Manila Tea Stains

IF: Propagation

2010-02-21T17:05:00.006-05:00

This week's Illustration Friday theme is Propagate, an easy idea for me to develop since it lends itself easily to a bee theme.

This sketch is done in my new hand built (but not by me) watercolor journal and scanned a little light. I tried compensating after the scan but it still isn't exactly like the original and I think there might be a mark on the scanner!

Done with a Prismacolor marker and pots of watercolor paint.

~cta

Brown Bear Bakes Brownies

2010-02-11T20:01:00.003-05:00

Here's a challenge: create a rendition of "Brown Bears Baking Brownies" no greater than 4" by 4".

I created this for the Art House Co-op weekly challenge in my new watercolor journal which happens to be slightly larger than 4x4 inches! I did the background in various intensities of brown and the bear practically drew itself! Just like using tea stains, the brown paint puddled into a light face and a darker body.

An easy and quick paint and sketch!

~cta

WIP #3: Almost There

2010-02-07T15:33:00.003-05:00

I think I'm almost done with this watercolor portrait. The finishing step for this work-in-progress (WIP) will be to add a little shadow here and there and some color.

I did add text with a PITT pen and embellished the hair and dress with pen as well. I also added a little extra color on the dress and the face and painted over the text with a yellow-brown wash.

I hope to do several more of these portraits in this sketchbook!

WIP 2: The Portrait

2010-01-27T19:32:00.003-05:00

I did a little more work on the watercolor portrait, again laying down a wash to build up depth. I added face and neck color, brightened the blouse with a little red, painted the first layer of hair, and smudged the background a little more. Still far from done but I'm enjoying moving the paint around and watching it bleed into the background!

New Work-in-Progress

2010-01-24T19:05:00.002-05:00

A new work-in-progress (WIP): I have a new, hand-made, watercolor journal (a birthday present from Pat) and have started something new – a series of portraits, an art form I normally avoid. Since this is a new year, I’m going to try exploring new art avenues. A “new” theme for a new year!

I also thought I would take my time and not rush through a project and capture this particular journey by scanning between drying times. Here’s the first layer of the portrait: I drew the figure first with an XS black Pitt pen and then colored around it with a wash of yellow. Perhaps I should have done the wash first and then drew over it. Hmmm.

The paper in the journal is gorgeous, a nice heavy weight sheet and measure 5” x 4.75.” I’ll post a photo of this journal soon. In the meantime, on to the second layer.

IF-Wilderness ATC

2010-01-18T15:47:00.004-05:00

Another ATC -- this time in response to this week's Illustration Friday theme: Wilderness.

My idea grew out of this interesting entry from a discarded dictionary I found at the art institute. I love the juxtaposition of wilderness next to Oscar Wilde. One entry describes a barren wasteland and the other a prolific fount of creativity. Click on the photo for a larger view.

The definition is mounted on an ad from my scrap pile which I daubed with black ink on the edges. I stamped wild grass on the card and lightly colored with Pitt pens in shades of grey. The embellishments include a bit of black feather and black dymo tape.

-cta

Paris ATC

2010-01-17T13:33:00.002-05:00

Where does the time go?

Here is one of my goals this year: to expand my ATC collection.

This one didn't scan too well. The background paper is actually a light but dull pink and the edges of the card are stained with brown ink. Aside from that, you can see the 3-D postage stamp (from Stampers Anonymous) and the manila computer generated tag reading "Paris L'Amour."

More of my work this year should have added textural element.

I enjoyed working on this piece and love the wrapping paper background -- a gorgeous heavy-weight paper.

cta

Three For One

2010-01-03T16:59:00.010-05:00

Today only: three Illustration Friday challenges for the price of one! Yes, I didn’t get the other challenges done in time to post where they belonged so I’m including all of them in one post.

Up first is the challenge for the current week: Renewal. I know it’s only January but my first idea was to depict a Spring renewal and, being an English major, I remembered The Canterbury Tales and The Waste Land. I opted for the encouraging imagery of the Tales over the bleakness of The Waste Land (“April is the cruelest month”). One of this year’s resolutions is improve my hand and to develop new hands so keep an eye open for more text in my art!

The next two sketches are from last week’s challenge: Pioneer. I wanted to get this one done on time and had the idea early on but time got away from me. The latest Levi commercial has embedded the Walt Whitman poem from Leaves of Grass in my head:

"Come, my tan-faced children,

Follow well in order, get your weapons ready;

Have you your pistols? Have you your sharp edged axes? Pioneers! O pioneers!

For we cannot tarry here,

We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger,

We, the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, Pioneers! O pioneers!

O you youths, western youths,

So impatient, full of action, full of manly pride and friendship,

Plain I see you, western youths, see you tramping with the foremost, Pioneers! O pioneers!"

I did a series of illustrations on notebook paper and while not finished I thought them interesting (and singular instead plural!). I saw this amusing graph while trolling the Internet (instead of sketching or doing anything else) which encouraged me to post these rough sketches instead of a formal drawing from my sketchbook. Check out “How Much I Like My Drawings” and see if you agree with the research(?).

This last sketch is from the challenge of a few weeks ago: Hatch. My first thought was to do the hatch from Lost but I settled on this submarine hatch instead.

Ah, industrial components – I love them.

cta

The Year in Review

2009-12-31T15:55:00.009-05:00

New Year’s Eve – the time to reflect on the past year, review accomplishments and failures, and to look forward to the coming year.

November and December were consumed with new toys and various bits of software, a craft show with Cheryl (see our display below), shopping at local art markets, and making presents for family and friends – hence the lack of blog posts. Time to get caught up.

I continued my art education with two classes at the Institute of Art: Art Journaling and Felting. Both classes brought me into a new art field, one in collage work and the other working with a wet felting process.

Here’s are two posts on the first class: a collage from the journal and a window experiment. I enjoyed this class and plan on continuing the technique. The first journal is almost finished and I'm still collecting bits to collage.

The photos below illustrate some of the projects from felting class. We dyed wool roving, pulled it apart, and layered it around object. It's harder than it looks.

In looking over my blog posts, I see I have finished three major art projects this year: a sketchbook project for Utrecht; a sketchbook project for the Arthouse Co-op; and I contributed to a Faber-Castell art kit for which I was paid in art supplies – how cool is that!!!!

I've also been published twice this year in 1000 Greeting Cards and Somerset’s Art Journaling magazine.

All in all, a very good art year and looking over this blog made me realize how much I did accomplish this year!

What’s in store for next year? More art classes (to improve my sketching and my lettering), more challenges, submissions, and art trading. Can’t wait to see what’s around the corner!

cta

Arthouse Co-op Sketchbook Project

2009-12-01T21:20:00.004-05:00

I've been busy finishing off my entry to the Sketchbook Project hosted by the Arthouse Co-op. The sketchbook will shortly be on its way to Atlanta and I've posted some on the scans on the Arthouse site. You can check them out here. I'll post more soon.

I was assigned the theme "Forgetting to Call You Back" and created an imaginary story about Veronica who is always forgetting to call Leo back, ignoring that ever present To Do List!

The Moleskine Cahier contains sketches, text, and ephemera.

-cta

Faster than a speeding bat . . .

2009-10-25T09:49:00.004-04:00

In honor of Halloween, this week's submission to the Illustration Friday theme of Fast is a flying witch zooming across the sky.

I thought of adding more to this sketch -- a border, a bat, the moon, text. In the end, I decided I liked the clean emptiness of blank space surrounding the figure.

Done in my large Moleskine Sketchbook with a black PITT pen (XS) and watercolor pencils.

cta

Seattle Sketch

2009-10-23T18:50:00.000-04:00

Just got back from a trip to Seattle. I took my mini-watercolor Moleskine with me (a great travelling companion) and created a few sketches during my downtime. I painted in the colors with my Winsor & Newton watercolor travel set back in the hotel room so the color came out a little more wet and messy compared to a more controlled watercolor pencil use.

This one is a view from the fourth floor of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center. The building is multi-level and full of glass, stone, greenery, and water with more stone and plants surrounding it.

Three large pine trees were growing in platform areas making the staircase appear steep and narrow. The vertical stone lines of the walls added to this effect.

Scattered among the hallways of the convention center were works of art including the ubiquitous glass work, photographs, large sculptures, collage work, and other art pieces. I could have spent much of the day just sketching these pieces but focused on the architecture.

cta

IF: Flying

2009-10-11T09:00:00.003-04:00

I've been busy like a bee working away on several different projects lately, including The Sketchbook Project sponsored by the ArtHous Co-op. I took a little break to do this sketch for the Illustration Friday theme "Flying."

I tried a little different view this time by doing an overhead shot of a bee flying between flowers. The movement indications are a little shaky and not quite placed rights -- need a little practice with these but overall I'm happy with the sketch.

Done in a large Moleskine Sketchbook with PITT pens.

cta

IF: Welcome

2009-09-13T18:13:00.002-04:00

A welcome to a the beehive! This week's Illustration Friday challenge resulted in another bee-related drawing. I had actually started a sketch doing the flowers and leaves in the bottom left corner and ran out of ideas. The beehive sitting in a field of flowers brought this page to mind and it fit in nicely. I did add a few more leaves to the flower display in the corner.

Now that I look at this sketch, I think it could be improved by bumping the larger flowers in the foreground a little more up the page on the left. Since's it already scanned, I can't ruin it by adding a little extra, right?

Done in my Moleskine Sketchbook with Sepia and Sanguine PITT pens and watercolor pencils.

cta

IF: Strong

2009-09-06T09:51:00.002-04:00

This week's Illustration Friday challenge: Strong.

The concept came easily to me this week -- a weight lifting bee!

Done in my Molekskine Sketchbook with Sepia and Sanguine PITT pens and a touch of watercolor pencils.

I almost finished last week's challenge: Magnify. I did two preliminary sketches, one of a magnified bee eye and the other based on a recent scene from Bad Manors Squirrel Diner featuring a magnified squirrel head. I wasn't happy with either result and didn't complete the sketches. Sometimes, it is better to abandon bad sketches than to try to fix them.

cta

Conservation -- Bottle Style

2009-08-28T20:26:00.004-04:00

I sketched these bottles at one of our August picnics in the park. This part of the sketch takes up the lower page of the large watercolor Moleskine. Above the fold line was the text which I didn't include in the scan. The metal Sigg bottle (mine) contained wine while the plastic Nathan bottle (Mark's) contained water. I actually used some of this water to blend the coloring at the park.

Drawn with a Prismacolor fine line marker (.03) and watercolor pencils on site -- easy to do while sitting at a picnic table.

Not shown: food, beer, and 2 friends.

cta

IF: Caution

2009-08-24T12:10:00.002-04:00

This is the first time I've been able to add something to Illustration Friday from the files. I created this entry in my art journal last year at the park and finished it up at home. We were hanging out in the meadow and saw yellow caution tape blocking access to one of the trails. A park ranger stopped by to warn us not to go into the woods: Several people reported that they were stung by bees. It seemed surreal at the time and I wanted to capture the memory. Luckily I had my Moleskine with me!

cta

IF: Wrapped

2009-08-20T21:08:00.004-04:00

Illustration Friday this week is calling for a wrapped sketch. My first thought was bee-related again: a bee wrapped up in a spider web!

I don't usually do a two-page spread, something about the fold as a visual barrier. This time though I wanted the creamy expanse of the left page to show through. I may amend this sketch to add more of the spider web. I also thought of adding a spider leg sneaking onto the page from one of the corners. Time is running out though to submit!

Done in my large Moleskine Sketchbook with PITT pens and watercolor.

cta

But Where's the Water?

2009-08-19T20:53:00.004-04:00

Another sketch from our recent mini-vacation. While we were waiting for the ferry and having a beer, I brought out my sketchbook and roughed out this sketch of a bridge tower. I also took a photo so that I could finish some of the detail and add the color once we got to the hotel. The sun was shining, the water was lapping against the dock, and a bit of breeze was welcomed.

I was attracted to this scene because of the lines, the gentle color changes of the stone, and the architectural detail. Unfortunately, I didn't capture any of the water gently flowing under the bridge.

The line cutting across the flag pole is because I decided to extend the drawing onto the next page to capture the flag waving in the breeze.

Done in the large Moleskine Waterbook Notebook and colored with the Windsor Newton travel set.

cta

A Traveling Set for a Traveling Wagon

2009-08-16T09:27:00.009-04:00

Here's one of the sketches done using my new watercolor travel set, this one completed on location. I had plenty of time to sketch and color the renovated traveling medicine show wagon on South Bass Island while waiting for a minuature golf game to finish. And I was seated at a shaded picnic table -- plenty of stability there.

I was using a Niji medium water pen instead of my usual cup of water and brush and obviously using the watercolor pans in the set. My normal method of coloring involves watercolor pencils which are then blended with water and brush. While I like the look of this and enjoyed doing this on location, I recognize that the change in method changed my style. This look is a little more loose, a little more fluid. Compare this skecth with the ones done for the Mohican Lodge and Pat's tote bag, both of which have a more controled, and drier, look.

The black line on the roof of the wagon represents one place where I had difficulty. I dabbed a little of the paint on the lid of the kit for mixing and thinning. The black paint became too wet but kept its intensity. After painting the roof line and seeing the messy result, I corrected by blotting up excess paint. The roof is still a little messy and dark in comparision to the rest of the piece. Definately a learning curve here but I like the preliminary results.

cta

New Art Supplies

2009-08-12T21:24:00.004-04:00

Inspired by Noreen at the last Sketchcrawl, I purchased a travel watercolor set, the less expensive version made by Winsor Newton. I drew this sketch in my larger journal (or Judith's journal as we call it in honor of our instructor). I wanted to capture the set as it looked out of the box as I knew the first thing I would want to do would be to alter it.

I unwrapped all the watercolor pans, snipped the wrappers to size, and drew a suitably sized set in the 8.5 x 11 inch journal. All of the pans are lightly imprinted on the side as backup.

Once I captured a record of the pristine original condition of the set, I immediately popped out the colors I probably wouldn't use (purple lake, lemon yellow hue, and both cadmium reds) and replaced them with colors more suited to my palette (Winsor red, cobalt blue, lamp black, and my very favorite Davy's Gray).

Since Noreen uses a Niji waterbrush, she showed me a clever mod for the unneeded water pan -- the blank space shown in the middle of the set. A friend built little plastic divisions in this area so that she could add more colors to the set. I glued a similar contraption so that I could carry more of my favorite colors with me and filled up these containers with olive green, raw sienna, terra rosa, quinacridone rust, and a bright emerald green. Yes, I know that if I understood how to mix colors I wouldn't need to carry so many pre-mixed colors with me but I'm not there yet.

I did take this set with me on vacation and will be posting more sketches soon.

cta

IF: Impatience

2009-08-11T21:34:00.006-04:00

Another bee themed response from me this week for the Illustration Friday challenge: Impatient. Yes, I know, it isn't realistic to have bees waiting in line for their turn at the flower. I claim artistic license!

I tried to make each bee a little more impatient, a little more angry the further back in line they are. The last bee has a smaller, sharper head shape, more motion, and narrower eyes.

cta

Double the IF Sketches!

2009-08-02T21:18:00.005-04:00

I ran a little late with the last Illustration Friday sketch for Idle so I've done both this weekend. Here is the sketch for this week's theme: Modification. As a Star Trek fan, the first thing I thought of was the modifications done by the Borg and I've created a Borg Bee complete with weaponry and visual enhancement even though I'm sure that bees have pretty good eye sight to begin with.

The second sketch is for last week's Illustration Friday: Idle. I had a thought to do an idle bee standing around drinking coffee, the opposite of a typical drone who is constantly busy. This bee is much more relaxed and apparently on a coffee break! Given the name of my blog, it should actually be a tea break.

cta

Sketchcrawl for August

2009-08-02T10:55:00.004-04:00

This month's sketchcrawl took place at a downtown craft market with antiques, handbags, handmade soap and jewelry, and rotating music and spoken performances. As

usual, the architecture inspired me and while I didn’t get a chance to sketch some of the interesting arches and concrete waste bins, I did manage to do these two sketches.

The first one is a sign on the side of a lovely old brick building at the back of the market. One of my fellow sketch artists offered me her water brush and travel watercolor kit to try out on the bricks. What fun! I really liked adding the color on the spot and the water brush was a breeze to use. One of the nicest parts of the sketch crawl is meeting up with fellow artists.

I followed up with second sketch, this time with of one of the market stalls with interesting bits of display items. I shaded with black since most of the stall was in shades of black but I may add touches of color here and there.

cta

IF: Hollow

2009-07-16T11:21:00.004-04:00

Another Illustration Friday sketch, and another debate on color or no color.

I really like the sketches on flickr which are shaded with watercolor. I’m not sure I like my sketches colored. Some work fine (like the Mohican sketch) but many others look better to me with the crisp clean lines without augmentation.

I wanted to color this sketch to emphasize the “hollow” aspect. In looking at both versions, I think the uncolored version looks better.

Thanks to Casey again for helping me come up with ideas. I had the idea of drawing a hollow chocolate Easter bunny but no model. Casey reminded me of this classic sketch. The rest of Artfits discussed the color/no color argument at our last meeting.

Which do you think works better?

cta

I've Been Tagged!

2009-07-06T19:27:00.004-04:00

Iva has tagged me! Here's my shortened version of the list of questions:

Coffee or tea?
Obvious from my blog name: Tea.

What was the last thing you bought?
More black felting wool. Soon to be bought: more felting needles to replace the ones that broke!

What are you listening to right now?
Ottmar Liebert on Pandora Radio. Barcelona Nights reminds me of a Russian tetris game I used to play!

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?
Art supplies or books. Or more electronic gadgets. I’d love a iPhone but can’t afford the monthly connection fee. See also Pat's recent post "When I get a little money."

What book are you currently reading?
Distressables 2 by Tim Holtz. Ink, metal, beeswax, paper, bits of glass. What’s not to like?

What inspires you?
PEOPLE: My fellow artists (Annette, Casey, Cheryl , Kerri, Pat), Danny Gregory and the Everyday Matters group, Illustration Friday, sketch bloggers and flickrers.
THINGS: a well-designed label or product, interesting mechanical things, architecture, bees.

What is your favourite smell?
Patchouli Mint soap. Cheryl gave me a handmade bar of it from a local lavender farm and I find it pleasant and relaxing.

cta

An Artistic Environment

2009-07-02T11:50:00.007-04:00

While we were visiting the Mohican State Park recently, we stayed at the Mohican River Inn. Billed as a “get back to nature” facility, the Inn offered no TV, no radio, and no Internet access (gasp!). I came prepared then with various electronic gadgets, sketchbooks, and assorted art tools.

I was pleasantly surprised to find an air of artistic ambiance hovering around the place. Stone pillars of differing widths and lengths support zen-like arrangements of river stones. Two stone-lined fountains dropped water into a pool. The landscaping was sculpted into pleasing groupings

Here is a sketch I did of one of the stone pillars in my small watercolor Moleskine; the photos show some interesting bits of art found casually strewn amongst the buildings. All in all, a surprisingly charming experience.

cta

Illustration Friday: Worn

2009-07-01T12:24:00.004-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done an Illustration Friday theme so here's one for the "Worn" challenge. My first plan was to find something around the house that looked well-worn, perhaps an old running shoe or a well-used wooden knife.

Pat & Casey reminded me of the other meaning of worn, and in clothing, and came up the idea for this bee-themed sketch. Thanks, guys!

I practiced with the text first this time to make sure I knew what I was going to say and where I was going to say it. Done with Pitt pens (sepia and sanguine) and a light touch of watercolor pencil in my large Moleskine sketchbook.

cta

Timely Doodles

2009-06-26T12:19:00.008-04:00

I started doodling these zentangle-like drawings on the weekly caledar that Laurie gave me. Sometimes I doodle a daily drawing in each of the rectangles (May 26 for example) and sometimes i do just one for the entire week (as in the week of May 18).

The week of May 25 was an attempt at connecting the days to make a somewhat cohesive block. I also experimented with two different colors on this week. The middle two drawings were done with my Lamy Safari filled with Pelikan Blue Black ink. The rest of the drawings were done with my favorite writing pen, the Pilot G2 05 in black.

While I normally don't have a preconcieved idea before I start one of these, they occasionally take on a life of their own. The doodle for the week of May 18 began to resemble an eel and I followed through with that concept as I finished the piece.

cta

Sketching in the Park

2009-06-25T20:21:00.004-04:00

This weekend we visited Mohican State Park and I spent time sketching outdoors. This illustration shows part of the Mohican Lodge, a beautiful place. I love the warm stonework facade, the variety of trees, the stone path, and the decorative grass and flowers.

I liked the way this turned out. I had plenty of time and did most of the coloring with watercolor pencils on-site. The blending and some touch up were added later. Wish I had more days like this.

Done in my large watercolor Moleskine with sepia Pitt markers and watercolor pencils.

cta

Finally Finished!

2009-06-24T11:37:00.002-04:00

Here is the finally finished sketch for EDM #227: Draw a Tote Bag. This sketch took considerably longer than usual due to the detailed and multicolored pattern. Well worth the effort I think.

While I'm often drawn to (ha!) monochromatic sketches, I think this one definitely looks better in color. Compare this skecth with the unfinished version. What do you think?

Thanks to Pat for providing me with the model -- and a very good model.

The black lines in the sketch are mostly done with a Pitt marker while watercolor pencils (both Derwent and Prismacolor) provided most of the coloring. The hardware and handles were done with oil pencils (thanks, Cheryl, for reminding me of these).

cta

Distracted, or My Unfinished Work

2009-06-15T19:51:00.007-04:00

ike Pat, I am a member of The Society for The Easily Distracted. I have many projects going at the same time and work on them in spurts. As such, I have a sense of unaccomplishment. My art journal is a work-in-progress, but not much progress is occurring. My needled felted pieces are increasing but the series remains incomplete. My lettering is just not happening.

This post is devoted to a few pieces of unfinished drawing. The first one was started at minor league ball park while waiting for a group of friends to arrive. I didn’t get very far before the first few people showed up. Normally, I’ll take a picture and finish the drawing at home but I was distracted and this drawing will probably remain unfinished.

The second drawing is a grid of zentangle patterns that I plan to use as a reference. I didn’t get very far before my hand started to cramp up (this mostly only happens when I try to do zentangles – what’s up with that? Zentangles are supposed to be relaxing.) I find the black and white geometric patterns very attractive and do want to complete grid so you may see the finished piece eventually.

I’ve been working on the last sketch for about a week for the latest Everyday Matters challenge: #227 Draw a tote bag. I rarely spend this much time on a sketch. I’m working from the live model instead of relying on photo for this sketch so I can only work on this when Pat’s bag is around and I’m not doing anything else. I still need to color (part of the attraction is the color) and do more detailing of the pattern. I hope to finish this one off this week. Stay tuned for the finished product!

cta

World Drawing Day 2009

2009-06-08T18:38:00.004-04:00

Two artistic events converged on Saturday: our local sketchcrawl and World Drawing Day. Presented here are two of the drawings I did. The abandoned Coast Guard building attracted many of the artists with its air of decay and loneliness. Imagine a lonely building surrounded by a creative crowd. We didn’t all draw from the same spot. This view is the same as Pat’s as we sat on the pier to sketch the face of the building as it fronted the lake. The seagull at the top of building sat still for most of the sketch, then flew away only to return a few minutes later.

The second drawing captures the view looking out towards the end of the pier and the lake

beyond. The pole was nicely rusted and all of the paint had weathered away on the other side of the sign at the bottom of the pole. The label on this side of the pole stated "U.S. Government Property." Since the front side of the sign was blank, I wasn't sure what I was sketching. A simple Google search identified this as a daybeacon.

Both drawings were done in my large watercolor Moleskine using a Prismacolor 03 marker and watercolored at home in pencil.

cta

Another EDM!

2009-06-04T15:56:00.002-04:00

Here is the latest Everyday Matters Challenge: Draw a Screw. I have a very nice jar of brass screws, washers, and nuts that used to belong to my dad. They're stored in an old herring jar (that also used to belong to my dad).

I don't think I'll ever use the screws for anything. They're large and flat bottomed. It is an excellent collection though and I don't want to give them up. Maybe I'll come up with an artistic use -- other than as inspiration!

Done with black Pitt pens and watercolor pencils in the latest Moleskine Sketchbook.

cta

Call to Arms!

2009-05-31T15:02:00.003-04:00

It took an email from Danny Gregory to remind me that I haven’t been posting my sketching from the Everyday Matters group or keeping up with the current weekly drawing challenges. Danny’s call to arms, or specifically in this case a call to leg, resulted in this sketch for Challenge 225: Draw Something Sticky.

As I mentioned in my first post, I started sketching after reading Danny’s “A Creative Life” followed by his “Everyday Matters.” I’ve been a member of the Everyday Matters Yahoo Group since 2006 and my earlier sketches can be found on my flickr site.

I find that I’m drawn to drawing (ha!) bits of technology, food product packaging, and, lately, bee-related things and am most comfortable drawing objects I find around the house. I also take my sketchbook with me to the ball park, on vacation, to conferences, to restaurants. I don’t always sketch something and, of those things I do sketch, I only post my favorites. Keep watch for more EDM sketches coming soon!

This sketch was done in my Moleskine Sketchbook using Pitt pens with a touch of watercolor pencils.

cta

Contagious: Bee Mites!

2009-05-20T19:05:00.004-04:00

The theme for this week's Illustration Friday is Contagious. I read through a bunch of research magazines and this year's batch seemed to team with insect stories. The bee research focused on the varroa mite which can infest colonies and spread from hive to hive. Other problems have been plaguing bee populations including lice, viruses, and pesticide poisoning. I heard an interesting bee story today from a driver who unsuspectingly drove into a swarm bees as they dived down into his car on the freeway -- causing a disturbance in the Force according to this kindly scientist. A grillwork full of dead bees provided the proof of this bizarre attack.

I'm pleased with this week's sketch, especially the lettering -- something I've been paying a little more attention to lately.

Done in my Moleskine sketchbook using Pitt pens and a touch of watercolor pencil.

cta

Random Sketch

2009-05-13T12:32:00.002-04:00

Here's one of the sketches I did during a recent trip. I often bring a sketch book with me and draw things in the hotel room, quite often the door handle and locking mechanism. This time I drew my Vera Bradley travel purse.

The background is black and the design is white with touches of yellow. I drew this in my Pocket Watercolor Moleskine and had a travel watercolor pack with me but couldn't bring myself to pollute the design with color. The simplicity of the black pen really appeals to me.

See also my post on "To Color, or Not?"

cta

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T20:58:00.002-04:00

Today we celebrated Mother's Day with a trip to the ballpark and I brought along my latest favorite Moleskine: the mini watercolor one, or as it is officially known, the Moleskine Pocket Watercolor Book. Its 3.5 by 5.5 size makes it ideal for carrying around in a backpack.

The Utica Building can be scene from Section 103 behind thrid base. I sketched it at the ballpark using a Primacolor 03 fine line marker and added the watercolor at home. Those seats don't allow much room to spread out with a mini paint set.

I think I might drop down to a 01 pen for a finer line since this sketchbook is a little smaller than my other ones.

cta

What I could have done better

2009-05-09T16:06:00.003-04:00

I created this page for the Illustration Friday theme "Parade." After I finished it, it occurred to me that what I should have done was to make a label in the upper right corner for the "Parade of Bees" and to add some sunflowers in the lower right corner.

I need to slow down and map out a few things before I commit to a layout. I've been especially unhappy with my lettering.

On the plus side, the ideas are coming fast and furious and I’m pleased with the sketch.

Created with PITT pens in sepia and sanguine.

cta

Illustration Friday: Hierarchy

2009-05-02T15:31:00.002-04:00

This week's theme for Illustration Friday is Hierarachy -- an easy one to apply to my bee theme. The Queen Bee on top, the drones in the middle, and the worker bees who keep the hive running smoothly. Since drones are mostly used for sex, I wasn't sure what little graphic to add so I settled for a crown for the queen, and waxy bee hive cells for the worker bees.

I'd like to think I'm the queen bee of something but most of the time I feel like a worker bee.

Done in my Moleskine Sketchbook using the sepia and sanguine PITT pens.

cta

Mail Art

2009-05-01T12:31:00.002-04:00

Inspired by Pat's gorgeous envelope, I decided to try my hand at envelope art since it's been some years since let loose on the outside of the envelope. I forgot to scan it before I sent it so this is a black and white version of the received envelope. Note the cancellation below the stamp line and the hand drawn cancellation over the stamps themselves. Thanks, Jay, for scanning it for me!

The original envelope was 9" x 12" brown kraft envelope which I folded in half. The sketch was done with a sepia pen and tinted with watercolor pencils in shades of dark green, gold brown, and grey. I wrote a flower quote on the back of the envelope and contained a cd of photos, some art samples, and a template.

cta

Illustration Friday: Impossibility

2009-04-18T21:07:00.003-04:00

This week’s Illustration Friday theme is Impossibility.

I’m happy with the concept and the design but unhappy with the placement and execution of text. I should have taken more care in laying out the text and deciding on the hand (or lettering style). But I rushed through adding the text after taking care with the sketching.

Lesson Learned: Planning and preparation makes for a better executed piece.

Still experimenting with color here, using a light wash of watercolor pencil.

cta

Utrecht Sketchbook Project

2009-04-16T20:31:00.004-04:00

Field trip! Today Pat, Casey, and I visited the Sketchbook Project display at the local Utrecht art store. Our sketchbooks were featured on the front table. A second table beyond held an additional six books. Great fun to see our work out in public.

The sketchbooks ranged from highly detailed and artistic to simple but intense. The one at the right end of the first row is a 3D beach scene. One of the books on the other table was fused into a cover, sandwiched inside a larger cover, and held a few pieces of rice paper as the guts. One common base, so many unique results.

At the end of the month we'll each receive someone else's book. I can't wait to see which one I end up with!

cta

Illustration Friday: Fleeting

2009-04-13T15:33:00.005-04:00

This week's theme for and Illustration Friday is fleeting and, continuing with my bee theme, I've done an illustration using a fleeting bee among a flower patch.

Tools for this sketch in my Moleskine include Pitt pens and watercolor pencils adding a light touch of coloring. And I've started to play around a little with textual elements using two hand styles.

cta

Sketchcrawl at the Church

2009-04-07T19:18:00.006-04:00

This month's sketchcrawl met at another downtown historic church. We visited the chapel, the columbarium (and the bag-a-torium!), the dirt floor basement with original foundation, and I got halfway up the bell tower.

The first sketch here is from the dimly lit and dusty basement looking up to the low, unfinished ceiling. The piece of wood between the electrical connection box and the old wood beam had an interesting and somewhat cryptic message. While I was sketching this, the choir was practicing somewhere above us and the heavenly sound filtered down to the underground depths of the basement. I wish I had also sketched the door to this room since it was reminiscent of a bank vault door.

The second sketch is a small section of one the stained glass windows. I didn't do the signed Tiffany window or the Tiffany studio window because this one was more accessible and I was attracted to the text. Still difficult to sketch at an awkward angle though.

Note that unlike my previous sketches, these two are shaded to various degrees with watercolor pencils. I added the color at home using photos I took as reference.

cta

Illustration Friday: Talisman

2009-04-05T19:36:00.002-04:00

This week's Illustration Friday challenge is Talisman. Continuing in my bee series of sketching, I've drawn a bee-shaped talisman using my latest Moleskine sketchbook (No. 5), a sepia Pitt pen (F), and a touch of watercolor pencil (light grey on the wings and brown on the stripes and slight shading on the eyes).

If I were to drawn this again (and I might), I would make the outline smoother and run the wings down to the point and maybe starting from the head to form a narrow oval shape.

Here's a definition, math style:

talisman = sculpture + miniature + luck

cta

Illustration Friday: Poise

2009-04-02T19:35:00.010-04:00

I find myself strangely attracted to bees and bee-related things. Is it their work ethic? Their beauty? Their positive effect on the environment?

This week I was very efficient in combining my goals of sketching on a regular basis, of submitting something to IF as often as possible, and of improving my style.

This sketch was drawn in my latest Moleskine sketchbook (No. 5) using Pitt Artist Pens in Sepia and Sanguine.

Look for more bee-related sketches to come!

PS: Here's a possible bee definition, math style:

bee = ant + wings + honey + ouch

cta

Go Deeper, Reach Higher

2009-03-29T14:03:00.005-04:00

The journaling class that Pat, Annette, and I were taking at the Art Institute has ended. One of my goals for the class was to find my journal voice. I'm not sure I achieved that yet but I am well on my way!

This window illustrates my goal as created during one of our exercises: using a new medium, the work was designed to be temporary, useful for one night and then destroyed with only photographic evidence remaining. [See Pat's window here.]

Two of the panes are covered in black paint and one in white paint. The other three panes are backed with magazine clippings. I'm conscious of my preference for black, grey, and white (and beige, but not illustrated here) and include only touches of color in this piece.

New media and new techniques were used here. The "self censorship" is scratched into the black paint in the top pane as is "deeper" in the bottom pane. NuPastels were used for the rest of the words. In the middle pane, "purposeful" and "intentional" were layered: the words in black were written from behind the window while the white letters were written from the front.

We only had one class period to develop the concept, find any clippings, and complete the piece. Not a lot of time for thought. I'm pleased with the final result and think the concept holds together well. In looking over the piece, I not sure why I used that particular clipping behind "EMPOWER." Text certainly is empowering; expression of voice is empowering; black text on white and white text on black is a powerful image. The clipping behind this black and white EMPOWER reads "Who's afraid of Red, Yellow, and Blue?" Hmmmm. Maybe I want to empower my use of color?

cta

To Color, or Not?

2009-03-22T14:19:00.006-04:00

I brought my Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook along on the last Sketchcrawl. My intent was to sketch a few things and then add the watercolor at home based on photos. This is only the second time I’ve used this sketchbook (see the February Sketchcrawl) but I have sketched and watercolored in the regular Moleskine sketchbook, mostly using watercolor pencils.

Here are two of my favorites from the March Sketchcrawl at Trinity. One is of a vase of cuttings set in stones and the other is brief sketch of one of the needlepointed kneelers around the altar. After I got home and looked at these again, I couldn’t bring myself to color them in! I admired many of the watercolored sketches I’ve seen on flickr and really want to do some of my own. The simplicity and clean lines of these sketches may be ruined by adding color. There’s that dichotomy again: do I want to color for decorative reasons or will color add to the meaning of the piece, leaning toward the profound?

In looking at some of my sketches from the past, I experimented one other time with color/no color. I drew a turkey from a model and colored it in. Afterwards, I drew the turkey again. I liked the colored version; the uncolored one held a more pleasing aesthetic to me. You decide: color, or not?

Balsa Wood Turkey: Uncolored

Balsa Wood Turkey: Colored

cta

The Sketchbook Project

2009-03-11T20:01:00.006-04:00

Another new project to work on! I've joined The Sketchbook Project hosted by Utrecht Art Supply. My job is to fill up one of the small plain Moleskines any way I want and send it back by the end of the month.

My theme is bees: bees drawings, bee quotes, and maybe a bee collage. Here's one of my sketches from the book. Since the paper is really thin, there's a lot of bleed through. My plan is to draw only one side and only in black pen. Most of what I've done so far has been with a Pilot G2 gel pen, my favorite pen, since I won't be putting a watercolor wash over it and don't need to worry about the smear of gel ink.

I may do a collage on the back of some pages with the worst of the bleed through. I may also beeswax the cover. I have the end of the month to finish off the pages and decide.

Utrecht will display the Moleskines for a month or so in their store and then send each artist one of submitted sketchbooks. Can't wait to see what everyone submits and which one I'll get in return!

cta

1000 Handmade Greetings

2009-03-10T12:06:00.006-04:00

Yay! I'm published again! This time in Laura McFadden's 1000 handmade greetings: creative cards and clever correspondence. My piece was accepted for publication before I started my blog so no website listed in the book for me. Thanks goes to Sally to passed along the Call for Entries.

My card is featured on page 51 in the Collage and Mixed-Media Cards section and is one of the thumbnail shots on the second page of the Table of Contents.

I created the card as a surprise for my dad. I scanned a wedding photo of my mom and dad and printed it off on a transparency sheet. The background collage was done by ripping a few sheets from an old paperback bible and distressed the edges with ink. The photo is carefully positioned over the text. I added a wedding-type flower as a 3-d element.

Unfortunately, my dad passed away before I had a chance to tell him about the publication but at least now I'll always have a printed memory of him.

1,000 Handmade Greetings: Creative Cards and Clever Correspondence

cta

Text as Art

2009-03-08T14:44:00.006-04:00

I like text as a graphic element whether the font is manipulated to add interest or meaning or text is a decorative element only. Hand lettered calligraphy and mechanical type vie almost equally for my interest. I do a little calligraphy myself, play around with an Underwood manual typewriter, and have purchased letterpress cards.

Always on the lookout for text art on the web, I've found a number of books, artists, and art pieces. One of most intriguing text artists is UK illustrator Sarah King. Bold black text on fruit -- what a concept! Text and context make her work particularly balanced between the decorative and the profound.

See more of her work at Sarah King and additional work and colleagues at Evening Tweed.

cta

What I am NOT working on

2009-03-02T12:53:00.002-05:00

I’ve been blogging a bit about my successes recently: meeting new goals, making progress on projects. Now seems to be the right time to talk about what I am NOT accomplishing: I am not sketching every day. I am not creating ATCs, and therefore not trading them. I am not replenishing the supply of hand-made cards as they are being used. I am not creating items for challenges that I have targeted. I am not doing a series of needle-felted things. I have not re-organized my supplies.

All of these are artistic goals of mine and I feel like time is running out. Am I taking too much on? Should I concentrate on deadline-related goals like the challenges? Hmm. Something to think about.

cta

Illustration Friday: Instinct

2009-02-26T19:34:00.004-05:00

Who knew there was so much research going on with bees?

It seems like every other magazine I pick up has another article on bee research: queen bee research; bees with mites; bee diseases; bee nutrition. Bees are very important to a healthly food supply and I'm happy to see so much attention to this industriuous and important insect.

This sketch christens Moleskine Sketchbook #5. Notice how dark the paper is? My latest Moleskine doesn't have the creamy color of a manila folder but a more butterly dark color. The notebooks are sealed in plastic so you can't peek inside to see if you've got an older or a newer production model. Let's hope they change back by the time I buy my next one.

cta

More Tea Stains!

2009-02-18T12:16:00.007-05:00

Here are two more tea stains done on manila folders. I saw dresses in both of these stains and they ended up as fashion models!

I don't usually do sketches of people as you can tell from my naive faces but I am getting more comfortable with my people and plan on perfecting my style.

By the way, I've tried to make splotches from loose leaf tea since I have a very nice tin of Sweet Cranberry Black from Teavanna but I get the most interesting stains from tea bag tea (my favorite: Tetley, which makes a nice strong dark tea that isn't bitter).

Happy tea staining to you!

cta

February Sketchcrawl

2009-02-15T18:49:00.013-05:00

Another new thing! If I'm not careful, I'll run out of new things to try before spring!

Earlier this year, Pat and I went to our first Sketchcrawl. This month, Casey joined us. We spent a Saturday morning exploring various renovated historic theatres. Here's my favorite sketch from the bunch: a backstage sign with intructions for dealing with a fire. I sketched this is in a Moleskine Watercolor notebook. I intended to color it in but preferred the plain, clean pen lines instead.

Both Pat and I were attracted to this sign: a rusted chain, an old knife, crumbling bricks, and bizarre instructions. What's not to like?

The object, according to theatre guide Tom, is to cut a rope in case of fire. A heavy fire curtain would then drop down a channel on either side of the stage keeping the fire away from the audience. At the same time, panels would open at the top of the stage funneling the fire upwards. The actors on stage would need to scramble as best they could away from the fire. For false alarms, the heavy fire curtain would be hand cranked back in place. The odd thing was that the knife looked like it hadn't been used in 20 or so years and looked a little on the dull side. I'd hate to rely on that as a safety device. The fire curtain is tested each year apparently but not the knife. Maybe there's an easy-to-use but hidden electric overide.

cta

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T08:55:00.007-05:00

To counter-balance my anti-valentine's day ATC, I thought I'd post this lovely little card.

I didn't make this one. It arrived in the mail from Cheryl who is an expert at distressing the edges of things. The card measures 2.5 x 4 inches, has white cardstock mounted on red and is stamped and collaged. The scan washed out some of the color -- it actually looks much more elegant in person.

The inside of the mini-card is equally nicely made and distressed.

Happy Valentine's Day!

cta

New: Spoken Word Poets

2009-02-13T20:08:00.002-05:00

Another new artistic experience for me this month: I attended a hip-hop flavored spoken word poetry event this week with Pat and Casey. A little comedy, a little dance, some singing, with headliners Joe Hernandez-Kolski and Q-Nice (look him up on Facebook), with a special appearance by his little sister F.R.E.E.

Powerful performances by talented, professional poets. F.R.E.E.'s poetry was incredibly strong and moving. I've found videos of Q-Nice and Joe on You Tube; if you find any videos of F.R.E.E., let me know. I have no plans to write poetry myself -- and certainly not to do any performances -- but I am planning to attend more poetry events. Maybe Casey will do a Poetry Slam.

The sketch I did of Q-Nice during the event started to get away from me. I had stopped frequently to listen to the words and finally decided to leave the sketch unfinished.

cta

Surprises!

2009-02-11T19:16:00.002-05:00

More surprises! How wonderful! Sally gave me three different packages recently:

~ a nice bag of yarn in mostly muted colors and mostly thin which will be great to work with, and some thicker yarn in interestingly bright colors.

~ buttons! a nice selection of metal and metal-look, various sizes, and a few yarn covered buttons. Can't wait to find things to do with these.

~ a magazine for the clippings collection compiled for my art journaling class. And this looks like an interesting read.

I'll be sharing this collection with my friends so you may see some of these showing up in other places.

Thanks, Sally!

cta

Illustration Friday: Time

2009-02-09T12:27:00.005-05:00

Here's my third entry for Illustration Friday: Time! I thought I'd try something different and do a collage instead of a sketch for this theme. This week I've been working a new journaling project for a class I'm taking with Pat and Annette and, since I was working with clippings anyway, I saw an opportunity to mix the two. There isn't much journaling on this layout but I think it works moving from lightness in the upper left corner to the darkness of the lower right. Along the way are growth spurts and rotations.

This was a fun layout to do but after it was finished I am still conscious of too many linear elements instead of a more spontaneous flow -- something I'll have to work on for future pieces.

cta

Squeaky Chalk

2009-02-08T12:33:00.004-05:00

As you may have read, I started sketching after reading Danny Gregory's The Creative License. To improve my technique, I picked up other drawing books and one of my favorites is Squeaky Chalk and other FUN things to DRAW (and do) when there is nothing to do! by Joy Sikorski. The book promises “Art Mysteries Revealed! Adventures! Projects!” I think it’s meant to be a children’s book but there’s a somewhat surreal aspect to the charming but loosely woven story that I find very appealing.

The simple line drawings are easy to copy and I had fun making my own little version. Shown here is one of my drawings featuring “A Boy Named Wit” and “A Cat Named Mitt’ns” from Squeaky Chalk. I’ve also drawn “A Twitter Bird,” “A Girl Named Patience,” and the Silk City Tartan Sweet Novelty Candy company.

Joy says:

If you know how to write, you already know how to draw.

And I believe her!

cta

Needle Felted Squirrel

2009-02-06T18:28:00.010-05:00

Trying new things again. This is my third needle felted animal. I started needle felting in January as part of my try-new-things goal.

I count a project successful if it is recognizable and by that criteria I must say that needle felting can't be that difficult if I came up with this on only my third try. However, I must admit that this particular piece started out as a cat and by the time I had the head and body together and attached the ears it was clear that this was actually a squirrel!

I did put time into reading up on needle felting techniques before actually trying to make something and I did learn things from the first two pieces I did. The squirrel was based on one of the cat patterns from Little Felted Animals by Marie-Noelle Horvath. The hardest part about making animals is achieving balance between similar pieces.

Judith gave me a quote recently by Sylvia Townsend Warner that resonated with me:

I think as one grows older one is appallingly exposed to wearing life instead of living. Habit, physical deterioration and a slower digestion of our experiences all tend to make one look on one's dear life as a garment, a dressing gown, a raincoat, a uniform, buttoned on with recurrent daily tasks.

...For myself I found one remedy, and that is to undertake something difficult, something new to re-root myself in my own faculties. For in such moments, life is not just a thing one wears, it is a thing one does and is.

Needle felting is one such new thing that requires learning a new jargon (roving, combed, carded wool; merino; icelandic), working with new tools (barbed needles and pad), and paying heed to safety techniques (those barbed needles are really sharp!). And after I get the rhythm down, my own creativity can take over.

I made this animal for Cheryl who owns the two needle felted pieces that inspired me.

cta

Anti-Valentine Contest

2009-02-03T19:40:00.009-05:00

Still trying new things. This time I've created an entry for Dabbled's Anti-Valentine Contest. Click on the image to the right to find out more about the contest and submit your own entry.

If Valentine's Day is about love, anti-valentine should about the absence of love. That's my interpretation! The name of my ATC is "Working, but Lost" and I'll let you figure out the symbolism.

I started with a thick piece of watercolor paper cut to ATC size (2.5" x 3.5"), drew a somewhat realistic looking heart using my new Le Pen, and then watercolored it in. I added metal gears, vellum wings, and a photo. I clipped text from a magazine and glued the broken text down last. The hardest part was getting the larger gear to stick to the paper without over-gluing.

Metal, text, and sketching -- success!

cta

Illustration Friday: Flawed

2009-01-31T18:40:00.003-05:00

This week's Illustration Friday theme is Flawed. For the second week in a row, the idea came to me easily, may be because I've been thinking about one of works in progress. I sketched mini-Arthur 2, the second in a series I'm making with the goal of finding perfection.

I've been modeling the mini-Arthur after Pat's original Arthur so I'm trying for a close match with an allowance for artistic license. The hardest thing for me is to achieve is balance between two arms, two eyes, two ears (or horns depending on your point of view) and two feet.

I haven't given up and am learning things with each model. Mini-Arthur 3 might indeed be the most flawless of the bunch!

I did the sketch in my Moleskine using a new Le Pen. So far it's easy to use and lays down a nice, sharp black line. The only flaw is in the pen design -- I can't get the top to attach to the pen and I'm afraid of losing the cap. The coloring is done with watercolor pencils.

cta

Datebooks = Sketchbook

2009-01-30T12:36:00.011-05:00

In response to my goal of sketching more this year and in keeping green, I'm turning an unused calendar journal into a sketchbook. I didn't think up this idea but was inspired by several postings on flickr.

The sketch I did in December represents two unconnected objects: a shiny Mighty Bright clip-on light that I use with my Kindle and a black and grey computer speaker. I lightly gessoed the pages before I drew on them to prevent bleed throughs on the thin pages and to mute the calendar print. I added just a touch of marker color to the light.

January's sketches represent an old business card I found in my office and a drawing of a photographic postcard -- again, an unconnected set of drawings. Since this month celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of one of my favorite authors, I thought it appropriate to sketch a print I have of him on my desk. The United State Post Office should issue new first class stamps this month in honor of the bicentennial and I plan on purchasing a few packs for myself. Here's a quote from Edgar Allen Poe to set the mood:

Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.

Maybe in future months I'll do one two-page spread or maybe a set of connected drawings. For now I'm happy just to increase my output.

cta

Another Surprise in the Mail!

2009-01-30T12:00:00.013-05:00

I recently received another surprise package in the mail from Cheryl. Among the gifts were this neat set of alphabet stamps which will work great in the new journaling project that I'm going to start on Monday (another goal for this year!).

She also sent me these two nice tags. Cheryl knows I like tags, a vintage and distressed look, and a beige color palette. Muted colors, a little text, ribbon and string, and metal rings – my kind of tag! Both tags feature a complementary use of font style, another of my interests. The rugged stencil look fits the western tag and the elegant, flowing script works for the artistic style of the nature scene and white ribbon.

I’m sure these tags will end up somewhere in one of my projects but will they be bookmarks, gift tags, a collage, or something else? In the meantime, I’ll admire their understated beauty as they wait for a home.

cta

How To Make A Journal of Your Life

2009-01-27T12:39:00.008-05:00

While developing my sketching style, I read a number of books on drawing, sketching, and journaling. One of my favorites was “How to Make a Journal of Your Life” by Dan Price. I like his rough, down and dirty sketches and uneven text and his philosophy of the chronicle over the perfection of the content.

His book is full of useful information and the occasional recipe. Wondering how to get started? What type of journal to buy? How to find your voice? Check out his book. Dan also writes and illustrates the occasion journal series "Moonlight Chronicles"

Shown here is a sketch of mine from 2006 which was inspired by Dan's book. And here's another good quote from Dan:

"Drawing is also a form of meditation and makes you more aware, more living in this present moment."

As I look back over my journals, the sketches evoke a much greater response of time and memory than photographs do. So get busy sketching!

How to Make a Journal of Your Life

cta

Illustration Friday: Climbing

2009-01-25T16:40:00.005-05:00

A goal of mine this year is to sketch on a regular basis. One way to do this is to participate in challenges. Posted here is my first sketch for the weekly Illustration Friday challenge. This week's theme is "Climbing."

I drew a souvenir of Mark's climb to the top of Mt. Whitney in California. Mark actually climbed Mt. Whitney twice and the rock is reminder of his successes.

I tried out my new Prismacolor fine line marker (03) and watercolor pencils and like the way this one turned out.

cta

MOO Cards!

2009-01-24T15:41:00.006-05:00

I just received my second order of MOO cards! A bargain at 100 cards for $20! I picked 17 of my favorite sketches but any combination will do.

I used the sketches from my flickr account and selected which sliver of the sketch to print. I didn't need to use the flickr photos and could have uploaded any copyright free photo to print.

This time I listed my blog address and email on the back of the card -- a fine way to refer people to my new site.

The print quality is excellent and I had a hard time letting go of the last batch of cards. Now I have plenty to pass along.

cta

Tea Stain Sketches

2009-01-18T11:58:00.008-05:00

I like the color of tea. And the color of manila folders. When I saw sketches drawn around tea stains on flickr, I knew I had to try this for myself. As a tea drinker, I had frequent opportunities, and a stack of used manila folders.

Directions:
1. Make a cup of tea.
2. Set the used tea bag on a manila folder (or index card). Just a moment will work. If the bag is really wet, you can get several stains from one bag. You can also squeeze the bag and drip tea on the card. Some material takes the tea better than others. If you end up with an ugly color stain, try a different type of card stock.
3.Let the stain dry completely.
4.Study the stain and create a drawing around it. The first set of stains I made all looked like fairies to me.

Sometimes the tea stain just needs a bit of help, like the drawing of the face above. Other stains call for more detail like the girl in the hat below. Check out the flickr tea stain group and my flickr site for more sketches.

cta

Art Journaling

2009-01-15T17:22:00.007-05:00

I stopped by our local Jo-Ann's store this week and noticed they were selling the premier issue of Art Journaling published by Somerset. Pat and I were surprised to find out we were both featured in this issue!

Pat has a two-page spread on her Rejectamenta journal where she talks about her lettering lettering technique while her blog post shows a few more page spreads and talks about the story behind the journal. Interspersed throughout the magazine are quotes from the journal artists on topics such as "Where do you usually journal?" and "What’s your favorite journaling pen?" -- just the type of minutia I find fascinating! Here’s Pat’s quote on embellishments:

“My favorite embellishments are those that add layers, texture, and dimension – buttons, rusted washers, string, bottle caps, and broken jewelry are some of my favorites.”

And she does amazing things with them!

I’m in the back of the magazine with a two-page spread in the Gallery section. The sketches shown are from my Moleskine sketchbooks. More can be seen on my flickr site.

cta

A Christmas Gift

2009-01-12T19:13:00.007-05:00

Here's one of my recent Christmas gifts: a notebook with a handmade cover of felted material, embroidery, and a vintage button from my friend Pat. The edges are finished with white blanket stitches.

I started using the notebook to chart out this blog: listing ideas, noting themes and colors, writing down reminders and ideas for posts, and sketching photo set-ups. An appropriate use for a gift from my blogging inspiration!

Pat upcycles thrift store wool or wool blend sweaters into a variety of things: this notebook cover, pouches for handmade books and journals, and monsters. Maybe she'll post some of her felted projects on her own blog but, until then, we'll admire this piece.

cta

A Surprise in the Mail!

2009-01-10T13:48:00.007-05:00

I came home from work this week to find a surprise package in the mail from Cheryl. Among other things was this lovely pile of yarn: my favorite maroon, a rich red, and two handfuls of variegated textures.

I've stuffed these into a Mason jar and plan on using them in several projects: attaching to tags, twined around pipe cleaners for handmade books/journals, embellishing cards.

You can never have too many pieces of colorful things around when you're in the middle of a project!

cta

Interesting Site: Fabric Brain Art

2009-01-09T12:33:00.011-05:00

As I travel through the Internet and find interesting art-related sites, I'll post my adventures here. Today's site features knitted and quilted brains from The Museum of Scientifically Accurate Fabric Brain Art hosted by the University of Oregon.

The close up section of the piece by artist Marjorie Taylor shows the fabric representation of a brain slice. Also shown on site is a knitted brain by Karen Norberg zipped open to see the insides. Follow the MRI link to see the Knitted Brain zipped shut. For you artists out there, the Museum welcomes addtions to brain art exhibit. Email Curator Bill Harbaugh for more info.

The site includes a link to the also fascinating Wood Brain Art a/k/a Bachy's Figured Maple Brains.

cta

Why Manila Tea Stains?

2009-01-08T17:51:00.006-05:00

I named my blog after several of my favorite art things: manila folders, manila-colored paper, tea stains, tea, tea-colored things, and stained things. Much of the art pieces I make have used manila folders as their base.

Below is one of my favorite ATCs made from two cards cut from manila folders. The bottom piece is stained with Distress Inks, dusted with Pearl-Ex, and coated with hair spray. I stamped the top piece with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and ironed on beeswax to age it.

My First Blog Post

2009-01-07T21:14:00.010-05:00

Inspired by my friend Pat, I thought I’d chronicle my artistic journey and discoveries. I’ve started a few new artistic endeavors in the past few years and look forward to improving my skills and expanding the range of my experience.

I began sketching after reading Danny Gregory’s “The Creative License” and have since filled nine notebooks. My favorite notebook for sketching is the Moleskine Sketch Journal and I am just finishing the fourth one. The uniformity, the creamy color, the smooth feel of the pages have drawn me into the Moleskine mystique.

I’m still searching for the perfect sketching pen. I’ve settled on the Staedtler pigment liner (0.3) but they don’t seem to last too long. My favorite writing pen is the Pilot G-2 (0.5) but it isn’t waterproof.

This year I plan on taking a few classes, trying some new techniques, and pushing myself out of my comfort zone and I want to track my journey along the way.

Creative License, The: Giving Yourself Permission to Be The Artist You Truly Are