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!