Acrylic Dreams...

Obviously this is from a while back.  It is approximately 3" x 3.5", watercolor and ink. The Flemish style of painting is one of my favorites, and what better way to study it than to copy a master?

Currently I am learning to use acrylics. Other than the finger painting days of kindergarten, I've never used them.  (That was acrylic, wasn't it?) They follow me to bed and infiltrate my dreams.  I even had a dream where someone was showing me some techniques.  Sometimes I cannot fall asleep as the colors and images dance around energetically, willing me to get back up and put them down on canvas.  Not such a bad thing, I think.    

Rex, An American Bulldog

Meet Rex. My sister's American Bulldog. 87+ lbs...depending on how good we've been at restricting his diet. In June of 2012, my sister was preparing to move back to the mainland US from St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Airlines won't accept some breeds due to their shorter snouts and breathing problems...American bulldogs being one of those breeds. When several of her friends got together to charter a plane for their animals, she knew she had to have him on it. And since she wasn't actually ready to move back yet, my husband and I drove from Texas to Fort Lauderdale, FL to pick him up and drive him back to Texas. We took care of him for a month. I have done many, many drawing of Rex. You might think that all he does is sleep, but that would actually just be the best time to sketch him. If he knows I'm looking at him, he comes to me wanting to be petted.

I love how regal he looks when he crosses his legs.

Was so disappointed when I went off the page, lower left.

Was planning a larger painting, with the quote, "let sleeping dogs lie."

What a great face for drawing!

He moved while I was still sketching.

The only one done from a photo.  Photo taken in Ft Lauderdale, the day we picked him up.

It never occurred to me that I would like this breed. But I LOVE Rex. He is the most awesome dog ever. I know I'm biased. I have had several dogs in my life, great ones even. But I have never had a dog with a sense of humor. Rex is a clown. He loves to make me laugh. You know how dogs will chew themselves...just with the front of their teeth? He does that to me and it tickles. When I laugh, he does it even more. It's like his version of the tickle monster. And then we end up wrestling around. So meet Rex. You'll probably be seeing a lot of him here.

PS  I also updated with my latest addition to the sketchbook Dan and I are sharing.  See the addition at http://2-n-fro.blogspot.com/ .

Regarding Google+

Eh...I finally caved and joined the ranks of Google+ after avoiding it for forever, not wanting to get involved in one more internet thing that would steal time from art.  Though I've not spent any time yet trying to figure it out, I did add people to my circles, to the point that I reached my limit for the day already.  Whether this was a good decision remains to be seen, but so far I am overwhelmed as the page scrolls and scrolls and scrolls and is filled with some things that I have no interest in whatsoever.  As I type this, JayZ fills several sections.  JayZ?  I could care less about him!  Dwell...yes, that one is great! I really only expected information on posts from the people I connected with.  Perhaps you have some opinions on this?  Should I run?  Is it a colossal time sponge? ...or does it really make it easier to keep up with friends?

Over the years, my online friends and I have had many conversations about finding time for art.  I have a new one for you.  When my husband and I moved to this apartment in October, we put off getting cable since we spend more time online than watching television.  One week turned into two, into three.  I DO NOT MISS IT--AT ALL!  And the best part of it all...I have so much more time for making art!  I have decided that I will not be going back.  No cable. No television.  Life is so much better!  It is a time sponge!  Sucks the life right out of life!

So with all of that said...I think I should probably post some art, since that is my blog's purpose after all!  How about some Burbs!  Love this movie so much...it is difficult for me to hit pause.  I stopped working in this sketchbook for now due to a boredom which slowly crept in.  I like the idea of drawing from movies when that is all you can get to at the time.  I only have a few more spreads that I haven't posted yet.  Maybe one day I'll start this one back up...but I am hoping that I find so much more inspiration in other things that it will not be necessary! 

Looking Forward

This past year was not what I would consider a great one, or even a good one for that matter.  But instead of looking at all the things that didn't go my way, I would rather look at all the things for which I am grateful.

I am thankful that my sister was offered a job in Boise, giving my husband and I an excuse to move back now instead of later.  I am thankful to be back in Boise, where I get to experience four seasons, a 25+ mile greenbelt that runs along the river thru town, and a summer which is still hot, but not humid. I am thankful to be living in the same town as my sister, which I've not had in so many years.  She is literally just a mile from me now!  I am thankful for the trips that my husband and I made into Montana and northern Idaho this past year, which are both so incredibly beautiful!  And I am thankful for all of my online friends who happily welcomed me back!

I am feeling very good about 2014 and have high hopes that everything will start coming together and running smoothly again.  I want to focus again on my art.  I want to do larger paintings, real painting, not in my sketchbook.  I want to SELL my work.  I want to start an Urban Sketchers group (which I'm already working on) and keep up with my blog and my art friends online. And I want to buy a house.  That doesn't seem too unreasonable. I think that is all achievable.

I've attached maps for this post, since it seems appropriate with my looking at where I've been this year and mapping out the next year. The first one I did was Skull Island.  It is not based on any real place, just made a blob on the paper and went with it.  Liked the way it turned out so I did the other three.  The Idaho map was put on the first page of this sketchbook, since I had left it blank, and was a good way to mark a new beginning.

Best wishes to all of my readers for 2014!

Maybe it's time for some blog CPR?

I can hardly believe so much time has passed.  I mean, really, a year and a half?  Well, a lot has been happening around here.  I finally made the move back to Boise, ID.  Since that move, I've moved two more times.  Our lease is up in April and we hope to have a house by then...so one more time?

Before my absence I had been struggling with getting scans that didn't make me want to throw my hands up and scream.  They would look too gray, or if I turned up the contrast or brightness, it became garish.  It was depressing. I wanted you to see how they really appear in my sketchbook, because, well, I was proud of them. I've been working on that and I think I've improved things a bit.  I've replaced some of the pics in previous posts.  I think they look somewhat better, though I know there are still problems and they still don't look as good as what I have in my sketchbook.  But now it isn't depressing because I think it is close enough.

One thing that I did not stop doing during my long absence was drawing and painting.  I have so much piled up around me that I hardly know where to even start.  So, I think I'll start with more from that movie sketchbook (from 2011-2012) and just start trying to catch up chronologically.
I'll start with some Christmas movies...because I love Christmas and I'm sad that it is gone.

Home Alone II   ...I'm an adult and this one still makes me laugh until I cry. 

 And Santa Clause 3:

  

And finally, A Christmas Story:

By the way...any readers out there that are in Boise, ID, I'm working on getting an Urban Sketchers group together.  If you're interested, email me.

This batch is all pencil and watercolor in a HandBook travelogue sketchbook.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have a wonderful New Year's!

  

Another movie spread and a couple of experiments

 My family loved the movie 'Foul Play' when I was young.  In fact, it was a favorite 'go-to' every time we had a nasty thunderstorm.  In this part of Texas that was frequent.  Not so much these days with the drought though.

I'm not sure why, but showing my experiments always makes me feel more vulnerable.  But here goes anyway!  This is drawn from a photo of my cousin's grandmother.  It was a black and white photo and she had her daughters standing behind her.  I exaggerated some proportions and the color of the dress is completely 'artistic license'.  It is done in charcoal with watercolor and white gouache on a toned background.  I need to add some highlights to her face since forgot to save them when I added the watercolor.   I do like this piece, with the exception of that light blob at the top right that wouldn't take any more color.  I probably was holding it down with an oily thumb or something.  It was done in my 9x12 aquabee sketchbook. 

This was completely unplanned.  I had my desktop easel out and a page I had torn out of my aquabee sketchbook to do some gouache testing on.  I turned it over and had been doodling different things in pencil.  As I shut down my computer for the night, I felt unsatisfied because I hadn't done enough 'real' sketching.  I picked up my pencil, held it at the back end, extended my arm out and drew this imaginary guy right on top of all that doodling, most of which isn't even noticeable here.  You can see that same quote running vertically through the guy on the right side...just barely.  The vertical lines through his cheek were part of one of the doodles.    Then I started adding watercolor as sloppily as I could manage.  On purpose...sloppy.  And I liked it.  His face may seem a little out of perspective, but I can live with that given the technique used.  He does actually have color on his forehead which my scanner didn't pick up...or maybe my computer screen doesn't?

I seem to be at a crossroad, not sure where to go next.  In a way I really crave to be working with oils.  But at the moment it doesn't seem like a good idea to spend a bunch of money on new supplies, especially since I'm currently limited on space.  I liked using the charcoal and gouache with the watercolor and maybe I'll try more of that.  I think what I need is a good exciting subject.  Or maybe an art buddy.  My sister will be staying with us for a while when she returns to the US.  She'd make a perfect model.   I wonder how willing she would be to sit still for me.  Can't wait for her to get here!

Hope you're all doing well and staying creative! 

UPDATE: I haven't been liking my scans lately so I'm trying something different.  The pictures on this post have been replaced with scans that I believe look a little better.

A Dedicated Movie Sketchbook

I did so many movie spreads at the end of my three-ring sketchbook that I decided to dedicate my next sketchbook entirely to movies. What I hadn't anticipated was the puttering out of my enthusiasm for the subject about halfway through the book! So, it sits there, waiting for me to renew my energy for it. Anyway, this is the first page. I didn't have a two-page spread to work with here, and being unaccustomed to the limited vertical space, I chose a simple scene from the movie and left it at that.

There was some amazing typography in this movie! And some amazing scenes! It was difficult to decide where to pause on this one; I wanted to choose them all. I think I've said it before though, Jackie Chan is not an easy character to freeze--he is always a blur! I don't practice landscapes as often as I should, but I did enjoy doing this one. In fact, I could do page after page of this movie's landscapes/ cityscapes!

Still adjusting to the format of this sketchbook, I started cramming characters in willy-nilly. It got easier as the pages turned, but still, I think I prefer the portrait format. My hand/arm seems to need the freedom in my vertical movements. I lost a lot of the likenesses that were there in the sketches when I added the watercolor, but I was still happy with this page. I've since added some background color to help unite the characters, but sorry, I'm too lazy to rescan, readjust, etc, etc. Laziness in scanning is one of the biggest obstacles to my posting more frequently. There, I said it! I'm lazy! (I'm trying to overcome though!)

 UPDATE: Dec 30, 2013 I haven't been liking my scans lately so I'm trying something different.  The pictures on this post have been replaced with scans that I believe look a little better.

The Last of the 3-ring Sketchbook

So again, the scans are very pale even though I adjusted contrast and thought I had it comparable to the originals...but it isn't even close. If I adjust more, things start looking harsh so I'm just going to leave them like this. The exception is the the desert scene on the bottom left of this first page, which I never went back and finished and is, in fact, quite pale.
I love this page except for one glaring detail that has bugged me every time I open to this page. I love that cryptex box, and only after I painted it did I realize the perspective on the left side was way off. I tried to adjust a little without destroying it completely.
Okay, this movie might be a little cheesy...but for some reason I like to watch it. Unfortunately I had a difficult time finding places to stop the movie to sketch. Thank goodness it was the last page and therefore not a double spread!

I hope you've found time for some creativity in your life today!

Four more from the 3-ring sketchbook

By this time I was really beginning to enjoy this sketchbook. It was getting near the end but I wanted it to last to the end of the month, so I kept adding pages. I wish it would have held another month so I could have begun the new year with a new sketchbook, but it was getting tight!




What I really like about sketching from movies (and yes, I do sometimes hit pause!), is that it doesn't require me to 'think' much. There are some movies which aren't as easy or interesting to sketch from...for instance, Jackie Chan movies. He is usually moving so fast that he is a blur almost every time I hit pause! Some movies are too dark. Some don't have interesting artifacts to sketch and all I end up with are people. One thing I don't worry too much about is getting likenesses. If I get it, great, if not, move on. Luckily I have a huge collection to choose from! I just don't want to lose the sketching or painting skills that I've built up. So this is practice without worrying about what, when, or where to sketch. It helps during stressful times.

3-ring sketchbook pages

When life gets chaotic and the opportunities or inclinations to go out and sketch about town are limited, I always resort to sketching favorite movies or youtube videos...especially if my creativity is running low. I've done a WHOLE lot of that in the last six to eight months. So much so that I could probably post something everyday for the rest of the year and still have images left over. I'm not going to do that because one, it allows me to hide the worst of the worst; and two, I want to eventually catch up and show you more current stuff. There was a noticeable improvement as I went along that I hope you will see too. Though, it is difficult sometimes with a scanner that just doesn't pick up certain colors. I've tried making adjustments in Corel, but the originals look so much better. Ah well, maybe that's an excuse to get a new scanner/printer?

The first spread is one I did while watching 'The Pyramid Code' on YouTube. Done directly in ink, so I'm happy with how it turned out. I love any documentary on Egypt or archaeology!

This was actually done from an article on The Daily Mail (UK). Again it is archaeology...so of course I had to do this page. The blue boxes which appear on these pages are just personal writings which are...you know, personal!

This page represents the beginning of a very long string of drawing/painting from movies. Seriously, I did almost one movie every night. Sometimes taking two nights if I've been busy. There are all kinds of shadows in that pipe which I couldn't, for the life of me, get to show up here.
I forgot to hit pause after the first sketch in order to do more sketches on part one...so I popped in part two and did a double feature. Had to get up and walk around for a while after that...too much sitting!

I'm so tempted to throw them all up here at once. Maybe when I catch up, I'll put one of these up next to one of the more current ones so you can see how much I improved on these. I love seeing that!

International Quilt Festival in Houston 2011

I recently attended the International Quilt Festival in Houston for the second year in a row. Not that I have even the remotest interest in quilting, but because I go to meet up with Shirley and any other acquaintances from blogland that attend. This year I also met Melanie Testa, Ricë Freeman-Zachery, and Jane LaFazio. I also made new friends: Roz (not Stendahl, but I somehow didn't get her card so I don't have a link!), Cheryl Sleboda and Judy Coates Perez. I loved being around so many creative people!

Our first stop was the vendor section. I began perusing all the gadgetry and baubles and knickknacky-type stuff so popular with mixed-media artists. I was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of it and by the crowd of people around me. And then I learned a big lesson from Shirley. I glanced over to where I had seen her last and there she was, already sketching. She had pulled this old lock out of a basket and wasted no time getting down to business. So I joined her. I added the paint and the border later at home.

It is quickly becoming a tradition with us to head over to the art-dolls for some sketching time. The above doll is called "Allergic to Dogs" and is by Neva Waldt. It was among the most popular of the exhibit. And as I stood in front of this one sketching, getting jostled about by others trying to get a better look, I felt a bit of annoyance with me for taking the best viewing spot. I stood my ground though, sketched quickly, so I could get out of the way.

I was worried about adding the paint to this. I've been working in a giant sketchbook with drawing paper in it which turns everything grayish. I was beginning to believe that I had forgotten how to paint with cleaner colors. But all fears were laid to rest with this. Though the scanner hardly does any justice to it at all, the colors are rich. I'm very happy with this one; I wish you could see it in person!

This was another very popular doll. Everyone's first response was to laugh, and then lean in to appreciate the wonderful face, which is made of cloth by the way. I sketched this one from a photo. It was only when I started writing in the information on the page that I realized it was also by Neva Waldt. This one is titled 'Myrtle Hits the Beach'. Isn't that t-shirt she's wearing a riot? I've seen them around and wondered who would wear such a thing, but somehow it seems perfect for her. I went back through my photos and realized that of the five taken of the dolls, three of them were from this artist. What talent!
I'm really disliking my scanner. I had to go in and darken the blue background and the gray of her hair just to get the colors to show. I liked it better before, but I'm still happy enough. I'm thinking about making the background darker so she pops out better. Think I should do it?

This one was done in that big sketchbook that turns everything gray. I never intended it to be the sketch of this doll that I post, but liked the way she turned out. It is called "Fine Feathered Friends" and is by Nancie Roach. The doll had such a pretty face!

And here we are! I think if I smiled any harder my cheeks would burst! I had such a great time, I hope even more of you can make it next year!

Breaking through the dry spell...

Remember this bust? I got her in January 2010 and I'm just now getting around to sketching her. I've not been sketching much at all lately--there is always something else that needs my attention, like cleaning or cooking dinner. I know it is nothing but procrastination, but unfortunately, it wins sometimes. No, I'm not proud of that fact, but there it is. Anyway, today was beautiful, in the eighties, sunny. I don't enjoy Texas summers much, so I figured I needed to spend as much time outside as possible before it gets here. I mean, eighties!!... in February!? Since the backyard is in that ugly stage it gets after dealing with a week of hard freezes, I picked the Diana bust off my desk to draw and carried all my supplies outside. This is modified contour in my Lamy Safari fountain pen with watercolor added. Limited palette of cadmium orange and pthalo blue. The colors on the scan aren't quite right, the background being more of a greenish blue.
One thing happened on this sketch that you wouldn't think would make me happy...but did. It has been a long time since I've really gotten into a sketch so much that the outside world fades away. If you look closely at her chin, you'll see a little 'blip' in the ink line. My husband had come through the back door, crossed about twenty feet of the back deck (wood, never quiet!), paused a sec, and then spoke. The noises had barely registered in my brain, so it startled me! Seems strange, perhaps, to be happy about something like that!?


I did this one yesterday and it is fairly obvious that I hadn't been sketching much. I did it for Julia Kay's portrait party. This is "Stacey" of staceysketches on flickr. Again, the scanner didn't quite get the colors right...the background is more of an orange color than pink. I wasn't happy with the results, but considering how rusty I was when I did it, I'll be thankful for what I managed!

This evening we went to Baytown and met up with my first cousin, once removed, who I hadn't seen 1986. I took my sketchbook, intending to draw in the restaurant (there were five of us, total, so the focus wouldn't just be on me). The thing is, I was too embarrassed to do it. It is easier for me to sit alone and sketch in public. If I'm with family, it somehow feels like I'm showing off. Do you sometimes get that? I read so many blogs where the artists do this all the time. Am I just being insecure?