A Cloudy Afternoon at the Library

I had an hour or two to spare on a cloudy weekday so I spent a little time at the libary (sic). Like a kid in a candy shop, I ran shelf to shelf grabbing whatever sparked my interest. I then found a table overlooking a very plush lawn, took off my jacket and began flipping through the books. I haven't done a book review in ages, so I decided to review my stack.

My stack: Painting Outdoor Scenes in Watercolor, Watercolor Life, 15-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces, Hot Springs Drive, Sargasso Sea, Above the Salt, Create Your Own Cozy, 5-Minute Sketching Architecture, Making Art From Maps and Junk Gypsy.

Making Art From Maps was supercool. I've always loved tearing up and marking old maps, using them in my junk journals or using them as a cover to a hand-made journal. This book has a lot of great ideas and includes some difficult projects. There were one or two projects I thought I might make someday.

I did not check this book out of the library because I would need to keep it for several years and that's a lot of overdue fees.

Create Your Own Cozy: 100 Practical Ways to Love Your Home and Life was also unique and very cool. It is interactive with several questionnaires to help you find your cozy.

Also there is a home maintenance list for each month of the year which I think would be very helpful so I wrote them down. Things like "Inspect electrical cords for wear and fraying" one month. Other months include "clean out your medicine cabinet," "Check your attic for ventilation issues and mold," "Clean your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fan filters," "Vacuum your dryer lint filter (who knew?!)," "Oil your garage door opener and chain," "Check that indoor and outdoor vents are not blocked," "Insulate outdoor spigots and bring in hoses," and many other things you may not think about. 

I did not check this book out, I left it in the re-shelf pile because I'm already quite cozy with my life.

Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder and Wander by Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes. I know, right? This is so me. I bet you think I checked this one out. I did not. I love the book though, but it's another one I'd need to keep for a few years.

The book is full of examples to "spark your creative spirit" and DIY projects. It's a beautiful book, I enjoyed just looking at all the pages. 

"..the greatest parts of the road trip are the spontaneous, unplanned pit stops -- the greasy spoon, roadside diners, the endless historical markers, and the waiting-to-be-discovered side roads."

The book involves flea markets, restoring second-hand junk, a strong, curious desire to repurpose and sometimes resell. There's advice for what you need in your Junker's Toolbox, what to keep in your vehicle to aid and abet junking and a section with Pro Tips so you don't have to learn the hard way. At least for a few things. It has tons of DIY hints and projects. There's a Flea Market Field Guide. And there's even a couple recipes.

Watercolor Life: 40 Joy-Filled Lessons to Spark Your Creativity by Emma Block. I left it and you should, too. Actually, it would be good for beginners. It briefly explains color theory and techniques. Sure enough, there are 40 lessons for you to paint through.

15-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces: Creative Frame-Worthy Art in Just a Few Simple Steps by Anna Koliadych. This gives a little better watercolor instruction than the previous book. It's for beginners and intermediates. There is more discussion about techniques and several lessons you can follow.

I probably should have checked this one out, but I didn't. I wish I had. It seemed a little too simplistic though.

Painting Outdoor Scenes in Watercolor, by Richard K. Kaiser. Excellent book. Very, very in-depth with many techniques, tools and supplies. I might need to buy this one. But for now, I have it for four weeks. I might need donations towards my overdue fees, I'll let you know.

Above the Salt, a novel by Katherine Vaz. I normally do book reviews AFTER I read the book. Writing this before I read the book is just a summary, not a review. So here goes... The sleeve reads, "An irresistible and sweeping love story that follows two Portuguese refugees who flee religious violence and reignite their budding romance in civil-war America." Based on a true story. I think I'll like this because of the historical nature. I typically enjoy historical novels. I want to get a sense of what it was like to grow up in Portuguese poverty and religious persecution with a missionary father who was martyred. Errr.... sort of.

Hot Springs Drive, a novel by Lindsay Hunter. "Jackie wants to be many things, but a martyr has never been one of them." So there we are, again with the martyrs. I might need to be psychoanalyzed. She reinvents herself, so that sounds interesting. I often think of doing that, but I lack ambition. We'll see if I make it through the whole book, I'll let you know.

So that's it. Here's my take-home pile:

Happy Reading!

Island Time Crochet Afghan

So.... I guess I haven't been keeping up with my new year's resolution to blog every day. Life is too short for that.  But I'm here now.  For a minute.

I've started a new crochet blanket that I wanted to share.  It's gorgeous.  It's called Island Time and is a pattern by Mallory Krall. You can purchase the pattern on NautiKrall or Ravelry. Wouldn't this be great in a beach house?

I've been crocheting for about four years now. You can tell by my seams that I'm not an expert yet.  I really need to learn to do better seams. Some of my afghans are for sale and some I have gifted. My artsy side met up with my hippie side and resulted in a love for crochet... and less time for blogging. 

What do you love doing right now?

Dakar 2022 Sketches

I was again obsessed with the Dakar Rally during the first two weeks of January. I usually just watch the bikes, but this year I was also interested in the Light Prototype because I was following "Tomb Raider" Annie Seel and Annett Fischer.  They came in #1 in all women team and #15 overall. Anyway, here are my sketches from this year.

Seel and Fischer's Ride
soft pastel:

Annett Fischer, beginning, day one

graphite:

Toby Price, end of day full of trouble

water soluble graphite:

Manuel Andjubar

water soluble graphite with watercolor:

Adrien Vanbeveren, end of good day

soft pastel:

That's it!

Dakar 2021 Sketches

Dakar 2021 Sketches

Dakar 2021 has concluded after two harsh weeks of excitement and cut-throat competition. Manuel Andujar took first place in the Quads. 

Kevin Benavides (ARG / Honda) took first in the Bikes with Ricky Brabec (USA / Honda) at second and the adorable Sam Sunderland (GBR / KTM) taking third place.

Those are generally the only rankings I watch, however, I was watching the cars this year for Cyril Despres (FRA) because I was a huge fan of his when he did Bikes. Back in the day. 

So here are a few sketches I did during the Dakar.

A watercolor based on a published photo by Charly Lopez.

A pencil sketch of Cyril Despres based on a Red Bull Content Pool photo.

A colored pencil sketch of Manuel Andujar at the finish line, winner of the Quads.

A watercolor of Toby Price.

Toby Price at the start.

In Which I Find Myself in Boone .... but not empty handed

I'm working in Boone, NC for a month in Nov/Dec 2020. I was a little embarrassed when my host saw how much stuff I brought with me. The thing is, one entire suitcase is full of art supplies. Another, crochet supplies. I'm working on a huge blanket for a Christmas gift and it takes up a LOT of space.

But the art supplies....

I was playing with my markers this morning and feeling so happy I brought them along. Do markers make you happy? I know there's a whole people group of marker enthusiasts out there, it's not just me. Right?

When I was very young, my parents used markers as rewards for nights when I would sleep without the hall light on.  Apparently, it was before night lights were invented. I remember it was a difficult choice - the hall light or a new marker - I was scared to death of the dark, but those markers won out. And here I am 50 years later, still carrying markers around with me (AND a nightlight) (But don't tell mom and dad).

As for Boone.... I landed in town in time for a gorgeous sunset on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I unloaded all my stuff, slept and returned to the Parkway for sunrise in the Stack Rock / Rough Ridge area. I think these shots are from the Yonahlossee overlook.

 

Have a wonderful Friday!

Where's Pookie?

I have not blogged much in the last couple of years.

2014 Crushed me.
2015 Broke me.
2016 Changed me.
2018 Fixed me. Wellness was my word for the year.
2019 Energized me. Vitality was my word for the year.

So. There you have it. And how's your life? Lol.

This year has been amazing. It required some serious courage, ambition and dreaming. I hope to resume creative blogging in 2020.

For now, I leave you with some of my art from this past year.  I hope your year was full of blessings and happiness as well.

Oil Pastels

Now that the kids are grown and out of the house, I've resumed my art and have been surprising myself.

 Charcoal portrait of my son.

I joined Sketchbox and get a surprise each month, so that encourages me to try new things -- I drag my feet and need a LOT of encouragement to try new things.

Watercolor of me with my granddaughter, Charlie.

The February 2019 sketchbox contained oil pastels. Ugh. I hate using anything oil. And pastels? Double Ugh. However.... I have to say.... I've come to like them. I actually enjoy using them for certain things.  Here are some things I made with oil pastels.

 Portrait of Sophia, my granddaugher.

 From a view I had in Ireland.

I've discovered that for me, the best thing to do with oil pastels is something HUGE and very colorful.

I recommend Sketchbox.  It's a little costly, but so much fun and will push you out of your comfort zone.

Pigeon River Pottery in the Smokies

When I downsized into my tiny house and began adopting the tiny house movement's philosophy of consuming less, producing more and supporting others in this endeavor, I gave away most of my kitchen supplies and kept the bare minimum.  Since then, I've been replacing my bare minimum with quality craftsmanship usable art, which, my friend, is expensive.

Each time I visit the Smokies, I swing by The Old Mill Pigeon River Pottery and pick up a piece or two.  Potter Tommy Bullen has made a lot of what I've adopted and a young guy on the scene, Leiva, has made the more recent pieces.  Pigeon River Pottery is made on site with materials from the region.  It is lead free and safe for the microwave, conventional oven, freezer and dishwasher.

On this past trip, I got to see Leiva in action.  So I purchased his casserole dish to commemorate.  Most of the pottery I've purchased is from the Hazel Creek and Blue Smoke lines.

The green and gold blend of Hazel Creek is reminiscent of the hazel tree with its brown hard-shelled nuts and leafy green vegetation....

Symbolism in Coat of Arms

A little late, but as promised, here is an explanation of the symbolism in my new coat of arms.  Again, a photo:

Motto:  Faith and Fortitude

Crest:  Tree Stump - a symbol of worship and rebirth.  I have a Cypress tree (death and eternal life) and a Palm tree (righteousness and resurrection) growing out of my tree stump to signify regrowth.

Torse:  Azure in color to represent steadfastness, strength and truth.  It is securing the Bible in place.

Helm:  The Word of God, secured with the Torse.  An open book like mine signifies manifestation and learning.

Shield:  The shape of my shield is the Old World style and the V in it stands for military strength or fortitude....

Mid-Life Change Requires a New Coat of Arms

Life is fairly predictable.

When we first become adults, we think we are quite special and quite unique.  We hear the clichés about life and think:  That's not going to be me/us.  We are tremendously different.

As young adults, my husband and I were crazy with love.  (I have a box full of thirty-year-old poems and love notes to prove it)  We never thought we would do anything typical or cliché.  I would certainly never experience menopausal madness and cruelty.  He would certainly never experience a mid-life crisis and start acting like a twenty year old when he is fifty years old.  The kids were absolutely never going to grow up.  I'd be waking up for midnight feedings forever.  And of course, they would never move away or marry, they would be mine forever.....

Danny DeVito in Steal My Girl Video with One Direction

The tiniest flicker of hope for humanity rising up out of the ashes and smoke of what America used to be has brought me out of my hibernation for a quick gasp of this beautiful, pepperminty-cool, life-sustaining fresh air before it dissipates.

Any guesses?

It'll surprise you.

You can let your kids watch it.

It's Steal My Girl by One Direction. 

Actually, it's the video for the song.

Before you watch it, let me comment that it is a wholesome love song you haven't heard in a few decades.  It is encouraging and sweet, and will elevate your spirit for high school sweethearts worldwide.  It is naive and pure with no vulgar language or scenes, it doesn't objectify anyone.  And it is creative.  Somebody, somewhere put on their creative hat and resisted the urge to paint their canvas with the filth our artists have been using with lazy lasciviousness recently.  Bravo!

10 Unique Valentine's Ideas

 

It's time now to start your DIY Valentine's Day projects and I've gathered some of my Internet favorites for you.  Valentine's Day used to be my favorite holiday; hearts, my favorite shape.  I used to make cards smothered in Victorian lace, glittered hearts and gooey love cliche's.  But this year, I'll let you do the work.

My #1 Favorite Valentine's Gift Idea for 2014:
Cookie Dough......

Titusville, Florida Revitalization

The town of Titusville appears a little rundown, even sketchy, but I've found a thriving community beneath the facade. It's just a matter of time before the appearances catch up. Maybe a few grants, the right leadership, incentives and ideals could bring some revitalization to this former boom town where I expect at any minute to stumble upon a shoot-out or come across a dry gulch.

Global Outreach.  Prison Book Project.  A retired couple began passing out books to a local prison and now receives thousands of donated books from publishers that they mail out to prisons in all 50 states plus 35 countries. It's a slow process with just him and a handful of volunteers. Donate here.  Ray Hall retired to fish, bought a rod, then got into this book project.  He says he hasn't fished since.  Then he brought out the rod and reel still in it's packaging.  "See," he smiles, "I still think I'm gonna go fishing!"

Arts. An art community in Titusville is just waking up. Maxine Trainer came over from Liverpool and turned an old Firestone Tire store into the Stonefire Art Studio.  All the bay doors are wide open and anyone can wander in anytime. Musicians come to the front and jam anytime they want, people wander by to listen and many times these bands get placed in venues nearby.

Under privileged kids come by and show Maxine their art. When Maxine sees potential, she grabs them, tutors and mentors them, teaches them the business side and suddenly they have job offers. Local artists can put up a booth and sell their art. Maxine established Arts in the Garden, a non profit to help kids pursue art.....

Canvas Print Review with Printcopia and Give Away

I was recently offered a chance to review a canvas print and host a Give-Away for my spectacular readers.  Awesome, right?   With two weddings in the past year, I have really been loving canvas prints.  I now have three on my mantle.

Printcopia is super easy to use and they have regular photo services, not just canvas prints.  Upload your picture, click on some personal selections and boom, you're done.  My print arrived in 12 days.

You can upload images directly from Facebook or Instagram, too.

Printcopia uses non-toxic, eco-friendly inks and offers 100% satisfaction guarantee on all canvas prints.