the week in Instagram

Kale and lettuce from the garden for dinner,

bzzz...

ahh summer patio time with family,

and a little love.

My Muse has gone on Vacation

I posted this on Instagram a couple of days ago:

Sometimes I will do anything to not face the easel 

and that artistic panic when my muse has chosen not to visit for a few months.  

Hence this photo setup in the studio.  

Augh it has been way too long. 

OK I will now pick up a brush and attempt to paint something 

even if my muse has chosen to instead go on an around-the-world trip;  

since I couldn't join her 

I hope she brings me a miniature Eiffel Tower or maybe some macarons.

So after I wrote this I dragged myself into the studio and actually did something.

First I started playing around with my iPad and worked on these two pieces.

Neither is done but at least they are a start...

just one mark after the other will eventually make a piece of art right?

I am hoping to get lots of prints for sale in my Etsy shop soon 

which alas is very empty at present.

I would love some feedback.

Any suggestions or comments

on the idea of the above two pieces?

Then I managed to draw and get a painting started.

I still seem to be in a whimsical girl and animal phase.

Just can't fight it so I guess I will follow along...

Phew maybe my muse only went on a short vacation.

I should really welcome her back with an espresso and cookies.

At the gallery Funnel Cawkins sold which is very bittersweet for me.

He is made with my grandmother's thread, mom's buttons and funnel.

 I really got attached to him so parting is such sweet sorrow.

How do other artists let go when their favorite pieces grow up and leave home?

I haven't perfected this yet ;)

summer reading

Well I have definitely checked out for awhile.

Sorry...

Summer has officially begun and I have final lessons to share, 

but for now you have to settle for my summer reading list.

I tend to go through seasons of no-reading and then savoring everything in sight.

Yep that's where I am at right now;

soaking in all sorts of genre.

And new paintings have started and

etsy prints too.

more to follow soon...

I promise :)

Happy Father's Day!

Ahh Father's Day...

Here is my clan many years ago.

We are now all grown up (sometimes)

and that saluting kid now has a daughter of his own.

*See the second photo.

And that funny little bundle of squintness (not a word-I checked)

is about to start grad school.

Sigh.

Aren't they cute? 

I stole this photo from them and messed with it a bit

as they live on the other side of the country.

Hence I can't take my own photos of Sophie changing every day.

 So I think that gives me the right to do that.

Ya it does.

And here is my dad reading to me.

How sweet is this photo I just dug out and scanned?

Happy Father's Day!

the week in Instagram

If you like what you see and want to view more 

just click on that little instagram button over on the right...

ya that one.

Anthropologie window with paper butterflies

Anthropologie interior

Mt. Rainier in the mirror 

 hubby's big birthday

spotted at the nursery

 my beautiful wisteria

Dragons and Castles and Princesses oh my!

Start with some creative kiddos

 and have them stamp using foam blocks for some castle texture.

 Then cut out castle towers and make them stick out so they are 3D.

 Add some stamped clouds and grass rubbing texture

 as well as brick turrets.

 Then think about what your setting needs to really let it zing...

 Ahh yes it needs a princess and a dragon and maybe some tissue fire.

 It was a great project with lots of laughs.

We first drew dragons and princesses on the iPad.

Then I printed out their creations so they were able 

to cut them out and place them into their setting.

A great collaborative project as we all stamped together on group papers.

They were able to see how iPads and mixed media thrive together.

How about all you art teachers out there.  

Have you been able to incorporate iPads with traditional art?

(their iPad drawings)

I also did this lesson several years ago. 
To see the detailed printing instructions
just click here.
Seriously one of my favorite lessons.
I would love to see pictures if you teach this lesson.

It may have helped that I just finished all 5 years of Merlin.
Good thing I got them from Mail-in Netflix
or I would have been glued to my tv for a seriously long time.
So yes I was in a Medieval dragon mode.

Family Reunion

 "Well, well," he exclaimed.  

"What's this?  A family reunion or something!"

I still love finding words that are no longer needed and giving them a second life.
For some reason it just makes me chuckle.

for sale here