Family Illness

Hi All,

Thought I'd write a few lines and explain my absence. My husband's mother is seriously ill. She's partially paralyzed and speech impaired from a stroke almost 10 years ago and also has a variety of other health concerns. We are caregivers for her on weekends. Last weekend she was hospitalized again, and because she cannot communicate with the hospital staff, family members take turns staying with her around the clock to "interpret" and help out as needed. She was released from the hospital last Wednesday and on Friday came down with shingles. My DIL took her to Urgent Care on Saturday (the hubby's band was playing so we were on the road) and on Sunday afternoon the hubby and I took her back to Urgent Care for a follow up appointment. She's running a fever, in pain and isn't eating, so is requiring constant care. We're all pitching in and putting together 'round the clock care as best we can. She is adamant about not going to the hospital again, so for the time being we're giving her Ensure and Pedialyte along with her medications and making her comfortable.

Will get back to blogging and catch up my emails as soon as I can. If you've emailed me and I haven't responded please know it's not intentional. Miss keeping up with y'all! ("Y'all" ..... that's pretty good "Southern" for an English city slicker don't you think? ;-)

Where Have I Been For So Long? A Muralin'!

It's been an interesting month. I thought after finishing the castle mural in the little girl's room that I would start right away on the barnyard mural in the little boy's room. Not so. One very ugly cold(?) virus, complete with all those fun things like fever, sore throat, cough, blah, blah... you know the routine.... plus one perforated ear drum due to severe congestion (yes, I've had all the fun lately ;-) kept me out of work for a week. What is it they say about the "best laid plans of mice and men"?

Thankfully, I finally ditched the virus and painted the barnyard mural (this one is about 5 ft high and 7 ft wide). I'm posting wip's. This mural took almost twice as long as the castle mural because the clients decided to add several elements to the original design (cow, the family dog, tractor, boy on tractor, pumpkins in field, tobacco barn and bee hives). But it was such a pleasure to paint... I really enjoyed it and hope the little boy does too! My working method was the same as for the castle: sketch on wall with a pencil, then paint. I used mostly Liquitex Acrylic paints, retarder and flow mediums. Also did an acrylic glaze for the first time and really liked the effect it gave. Will use that technique again.

If I haven't visited your blog lately.... it's not because I haven't wanted to. I'll get around there as soon as I can so don't give up on me yet!

Have a good weekend!

Newspaper Column for March 2010

Make Memories That Are Worth Revisiting

Early morning, hot coffee and a good book…to my way of thinking it just couldn't get much better. Blissfully engrossed in my book while sipping coffee, something I read reminded me that a year ago a trip to Ocracoke Island was in the final planning stages. The May visit to Ocracoke would not be my first; and, with luck, not my last ... it’s such a pleasure to be on the island.

What makes you fall in love with an area is more than the beauty of a place, it's the emotional response it elicits from you, the way it entwines itself around your heart and mind, and the power it has to stir memories long after you’ve returned home.

I allowed my thoughts to wander from the page and return to the sights and sounds of Ocracoke. May’s cooler temperatures mean the island is still fairly quiet, making the off season a perfect time to visit. The beautifully wild seashore, thankfully protected from the ever-grasping avarice of man, invites contemplative walks and the leisurely gathering of seashells to the soothing accompaniment of the rolling surf. Something about the seashore that is so deeply restorative, so cleansing.

Inland, an ideal way to explore the little island village is by bicycle. No confining car- just two pedals, and one small - and truthfully - not very comfortable seat. It’s still lots of fun. The easy pace of cycling allows you to see, hear and smell little things that you’d miss in a car. Relaxation slowly overtakes you as you breathe deeply of the pleasantly salty air and listen to the gulls squawk overhead while your neck and back are gently warmed by a benevolent spring sun. Rambling down quaint side streets, you see clusters of flowers in sandy yards framed by picket fences; fences that were once fresh white, but are now quietly and charmingly faded. The timeworn homes, often decorated with flowering vines, are guarded by wind-twisted trees bent over the driveway. The older homes have a curious air of being out of step with time. As if the original owners might still be there, might tell you tales of the early days of settling the island, when hardy islanders lived with scarce resources and the vagaries of the sea ruled their lives. For the history buff, there is much to explore and appreciate on Ocracoke.

I remembered the poignant ceremony at the British Cemetery, the morning cool and misty as bagpipes wailed a musical memorial to the British sailors lost while helping protect Ocracoke's coast during WWII. I remembered visiting the colorful, overstocked variety store and the fun of picking out just the right T-shirt. I remembered the sand, sea, weather-stunted trees and the history of life played out on a small island. The memories seemed so real I was almost there again. I realized that of the places I had visited over my lifetime so far, this was one of my most cherished favorites.

The realization surprised me. Despite the passing of decades, my memories of childhood vacations in Wales, the country that neighbors England, were still very colorfully alive and well. Wales is a breathtakingly beautiful country. Mountains border rocky beaches with secluded caves, little-traveled country lanes run alongside fields where cows offer lazy “moos” and old stone farmhouses and castles look just like picture postcards. It was pure magic to a kid from the city suburbs. In my present-day early morning walks, I often see something that reminds me of Wales- a snail inching its way down the road snaps my memory a couple of thousand of miles away and more than a few years back, to when I walked along a country road in Wales closely watching another snail’s slow progress, fascinated by the silvery rainbow trail it left behind.

I sipped the last of my coffee. My thoughts had traveled from my book first to Ocracoke, then to Wales. Memories have such power. Do childhood memories seem so sweet because, as children, we gave ourselves wholeheartedly to the venture? As adults, can we jump wholeheartedly into adventures with a similar childlike abandon? If we can’t, don’t or won't, I suspect the memories we make today won’t be nearly as sweet as they could be when the years pass and we look back.

I had thought for years that there would never be another time and place like those vacations in Wales. There were other enjoyable holidays, but Wales reigned supreme. I’d like to think that one day I will again visit that beautiful land. But I realized with some surprise that the quiet sea-washed beauty of Ocracoke had also firmly claimed a place in my heart. Wales continues to hold a special place in my affections, and it always will. But Ocracoke has its place too. There’s room for both old and new.

The past may be wonderful, but it is past. The present can be every bit as magical. All you have to do is jump in wholeheartedly. What a pleasant assignment- making memories worth revisiting. Think I’ll get started on that one right away.

The Ups and Downs (think ladders) of Painting Murals....

It's been a busy (and happily tiring) two weeks!

I was commissioned to do a series of three murals in a newly remodeled home. Two of the murals were to be done right away, the third a little later. The first two murals are in children's rooms- a fairytale castle for a little girl's room (size: approx 6.5 ft. across and 6 ft. high), and a barnyard/farm scene in a little boy's room. Since the little girl is having a big birthday party tomorrow (Sat.) her mural was the first to be done. I finished it Monday and then started on the barnyard scene. The clients have since added several elements to the barnyard scene so it will be next week before it's completed. Which means I'll be pretty scarce again this coming week.

What have I learned from doing these murals? Well, first of all that I'm not as young as I used to be. Yikes! The first and second day of 6-8 hours of climbing up and down a ladder and constantly holding up my arms to draw and paint told me more about my age than I cared to know :-) But, it's also been wonderful from an art perspective. Being away from my home meant that I wasn't distracted by laundry, meal preparation and all those other time stealers that can wreck a work day. It was wonderful to simply draw, paint and think about nothing but the project before me!

My working method is simple: draw the scene on the wall (I use a pencil) and paint. I use acrylic paints which work well for murals... soap and water clean up and fast drying. I'm posting photos that show the castle mural progressing; the last photo shows the little girl's room with the completed mural. I've made a good start on the barnyard mural but will post that a little later- after almost two weeks of very little computer time I've got a lot of emails and blogging to try to catch up with!

Have a good weekend!

Newspaper Column for February 2010

Beyond Your Front Door

Is there a memory from your school days that stands out in your mind? A pleasant memory whose recollection brings a smile?

My answer is “yes“. It was a class field trip to a country estate called Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire, England. Situated on 500 acres, Wollaton Hall is an impressive old country house that houses a natural history museum.

Our assignment for the trip was to open our eyes - really open them - and record some of nature‘s masterpieces. It was also our mission to collect anything that had fallen - seeds, leaves, cones, twigs and the like - for placement in a nature scrapbook. Along with the leaves and seeds from each tree we were to include bark rubbings. I well remember the bark rubbings. Before the field trip I’d never paid much attention to the bark of a tree, so I was surprised and delighted to see the varied patterns you could get when you leaned a piece of paper against a tree trunk and rubbed across it with a wax crayon. I remember happily moving from tree to tree, basking in the freedom of being outdoors in the warm sunshine and then, feeling like I came upon a celebration when the winged seeds of a Sycamore tree showered down around me like confetti drifting on the breeze. At that moment I felt a connection with nature, an awareness of how special and inspiring the natural world can be.

Perhaps in part because of that special day, trees still hold a lot of appeal for me. When traveling I’m usually on the lookout for trees with unusual character, special beauty, or trees that hint at a story. In our area you occasionally see a circle of old oaks standing sentinel over an empty space, the home once guarded by those faithful trees now long gone. Before air conditioning came along such stately trees were highly esteemed for the cool shade they provided during long hot summers.

Nowadays, tucked away in our comfortable heated/air conditioned homes, we’re more removed from the outdoors than folks were a few generations back. Nature doesn’t hold as much sway over people’s lives as it used to. And in a lot of ways, that’s an improvement. When the mercury is in the upper 90’s, I’ll be the first to admit that I’d much rather have a home with an efficient air conditioner than one shaded by large oaks. But I can‘t help but question… do we get so used to relegating nature to the back burner that we miss out on many ordinary wonders? What a shame it would be to miss the adventure of learning new things, the fun of outdoor exploration, the good feeling of turning our attention away from the everydayness of our lives to a fresh awareness of a whole other world waiting for us just beyond our front door.

But back to the field trip. Our school also nurtured learning and exploration by having a nature table in the classroom where "treasures“ were displayed. What was on the nature table? Most anything that’s nature-made and will hold still! Leaves, nuts, seeds, twigs, stones and rocks, dried flowers, seashells, dead insects (I can hear you thinking “Ewww” but you know how fascinated kids are by that kind of thing), exoskeletons, berries (none that are poisonous of course) and a few well chosen books to encourage kids to read and learn about the world around them.

Over the years, most classroom nature tables gradually disappeared in favor of more high tech methods of learning; but now teachers and parents, realizing the unique benefits of acquainting children with nature, are campaigning to “Bring Back the Nature Table”. What a great idea!

Besides giving children hands-on experience collecting nature items, it’s also a wonderful way for kids to let their imagination fly and develop creativity. Who knows how many budding artists may be inspired by drawing and painting the treasures found on a walk? Not to mention the benefits of the exercise you get while out exploring!

I realize this isn’t the season of the year when you think about long nature walks outside. But winter, too, has its own beauty. You don’t have to go far - or stay out long. There are items of interest practically under your feet.

As I finish this article, it’s Friday night, February 12th, and it’s snowing. According to the weather forecasters we may end up with several inches of snow. And though it’s going to be cold in the morning, I’ll be outside, bundled up and trekking around with my camera recording the beautiful sights. Guess in some ways I’m still the same kid who was fascinated all those years ago by the spinning seeds from a Sycamore tree. I’m glad. Glad the wonder of nature has never dimmed, glad its beauty and variety continue to fascinate and inspire. So much to see, hear and experience… and all just beyond my front door.

Cloud study in oils

Still experimenting with oils. I'm using Winsor & Newton Artisan Water Mixable Oils and canvas paper for this study.

Did a couple of quick sky/cloud studies with the purpose of:

1) Using a bright underpainting to see its effect
2) Practicing color mixing and brushwork
3) Seeing how long it takes to dry. I painted this on Sunday, today is Tuesday and parts of it are still very much wet! Yikes! I'm used to cp's..... dry before they even go on! :-)

I also unearthed my French easel from years of storage because I don't like painting with oils on a table top surface. It seems to be easier to see the original in terms of shape and value when I have a little distance from it. Plus, since I'm standing I can back away from the painting and use more arm and shoulder motion with a long handled brush - lets me do lighter strokes more easily.

I'm going to give my latest cp work a try on the easel and see how that works out. Will keep you posted!

Out of my comfort zone....

(Artisan oils on 9 x 12 canvas paper)

I mean waaaay out!

After attempting this street scene from San Francisco for the February Virtual Paintout I was reminded of why I've never been drawn to urban scenes. But that's the reason I chose a busy scene like this... to get me out of my comfort zone. How else will I learn?

My main goal with this was to (1) paint loose, fast and avoid detail, and (2) get some practice in simplifying a cluttered scene. Between deciding what to put in and what to leave out and using oils again after using mostly colored pencils, I'm sure I either have less hair or more gray hair. Plus, I got a colorful reminder that when you inadvertently lean your hand on an oil painting... the canvas isn't the only thing with paint on it.

I'm not happy with the finished painting, but I am glad that I finished it though tempted to toss it when I was struggling. I decided it might help if the painting was cropped, and after experimenting I narrowed it down to the top two crops you see, finally settling on the version at the beginning of this post.

I posted a couple of quick WIPs and just below them is the original photo I worked from. There are also two photos of my resident muse, Bailey, who you can tell from the first pic is not the least interested in doing his job and lending me any inspiration. In the second pic (after I disturbed his nap and got him to look at me and the camera) I got so tickled at the disgusted expression on his face that I just had to share it with you. Sorry Bail!

After this little venture I'll be happy to get back to rural landscapes, people and pets!

Too cute not to share!

I asked the Lord to tell me

Why my house is such a mess.

He asked if I'd been 'computering',

And I had to answer 'yes.'

He told me to get off my fanny,

And tidy up the house.

And so I started cleaning up...

The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.

That really did the trick....

I was just admiring my good work.

I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops - I found

A real absorbing site

That I got SO way into it -

I was into it all night.


Nothing's changed except my mouse.

It's very, very shiny.

I guess my house will stay a mess.....

While I sit here on my hiney.

~ Anon.

______________________________

This poem came to me via email and it was so cute I just had to post it! Enjoy!

A few more pics from the ice storm this past weekend

After I posted the pics of the ice storm, I got much better pics the next day because the sun came out (which melted all the lovely ice by the end of the day) and I just wanted to share a few of my favorites.

The winter storm arrived...

... and decorated everything!

It's windy outside - and really cold - but so beautiful. Since we don't get much of the winter stuff :-( I just had to get some photos. I love the almost abstract quality of close ups, and with the added allure of sparkling ice.... well, it was worth my poor fingers almost getting frostbitten! Earlier in the afternoon I made a Blueberry Cobbler. So after my fingers thawed out... yes, you guessed it... a generous serving of still warm cobbler. Yum!!!

Winter storm on the way!

No art today! There's a winter storm forecast for our area (Snow? Woo Hoo! I sure hope so!) so I'm busy in the kitchen instead of the studio. Not sure if we'll get snow or sleet- probably a mix of both, which means there's a good chance we'll lose power. So I'm getting prepared. I'm catching up the laundry and preparing comfort food; namely hearty potato and ham soup, a generous batch of chicken salad and a pot of chicken and macaroni. If we do lose power we have a generator so I can use the microwave to heat food. I can almost taste the soup now! Yum! We've also stocked up on Fancy Feast ("for those among us - the cats - who prefer the finer things in life" - as the Fancy Feast commercial says in that rather snooty voice) and rock salt to prevent slips and slides on the steps. I'm going to search out my booklight and plan on hunkering down for a cold weekend. Yay! I love it!

If you're in my area and also in the storm's path, take care and be safe!

New Commission

Well, I've finally made it back into my studio and may actually do some art this week ;-) Anyone else hit a post-holiday creative slump? I'm feeling the itch to get some brushes and colored pencils in my hands - thank goodness - I was beginning to wonder if I was a hopeless case.

I read with great interest - and admiration - Ann's goal of completing 100 paintings this year (read Ann's blog - Blue Bird Hill - here). Wow. 100 paintings. Hmmm... I wonder why I'm so hesitant to commit to a particular number of paintings in a limited amount of time. I've read enough times that quantity equals quality when it comes to art... in other words, the more art you make, the better you become as an artist. And I do believe that's true. So why the hesitation on my part? I shall give this some thought and see if I'm bold enough to commit to a painting schedule!

I'm starting on a new commission. The client wants it to match an early sketch I did (see that sketch here). It's to be more of a colored sketch than a finished painting. The actual image size has to be close to the original sketch, so I cropped the photo to get the required dimensions and moved some elements around for balance, even though there won't be much of a background. I've received client approval to go ahead with the sketch. The top photo is the cropped, rearranged photo, bottom photo is the original.

Now, if I can just remember how to use a brush, watercolor paint and my colored pencils!

Newspaper Column for January 2010

A Treasure Recognized... Finally

Each time I enter a Barnes & Nobles bookstore (coffee and books - how much better could it get?) I’m taken aback by the sheer volume of books. New books, old books, books for kids, books for adults and books for every age in between. Books on when to and why to, on how to and how not to. Books on every subject imaginable. And always, the colorful, heavily laden “New Arrivals” table introduces with great fanfare the latest tomes fresh from the presses.

The limelight doesn’t last long. In years to come most of these books, long forgotten, will take their place among thousands of others in musty-smelling overstocked used bookstores.

For all the staggering volume of words people write, most are very forgettable. Few works earn the honored status of being popular lifelong favorites, and even fewer stand the test of the decades or centuries.

In the early to mid seventies, influences from the sixties Flower Power era lingered on. During that time a little poem became quite popular, and posters bearing the verse popped up everywhere. The poem seemed to me to be closely associated with the Flower Power movement, with which I could not relate at all, so I pretty much dismissed it out of hand as vacuous hippie-inspired prattle. At the time I was too young and untried by life to appreciate such a work.

A couple of years ago I rediscovered the poem and found out how wrong I had been.

The poem is “The Desiderata of Happiness” by Max Ehrmann. Penned ninety years ago, it’s as relevant today as then. Since it was written we’ve become more technologically advanced, but taking a world view, we’re still dealing with the very same problems that have historically faced all people. Which is why the wisdom in this simply-worded poem is so profound, so inspiring, so practical. If I could live my life from this day forward following the principles so gracefully set forth here, I think I’d consider my life well lived. Below is the poem. Don’t skim it. Focus on what it’s saying; read it slowly and deliberately. Thoughtfully consider the truths it offers.

The Desiderata of Happiness

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


For such scarcity of words, it really covers a lot doesn’t it? No “here today, gone tomorrow” work, this one has firmly held its place in hearts and minds as the years have passed.

The truths it encourages: “Go placidly”; “speak the truth quietly and clearly”; “enjoy achievements as well as plans”; “neither be cynical”; “take kindly the counsel of the years”; and “be at peace with God” are even more enduring than the work itself. If we take time to cultivate these truths in our lives they will serve us well- for this year and for many years to come.

Newspaper Column for December 2009

Kettle Encounter

On a wild night with gusting winds and driving rain my husband and I ventured out to a restaurant in Kinston for a special meal to celebrate our anniversary. Only the specialness of the occasion persuaded us to leave the cozy dryness of our home. But, determined not to let the weather change our plans, out we went. After a wonderful meal, we were ready to leave when I thought of a few things I needed to pick up. By the time the waitress dropped off the check I had a note pad out and was busy writing a quick shopping list. Somewhere else to go in this wild weather. My husband never complained once. Honestly. At least not out loud.

Braving the lashing rain again, we dashed down the street to Wal-Mart, the closest store. My husband, gallant soul that he is, drove the car right up to the door so I could jump out quickly and stay as dry as possible. I scrambled out none too gracefully, but did manage to stay relatively dry.

Under the slight shelter offered by an awning over the front door, I paused, adjusted my pocketbook strap, straightened my jacket and headed for the entrance. As I walked toward the door, something bright red to my right caught my eye. A Salvation Army kettle. No doubt left there from earlier in the day when a volunteer had stood by it. My eyes traveled a little farther and, to my disbelief, tucked back in the corner, behind the kettle, sat a lady. I couldn’t believe anyone would be out here in this weather. She was an older black lady, petite and pretty, with a cap of loose gray curls. Wrapped up to her chin in a dark heavy coat she was scrunched against the wall to stay out of the rain. Our eyes made contact. She smiled at me. Not a perfunctory I’m-out-here-because-I’m-doing-my-duty-but-I’d-rather-be-somewhere-else smile, but a beautiful warm smile that lit up her face and crinkled her eyes. I couldn’t help but smile back. I was amazed at such dedication and cheerfulness on a night like this. We talked for a minute then I reached into my wallet, chagrined to find that I had only one dollar left. I’d used what little cash I carry for odds and ends (my intended purchases would be debited from my checking account). Hoping it didn’t sound like a lame excuse, I told her that I was “down to my last dollar” as far as cash. One dollar - it seemed such a paltry amount to give to someone who was giving so much.

“That’s alright honey, every bit helps,” she said.

I stuffed the single dollar into the top of the kettle, still wishing I had more to give.

I was rewarded with another glowing smile.

“God bless you real good, honey”, she said.

“And you too,” I replied.

I liked the idea of being blessed "real good" - and felt like I had already received such a blessing.

As I walked into the dry warmth of the store, it occurred to me that this lady's sweet spirit and unselfish giving, especially on such an inclement night, had demonstrated to me the real spirit of Christmas as much as any seasonal celebration I might attend.

After all, the true spirit of Christmas is about giving, not of packages, but of oneself.

This Christmas, amid the joy of family, friends, food and gifts, may we find a quiet time to reflect upon the unselfish giving of the Most Precious Gift of all.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Merry Christmas!

I'll "see" you after Christmas when the hustle and bustle has quieted down. I wish you and yours a warm and wonderful holiday season!

~ Teresa

Over the Top Award

I've finally emerged from the whirlwind of cleaning, cooking and company that goes along with Thanksgiving. We're talking (this is one day's cooking) 4 sweet potato pies, 4 pecan pies, 2 blueberry pies, 2 turkeys brined, one ham, chicken salad.... followed by a full breakfast cooked on two mornings. As you can imagine, I've hung up my apron for a few days.....

I have a fun award from Ann of Blue Bird Hill blog! Do visit Ann... she has some beautiful art. Though she may not know this, Ann was one of my earliest inspirations in colored pencil work... and I continue to be inspired by her work.

The rules are:

I need to pass this award on to five people, then I need to answer a list of questions in ONE word. (a rule I was unable to abide by :-)

So here we go:

1. Where is your cell phone?…desk
2. Your hair?… Up
3. Your mother?… Vivacious
4. Your father?… Witty
5. Your favorite food?… Chocolate
6. Your dream last night?… Forgotten
7. Your favorite drink?…Coffee
8. Your dream/goal?… Steady art career (okay, that's three words.. oh well)
9. What room are you in?… Studio/office
10. Your hobby?… Knitting
11. Your fear?… Heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?…Here
13. Where were you last night?… Home
14. Something that you aren’t?… Social climber
15. Muffins?… Yes, please!
16. Wish list item?… Blank check to Dick Blick's, Amazon or my local yarn store
17. Where did you grow up?… England
18. Last thing you did?… Brought in the mail
19. What are you wearing?… Sweats!
20. Your TV?… OFF (my favorite channel)
21. Your Pets?… Cats
22. Friends?… Wonderful
23. Your life?… Good
24. Your mood?… Content
25. Missing Someone?… Several
26. Vehicle?… Needs replacing
27. Something you're not wearing?… watch
28. Your favorite store?… book store, art store or knitting store (couldn't pick just one)
29. Your favorite colour?… Red or black
30. When was the last time you laughed?… this afternoon
31. Last time you cried?… Can't remember
32. Your best friend?… Hubby
33. One place that I go to over and over?… Yarn store
34. Facebook?… No
35. Favorite place to eat?… Home

Now I need to pass this on to five bloggers. Here is my list, in no particular order.

1. Jeanne of blog of same name
2. Laure of Painted Thoughts
3. Lori of Twin Cedars Drawing Board
4. Lynne of Bun Mountain Cottage
5. Jan of Pets to Posies

Jack..... completed?

Well, possibly. I've been nose-to-the-grindstone for the last few days because I have a deadline (self-imposed) on Jack: tomorrow.

At the moment I'm letting the portrait sit, and I'll check it periodically to see if anything jumps out and says, "Fix me!". If you see anything you think needs attention..... feel free to make suggestions!

I'm posting the wips and the final version. Sorry they are shown all at once... completing the portrait took some long hours at the art table which didn't leave much time for blogging.

What I learned from this portrait:

(I like to do this... take a little time after a project is completed to think over what I did that I want to repeat, and what I did that I don't want to repeat).

1. On the gouache... it worked pretty well, and overall I was pleased with the nice white it gave me on the colored support. What I didn't like was the fact that when I used colored pencil over the gouache the tiny brushstrokes became visible. I did not put a thick layer on, but apparently I need to thin it even more. Next time I'll try two thin coats.

2. Once again, I underpainted parts of the portrait with watercolor. I find this a very useful timesaver (and sanity saver). Colored pencils are notoriously s-l-o-w, and this gives me the ability to get a base layer of color down in just a few minutes. Since it's watercolor, it takes the cp beautifully.

3. Listened to music while I worked. I usually listen to nature sounds while working (ocean waves, etc) but I had read somewhere that some artists work better with actual music. Apparently it's just distracting enough to keep you from endlessly toiling over the details... and it worked for me!

4. This last item was perhaps the most helpful of all.... I kept in mind the wonderful advice of Carl Purcell ("Drawing with Your Artist's Brain", and "Painting with Your Artist's Brain"... two excellent books). That is, to see the subject with your artist's brain (shapes, values, color) and not your intellectual brain (nose, eyes, fur). This simplified matters tremendously. I highly recommend both of these books.

Newspaper Column for November 2009

The Greatest Show on Earth... the weather?

I’m beginning to wonder if Ringling Bros, Barnum and Bailey are running the schools attended by aspiring meteorologists. I’m sure you too have noticed a trend toward dramatic and entertaining weather forecasts.

On numerous channels, watching the weather person give the forecast reminds me of watching a performer in a three ring circus. The ringmaster (aka meteorologist) conducts the show with theatrical gestures that would earn a guest spot on any soap opera... arms wildly waving (think "Wax on, wax off" from the movie The Karate Kid), exaggerated body motions and facial expressions (mute the sound sometime and just sit and watch), and conspicuous emphasis on certain words and syllables. Next time you watch the weather, notice the forecaster’s enunciation. Recently I heard one guy get his money’s worth out of the word "minor." "It’s a ‘myyyyyyyyy-nor’ chance of rain." he said, his voice rising in pitch as he mercilessly stretched the first syllable. I could have gotten in at least three words in the time it took him to say the "mi" from minor.

But the thing that gets my attention the most is the hand motions. My husband has a quick, quirky sense of humor and his comic timing is impeccable. He would have fit right in with Moe, Larry and Curly. One night as we were seated on the sofa being entertained by the antics of a particularly animated weather person, my husband suddenly jumped up, and stationing himself to one side of the TV, began mimicking the meteorologist's dramatic gestures. "There’s a cold front coming in from the North, folks," boomed the weatherman with a grand sweeping flourish, indicating to us clueless masses where North is, then another arching swirl of his hand indicated where we are on the map. My husband, with comical facial expressions, was following along, making wild arcs and pointing to The North and then to North Carolina. "He looks," said my husband, "like someone using a hand crank to start a tractor." I giggled… the image fit perfectly.

But there’s more! Not only do the forecasters use hand motions enthusiastic enough to gladden the heart of any first grade teacher, at times they also have animated graphics following those motions. Yes! A weatherperson waves their hand across the northern part of the U.S. (the Northern Part of the U.S. is again indicated to us), predicts snow, and with a sweeping curve a picturesque flurry of snowflakes magically issues forth from their hand. They can do rain and wind too.

But there's still more! Besides the torturously stretched syllables and expressive body language, we also have a new breed of terminology used by weather people. Here, for your perusing pleasure, are a few gen-u-iiiiiiine expressions gleaned from various unsuspecting meteorologists:


- "About the middle of the week we’ll have a rain event."
Ah, I love this one. It used to be simply "rain"; now it’s An Event. Wonder if they’re selling tickets?

- "I can’t guarantee you sunny weather this weekend."
Ah, well, actually we didn’t expect you to. I assume there are still some things in this world that are not under human control.

"We’re going to ramp up the forecast for the next few days."
Ramp up? Sounds more like directions onto or off I-40 than the weather.


"Folks, there was a small gustnado over Kansas yesterday."
A gustnado? I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like the sound of it. Turns out a gustnado is a tornado plus a gusty wind. Oh.

There is a wealth of sayings, quotes and folklore about the weather that go back for centuries, so perhaps it should come as no surprise that forecasting has become as entertaining as it is informative. I picked out a few weather sayings you might enjoy reading….

- Evening red and morning grayhelp the traveler on his way.
Evening gray and morning red
bring down rain upon his head.

- Clear moon, frost soon.

- Red skies at night, sailor's delight.
Red skies at morning, sailors take warning.

- Smoke curling downward, poor weather.

- When a cow endeavors to scratch his ear,
It means a rain shower is very near.
When he thumps his ribs with an angry tail,
Look out for thunder, lightning and hail.

- When the stars begin to huddle, the earth will soon become a puddle.

- When your joints all start to ache, rainy weather is at stake.

- If February brings no rain, 'tis neither good for grass nor grain.

- A wet January, a wet spring.

- A year of snow, a year of plenty.

- If Candlemas Day (February 2nd) be fair and bright,
Winter will have another flight:
But if Candlemas Day be clouds and rain,
Winter is gone - it will not come again.

- A wet May makes a big load of hay.
A cold May is kindly and fills the barn finely.

- A dry May and a leaking June,
make the farmer whistle a merry tune.

- A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay.
A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly.

- If there's ice in November that will bear a duck,
there'll be nothing after but sludge and muck.

- If a cat washes her face o’er her ear,
‘tis a sign the weather will be fine and clear.

- Fish bite least with wind in the east.

- When the wind is out of the east,
‘Tis neither good for man nor beast.

- If your corns all ache and itch,
The weather fair will make a switch.

- Trout jump high when a rain is nigh.

- Onion skins very thin
Mild winter coming in;
Onion skins thick and tough
Coming winter cold and rough.

- The first snow comes six weeks after the last thunderstorm in September.

- If February brings drifts of snow
There will be good summer crops to hoe.

- When sheep gather in a huddle,
tomorrow we will have a puddle.

- If woolly worms are dark, the coming winter wilt be severe.

- When ladybugs swarm,
Expect a day that’s warm.

This brings us to the end of our perusal of the weather forecaster’s art. I could just write, “The End,” but in keeping with our topic I’ll take my cue from the forecasters and finish with a more entertaining “Th- th- th- th- that’s all folks!”

Update on Jack

Well, Jack is turning out (up to now) to be a very enjoyable subject. I'm trying a new working method, and so far so good. What I usually do is outline the subject and rough in the features, then sort of paint and draw as I go. Problem is, when I need to make a correction I'm not just erasing a pencil line, I'm erasing colored pencil... sometimes several layers. I never thought I'd want to do a highly detailed drawing first (guess I'm too eager to get to the color)... but I did this time. And guess what? It seems to be working better! (I know that's a "duh" because I've read countless times to make a really good drawing first... but oh well.... I'm catching on slowly but surely :-)

I'm also working on colored Stonehenge, which is a first for me. My previous colored pencil work has been on a white support. I haven't decided yet how I feel about it. Jack has patches of white fur and I had a difficult time getting the white to be really white. After trying two brands of white cp, a white Stabilo pencil and white oil pastel (on scrap paper), I painted in the white patches with white gouache....which is what you see in the first WIP. The next two WIP's are color work done in colored pencil. Lighting is not too good on these pics... taken indoors on different days... and today it's raining as we're beginning to feel the effects of Hurricane Ida..... we're expecting 4-5 inches of rain over the next three days - get the galoshes out!

If anyone has any tips about an easier way to get a true white when working on a colored support.... I'm all ears!