Caution - Illustration Friday - Digital

I had to do it. I drew over my little sketch in Photoshop for this digital illustration. I didn't want to spend too much time on it. I should get on with the next topic. So here it is - pretty plain and simple, but having fun experimenting with different techniques.

Caution - Illustration Friday

I did this very quick sketch today and thought I might do a more refined drawing when I realized, wow! it's Thursday already! So if I wanted to post it, I had to just throw some color on it and call it done. I prefer when illustrations do not need explanation, but I'm afraid this one might. Influenced by my experiences as a scout leader, I can say it's not usually necessary to tell young scouts that a fire is very hot. It is quite necessary to remind them frequently to watch where they are waving the long pointy stick that their marshmallow is on. Use caution when giving long skewers to small children. The quick drawing and loose watercolor does not bother me so much. I'm glad I threw something together. However, the drawing does not communicate that the girl on the right is being poked with a sharp skewer. (It just looks like a tangent.) I just realized a better way to draw that would be with her back arched, her hips moved forward and a surprised look on her face. When I showed the drawing to Maya, her reaction was, "I don't like angry people."

Ya know... something more like this... Yowza! If you didn't recognize it, the girl on the left is holding her graham cracker and chocolate bar. It is the juggling of the s'more ingredients that leads to the careless waving of sharp sticks.

Catching Up

Don't know why I've been away from blogging for so long. Here's what I've been up to....

Everyone started back at school this week and it is strange to just be eating the first few tomatoes from the garden. More than a month late because of the cool weather. I'm wondering if I will have to learn how to make fried green tomatoes or if the weather will hold out long enough to ripen the plentiful supply that is still green on the vines.

I've finished Ellie's little playhouse, but I wasn't going to post until I sew the family and the bed. Her choice is black and white dogs for the family of critters. I was excited the morning I finished it that she stepped away from computer games and played with it for hours (with other miniatures she already had.)

We went to see "Harry Potter: The Exhibition" at The Museum of Science and Industry. Even though Ellie and I are not the enthusiasts that Maya and Darrin and I are, we enjoyed it very much. Of course there was no photography allowed inside the exhibit, but the Weasley's flying car was out by the very long line where we bought tickets.

We watched the Chicago Air Show from a 48th floor high-rise apartment. Very cool! I always thought I would live in the city for a couple years of my life. At this point, I guess that is not happening. I'm still thinking that once Maya and Ellie get older I may look for a job in the city. Don't know how long I could handle commuting after many years of convenience, but it could be interesting for a while.

When we got home from our very long day in the city, I opened up the mailbox to find my first acceptance letter from a juried art show. This piece, "Snow" will be hanging at the 66th Annual South Shore Arts Salon Show. It's about time I start putting together my resumé, as now I have more than 3 shows to add to my list of accomplishments.

My cousin Laura's comment from my first post about broccoli informed me that it is still edible after it flowers. We're having fun eating broccoli flowers. The flavor is still very good. I thought it would be bitter, but it's very mild. I'm thinking about making cream of broccoli soup because wouldn't these little flowers make a beautiful garnish on top?

Happy Birthday Grace!

Don't peek if you haven't gotten your brown paper package in the mail yet. I was going to say "don't peek if it's your birthday," but that would include Barrack Obama and Auntie Rhonda. I see Rhonda got her package. And I'm sorry Barrack, but I didn't get you anything. I didn't know Obama had the same birthday as Grace and Rhonda until today! Happy Birthday to all of you!

Due to the size and the shape of the packages, Rhonda's only cost 5¢ more to send Priority rather than First Class. I had to do it, but I should have paid the extra to ship Gracie's as well? What was I thinking? I hope you enjoy it!

The first house I made (for Maddie) out of cardboard and craft paper, I thought, was too delicate to play with. But, I heard she does play with it. That makes me happy. So, here is my second attempt. I sewed fabric over cardboard and I think it can be handled by a 5 year old. Oops! I mean SIX YEAR OLD! I would actually be curious to see how well these will hold up. My next model will be stronger cardboard and a slightly modified design. I need to get working on that soon. Eleanor is patiently waiting. I had so much fun sewing this - I could become obsessed with cute little toy houses.

Brown Paper Packages

I'm excited to share the end result of my latest craft endeavor, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. I've asked the recipient to let me know as soon as they receive it, so that I could post pictures. Don't you just love brown paper packages?

Not Happy/Happy

I am not happy that my week of vacation is over.

I am happy about the little bit of progress I made in clearing, cleaning, organizing and rearranging the house (although still quite a ways to go).

I am not happy that I missed getting a photo of a sweet little bunny on the patio today. I tried to follow him around the fence and also missed a photo of a woodpecker.

I am happy about spotting the first cucumber

hiding between the fence posts

...growing broccoli for the first time

...and one huge hydrangea that blooms every year.

Also, I am happy about my latest craft endeavor.

I was very much aware yesterday and today how happy

I am when my hands, heart, and mind are creating.

This Week

Because I have forgotten how to relax, I have spent my week of vacation emptying closets to paint them. Not only to paint, but to move and re-organize. Darrin and I will move to the "toy room" as we give the girls more privacy and independence of their own personal bedrooms. I thought about posting before and after photos, but it might have looked like a bad Peter Walsh episode. While moving from a small bedroom to a smaller one, I am dreaming of simplified minimalism decorated in some sleek modern decor inspired by all of my favorite design blogs. I am missing the girls more than ever. They are on a Girl Scout camping overnight as I sort through and thin out the toy collection. I have convinced them that they will have to be willing to let go to make room. For years I've dreamed of having less toys in my house, but now I am struggling with the fact that they are growing up too fast.

Digging through the Drawer

I was looking for something in my flat file drawers the other day and came across this painting I made maybe 2 years ago? I keep thinking I need to add a date every time I finish a painting, because I am later curious about when things like this happened. I don't remember how I began or what was going through my head when I painted this piece. Letting it spill out seems simple and easy, but looking at the end result is always confusing to me?

We went on a hike and we saw....

tough terrain

a toadstool

a toad

tadpoles

a tiny toad

and some very large birds

Months of talking and planning for one night of camping. We spent Friday night at Shades State Park. No one seemed very enthusiastic before the trip, but we had an absolutely lovely time. The weather was sunny and cool, mosquitoes few. Hiking is so beautiful there, as well as the canoe trip (which I have no pictures of because I did not want to risk getting the camera wet.) Ellie and I suffered a risky, rocky end of the trip. She seemed to remain pretty calm in spite of the fact that I could not hide all of my fear. Getting her in a canoe again may take some persuasion.

Something. Anything.

Too much time has passed without painting. I bought a 6x6 inch Bristol sketch pad so that I might impulsively create something, anything. Working small takes little time and does not feel so daunting. I also purchased a new bottle of india ink, as the girls have taken a liking to it and used up the last of a few bottles I had around.

Working Hard

As I was saying, I worked pretty much full-time this week. Well- Monday through Thursday, as tomorrow is the office-is-closed-paid-holiday! Happy 4th and 3rd! I think I don't have time to draw and paint, but I doodled in the same spot for four days in just brief moments here and there. This piece of work was created without wasting a moment of design time – as I started up my computer, launched programs, and waited for my computer to process things (such as making .pdf files). Small efforts accumulated.

Flourishing

Todays Harvest: 3 green beans and one sugar snap pea pod. Plenty of lettuce growing in 2 clay pots among my flowers.

I am barely home, but I find a few moments each day to walk around the whole yard and garden to see how things are growing. You can see the lettuce in the lower right hand corner of this picture.

I was thrilled that this evening, finally, I did not have to go anywhere. I've never been more happy to be able to fold laundry. Only halfway through my laundry, I found myself heading out the door after Maya informed me her dress was too short for her band concert tomorrow night. She honestly had nothing else to wear. It's not a matter of dress code or a particularly short dress that we initially bought. It was the realization (after having been mentioned by the band director) that they will be sitting on a stage and the view from the audience could be quite revealing. I felt it was the only thing I could do to put her at ease. Ear infections in both ears and anxiety over her first performance is causing physical and emotional pain. She refuses energy healing from her own mother. The best I could do was buy her a new dress.

Not Lousiana, Paris France, New York, or Rome

Yes. I am still here. I am reluctant to post without art, or at least a photo. And that hasn't been happening lately. Just got back from our second Gary Railcats game this season. It's really a lot of fun. The girls love it. Railcats won! And the added bonus of fireworks tonight. Also, a moment of silence in honor of Michael Jackson along with lots of music and video clips of Michael. I have never lived anywhere else but Northwest Indiana and it feels very strange to try to describe my global position with these references. To this day I can hardly say "Gary, Indiana" without conjuring up the image of a very small Ron Howard belting it out with a lisp along with the tune getting stuck in my head. For that was my first concept of Gary, Indiana. Driving to and arriving at the ball park is a bit surreal and I wonder what it is like to see it through the eyes of a 7 year old and 11 year old?

I wonder where all my time has gone lately.? Not so much as a small doodle to post. Two evenings this week were spent at the pee-wee ball field, as I find the "8 and under" girls' softball games a lovely way to connect with my little community. Never been much of a sports fan and now I've spent about 10 hours this week as a spectator of the "Great American Past-time."

And a whole big whopping 36-1/4 hours at the office. Almost full time this week. (Technically I think over 35 hours is full-time.) Kudos to any full-time working mom. I don't know how you do it?! And, I must say I am in complete awe of the full-time working single mom because I only worked 36 hours this week since my teacher-husband is on summer vacation.

Also, I would like to add that in my effort to "Circle Everything" I am not presently focused, balanced or rolling with it at this time. That is just a lofty goal that at some point in my life I would like to achieve.

Trash to Treasure Opening

The Trash to Treasure Opening was tonight. Lots of people. Lots of art. Very good to see. Here is a photo of my finish Matryoshka set, as I said I would post. This photo actually taken at home before I dropped of the art. Just as I had thought, I was able to take a better photo at home than at the show.

I wanted to create something out of everyday ordinary trash - cylindrical containers - but I already had my paintings on wood planned for the show. I figured I might as well hang them there because they were hanging all around my house where no one was seeing them.

Watercolor Bunny

I opened my sketchbook yesterday and found a tiny little bunny that I sketched quite a while ago. I copied it onto a 3 inch scrap of watercolor paper. Maybe I should paint a few eating strawberries. This morning I picked 10 strawberries, but had to throw out 4 that were already half eaten. Does anyone have any remedies for keeping birds and critters from the garden?

Escape

I woke up very early this morning. 6:00am. Lingered in bed until 7:30. From my bed, I walked straight to the patio to greet this beautiful day. My hanging baskets and pots needed water. I proceeded to pick a few weeds. I found a toad and held him captive in this flower pot. But, he escaped before I could show him to Ellie. It's nearly 9:00am and the girls are still sleeping. The first Saturday of summer vacation.

Our first harvest of the year. By far the best strawberry I ever tasted. I had to throw one away (the one in the top of this photo). When I turned the corner to check the garden, a small bunny darted off. I think he had just taken a bite out of the strawberry. Every time I see a rabbit in the garden, I think of Beatrix Potter. As much as I love bunnies, I feel like I could be Mr. McGregor waving a hoe over my head and there could be a whole family of rabbits hidden close by having a conversation about me and my garden.

Feeling Nostalgic

Here is the dress I made for Ellie a couple of weeks ago. [Editor's note: I switched out the photo because it was hard to see the dress in the other photo.] We were at the fabric store last month, and while I usually have to tell Ellie we are sticking to the list and not buying extras - she didn't even notice this fabric. I very excitedly told her "we have to buy this!" Why? Because it reminded me of when I was a kid 30 years ago. The fabric is gathered with elastic and sold by the inch. You buy as much as you need to fit around your torso and sew up one seam. I feel like I can hardly say I sewed it. I did cut some fabric off the bottom to make straps and if you make a dress, rather than a tube top, you will have to sew a hem, too. We embellished it with a couple of buttons from the button box. And here I am circa 1979.

Living Well

I've run into a few people who have said "You haven't been posting. I check your blog everyday." So good to hear! Just to keep you updated - life is good. I've spent much of my time in the past 10 days gardening and exercising vigorously. (Thanks to the inspiration of Bob Greene. More on that later.) I did sew a little dress for Ellie that I want to share, but she will not put it on for a photo - yet. Other than that - a few more hours at the office and a couple of softball games. I'm loving my sun room studio even though I haven't created since the Matryoshka. Many creative thoughts are brewing in my brain.

Sneak Peek

I knew I would be too anxious to share.

I'll post a group photo (set of six) after the opening.

On My Desk

I feel I am not the only person who needs a deadline to be motivated enough to begin a project. (or finish a project.) I have to say, I had this idea for the "Trash to Treasure" show two years ago. And, the motivation to begin it yesterday... the deadline to drop off the work is this Sunday. Originally I thought I would paper mache the containers and paint with acrylic, but I've decided to just wrap them with watercolor paper and paint with watercolor. I don't know if I will post the finished piece before the show? It could be such a spectacular unveiling. Why spoil it? A watercolor matryoshka made out of garbage? I'm guessing this is probably the only one world-wide? 

After having shot this photo this afternoon, I am even more excited about lugging my work desk out of the basement for the summer sun-room studio.

I think I will include a copy of this black and white photo for the show. And, when listing materials used I think I will spell it all out: oatmeal box, cornmeal box, salt box, baking powder can, paper towel tube, mini-m&m container.

Fast Forward 10 Years.

I was inspired to start running 10 years ago (almost 11) when I was 7 or 8 months pregnant with Maya. I did not start running at that moment of inspiration, of course. I felt so huge and completely disabled. I started noticing every jogger on the street and was determined to run as soon as I was able. After Maya was born I vowed that I would start off slow and walk everyday (about 2 miles) to take off the extra weight, but more importantly to give myself a break. I needed to step away momentarily from the feeling of being overwhelmed with the immense responsibility of motherhood. I did not walk with Maya, I walked away from the house so that I could be alone. This photo was taken from one of the few times I put on the Snugli. Even then I worried. . . was it too hot outside for her? was her head was bobbing too much? was her neck was strong enough? was she was going to spit up along the way? was I going to have to walk home drenched in puke?

I used to hold this tiny baby in my arms and worry if I would be a good mother. Could I teach her to be a kind and happy person? Could I help her live up to her full potential? Could I keep her safe from the crazy world out there?

I looked forward to the day that she would be big enough and strong enough to maybe ride her bike along side me while I jogged. I thought by then, I wouldn't be so stressed out and worried about motherhood and wouldn't feel the need to momentarily escape. I thought, by this time I would know if I was was doing an okay job as a mother.

We've arrived at and surpassed that goal. It was Maya that really inspired me to start jogging again. She was on the track team this Spring, so I asked her if she wanted to jog a mile and a half with me around the neighborhood. I was so out of shape. I had not run in 7 months. I ended up telling her "go as fast as you want, but leave your watch running so you can tell me my time when I get home." She ran it in 15:05. I stumbled in at almost 18 minutes.

I have renewed my interest in jogging, and I've jogged almost every day since then. Each day I have shaved a little time off that 18 minutes. Yesterday I was down to 15:40. Maya is happy and encouraging me, but let me know if we raced - she would win. We plan on trying that soon. I told her she would probably beat me, but best of all, we would both run a lot faster if we raced.

It's hard to believe 10 years have passed so quickly. This little one has taught me a lot. She has challenged me and made me a stronger person.

The best of spring.

The lilies and hostas I moved last weekend are looking lovely. Now that the weather is warm, the kids are able to occupy themselves for longer periods of time. Quite a relief after a long winter. It's so good to open up the windows and let the fresh air in. I love walking out the door without a coat. And, I've finally taken up jogging again. I've exercised pretty consistently for the past 10 years, taking breaks for short periods of time over holidays or busy times. But, this past year has been bad. I ran a 5k last September and haven't picked up any routine since. That's 7 months! Proud to say I am starting small, but consistent. I've jogged a mile and a half 10 out of the last 11 days. Slow. But a little faster each time. My next goal - painting small but consistent. Not much going on there lately.