From My Sketchbook...

Taking a break from writing to show shots from my sketchbook...

I am not Obsessed

More examples of creativity sparked by my online sketchbook class.



Flowers from the bouquet Cop'er sent me for Valentine's Day... Fall colors too. He did good.

Busy Bee

I have been busy! Between Creative Writing & a new online class with Alisa Burke all about sketchbook art & techniques... plus there's the little book that I am thinking about/trying to write - where do I find time for that pesky little job? Or sleep? Or eating?

Sounds a little like I might need an assistant!

This past week was the first of the online class. I found it very inspiring - full of videos and photos! I am a visual person, so this is perfect for me! I even managed to get to know some of my old art materials again & come up with the following results.

I used different materials and tried out how they blended together.

I used regular ole Crayola markers and water to make these colors blend. I also used a purple gel pen for the edges.

I tested for water solubility with pens I was using. Some are just average writing pens.

Something I did to work with watercolor, design, black Sharpies and 3D paints.

I like the 3D paint effect!

Tomorrow is Week #2. I can't wait to see what inspiration comes! If I am lacking in creative avenues, there's always my Creative Writing class on Tuesday!

Now, when did I schedule that vacation???

I 'Make Things'

What is the difference between a craft room & man cave? Let's have a comparison.

Craft Room = organized space of all things crafty, room to spread said crafts out, creative headquarters for artsy types, colorful 'things' for projects as yet unknown, cat haven

Man Cave = foolish nonsense abounds, testosterone corral, dog shananigans area, poker palace, masculine movie theater

And, yes, it's true. I make things. I have a whole craft room for making things. To be honest, it's not the WHOLE room. There is a guest bed & furniture in there in case we might have an overnight visitor. It's also a good place for (literal) cat naps!

Cop'er likes to complain about all the 'things' in the room. I believe I have heard him refer to these 'things' as... junk. Some of that 'junk' is from my college days (art major!) and very expensive to replace in case i decide to take up pastels & pen & ink drawing again!

(I know you are laughing about that!)

Needless to say, I like to go into the man cave & point out his 'junk'... the paddle from your fraternity days? Really? The strange smoking frog your brother gave you???

Seriously??

You wanna talk about JUNK?

But to make my point, I do make things in the craft room. Just the other day, I assisted AriCaVa in putting together invitations. She came over to use the (very organized & labeled) supplies & low & behold - I had everything she needed! Just think of how much money I might have saved her!

I'm doing watercolors now as well, but I don't do them in the craft/guest room... There's no DVR in there...

Collector of Collections

I have mentioned in a previous post that i collect quotes (among other things). These quotes have come to me through many different times in my life. They often reflect my mood at the moment or speak to me about something on a deeper level.

Perhaps my fascination with quotes is that, someday, I, too, hope to say something witty or wonderful or deep enough for people to say over & over again...

So enamored with quotes I am that I painted them on the living room wall of the first house I owned. I loved it! It was something that was truly me and though they were a ridiculous pain to paint over when I sold the house, I would do it again!

Don't tell Cop'er, but I have been eyeballing some walls in our house...

Here are a few of my most recent finds:

• Surrender isn't about giving up. It's about letting go.
• If you want to be understood... listen. ~Babel
• The decisions you make are important... but not that important.
• Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you'll ever regret. ~Laurence J. Peter
• Behind every argument is someone's ignorance. ~Louis Brandeis
• If you believe in eternity, life is irrelevant. ~from "House"
• Creativity is a drug I cannot live without. ~ Cecil B. DeMille
• Dance is the hidden language of the soul. ~Martha Graham