2:30 pm.
I am procrastinating on the transcripts. R is working on his reading lists for the last two years. He is definitely getting a credit for literature. I have done a bunch of AFF work between assigning him tasks. This transcript writing is tough work! I am using the model Jean put on her blog. Wish us luck.
4:30 pm
Getting ready to take E to swimming lessons. I have this to peruse, between watching and occasionally waving to the Girl, going over literature with the boy, and encouraging him to watch the Girl for swimming techniques he can coach her on this week. There is also another Mama there who visits a bit with me as well. It can be warm, but it is also enjoyable.
6:00 pm While R was waiting for E in side, I got the air conditioning going while I touched base with the Dude by phone, as he is away tonight.
6:30 pm Stopped at a fast food place, even though I said I wouldn't. Tasted good and made life easier.
9:00 pm Neighbor Girls heading home, R is cleaning up a nasty hairball incident, and then we are gonna head into the studio for an hour or so. The kids can paint papers for me while I tidy up, and then we will experiment with my new adirondak dabbers, and various spray inks. I have become addicted to these two products (I will let you find those for yourself at Joggles.) I have samples to make! And kids are great assistants in the studio. They inspire me.
10:30 pm I tell the kids to head upstairs. E painted a picture with oil pastels, R worked on a giant Lego guy, and I got all the table tops to a visible state. I changed the black plastic on my paint table, and installed a tall shelf (that we got free off the side of the road one day when we were running errands with Gramma) at the end of my paint table. It holds a lot, looks good, and is a nice room divider between the studio and the basement door/ mudroom/ laundryroom areas.
11:10 I dragged R's sorry tush out of the steamy (no fan again, sigh) bathroom, and tucked the kids into bed. I don't feel the least bit sleepy, and now that I have found the tables, want to play a bit. Do I sleep or make art?
See you later, Alligator,
See you soon you big Baboon.
Oops. Did I say that out loud?
Off to the Studio Depths of TurtleWorks,
LB
LB
Showing posts with label This Artist's Way. Show all posts
Showing posts with label This Artist's Way. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Hi! I fell off the panet again,
but I am back in the blogosphere again.
I am so remiss in the care and feeding of this little bloggy. I have been spending much of my time working on the Art For Food blog and google group (link on the blog in sidebar), and taking action in that project. I would love it if you took a gander and let me know what you think. It could use some comments to liven it up!
Other snatches of my time are being spent here, writing transcripts for both kids, and working to meet a Friday deadline of turning them in to the online high school they both want to attend in September. I will be done teaching in two months! I will still supervise and support, but no longer will I be responsible for creating courses, shopping for textbooks, scheduling, planning and executing their schoolwork! And someone else can write their bloody transcripts for the next few years!
I can go back to just being Mom, and spend several hours a day at TurtleWorks. Do you know how exciting all of this is?
Oh- I forgot to tell you. Piano Girl will be skipping 8th grade and going straight into ninth. How cool is that? I am really proud of her.
To have that time to really devote to and really focus on my art. Happy sigh. A dream come true. A miracle I cannot wait to experience. I have to admit to being envious to many of the artists whose blogs are in my sidebar. They have concentrated chunks of time they can work in, and actually finish what they start! They are real artists, and this is another step on my path to being a full-time working artist, and being a contribution to my family through my art. Woot!!
Talk soon,
LB
I am so remiss in the care and feeding of this little bloggy. I have been spending much of my time working on the Art For Food blog and google group (link on the blog in sidebar), and taking action in that project. I would love it if you took a gander and let me know what you think. It could use some comments to liven it up!
Other snatches of my time are being spent here, writing transcripts for both kids, and working to meet a Friday deadline of turning them in to the online high school they both want to attend in September. I will be done teaching in two months! I will still supervise and support, but no longer will I be responsible for creating courses, shopping for textbooks, scheduling, planning and executing their schoolwork! And someone else can write their bloody transcripts for the next few years!
I can go back to just being Mom, and spend several hours a day at TurtleWorks. Do you know how exciting all of this is?
Oh- I forgot to tell you. Piano Girl will be skipping 8th grade and going straight into ninth. How cool is that? I am really proud of her.
To have that time to really devote to and really focus on my art. Happy sigh. A dream come true. A miracle I cannot wait to experience. I have to admit to being envious to many of the artists whose blogs are in my sidebar. They have concentrated chunks of time they can work in, and actually finish what they start! They are real artists, and this is another step on my path to being a full-time working artist, and being a contribution to my family through my art. Woot!!
Talk soon,
LB
Friday, June 20, 2008
Shopping list with a bit of product review
I guess I have been doing a fair bit of work in the studio, otherwise, I wouldn't be out of or running low on so many things! I know some folks don't like reading blogs with lists, but too bad- this is what is on my mind today.
1. More soy silk roving. For now, I will content myself with someone else's dye choices. Here is what I am looking at- one of every color she has- I wish!
2. Dye-na-flow paints. The last time I bought these, I did so in the 2.25 oz. size, as I hadn't used them much and I wanted to sample the bright colors. The next time I order, it will be in the 8 oz. size at the smallest. I need more bright greens and more blues. These have proven to be a very versatile paint, that works well on silk, cottons, and the good-quality homemade papers.
3. Lumiere Paint in Citron. I use this color more than any other. (Side note: If anyone had told me 20 years ago that I would fall in love with the lime green color family, I would have laughed in their face. I used to be so married to blues, and told myself I hated greens. Now not only do I love lime green, but there really isn't a color I would label as ugly- not one.) I also love the Halo colors- blue gold, pink-gold, and violet-gold. I was recently introduced to Stewart Gill paints- specifically the Byzantia and Metamica lines, and told they compared to Lumiere. I bought a couple colors of each line and have been playing with them a bit. They are nice-very rich colors in a thick paint, but the colors are very similar, so for the price, I think Lumiere is the best deal.
4. What I do want to try from Stewart Gill are their Bijoux Blends and Fresco Flakes. I think these would be fun to experiment with, on some of the big panels I want to do. These are pricey too, but I think they might be worth it. I will let you know if I get some.
5. Another thing I need in larger quantities are some gel mediums. I am very disappointed in Michael's. They stopped carrying all Golden products in favor of the Liquitex brand. I am not nearly as satisfied with Liquitex- it is cheaper (which was Michael's excuse for carrying it versus Golden), but it shows. The quality is just not near what Golden's is. To be honest, I could have been getting my gels and mediums online at cheaper prices for some time, but I was being nice by buying locally from Michael's. Not anymore. Funny thing is, the day I went in, the man who helped me said that I was the THIRD person that day to ask what happened to the Golden products. I think they may seriously regret the decision to not carry them. Rant over.
I need fine garnet gel (I can't wait to try this!), more fine and coarse pumice gels, and some Micaceous iron oxide, which I hear is fabu to use with water pastels and crayons. I really want to try this, as I have discovered that they don't work too well with gesso. I also need some self-leveling clear gel, and some more molding paste, both of which you can read about here. These last two items are used with the acrylic paints I love so much, mostly for collage techniques.
6. Some other things I need but am not sure where to get them are good quality (but not too expensive) stencil brushes and also some stencils and stamps. I really, really love the inexpensive abstract (a pattern, but not a duck or a star) foam stamps you can get at Joanne's and Michael's, but have all the ones they sell already. I am thinking of checking out the dollar stores.
7. Another type of product I have tried recently and fallen in love with are the color wash sprays. These are wonderful ways to add color to the fabric paper I have been making.
I have tried the Radiant Rain misters by Luminarte, which are bright and very sparkly, but have a distinct and icky odor that lasts after it has dried. Luminarte is the company that makes the fabu Twinkling H2O's that I love so much, so I was surprised how unimpressed I was with the misters.
Another color wash spray I tried recently is the Adirondack color wash spray. The colors are interesting on these, but the sprayer doesn't work well, and I keep ending up with drips and dribbles instead of a nice even spray. I put some into a cheap spray bottle, but if I am going to spend money on these, I think they should come in a better quality spray bottle.
I have also tried the Tattered Angels Glimmer mists. I really love the colors on these, and want more. The coverage was great, the colors bright, and no yucky smell when using them. I want many more of these colors. They are a bit pricey, but the colors are amazing, the bottles large and the sprayers are good quality.
When I was in Alabama visiting Dy, we went to a HobbyLobby store, where I convinced her to spend a lot more money on art supplies for the kids than was probably necessary, but you know already what an enabler I am when it comes to kids and art, right? Anyhow, while there I came across a Memories Mist spray in a lovely blue, that was almost half off the price. I should have grabbed them all. This has become one of my faves, and I want to order some more colors of it too. The only even slightly negative thing about these is that the mist area is quite small. That you can control it that much is good for some applications, but it made it hard to cover a large area of paper or fabric without using a lot of spray.
That is all I can think of for now. I have been researching online and looking for the best prices. I wish there was one store that had everything for the lowest prices. Joggles has almost everything I need as well as exquisite service, but their prices are not low. Dick Blick and Jerry's run head to head on prices, varying only a few cents from product to product, but Dick Blick is more likely to have the larger sizes. Jerry's sends out email coupons all the time, but you usually have to spend a minimum of $85. to use them. Dharma Trading company has the best prices on the fabric paints, but you have to order in quantities of ten or more to get those good prices. Not always worth it, and not always possible to do when each container of paint costs $10. or more.
So in order to get everything I need at the best prices, I will most likely have to do 4 or 5 orders. This will take me some time. I think it is time to start a price book for art supplies. To keep track of who has what for the best price. Like I don't have enough to do!
Talk soon,
LB
1. More soy silk roving. For now, I will content myself with someone else's dye choices. Here is what I am looking at- one of every color she has- I wish!
2. Dye-na-flow paints. The last time I bought these, I did so in the 2.25 oz. size, as I hadn't used them much and I wanted to sample the bright colors. The next time I order, it will be in the 8 oz. size at the smallest. I need more bright greens and more blues. These have proven to be a very versatile paint, that works well on silk, cottons, and the good-quality homemade papers.
3. Lumiere Paint in Citron. I use this color more than any other. (Side note: If anyone had told me 20 years ago that I would fall in love with the lime green color family, I would have laughed in their face. I used to be so married to blues, and told myself I hated greens. Now not only do I love lime green, but there really isn't a color I would label as ugly- not one.) I also love the Halo colors- blue gold, pink-gold, and violet-gold. I was recently introduced to Stewart Gill paints- specifically the Byzantia and Metamica lines, and told they compared to Lumiere. I bought a couple colors of each line and have been playing with them a bit. They are nice-very rich colors in a thick paint, but the colors are very similar, so for the price, I think Lumiere is the best deal.
4. What I do want to try from Stewart Gill are their Bijoux Blends and Fresco Flakes. I think these would be fun to experiment with, on some of the big panels I want to do. These are pricey too, but I think they might be worth it. I will let you know if I get some.
5. Another thing I need in larger quantities are some gel mediums. I am very disappointed in Michael's. They stopped carrying all Golden products in favor of the Liquitex brand. I am not nearly as satisfied with Liquitex- it is cheaper (which was Michael's excuse for carrying it versus Golden), but it shows. The quality is just not near what Golden's is. To be honest, I could have been getting my gels and mediums online at cheaper prices for some time, but I was being nice by buying locally from Michael's. Not anymore. Funny thing is, the day I went in, the man who helped me said that I was the THIRD person that day to ask what happened to the Golden products. I think they may seriously regret the decision to not carry them. Rant over.
I need fine garnet gel (I can't wait to try this!), more fine and coarse pumice gels, and some Micaceous iron oxide, which I hear is fabu to use with water pastels and crayons. I really want to try this, as I have discovered that they don't work too well with gesso. I also need some self-leveling clear gel, and some more molding paste, both of which you can read about here. These last two items are used with the acrylic paints I love so much, mostly for collage techniques.
6. Some other things I need but am not sure where to get them are good quality (but not too expensive) stencil brushes and also some stencils and stamps. I really, really love the inexpensive abstract (a pattern, but not a duck or a star) foam stamps you can get at Joanne's and Michael's, but have all the ones they sell already. I am thinking of checking out the dollar stores.
7. Another type of product I have tried recently and fallen in love with are the color wash sprays. These are wonderful ways to add color to the fabric paper I have been making.
I have tried the Radiant Rain misters by Luminarte, which are bright and very sparkly, but have a distinct and icky odor that lasts after it has dried. Luminarte is the company that makes the fabu Twinkling H2O's that I love so much, so I was surprised how unimpressed I was with the misters.
Another color wash spray I tried recently is the Adirondack color wash spray. The colors are interesting on these, but the sprayer doesn't work well, and I keep ending up with drips and dribbles instead of a nice even spray. I put some into a cheap spray bottle, but if I am going to spend money on these, I think they should come in a better quality spray bottle.
I have also tried the Tattered Angels Glimmer mists. I really love the colors on these, and want more. The coverage was great, the colors bright, and no yucky smell when using them. I want many more of these colors. They are a bit pricey, but the colors are amazing, the bottles large and the sprayers are good quality.
When I was in Alabama visiting Dy, we went to a HobbyLobby store, where I convinced her to spend a lot more money on art supplies for the kids than was probably necessary, but you know already what an enabler I am when it comes to kids and art, right? Anyhow, while there I came across a Memories Mist spray in a lovely blue, that was almost half off the price. I should have grabbed them all. This has become one of my faves, and I want to order some more colors of it too. The only even slightly negative thing about these is that the mist area is quite small. That you can control it that much is good for some applications, but it made it hard to cover a large area of paper or fabric without using a lot of spray.
That is all I can think of for now. I have been researching online and looking for the best prices. I wish there was one store that had everything for the lowest prices. Joggles has almost everything I need as well as exquisite service, but their prices are not low. Dick Blick and Jerry's run head to head on prices, varying only a few cents from product to product, but Dick Blick is more likely to have the larger sizes. Jerry's sends out email coupons all the time, but you usually have to spend a minimum of $85. to use them. Dharma Trading company has the best prices on the fabric paints, but you have to order in quantities of ten or more to get those good prices. Not always worth it, and not always possible to do when each container of paint costs $10. or more.
So in order to get everything I need at the best prices, I will most likely have to do 4 or 5 orders. This will take me some time. I think it is time to start a price book for art supplies. To keep track of who has what for the best price. Like I don't have enough to do!
Talk soon,
LB
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Yay! Art Content! One Assignment complete!
Howdy folks! I actually have accomplished something in my online art classes! I have several sheets of fabric paper, and other surfaces completed, and now I am working on turning those surfaces into actual things. One of the assignments was to make a triangular vase from 3 long rectangles out of a fabric-paper surface. I wasn't inspired by this vase at all, and kept putting off it's assembly until it hit me- I could use the surface to make something else! So, I made a bowl. I love how easy to assemble these bowls are, and they are simply elegant. (Note: Blogger is not cooperating at the moment, so I will post a photo as soon as it will let me.)
Today is East Side day- Youth group at 6 pm, and taking Gramma shopping before that, as well as making sure school work gets done this morning, but I am hoping to squeeze in a bit of studio time before we leave. I have already washed, dried, and folded 3 loads of laundry (I am telling you- it is so much easier to be integrity with the laundry when I am only responsible for the Dude's and my clothes, plus the linens!) this morning, the dishes are done, and the kitchen has been swept. I was actually okay with the moms coming into my living room during art playdate on Monday. I like having a bit of order in the house.
About that studio time I mentioned above- I am working hard at being intentional in my studio time, and finishing some projects that have been sitting unfinished for close to a year now, so I can put them into an Etsy shop. This is another step towards being a "real" working artist, rather than a wanna-be artist who never finishes anything. I am focusing on being intentional, and being committed to my art as a career (in addition to being good therapy as well) from which I can be contributing to my family.
And a note about homeschooling- I have been homeschooling the kids formally for over 10 years now. Those who know me in real life know that over the last several years, this has become less enjoyable for me, and a great deal harder as the kids have become teenagers with attitudes, and as their work has gotten harder. I have decided that I will not be schooling them next year. We are looking into several online highschool/homeschool programs, and my role will become that of supervisor/cheerleader, instead of planner, executor, and administrator- in other words, I am giving them much more control of their education, so that I can focus more on the things that are meaningful to me. This should give me much more time to dedicate to my art. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this new change- don't get me wrong- I still believe in home education in a classical manner, but it just hasn't been working well for us lately, and I am just so ready to be done, and on to new things in my life. I have been putting the needs of my children before mine for the last 17 years, and I need to be able to focus on my own life without feeling guilty or selfish about it. Congratulate me and the children as we begin this new adventure! Of course, we will be schooling hard this summer to finish this year's work.
Well, that is all for now. I am going to head into the studio, and see if I can finish something else, and then when Blogger lets me upload photos, I will have a few for you.
T.T.F.N.
L.B.
Today is East Side day- Youth group at 6 pm, and taking Gramma shopping before that, as well as making sure school work gets done this morning, but I am hoping to squeeze in a bit of studio time before we leave. I have already washed, dried, and folded 3 loads of laundry (I am telling you- it is so much easier to be integrity with the laundry when I am only responsible for the Dude's and my clothes, plus the linens!) this morning, the dishes are done, and the kitchen has been swept. I was actually okay with the moms coming into my living room during art playdate on Monday. I like having a bit of order in the house.
About that studio time I mentioned above- I am working hard at being intentional in my studio time, and finishing some projects that have been sitting unfinished for close to a year now, so I can put them into an Etsy shop. This is another step towards being a "real" working artist, rather than a wanna-be artist who never finishes anything. I am focusing on being intentional, and being committed to my art as a career (in addition to being good therapy as well) from which I can be contributing to my family.
And a note about homeschooling- I have been homeschooling the kids formally for over 10 years now. Those who know me in real life know that over the last several years, this has become less enjoyable for me, and a great deal harder as the kids have become teenagers with attitudes, and as their work has gotten harder. I have decided that I will not be schooling them next year. We are looking into several online highschool/homeschool programs, and my role will become that of supervisor/cheerleader, instead of planner, executor, and administrator- in other words, I am giving them much more control of their education, so that I can focus more on the things that are meaningful to me. This should give me much more time to dedicate to my art. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about this new change- don't get me wrong- I still believe in home education in a classical manner, but it just hasn't been working well for us lately, and I am just so ready to be done, and on to new things in my life. I have been putting the needs of my children before mine for the last 17 years, and I need to be able to focus on my own life without feeling guilty or selfish about it. Congratulate me and the children as we begin this new adventure! Of course, we will be schooling hard this summer to finish this year's work.
Well, that is all for now. I am going to head into the studio, and see if I can finish something else, and then when Blogger lets me upload photos, I will have a few for you.
T.T.F.N.
L.B.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Monday Tidbits
This weekend was full but good. On Friday, the kids cleaned (I supervised and cleaned the pantry/laundry room some more) the living room, kitchen, and bathroom in participation of having a little party for on of the Boy's Debate team members (I have written about her before) who was turning sixteen and hadn't ever had a party. She ended up coming over by herself on Saturday, and we ate fruit and chips, and gifted her with a ginormous chocolate cake, and a promise of a "real" party next year. And boy, did my living room just shine, it was so clean! Loved that I didn't have to do it, but wish it would get done with less constant supervision (Notice I didn't say "nagging".)
Early Saturday morning, the Dude and I headed for our local nursery, and got some more tomato plants, for a grand total of 38 plants this year. Less than we have had in the past, but they are in a smaller bed, and it is just crammed full! I also bought 2 peppers (which still have to go in the ground), two kinds of lettuces, bok choy, and some chard and kale starts. Those are all in the big bed now. All I have left is to plant some seeds: carrots, beets, radishes, and beans. Our friend from the debate team helped plant and did some weed-wacking with us. This most definitely is a young person I enjoy and would love to have hang around with me this summer.
I got a little bit of art done this weekend. Still plugging away at the lessons in the two online classes I am in. One of them has ended, the last lesson is delivered today on the other one. I still have four weeks to get stuff done for both of these classes before the yahoo groups are finished. I am making headway, but need to really push myself if I am to get the work done this month. Whose big idea was it for me to take these classes during a month when I was going to be traveling?!
Sunday I woke with a big headache that just got bigger and bigger as the day went on. I did do some studio work through it, but not as much as I would have liked. I didn't get over to see Gramma, either, which saddened me, but I will try to fit an extra visit in this week. I ended up sleeping much of the day, which was the right thing to do, as I awoke this morning feeling wiped, but not as headachey.
Today we have our art playdate, and are hopefully finishing up our fabric journals. After this, the girls want to start on sewing doll quilts, and doing some clay work for the summer. That should be fun! This has been a nice, low-key way to spend some time with three of my fave teen girls, and still do a bit of teaching.
TTFN,
LB
Early Saturday morning, the Dude and I headed for our local nursery, and got some more tomato plants, for a grand total of 38 plants this year. Less than we have had in the past, but they are in a smaller bed, and it is just crammed full! I also bought 2 peppers (which still have to go in the ground), two kinds of lettuces, bok choy, and some chard and kale starts. Those are all in the big bed now. All I have left is to plant some seeds: carrots, beets, radishes, and beans. Our friend from the debate team helped plant and did some weed-wacking with us. This most definitely is a young person I enjoy and would love to have hang around with me this summer.
I got a little bit of art done this weekend. Still plugging away at the lessons in the two online classes I am in. One of them has ended, the last lesson is delivered today on the other one. I still have four weeks to get stuff done for both of these classes before the yahoo groups are finished. I am making headway, but need to really push myself if I am to get the work done this month. Whose big idea was it for me to take these classes during a month when I was going to be traveling?!
Sunday I woke with a big headache that just got bigger and bigger as the day went on. I did do some studio work through it, but not as much as I would have liked. I didn't get over to see Gramma, either, which saddened me, but I will try to fit an extra visit in this week. I ended up sleeping much of the day, which was the right thing to do, as I awoke this morning feeling wiped, but not as headachey.
Today we have our art playdate, and are hopefully finishing up our fabric journals. After this, the girls want to start on sewing doll quilts, and doing some clay work for the summer. That should be fun! This has been a nice, low-key way to spend some time with three of my fave teen girls, and still do a bit of teaching.
TTFN,
LB
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Tidbit: Ouchie-boo-boo Entertainment
Well invisible friends, I almost made it through the winter without my neck/back going out. Those who know me know I have a 20+ yr old whiplash injury plus the injury from our hit-and-run almost 2 yrs ago. The scar tissue from the old injury really affected the healing of the newer one, and it took over a year of physical therapy this last time around just to have full mobility of my right arm and my neck. Because of these injuries, it is really important that I keep my neck warm and not catch any drafts over my shoulders during the winter.
Yesterday morning when I first bundled up on the couch, I wasn't wearing a sweater, and caught a chill. I can tell because at 5 am today, I woke up with terrible spasms in my right shoulder. So now after resting for two days, I get to rest again. I am dosed up on Ibuprofin, have a water pitcher nearby, and my failthful heating pad on my neck as we speak. Over the years I have learned how to manage this pain, and that if I take care of myself properly as soon as it starts, how to make it last as short of a time as possible. So I will get off this thing in a minute and go back to sleep if I can. If not, maybe my phone will ring, and I can spend some time chatting with one invisible friend or another.
To keep you entertained while I am away, here are a few links. First off, is a wonderful lesson on drawing with pastels from Lisa at PercyTruffle's Place. Lisa has a wonderful blog with lots of wonderful art to look at. She does double duty as a homeschool mama as well, so there is fun stuff to read about that topic as well. Search for Pysansky eggs on her blog, or look at the polymer chess set her son created. Pretty and inspiring.
Next up is the Quilting Arts Blog. QA is one of my two fave magazines, and always has pages of interesting things I want to try. The blog is just as interesting. I really want to order the first season of the QA tv show. See if it is available to watch on your PBS station.
And, because it is starting to be warmer and I can see the buds popping from my bedroom window, here are some wonderful ideas on how to incorporate Nature Study into your life. Many of these ideas seem like they are just for mothers of small children, but honestly, any human being on this planet can benefit from being out of doors and being in nature. Enjoy.
For your viewing pleasure, I give you two art journal technique videos, both from Millande. The first one is how to make different backgrounds for journaling, and the second one is journaling with circles. I had a lot of fun working with circles in my journal this week, maybe you will too.
Last but not least, is one of my fave inspirational blogs, Shades of White. The pictures alone are worth the trip (click).
Have a great weekend, and I will do my best to take care of myself. Give me a call if you get bored- you know where I will be- and I will most likely be bored.
Hugs,
LB
Yesterday morning when I first bundled up on the couch, I wasn't wearing a sweater, and caught a chill. I can tell because at 5 am today, I woke up with terrible spasms in my right shoulder. So now after resting for two days, I get to rest again. I am dosed up on Ibuprofin, have a water pitcher nearby, and my failthful heating pad on my neck as we speak. Over the years I have learned how to manage this pain, and that if I take care of myself properly as soon as it starts, how to make it last as short of a time as possible. So I will get off this thing in a minute and go back to sleep if I can. If not, maybe my phone will ring, and I can spend some time chatting with one invisible friend or another.
To keep you entertained while I am away, here are a few links. First off, is a wonderful lesson on drawing with pastels from Lisa at PercyTruffle's Place. Lisa has a wonderful blog with lots of wonderful art to look at. She does double duty as a homeschool mama as well, so there is fun stuff to read about that topic as well. Search for Pysansky eggs on her blog, or look at the polymer chess set her son created. Pretty and inspiring.
Next up is the Quilting Arts Blog. QA is one of my two fave magazines, and always has pages of interesting things I want to try. The blog is just as interesting. I really want to order the first season of the QA tv show. See if it is available to watch on your PBS station.
And, because it is starting to be warmer and I can see the buds popping from my bedroom window, here are some wonderful ideas on how to incorporate Nature Study into your life. Many of these ideas seem like they are just for mothers of small children, but honestly, any human being on this planet can benefit from being out of doors and being in nature. Enjoy.
For your viewing pleasure, I give you two art journal technique videos, both from Millande. The first one is how to make different backgrounds for journaling, and the second one is journaling with circles. I had a lot of fun working with circles in my journal this week, maybe you will too.
Last but not least, is one of my fave inspirational blogs, Shades of White. The pictures alone are worth the trip (click).
Have a great weekend, and I will do my best to take care of myself. Give me a call if you get bored- you know where I will be- and I will most likely be bored.
Hugs,
LB
Monday, January 28, 2008
Tidbit: Phooey on me
Aarrgghh. I am sorry, I keep making blog promises- art content, photos, birthday girl stories, the works, and then I don't deliver. Not that you want or need stories or excuses, but I am really struggling with several areas of real life right now, and am not giving myself the time I need to make art and blog. Darn me. I am not living into my possibilities. Phooey. Phooey I say. I don't need to struggle if I don't want to. I can surrender to my creativity, regardless of how stressed I am at the moment, right? And then I will be less stressed due to having released some creative energy into my world, right? Sigh.
I am an artist, not a wannabe artist. I need to be the actions behind the words.
TTFN,
LB
I am an artist, not a wannabe artist. I need to be the actions behind the words.
TTFN,
LB
Friday, January 18, 2008
Talking about the Talky Blog
Well, The Fine Young Man wasn't able to get the video uploaded at his Computer Graphics class at the High School yesterday, but has promised me he will be able to today. So no talky yet.
I am feeling anxious about posting it. The way I felt when I put up my first photos on the blog. So many times, when I watch others' talkies, they badmouth the talky as they are filming it: This is boring, I don't have anything to tell you, etc. Well, I am determined not to do that-I think it really takes away from their videos. So, I will tell you my silly concerns now, and get them out of the way, so I will be free to create fun, enlivening, and encouraging talkies, without all the extraneous garbage.
My concerns (before I let them all go), from the voice in my head that I struggle with daily: I am worried about what all y'all will think- What if those of you who are artists will go, yeah, we knew that already? What if those of you who aren't artists could give a rip and think it's boring? Why am I doing this? People who film talkies have something to say, some knowledge to impart, etc. Who am I? A person who still has a hard time uttering the words "artist" and "I am" in the same sentence! Definitely on the learning curve. Hmm. What if they think I have no talent, or think I am fat, or stutter or say "umm" and "ya' know" too much? What will they think of my messy studio, or my cluttered, unfinished basement?
Okay, now we have heard my silly inner voice telling it's concerns. Let's hear from the creative, artist, inner vision me: I have a lot of invisible friends, with whom I would love to sit by the wood stove, share a Mike's, and create art together. I can't do that, but I can share my time in the studio with them this way. And if my journey as a newbie artist can help someone to decide to go for it in the creative area of their choice, then so much the better. I will totally be myself- stuttering, chubby, and forgetful, and know that the folks that watch these love me for who I am, and will enjoy spending time with me this way.
How about that? The Fine Young Man says he will text me as soon as he gets the video loaded, so I can work on it immediately. If all goes well, it will be up by late tonight. I am surrendering to my creativity, and will post it. Y'all be nice, now, okay? If you think it sucks, lie to me. Kidding. Kidding. Sorta.
TTFN,
LB
update ar 4:30 pm: The Boy is not able to do this at the school after all, so he and I are going to have to figure out how to upload these at home and get them up ourselves. Wish us luck!
I am feeling anxious about posting it. The way I felt when I put up my first photos on the blog. So many times, when I watch others' talkies, they badmouth the talky as they are filming it: This is boring, I don't have anything to tell you, etc. Well, I am determined not to do that-I think it really takes away from their videos. So, I will tell you my silly concerns now, and get them out of the way, so I will be free to create fun, enlivening, and encouraging talkies, without all the extraneous garbage.
My concerns (before I let them all go), from the voice in my head that I struggle with daily: I am worried about what all y'all will think- What if those of you who are artists will go, yeah, we knew that already? What if those of you who aren't artists could give a rip and think it's boring? Why am I doing this? People who film talkies have something to say, some knowledge to impart, etc. Who am I? A person who still has a hard time uttering the words "artist" and "I am" in the same sentence! Definitely on the learning curve. Hmm. What if they think I have no talent, or think I am fat, or stutter or say "umm" and "ya' know" too much? What will they think of my messy studio, or my cluttered, unfinished basement?
Okay, now we have heard my silly inner voice telling it's concerns. Let's hear from the creative, artist, inner vision me: I have a lot of invisible friends, with whom I would love to sit by the wood stove, share a Mike's, and create art together. I can't do that, but I can share my time in the studio with them this way. And if my journey as a newbie artist can help someone to decide to go for it in the creative area of their choice, then so much the better. I will totally be myself- stuttering, chubby, and forgetful, and know that the folks that watch these love me for who I am, and will enjoy spending time with me this way.
How about that? The Fine Young Man says he will text me as soon as he gets the video loaded, so I can work on it immediately. If all goes well, it will be up by late tonight. I am surrendering to my creativity, and will post it. Y'all be nice, now, okay? If you think it sucks, lie to me. Kidding. Kidding. Sorta.
TTFN,
LB
update ar 4:30 pm: The Boy is not able to do this at the school after all, so he and I are going to have to figure out how to upload these at home and get them up ourselves. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year!
Hey all! Hope your holidays were all very merry and bright. I hope you were able to be with family, and eat, eat, eat. I hope you were able to be creative, however that looks for you.
We had a fabulous time on Sunday with my older sister, her husband, and son. Everyone seemed very relaxed, the food was simple yet elegant, and I didn't tear up at all! I hope this is the first of many family gatherings this year.
As for myself and the new year, I have decided to forgo resolutions, or even goals this year. Instead, I have picked one word to focus on, and to remind me of all I can be this year. My word is "intentionality". I don't care if it is a real word, or not, but it works for me. I want to be very intentional in everything that I do- whether it is exercise, teaching, art, or chores.
Another inspiration to motivate you: In the last two weeks, I have heard many people use a particular phrase to sum up their thoughts and plans for this new year: "Create in 2008". This is my new motto, folks!
My invisible friend Tami relayed this link to her blog buddies, and it really spoke to me. We all have things we want to do, but don't. So- habits from actions this year, not resolutions.
New habits:
Action: Walk 30 minutes outside three days a week in morning
Benefit: Fresh air, sunshine, energy, and free time for creative thoughts
Action: Be aware and intentional about food, exercise, and sleep.
Benefit: Becoming at ease with taking care of ME.
Action: Art journaling daily.
Benefit: Creating a log of this year, practicing new techniques in a small format, "brain drain"
Action: write all birthdays into my agenda-book. Check dates at beginning of each month. Use new techniques learned in journaling to make birthday cards for loved ones.
Benefit: Master new skills, acknowledge loved ones, show off a bit.
Action: Spend 1 hour a day on house chores.
Benefit: No guilt for being in studio if laundry is done and floors swept. Also creates a warm, welcoming home without having to devote an entire week to getting it (and nothing else) done.
Action: Acknowledge my kids and Man daily. If you don't know it already, acknowledgment is a very powerful tool for family communication, especially with teens.
Benefit: Works better than coersion or force, establishes trust, makes it easier to smile and mean it.
This is all I have so far, but I reserve the right to add a couple more this week.
LB
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
A day after Christmas plea
Dear Uncle M and Auntie P,
The kids are bringing games, toys, and cameras to share with you, can I bring my easel? Do I have to leave it at home? If you let me paint at your house, I will gift you with one of the paintings, okay? Not that you would want it, as I just have this craving to just get my fingers all painty and just play, so it would be very abstract. But I would offer, none the less.
We could work out a deal........ I could make you a double batch of my (in)famous biscuits that you love so much, and serve them to you with real butter and homemade jam, and then you could sit and watch me paint. Wouldn't that be fun?! No? Well, you can't fault me for trying. ;-)
Your loving friend, and the demented, er, devoted parent of your godchildren,
LB
The kids are bringing games, toys, and cameras to share with you, can I bring my easel? Do I have to leave it at home? If you let me paint at your house, I will gift you with one of the paintings, okay? Not that you would want it, as I just have this craving to just get my fingers all painty and just play, so it would be very abstract. But I would offer, none the less.
We could work out a deal........ I could make you a double batch of my (in)famous biscuits that you love so much, and serve them to you with real butter and homemade jam, and then you could sit and watch me paint. Wouldn't that be fun?! No? Well, you can't fault me for trying. ;-)
Your loving friend, and the demented, er, devoted parent of your godchildren,
LB
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tidbit: Believing in ME
Funny- Three different people today reffered to "finding your bliss". I seem to have found mine, and it seems to show. I am still round, I still deal with migraines, and I still have two teenagers, a Dude, 3 cats, and 8 chickens as well as this farmhouse to cope with daily. But I am not the same, or if I am, I am newly acknowledging a deeply hidden part of me.
Interesting- a year ago if asked, I would describe my heart/self as restless and apathetic, with a powerful yet undefined yearning". Today, and many of my nowadays, I am left with a comfortable feeling in my heart. Of knowing contentment, bliss and passion. And all it took was the finishing off of one corner of my basement, several hundreds of dollars' worth of paint, paper, and pretties, and a tiny belief in my heart that I *could be* the artist I *knew* I was as a five-year-old child. I just had to believe in myself to find her again. May I model this love of life and self-confidence for my children on a daily basis.
Interesting- a year ago if asked, I would describe my heart/self as restless and apathetic, with a powerful yet undefined yearning". Today, and many of my nowadays, I am left with a comfortable feeling in my heart. Of knowing contentment, bliss and passion. And all it took was the finishing off of one corner of my basement, several hundreds of dollars' worth of paint, paper, and pretties, and a tiny belief in my heart that I *could be* the artist I *knew* I was as a five-year-old child. I just had to believe in myself to find her again. May I model this love of life and self-confidence for my children on a daily basis.
So when last we met, this is where my art journal was. I had covered up my doubts and excuses of why I couldn't be an artist with gesso and bright and shiny new Shiva paintsticks.
Here is how it looks now. I got to use my new Lumiere paints for this! Yay. I don't know if you can read the words on the right, or if they just look like a big grey cloud, but they are there, and say basically what I said in the paragraph above. The photo is of me at about five years old, when I KNEW I wanted to be an artist, and believed I could. I again believe I can, and that I am.
That's it for today. I have to take Papa Dude to the airport at 5 am, so it is off to bed with me. See you tomorrow.
LB
Random stuff
Okay, so I was so inspired by the video (I ended up watching about 20 of SuziBlu's art videos this morning!) that I started an art journal. I have been wanting to do this for awhile now, but had lots of excuses why I couldn't start it just yet. Now the excuses are all gone- or rather, I covered them up- I wrote them on these pages, then covered them in gesso, and then played with my new irredescent paintsticks. This isn't done yet, but I started it. Yay for me. I am so an artist!
Today's workspace- lest you thought I would leave it all pristine and nice. No such luck. My friend (for whom I cleaned this all up last week) did not come today, sigh, but I didn't let that stop me. Looky the great fun mess I made! See all my new ink stamps? The fabric paper I started last week is looking so colorful and different now.
See? Lots of stamped images (even more now than what you see here) and layers of paint and gesso. I am liking it more and more. I cut the big sheet up into several smaller pieces, from which I can make other stuff.
Here is the pinky-purple-orangey one, too. I really didn't like this one, but it is so pretty now.
And as usual, my partner in crime who keeps me company whenever I am in the studio depths, Sassy-Cuddlepuff. She is probably cleaning the paint off her fur in this photo- she had just laid on my freshly painted fabric paper. Sigh.
That's it for now- I still have an art supply post to get up today.
Today's workspace- lest you thought I would leave it all pristine and nice. No such luck. My friend (for whom I cleaned this all up last week) did not come today, sigh, but I didn't let that stop me. Looky the great fun mess I made! See all my new ink stamps? The fabric paper I started last week is looking so colorful and different now.
See? Lots of stamped images (even more now than what you see here) and layers of paint and gesso. I am liking it more and more. I cut the big sheet up into several smaller pieces, from which I can make other stuff.
Here is the pinky-purple-orangey one, too. I really didn't like this one, but it is so pretty now.
And as usual, my partner in crime who keeps me company whenever I am in the studio depths, Sassy-Cuddlepuff. She is probably cleaning the paint off her fur in this photo- she had just laid on my freshly painted fabric paper. Sigh.
That's it for now- I still have an art supply post to get up today.
LB
Tidbit: New inspiration
Found the video below at Donna Downey's blog, Simply Me. I don't know her, but I already love her. Very inspiring.
LB
LB
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Coming soon to a studio near you: new art supplies!
I hate shopping. I really really hate it. Unless of course it is for art supplies. And frankly, I don't much enjoy it then, it is just a tad bit more interesting to me than the other items I shop for: looking for clothes to fit my chunky short body, or buying expensive food that I am going to have to cook later, and won't last very long in this house of teenagers, or really pricey text books that my kids will only get half the way through, but thoroughly use enough that they lose their resale value.
So, it took me all day, to be tough with myself and only order what I felt I really need, in small enough quantities so as to be frugal, but large enough that I won't need to order again for a couple of months. Here is what I ordered, all online. I can't wait till it all gets here.
First, from JoAnn, I ordered a Crop-a-dile. I was able to use my 40% off coupon, and saved myself $16. I was so proud of myself. I plan on using this specifically for making screens and wall-hangings with the lutradur and lace panels I made. I hope it works like it says it does, if so, it will save me a lot of noise and aggravation!
Next, I needed more lutradur and wanted to get it in a roll, not folded, and in quantities larger than a yard. That really limited me when I was working with it. It took me so long to find the manufacturer, but once I did, ordering was easy. I was able to order it in two different weights (thickness), so it will be fun to experiment with this again.
Then I needed more paints. I found that I could buy both the rich and sparkly Lumiere and the bright, dye-like Dye-na-flow paints for significantly less moolah at Dharma Trading company. They also carry the irridescent Shiva Paintsticks for less, so I ordered one of those to try. Those puppies are so pricey! But I love what they do, so I will just order one or two at a time. You get a discount if you order ten or more of each type of paint, so I did that- I ordered the smallest size jar in lots of colors so I can experiment and see what I like and use the most of. The next time I order, I can do it in larger sizes, and get what I really use.
I also needed undyed, uncut silk cocoons, so ordered some of those here. I love this company, because they ALWAYS offer free shipping! Works for me.
Next, I put in an order at Joggles. If you have never visited this site, you are in for a treat. So many art supplies, so little time. I ordered a lot of wool felt beads in many colors. I have been wanting these for so long, and I can't wait to use them! This was probably the most frivolous purchase I made today, but what the heck? An artist (hey, that's me!) needs materials to work with, to inspire them. And although it seemed like I spent a lot, I thought about how much this same amount of supplies would have cost me if I had gone out and bought them locally, and I realized I really saved darn near $50. by comparison shopping on the internet. Maybe shopping isn't so bad after all.
I also bought Biology tests, but I will not post a link to those, lol.
TTFN,
LB
So, it took me all day, to be tough with myself and only order what I felt I really need, in small enough quantities so as to be frugal, but large enough that I won't need to order again for a couple of months. Here is what I ordered, all online. I can't wait till it all gets here.
First, from JoAnn, I ordered a Crop-a-dile. I was able to use my 40% off coupon, and saved myself $16. I was so proud of myself. I plan on using this specifically for making screens and wall-hangings with the lutradur and lace panels I made. I hope it works like it says it does, if so, it will save me a lot of noise and aggravation!
Next, I needed more lutradur and wanted to get it in a roll, not folded, and in quantities larger than a yard. That really limited me when I was working with it. It took me so long to find the manufacturer, but once I did, ordering was easy. I was able to order it in two different weights (thickness), so it will be fun to experiment with this again.
Then I needed more paints. I found that I could buy both the rich and sparkly Lumiere and the bright, dye-like Dye-na-flow paints for significantly less moolah at Dharma Trading company. They also carry the irridescent Shiva Paintsticks for less, so I ordered one of those to try. Those puppies are so pricey! But I love what they do, so I will just order one or two at a time. You get a discount if you order ten or more of each type of paint, so I did that- I ordered the smallest size jar in lots of colors so I can experiment and see what I like and use the most of. The next time I order, I can do it in larger sizes, and get what I really use.
I also needed undyed, uncut silk cocoons, so ordered some of those here. I love this company, because they ALWAYS offer free shipping! Works for me.
Next, I put in an order at Joggles. If you have never visited this site, you are in for a treat. So many art supplies, so little time. I ordered a lot of wool felt beads in many colors. I have been wanting these for so long, and I can't wait to use them! This was probably the most frivolous purchase I made today, but what the heck? An artist (hey, that's me!) needs materials to work with, to inspire them. And although it seemed like I spent a lot, I thought about how much this same amount of supplies would have cost me if I had gone out and bought them locally, and I realized I really saved darn near $50. by comparison shopping on the internet. Maybe shopping isn't so bad after all.
I also bought Biology tests, but I will not post a link to those, lol.
TTFN,
LB
Friday, September 28, 2007
September trade: autumn charms
Hello friends. As I told you last month, part of my vow to be an artist instead of wishing to be one, was to partake in a trade and/or challenge each month. Here are the results of September's trade. I really enjoyed making these- it took me back to my sculpting days. I made most of these while talking to Dy, Amy, or the Dude on the phone- they were easy and enjoyable to create. They consist of silk coccons and silk rods (go here to see photos of both), painted with Lumiere here and there, and embellished with silk wool. You probably won't want to click on these- when they are big, they are just fuzzy blobs.
This is my sunflower. 2 silk cocoons, which I cut into to form the petals, nestled in part of a silk rod, with a button to hold the layers together. This one has the metalic Lumiere on the petals.
This acorn was the first one I came up with. A cocoon, with a bead attached at the closed end, and part of a brown rod glued on the open end, with some embroidery floss wrapped around to make the stem.
This one is a tassel. Some lace glued onto the cocoon, silk fibers, some with leaf bead, glued inside the cocoon.
Punkins! A bit of curly brown silk rod to make the stem, and silk wool stuffed into the open end of orange cocoons. Couldn't have been simpler!
Hope you liked them.LB
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Where is LB?
I am here, I just have been spending time doing things that don't involve a computer! First off, I have met another man, and he and I have been spending waaaayyy to o much time together recently. Have to say, the Dude doesn't seem to mind. I have been engaged in a thorough deep cleaning of this old farmhouse, from top to bottom and stem to stern. It is taking up much of my time and energy, and doesn't show any signs of being over any time soon, but I am actually sorta-kinds enjoying it . At least I like the way a room looks and smells when I am done, and I don't seem to be reacting to the chemicals in the cleaner this time. 
And secondly, I have been spending lots of time teaching and supervising lessons. It is going good so far, but is time-consuming and challenging. A lot of the time, it looks like this, only imagine a kid sitting there, staring out the window, or getting up every two minutes to go downstairs to sharpen the lead that you would swear they keep breaking on purpose, etc.
One of the reasons cleaning and schooling can be draining to me is that I would really rather be here. I have been in the studio in little fits and starts- putting on a paint of coat here and there between lessons and laundry loads. My L & L challenge is coming along, I haven't taken photos of it lately, but my pieces have many layers of paint, and are just about done. I am now at the point where I am ready to make some things with it. I have a few ideas but will show them to you later.
It seems every time I get a few loyal readers coming to the blog, I stop blogging. I apologize for that way of being. I tell the story that I am too busy to do it, with everything else I have going, but the truth is, sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I don't. I do hope that you continue to check in now and again, as I will be making a supreme effort to do this regularly. Thanks to those who always comment- that means a great deal and keeps me blogging.
Hugs. TTFN,
LB
And secondly, I have been spending lots of time teaching and supervising lessons. It is going good so far, but is time-consuming and challenging. A lot of the time, it looks like this, only imagine a kid sitting there, staring out the window, or getting up every two minutes to go downstairs to sharpen the lead that you would swear they keep breaking on purpose, etc.
One of the reasons cleaning and schooling can be draining to me is that I would really rather be here. I have been in the studio in little fits and starts- putting on a paint of coat here and there between lessons and laundry loads. My L & L challenge is coming along, I haven't taken photos of it lately, but my pieces have many layers of paint, and are just about done. I am now at the point where I am ready to make some things with it. I have a few ideas but will show them to you later.It seems every time I get a few loyal readers coming to the blog, I stop blogging. I apologize for that way of being. I tell the story that I am too busy to do it, with everything else I have going, but the truth is, sometimes I feel like it, and sometimes I don't. I do hope that you continue to check in now and again, as I will be making a supreme effort to do this regularly. Thanks to those who always comment- that means a great deal and keeps me blogging.
Hugs. TTFN,
LB
Friday, September 07, 2007
light bulb moment
Good morning invisible friends! I have figured something out (again)! To stay out of the dark places (I refuse to use the "D" word!), the two things that seem to help me most are creating every day, and eating right. If I can just get to the place where both of these are a priority, life will be so much more fun and full of light!
I am grabbing my camera and heading down to the studio depths. I was creating till 1 am, and want to do more. The kids can get their own brekky, the Girl is headed to her piano for a couple of hours, and the Boy is taking the bus to his classes, so I can go get covered with paint and it won't matter- I don't have to be anywhere until this evening, when I have to turn into the supportive mom who is helping out at the first football game.
The Fine Young Man looks so cute in his uniform- the nice black pants, the red jacket, and the oatmeal box hat with the feather plume and the chinstrap. I better pack my tissues.
I hope to be back here later with art pictures!
As Pooh says, TTFN,
LB
I am grabbing my camera and heading down to the studio depths. I was creating till 1 am, and want to do more. The kids can get their own brekky, the Girl is headed to her piano for a couple of hours, and the Boy is taking the bus to his classes, so I can go get covered with paint and it won't matter- I don't have to be anywhere until this evening, when I have to turn into the supportive mom who is helping out at the first football game.
The Fine Young Man looks so cute in his uniform- the nice black pants, the red jacket, and the oatmeal box hat with the feather plume and the chinstrap. I better pack my tissues.
I hope to be back here later with art pictures!
As Pooh says, TTFN,
LB
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Finally! Art Content!
I have been working hard in my studio for the last four days. I don't have pictures yet, because I am not quite finished, but I will take a bunch today and hope to post them soon.
I have been using several of the free tutorials over at Fibre and Stitch, and am working on a PSI (here is a good photo of some) challenge from the FAT group. Per Sue B's recommendation, I ordered some MistyFuse, and am now in love with it. I think I have found the perfect fusible. It is light, doesn't gum up like some of them do, and is available by the yard at my fave quilt shop. I have been "making" fabric, by starting with a base, and then adding layers of stuff (anything from pressed and silk flowers, to silk rods, cheesecloth, and bright-colored thread and angelina fibers, each with a layer of Mistyfuse in between. I will use this fabric to make PSI's and fabric postcards. Details and photos will be forth-coming.
Right now, I am headed down to the studio, where my Girl will be meeting me for an English lesson- two birds with one stone and all.
TTFN,
LB
I have been using several of the free tutorials over at Fibre and Stitch, and am working on a PSI (here is a good photo of some) challenge from the FAT group. Per Sue B's recommendation, I ordered some MistyFuse, and am now in love with it. I think I have found the perfect fusible. It is light, doesn't gum up like some of them do, and is available by the yard at my fave quilt shop. I have been "making" fabric, by starting with a base, and then adding layers of stuff (anything from pressed and silk flowers, to silk rods, cheesecloth, and bright-colored thread and angelina fibers, each with a layer of Mistyfuse in between. I will use this fabric to make PSI's and fabric postcards. Details and photos will be forth-coming.
Right now, I am headed down to the studio, where my Girl will be meeting me for an English lesson- two birds with one stone and all.
TTFN,
LB
Friday, August 17, 2007
Figs, positive thought, and studio plans
Sorry for the lack of art content lately, it has been a very busy week, and I haven't been in the studio at all. I have been canning figs, figs, and more figs. Frozen figs, fig jam, and fig preserves. I'm not done yet, either. I still have half a five gallon bucket to go. Sigh. Then I will need to get to the blackberries, and pickling the cukes. Sigh. I really need to plan these two canning weeks into my schedule. Every year I say that, then every year I get stuck trying to juggle schooling the kids, cleaning the house, doing art, and canning; it is a challenge, that's for sure!
My studio could use some re-organizing and cleaning, too. I just got a couple of new tables from Mr. B. My Dude is working on gluing them, and getting them ready to come down to the studio. I also picked up some plastic drawers, and one of those plastic and wire basket dohickies. Now I need to decide what gets stored in them, and then they will go under the biggest of the new tables. The smaller table is square, and fits over the woodstove. So during the summer it will be a useful space.
I am hoping that I can get going on the canning, and then spend some time in the studio today. I think the kids and the Dude are going bike riding tomorrow- if so, I should have lots of time to be down there.
I have been struggling with finding a way to make some money and contribute financially to the family. I figured out that if I get cracking in the studio, devoting myself to 4 to 6 hours there daily and make a few things that could be sold, I could potentially make more money than if I were to take a part time job that pays only $8 to 10 an hour. I have had a design for a 3-paneled art-quilted screen in my head for over a year now. This week while waiting for jam to boil, I have been sketching designs, and planning how to get 6 hours a day in the studio. I will begin by cleaning and re-organizing the studio this weekend, and then I will be able to start working next week.
I am tired of saying I wish I had time in the studio, and I want to be an artist. From now on, I stop wishing and wanna-be-ing. I choose art! On a daily basis. I am the possibility of creativity, inspiration, and diligence in my work of choice. I choose to be an artist. It matters not how good I am, or how I compare with others who are farther along their journey than I. What matters is the doing and being of the choice I make.
Ok, now I really need to get going on the figs!
TTFN,
LB
My studio could use some re-organizing and cleaning, too. I just got a couple of new tables from Mr. B. My Dude is working on gluing them, and getting them ready to come down to the studio. I also picked up some plastic drawers, and one of those plastic and wire basket dohickies. Now I need to decide what gets stored in them, and then they will go under the biggest of the new tables. The smaller table is square, and fits over the woodstove. So during the summer it will be a useful space.
I am hoping that I can get going on the canning, and then spend some time in the studio today. I think the kids and the Dude are going bike riding tomorrow- if so, I should have lots of time to be down there.
I have been struggling with finding a way to make some money and contribute financially to the family. I figured out that if I get cracking in the studio, devoting myself to 4 to 6 hours there daily and make a few things that could be sold, I could potentially make more money than if I were to take a part time job that pays only $8 to 10 an hour. I have had a design for a 3-paneled art-quilted screen in my head for over a year now. This week while waiting for jam to boil, I have been sketching designs, and planning how to get 6 hours a day in the studio. I will begin by cleaning and re-organizing the studio this weekend, and then I will be able to start working next week.
I am tired of saying I wish I had time in the studio, and I want to be an artist. From now on, I stop wishing and wanna-be-ing. I choose art! On a daily basis. I am the possibility of creativity, inspiration, and diligence in my work of choice. I choose to be an artist. It matters not how good I am, or how I compare with others who are farther along their journey than I. What matters is the doing and being of the choice I make.
Ok, now I really need to get going on the figs!
TTFN,
LB
Friday, August 03, 2007
A review for Poppins: Why I love my Nature Journal
A little while ago, Poppins asked me why I liked the Nature Journal by Claire Leslie Walker. I tried to write it up as a comment on her blog, and then as an email, but it just wasn't inspiring me. Let's try a review blog post approach, shall we? First off, do visit the Amazon link above, Poppins, and peek inside. It will look like blank pages at first, but if you squint, you can see the faint line details on the edges of the pages.
Ok. Here is my journal. I decorated the covers and the inside page with vellum see through stickers. On the inside cover I have my name in stickers, and a sticker that says "Whispers of nature carried through the wind." I liked being able to personalize my journal, as one of my nature study mom-buddies has the same journal.
I have many sketchbooks, and I use them all. What makes this one great for nature journaling specifically, is in the front and the back, it has several drawing lessons and tips for nature journaling, right out of Walker's book (companion to this nature journal), Keeping a Nature Journal. Here is one spread:
Here is another. For an inexperienced artist such as myself, this is nurturing, inspiring, and useful.
Once into the actual journal, the two page spreads are very inviting. I like to write about what I am seeing- describe it in words, and then draw one or two views of my subject (in this case, a branch of an elderberry bush). There is plenty of room for this. On the upper left corner are faint lines for your writing. On the outside corners of each page are faint lines to add the date, time, location of your drawing session.
It also has this handy-dandy page holder-backer-strap-thingy that works very well. I can find the next blank page in a hurry, so that I can spend time drawing that flitty bird rather than flipping through pages. Notice the words at the bottom of the right hand page (and pardon my fingers holding the book open). There are words of encouragement at the bottom of some of the pages. They are inobtrusive, and don't take away from the 'blankness" of the book.
Here are a few examples:
"Drawing even the little things helps to focus the mind, calm the spirit. There's always something to be drawn."
"What I haven't drawn I don't know."
"Add clippings from newspapers, magazines, note cards, or letters from friends to your journal when they relate to natural events."
The only negative I would say about this book is that you cannot fold it backwards. A spiral binding would detract from the "bookness" of this book, if that makes any sense, but I prefer them for functionality.
Be sure to go to Walker's site. She has written a lot of great books, and also has some of her illustrations on her site. I love to look at others' work for inspiration.
Hope that helps, Poppins.
LB
Ok. Here is my journal. I decorated the covers and the inside page with vellum see through stickers. On the inside cover I have my name in stickers, and a sticker that says "Whispers of nature carried through the wind." I liked being able to personalize my journal, as one of my nature study mom-buddies has the same journal.
I have many sketchbooks, and I use them all. What makes this one great for nature journaling specifically, is in the front and the back, it has several drawing lessons and tips for nature journaling, right out of Walker's book (companion to this nature journal), Keeping a Nature Journal. Here is one spread:
Here is another. For an inexperienced artist such as myself, this is nurturing, inspiring, and useful.
Once into the actual journal, the two page spreads are very inviting. I like to write about what I am seeing- describe it in words, and then draw one or two views of my subject (in this case, a branch of an elderberry bush). There is plenty of room for this. On the upper left corner are faint lines for your writing. On the outside corners of each page are faint lines to add the date, time, location of your drawing session.
It also has this handy-dandy page holder-backer-strap-thingy that works very well. I can find the next blank page in a hurry, so that I can spend time drawing that flitty bird rather than flipping through pages. Notice the words at the bottom of the right hand page (and pardon my fingers holding the book open). There are words of encouragement at the bottom of some of the pages. They are inobtrusive, and don't take away from the 'blankness" of the book.
Here are a few examples:"Drawing even the little things helps to focus the mind, calm the spirit. There's always something to be drawn."
"What I haven't drawn I don't know."
"Add clippings from newspapers, magazines, note cards, or letters from friends to your journal when they relate to natural events."
The only negative I would say about this book is that you cannot fold it backwards. A spiral binding would detract from the "bookness" of this book, if that makes any sense, but I prefer them for functionality.
Be sure to go to Walker's site. She has written a lot of great books, and also has some of her illustrations on her site. I love to look at others' work for inspiration.
Hope that helps, Poppins.
LB
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