Tall Tales from Kansas

finding your way to hang in there

Happy Valentines day friends.   You will forgive my lapses in posting as I struggle to think of things to say. How does one acknowledge all the hard stuff and keep moving forward. 

Looking at this old photo of Lewis on the table with conversation hearts, from way back in 2012... oh yes, that helps. Thinking about good things, trying not to ruminate too much on the bad, doing something to help where I can. 

Along those lines, there was an Art Zoom on Sunday. I was going to paint a whole page of cacti, but instead painted these stickers from my everyday journal. 

That Rebecca Ringquist had to go and post a photo of her Love Sampler on instagram which I of course had to get.  When will I stitch it? Sometime. How completely darling is that envelope with a heart painted on it that she sent it in? Love x's a billion!

McClain's had special cookies for the superbowl which were soothing in a slightly crunchy vanilla, with a hint of lemon, sugary way. 

Hope you all are finding your way to hang in there, however it works for you.

 

this stuff requires practice

On the last day of virtual art retreat, feeling a little frisky, I decided to dive deep into the philosophy of "doing something hard you think you can't do".  An excellent mantra for the timid artist, especially during an art retreat. 

So, with the proper frame of mind notched in place, self-doubt in check, Annette (whose birthday is soon) was selected as the model for the first page. Great fun was had. Concentration was focused, laser sharp, except for when it wasn't.

Next up, a Kansas landscape in the black sketchbook. 

There was much to experiment with - in particular how much water to use on the gouache to maintain the opaque vibrance, but still juicy enough to swish around on the paper. There is more to learn there.  Sister painted brother Paul and cats and landscapes. Time went by so fast. Before you know it, day 3 was done. We are going to schedule another art retreat in February. This stuff requires practice. More of it. 

It's humbling to do things you aren't that great at, but at the same time enjoyable if that even makes sense. And, unlike knitting, quilting, and sewing you can start and finish a piece in a few hours. Or you can keep fiddling and overwork it if you want to. The thing about these sketchbooks is they are for fun. Every time sister and I get together to do these sessions, we flip though and show each other previous bits of work... hilarity ensues. It's good therapy. 

tomorrow the sky is the limit

Sister and I just concluded day 2 of 3 planned days of ZOOM art making. I need several days in a row of art dates. It takes at least 1/2 of the first session to get my mind to free itself up and get started.

That's Angie at age 11 and Marti Huff at age 99.  Sister was painting seascape masterpieces, Otto was prowling around in the background, good fun all around.

Today started with a self portrait followed by my rendition of a scene on the box of long matches up here in the art room. This was especially enjoyable.

Tomorrow the sky is the limit. Maybe I will attempt seascapes, more portraits, or something completely different. 

My "chore" today consisted of putting the neon pothos that has been rooting in water, into dirt today. Before it suffered root rot. I think that's a thing. Hopefully it will take, then hold until it's time to put it out in pots with the caladiums out front again this year. The succulents that had been hot glued on top of the mini pumpkin were also stuck in dirt. Who can say if they will survive. I figure if they lived without any water on top of a mini pumpkin for 3 months they should?

I hope you are spending your long weekend (if you have one) doing what you like too. 

I tucked and stuck and called it good

Sunday Art ZOOM focused on hearts for me.  Kind of like the tree's I got addicted to around Christmas time. When I find something that appeals to me, I like to work it. For all it's worth.

Watercolor, ink, scissors.

I was going to sew them together for a garland, but I have another idea for that, so I tucked and stuck and called it good.  For the moment. 

no end to the fun

ZOOM art experiments continue. Self portrait with colored pencils here. Sister is drawing what's on her tables at home. Chris is downstairs sneezing loudly. Wyatt is trying to get on Sister's table at Moss Cottage.  

Below is last week's portrait. No end to the fun. 

Do tell us what tour de force you are working on and where to go to see it. 

pure playtime joy

The tree thing, started on January 1st, continued on into January 3rd. It moved from watercolor, ink, cut... to cut out trees from old calendar, add newspaper, fire up the sewing machine. 

Then out came the toned gray paper.  Why not? Before you know it there was a small forest. 

Which begged to be set up on the water color pan before going back to the inspiration board.

These Caran D'Ache crayons have not seen the light of day for many moons. They will get more play time this month.  For sure. As will those colored pencils. 

It's hard to say exactly what it was that made these trees so much fun to me, but it was pure playtime joy. I want more of that feeling all year long. 

And while I am at it, more French toast with blueberries and raspberries on top because it was incredible. Bacon on the side. Cause you got to have the salty with the sweet. It's a balance thing.  

I have always enjoyed a new beginning

The New Years day snow arrived as expected. It's pretty, and it's heavy, and clearing it off the driveway and walkways is a most excellent way to burn up eggnog calories.  

Sister and I also did a New Years day art ZOOM. She sent me a link to someone on instagram who had made some trees that I wanted to try and do. I love it when Mary Ann sends me ideas like this. Things that make me want to get out the paints and watercolors and have a go.  

Oh boy it was fun. So much so that we are doing it again tomorrow.  Me making trees, her doing landscapes. Because as soon as I got done with these trees, I got ideas for more trees. As I was making them, having a wonderful time, I thought about how sometimes the idea of "copying" someone else seems "wrong". Then in the book below, which is wonderful by the way, there is discussion about how artists "borrow marks from one another all the time". How they have learned from each other throughout the centuries. And lets face it, these tree's are only being used for my absolute enjoyment. 

I enjoy them so much in fact, that I popped them on my inspiration board as soon as I cut them out.

I have been reading varied perspectives about 2020 on different blogs and elsewhere on social media. This one appealed to something in me. It was this sentence in particular, "It can happen in a breath, to lose what you have..." Boy is that true. This year has really brought that home. 

I don't have any deep thoughts or wisdom to share about the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. I have always enjoyed a new beginning. This year is no different, with the exception that I am cherishing the thought of getting together with friends near and far, and hope not to take that privilege for granted ever again. 

P.S. if you decide to read A History of Pictures by David Hockney and Martin Gayford please do get the one for children.  

because she looks like a thug

I am developing a graphic novel. Fueled by the portraits I did of Sister, Dottie, and myself in Mendocino.

It's about a crime that was committed in a lighthouse, the body was discovered by the character on the upper left while she was studying trees in the forest. Everyone thinks it is clear that the perpetrator is the character on the upper right, but this is because she looks like a thug and there is no hard evidence. Meanwhile the character on the bottom right has just moved to town and seems really nice but there is something slightly off about her.   

More details to follow. As they work themselves out. 

seriously that is exactly what my knees look like

Oh the joy of having like-minded friends, who at the drop of a hat, will arrange their schedules to sit around a table with you and play.

I include this photo of Sharron and Joyce because it's a perfect reflection of their friendship, but also so you can see what they really look like.  In my renderings of them I have taken artistic license and chosen to stray from reality. 

Making art with others, while you laugh, tell stories, and look up to see the ocean before your eyes, surely is what heaven is like. If you believe in that sort of thing. 

There must always be blind and semi-blind contour drawings.

In her usual easy-going manner, my sister, the artist who nudges me by example, enticed me on this trip with her trees.  So I had to try. The presence of a chief tantalizer is important in any art retreat. Someone to encourage you past the point of struggle to that one small success that pushes you onward.

Then I went back to other things. Cherries in bowls, birds, treasures from the sea, a study of eye glasses.  

And then, for some reason, on Sunday, after reading the NY Times and seeing the amazing Wendy McNaughton's work, I somehow go the idea that I was not only completely capable, but likely could excel at capturing my whole body in a sketch.

It's all in the eye of the beholder, but seriously, that is exactly what my knees look like.  

an icon for our time

Even though very late to the party, I finally watched RBG recently. It WAS everything I had heard about it.  And more. Which led to the need to capture her in the sketchbook. 

Initially I had her on the page with a white background. But decided the burst of rays was most definitely called for. So I wandered out to the garage to find an old stencil Sister did years ago, and settled on a bright orange acrylic in lieu of a can of spray paint. 

"I ask no favor for my sex.  All I ask of our brethren is that they take their feet off our necks."

                                                               Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg

 

There is no way to possibly sum up this documentary. Trailer below provided for your viewing pleasure. Highly Recommended.

 

and other less identifiable items

Saturday was the perfect day for painting pomegranates.  I have been meaning to try them since I came back from Palm Springs.  

So out came the gouache. Actually it's been sitting on the table since I got back from Palm Springs. Whispering as I walk by it. 
With painting, I have a goal to one day be able to pick up a brush and just start. However, at this point in my artistic life, a general idea of a shape at the outset, done with a pencil, seems to work better for me.   

So that's what I did.  Mixing up the reds, oranges, and browns to come up with just the right shade.  

At this point I went to bed before adding the "seeds".  Giving things a chance to dry.  

Then the decision came to pull out some acrylic paint and do a background.  

Which, by the way was exceedingly enjoyable.  

Almost as much fun as turning all my paint test spots into hearts, flowers, leaves, fried eggs, mittens, a cactus, a bird, and other less identifiable items.

I learned this from Pam Garrison.  The undisputed QUEEN of doodling. The thing is you just have to find your own doodle style. Which is hard. Until you turn off the thinking part of your brain and don't force it. Or expect it to look like someone else doodles. 

none less enjoyable as a result

Since returning from Palm Springs, Sister and I have resumed our regular FaceTime SketchTime sessions. While she has been making masterpieces I have been having great fun spreading paint on pages.

Some outcomes more pleasing than others.  None less enjoyable as a result. 

the packaging of Trader Joe's dark chocolate bars

In the name of cleaning, which it really wasn't but lets just go with it, I pulled out old folders, calendars, papers, tape, stickers, and mail art from sister today and decided it was high time to reinforce folders, use up stuff, and throw out what no longer appeals.  

I am making a folder for all the trips being taken this year.  Tucking in things I want to do while there, adding important information which shouldn't get lost, and enhancing the overall enjoyment of each trip by looking forward to it - starting now. All while using up stuff. Win. Win. Win.

The note made to myself on the Palm Springs folder way back in 2013 could not be collaged over.  Bird stickers, which had been hiding in the supply closet, are being affixed to all folders.  You can't have too many cute bird stickers.  

The inspiration board update also got started. This page was torn out of Taproot magazine. Isn't it wonderful? I wish I had thought to tear out the name of the artist too.  

Stuff also got taped into the everyday journal today.  Before it could go missing.  

Sister and I had a FaceTime Sketchtime session as well.  This is what I did last week when we talked.  

Doesn't everyone want to paint the packaging of Trader Joe's dark chocolate bars?  

to keep the fire burning

I am closing in on the tail end of the PS 2019 Art Retreat photos.  

As I look back at these, I realize it may be hard to understand the extreme enjoyment that comes from making ridiculous renderings of one another.  Unless you have been there.  Done that.  Then of course you do.  

Pam Garrison is a lettering WIZARD.  I adore this folded work of art she made for me.  

Speaking of gifts, get a load of the wrap sister got for me in Venice.

The most luxurious cashmere you can imagine, in the most pleasing palette of greens possible.  Oh, my. Soft, warm, and light like a feather. It is impossible not to feel very, very special in it. And yes, I do count myself incredibly lucky to have the BEST siblings in the entire world.

Yesterday Sister and I scheduled a FaceTime Sketchtime session. Something we hadn't done for awhile. A practice that is good (for me) to get back into the habit of doing when we return from Art Retreat. To keep the fire burning.  For as long as possible.  

some teeth and nose practice sessions

Let me open this post with a shot of the stacks of books that we each worked in at Art Retreat #7. 


Let me also say that my stack of books, on the bottom, will not arrive in Palm Springs naked next year. They will have colorful covers. Mark my words. This task has been placed on a "to do for next year" list in my everyday journal. 

This layout features MA's work on the bottom row (adore her portraits of Pam and I), that's my leaves/flowers and bouquet of flowers in the middle, MA drew Pam directly to the right of that, top row is all Pam (the bird spread!!!!!) except my yellow coffee cup along with the vase of zinnia's done earlier this summer.

Cactus was something I have wanted to try ever since seeing sister's gouache renditions of them.  There will be more of them done in the future.  Working with gouache is something I find myself liking more and more and more.  I might also engage in some teeth and nose practice sessions.  Or not.  

When you plan your very own Palm Springs art retreat, be sure you make it to Koffi's downtown location.  

They have this wonderful outdoor courtyard area in the back.

Perfect for people watching and latte sipping. (I recommend the honey vanilla latte).

Also, the geraniums are va-va-vibrant!  And the warm softness of the air feels wonderful on your skin.  Especially when you have three whole days spooling out in front of you for creating with your pals.  

the united states of carol by Louisa

 Friday, one of my colleagues came to work and handed me this. 

Original artwork from her daughter, my friend, Louisa. 

I am not sure exactly what is meant by "the united states of carol".  Maybe she has decided I should run for public office so my name will be on our currency?  There may also be plans for a sandwich named after me if I win the election (top left in photo #1).

 
Her portrayal of me gliding through the halls of the medical center, in a freshly starched lab coat, name badge visible, is spot on by the way. 

I am blown away by her talent, imagination, and creativity. 

Here she is decked out in her holiday finest.   Her first task in her new job as my campaign manager, will be to accompany me on a shopping trip.  So she can help me with my overall "look".  Which could use a bit of a brush-up.   I feel certain she is up to the task.     

one of the shoes I am thinking about ordering

Back in the day (exactly what time frame that refers to, I'm not sure, but in this case I am meaning when we were in our late 30's or early 40's), my sister and I used to make mail art for each other.  Quite frequently I would say.   

I was reminded of how much fun it was, when I received this in the post from Mary Ann last week. 

I called her to ask if she said anything important inside, because I didn't want to open it and chance disturbing a single element.  It's my new bookmark and I delight in admiring every aspect of it over and over again each night when I am reading.

I took my sewing machine in for "routine maintenance" today and since I am unable to work on my new quilt, I find myself with time on my hands.  I am trying to decide if I should attempt to draw my house with my car and recycling bins out front.  Like she did. 

Or maybe a self portrait, or a drawing of Chris, or one of the shoes I am thinking about ordering. 

 A car with 3 tires appeals to me the most right now for some reason. 

pantsuits, can in fact, be considered dressy enough to wear to a formal affair

Today, during FaceTime Sketchtime with my sister, I drew Hillary and The Donald.  I don't know why.  It seemed like a good idea at the start.

While we worked, we discussed important topics, like can a pantsuit be considered formal attire and what are important criteria that should be taken into account when thinking about where to retire?

Hillary, I don't know why your eyes got too big, your teeth got crooked, or your neck came out too wide.  But I still like you.  I will draw you again.  You may come out looking more like yourself on the second attempt.  Anything is possible.  

I ended the session with a study in pumpkins and gourds while sister drew corn?  In a jar?  You'll have to ask her about that. 

 P.S.  We came to the conclusion that pantsuits, can in fact, be considered dressy enough to wear to a formal affair.  You can count on the Moss sisters to provide good fashion tips. 

her dress sure is pretty

In some class, in some country, in some grade, a long time ago, I recall a "current events" board.  Where the teacher would post things that were happening and we would, at some point in the day, discuss it.  If I had a bulletin board right now.  These are the seven things I would put on it.  Minimal discussion required.  

Just finished this tonight.  A good commute listen.  Not spectacular.  But definitely good. 

My fall tablecloth find from a second hand store last year.   Yes, I posed it with that mug on purpose.  It's not everyone who can appreciate this color combination.  Lucky for me. 

The black eyed susan vine is putting on a second flowering since the days have cooled off a bit. 

Lastly, I present Vivian and Vanessa.  From my sister's class.  I should have stopped with Vivian.  Poor Vanessa.  Something happened to her.  But her dress sure is pretty. 

that chicken foot on Mary Ann's forehead

Working in my art journal in Stockholm has me on a bit of a sketching, painting, kick.  During a FaceTime Sketchtime session on Sunday there was this.

Then there was this.  Because you can't do too many pictures of yourself and your sister.  It was very windy on the boat by the way.  In case you are wondering about that chicken foot on Mary Ann's forehead. 

Then I took it upon myself to try and draw a whole body.  Poor Inga.  And to think how nice she was to us. 

Then I decided to do some more faces.  Faces of unsuspecting people from the hospital.  Like this very nice medical student. 

He has a great face, with lots of angles and shadows and such amazing hair.  Plan to see more of him.  Inside of me there is a masterpiece of him that wants to break out.  It just needs time. 

Definitely not Fredrik Henr AF Chapman

As promised.  For those of you who are interested in such things.  Here is the final signature of the Stockholm travel journal.  This is the fastest I've ever completed a travel journal after arriving home from a trip.  Probably because there was only a page or two to finish up and some photos to print and add to the mix.  It is also, by far, the most fun I have had working in a travel journal on vacation. 

You will notice I tackled several subjects more than once.  Including that mother-in-law's tongue above.  I liked this version more than the first.  Less wimpy.  A bit more bold. 

I think the reason it was so enjoyable is because I stopped thinking so much about what I should do on each page and I just DID.  Whatever I wanted.  If Mary Ann was doing something - even though I thought it might be too hard.  I did it.  I told myself I was not making a masterpiece.  Though I will likely think all of them are masterpieces in the future.  Ok.  Maybe not all of them.  Definitely not Fredrik Henr AF Chapman, who is coming up shortly for your review.  

The end.   "That's all she wrote" as my dad used to say when there wasn't anything left.  Thanks for coming along for the ride.  I will enjoy looking at this journal in years to come and recalling in great detail the complete delight that was Stockholm.   Heck.  I am enjoying looking at it now.  

the portraits of myself and Mary Ann were highly entertaining to do and still make me laugh out loud

Here it comes.  Part II of the Stockholm travel journal.  Provided here for your amusement. 

This painting of Ingrid, in front of the bookcase in our apartment, where the books were organized by color, is my favorite - of all the things I painted in this travel journal.  Although, the portraits of myself and Mary Ann were highly entertaining to do and still make me laugh out loud until I cry.   

Until tomorrow.  When the final installment shall be posted. 

I told her that I would carry her bags everywhere we went if she would

The time has come to show you my Stockholm travel journal.  In three installments.  One signature at a time.   Mary Ann made this journal for me.  It was completely and totally perfect.  In every way.  Size.  Number of signatures.  Types of paper used.  I am pretty sure she said that for all future Moss Sister Adventure Travels she was going to continue this tradition.   I think I told her that I would carry her bags everywhere we went if she would. 

I am going to recommend that you make yourself a "Hound Dog" tomorrow and Tuesday nights to enjoy while you review the next two installments.  When I made mine on Sunday I had a lemon instead of a lime and it was even better.  Get one.  It's worth it.   

I hope I meet a Swedish cat

When you are reading this I will be just getting to Stockholm, depending on where you are reading from of course.  I might still be flying over a big, big, big, ocean on my way to see things I have never before seen.  In a country I have not set foot in before.   I hope I meet a Swedish cat. 

Right before I started packing to leave on Monday, in a final moment of artistic preparation for our trip, I did some practice sketching of a few scenes I want to try and capture while we are there.  Expect to see a lot more things like this when I get home.  In vivid color.  In my travel journal that Mary Ann made for me and is bringing with her. 

I am not sure how much blogging will be going on from Stockholm.  I will be posting photos for sure on Instagram and will probably do at least several posts.  I want to be present in the moment, experiencing this adventure instead of telling about experiencing my adventure, which can detract from the lived experience.   That was a mouthful.  But you know what I mean.

I do plan to take lots of pictures and tell stories about the people I see and the things we do when I get home.  Mary Ann is going to be posting videos on her YouTube Channel  so you might want to take a look at those if you are in need of some entertainment.   Appreciate all your good thoughts for safe travels and no missed connecting flights!

it could detract from the lovely simplicity

In the spirit of saving the best for last, I present Pam and Mary Ann in all their splendid glory, as rendered by yours truly, in the very last hour of our time together in Palm Springs. 

I am thinking about embellishing the backgrounds, but worry that it could detract from the lovely simplicity of these compositions.   

that fine balance between carefulness and carefree expression

It is hard to calculate the enormity of the satisfaction that can be derived from messing around with pens, paints, pencils, and ink.  Below are some of the pages I did in Palm Springs this year. 

The first one below is my favorite that my sister did, followed by my favorite that Pam did.

They make that fine balance between carefulness and carefree expression look so easy to achieve.  It's not.  But it's fun to try. 

 

their free flowing, seemingly effortless, talent

I returned to Kansas on Monday night with a cold, which I would like to blame on being in an airplane, though I am not certain it can be traced directly to that.  In an effort to cure it I have consumed tomato basil soup, broccoli soup, and chicken noodle soup.  If this combination works by tomorrow, rendering me healthy enough to return to work as planned, I will let you know.   In the meantime, lets just go back to Palm Springs.

We rented Liberace's Pad again this year because we liked it so much for the 3rd annual art retreat.  Excellent pool and hot tub.  Lovely backyard.  Responsive, very nice, property managers. Did I mention super clean and comfy beds?

As soon as we checked in, supplies were unloaded and spots were chosen at the table. 

And of course we made sure the pool and hot tub were in working order.  They were.  Luckily one of us happens to be a pool maintenance expert.  Just in case she might be needed.  She always never is.
 

This probably goes without saying but below is the work of Pam followed by Mary Ann followed by me then back to Mary Ann and then Pam. 

Hanging out with a couple of art rock stars is pretty fun.  It is so nice to be inspired by their free flowing, seemingly effortless, talent.  If you, like me, love to try your hand at painting, drawing, and sketching, flowers, you might want to have Pam come to your house at your convenience and play with you.  Details for that can be found here. 

It's time for more ibuprofen, ginger/lemon tea, and flannel pajamas.  I am going to cross my fingers and hope that when I open my door in the morning, this is what I see.  

 

 

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facetime sketchtime revisited

Yesterday, for the first time in awhile, my sister and I had a FaceTime SketchTime session.    It involved drawing each other, remedies to try if you think you are getting sick, and how I am the only person in the United States of America not watching Downton Abbey.

There was also cutting, pasting, and a discussion about our upcoming trip to Palm Springs for Art Retreat #4. Which is happening in less than a month!  Which reminds me, Pam's class is starting soon.  Have a look below and get yourself signed up.   Stat!

Painting Petals Sneak Peek from Pamela Garrison on Vimeo.

P.S.  The only reason I don't watch Downton Abbey is because it comes on at a time that is not convenient for me to watch.  I fully intend, someday, to sit down and watch the entire series.  When that happens sister(s) I will call you so we can discuss.

 

the perfect thing to end your weekend, or begin your week

This morning I was reading Leslie's post about footwear, in which she mentions the preferred athletic shoe of the Moss Sisters, and as I was perusing her blog in general I came across this, and had the most delightful time reading it and delighting in the art work and clever observations of Maira Kalman.   I felt it my duty to provide the link above, even though it is from 2009, on the off chance that you may not have previously seen it either.  

It is the perfect thing to end your weekend, or begin your week, depending on when you are reading this.  Thanks Leslie.  Thanks Maira. 

 

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the drawing of Greta's Cubed Egg Igloo

the hilarity that ensued as we followed the instructions

In no particular order, what follows are the last of the sketchbook exercises from the Grand Tour of California.  Starting with Mary Ann sitting across the table from me and then moving on to car sketches of houses, gulls, seascapes, wine glasses, the garden at the house we stayed in, and the master bedroom chair.  Everywhere I looked there was something to try and draw.  

One of the most fun things we did was watch a YouTube video of a painter showing how to "add people to your landscape drawings".    You can imagine the hilarity that ensued as we followed the instructions and painted along.  

a prolific rose drawer of great renown

While on the Grand Tour of California.  I kept notes in my everyday journal and joined my sister in the fun of playing around in about 4 different sketchpads. 

I love the roses Mary Ann is always drawing so I set my jaw in a determined manner and decided to become a rose drawer.  On this trip.  In 13 days.   

I started out by copying some she had done in her journals in the past and then tried to branch out on my own a bit.  

I know of no good reason I should not be able to become a prolific rose drawer of great renown if I focus and concentrate. 

I branched out into a few other areas while waiting for breakfast one morning and while Sister was drawing the neighbors house one evening. 

I came back to the roses though on Sunday when we had a FaceTime Sketchtime session. 

Thirteen days + 5 have passed now and I am still working out the kinks.  Jaw remains set.  Determination still strong.  

there are no excuses for the fifth one

I know I said I was going to show you the roses I drew in California and then I was going to also show you the sketches I did of Mary Ann and I.  But I am doing it in reverse.  Before I come to my senses and realize that these sketches really should not be out in the public domain with my name attached to them in any way. 

First there was this red one...

which led to the blue one...

that made me want to do the third one...

at which point I felt like I was really getting somewhere and so needed to do the fourth one.  Which is when things went terribly wrong.

There are no excuses for the fifth one. 

The end. 

the 49 miles in 3 hours route

On the route we took from Mendocino to Pacific Grove we saw many things. The gas station in Albion, redwoods, the grapevines of Anderson Valley, Gowan's oak tree fruit stand, French butter pears, freshly made yogurt and granola at the Boonville general store and bakery, the Golden Gate Bridge, Healdsburg, Half Moon Bay, and at long last the Monterey peninsula.

We selected the 49 miles in three hours route. When you are doing the Grand Tour of California you don't want to miss anything.

the moon dropping into the sea

Here are some of the things my eyes landed on yesterday. The sea and the sky. From my first ever views of the Milky Way to the sheer fun of Glass beach. They do not disappoint.

The moon dropping into the sea was the icing on the cake.

'expanding my doodle vocabulary"

Today I did a deep dive into Pam's Creative Sketchbooking class on Creative Bug.  It was like having my own private art retreat with Pam and Mary Ann, except I could pause Pam whenever I wanted too and rewind her to watch again.   I sat in the living room drinking coffee and watched all 4 classes and then, sufficiently inspired, I gathered supplies.

Including these acrylics that have not seen the light of day in quite some time.  Please forgive the state of my acrylic palette.  I gave up long ago trying to clean it between uses. 

Next I started on the mesmerizing "task" of cutting some triangle shapes. 

After which, I mixed up a drink, cued up the class, got out the sketchbooks and a pen, and followed right along. 

This is my favorite kind of class.  It's all about the process and just having fun.  I am picking up new tips though... things like "color balance on the page" and "expanding my doodle vocabulary". 

None of this is finished, although I did decide the butterfly I started some weeks back during facetime sketchtime needed a creative sketchbooking triangle border.  I love going back to old pages and adding new elements. 

Tomorrow I am headed back for more hi-jinx.  I am not sure of anything I am doing except that I am enjoying the heck out of myself and that is what days off were made for. 

it just never knows where it's going next and this is the result

Luckily, when the text came in from Stockholm this morning, about a transoceanic FaceTime SketchTime session, I was almost done making my purchases at the farmers market.   It has been a few weeks since I did any drawing so I was glad for the invite from my sister . 

This bunch of flowers turned out to be an excellent subject for sketching. 

No need for perfection.  Pick up the pen, pick a flower, and just start.  You may have noticed I tend to have a very wavery line when I sketch.  It's not that my hand shakes, it just never knows where it's going next and this is the result.  

During our session today, among other things, we discussed selecting the front seat on the bus for maximum viewing when traveling in a foreign country, the exceptional cuteness of handmade mouse dolls who sleep in matchboxes covered with knitted blankets, and the pleasure of drinking coffee from pretty cups while staring out the windows into the Swedish evening light. 

Before I knew it, it was time to sign off.  I am not going to try and paint these flowers.  I like them just like they are.  

many problems can be solved by thinking

This week I started my facetime sketchtime session with my sister with the "hello" warm up.    It involves writing hello hello hello hello, over and over and over and over.  As many times as you want.  Using whatever writing implement you see fit. 

I like the "hello" warm up because it is uncomplicated AND it doesn't have any S's in it.  I don't like to write S'. 

Once that was done I moved on to trying to draw a flower.  With a micron pen.  Using small lines for shading.  I kept going until I was fairly certain I could not make it any better.  Then I took out the watercolors.  And there it was.  On the page.  Unsettlingly dissatisfying for some reason.  I told Mary Ann I was just going to keep thinking, and she told me "many problems can be solved by thinking".   So I mixed up a nice red orange color and painted it all around the flower and found I liked it much better.   

Then I worked on this butterfly for a few minutes.  I did not paint around it with reddish/orange paint because it didn't need it.  Not yet. 

Next I worked on letters while Mary Ann told me all about the Swedish travel journal she was making.   I pretended not to be jealous and told her I was glad I wasn't going because I don't like writing S's and it would hard to make a Swedish travel journal without any S'. 

Next up - figuring out how to write Sunday on this page.  With an S.  That I like.  I wish Pam was here right now.  She would write Sunday on this page if I asked her real nice.  She makes killer S's.   

how we hate it when birds fly into windows and get stunned

Sunday afternoon after I staked the hollyhocks, took photos of cicadas, and made a bouquet out of the ground cover that is growing like crazy in my swampy back garden, I called my sister for our weekly sketch and dish session known as face-time sketch-time. 

We talked about peaches and home-made pizza and how we hate it when birds fly into windows and get stunned, and then she told me she was going to make me a new journal to draw in because she had too many new ones and thought I might like one.  At least I think that's what she said.

Warning:  this is not really what starlings look like and is not a suitable substitute for the Audubon Birds of North America Field Guide.  But you probably already knew that. 

she was drawing California strawberries and I was drawing Kansas strawberries

There were strawberries at the market on Saturday.  So I bought a basket.  I ate some for breakfast and added some to my afternoon cocktail on Saturday and Sunday and Monday.  A 3-day weekend calls for daily cocktails.

Because they were so pretty, and because my sister instagrammed the ones she was drawing, I decided I would draw some too.

I drew them standing up, lying on the side, and while looking at them from the top.

They don't look the same as my sister's strawberries.  I am pretty sure that's because she was drawing California strawberries and I was drawing Kansas strawberries. 

If you decide to draw some, I suggest when you are done, you dip them in creme fraiche (or sour cream or Greek yogurt) and pop them in your mouth and eat them.  A sprinkling of brown sugar is optional. 

 

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facetime sketchtime week 8

facetime sketchtime week 12

On Sunday while I was telling Mary Ann about all the reasons that I should drive out to LA and pick up Corky Lynn and bring her to Kansas to live,  I drew 2 lemons on a Wedgwood plate and copied the flowers from the pattern on my purse. 

Next week I may try to sketch a flower from my wallet or my old gym bag.   These sorts of two dimensional elements tend to be much easier to replicate than the ones where I have to figure out where the lines go. 

Now get out there and copy the pattern on your purse.   And have fun while you are doing it.  That's an order. 

facetime sketchtime weeks 10 and 11

It's a "two for one" this week on the FaceTime Sketchtime serial thriller. 

This week in the general chit-chat part of FaceTime Sketchtime we discussed how many years you can continue to bring the same clothes with you on vacation, the best method for watering trees, and how when you can't think of what to draw you should do a person (Sister) or a bird (me).

You must go here to see more clearly what sister drew today.  It.  Is.  Priceless.  

 

facetime sketchtime week 9

This week's edition of FaceTime Sketchtime began with the assembling of objects I might want to try my hand at drawing.   

It's best to begin with simple, so I made a box and a background of something dark and got right to work on the dandelion.  

Then I moved on to the goose paddling away at the Rotary Arboretum last weekend.  I didn't think about it.  I just started. 

FYI - blue worms = waves.  I am not providing a key to any of the rest of the stuff below.  It was all just a blur of fun as I told my sister she was nothing less than a genius and asked her when she thought I would be able to come up with ideas like she did.

She guesstimated that if we keep doing Facetime Sketchtime with our current level of commitment and devotion a breakthrough was bound to happen soon.     

facetime sketchtime week 8

At the conclusion of last week's FaceTime Sketchtime session I had completed an extremely inaccurate yet very evocative visual reproduction of the house that Mary Ann and I stayed in when we went to Summerland last June. 

I could hear the train and see the ocean and taste the sketchbookery cocktails we drank on the balcony.   When we were there Mary Ann drew the house and I have been wanting to do the same since then.   I also spent about 15 minutes making this shape below.  Trying to conquer the easy spontaneity of the over and under loop is more challenging than it might appear.

I also tried out some of my new watercolors and did a sketch of myself and Mary Ann with a Japanese brush pen. 

I especially like the earphone on my left ear that has a special wire connected to my shoulder that appears to have water dripping from it.  I like that a whole lot. 

facetime sketchtime week 7

This is what happened when the new palette came out to play during FaceTime SketchTime week 7.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Slate-Colored Junco under a mayan orange sky.

The grackle's got tired of looking at a blank page so I strategically placed the junco's next door.  

I don't know who will be moving in to the neighborhood next, but I have room for them all.

ready to rumble

After painting with my present palette of watercolors for the past year, I decided I needed to switch things up a bit and add some new colors.  For me, it took a year of messing around with the colors I had to figure out what I was missing. 

When the new colors arrived I went to town filling up some new half pans and trying to think about a logical way to organize my tray.   I said good-bye to my old palette card and tucked it away inside my sketchbook.

Then I carefully made a new palette card.  Trying not to be too precise but still wanting to be sure and fit 12 boxes in each row.

Next it was time to fill in the boxes.  Without putting the wrong color in the wrong box or smearing them all up and getting mad and having to start over.  Nope.  I did not do any of those things.

Painting little square shapes inside little square boxes is soothing.   Extremely therapeutic.   

I am now officially ready to rumble! 

no penalties for trouble of the artistic kind

We worked in a mid-week FaceTime SketchTime session this last week because... well just because.   Some weeks call for it. 

While my Sister created bold, arresting, birds with colorful plumage, I did a study of the Quiscalus Quiscula family.  More commonly known as the grackle.  

Followed by the geranium cutting I have now potted in dirt, and then a practice sketch of Annette.  

Now that I have captured the grackle I am infused with confidence to tackle other birds.  Maybe a heron, or a snub-nosed bobwhite, or some such like that.

It is just this kind of thinking that has gotten me into trouble in the past.   Happily there are no penalties for trouble of the artistic kind. 

facetime sketchtime week 6

During this week's FaceTime SketchTime I tried to make an alphabet like the one on the front of Em and the Big Hoom.   I may need to do it 37 or 38 more times before I get it just right, but it's bold and colorful and that's the direction I was going for. 

I used some black acrylic ink to make boxes around my letters and then because I poured out an overly generous amount I was forced to make more letters.

Followed by an Icterus Galbula and a Mark Hearld crow.

When that was done I tried out a bunch of new watercolors and ordered some colors I positively HAD to have.

Then I bit the ears off my chocolate bunny, and called it a day. 

facetime sketchtime week 5

Before I move on to this weeks sketching session with my sister, I present "Annette the first".  The first, because I had so much fun drawing her and coloring her in, you know there will be an "Annette the second".

This week I sketched a bird - not just any bird.  A woodpecker.  Not just any woodpecker.  A gilded flicker.  A gilded flicker who just happens to look like he ran into that tree and re-arranged his beak in the process. 

One of his relatives came to my goldfinch feeder Sunday morning and I had never seen one before.   The spotted breast was amazing.  In real life I mean.  I did my best to capture it here.

Topics of conversation this week included:  the chevy malibu, car max, white carpet covered dashboards, and how to make a dark brown from the watercolors in your pan. 

I then thought it would be a good idea to try and capture a scene from the walk Chris and I did on Saturday.   Naked trees should be easy to draw.  Au contraire.    

For my final selection I tackled the daffodil from another angle. 

By this point in the session I was laughing so hard I almost spilled the last sip of my ice cold cosmo so we called it quits.   For all out FUN - facetime sketchtime can not be beat.  

facetime sketchtime week 4

This Sunday during FaceTime SketchTime with my sister, I had to attempt to draw a daffodil.  I selected a vase Chris made in college in pottery class.  It was placed on a pink spotted imaginary napkin.  For dramatic effect. 

After that I moved on to the monarch butterfly.  There have been sightings around here of the rare white monarch.  This is not one of them.  I am waiting patiently for the ink to dry before I move on to phase 2.

FaceTime SketchTime is fun.  Today while we drew we discussed sprouted chia seeds and hand cream.  Topics you would expect to come up while drawing.

While I waited on the monarch I decided to draw my friend Annette from a photo I took of her a while back in her stylish Tam. 

For my final selection of the week, I give you the juvenile American Goldfinch.   I was unaware that there was a hint of blue in the tail feathers of this species.  These are the kinds of things you learn when sketching.  You can also see the final version of the monarch below.   

I decided to make him extra bright, to make up for all that white space I don't quite know what to do with yet.   Next week I focus all my attention on background.  Maybe.  Unless more butterfly's are asking to be drawn.  Monarchs are extremely fun subjects to sketch. 

facetime sketchtime week 3

Sunday, during FaceTime SketchTime, I colored in flowers as well as vegetables. 

If I wait a week between sketching and coloring my water soluble ink runs less.  Yes.  I know I could use a different pen and ink but I do love this one so. 

I also drew a bird with watercolor and then dropped the brush on the page when I was labeling it. 

We also had a discusion about the very fine line between sheer genious and delusion when it comes to sketching.  I think that may have been when I dropped the paint brush.  But it could also have been when I noticed the foliage on the tree bore a striking resemblance to a broccoli stalk. 

Next week I am going to draw a butterfly.  Either that, or a statue of the Virgin Mary.  Whichever one is least likely to turn out looking like broccoli.