October Knitting

Still needs blocking!

super soft alpaca yarn!

I had a fabulous time going to a knitting class a few weeks ago and have made 2 hats (my very first). On the needles now: my first attempt at mittens. Hopefully I can swing the thumb 'cos I'd love to make them for all the kids (and even grown ups) in the family. It would be a great gift since we have such heavy winters in these parts. (wonderful book, Boutique Knits by Laura Irwin - highly recommend it!)

My birthday was yesterday and it was great... mom gave me some money (among many other thoughtful presents) and now it's burning a hole in my pocket - thinking about the yarn shop :) Of course all this knitting and sitting is getting in the way of making art. But, today I'm back to carving and will be printing in a few days. Happy hump day - and thanks so much to those of you who commented on the funky flower question on the last post. Very much appreciated!

Portraits

Cal Champ... barely begun

Last night, I sketched out this lady on 'big paper' with watered down paint. I liked the pose but didn't have the patience for the hands... I need to do some hand studies, it's been too long since I've really drawn them! She's got these deep set, large kind of 'bulgy' eyes that I really like. I hope to capture them in a better way as I work through the painting. So, this is the California State Champion - Tennis. (Inspired by my grandmother as well as my father who both held the title - respectively- back in the day.)

I had a chance to work this morning on my new lady...I like the purple, my daughter's room is painted a few shades lighter. (painted by moi, 9 months pregnant and in a tizzy of nesting!) Anyway, I think it's a great shade - it's got a bit of yellow in it to neutralize and white with a hint of black. Really enjoying painting her!