Yard Sale 2012-W39

Today, sadly, I'm doing a lot less painting and a lot more panting than usual as I run back and forth between the basement and my yard sale table out on the parkway.  Time will tell how many of my surplus possessions can be foisted on the public and converted to cash.  But I know this.  Unlike last year, not one bit of that inventory is moving back into the basement for another year.  OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!~  so to speak.

Moving on, the "painting" below is a pen and ink drawing with (water)color pencil, from this year's summer solstice sketch party.  Pleasant although not distinguished; but there is a back-story.  While getting my party kit ready, I pulled a seldom-seen fountain pen from the place where I keep that sort of thing and filled it with some fancy black ink from France.  Ooh la la.  The prior ink was red and I figured "black trumps red" so I couldn't be bothered to clean the pen first.

My Plan A called for some watercolor washes over ink drawings.  Fortunately I had the foresight to do a little test...  on the scrap paper I'd used to start the newly filled pen flowing, I washed over the ink scribbles with plain water.  At least, it started out plain — it turns out your mother and Ben Franklin were right:  Haste makes Waste.   The still-present and soluble red ink swam out of the mix and bathed the steadfast black scribbles in a cherry pink glow.  Thus for the party I had to scuttle Plan A washes and activate Plan B.  Some weeks later, I exhausted the hybrid ink and, lesson learned, I duly cleaned the pen prior to the refill.

So, speaking of black ink, I wouldn't mind being it it at the end of the sale today!  Please excuse the implied pun and enjoy the drawing nonetheless.

p.s.  In order to procrastinate getting things ready for the yard sale, I revamped My Gallery.  Check it out!

Where'd that Cradle Go?!

 

Equinox 2012-W38

Vignette of Astilbe

Back in June, an art friend held a plein air sketching party in honor of the summer solstice.  Tomorrow, the tradition continues as another hosts an equinox sketching party.
Then I think the tradition may pause over the winter solstice, considering the weather and the holiday bustle are each a powerful counter-force in their own right let alone as a tandem.

The summer event saw a productive burst from me—six sketches of which three are pretty tolerable.  One appeared in the Salon deWinchester blog (and now in My Gallery), and the other two will round out the September editions of Painterly Thoughts.  Fingers crossed, something presentable will flow off my brush or pen at the equinox event, for sharing in October.

Looking at today's sketch of a vividly colored Astilbe gave rise to a few thoughts.  A couple or three, as we might say here in the Midwest.  First, I did the sketch with watercolor crayons that I bought in England in 2002 and have barely used since.  (And I did nothing "wet" with them.)  But it was a good reminder of the benefits gained when we venture beyond our comfort zone and do something not so habitual.  Better late than never, right?

Second, it reminded me that I tried planting Astilbe in my own yard.  Under similar conditions and with proper care.  Yet, mine failed to establish and are long gone.  I have plenty of skills with plants in general so it gave me pause to reflect on another life lesson... we can't be all things to all people.  Or to all plants.  Maybe I will give them another try though.  I've learned, too, that you have to be willing to fail in order to succeed.

Third and finally, seeing the Astilbes during their annual reappearance reminded me of the simple joy of seeing old friends after a long spell.  Just like with some of my art friends at that party.  I don't think I can add more to that thought, so please re-enjoy the "painting"!

2012-W37: the year 2012, week 37.

Hi all, and a special hello to click-over guests from the Salon deWinchester blog.  Which is probably everyone.  In case you ever wondered about the strange element in the Salon blog titles, my title here today should reveal all.  And speaking of reveals, in a moment I will reveal more about today's painting.  Plus, if you read the posting below from Sunday, September 9th, the founding principles of the Painterly Thoughts blog will also be revealed.  So see, the Bible isn't the only source for Revelation(s) today.  Meanwhile, on with today's thoughts.

I have two brilliant nephews, both in grade school and both living a solid 1,000 miles away.  This year, one of my New Year resolutions was to stimulate more frequent interaction with both and so I schemed.  For the younger nephew, I came up with a pretty good game.  Like any good game, there is ultimately a prize to be won.

But to win the prize, he must solve a riddle.  And to solve the riddle, he must assemble a puzzle.  But the puzzle is a wicked rebus.  I've shown it to six adults and only one got the tricky part.  Happily, the boy has smart parents (with smarter friends) and, just in case, I have a clue or two ready.  I feel optimistic they will ultimately triumph.  Don't feel excluded...  you'll get a crack at solving the puzzle and seeing the answer in future posts.

To gain pieces of the puzzle, my nephew has to mail back fill-in-the-blank postcards I send him.  Hence, I needed cards to enclose and mail postcards & puzzle pieces, which I painted as needed.  In My Gallery (Awesome Link, look left), these cards include the Berber and the skull ring.  And now today's painting of a Draco flying lizard—one of his current interests.  Well, as you know, little boys are made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.

Nowadays, allegedly, he sends postcards he writes himself.  Very sporadically.  Thus I accept the scarce phone call in lieu.  And even though my puzzle and other resolution schemes haven't garnered much success, I still think myself fortunate to have two nephews who remind me of the small moments in a mostly idyllic childhood I shared with my two brothers.

And with that thought, please pause to bookmark this blog page and then proceed to enjoy the painting.

Draco in Flight

What's all this, then?

My friendly art group, the Salon deWinchester, is reorganizing and may meet less regularly.  So thus presented itself a natural transition point to split off my weekly posts into this new blog.  Meanwhile the Salon blog lives on, to showcase works when the gang assembles.  Alright then.  Let's have us a painting and some thoughts...

I confess to not being a cat fancier.  We grew up having dogs, and I'm allergic to cats, neither of which helped the feline case.  I do freely admit that kittens are probably the cutest animal baby on the planet, even more adorable than puppies.  It's too bad they must turn into cats.

Anyhoo, in the winter of 2011 I did a series of paintings that presented cats in hats and wigs.  Specifically, cats that looked embarrassed or quietly enraged by the indignity of said hat or wig.  If you follow that awesome
My Gallery link on the left of your screen, you can view this delightful series.  And more.

As the cat series wound up, I pondered a companion series featuring the noble dog... with a pipe.  And after 18 months on the back burner, yesterday I whipped up the painting below — which I think may end up a series of one.  I feel it could use some finishing work but I am calling it done nevertheless.  I will say this about the dog, s/he does appear as though s/he could be thinking painterly thoughts...

And on that note, please become a Follower & thanks for visiting.  Y'all come back now!

Poochy Puffs Pipe Pastureside