Sketchbook Wednesday

Here are a few ideas I have churning today. They've both made it onto fabric for more art quilts. The March show is coming up faster and faster. (well, a late Feb deadline is what's on my mind!)

I'm really having fun with this style of art making. Not many rules and drawing loose... it is very freeing. Oddly, I haven't carved a woodblock for a long time now. This is the longest stretch, I think (although I did do some mastercarve stuff recently). After this project, it's going to be woodcuts galore!

Speaking of woodcuts, I'm honored to be included in an art blog, Apt3 Design... amongst many wonderful printmakers. The writer is Tina, a student at Portland State University - my art school Alma Mater. Check it out here .

Sketchbook Catch-up

Lulu in a scarf

At the beach

Mama and son

Today I'm catching up on Sketchbook Thursday. These are just drawing paper and buckle like crazy when painted on but I like the idea of just painting my drawings without any planning or rules. I really want to do a big painting of the last drawing. Happy Tuesday.

Sketchbook Thursday - Elizabeth & Sylvia

Freshly drawn tonight... a few sketches. Sylvia is my old Ballet teacher - this was drawn from a vintage photograph of my own collection :) I'll be painting it tomorrow. Elizabeth is a creative lady... I just love the shape of her face and eyes. Have a peaceful night!

Sketchbook Thursday

With a new puppy in the house... how could I not sketch him?! Naturally, this is only possible when he is fast asleep on his blankie taking one of the many puppy naps of the day! These are in my Moleskine sketchbook (love 'em) and today, *gasp* I painted in it for the first time. Learned that the paper in the regular sketchbooks (as opposed to watercolor paper sketchbooks) is rather slick and had an almost 'waterproof' feel to it. The funny things one learns by accident :)

Sketchbook Thursday

Wreath on Gates

More Purple Cone Flowers

A tree lined street I always pass on my walks.

It's springtime in my head... can you tell? I'm excited to report that daylight savings time is approaching on March 8th and Spring Equinox is March 20th... there is hope on the horizon :)

I have some fun new sketches /ideas for an upcoming show. We need to have at least one piece that has an East meets West or Asian theme. This has been a challenge... because I don't want to be too literal. (some of the ideas may pop up on the blog soon!) I'm carving some mini woodblock prints and plan to print them on linen. (Soon to be mini lavender sachets for the etsy shop.) I'm off to sip some chamomile tea.

A Little Progress

I didn't post on Sketchbook Thursday... so here's M. Bertrand on Monday.

The Bath... I printed it to see what was happening and painted with watercolor. So, now I know where to take it next.

Sketchbook Thursday...

U-pick strawberries

Lavender farm... Grandma and Sadie

Grandmas are the greatest!

Probably my fave late summer bloom.... Purple Cone flower.

It's not official... merely an idea but I'm thinking about doing more in my sketchbook and posting about it on Thursdays. (oh, but that would be a structured, planned thing... which is really not me...not sure I could handle it! :) We'll see if I can keep up with it. Feels good to paint summer scenes and flowers in the dead of winter! I'm off the clean up the house like a demon - we're having a little dinner party with 4 kids and 4 grownups this weekend :). But, what to cook? Any ideas??

From the Sketchbook

Here's an older sketch I did of some men in top hats at the horse races. I used Conte crayon (sepia)... I like the lines they make. A blue drawing by my son - he leaves pictures for me in my sketchbooks from time to time as a 'surprise', I love it when he does that!

The 3rd photograph is the inside of my daughter's new coat... fall colors, leaves and butterflies... so cute and charming I had to share it. Have a relaxing Sunday :)