husband comes back with 2 dog numbers. With tears in his eyes, he said we needed to send some money to extend these dogs lives.

When I called the shelter to make a cash donation they told me that they didn't have the capability to take cash donations, but said I could adopt. One of the dogs was already on hold and also had tags. This little guy was scheduled to be put down the next day.
My husband said we could adopt and he would train,then find him a good home.

Well you know where he found a good home! Yup you guessed it...US...
Coco suffers from separation anxiety, but for the most part he is a sweet little dog and rather smart. He's learned how to use the doggie door; he knows sit, come, and stay; and he's bilingual...Spanish being his second language.

What I learned from this experience is that pound puppies are costly...what should of been $52 to adopt...translated into $500 in vet bills. Needless-to-say, he has wormed his way into our hearts and the biggest surprise is that he favors me instead my husband!!! LOL

Add carving rubber stamps

A new hobby...carving rubber stamps. This is addictive. I ran out of all my soft rubber to carve my own stamps. I guess that means a trip to Dick Blick!!!! I would really love to take a class on print making.

Purple Irises ink drawing

I'm really getting the hang of working with acrylic ink and using a dip pen to draw these irises. I used white Bristol paper and FW acrylic purple ink.

Rubber Stamps

Last night I was up til 1:30am carving these stamps. Once I got the hang of carving the birdie, there was no stopping me.

If -- Time

There is nothing like Time to take a nap with your favorite blanket.

Magnolia Ink drawing

I've always loved the way pen and ink drawings look. Trying to achieve depth and values in one color. So I decided to do a series of pen and ink botanical drawings that once I get my brand new Epson Stylus Photo R1900 Printer, I will be selling prints in my Etsy shop.