What A Week! EDM 198, Illustration Friday & Class.

It won't be hard for you to figure out just what kind of two weeks I have been having once you look at the subjects of my drawings...
Here is my take on Noodles:
Then this week's assignment in watercolor class was to choose a favorite color and use it in a painting...so...this is the best BROWN!!!


Illustration Friday's word is Pretend...the outline of the scale didn't show in the scan...but I don't think I need to explain this one, right? Maybe next week will be better. LOL!

EDMs 195 (fork), 196 (rope) & 197 (remote)

Well, here is my attempt at drawing a fork. Don't ask me why I had to choose to do three!! I'm ok with them--especially my moto these days is, "I'm striving for imperfection!" LOL
Pen, watercolor in 140 Cold Press Arches Travel Journal

Here is my childhood jump rope. It was one of my most prized positions. Rope isn't so easy.

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches, Hot Press

52 buttons -- do we REALLY need all these buttons? This drawing doesn't contain all the buttons.

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches, Hot Press

EDM #190

Here is my travel palette, Moleskin & Ninja watercolor pin. My palette is filled with Daniel Smith Watercolors--my favorite!

Pen, watercolor on 140 Arches Cold press

EDM 1 and more

I am not as prolific as so many of you on this blog--but I am starting! Here is my EDM #1--one of my shoes. It was fun! I love the list to go from because there are so many things on there that I would never think of drawing, but realize that each one will force me to draw what I actually see not what I think I see.

This is a card that I am sending out to family and friends. I figured that doing cards helps me in many ways--1) getting over the fear of having my work in other's hands, 2) gives me lots of opportunity to practice, practice, practice & 3) keeps me in touch with those I love!

After seeing the Guardian Angel on TheHappyPainter's blog, I realized that I now had a good example to put into the painting that my daughter-in-law has wanted me to paint for my granddaughter. I have changed her position, but used the same technique. I will post the final painting after Christmas.

First Picture on EDM blog

Well, here is my first "official" post on EDM. This painting is done in my new Punjab Journal from Daniel Smith. I can't tell you just how much I love this handmade paper--see the wonderful page edges?! The only negative thing about it is that you can't scrub anything off--it ruins the top of the paper--but from what I understand from Danny Gregory--we aren't supposed to be erasing!

Here is another one in the same book. I wasn't wild about the pen on the top right bunch of grapes--but at least I know how this paper takes such a broad pen.

It is fun to be part of such an awesome group of artists--It all helps in my education and draw back into something that so wonderfully feeds my soul and opens my eyes to the wonder all around me!

Musings: The Word Illustrated #16--II Corinthians 13:12

Musings: The Word Illustrated #16--II Corinthians 13:12

Back to Blogging

It has been a very long time since I've blogged on this site, but after joining the EverydayMatters blog, I wanted to get a fresh start here.

I am excited about a place to continue to show my art work and to be challenged by what I see on others' sites. I am just starting to read Danny Gregory's Creative License, which I am hoping will give me the final push into who I really was created to be (artistically speaking).

I am loving the new type of journaling that I am doing--more pictures than blah blah blah word pages. I can't imagine that my kids or anyone else will really enjoy hearing my rants about any given subject--right? But maybe they will learn something about their mom's soul and heart by the pictures I draw.

When I am brave enough--I will post some here.

"New Mercies" is Public!

Well, here is my first official entry into the "art world"!! The opening was last night and it was fun! I wish I could report that I won one of the the 8 $ prizes--but nope . Just to be included was such an honor. They have placed my picture in the front part of the gallery and that is huge to me!
Eric, Allison, Shayla & Kyrin all went with me. Shayla totally looked the part of the artist community in her stylish red and white striped out fit!
This showing has really inspired me to really get serious and paint several times a week! I always feel so good when I am painting!!
Wonder what is next in my year 58?

picture at the finish

I DID IT!!!!!!! The Salmon 19K is under my belt!

May 12, '08 8:18
This was at the beginning of the race--BEFORE we knew just what they meant by the Fish Ladder!!! on the map!
6.5 miles of rugged dirt trails up and down steep terrain. The Fish Ladder was approx. 3/4 mi straight up the side of a mountain. It is the closest I have ever come to a near death experience!! Not really kidding about that last sentence. BUT--we crossed the finish line in 2:43!! AND we were NOT last!!! How cool is that for 58 and first race?

Look--we are still smiling as we crossed the finish line! I think we've NEVER been so happy to see a 60's hippy van in our lives. That was our transportation back to the lunch site!
Also, my watercolor is being delivered to the gallery (I can't believe that I just wrote "gallery"!!!) this morning! I did a sunrise and called it "New Mercies". I forgot to take a picture of it!!!! so I am hoping that they will let me take one at the gallery. The show opens next Sat. and goes for a month. There will be an "artist reception" next Sat. pm--how cool is that?
So 58 is off to a wonderful start and I am thankful for every breath that I am given to dance through it. Thank all of you for your prayers and wonderful words of support and encouragement!
I will continue to keep you up to date with my dance.

Year 58 Declaration!

May 5, '08
The picture above is to symbolize how I am feeling at the moment--FREE, positive and excited about the 58th year that is ahead for me!
Last weekend, I felt that the Lord was telling me to write down a declaration about what I felt about the year I was about to enter into. I also felt that I was to post it as well. So here goes (actually this is an abridged version as it got pretty long )
This IS going to be a fabulous year for me--full of health, energy, fun, new friends and new places!
I am going to use the materials I have in my home to make fabulous things to create beauty, special gifts for special people and, Lord willing, to sell. I am going to paint fabulous paintings and rejoice in the talent that the Lord has blessed me with.
I am going to watch where my mind goes and REFUSE to let it go to the dark places. I am going to see the good & positive in things and rejoice in each day that the Lord gives me!
I am going to continue on the path to a healthy, strong, lean body--one that will allow me to live well & strong well in the coming years w/ no medications or limitations.
I am not going to be dependent on others for my companionship, fun, safety or sanity or for the fulfillment of my dreams.
I am not going to worry about my kids'--their marriages, parenting or their futures. I WILL be more intentional about the only thing I can do well for them and that is to cover all those areas in prayer. Yes, my beloved children, I am finally setting you free!
I will work on being a better g'ma--creating fabulous art with them, incredible memories and a place where they will ALWAYS know that they are loved, safe and free from any fears!
I am going to walk and dance in FREEDOM (the fulfillment of my 2007 verse Ps 119:45) and focus on all the good that God has built into me--not for the purpose of pride etc--but as I focus on the good, it will expand and squeeze out the not so good.
Who knows what the 59th Declaration will be...but this much I DO know. I know that I will be stronger, more free, and more beautiful (on the inside & maybe the outside too!) than I am today. It is going to be a fabulous 58th year and I can't wait to dance all the way through it!!
These are the things that I am doing this week that I never thought that I would EVER do: I am in a 12 week body for life makeover, every Thursday I am taking a Zumba (Latin/African) dance exercise class (it is the MOST fun I have had since being married!!!), this Saturday I am walking in my 1st 10K walk (up and down a mountain) AND entering my 1st art competition/sale at a gallery in Roseville!!!!! Not bad for approaching 58 huh???
If I cross your mind--prayer is ALWAYS welcomed. I will let you know how this journey goes! Thanks for walking it with me.