pen, paint, paper

FOUND: drawing from college

2012-01-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

Okay, I found this on my computer. A photograph of a piece of art I did in college. Not very well rendered, but interesting nonetheless. I helped the colors in photoshop.

Illustration Friday: Twirl

2012-01-20T21:29:00.000-08:00

One thing Shelley did know how to do was TWIRL!

Illustration Friday: Prepare

2012-01-18T18:25:00.000-08:00

In order to prepare for winter, Madeline bought herself and new coat and hat!

Gifts

2011-10-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

I am finding a lot of happiness making these for my family members for Christmas. I have listed prints of them in my Etsy shop too! There is a limited number of letters available for now, but as I make them, other letters will become available! If you want, you can order one with your own letter! I have an explanation in my Etsy listings about what motivated and influenced me to make these. I am thinking about all the nice things that people know how to make and how great it would be if we all just gave each other gifts of things we made instead of store bought. The gifts would mean so much more..in giving and receiving them. I have asked my mother for jars of pepper jelly that she makes for Christmas. I would be perfectly content with that! It is the MOST delicious. You can buy it in the store, but it's not like hers. You put a bar of softened cream cheese on a serving tray, pour the pepper jelly over the top and serve with good crackers. She put one out at a recent family get together and it was gone in a few minutes.

The mountains

2011-10-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

I was going through some pictures from vacation last year in search of something interesting to paint. I found these beautiful images of Tahoe. I love the place. The air is so clean and clear. You just smell forest and it looks incredible!

goodnight!

Craft

2011-09-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

In recent years, I have been enjoying the revival of craft in our country and all over the world. Sites like Etsy have come into being and I am so excited to see all of the wonderful, handmade goods for sale. I am deeply interested in the past, when people made lots of things themselves. Toys, clothing, soaps and delicious foods were commonly handmade goods. They grew delicious food in flourishing gardens. They sewed and knitted fabulous garments. They made homemade medicines and developed the fine art of baking. They painted dish designs and made Christmas ornaments by hand. They made beautiful quilts and needlepoint designs. I think people should make more things by hand. Where is the line between craft and art? I do not know. Becoming a master of a craft is a fine art in itself. I like to think of things that I could make.

Here is the fabulous letter P...I made for a gift for a friends birthday.

I love Florida!

2011-09-19T20:19:00.000-07:00

It is just one of my favorite places. I love the beach and the wind and the sand. We had a ball! Just a couple pictures. Good night!

Sunflowers (AGAIN!)

2011-08-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry, I can't help it...these are so magical to me that I cannot resist posting this. The way the sun shines through the petals, the vibrance and the sheer size of these..they are as big as my head! I am totally in love.

and Sadie our beloved lab mix who is spoiled like a small child. She gets to sit on the couch like a person...because she sort of is. By the way...I absolutely LOVE Pinterest!

goodnight!

I love sunflowers

2011-08-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

Hi there. I had a nice weekend just relaxing. I enjoy cooking meals for my family and soaking up the sun by the pool. I woke up Sunday morning to these awesome beauties and I just had to share them with you. I can see them out my kitchen window, and waiting for the day they would open up was like waiting for Christmas. Everyday I kept going out to see them and marvel at their intricacy. They are FANTASTIC! I hope you had a nice weekend.

Dreaming of Florida

2011-08-04T20:17:00.001-07:00

I am dreaming of the soothing sound of the waves. The salty scent of the ocean air. The silky white sand between our toes. Tall, icy drinks, delicious food. The sun and my lovers arms. My beautiful kids splashing in the late summer heat. Sand castles and shells. Looking so forward to it. A little painting in a handmade paper sketchbook. Just an intuitive thing...it looks dreamy, like I feel.

goodnight!

You Are My Everything

2011-08-02T20:26:00.001-07:00

There is something quite luscious about penned letters on smooth velvety paper.

Today, my grandmother turned 91. She is my everything. I love her so.
goodnight.

Late night art

2011-08-01T19:59:00.000-07:00

My favorite times to create art are early in the morning when all is quiet or late at night. Some art and some pages from my handmade watercolor paper book. I love this book..the paper is so beautiful and interesting. I almost hate to put anything on it..its that pretty.

Have a look in my sketchbook

2011-07-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

I keep a sketchbook that I use to develop artwork. Have a look.

I practice new techniques, doodle, create etc. in these. Looking through them later helps me develop new ideas. The sketchbooks I have been using lately are hand•book journal co. They have a very nice, acid-free paper that accepts gouache, watercolor and ink very well without bleeding onto the back or the next page. They have a nice canvas hard cover and come in a variety of interesting sizes. They even have a clear plastic pocket in the back to keep your items of interest from nature walks.

Chicken Love (Illustration Friday)

2011-07-31T07:53:00.000-07:00

They are obsessed with their chickens and their chickens are obsessed with them!
haha!

New Work

2011-07-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

Little people I have painted for the past few days. Sorry about the not so glamorous photo...its late and I am tired! Just wanted to post these tonight!

goodnight!

A Precious Summer Night

2011-07-24T05:54:00.001-07:00

The most busy time of year for me are the summers. Almost all of our family's birthdays are in the spring and summer and we kick it off with March and move throughout the entire summer with party after party. It is a beautiful thing. There is nothing more important to me than those people whose birthdays we celebrate with our whole hearts. We celebrate with elaborate food, icy drinks, swimming, presents, fireworks, warm nights filled with lanterns on trees, music, love and pure joy. I spend most of all this time getting ready for these events. Yesterday was one of those great events. It was no one's birthday, but a family get together with my brother who lives so many (hundreds of) miles away. I relish and savor the time, knowing there are only so many of these moments we get in life. One of the things we did was go into my studio and look at my art. One of my adorable nephews had made me a BEAUTIFUL drawing. Everyone wanted to look at art. He is so wonderful, he loves art and music. I think he is going to be so good at it, and my brother kept saying "he doesn't get it from me..." Everyone was so encouraging about my art that I realized that I don't encourage myself enough. I abandon this blog for months at a time...I abandon my art for months...I actually sit and stare at paper and I want to make something...but I can squeeze nothing out. Do any of you experience such things? I make my living in visual communications and sometimes I think it is enough...but no, not really...it's not. So I think I should promise myself that I will spend more time creating...if for no one else...myself. Recently I bought myself some new paint...I think I will celebrate!

A little girl I was making...experimenting with new gouache paint. I really really really like the paint. I will let you know more about what I like about it when I have used it a bit. One of the best things about it is that it is opaque.

Gouache.

Acrylic (some cheap paint from the hobby store...but look at the fantastic colors!

Chairs, Chairs, Chairs

2010-09-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

I've been looking at chairs. I think I love chairs a little too much. I want them ALL.

NUMBER 1 from Horchow
NUMBER 2 available on ebay now.
NUMBER 3 Chair and a half from Restoration Hardware.
NUMBERS 4, 5 and 6 all available from Room and Board

Invite me over...puleeeeeeeeese!!!!!!

2010-09-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

I would love to come over and have a cup of coffee...and ummm lounge around in your beautiful rooms!
Note: Links to the owners photostream on Flickr appear beneath each image(s)

wood and wool stool

style file

uydurrukcu

I guess its probably noticeable that I am totally stuck on home interiors right now. Since I am in the middle of a living room re-do, I am looking for inspiration. I have started by getting rid of my coral colored walls. They will be white soon and the hunt will be on for the furniture. By the way, I am totally addicted to Craigslist now...thank you very much.

The color GREEN (and things that are)

2010-09-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

I love plants! I have featured rooms (or scenes from rooms) that reveal the awesome beauty that nature can bring to your home. Note: below the image is a link to the owners photostream on Flickr.

London.addict

I love plants in home decor. Their organic shapes and beautiful shades of green add so much to a home. On top of that, they are great for filtering the air in your home! Check this article:
Houseplants Help Clean Indoor Air

Sinnen*rausch

fluitenkruid55

Creative Rooms

2010-09-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

This place is really amazing!
GiGi Interior Design

J.E.N. (Joakim Nådel)

J.E.N. (Joakim Nådel)

I LOVE these rooms. They have a wonderful, elegant, airy quality!

Not to be confused with me.

A NEW HOUSE! (5 tips for re-inventing your living space)

2010-09-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, (new house) not really. I read an article the other day that explained that during our tough economy, many people were feeling the need to renovate their homes. Funny, because I have a few friends (like me) that have all decided its time for a (for lack of a better word) RE-DO. It's not really a renovation, but it's an overhaul. So...we have purged. We actually dumped most everything in our living room to start anew. I am really excited! BUT... when you do this, it can turn into confusion quickly. What furniture to get? What colors should we start with? What style do I really love the most? What should I buy second-hand, and what should I buy new? I came to the conclusion that I only want to own things that I REALLY LOVE. If you are thinking about a re-do, here are some suggestions.

1. Get rid of anything that you have sitting around your house that doesn't suit you or your current convictions. I know, I know, Aunt Linda gave you that silver tray that you have on your side table. Wrap it up and put in closet storage and get it out when Aunt Linda comes. Just because mom gave it to you doesn't mean that its got to live permanently in your living room.

2. Go to Desire to Inspire and Apartment Therapy and other good interior design sites and find rooms that really float your boat. This will help you decide what colors and styles you should use.

3. Only buy things that you LOVE. Don't buy something second hand just because its cheaper, go ahead an spring for things that you really love. If you feel lukewarm about something you've spotted, don't get it, just let it go, something better will come along.

4. Sometimes an outside opinion might be required. If so, you can ask honest friends or, my new friend Pam at How To Run Your Life*. My living room re-do can be found being discussed on her fabulous blog! New people or friends often have ideas that you had not thought of, so it can be very helpful to discuss your project with others.

5. Finally, be patient and have fun! You do not have to be in a hurry. (Unless you absolutely cannot bear to have a part of your home in transition) Spend some time and choose carefully. This helps eliminate wasted money and time. Have fun with your project, it doesn't have to be a drag!

Sometimes you really have to pinpoint what it is that you love about a room. Is it full of books and you are a bookworm? Are the throw pillows and rugs a color that you have loved, but never really used in your decor? Are the walls brilliant colors that you have never been brave enough to commit to?

Here are some rooms that I find inviting and inspiring. From Flickr. (Links to photostreams appear underneath images)

Kaylovesvintage

h4ndz

Water Tower Pisan

So, now I am off to get some paint.

I like...

2010-08-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

The colors of this vintage, hand painted teacup. I have never seen one like this, with a little birdie on the side.

I like the way paint looks on a palette.

A few pictures from vacation a little at a time

2010-08-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

When you went inside this covered bridge from the 1800's, you could just smell and feel the history
dripping in the still air. It was eerie, and awesome at the same time. There was a window...this is what you saw
when you looked out.

The incredible, amazing city of San Francisco. Flavorful, colorful, brilliant, creative, energetic and beautiful.
I will post some more tomorrow. Its getting late.

Drawing

2010-07-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

I figured I'd better post, and fast! Here is a drawing/painting I did a couple months ago.
Still working with watercolor. I really love the medium.

a page of sketchbook

For the love of music

2010-05-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite bands is Blues Traveler. Whenever I listen to John Popper, I feel so nostalgic. I remember listening to The Mountains Win Again while I was flying over lake Tahoe on my way to California. The image of that shimmering diamond Lake from 50,000 feet up and the beautiful voice of John Popper are forever burned into my brain. He is a brilliant musician. He stands out in a sea of millions with his expressive vocals, harmonica and meaningful lyrics. So tonights post is a tribute to one of my all time favorites...John Popper. Heres to ya John!
Some recommendations for you:
The Mountains Win Again
Hook
Just Wait
Look Around
All from the Album Four

IF: Rescue

2010-03-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

The monster watched Ruth Anne with care, just in case she was in need of rescue.
Working on my watercolors. Have a good weekend!

Little pumpkin

2010-03-24T17:42:00.001-07:00

I tried something different. Pen and ink drawing, digital collage and coloring.

Here is another!

2010-03-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

This is what I've done tonight. Not sure about this one yet. I can always re-color it.
I saw this video today and loved it.
OK GO ...you guys are great! That video makes me HAPPY!

Maybe monotone?

Feeling Shy

2010-03-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

I am working on digitally coloring pen and ink drawings. Here is another with a little more detail.
I am kind of liking it! I will have to keep working to get the exact effects I want, but I am getting
closer! Monday evening is always a hard one. I come home and there are so many things I want to do
before I have to get up and go to work tomorrow. I try to squeeze as many in as possible. Its cold
here again. Supposed to be just for today. The flowers are on all the spring trees and I have been
looking forward to that for so long! Have a great night everyone!

Let's be friends

2010-03-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

A new drawing I worked on today.

Illustration Friday: Expired

2010-03-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

The old day has expired and the new one has begun!
I know this image doesn't exactly match the prompt, but its what I have been working on. And it
works..the birds sing in the moments of the expiration of the last day, heralding the new one.

What are you waiting for?

2010-03-14T08:45:00.001-07:00

A friend showed me this game a long time ago. I thought about it today.
You just answer this question, any way you want.
I'd like to know what you are thinking.

I will answer first. Please answer in the comment section.

Red Tree

2010-02-25T19:35:00.001-08:00

I like this shape. Something I was playing with one time, and I came across it.
I am going to make something with this.

I added wonderful blogs to my blogroll. Please go visit! I am so inspired by them!
I want to make things. have a happy night!

Illustration Friday: Propagate

2010-02-23T18:10:00.000-08:00

Don't tell a secret, unless you want it to propagate.
Have a great night!

Illustration Friday: Adrift

2010-02-18T17:49:00.001-08:00

I thought these birds looked like they were adrift. I am so late for Illustration Friday...
maybe next week I will be better! I thought of something funny the other day. I have
always loved to draw. I remembered that in my 5th grade math class, I used to
draw on my math papers. I drew little birds, bugs and flowers in the margins.
Once, my math teacher asked me not to draw on my math homework! I think since
then, drawing has taken precedence over math!

A Doodle for Today

2010-02-16T15:37:00.000-08:00

Life happens. It gets busy. Doodles come in handy. I get really relaxed when I draw
and I just melt into another world. Even if its only for a few minutes, its good for you
to be able to withdraw from the business of the world and allow yourself to just be.
Here is a doodle from today. I was at Jury Duty and it was the perfect thing to do to
pass the time along with reading. Take good care of you.

A little Valentines day drawing

2010-02-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

I'm really tired tonight. The day was long and I want to take a hot bath and sleep.
I hope everyone has a great Valentines day with whomever you love.

Oh! We Got More!

2010-02-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

Isn't this pretty? We got MORE snow. Very unusual for us here in Tennessee. We enjoy it
when it happens and it is usually very short lived. The trees looked absolutely beautiful
in the gorgeous white blanket. It is so quiet when it snows. You can actually hear the
snowflakes hitting the ground and the trees creaking. I mostly stayed inside. I'm
not used to the bitter cold. It rained, sleeted, iced and snowed all in one day. Good day
for hot chocolate, good book and warm quilt!

This is the corkscrew willow in my back yard.

Illustration friday: Muddy

2010-02-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

I really wanted to work on this more. But all I am able to do for this week is the idea.
I am pressed for time and just got a large amount of freelance work all at once, which
will keep me busy for a couple of months I'm sure. I will have to squeeze drawing in
and make a it a priority.

Drawing

2010-02-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post tonight. I had a lot of stuff to do today, did not get much done. I did draw,
but I am not finished with what I began today. So this is a drawing I found the other night
when I was looking through my sketch book. I like this one. I kind of like that the flowers
look spiky and sharp. Hope you guys are having a nice weekend. I had my blog addiction
reading session this morning and was especially impressed with Loveology and Habit
(both in my blogroll). Until tomorrow!

Kind of funny

2010-02-05T19:29:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on this weeks Illustration friday are muddy. So I often look through magazines,
books and my sketchbooks to see if any ideas spark. So I got totally off track and ended up
thinking about this funny sketch from a long ago Illustration Friday where the word was "snap"
...I am still thinking about this weeks, mud is not an easy subject by any means. Its been really
muddy around here for the past two days. I have a muddy mud room, a muddy dog, a muddy floor.
Uggg..my brain is mud right now. Ok..I think I have an idea..

Just little doodle flowers

2010-02-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

Just some little doodle flowers! More craft paper. I like the way colors look on craft paper.

A Serious Like

2010-02-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

I really didn't want to say this, but I am. I am challenging myself to do some illustration everyday.
No matter what it is, or how small it is. I will post them here. Sometimes, they won't be that good.
They could even be awful! (hope not!) Sometimes they may be just a doodle or a letter.
(as soon as I tell it, thats when something always happens and it doesn't get done, but I am going
to do my best) Here it is for the day. I had to watch the U Of M Tigers play basketball...
yes, I love our Tigers! I have a SERIOUS like for craft paper and letterforms and pen and ink...oh and painting.

Illustration friday: Focused

2010-02-02T21:00:00.001-08:00

Bees are the most focused little creatures I know.

I'm a sucker for bright colors

2010-02-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

I do all of my artwork in what I would call a free-form fashion. I may have a subject planned,
but I don't pre-plan the painting or drawing. I use shapes and colors and then just start inking in.
Whatever comes into my mind is what ends up on the paper. Sometimes there are unwanted results.
But there are also happy mistakes. It always seems to come out best when it is just
drawing without thinking.

Be My Valentine

2010-02-01T19:08:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at making some hand carved stamps. I made a few...and tested them out.
They were fun to make! I found the idea and even a tutorial on how to make them on
Geninnes Art Blog She has the cutest art and lots of tips and tricks
for making stuff. Okay, so I will admit to something that I am not proud of....
I actually carved the word LOVE the first time into the stamp just like it reads..from left to right on
the stamp, only to test the stamp and see the word LOVE backwards! WHAT was I thinking?
OK, it takes a little bit, (just a little bit) of thinking. So be careful not to waste any materials
with this mistake! I find the carving very relaxing and it gets the wheels turning about all the
great things you can make! I was thinking about valentines day, one of my very, very, very
favorite holidays. I love the pink hearts and springy flowers and pretty things that everyone makes.
So I hope each and every one of you has a love filled valentines day.
Warm wishes!

Oh yes we did!

2010-01-30T08:37:00.000-08:00

Ice, snow, freezing rain, a little bit of everything. Our city is not usually one to
get this kind of weather, so we are always surprised!
A little remnant of last summer, iced over.

Snow Maybe?

2010-01-28T20:30:00.000-08:00

Its always hard to sleep on the night before a big winter storm.
Our city is not very prepared when it comes to wintery weather,
so the drive to work is usually treacherous. It is supposed to start
around midnight and sleet, rain, and snow through the day tomorrow.
Wow. If I get snowed in, what will I do all day? I've got something
in mind. I think I will be sitting here with my sweet little brown dog
curled up next to me with a cup of hot chocolate and a pen or brush i
n hand. Either way, the day will unfold on its own.
Can't wait to see what happens!

The garden

2010-01-23T21:16:00.001-08:00

click on it to see it bigger

Illustration Friday: Clumsy

2010-01-22T20:15:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden, Marvin didn't feel so self-conscious and clumsy when he realized what he would look like as a grown-up.

unseasonably warm

2010-01-19T18:49:00.000-08:00

Some artwork I have done. Nothing really going on here.
perfect. weather. No coats, no hats, no boots needed. It is only temporary, but lovely.

Tuesday night playlist is: John H. Clarke, Acoustik Guitar.
Really nice and relaxing.

Reading now: Marc Chagall, Albrecht Durer, The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark,
The Klee Universe and Hundertwasser. I will start a book list and list the ones
I would recommend and why.

Illustration Friday: Wilderness

2010-01-18T20:34:00.001-08:00

when she closes her eyes and dreams the wilderness of her imagination shows her infinite possibilities and opportunities.
(click on the picture to see it bigger)
This illustration was largely done in watercolor and ink, then digitally assembled.

The perfect Saturday on a Wednesday

2009-12-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I think today would be the perfect Saturday. It's cold. Its raining. It's gray. This morning before I left, my husband, who will be home today had a roaring fire in our fireplace. Perfect for robes and slippers, pancakes and good hot coffee. A good book or movie, our sweet dog and a quilt on the sofa. Ahhhh...but its a work day. I made my way into downtown to the office and it feels good inside. I am glad to be sheltered from the cold rain. The building is decorated with lots of greenery and big red, velvety bows. Outside, in the dim morning, the trees that line the driveway to our building are strung with hundreds of white lights. They look festive. Somewhere in the office a radio plays faintly. The eggs and bacon are cooking in the bistro and the aroma weaves its way through the lobby. I grabbed a couple of oranges for breakfast. A few pecans and a cup of Chai. Today is unfolding.Even gray days can be warm and welcoming.

fox smitten

2009-10-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

I've added more recommended music and blogs...enjoy!

Sleepy Head Sadie

2009-10-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Aaaawwww, she's a sweet little sleepy head.

All words and no picture

2009-10-01T19:42:00.000-07:00

I have been absent from blogging this week so far. I have been in the middle of painting my bathroom. Whoa what a mess! I will show you a picture of it when its done!
For such a little room, there is a whole lot to do in there. All week, I have felt like I've been living in a hotel. Every morning collecting all my stuff and going in my bath and then taking it all back out again. For a couple days, getting ready for work with a shop light! Even though there is another bath, I am attached to mine. All my stuff is in the cabinet there. I am on a quest for the perfect shower curtain. Its an old fashioned, smallish bath that was covered originally from head to toe with dark, forest green. (Yes, we thought we would be good fixer-uppers when we bought our house. Turns out we are really good procrastinators!) Not that I don't like forest green, but the room was just too small for such a bold color. It kind of felt like a cave. Now it looks like a completely different room! It's a buttery yellow all over now, and looks like a sunny day. Just my style. I ragged the walls and now I would like to add accent colors. I am thinking of a rusty red, or a brick red, sage green, yellowy gold. So, no time to do any art this week, but still having fun painting! Next week, I will be back at painting again.

IF: Pattern

2009-09-26T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is an etching that I did when I was in college. I didn't really have time to make a drawing this week, but I thought this one really goes with pattern. There are so many beautiful patterns in nature. Nature is the master of art.

Okay, you can call me weird

2009-09-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

I really have to live it up for dinner when Bill is out of town you know. Okay, you can call me weird, but I actually love Ramen noodles. (not many people admit to that!) The perfect dinner when I am busy. Here I am cooking dinner for tonight. hehe. I like how you can still tell what flavor it is even when you can't see the words. I will be reading blogs at dinner tonight. Hope you all are having a good night.

Rainy Sunday

2009-09-20T09:44:00.001-07:00

Its been raining here for 2 weeks. We've had a lot of road flooding. Nothing really to do. I like rainy days. What better to do than paint or draw? Sleep in late and bake cookies. The dark swirling leaf in this photo is actually a graphite pencil my mother brought to me last year from her travels. It was done by an amazing San Francisco artist. I never want to use it because its so beautiful. You can go here to see others. Happy Rainy Sunday.

Illustration Friday: Infinite

2009-09-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

There are an infinite number of creatures that come out in the forest at night.(you can click on it to see it bigger)

Squinting

2009-09-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

I wake up every morning and pour my morning coffee. It makes me feel good and before I get ready to take my shower I always turn on the news for a few minutes. I always wish I didn't. I hear and see a lot of bad things. Overnight fires and shootings. People arguing. I start to get lost in all the bad news. It colors my days. I look around and I see bad things everywhere. Co-workers are buzzing about the news when I get to work. It seems to go on and on. Then I have to remind myself to squint. When I was in art classes in college, professors taught us to squint at an image to see all the values. I think its the same in life. Its not always easy to find a way to get through the day. I find I have to look around and look hard to find the beauty in every day. So I would say that sometimes you have to squint to find something beautiful. But its out there. Every day.

LOVE

2009-09-17T17:16:00.000-07:00

This is a little hummingbird vine that grows all over one of my bushes in the summer. People around here call it hummingbird vine because it attracts the little cuties. After doing a little research, I see that is it actually called Cypress vine. I love its wispy, fern-like leaves.I absolutely LOVE hummingbirds. I hung a cute red feeder out this summer and finally a particular little hummingbird found it and comes to drink from it regularly. Speaking of LOVE, I bought this adorable terrarium at Blithe Gardens on Etsy. I am in LOVE with it! My very own little tiny forest!

Illustration Friday: Welcome

2009-09-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with my new paint, and here is my illustration friday entry.
Hope you are having a good week!

Life is sweet

2009-09-13T07:37:00.001-07:00

waitin for fall

2009-09-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

ho-hum...its still warm out there. Pretty much HOT. Looking forward to sweaters and boots and umbrellas and cooler days. Heres what I did last night and this morning. I waited something like 10 days to get some new paints and I was so excited about messing around with them. I got the slowest shipping available (my fault) and it was making me crazy tracking it. Anyway, I got them and I am more than happy with them.

Fall

2009-09-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

The best things about fall:

Long walks in the forests of brilliant orange, red and yellow
Apples and spicy apple cider
Pumpkins and pumpkin bread
The smell of wood burning
The chill in the evening air and a warm fuzzy sweater
Warm, inviting lights in the window on rainy, grey days
Homemade chili with cheddar cheese on top
Big orange harvest moons
Popcorn and carmel apples and spooky movies on Halloween
Millions of stars in a black sky on a cold night

Favorite Creatures

2009-09-02T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite little creatures. I love to watch them drink water. They hover over the water and suddenly dip down and very gently touch the water. So curious and playful.

Music for tonight: David Gray - Life in slow motion
playing now, "Ain't No Love"
He is a wonderful and fanciful musician. His beautiful songs are masterful and layered with lush, dreamy sounds.

Tuesday Night playlist

2009-03-10T19:26:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of pictures I took quite some time ago.

listening to right now: Barlow Girl - Heres My Life - How Can We Be Silent?
Before that, Hold Me Up - Live - Demo from Throwing Copper
Before that, a guy that I saw at Germantown performing arts show in the Library one Sunday. He was great and very soulful...a savory voice.
Greenwood Girls - Kevin Gordon - O Come Look At the Burning

I have been listening to Ravi Shankar and Nikhill Banerjee a lot lately. It seems to ease me when I am feeling stressful about work.

Friday Night Cheetos and Perrier

2009-02-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

It is Friday. I am drinking Perrier and eating Cheetos. I am also updating my blog...the winds are blowing. Ahhhhhh... I had forgotten what a great song "Ship of Fools" by Robert Plant was. The guitar is oh so swwweeet, not to mentions Roberts (swoon) voice. I have also been listening to M. Ward, and Bon Iver. I find both of their "pieced together" music completely fascinating. Listen to "Hi-Fi" from Transistor Radio or "Poison Cup" from Post-War by M. Ward. Listen to For Emma, Forever ago (all of it) by Bon Iver. The textures are rich, the voices luxurious.

I was looking at The Selby and thinking about how I like to look at other people's stuff. I love book cases filled with books. I have a thing for books. I love them. love them.

I also wanted to tell you about an artist I love. I saw her in Juxtapoz and loved her beautiful flowing, feminine artwork.
Audrey Kawasaki

So, It's Friday! Cheetos and Perrier time! Cheers!

a random picture - us

another random picture from the recent past...ohhhhhh so much love I feel.
Myself and my offspring. I love her so.

The Flavor of Memphis

2008-11-02T08:14:00.001-08:00

Memphis with its many art and music festivals hosted the wonderful River Arts Festival this weekend. The festival was on Main street and featured a number of music venues including blues, rock and bluegrass. The street was teeming with artists tents full of unique, vibrant art from all over the country. Painting, sculpture, jewelry and textile artists showcased their wares for all of Memphis to see.Still open today, (Sunday) you can come in free, grab a beer and a barbeque and listen to some awesome Memphis Music. Yesterday late afternoon, the Reba Russel Bandcaptivated an audience on a grassy hill where no one could keep from at LEAST tapping their toes (some let the music take them over and dance wildly!) as the smoky blues rythms floated out into the street toward the Mighty Mississippi. Just a couple of blocks away, you can get a spectacular view of the River. Historical Buildings surround you as you stroll down the sunny fall colored streets.
The Lorraine Hotel

Treasures

2008-10-26T18:20:00.001-07:00

Treasures from a garage sale this past weekend. I have collected antique post cards for years. I especially love the 1909 Pink Happy New Year card. It is embossed with lace and shamrocks in gold.100 years old this year! These kinds of things have such a mystique to them. Who kept this post card all these years and why did they? Who picked it out and sent it to someone they loved? Who received it and treasured it and kept it tucked away in a book or drawer for years. Who found it and gave it away? Who collected it and held it their hands and loved it? I think of all these things when I look at something old. I love old books, photos, letters, postcards,and nostalgic bits and pieces.

Wonderful things from Etsy

2008-10-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

Hi All! I am so excited that I received these absolutely adorable ear rings from "Beads by Evelyn" today! Be sure to take a look at her shop...there are so many beautiful pieces! Thank you Evelyn, you are SO sweet! Big hug to you! My box got here lightning fast, and was wrapped up so cute with a bow. I LOVE them...I am going to wear them tomorrow with my new green sweater.

Illustration Friday: Late

2008-10-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

As it grew late into the evening, all of the creatures of the land scurried to bed. Into their little hideaways they went. The sun was sinking silently between the two great hills, about to disappear completely into the vast sea. Just before it was swallowed away, the sun turned everything to gold. Then everything would become a shade of purple, blue or black. And the husssshhhhhhhh of night would begin.

Carving Out Spaces

2008-10-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Apparently sitting in a box outside is better than just sitting outside.

And Apparently my space is um....her space. I don't mind sharing. We like to have our spaces. I was home sick today. First time in a long time I have been sick (with the exception of the toothache). I slept and read alot. I am feeling better. Probably about 85 percent. Well, here is part of my space. I neaten it up..and then mess it all up again.

Illustration Friday: Strings

2008-10-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Thrifty finds, my beloved and a music review

2008-10-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to The Be Good Tanyas (pictured above) and I will recommend them to you if you like folk music Bluegrass style, with a little percussion. Songs so beautiful they will make your heart ache. I listen with goosebumps. I am in love with the sultry, smooth and silky voice of Frazey Ford. And then there are the vocal harmonies that will raise the hair on the back of your neck. The three girls that make up the group are Frazey Ford, Sam Parton and Trish Klein. I can listen to every song on Chinatown and want to listen again. I was incredibly lucky this weekend in my thrift shopping (garage sales). This pile of birch wood from a woman who used it as decoration in her fire place. I think its very beautiful. Birch wood has a mystical quality to it. It makes me think of dreamy forests with fairies and mossy carpet floors. I do not know what I plan to do with it yet..but I can dream.
More treasures.
On the subject of Beloved, here is the best looking chocolate I have ever seen. My Sadie. Our Sadie. It is such a gift to know her. She lays her head across my shoulders while I am sleeping. She follows me into every room I go to just to be near. She sleeps at my feet, sometimes breathing fitfully in her doggie dreamland. She is so happy to have me home that she cannot contain herself as she leaps into the air and cries happily. She is so precious to us. I love her so.My beloved, lifelong friend. Interesting how an instrument can seem like a friend. But when it fits like a glove, and the sound is sweet to you...its a good old friend.

Illustration Friday: Fierce

2008-07-01T20:49:00.001-07:00

These on Etsy

2008-07-01T20:37:00.001-07:00

Collage

2008-06-17T19:56:00.000-07:00

evolution.

Work in Progress

2008-06-13T20:03:00.001-07:00

I spent most of the day on this.

Aren't these pretty?

2008-06-13T14:47:00.001-07:00

Summer's beauties.

A relic of the past

2008-06-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

I have been cleaning and finding work from the past. Here is another fish...with a poem.(click on the image to see it larger)

Coming around the bend

2008-06-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

I think I am seeing a tiny bit of improvement on my tooth. I can withstand the pain without pain pills but I still can barely open my mouth. Yesterday, though, I could not go without the pain pills. I think I am coming around the bend. I had a dream that all my teeth had turned into noodles. Think the teeth have got me worried? hummm.
UPDATE: Antibiotics working. Ahhhhh...relief. I am feeling much better finally.

I added some blogs to my blogroll. I hope you will stop and check them out. I add blogs that I find very readable daily or weekly. Also, those who I think are outstanding in writing, design, art or photography. In a previous post this month, I have outlined things that I am most interested in when reading a blog. These all fit that profile.

At one with nature

2008-06-12T07:05:00.000-07:00

I Stayed home again today. I am still sick with my tooth problem. I am hoping it will improve very soon since I am taking the antibiotics. Update: A bag of frozen black-eyed peas works well on the cheek.

I have a garden. Right now, its pretty weedy due to my few days of sickness and lots of rain the other night. Its not very big. It is our first one. I am so amazed that we were able to grow summer squash in our garden! We ate one the other night. The first harvest consisted of about 6 pieces of Okra and a medium size summer squash. I rolled them in corn meal and salt and pepper and fried them in a light oil. It was wonderful! We are learning as we go. I am really in love with the idea of growing my own food. It makes me feel at one with the earth. It makes me feel like I am helping our environment. It makes me feel GOOD.

Here is the basil. It tastes and smells wonderful.

Summer squash has big, beautiful yellow flowers. Down inside they grow and thats where the squash is. We are growing eggplant, bannana peppers, okra, summer squash, tomatos, basil, sage, oregano, thyme, chives, cucumbers and onions.
We have a lot to learn, but so far we are doing pretty good!

IF: Forgotten

2008-06-11T17:11:00.000-07:00

My sketchbook. Lake Arkabutla. A black and barren tree remnant juts out of the lake. Early in the morning, it looks ancient and forgotten.

Line art and such

2008-06-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

A small six inch by six inch collage on canvas I am working on. I like organic lines and shapes. My obsession of the moment.

I love line art. Here is some recent work.

Watercolor and silver ink. This paper is absolutely gorgeous. I am not sure what kind, but I am sure that it is either Arches or Reeves. It's a scrumptious creamy color and is equally creamy to the touch. I love, love, love it. (This one is an old piece that I found today.)

Me: not feeling so great

2008-06-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

I stayed home from work today. I had to go to the dentist. For the record, the dentist is the devil to me. I would rather die than go to the dentist. Almost. So my tooth started to hurt...then a little more...I took advil hoping it would go away. It didn't.
I waited a couple more days...my face started to swell a bit...I got scared. I scheduled an emergency appointment with the dentist. So it seems I have an abscess tooth that must be surgically removed. Okay, it hurts. He put me on antibiotics and I have to come back next week for dooms day. I am not too happy. But I guess worse things could happen.
The left side of my face is slightly swollen. Even the dental assistant said she thought my cheek looked swollen. UGH. While I was waiting for the dentists office to open this morning, I was pacing around like a maniac. Then I decided to be calm and I went outside an looked around. Here is a picture of my neighbors mimosa tree that I think is sooooo beautiful!

Each little flower looks like a tiny little pink and white airbrushed japanese fan. The leaves are so delicate and fernlike. It is also a magnet for hummingbirds, and who doesn't love hummingbirds? So now I am just lying around for the rest of the day trying to feel a little better. Got started on the antibiotics. I plan to upload some art work I have done recently in a bit. bye for now.

Tuesday and a challenge

2008-06-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

I noticed that the blogs I like the best are the ones where my favorite subjects are present: art and design, photography, beautiful sentiments and words, cooking and nature, gardening and home life. In any combination. But the blogs that are utterly fascinating to me are the ones where I feel that I am getting to know someone, I am experiencing their life in a way, through their words. I understand and connect with what they feel. I want my blog to be more like that. So my challenge to myself is to connect with you. Lots of times, I do not put any images here because I think they are not interesting enough for you. But, hey, they are my life, so here they come! Lots of times, I don't tell you what I did that day, for fear that you will be bored. But again, its my life. Lots of times I don't write down what I think...fear again. But I am changing all that.

So for today, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 ...My life was getting up early after a long, stormy night. I woke up many times and heard thunder rumbling. Picking up my car pooling buddies and making my way downtown for a day at work as an art director at a large corporation. There are 7 of us here. We are like a happy family. We lunch together, talk and laugh together. I have my good days and bad at work, but over all I am quite happy here along the Mississippi river. Later, I will head home and spend time with my husband Bill and my dog Sadie. I will most likely cook something for dinner, and work in the yard. I will let you in on it, so see you in a little bit.

Would you like to reduce your gas cost?

2008-05-21T13:10:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I am really angry about gas prices. Since there is no really good reason why the prices are high, other than to line some pockets, it is so very hurtful to us that work so hard every day to earn a living only to spend it on more gasoline.

Would you like to lower your gas cost? Here are some ideas.

Idea #1
CARPOOL.
I have started a carpool at work. Right now, there are three of us. So we are saving money and not putting more money into the pockets who propose to steal our hard earned money. We already give it to them with the price of our goods. We give it to them every time we fill up. We don't have to take it lying down. By carpooling, you remove vehicles from the congested road ways. You remove the pollution of x number of drivers.You SAVE MONEY! You conserve energy. You do an honorable thing, in MANY ways.

Idea #2
WORK FROM HOME
Talk to your company/supervisor about working from home. Not only will you save MONEY, you will conserve energy, and help de-congest the crowded roadways. Some companies have gone to a four day work week...we all should.

Idea #3
Use ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION whenever possible
such as a bicycle, walking, running even travel by bus. Try to reduce the amount you get in your car a drive. If there is a store nearby and you can walk instead of drive, do it. Not only will you get more healthy from the exercise, you will save energy and gas.

If you have any great ideas to help us keep from spending our money on gasoline, then BY ALL MEANS...COMMENT!

Thoughts for the day

Existing

2008-04-13T19:56:00.001-07:00

I kept thinking all weekend...how sometimes it just feels good to exist. You don't have to go shopping, or cut the yard, or do the taxes... or do anything at all. Just sit there and let the sun shine on your face. Or drink a cold beer. Or pet your dog without thinking about anything at all. And Bill, there is nothing better than just existing with you. I love it when we watch a dumb movie...with a dumb story line...while we are holding hands. I love you. I love existing with you.

I am listening to the Decemberists right now (The crane wife) and The Shins. Both awesome. I am just existing. With Sadie, my little brown dog, who is existing beneath my feet while I rock out to The crane wife 3. I am smiling out at all of you. Have a great night...existing.

IF: Fail

2008-04-13T19:49:00.000-07:00

Melinda failed to decide what shoes to wear on Wednesday with her blue, flouncy dress. So she just went bare footed.

IF: Save

2008-04-06T21:05:00.001-07:00

Black handed Susan saved a small daisy in her book of pressed flowers.

Illustration Friday HOMAGE

2008-03-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

Homage to Spring.

Oh the rain, the rain the rain. Tonight the sky quietly grumbles. In a matter of days, everything turns the brilliant new green of spring. It does make me smile after a long winter.

New Shoes

2008-03-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

Don't you love to get new shoes? I am always so happy to get new shoes, and I start wearing them immediately. So today, I went around in these new shoes and jeans. :)

It rained like crazy today. I was out shopping without an umbrella...and got poured on.
I made some things tonight, but nothing I am particularly happy with. Maybe tomorrow, there will be something to show you. Hugs! Jen

2008-03-29T08:02:00.001-07:00

A painting I did last night. April showers bring May flowers.

ETSY!

2008-03-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce my new Etsy shop! There is only one thing in there at the moment, but its there! Take a look at Jennyrobin.etsy.com. (Yes my mother named me Jennifer Robin). Keep looking, I will be putting more canvases and paper paintings up.
Etsy is an awesome place!

Wow its March...and here she comes...out of her cave...yawn...

2008-03-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

I feel like a bear who came out of hibernation. y.a.w.n. My sincere apology to anyone who reads my blog regularly. (Unfortunatley, they could not have in the last few months). I went through a transition, and I am so glad that it is over, and now I have a new job. A full-time job is a necessary evil for me. This job, luckily will afford me much more time to do the things I love and I think it will show up here, in my blog. Today is probably going to have to be a studio cleaning day. Everything has been neglected and I feel terrible! I have had to make some decisions about my free time. I had been spending most of my free time freelancing graphic design jobs. I felt that it was swallowing up my creative time, and there was barely anything left. Now I am in a different position, much better in that perspective and I am very excited. I look forward to all the lovely people I will meet here, and all the great things of the future with a solid focus on living a creative life. I will be updating my links, music, books, images, so check everything, there are lots of wonderful things out there! Hi to all my friends, been missing you! Love to you.

Spring is Springing

A painting I am working on. (still in love with horses and creating images of horses)
(This one is on Etsy now!)

Time to clean up...she is a messy girl...blechhhh.

Grow Illustration Friday

2007-10-25T14:25:00.000-07:00

The busiest I have been yet! Grow, for Illustration Friday, just in time. :)

Painting

2007-10-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Painting is my favorite thing to do in the world. I am totally focused, there is nothing but me and the canvas and the brushes and colors. I totally zone in on it, and lose everything around me.

Illustration Friday Extremes

2007-10-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

She is a little extreme. I was having a nice time this weekend, painting...and she happened to fit.