Started out light and, sketchy. Then I added another layer. And a bit more. I love artists that have a light, delicate touch. So often want to paint that way. But I always end up heavy on the color. So I have to face it. That is me.
This is the first in my birthday Sketchbook gift from Jerry’s Artarama. I used pencil, Inktense, Neocolor and a waterbrush. The paper buckled while I was working, but I left it overnight with a weight on it, and I have to say I am pleased with how flat it dried.
Somehow this 4 x 6 book seems smaller than a 4 x 6 postcard. Weird. Just my brain. I have wanted to start a sketchbook for a while. I so admire the sketch books I see by those of you who keep them. So shout out to Jerry’s – Thank you!
Busy working at my desk for a couple of hours last night. Needed an art break so I grabbed a small scrap of paper, watercolor pencils and crayons, and played with color. Pulled my watercolor box from its resting spot at the back of the desk, placed the towels in their usual work area. (They sit on top of the water cups when not in use)
Colored for a few minutes then reached for a brush and dipped it in water. Started to…
Ugghh!
Right in front of me, and dime sized, black spider runs from under the towels, around the left side, and back towards the wall. I sat frozen. Sort of surprised I did not freak out actually.
UGHHH!
(Made a little graphic for presentation.)
I gingerly started moving everything off my desk. 5 canvases, a short stack of papers to be scanned, the stack of my mini’s in progress, and a stack with Lally’s class PDF’s and some odds and ends to read. Moved the art cart away from the desk.
I tapped everything first, so if the spider was there he would get the hint to move on. Threw everything on my bed. Then, when I did not find the spider, I realized that was a bad plan. Moved everything to the bookcase next to my desk.
Searched everywhere, moved the desk away from the wall. Because you know how I feel. It isn’t over until you have bug guts on your shoe. After a few minutes and no spider, decided to retreat to the laptop, and wait him out.
I purchased Karin’s recommended bug sticky pads. And am happy to report I did not see any spiders for about five days. And what galls me is that I just cleaned and reorganized my supplies and desk. Ugghhh! So yeah, I know. It is probably my fault. I disturbed the little bugger.
Watercolor pencil chart.
Oh, and I finally made a watercolor pencil chart. I had little scraps with doodles before. Now all the colors are on one sheet, and it is laminated!
After working for about an hour, and still no spider. I figured he most likely traveled over to the bookcase. Where all the desk items were moved. Oh great.
So, with my desk empty, at 11:30 I decided I might as well scrub the desk surface. Planned on doing it after I had finished these projects, but what the heck. Spic and Span now.
Put a sticky trap on my desk. Sorry to report it is pristine this morning. There is really no where he can hide, I checked the printer, back of the computer, wires, back of the desk. under the desk. I am sure he has moved on. But still, with no corpse, How can I feel comfortable sitting at that desk????? Stupid spider.
OK, as for the art. This was really just a warm up, before my painting session that never happened. It is looking blurry here, but there are some very interesting areas where the colors come together and mix and bloom. Neo II’s and watercolor pencils.
Working on Laly’s class today. I was so excited to paint last night. We celebrated my brother’s birthday this weekend, and the painting had to wait. First layer is on and the canvas is calling!
A few years ago my good friend Randy introduced me to Victoria Avenue in Riverside California. The avenue has a long and rich history and there are over 90 species of trees along its borders.
VICTORIA AVENUE owes its existence to the vision of Mathew Gage, a jeweler from Ireland who moved to Riverside in 1881. He developed the Gage Canal which brought precious water to the citrus groves in Arlington Heights. His vision introduced the many varieties trees and plants along Victoria Avenue.
During the spring of 1892, the grading of Victoria Avenue began and the first trees were planted. Riverside’s pioneer landscape designer, Franz Hosp, was responsible for the master plan.
On June 11, 1969, Victoria Avenue was declared Cultural Heritage Landmark #8 by the Riverside Cultural Heritage Board. In October 2000, Victoria Avenue was added to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. ~ John Pedroza
The abundant palm trees catch your eye, you can see them from miles away. What really captivated me was the hulking Eucalyptustrees that line several sections. I have wanted to paint these trees for a long time. I will paint more of them. My tree is perfectly lovely, but I missed the mark on conveying the stature of these majestic old lovelies.
Victoria Avenue, Riverside CA, photo SMD
LOVE SAYINGS: wit & wisdom of romance, courtship, and marriage.
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The book features work by many artists, including two of mine. You do not need an Amazon Kindle to get the eBook.
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