Monday, June 27, 2011

Yes, You're In The Right Place

How do you like my new header?

It's symbolic of my tendency to escape into fantasy whenever I get the chance. That, and, Caroline brought home these kits for making cute little fuzzy critters. Here's the whole crowd:


I chose the lady in the tutu, but I do so love the doggie with the green eyes! The following picture would have made a good header, but it was too long - took too long to load, that is. It suggests, though, how I feel about housework:

I'm way too little for this big job!
Over the weekend Beth and I watched "The Incredible Shrinking Woman." I think it stuck in my mind....!

Or, it could be the fumes. You see, today I started staining a book case. When it's done, it will sit in the kitchen and hold about twice as much as our old "pantry" did. You may notice the stacks of canned goods, etc. on the table; it's been like that for a week and I'm sick of looking at it. The book case this stuff came out of is actually a book case again, in our spare bedroom / office.



We do this every summer - move stuff and re-arrange everything.

Caroline says it's the best way to clean.

To which I say - why clean?

If it weren't for her, I'd just sit in the dust and draw. Here you go:


Trying To Keep Up

And, I bought some nice PENCILS at the art store the other day. My first effort:

Growing Like a Weed 2
"An' that's all there is 'cause there ain't no more,"

Says Faith.

Gotta feed her.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Trade Secrets

Not really.

It's just that I said I would talk about the backgrounds of my drawings, in case you're interested.

It's been fun.
  • I made a collage from bits of construction paper that came home from Caroline's first grade classroom.
  • I dabbed paint.
  • I took a picture of a flowering bush.
  • I glued yarn - and bits of ribbon.
These were the raw materials. I scanned them into my computer and played with the Photo Shop application, changing the colors, shades, sharpness. Cropping the design and enlarging it. Changing the printer settings, etc. etc.

Here are some of the results:




 




And, one drawing with - and one without:

Growing Like Weeds

 
Sail or Swim

Now I'm working on adding a little color to my drawings without allowing the color to dominate. For me, the line's the thing - and always will be.

Hope you're having a wonderful day!  Bye for now!




Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Found Treasures




Look at this beautiful Oscar de la Renta dressing gown:



This is a size small gown made for a tall, thin rich person, but I got it at Goodwill for four dollars. The photos don't do it justice, but I think you get the idea. It's in perfect condition - maybe never worn.

It's missing the belt, but that's no problem for me, since I will be shortening the gown for a very short size small person. The fabric I cut off will be enough for a belt and a few other things besides - makeup bag, slippers, whatever.

It's a lot of fun shopping for "finds" at Goodwill.

The stuff I donate to Goodwill is usually so worn out they probably sell it for rags. But other people's donations are sometimes just wonderful! And Goodwill gets the money to continue their programs. Some years back they provided job placement and training for Beth, helping her work at Publix Grocery for awhile and then Wendy's Restaurant for about six years. Love those people!

Speaking of people helping people, a certain young lady has shared with me two excellent projects:
I don't have personal experience to report on, but the premise - people sharing what they don't want free or next to nothing - is a wonderful way to go.

Reminds me of the 60's. Guess I'm really just an old hippy after all....!

So, for all you old hippys out there, and non-hippys, here's another drawing:


Hope you're checking out all my prints via the link in the upper right corner of this blog. They're all for sale (hint!). Even if you're not shopping, you can have fun playing with different color mats and frames, and how they affect the pictures. Oh, and there's other artwork on there too, including photography....

Next time I write, I'll talk about the backgrounds on my drawings.