Dream Lesson

I had a very odd dream last night that I just can't shake.
I was in the bathroom, washing my flip flops in the sink as I sometimes do. They weren't particularly dirty, but I just wanted to wash off the surface dirt. Just as I thought they were clean, a large amount of dirt appeared and slid down the shoe and ran down into the sink. I proceeded to wash them again, getting them clean and more dirt appeared and slid down the shoes and into the sink. I thought this was very odd and started examining them to see what the problem was. I discovered that there was a big glob of mud and dirt stuck to the shoes that I didn't see. I proceeded to scrape and pick at the dirt which was very hard to remove, but it finally came off and I washed them again and they stayed clean.

Wow! What does this dream mean? I relate it to my walk in life (the shoes). I try to live my Christian life the way God intended and when I am focused on God, I have peace of mind (the clean shoes), but there are times that I let Satan enter my thoughts with worry and doubt (the dirt), taking my focus off of God and His promises that he will take care of me in all my problems and that there is nothing He can't do. I never seem to learn my lesson. Bad times come and then they go and I am at peace again. But it is a vicious cycle that Satan won't let go (the mud stuck to the shoes). Through prayer and faith in God I am able to break free of Satan and the doubt and worry (scraping and picking at the dirt). If I stay focused on God, my mind will be free of worry (shoes that stay clean).

It's amazing how God can teach me a lesson even in my dreams!

Early morning light

I had to stop and take this picture the other morning before heading to work. Wish I could get the date stamp off but I think it is there to stay! This is a portion of our back yard looking toward our woods. The birdhouses sit on a wooden bench that is on our deck at the back of the house. The tall one is my very favorite rustic birdhouse. It used to be in my sister, Lorene's garden....a fond remembrance of her.

Woodys & Nutties & Hummers, Oh My!

The feed I have been putting out for the birds is finally paying off! As I sat in the recliner this afternoon, I could see that Nuthatches and Woodpeckers finally found the thistleseed and suet I put on the big pine out front. But I was most amazed with all the Hummers that were dive bombing each other to get to the nectar feeder. One little, gutsy female was fighting off all the others....males included! She even took up a post on top of the shepherd's hook that the feeder is hung on, looking left and right watching for any intruders that would dare to try and sip from HER feeder!

As for my little monarch caterpillar (no, I didn't name him!) he is growing by leaps and bounds! Thankfully I have been able to keep him stashed with plenty of milkweed leaves! The girl that works next to me brought hers in to work this morning because it broke out of its cocoon this morning and once the wings are dried, needed to be let loose. We kept watching it from time to time as we worked, but the beautiful creature just hung from the roof of the butterfly box. Once we stepped outdoors to go home however, it came to life and started to flutter its wings. I had the priviledge to coaxing it onto my hand and take it out of the box as my co-worker is afraid of "insects". How beautiful it was to watch it take flight from my hand and gracefully flutter away! The one we let go was a female butterfly because it had dotted wings all around the edges. The male has solid black on the back edges. (At least I think that's what I read!) Now I can't wait for mine to get to the butterfly stage!

What to do on a rainy day?

I'm still having an major love affair........with old barns! I just can't get enough of them and even came home from the library with 3 more books of them. That will keep me busy for quite some time! I even asked my cousin (a big farmer in this area) if he knew of any unique barns with lots of character around this area. He couldn't think of any at the time, but I could see the wheels turning in this mind. I am sure he will think of a few by next week! I just may be out taking pictures during the week I am off work this month!

I DO have a new "project" that I vowed from the beginning I wouldn't do, but the girls at work sort of drew me into it, and it all came about from tramping through our woods looking for milkweed! I am now the proud mama of a baby Monarch catapiller! The girls at work have been "harvesting" monarch butterflies all summer and was having trouble finding the milkweed that they feast on. I said I would look in our woods for some and in looking at the leaves, trying not to take one that was "occupied", I overlooked and plucked one leaf that had a baby catapiller on it. Instead of casting it aside (none of the girls wanted another one to care for), I now have my own butterfly box and am "nurturing" this catapiller through to the butterfly stage. That means I will have to go out and regularly find milkweed for the next month until it goes into the chrysallis stage. No problem. We have plenty at the back of our woods! Anyway, I just may do some sketching of my little fella ....so much more fun to sketch the process rather than take photos!

Its a rainy afternoon and I plan to sit and do some sketching. I have started another sketch like the one of the girl and lamb. The proportions of the first drawing was pretty bad and I love this subject enough to try it again. Here's  a poem that would go great with the picture:

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him? ---
Give Him my heart.

This week's sketches

The weather has been so beautiful these past couple of days! Last night we opened all the windows and enjoyed the cooler temps. After it had turned dark, we retired to the bedroom and DH promptly fell asleep so I had planned to do some sketching, but a noise from outside caught my attention...a sound that made my hair stand on end. I went to the kitchen window and listened...off in the near distance (probably on the other side of the field behind our house) was a howling...but it certainly didn't sound like a dog, and besides, there are no houses in the direction of the howl. This was a very high pitched, wavery howl.....the only animal I can think of in this area that would howl like that is a coyote. I slipped out the patio door and stood on the deck and listened. It spooked me so bad that I quickly came back inside and locked the door. I stood again at the kitchen window and hear muffled yelping VERY near. Got to remember to keep an eye on our dog Casey when I let her out in the middle of the night!!

This morning...another gorgeous morning... I had the pleasure of sitting on the deck listening to the birds chirping. Jays, finches, cardinals and the most distinct, the cry of a hawk down in the woods. I never realized they had two very different distinct sounds and wasn't sure what it was until it took off from a grove of trees beside the house and landed in a tree in our woods. There it sat for a long time, crying....

Didn't get much sketching done this week...just the two below. I stopped off at the library this morning and came home with an armload of books. Pen and Ink Sketching by Peter Caldwell; Drawing in Pen & Ink by Claudia Nice; Creative Pen & Ink Techniques; and The Drawing Handbook by Frank Lohan. This should keep me busy for a while!

(Seems these scanned darker than the original sketches so I tried to do a white "fill" on the picture of the girl with lamb. Looks like I missed a couple of dark spots! Oh well, at least you can get an idea of the finished sketch!)

Another Barn

I absolutely love drawing old barns! This one was sketched first in 2b pencil then detailed in pen and ink. I fell in love with the original 1943 lithograph "Barns at Glen Gardner" by artist, Wanda Gag when I was looking through some books on Barns and decided to include it as one of my art studies on old barns. It took me approximately 5 hours to complete. I'm beginning to love working with pen and ink and it is sooooo much easier than I thought it would be! I just may try doing another on larger paper so that I can frame it. The Pen and Ink Techniques book says that a pen and ink sketch looks better framed if the picture doesn't go all the way to the edge of the paper. Thanks to the EDM group for inspiring me to start drawing again! I hadn't picked up the pen to draw in 2 years until I found them. THANKS to everyone for the inspiration you have given me with all your wonderful art!!

Newest Sketch!

This is how I spent my lunch hour today! I guess it wasn't so bad that I didn't have the car today (DH's car wouldn't start and he had to take me to work) because if I did, I wouldn't have attempted drawing this! It has its flaws but in all, I am very pleased with it as I have never tried people in pen and ink. I do know that I need to save my pennies and buy some artist grade watercolors. I used a brush and watercolor pencils, applying the wash with the brush instead of direct pencil to paper. It is amazing how engrossed I can become when drawing...the hour flew by.....didn't touch my apple or take one sip of my Pepsi that turned warm as I sketched!

Pen and Ink studies of barns

Being the "country girl" that I am, barns are one of the few buildings that I love to draw. My problem is that after I spend so much time in drawing in pen and ink, I am afraid to try watercolors on them for fear of ruining the drawing! I definitely need more work on drawing trees and the leaves. I overworked the 1st drawing to the point of ruining the values of the picture as a whole.

I love drawing in pen and ink and enjoy it even more than graphite. All three of these were drawn without the pencil sketch first and even though there are blantant errors, I really don't mind them! These were practice sketches I did from the book "Pen and Ink Techniques" by Frank Lohan. My next barn sketch I want to try from a photo. There aren't many barns here that have this much character and I would feel funny (and a bit unsafe) sitting along the side of a country road sketching all by myself!

Catnapping

Having worked lots of overtime in the past week, getting up at 3:30am each morning, I frequently find my DH dozing on the couch in the evenings. He is usually in bed by 8pm when he has to get up early, but last night he found that there was a Sopranos marathon on TV, and he was quickly hooked! He managed to doze off a couple of times while he was watching it! This sketch was done very roughly in graphite pencil before he turned over (probably in less than 1 minute!) then I added the details later. He looks alot younger in the picture because I didn't add all his "character lines"! ;) It's pretty close to his likeness though.

More birds

Here are some birds I drew a couple of years ago when I was on an ATC kick.

EDM 125 - Draw a bird

Ah now, here is a subject that is near and dear to my heart! I am a lover of nature and all birds....yes, even those pesky blackbirds that empty the birdfeeder in a matter of minutes! The cardinals are always the most welcome to my feeder and add a splash of color to the dull browns and blacks of the cowbirds, sparrows, doves, and blackbirds.

EDM Challenge - Yellow

This is a cast iron mechanical bank that is in our collection of banks. It is one of my favorites. You put the coin in the dog's mouth, press a button on the side of the base and a spring makes the dog jump "through the hoop" and the coin goes into the slot at the top of the barrel. It is one of the very few things in this house that is yellow! Our colors are mainly burgundy, forest green and cream.

Portraits I have done

I keep a hardbound sketchbook just for portraits and these are my favorites - all done for my own enjoyment. I'm not sure what order the picture will post, but one is Me as a little girl; my handsome DH, and DH as a boy and his Grandmother.

The first page was inspired by the book "CreateYour Own Artist's Journal" by Erin O'Toole. The book is borrowed from the library and now it is a MUST HAVE! She had alot of illustrations using Gouache on Nideggan paper and I really like the look! I meant to look for some Nideggan paper when I was at the art store in Columbus this morning. DRAT! I forgot! The tan color of the paper makes the drawing look a bit vintage...

My vacation is over, except for the weekend, and I really can't say I got much done except for these pages. I sat and browsed through lots of books I brought home from the library, scrubbed the deck out back and lounged there in the afternoons. Sooooo relaxing! It's amazing how many different birds I observed just in our back yard! A little wren came and perched on one of the birdhouses I had sitting on a corner of the deck...sat there and scolded me. Too bad I didn't have my sketchbook, but I will sketch the birdhouse this weekend (hopefully) and add a wren by looking at my birding book.

Every Day Matters (EDM) Bell Challenge

This is my 1st challenge for the Yahoo group, EDM. I am not at all pleased with the finished piece because I overworked it. Watercolors just don't suit me, I guess. I ended up going over the watercolors with colored pencils after it dried, and then I still wasn't satisfied and added the white acrylic highlights. Guess I need to find a good beginners book for watercolors! Anyone have a good one to recommend? To be honest, I am surprised I was able to hold a paint brush this evening. My afternoon was spent on my hands and knees scrubbing our wooden front porch of all the mildew that has accumulated over the past year. What a chore, but it looks so nice and clean! My DH even noticed it when he came home! Watch! Tomorrow my hand probably be cramping and won't be able to hold a pen!

Lazy Sunday afternoon

Trying to do one piece of art each day isn't easy. I went out to sit on the deck this afternoon, taking my journal and set of drawing pencils with me. I thought I would sit and sketch the barn which is less than 50 feet from our deck, only to find that the large tree totally hid the "good" view of the barn. So, since this tree and wagon wheel was within my sight, that is what I attempted to draw, with not so good results. It turned out rather dark, but that is because I originally intended it to be just a pencil sketch. Then I thought, I'll just add a little color to the leaves, and the next thing I knew I was adding color after color of pencils and then acrylics. I never know when to stop!!

The sketch of Maggie was a quick one that I did while watching her watching the hummingbirds EARLY yesterday morning. I'm getting rather lazy on the journaling part and taking up more space for my drawings. Guess my next journal needs to be a bit bigger!

Saturday's Thoughts

This background was fun to make. All I did was dab several layers of turquoise, copper, yellow and black acrylics. I should have stopped earlier with the layers as I am not as satisfied with the finished result. It turned out darker than I wanted and my lettering is atrocious so that pretty much ruined the whole thing with my lettering. Again, the little girl clown is an image that attracted me in an issue of Somerset Studio.

It was a busy day but I did manage to get some artwork done. Casey and I traveled to the Vet early this morning for shots and medicine for her allergies. She was so good!

My heart went out to a lady who came in with her peach poodle wrapped up in a blanket. I could see that the dog was very old and blind in one eye. I overheard the receptionist and her talking.....'do you know someone who has a farm where you can bury her?" "No" "Then we will need to cremate her...do you want to stay with her for a while?" "Yes" And she sat down in a room full of other owners with their lively dogs and cats. I glanced over at her a few times as I was waiting to see the Vet. Her eyes were full of unshed tears as she held the beloved pet close to her heart. Every so often she would bend her head down and whisper comforting words to it. I choked back tears also and looked around to see if anyone noticed this lady who was about to lose her much loved pet. When that time comes for Casey (who is now 13), I hope she will know that she is and was very much loved. Why do we get so attached to our pets?

As soon as we got home, I made my DH decide what he wanted for suppers for the week, (Can't believe he gave me ideas for every single night!!) then headed back to town. I headed off to my nephew's house to return one of his paintings that he dropped off at the house for me to see. He showed me all his other paintings....WOW! He sure does have an eye for color!

Winding Down

Well, I finally finished the one drawing that has had me obsessed these past few days. It is a colored pencil drawing from a picture I have in a Trade Card book of 1800's advertising cards. Some of the artists from this era were outstanding when it came to artwork of children and animals. The drawing came out much better than I expected, but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to doing colored pencil art, the problem being how to layer and blend the colors. The bird is from a tiny portion of a picture that was on the front of one our church bulletins several months ago. The phrase, "GOD, THE MASTER ARTIST" hit home with me. No matter how well any of us "so-called" artists think we can draw or paint, God is the Ultimate Master Artist! I am thankful for my God given talents though and everytime I create a work of art, I wonder how God felt when he created all of nature...each animal, tree, flower and human being. I enjoy his beautiful Art Gallery every day!

Saturday - Gone like the Wind

Saturdays go so fast...especially now that I have to work an occasional Saturday, like today! This morning Maggie had a little mouse cornered in our laundry room and when DH picked up a corner of a blanket that I still haven't washed (sheepish look!) the little thing took off into the kitchen with Maggie hot on its tail and DH and I right behind. The three of us had it cornered into a little nook next to the breakfast table...until he made a fast escape and scrambled up into one of DH's work boots that he had sitting under one of the chairs. I hurriedly covered the opening with a towel and carried the poor thing outdoors where I shook him out into the grass. He sat there panting with fright and didn't move so I took my finger and stroked its little back. He didn't move at all. I went back inside and watched from the window to see if he would leave, but he didn't. I went back out and since he was so tiny he was having a problem maneuvering through the grass, so I gently picked him up and took him over to the cement slab in the back yard where we have some limbs piled up, put him down and he scampered off. I can't believe I had the courage to pick him up! Anyway, I have a vision for another journal page! Now to find the time to sketch our little visitor with his head peeking out of DH's boot!

I had fun with the two new pages. Some drawing, some painting and one collaged. The little bird is a bit out of perspective with the fence and rooster, but I don't care if its perfect. I just liked the look of it!

My nephew stopped by a couple of nights ago and we got to talking "art". He paints beautiful pastel paintings and I was telling him about my newest "art" love...art journaling. I loaded him up with a stack of Somerset Studio magazines and the book "Artist's Journals and Sketchbooks". He took them home and brought them back last night before I had gotten home from work. I would love to know what he thinks of Somerset Studio!

My first Art Journal

I have been drooling over the art journals that are featured in Somerset Studio from time to time and have always wanted to create one of my own but I don't have the same "artful spirit" as so many of those artist have....oh to just let go and create without having to PLAN. My art is so conservative and controlled. Maybe one day I will be able to be more free and wild in my painting and creating, but for the moment, here is a photo of my first attempt with an art journal. Yes, I know, I had to DRAW something...that is just in my nature, I guess. I just can't put paint to paper without having an image of something there to look at. These are the 1st four pages of my journal which is about 4 x 5 inches. I love working small when it comes to drawing and painting...easier to keep things in perspective.

A morning view from my patio door.....

Thankful for the country life

It's been 10 years now since we have moved back to Ohio from Florida. Living in Florida was a great experience and we had lots of enjoyment of the sun and fun for 17 years, but to be honest, I missed home. My nightly dreams were filled with home and the country life. When we came home on vacations, the road to home from the interstate was a sight for sore eyes, like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day! These days I savor the quietness of living 10 miles from the nearest town...waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of crickets...looking up into the sky on a clear night and realizing there really IS millions and millions of stars out there that I never got to see when I was living in town! The view from our back door is full of farm land with a slightly rolling of the land..a bit unusual for this area of Ohio which is known for its very flat land!

I'm a lover of nature and enjoy watching the birds that come to our feeder. Every so often we see deer in the woods behind us and of course, we see raccoons and ground hogs often. We love them all!

I have a variety of interests and have tried many crafts over the years, but my first love is papercrafts, journaling and sketching / painting. I will be posting a few of my endevours as I do them. Hope to be able to keep this blog going as I prefer to do handwritten journals.