pretty little color boxes

I just found this beautiful post: a re-imagining of a Photoshop desktop; on Drawn
It's one of those things you wish you'd had the genius to think of yourself.
All those teeny little pieces: the wee drawers alone have me going all squidgy. (at least I think they're tiny, I haven't looked through the 'making of' section yet.) And the color palette! I'm betting color aid was involved. Remember color aid?

This reminds me of the cool little exhibit at our local library this month. A collection of antique watercolor paint boxes! We are talking real vintage here (not 1970's) as in perhaps your grandparents used some of these when they were kids. I always get that warm fuzzy feeling when I come across a toy I once had loved but had since forgotten. And there in the display case I see a watercolor tin with a circus painting on the lid. Oh! MY! This probably wasn't the one I'd owned, as it was in really good shape, but nevertheless, warm fuzzies. If you live out this way, check it out at the library. Worth the visit.

Tomorrow Miriam & I head to the Print studio to get some more prints made: I think she's working on her zinc plates, and I'm trying out some drypoint on plexiglass for the first time. Still have to bevel the edges, but I might have access to a file there in the studio. If not, I'm bringing my linoleum as backup. My finger is still hurting from trying to scratch my image into the plate with an old carving tool. But I think that's more the fault of how I held onto it than anything else. Still. Ow.

meme (what does that mean again? I'm too tired to look it up.)

It's an internet meme, hereby letting you in on how really boring I can be! (except the names section. There, I shine.) Things are a bit out-of-date, as this was from two nights ago.

1. Five names you go by:

A. Kristin
B. Nitsirk
C. hey, kid
D. sweet enemy
E. Miss Petunia



2. Three things you are wearing right now:

A. carharts (a bit mucky from the garden)
B. Darn Tough socks
C. Fleece pullover


3. Two things you want very badly at the moment:

A. more daylight
B. chocolate

4. 3 People who will probably fill this out:

hah! Most of you will probably ignore this. It's okay, I still like you.


5. Two things you did last night:

A. Started reading Ptolemy's Gate.
B. Ate too much candy.

6. Two things you ate today:

A. Eggs
B. Pasta & tomatoes

7. Two people you last talked to on the phone:

A. Miriam
B. Rick


8. Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

A. Take the car in for oil & tires (just in time)
B. Work. (the irony being, Rick works for a Canadian-owned company, yet HE gets an American holiday off.)


9. Two longest car rides:

A. VT to Maine, by way of Canada for stupid reasons.
B. Does the bus count? If so: Atlanta, GA to Portland, ME.



10. Two of your favorite beverages:

A. Cider
B. Tea

from the archives

After voting early yesterday, I came home to attack the mess in my studio. Glad to report that it feels wonderful in here now, though there are a few big piles of STUFF outside my door, and if I don't act soon they'll just creep back in.

Re-arranging the boxes in the far back of the closet I found a box of mementos that I hadn't looked through in years. Though my mom was very conscientous about dating my creations* this gem escaped notation. I'm super-pleased with how I managed to show these ladies really dancing. Rick loves the 'all-around' teeth belonging to the lady on the right. Perhaps I'll do a painting based on this.



*and often writing descriptions. Which is a good thing, as I would never have assumed that a picture of a guy in front of a teepee with a sleigh off to the side was my letter to the Easter Rabbit. Wow, those childhood narratives!

decisions decisions

Ahhh... a beautiful fall weekend. After an idyllic day spent wandering around with friends, Rick and I returned home to have a quiet fall afternoon soaking in the remaining hours of sunlight. We've successfully ignored the piles of dishes, and I shall continue to ignore them on my day off tomorrow. Here's why:

It's late and I've just re-connected with an acquaintance from school, via Facebook. It was rather eye-opening in that it made me realize I've missed being in touch with the more contemporary art world, and that I need to seriously look over my goals as an artist.

Looking around my studio, (and how spoiled I am to have a room of my own!) I see how little of it is actually dedicated to making art for myself at the moment. Rather, it is full of random piles of detritus (that I threw in here when cleaning the house for our Horror Movie Night) not to mention several boxes of unpacked art from the last art show, and unpacked art materials from the last two events at the store!

I love the store, I always want to be involved in it, but I also need to go beyond my comfort zone and think about doing an artists' residency. I need to deflate my ego quite a bit and realize that everyone at the store can get along without me just fine for a week or two. (See why I've had a hard time actually even taking a vacation!)
More of my energy needs to be directed at my own growth, because I've got quite a bit of catching up to do when I look at my peers from school. At a show this summer, it was pointed out to me that even though I have a studio at home, I probably devote more time to housekeeping than studio work, and this is true. I haven't found a good balance yet, though I know some artists have achieved this.
The hungering I experienced upon reading about my former classmate's art experiences has me thinking that maybe it's something more than just a need to "keep up with the Joneses." I don't feel like I need to move to NYC, or to pander to the more ridiculous aspects of the art world. I DO think I need to break out of my usual routines and look both inward and outward, otherwise my senses will become dulled.

Hydra

After laying awake in bed last night for at least an hour, I finally thought up a few feasible Halloween costumes. From my Stik-Fas flower fairy (with her hammer of love, so named by a friend's daughter) (nixed because I'd have to buy shoes) to a rendering of one of my Monster Dresses (Robe de Globe Oculaire, for instance) (nixed because it would take far more time than I actually have) and finally to that snake-headed wonder, the Medusa.

If I was, again, endowed with more time, I could rig up an art-history-nerd-worthy costume of the Raft of the Medusa, but I'm not so I shan't.

Way back in my early days I watched "Clash of the Titans" on the TV at Grandmom's. That meant it was in full color, and it was loud. And I had horrible visions thereafter of the Medusa's head silhouetted against my bedroom window. This costume wins in two respects: I have plenty of old sheets to make a toga from, and I have a lot of paper-mache and plaster bandage.

The plaster bandage is currently curing on my head. It's cold, it's wet, and it's too late to have realized I'm wearing a shirt I didn't necessarily want to get plastery.

But Excelsior! There shall be a costume made!

now if I could just find the camera...

old gem of a link

Ooooh! I'm taking advantage of Arkonbey being asleep (recovering from 24 Hours of Comics day)and going through my old links list on his computer.

Check this out. Quite pretty, and in keeping with my most recent post, too!

The 24HCD event at the store went well. Around 2pm they forced me to go home, rightly so, and it's a gorgeous day so I'm happy to be here. In a few hours, perhaps I'll go to sleep. The t-shirts with the poster were printed by moi, in a crazy first attempt at 2-color silkscreening. What the hey was I thinking? Well, it kept me focused through the wee hours of the morning...

More birds

By request, I've been working on a few new pieces in the same vein as a previous "Circus bird" drawing. These aren't all that different from the original in terms of pose, so I'm going to take a break tonight and work on something else in order to come back to this with fresher eyes. It's been nice to work in pen & ink again, scritchy and unreliable as it is.

Stormtrooper seeking...

Hmmm. In order to keep the newest version of Firefox from overwhelming the poor miketop, I've been using Safari. This is the first time I'm using Blogger on Safari to do a post, so where the heck has my hyperlink option gone? They expect me to remember how to do html? They are insane!
So, I found this thing that you need to see (if you're a nerd like me and my friends,) and even though it's not delicately hyperlinked, I think you'll forgive me.

Enjoy!

http://flickr.com/photos/doctorbeef/sets/72157603716342376/detail/

(courtesy of Mightygirl.com)

Art Hoppin'

Alright, Burlington! I have finally partaken of the massive event that is the Art Hop. And it was good, largely thanks to the wonderful spot provided by Studio D-3 (Marie Davis, Ginny O'Reilly and Carol Norton.)
The mini heat-wave on Friday had everyone out and about, including the UVM students, for whom this was their first full weekend. I saw quite a few folks with skateboards in hand, and were I so athletic, that's totally the way I would transport myself about for such an event. There were so many venues that I wanted to see, and so little time to run out and see them.
The Mister was kind enough to relieve me for a bit Saturday afternoon, so I could do just that. I also made him bring me food, since I'd survived on one donut and lots of water since 10am. (Not that I couldn't have foraged for myself, but I didn't want to miss anything.) Fortunately I ran into Miriam on the way out, so we went up the street to see her great paintings at the Soda Plant (at Alderson Inc./Jordan Silverman Photography.) We also saw Adam Marsano's wood structures at Recycle North's Building materials site, and stuck our heads in at a few other venues on the way back to my spot. We got there in time to start winding down, which, thanks to Mom & The Mister, went smoothly.

I know I always say this, but Thank You, and I really mean it, for coming out to see me art Art Hop!

Next up, odd things (and good things) overheard at Art Hop.

All in all, a wonderful lead-up to my Birthday!

TWO POSTS in one day? Never!

I just realized the two or so of you readers out there never got to hear my story all about how I made money on the commuter train! It was quick, painless, and I would have only charged the guy five bucks if anything at all, but he was so happy, he gave me a twenty.


Thus ends my sad attempt at innuendo.
So there we were, just settling ourselves into our seats on the Grafton-bound commuter train Sunday evening, and I chose to sit facing Rick, since we were on the seats by the door where you can do that. A couple with two little kids sat down, the mom holding her baby girl sat next to Rick along with her son, and the dad next to me with the carriage. I was pretty absorbed trying to sketch Rick (and it was actually sort of looking like him, too) so I never even noticed the dad leaning over and complimenting what I was doing. Rick had to pretty much kick me. Anyways, he asked if I'd take a commission, drawing his wife (now holding the little guy, who'd fallen fast asleep) So I did my best, and dang if I didn't actually get some sort of a resemblance, and even managed to finish up just as we pulled into their station. He was happy enough with it (or at least the experience & novelty) to give me a twenty when he shook my hand, and I was more than happy to have been given the challenge.

It made Rick's day too. He even posted about it before I ever did.

so very busy

Time again to dust off the ol' blog:

I just got back from the info meeting at Seaba for the Art Hop. Barely two weeks to go, and with all the crazy framing going on at the store, I have to make sure I don't forget to order the last few frames I, myself, need! Debating also whether I have time to design a button to hand out (or sell) at Art Hop, among other venues. Got the link from Arkonbey-- Busy Beaver Buttons. ($35 bucks for 100 1" buttons, how cool is that?) The Art Hop "Juried Show" will be on display for the month of September, we'll see if I got into the "juror's choice" section. Either way, Housemates (Filbert & Darius) will be on display there. Our favorite piece that we saw there at drop-off was one of John Brickels' ROBOTS. Oh, when we win the lottery...

With all the rain, and the long hours at work, we've only been able to do house-stuff here and there. Our garden is this vast forgotten tangle of greenery, but there appear to be several tomatoes, but I dare not jinx myself by describing the rest of the produce before harvest-time! See, I have learned from last year.

Spent Sunday down at the BCA Print studio with Miriam, and we had a good time messing about--first trying to remember how to print from Pronto Plates, then giving up after a few attempts. (something to do with the ink, we'll know more for next time.) Then she did some really nice two-color prints from some older zinc plates, and I followed some old class notes on the "Joe Zurker method" of monoprinting. My pile of experiments produced about two or three good prints. Two of them, 'ghost' prints, have been much improved by colored pencil.

I've started a few tiny paintings in addition to the prints, so it's time to sign off and work on those.

a year of the hitching

So today marks the 'summer anniversary' of the Mister and me. One year of legal attachment, plus many more of the quasi-common-law variety before that. We shall celebrate tonight with a movie and probably a few cosmos.

Despite the slightly musty smell that has been pervading the house during our VT monsoon, things are great. We managed two mini-vacations, the most recent of which involved lots of swimming and even more eating. And the delightful rediscovery of how fabulous it feels to dig your feet into sand.

I mean really fabulous. It was foot therapy.

With the Mister's advice, I believe I'll be entering "Housemates" for the juried show at Art Hop. It'll be interesting to see if it gets in or not.
This weekend I'm hoping to try out the print shop at BCA with Miriam. We're going to test our pronto plates that we've been drawing on. With luck, some of them will work and we'll both have more stuff for sale at the Art Hop! Plus I'll have a few new little paintings that I started while Karen was here the weekend before (thanks Karen!)

See you all at the Art Hop: September 5th & 6th.

blessing

"May truth be spoken between you and me, and may all we do seek justice."

--Mimnermos, 6th century, BCE
From Dances for Flute and Thunder, poems from the Ancient Greek, translated by Brooks Haxton

I found this written in a sketchbook I had taken along while house-sitting way back when. It's a pretty good sentiment for our time.


Meanwhile, I've started a few more tiny paintings, and work on "Frog In the Forest" and "Housemates (Darius & Filbert)" continues slowly.
Also picked up the canvas reproductions of "Hatching Ground I" and "Creature & Healer" when we went through Brandon this weekend. They look fabulous but I haven't figured out a pricing structure yet. And Art Hop is right around the corner, so just a wee bit of pressure to get everything wrapped up.
The aquarium in Boston was fabulous (though crowded) and I got some great pictures courtesy of Spike. Thanks Spike!
Next post will be about how I made $20 on the train back. Innuendo!

wet grass warm fruit

So our strawberries started off with a bang but kind of fizzled a few days ago. Next time around, now that I've done some reading, I'll be putting straw under them when they're flowering, because it was just sad how they got bogged down and slugified without such protection. Who knew? They're called strawberries for a real reason.

The raspberries and wild blackberries, however, are doing fine and dandy. Rick met me out front on my return home last night with a jar full of still-warm berries. Now the agonizing decision is whether we freeze them or can them. Or just keep eating them. Because it sure would be nice to enjoy them later this winter, and I had hinted that I was going to try to give jam for gifts...

Tonight I'm playing hooky from real studio work. I stayed late at work so had to recuperate by putting my tired tired feets up, and dosing myself with lots of chocolate and raspberries. And Pratchett. But tomorow is an art "business day" so it all balances.

I'll be in the car for awhile, but I'm looking forward to it because I'm on the last disc of Steinbeck's "Travels with Charley" and then it's on to Maya Angelou's "A Song Flung up to Heaven," which I haven't heard before. Anytime I get to hear her voice, I certainly love it. What a woman! What a life!

Maybe something a bit happier

How about something a bit more cheerful this week?
We've been visited by a crazy selection of birds lately: hawks, new chickadees, goldfinch pairs, something that goes "brap" at me and might be a nuthatch, and today two broods of turkeys with their moms. And I'm still hearing the hermit thrush on quiet evenings. A most fantastic sound that I am in love with.

Tonight however, the music in the studio is drowning out most of that. I'm creeping closer to the finish line on "Frog in the Forest" after staring at it perplexed for way too long.
Another piece I've gotten myself into is Frog related again, but that's being done as a trade so I won't post it until it's in the recipient's hands. And it's going well enough I may get it professionally scanned.

Our 4th was excellent, by the way. We had AndreZero & Carol over, and there was much eating and drinking. As usual! I couldn't have asked for better weather--it's really been amazing up here.

Listening to while posting: Four Ton Mantis by Amon Tobin
(and thank you, auto-save function)

Yikes

This afternoon was quite unsettling: there was a there was an car + telephone pole accident at the bottom of our hill, and I heard the impact all the way up here, though I didn't realize quite what it was at first: I thought maybe it was coming from the firing range. It was terrifying when i realized it was coming from much closer: a horrid flattening thump, followed by squealing wheels. And of course I knew the Mister was on his way back at about the same time, being driven by our friend after a day of digging post-holes. Thankfully, they had gone to run one last errand before coming back here, so they were nowhere near the accident. The car had impacted so hard that the pole was cracked almost in two. Word is that the driver was the only one in the car, and that he made it to the hospital.
Mister got home fine, but by way of being dropped off and taking the shortcut trail, as our road was blocked off for the rest of the afternoon. Our friend had to go all the way to Cambridge before he could make his own way back home.


So please, drive without distraction.

Open

Yet another image-free post!
Pro: quicker load time!
Con: you have to read. A lot.

But don't worry, there will be some images soon. The Mister was taking pictures throughout the opening last night, but with his two film cameras: the 35mm and the medium format. Now that we have our fancy-pants scanner, we can scan the 35mm negatives once we get them developed.

We made it down to Bennington in really good time, especially considering we made a stop in Brandon to talk with Studio 7 North to talk with Dorothy & Edward Loedding about fine art printing. I'm really pleased to be working with these two: they are friendly, they do print-on-demand, and came highly recommended. Currently they have three of my smaller pieces, and I'll be going back down soon for the editing & proofing.

Once we arrived in Bennington, we were so early that Renee hadn't opened the doors yet. By the time we'd done a walk around the block to stretch our legs, the gallery was open (and the bathroom was available. Did I mention it's 3 hours one-way?)
Renee did a great job setting up the show: it's a fairly narrow one-room gallery in the old "Stark Hose" firehouse, with a beautiful red garage door for the front entry. Quite a few people showed up, I got to meet a few of the other artists, and my "Amsterdam Flyer" painting was purchased by a nice fellow named Al. The Mister and I got to talking quite a bit with sculptor Greg Singer and his girlfriend, both of whom have been to the Vermont Studio Center. That's how Renee got to know them, if I remember correctly. Afterwards, the four of us followed Renee to the excellent brewpub across the street and revived ourselves on their awesome soups and brews. I don't remember the name of the place, but if you find yourself there, try their raspberry wheat. Delicious.

Our trip back home was long and, well, long. Thankfully, The Mister drove us (both ways!) with no incident, despite the torrential rain and dense fog for the first two hours of our drive home. We were so glad to sleep in this morning!

Now it's back to work on the current batch of paintings: Art Hop registration finally opened, and I have to get things finished soon if I want them properly scanned. Also I'm working on a piece for BO of Eat More Kale as a possible trade.

oh me oh my

It's very funny seeing a segment of one's artist statement in print. Sometimes funny in a "ha-ha, ohhhh.....dear..." manner. I shall vow to write up something more suited for the media next time.
Still, my "Robe de Globe Oculaire" image got into the print version of the Bennington Banner, along with this article about the show.
There are at least five other artists who are in this show: Gregory Singer, Candace Frye, Alfred Perry, Matthew Perry, and dug nap. Susan Ashley was originally listed on the VAX site listing, but I'm not sure if she's still in the show. Either way, I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at the opening this Saturday.

Now to find a place to stay the night (it's a loooong drive.)

well, a few more...

Shhh...
Rick's still working in the "dark room" with the lightbox, so here's a few more pieces. These are from the "Mode de Monstre" series, mostly. I'm framing them up tomorrow, to bring down to Bennington (Sunday, hopefully. I guess I should call the organzier...)

City Wear
Walnut ink, watercolor, colored pencil
4"x 6"Gothic Reader
Walnut ink, watercolor, colored pencil
4" x 6"
Amsterdam Flyer
Walnut ink, watercolor, colored pencil
4"x 6"
Okay, it's really time to go back to realspace now.
Ciao!

Paintings in progress

Here's a few pieces that have been in progress for awhile:
The Kitchen Table:
Colored pencil & acrylic on watercolor canvas; 11"x 11"
Frog in the Forest:
Acrylic on canvas; 16"x 24" (if I remember right)
A quick study of a different frog face for Frog in the Forest. I missed using pen & ink, though perhaps cold press w/c paper wasn't the best choice for my poor pen nib.
Walnut ink, colored pencil, india ink; 4"x 6"

I'm also itching to get some more underwater pieces started. The squid & submarine hasn't moved past the sketchbook, much to Rick's exasperation. Our trip to the Boston aquarium next month should get me moving on that one.
I also have to work on our anniversary cards. Continuing our 'poster' idea, this one will take off from a pulp science fiction magazine from the 40's. That'll be a new style altogether for me, and a tight deadline to boot.
Time to give Rick back his computer & get back into the studio.

Small Picture Show

Vermont Arts Exchange in Bennington will be having an opening June 28th, from 6-8 p.m. I will be showing in the Small Picture show.
This will be my first visit to Bennington in quite some time, hopefully the Mister and I can poke around town a bit beforehand. (Any suggestions for bookshops, etc. are always welcomed.)

The sign-ups for the Burlington Art Hop haven't opened up yet, but I'm champing at the bit!

Before I fill up every weekend between now and then, I'm still hoping I can make it down to the Boston Aquarium. If we have enough time, perhaps the Boston galleries & shops will be on the itinerary as well. So much to see...

What's next

Thanks again to all of you who stopped in and said hello this weekend. I really appreciated your visits and conversations! To those who couldn't make it, there will be more events later this year, and you can always check out the portfolio link to your right if you want to see finished work.

The combination of talking and painting (and eating SO many cookies) all weekend has finally taken it's toll, though I did have enough energy left to plant some neglected flower bulbs and squash seeds when I got home.

Next on the calendar: I've been invited to bring a few pieces down to Bennington's Vermont Arts Exchange to be part of a small group show. That invite was courtesy of a fellow MECA alum, Renee Bouchard, who is currently in residency there.

Also I'll be participating for the first time at the Art Hop in Burlington. The artists who shared their studios with me in December for the Holiday Sale have invited me to use one of the hallway spaces, "the fair weather gallery," as one of them called it.
That event runs September 5th & 6th, I'll know more once registration begins.

Until then, I'm going to look into having prints made of certain paintings, writing my artists' statement, gardening, and trying out the screen printing kit I bought for Rick (he doesn't mind, isn't he great?)
Though I have a feeling the screen printing kit will get the most attention at first.

VT Open Studio Weekend

Not too much painting has been going on the last few days, as I've been busy getting ready for the VT Open Studio tour happening this weekend.
Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th, from 10-5 both days, you'll find me at Artists' Mediums in Williston along with my four other co-workers. Each of us will have some works in progress (and it's such a nice change to be able to sit and paint at work!) as well as finished works on display.

If you made it to my one day 'show' at the Pine Street Studios holiday art sale back in December, then you'll recognize a good number of the pieces. But if you're in the area anyways and want to see what I'm currently working on, please stop by! You'll also get to see Michelle's 'magna-monsters,' Mary's gigantic paintings, Chelsea's tree & field pieces and Laura's wearable art.

We'll probably have some light snacks if that's any incentive!

A rainy yet bright weekend.

Today's demonstration for the store went well, and lots of my favorite customers stopped in for a bit of shopping & good chat. Now I'm home and must publicly thank the mister for all the stuff he did today (far more than I usually do on my days off...) he vacuumed and straightened the living room, he did dishes, AND homemade mac & cheese was ready EXACTLY as I walked in, I kid you not, the buzzer went off as I opened the door. I am a grateful girl.

So I'm well fed, feeling good, free of headache (at last!) and ready to do some painting. There are two pieces I haven't even set to canvas yet, and I have a month and a half before the Open Studio Tour.
Nothing like a good deadline...

And perhaps tomorrow, if his weekly challenge project is going well, the mister will be helping me complete more of the on-line portfolio. Well, aren't I just linking like mad?

lag time

Ugg.... it's been a not-so-productive week, but I've been sketching here and there. Mostly sitting huddled in front of the tv not feeling so grand. At least I've got Farscape to keep me company, thank you Andre & Carol! The Jim Henson workshop creatures are of course very inspiring. Also I found Claire Nouvian's "The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss" at the library. Have I yet mentioned how lucky we are to have at two fabulous libraries to choose from? So, I haven't been putting out (har har) but I've been taking in.

Perhaps there will be a good sketch to post by Sunday.

Darius & Filbert

Having gotten up with Arkonbey this morning, I was able to do a fair amount of painting today, and it's only 3pm. This is one of those rare pieces, perhaps the first since MECA, where I've had to use perspective lines & vanishing points. Despite this, the wall-hanging is still misbehaving. Once the pattern is blocked in a bit more it will show the forced perspective, but that bottom edge is driving me nuts.

For Cleo

Just a short while before Easter I mentioned to my friend that I had "fallen victim to a fresh sticky bun the size of a baby's head." (It was absolutely delicious, for the record.)
She said how that put her in mind of a bun coming after me with "at least fangs, possibly brass knuckles, maybe even a knife. Those cinnamon buns are a hot tempered bunch."

So here are a few sketches for her. I can't decide which to go with, so if she has a preference, that'll be the one.

(click on image to view larger, of course)


I am particularly enjoying the gold bling walnuts on the fully-decked out bun here on the bottom.

Still a frog. In the forest.

This latest sketch was fun, but working in color shows just how much I really have to consider about the value range. (As to the dead-centered red mushroom cap, well, it's just a test. There is more to the picture than shown.) Also, I think I'm going to show more underside of the mushroom umbrella. The piece which started this whole ball rolling was all about the underside, not the top. I'm happy with those sunbeams though.

more of frog in the forest!

Tonight, I'm resting my achy self, and the tv came through beautifully: I got to watch Great Perfomances' Peter & the Wolf stop-motion animation. Fantastic!

Following are some sketches from Wednesday & Thursday. I'm starting to get a bit better at trees. Real trees have So! Many! Branches! But I'm loving my simple little #2 pencil, it has worked it's little heart out. All the fancy pencils are grumbling in disgust.

what, it's spring already? Been hibernating...

Starting the morning off at 18 deg.F, this afternoon's 30 deg.F feels positively balmy. Maybe it's really warmer than that. Either way, there are small signs of spring, including robins all over the place, and a flock of geese headed back north today.

Here's some sketchbook stuff from the last few weeks:

1.) Our giant housemates, Darius & Filbert, in a quick sketch for a painting I want to do, and a reference photo from today.


2.) Going through a sketchbook from last year and drawing on one of the painted-over pages inspired this next series of sketches (I plan on doing this one fairly big which will be a challenge for me... so many trees!)


3.) A late-night sketch of our dining room (from memory as I was on the couch.) I liked how it turned out so I took the walnut ink to it, and now I like it even more.


4.) Last but not least: This is the oldest page of sketches, done while house-sitting for Mom. The colors are a bit overworked, but there are some good parts. Colored pencil & walnut ink. Done while on the phone and/or watching tv so I was sort of paying attention re: accuracy.