Bare Bones

Falling Leaves

I am positively drunk on the autumn colors! But this failing light is most depressing.

Garlic Lover

I recommend this as the acid "relationship" test. If your lover still kisses you after imbibing, cleve to this person for life!!

Season's Greetings

Storm Tree

Last month's storm brought the main trunk of this tree crashing to the ground. Unfortunately it did not flatten our ancient garage. The major choice was a) pay the deductible on the insurance and have someone else cut and clear or b) go the "sweat of our brow" route. It actually only took around 1 hour to clean up.

Milk Free Waffles

In case you are interested, rice milk make lousy waffles.

California Again

Marker Play

If you are interested in learning more about how to create with markers, this is the book for you: Colors for Modern Fashion by Nancy Riegelman. It's a great explanation of how to layer markers and get a complete range of textures and finishes. Lovely stuff and very inspiring!

Bovine Love

SO now that I'm in love with drawing again, our computer crashed. We were supposed to be updating our Internet software but did not and the whole thing shut down our computer. At least this is what Craig and Richard think. Richard, me hats off to you. You have rescued us from the brink of disaster so many times. Thanks, Sir Richard.

Well, I said in my previous post that I'm valuing expression over accuracy. Living proof, folks.

Celeric Centered-ness

I had a bit of a blogging and art break this fall. True, I have been really busy this fall with teaching extra classes and some other responsibilities but I've been busy before and did not stop creating. It was really hard not to fret about taking some time off from creating but I had to listen to this self message. It was too strong to ignore. For weeks, every time I thought about drawing, I just inwardly cringed. Two weeks ago, I suddenly felt inspired! What's remarkable to me is that I'm every bit in love with drawing as I was before my break. I also feel like since I took a break, my new drawings feel more brave. Maybe not as technically correct but more expressive. I am coming to really value expressiveness in drawings. Its the stuff of each person that makes the work so interesting!!

Lovely Moleskin

I finally finished my cachet sketchbook from the summer and this is the first drawing in my new moleskin. I totally flubbed this drawing in gousche and then decided to do oil pastels over it. The paper is LOVELY for this media too!

My Talented Student Mandi

Mandi, your drawing will be on the cover of my sketchbook. Thanks so much for sharing your lively, creative drawings with our class.

Neopastels

I'm working without any pencil sketches under the watercolor. Since the summer I have wanted to loosen up and have more play: let the watercolor have its way. I was ready to abandon this painting but I pulled out my neo pastels and nije brush and just drew on top of the painting. Not the best painting but I feel really happy about the loosness. Feeling expressive takes center stage right now.

More California Dreaming

I just figured out that the watersoluable NeocolorsII can be used over a wc sketch to get in some detail....lights over darks! (Did not use here but am experimenting)

On The Train Today

just a test

Faust With Beards

My son Derek has joined the blogging world. He is a musician, philosopher and culture junky. His blog has an eclectic mix of pithy observations and witty writing. Look for his developing musical links. He wrote a wonderful review of the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. Check him out.

California Dreaming

Sandy Up date

Ok, this is not my friend Sandy. It's Kelsey but I wanted to share what's happening with my friend.
My friend Sandy is recovering very well. She can walk, do the stairs and is even thinking of coming back to teach next term. She still does not have the use of her hand. Her PT said that this is the last part of the body to get retrained by the brain. Her prognosis is excellent.

This Morning on the Train

The guy on the right was reading a science fiction novel and it must have been a really intense part of the book. When he put the book away and got up to leave, he had a rather pleasant look on his face.

After reading the book reviewed below, I got inspired to draw some faces again. I haven't drawn faces in a while but some of these felt down right comfortable.

What I'm Reading

Grubby Princess

At the car wash yesterday, I could not help drawing this shabby, grubby Rocco/Mediterranean style furniture that graces the waiting room. This is def someone's cast off furniture. Cracks me up every time.

I have been creative lately but not in the drawing department. I've been quilting, making clothing for myself and working on creative long range family plans. I have had some resistance to drawing and painting. Remaining true to my inner urges has been my top priority! Today, a tiny tree in full, Maple fall colors is calling to me!